LEAGUE FINAL

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 17

LEAGUE FINAL

MARISTS ON THE PERCH. PONIES' WINGS TRIMMED. CHAEITY DAY AT CARLAW. Speed, skill and combination were the trinity of football vir'ues which carried Marists to victory in the final of the Roope Rooster knock-out competition, at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, ■when Ponsonby, winners of the ladder competition, were vanquished in a game which was full of pulsating incident. Both teams played buoyantly, and the play was rapid from whistle to whistle. The methods of the Marists inside backs were a radiant feature, and the collaborative work of Gregory, Brady and Brisbane was in a large measure the deciding factor. Western suburbs played •well on the day—just as well as a lively and fast-raiding opposition allowed — and their defeat by 17 points to 9 hardly represented the merits of the two teams. Admittedly Tykes had territorially the better of exchanges, but fortune was kind to them on several occasions, when the opposition threw away scoring opportunities through erratic handling. Then again it was lucky for them that Delgrosso had left his "kicking boots" at home, and he missed a number of easy shots at the uprights. It was Charity Day at the Park, and despite counter attractions, 7000 people rolled up to headquarters in anticipation of an exhibition of crisp handling and clever manoeuvring. None was disappointed, for the match, was a thrilling, fast-moving spectacle —one of the best games witnessed this season. By winning the Silver Wyandotte, the wearers of the green have repeated their last year's performance. They are to ■be congratulated on their success, for, ever since the round of the ladder competition they have been playing consistently good football. To a- large degree they have maintained interest in club matches, for they have upset calculations many times in perplexing and convincing fashion. The question now" is: Who will be champion of champions? Ponies and Tykes will decide the issue next Saturday, and another brilliant game should be produced. On Saturday, Ponies were the first to score, but three clear-cut tries put the greens' advantage in at the interval, the scores at that stage being 9 to 3. It was anybody's game in the second spell, and fortunes fluctuated continually, till suburbs had drawn level, nine all. Then Tykes launched attacks on the defence, both fore and aft, and their telling tactics gave them eight more points and a clear-cut margin of victory. Generally speaking, the spirit in which the match was played was excellent, but, _,; there ■were a few incidents that marred an otherwise good display. Moore once again was conspicuous for creating trouble, and his pulling Duane about unnecessarily, culminated in the latter retaliating, with flying fists and being ordered off. Referee Rogers would have done better to have sent both men to the side-line, particularly ae there was so much at stake. >

On/the day.the Marists backs, ~w.ho really decided the issue, were superior to the opposition. They gave Ponies' scoring machine no quarter and by playing right on top of their men on defence gave the latter few real chances. Then again, the blue backs lacked their usual organised force owing to Mclntyre, their clever little half-back, being on the injured list. This necessitated a reshuffling of the inside backs and bringing C. Skelton from the wing to first fiveeighths. The latter was not at home and let men, run past him all too frequently. " Delgrosso was seen at his worst and at full-back was caught hopelessly out of position time and again. He received a nasty knock early in the piece, and, from then on, did not seem to have his old confidence. Thompson played solidly at second five-eighths, and Kiley was right on his form. On attack he drew the defence beautifully towaM him and gave supports two gallops that resulted in tries. He had a torrid time on defence and with few exceptions kept a watchful eye on his vis-a-vis, Brisbane. Winters and Schofield both played well on the wings, and were conspicuous for spectacular dashes. The former was one of the best backs on the ground, being quick off the mark, ever ready to give the reverse pass, and always dangerous? in possession. Moore was sound behind the scrum and sent the ball away smartly. Brisbane was the best back on the ground and was really brilliant on the move. Brady, stationed alongside him, played his best game of the season, and scored a magnificent try in the second spell. Gregory was "worth his weight in gold," as an enthusiast aptly described him after the match, excelling at defensive work. His almost uncanny sense for anticipating the trend of the play saved his side repeatedly. Batchelor was the best of the wingers, ■while N. Campbell, the custodian, was reliable on all occasions. Hassan was.as consistent as ever behind the scrum and gave an excellent account of himself, both on the defensive and offensive. While the Marists pack was beaten in the scrums more often than not, their quick breaking up and fast following through proved troublesome to the opposition. In the loose, they were fiery and alert, and gave their backs opportunities by sending the ball out. There was not a "vamper" in the sextet, of whom Graham, O'Brien and Moisley caught the eye most. Gardiner was Ponies' outstanding ruck man and he received best support "from vFagan and Payne.

JUNIOR RESULTS. SECOND GRADE. Mount Albert 14, beat Newton 5. THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby 16, beat Newton 0. .. THIRD INTERMEDIATE GRADE. City defaulted to Devonport. FOURTH GRADE. Graf ton 11, beat Technical Old Boys 9. Akarana 8, beat Kingsland 5. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 14, beat Marist 9. ; SIXTH GRADE. Newton 5, beat Richmond 80. Nprthcote 2, beat Point Chevalier 0, Richmond 11, beat Kingsland 0, Otahuhu 5, beat Northcote 3. _ PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Onehunga Convent 14, beat Mangere 0\: Newmarket 1, beat Newton 2. Richmond 10, beat Parnell 2. Ellerslie 9, beat Papatoetoe 0. HOUSE MATCHES. W. Lovett 8, beat A. B. Wright 2. J. Herring 22, beat F. and H. Craig 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HAMILTON. , Hamilton 25, bent Frankton 3. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCKURCH. Christian .Brothers:32,. Beat Addlngton.B, Sydenham 18, beat Kaikorai 10.