LEAGUE PACE SLOWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 134, 9 June 1930, Page 16

LEAGUE PACE SLOWER.

ON HEAVY GROUNDS. MARISTS TROUNCE PONIES. NEWTON TOO GOOD TOR RICHMOND. WINS FOR CITY AND ELLERSLIE. With the grounds heavy, the pace was slower at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when the League competitions were advanced a further stage. In the principal game of the day, Marists totally outclassed Ponsonby and gained victory by 22 points to 2. Ponsonby held their own, more or less, in the first spell, but their defence caved in in the end under the pressure of the concerted tactics of the opposition. Across the way City held too many guns for Shore, and won by 23 points to. 10, while in the early game on No. 1 ground, Newton proved Richmond's superiors by 11 points to 3. The surprise of the day was the defeat of Kingsland-Athletics by Ellerslie by 31 points to 10. ELLERSLIE'S DECISIVE WIN. Snappy passing and solid forward play saw Ellerslie gain a decided win over Kingsland-Athletics, this being realised, Kingsland-Athletic, the margin of points at the finish being 31 to 10. Although Ellerslie won easily, it was not a walkover, the Kingsland team playing one man short. A heavier pack gained Ellerslie the ball most of the time, and the vanguard made the most of the opportunity. In the first quarter Kingsland took the tri-colours by surprise, and it was not long before Atkins opened the scoring, to be followed shortly atter by another converted try. Faulty handling and lack of combination broke their movements when they swung into action. Coster, gaining possession from open play, opened the scoring for Ellerslie, Dufty failing to convert. Kingsland then attacked, but Ellerslie held 'them until Carter, with a brilliant run, after eluding three men, passed to List, who scored close in. Longville again converted. Prom a scrum at halfway Olliffi secured and passed to Grogan, who after beating his opposing player transferred to Webb, who dashed through to score under the posts. Dufty made no mistake with the kick. Nearing halftime Dufty received from a long kick by Longville, and dashed through, and when about to be tackled passed to Coster who dived over to gain a converted try. This brought Ellerslie to the front with the halftime scores reading: Ellerslie 13, Kingsland 10. After the resumption there was only one team scoring. Coster, gathering from the ruck, successfully gained his third try. Dufty converted. With this decisive lead it was not long before Grogan, following up fast, secured and added another three points to the score. G. Simms secured and set his backs in motion, Lucas receiving, and transferring to List, but the effort broke down within a few yards of the line. Olliffi was instrumental in sending Hemmingway over for Ellerslie's sixth try. Immediately after Hemmingway, from a pass by Webb, again scored, and the game ended with Ellerslie winning by 31 to 10. For the winners Dufty at full-back, played his usual good game, while. Olliffi was exceptionally good in sending the backs away. Coster and Hemmingway also played to good advantage. In the forwards Chapman was most noticeable, with Quirk, Somers and Campner in close attendance. Longville, for Kingsland, was back to his usual form, extricating his team on numerous occasions. Simms, Lucaa, and List played well, but they got few opportunities, as the pack was not gaining possession of the ball. Atkins, E. Simms and McClougan were the pick of the forwards.