THE MONTEITH SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 183, 5 August 1929, Page 11

THE MONTEITH SHIELD.

DEVONPORT AGAIN DEFEATED. TRIUMPH TOR MARISTS. WINS FOR PONIES, NEWTON AND KINGSLAND. The fate of the League club competition for the Monteith Shield remains undecided, as Marists rose to the occasion at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, and for the second time this season Devonport, the leaders, Lad to bow to defeat. The result of Marists' achievement leaves the eeasiders and Ponsonby level at the head of the championship ladder, and the play-off will take place next Saturday. In the early stages of the big clash, Shore were vantage in, but Marists played with indomitable spirt and the will to conquer, to forge to the front and win by 10 points to 6. It was a desperately hard game in heavy going, the play being relieved by occasional spectacular flashes and radiant individual effort.

Ponsonby outplayed City in the cur-tain-raiser to the tune of 17 points to 5, while out in the suburbs Nekton accounted for Richmond by 6 points to 0, and Kingsland Athletics had a comfortable win over Ellerslie by 19 points to 7. Following are the positions of the teams: — Points Ch. P. W. L. D. for ag. Pts. Devonport 1-1 11 2 1 236 108 23 Ponsonby .14 11 2 1 271 116 23 City 14 9 0 — ISS 13S 18 Marist ..13 6 4 3 ISO 156 15 Newton .. 14 7 7 — 139 21S 14 Kingsland 13 4 S 1 133 209 9 Richmond. 13 3 10 — 105 161 6 Ellerslie.. 13 — 13 — S6 209 0

TYKES DOWN SHORE,

The determination to win, tenacity among the forwards, and the cleverness of their inside backs to size up loopholes in the defence and take advantage of them, gave Marists a well-deserved win over Devonport by the- margin of two converted tries to two unconverted tries. Incidentally, Tykes' victory carried with it the Thistle Cup, which is awarded for the team that wins the most games in the second round—the greens having gone through without a single loss. As a spectacle the game was a regular vortex of exciting loose play, and provided the spectators with as good an exhibition of wet-day football as they could wish to see. There was hardly a dull moment throughout, and, especially in the second spell, when Marists took the lead, tension ran high. The crowd were on their toes continually, as iirst one side raced goalward and then the other, the issue being kept in doubt right, to the last moment. Shore early in the piece looked as though they were going to run out easy winners, and when two tries by Beattie gave them a six-point lead Tykes' supporters' hopes began to wane. They did not make allowances, however, for tho battling green forwards or the. brilliant Gregory - Brisbane - Brady combination, who

later in the piece proved what a devastating force they are. Tykes, even in the face of adversity, did not let up for a moment, and they were rewarded for their persistency by Brady, late in the first half, slipping across near the posts. Gregory made Marists only one point down at the interval. The second stanza wae a repetition of the first, brilliant passing bouts punctuating rugged, fast forward exchanges. It was early in the piece that Tykes got the try that proved the match winner. They harassed the opposition both fore and aft, and though Shore defended as never before they were unable to stem the encroaching tide. Then there was a scramble in the goal mouth, and Johnson darted through the heaving, struggling mass of humanity to force immediately in front of the post. Referee Bull awarded a try, and scenes of wild enthusiasm were witnessed when Gregory piloted the ball over the bar. For a iong period after that the greens, encouraged by their siiccess, gave thenopponents no quarter. The seasiders made desperate efforts to reduce the leeway in the dying stages, and the greens had to conjure up all their defensive powers to keep them out. The teams were fighting on even terms, however, when the curtain was lowered on a memorable encounter.

Forced by casualties to rearrange their backs, Devonport's chain was a disorganised force that lacked their characteristic sparkle and thrust. Then again, the- bulk of the scrums went in favour of the opposition, and Coghlan was starved of opportunities to open up the play. He battled Hko a little hero, however, despite being overwhelmed repeatedly by the fast breaking-up Tyke ruckmen. Rhodes was overshadowed at first five-eighths, while Seagar did not rife to his usual heights on attack, primarily because he did not see so much of the ball as usual. On defence he was reliability personified. Beattie played brightly, and his two tries were attributable to Ms alertness, opportunism, and ability to keep up with the play. Len Scott and L. O'Leary showed up for periodical dashes in the three-quarter line, and let nothing past them on defence. Shore missed the services of L. Simons, their full-back, who injured a knee in the Waikato rep. match, but found a worthy substitute in Trevor O'Leary. The little five-eighths got through a wealth of work with honours, fielded beautifully, and kicked with, judgment with both feet. His tackfing was deadly, and he stopped a sure try when Batchelor broke away in the first spell. Gregory was the master mind of Marists 3 attack. He was. sound on defence, invariably in position when required, and never gave his backs the ball when he knew kicking for the gap or up-and-under tactics would serve his side better. Brisbane combined with him beautifully, and his brilliant dashes at times cut the defence to shreds. He was unlucky on several occasions to fall phort of tries after typical gallops. Brady played one of his best games to date, though Beattie watched him like a cat watching a mouse, and crippled many a promising movement. Batchelor did well on the wing till forced to retire injured, while McDonald, on the opposite wing fielded well and showed pace and determination. N. Campbell, the custodian, played splendidly and

