GREAT LEAGUE CLASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 122, 26 May 1930, Page 15

GREAT LEAGUE CLASH.

i CROWD THRILLED. BY MARIST-CITY MATCH. A SINGLE POINT MARGIN. WINS FOR PONTES, RICHMOND AND ELLERSLIE. League crowds were thrilled on Saturday afternoon when City gave Marists a great tussle at Carlaw Park, and just failed by a single point to head the Eodpe Eooster winners. It was the greatest match of the season, and Tykes deserved their hard-fought victory by 13 points to 12 because of their superior positional play. Across the way Ponsonby were lucky to scrape home against a much-improved Newton thirteen by 14 points to 10, while on the Domain, Richmond only succeeded in deciding the issue against Kingsland Athletics in the last few minutes of play. The great surprise of the day was the thrashing that Ellerslie inflicted on Devonport on their native heath.

MARISTS' HARD TUSSLE. Everyone would have been satisfied had the Marist and City encounter ended In a draw, instead of a win for the former by 13 points to 12. The teams were evenly matched, and they provided the greatest exhibition of football so far this season. Not only did the scores see-saw with rapidity, but the teams both played attractively. There was towering ruck play and fleet movements among the backs, and in the end the superior positional play of Tykes won the day. Both teams fielded their strongest possible sides, and right from the jump whipped into hostilities with elan and dash. Tykes were the first to chalk up some points, but they were quickly overhauled, and at half-time the opposition led by seven points to six. A converted try shortly after the change over put the wearers of the green advantage in for a time, but a try and a goal by Steve Watene gave City the lead by 12 points to 11 about ten. minutes before hostilities ceased. A penalty goal by Gregory sealed the issue " 1 Id favour of Tykes, but the game might easily have resulted in victory for City. City have McLaughlin to thank for losing the match, for he let Bachelor away for the deciding try by hopeless high tackling. The three-quarter was the weak link in the City chain. Shorts land, behind the pack, played a rattling good game, and was conspicuous for smart runs and liberal feeding of his supports. Wetherill was an astute general at first five-eighths, and combined well with thrusiful George Perry and Davidson. His one great mistake was letting Gregory fool him with a neat cutin early in the first spell. Perry was City's best back. He defended solidly, and was enterprising on the run. Steve Watene figured in a new role. Usually he plays at full-back, but on Saturday he played on the right wing, a position that he filled with ability. He showed dash and pace in scoring the Rovers' first points. Laurie Barchard was reliable at full-back. For Marißts. Hassan was- as sound as a rock at half-back, defending well and giving the Gregory-Brisbarie-Brady combination plency of the ball. Gregory and Brisbane were the best of the clever trio, and their incisive running was a continual source of trouble to the opposition. Gregory was as safe as a bank on defence, and was always on hand when required. Batchelor was best on attack, and scored two nice tries. Sweeney, on the opposite flank, made good, and scored as the result of sheer dash and determination to crown a pretty passing bout by the Marist backs. N. Campbell was never found wanting at full-back, although given a torrid time by the fast raiding City forwards. Len Marchard, Clarke, and M. Watene were the pick of the City forwards, but Iveson. W. Hadley, and Pascoe were grafters from bell to bell. Watene would be well advised to keep a tighter rein on his temper. He was ordered off in the second spell, punishment he has been courting ever since he signed on with City. All the Tyke forwards did a good job of work, but Clark was most in the limelight. O'Brien, Campbell, and Graham were three great battlers. , Scorers were—

For Marists: Tries by Batchelor (2), Sweeney, and a penalty goal and a Conversion by Gregory, 13 points. For City: Tries by S. Watene and Len Barchard, and two penalty goals by S. Watene, and a dropped goal by G. Perry, 12 points.

KINGSLAND VANQUISHED. As prophesied by followers of the code, Richmond gained a victory over KingslandAthletics.by 10 to 3. They.thoroughly deserved their win, aa the maroons always had the better of the game owing to their superior combination, and it was only the rocklike defence of Kingsland that kept them from adding considerably to their total. It was a struggle between two teams that relied more on defensive methods than endeavouring to open up the game. It was only in the last few minutes of the game that Richmond sealed the issue by Jones scoring under the posts from a concerted movement by the forwards, while Mincham made no mistake with the kick, giving Richmond success. Right from the opening Richmond attacked, Peckham sendng his supports away, but Mtncham was well tackied by Carter. Again they went invading, and an infringement by Kingsland gave Mincham a chance to open the scoring, the wing making no mistake. Kingsland then took a hand, Lucas working the blind side of the scrum and diving across, Longville missing an easy chance. With a lead of one point, Kingsland made strenuous efforts to further increase the lead,- but the Richmond defence held hard. A long line kick by Lee placed Richmond on the offensive. . From the ensuing scrum Richmond hooked, Peckham drawing Carter before passing to Mincham, the latter scoring at the corner. There was no more scoring at the interval, and Richmond led sto 3. The handling of the Kingsland backs was very faulty, and repeatedly proi mlsing movements broke down through this fault. Richmond were now having much the better -of the game, but wonderful defence by the rearguard kept them out. However they were not to be denied, fine dribbling by the vanguard transferring play to Kingsland territory. Offside by a Richmond forward brought a momentary respite to Kingsland, but it was only short as they soon pressed again, and a melee saw Jones go over unopposed. Mincham converted. Kingsland, retaliated with a great solo dribbling effort by Longville, but when nearing his objective he threw away a certain score by trying to pick the ball up. and knocked on. Although they made big efforts to reduce the leeway Kingsland could not improve their total owing to the backs not combining to advantage. Richmond had the best of proceedings over the concluding stages, and finally ran out winners by 10 to 3. For the winners Lee gave a great display of kicking, his defence also being very solid. He was accuracy personified with his fielding of the ball, and frequently repelled Invasions by the opposing side. Mincham- was the pick of the wingers, his dashes down the sideline being especially good. Davis did some very fine work, but was inclined to overdo the cutting in. Prentice nipped in the hud many openings by Kingsland by his keen anticipation and solid tackling. Peckham was a regular will-o-wisp behind the pack, while of a hardworking set of forwards,. Jones and Potter were prominent. Hooker was weak as full for Kingsland, bringing his side a lot of trouble with his faulty handling. Carter did not receive many opportunities, while List again disappointed. Herring was right on his game at first five-eighth, always making openings for his support, while his defence was as solid as ever. Lucas was playing behind a losing pack, and consequently did not stand out so much as usual. The van-! guard worked tirelessly, with H. Carter, Bailey and Tork always at the head of affairs, _ . , . . . ~_ l