SHORE TOO GOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 182, 4 August 1930, Page 14

SHORE TOO GOOD.

Although Devonport had much the better of the first half, they defeated Ellerslie by only four points. The Devonport vanguard handled the ball faultlessly, and wore far too quick for the Ellerslie backs, who, although they received the ball from the majority of scrums, did not make full use of the advantage. Solid tackling saved Ellerslie time and again, while on the other hand their passing was poor, and the ball was fumbled at critical stages. Forward passing in the Shore rearguard spoilt many good passing movements, but they collaborated in great style and on several occasions a try appeared most likely, when an off-side nullified their efforts. There was not much difference in the two packs, although Ellerslie gained possession in the majority of the serums. Defonport had the game all on their own in the first half, scoring ten points, while Ellerslie failed to score a point. L. O'Leary scored seven out of the ten. Shore opened with a penalty kick, to be followed by a passing movement, in which Smith and L. O'Leary were the prominent players, the latter scoring in a good position and converting. Oliff secured and passed to Hickey, who was tackled with the ball, and two penalties that followed were missed by the same pair. A further five points were added when Ehodes, gathering from the ruck, dashed through: the defence to score wide out, and L. O'Leary converted with a brilliant kick. On resuming, loose play followed until the ball, kicked by Coughlan, bounced back of Kennerdy, who followed up the advantage and gained an unconverted try unopposed. After Smith converted a penalty Ellerslie attacked with vigour and a scramble took place on the line, from which Ellerslie gained a try that Sommers failed to convert, and the game ended with Shore the victors by 12 to 8.

For the winners, Coughlan played his first game at full back and was shaping well, but was waiting for the bounce. Tbe O'Leary brothers played their usual good game, and Harding, a new man on the wing, was good, but too eager, while Smith was inclined to hold on too long. Rhodes fed his backs to the best advantage, and Gyde, Ruby and St. George were the pick of the forwards.

For Bllerslie Green's line kicking was poor, while Webb was easily the best of the vanguard, and Oliff, the snappy half back, seldom failed to. send the backs away. Chapman, who is a forward, played in the backs, and was noticeable, in some fine solo dashes down the line, but. Kennerdy, on the wing, did not get many opportunities Of the hard-worked forwards Sommers was the best, with Cainpner.and.Quirke in close attendance. ■':. ■ :