saved his side time and again. Behind the scrum. Hoggan stood out prominently and swung perfect passe? . out to Gregory. The green forwards, with J. O'Brien, Duane, and Johnson always in the van, excelled at fast following up and bustling tactics, while Shore held their own in the loose. Those who shaped best for the seasiders were A. Scott, McCarthney, Ruby, and Rule. Scott played an excellent forward game, and defended excellently.

PONSONBY BEAT CITY.

Juet ae a win or a loss meant everything to Devonport, so Ponsonby had to maintain their form and account for City if they were to have the opportunity of meeting the championship leaders to decide the issue of the competition. A loss would have meant that the shield was irretrievable. Honours were even when the teams took the field, in view of City's splendid victory over the seasiders a few weeks ago, and the Ponies' consistency in a series of strenuous contests, but it was soon impressed on the spectators that the suburban playere were the more confident. They repulsed several doughty initial thrusts by the opposition, to carry operations to the other end of the field, where P. Skelton, a fine type of winger, who has only recently transferred to the 13 a side code, by sheer pace and stainina burst through to open their scoring account. There was an admixture of

brawn and brains in the effort. The Pony forwards were playing all on top of the opposing sextet, and Stevens was consistently Mclntyre. raking the ball in the scrums from Paseoe, with the result that the blues' scoring machine was functioning with gay abandon. Before the spell came they demonstrated what they were capable of by finishing off a glorious passing movement commenced by the forwards in their own twenty-live. Practically every member of the team handled before Winters swung an in-pass to Payiie, to Thompson, who scored. The opposition were not given a ghost of a show in that whirlwind siege that was studded with clean-cut paesiiig the equal of any seen on the Park this season. City revived in the dying stages of the spell, a brilliant solo effort by Watene baffling the defenders to let G. Perry in for a converted try. A penalty goal and a conversion by Delgroeso made the scores at the interval 10 to 5 in western suburbs' favour. 'The second spell was more evenly contested, though territorially the blues held the advantage until the last ten minutes. Then City, exerting themselves in the forwards, were nearly in on frequent occasions, only good defensive work and mistakes such as erratic handling and kicking too hard at the business end keeping them at bay. Their hopes receded, however, when P. Skelton gathered from the loose on the right flank to fly away for a runaway try. Good kicking by Delgrosso did the rest, and when the final bell sounded Ponies were nursing a win by 17 points to 5. ,

Cohesion among the backs, aided by understanding among the forwards, sealed Ponsonby's success. "Whereas the suburb's backs repeatedly flashed into action, the City men had rare gallops, and were indecisive in possession. Among the latter's string were several fine individualiets, G. Perry and McLaughlin being outstanding. Perry faced great odds in pitting himself against such a master of five-eighths plays as Delgrosso, but defended well and got through a lot of solid work on attack. As usual, McLaughlin was conspicuous for his opportunism and flashy runs, but spoilt an otherwise good display by hie ego of infallibility and exhibitions of unnecessary temper. Avoidance of becoming a gallery player is a thing which he- should give attention. Watene played a splendid game at full-back, and captured the admiration of the crowd for his clean fielding, resolute tackling and usually good kicking. Behind a beaten ecrum, Shortland was not at home, and mixed good passes with bad. Though he was gameness iteelf in going down to the ball, he suffered in comparison with Mclntyre, the Ponsonby half. The latter was a regular will-o'-the-wisp, here, there and everywhere. He gave his backs all the ball they wanted, and was continually In the picture for clever breakaways. Delgroso was the genius of the attack, and a tower of strength on defence, while Riley, at centre, was a pivot that brilliantly with the attack. It was pleasing to see Thompson's return to strengthen the fiveeighths line, and play that solid type of club game for which he is noted. His keen sense of appreciation of the value of backing up was exemplified when he finished off the passing gem of the match. P. Skelton proved himself a Hire type of a winger, while Winters made the most of his chances on the wing. All of Ponies' forwards played well, Fagan, Stevens, Gardiner and Skelton being outstanding, while for City Hadley, Clark, Pascoe and Barchard were most prominent.

KINGSLAND IMPROVED.

Adverse conditions materially assisted the uninteresting display given in the match between Kiugsland-Athletics and Ellerslie, won by the former by 19 to 7. A period of desultory play marked the opening and the first movement of consequence was when Grogan broke away in midfield, and after eluding three men, was left with only Tooman to beat. He then sent on to Crewther, who scored under the posts for Hemingway to add the "extras." Shortly after he kicked a goal from the eide-line, which gave Ellerslie a seven-point lead. With the advantage, Ellerslie were expected to gain their initial win of the season but the Kingsland backs rose to the occasion and excellent passing between the inside men rattled on eleven points over the concluding stages. The Ellerslie rearguard gave a very poor exhibition and. only one man stood out, that being Hemingway. On the other hand, the maroons were seen at their best, the handling of the greasy ball being excellent. On the fine play by the Kingsland-Athletic team, they have improved beyond all knowledge since the beginning of the season and may be found giving the leading teams a much harder tussle when the Koope Rooster competition is decided. For the winners, Wilson gave a very safe display, his handling and kicking being brilliant. List's display was the feature of the afternoon. He was always in the thick of play, his cutting in being brilliant, while he paved the way for two of Kingsland's tries. R. Carter was the more prominent of the wings, putting in some very determined dashes down the line, He is deserving of a trial for the representative team, Nasey

and Revell collaborated well at liveeighths, the pair making some excellent openings for their supports. Lucus gave a grand exhibition behind the pack, his anticipation being very keen. The forwards all toiled' hard, but York stood out, his fast following up resulting in his scoring three tries. The Ellerslie full-back, Dufty/ was absent last week, and Tooman filled the position. He was weak in defence, and when Crewther took his place in the second spell, lie was not much better. The backs gave their worst exhibition of tho season, the only man to show any form at all being Hemingway. Ho Mas prominent for some fine individual efforts, and was very solid in defence. Olliff was not seen at his best behind the pack. The forwards held their own with the maroon vanguard, with Hobbs and Chapman in tho limelight. The referee, Mr. S. Billman, gave a lino exhibition with the whistle, displaying a good all round knowledge of the rules. One point that impressed was his* thorough understanding of the advantage rule.

NEWTON'S TACTICS TELL

For a game in the mud the struggle between Newton and Richmond on Saturday at the Domain was quite interesting in patches. It was the former's packmen led by the clashing Francis, and supported by Hammond, .Tenkinson and Middleton, who made the pace merry enough to run homo winners by the nar-' row margin of six points, to nil. Right from the jump Newton stepped out. Hill and Packham, following quick in the wake of the forwards, pounced on the opposing backs whenever open play threatened. The spoiling tactics on the day were effective. Once the teams got warmed up Newton's initiative was evident, and Little chased, a loose ball to open the scoring account. The most telling movement of the match came when Minchani gathered in his own twenty-five to make a clever run before handing on to Davis, to Jenkinson on tho inside, to Grace and back to Mincharn, who, unfortunately, knocked on at a critical moment close up. As far as handling was concerned it was Mfncham's weak day. The second try, also obtained by the alert Newton skipper on the wing, was the result of indifferent kicking, amounting to a mistake by a Richmond back.

Prentice made herculean efforts to inspire his men, but there was a lack of finish in the play. Hanlon, who was also a little off colour, eainc up to fiveeighths, but Newton kept up its. battle to the end. Joy gave a fine exhibition at full-back, and is apparently ono of the best juniors Newton could have at command at this time. Briinble, at centre, was full of vitality, and Ferguson, also in the three-quarters, was good on defence. Cammick bucked into his work in tip-top style, though his vis a vis, Agnew, was also in form. The forwards, particularly those mentioned, combined well, though the hooking was not too successful. Grace, again out for Richmond, played to best advantage, but in common with Deason, the junior on ;tfie other wing, did not see much of the ball. Jones collared the ball in most scrums, and Colcbrook showed speed and reW sourcefulnes in the loose.