LEAGUE CLUB MATCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 206, 1 September 1930, Page 15

LEAGUE CLUB MATCHES.

CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED.

PONSONBY ON TOP.

NEWTON AND MARIST DRAW,

WINS FOR KINGSLAND AND

ELLERSLIE,

By thrashing Devonport by 28 points to 3 at Carlaw Park on Saturday, Ponsonby placed tlic fate of the Rugby League senior championship beyond ail shadow of doubt. In the first spell the seasiders held their own, but in the dying stages faded out of the picture completely, and Ponies scored pretty well as they liked. It was the tamest championship final staged for years, and it Avas little wonder that the disappointed spectators transferred their attention to the battle that was waged between Marist and Newton on the opposite ground. The suburban team rose on a flood tide of success, and in a rattling good game made a draw of it, lti points all. Out on the Domain, City suffered a reverse at the hands of Kings-land-Athletics by 14 points to< 13, while at Ellerslie the racecourse suburb's team scraped home against Richmond by 10 points to 15. The defeat of both Shore and City in the series means that Ponsonby have won the championship for tho second season in succession, and carry off both the Thistle Cup and the Monteith Shield.

In view of the way the games went on Saturday, it is probable that the Roope Rooster competition will be commenced next week. City and Devonport have also to play for second place on the ladder at a date to be fixed. With several teams strengthened by the return of the "Kiwis " from Australia, and with others, like Newton, improving in every department of the game, renewed interest will be lent the game during the pursuit of the Silver Wyandotte. Ponsonby, who were not affected by the loss of players on tour, will find as the competition progresses that they will not have matters all their ' own way.

SHORE'S SHODDY SHOWING. The Shore thirteen have been decidedly inconsistent this season, but, in recent matches, they revealed such bright form that it wns confidently expected they would sorely trouble the championship leaders,, Ponsonby. Oil Saturday,, however, they, disappointed even their most ardent supporters by allowing themselves to be trounced by Ponies to the tune of 2S points to 3. It was western suburbs ability to turn mistakes by the opposition to account that decided the issue, rather than concerted action by them. There were few bright spots in the clash, and it developed into a very drab affair in the second spell. In the first half the seasiders held their own, ruore 01- less, and were unlucky on | several occasions not to score. Winning l possession in the scrums they had every I

opportunity to make the game fast and open, but the slowness of young inside backs against such sturdy opponents as Delgrosso and Riley proved fatal. Rhodes, behind the scrum, played a rattling good game, and, besides showing up in the loose, shot the ball out at every opportunity. Sai'on, at first live-eighths, however, was not quick enough in sending the ball along to A. Seagar, and consequently the latter had little opportunity of exploiting some of those tricks he learned in Aug-'

tralia. Individually Seagar did well, and might have scored had his lucky star been in the ascendant. Smith, at centre, did not lire up to the reputation he earned earlier in the season, and was too prone to dodge about aimlessly instead of giving his wingers a chance. T. O'Leary and Harding were rarely sighted, as the result of the centre's tactics, but they got through a wealth of defensive work with credit. W. Seagar showed promise at full-back, and, up to a point in the second spell, when he was badly dumped, 'he tackled gamely and extricated his side from a lot of nasty corners. He also did some useful work in running his supports into position. On the day, the Ponsonby backs were immeasurably superior to those of the opposition, although they rose to great heights at no stage in the piece. All too frequently men broke away to leave supports standing. Riley was the brightest back on the field, and his speed and cleverness on the move was a continual thorn in the side of the opposition. Mclntyre grafted well at scrum half, and Delgrosso was as valuable as ever at first five-eighths, featuring in all roles to advantage. Angelo, the centre, played a game out of the box, and was one of the best backs on the ground. Winters and Schofield, • the three-quarters, both registered tries as the result of their fleetness of foot and resourcefulness. Judged bv and large, the Ponsonby forwards were the more superior of the two sextets. ■Hoolrfng was their weakest point, but, as the game wore on, they mastered this defect. W. Skelfon was the pick of the bunch, and several fast breakaways by him were deserving of a better fate than they received. The energetic forwards best supports were Fagan and Stevens The Shore forwards failed *to stay the distance, and frequently made excellent spectators when tlieir backs were battling gamely to stem the encroaching, tide of the opposition. Ruby was the shining light, taking on all comers in the hard stuff, and doin„ excellent work in the loose. Others who worked with a will were St. George ana RU lg a championship final, the match fell below standard. Devonport can be excused for a lamentably weak display, but more was expected of Ponsonby. Iyankly they were a disanpointment, and one was in sympathy with a supporter when he commented "that they were the poorest team that has ever won a championship.

CLOSE FINISH. At Ellerslie, the home team defeated Richmond' by the narrow margin of one point: the final scores reading; 17—10. Ellerslie, although leading lo— 1 6. «P * H ten minutes before the final whistle, u c nearlv beaten by Richmond s final clash, and iiad it not been for Dufty _s brilliant penalty kick Ellerslie would have been defeated instead of winners by one point Although Ellerslie gained possession ot the ball from the majority of scrums in the first half they did not make full use of the advantage, a knock-On or forward prus spoiling opportunities at the crucial stages. In the second half the Richmond forwards, were gaining the ball most ot the time, but when the rearguard swung into motion, EllerSlie's deadly tackling, which was a feature of the game, nullified all hopes ot scoring: There were some brjlliant movements in the Richmond rearguard, but it was not 'till the closing stages, that these movements were finalised »by •A-j.try. On the run of play Ellerslie; thoroughly deserved their win. Ellerslie attacked strongly, from the , outset, the, suburban team being unlucky in- not scoring. Grogan knocking, on when a score appeared imminent. However, they were rewarded when Duftv turned a penalty from the sideline to account. Again Ellerslie swept downfield, Webb initiating a movement which Kennedy finalised by scoring in the corner. Richmond then took a hand in proceedings, B. Davis securing from a scrum, to send his supports invading. The ball came out to Prentice, who cut through fast and transferred to Mills, to Mincham, who capped a pretty movement by scoripg wide out. ' Although both teams made strenuous efforts to 'further . augment thei score, (half-time canm with ;Ellerslie leading o—o. On'resuming play Ellerslie attacked, Webb, Grogan, and Drew featuring- in a combined movement .which culminated in the last named going across&'iOufty converting. A brilliant opening by 'OlifE saw Webb, Dufty, and Hickey away, the centre clapping on speed to outpace thd opposition and ground the ball under the posts. The kick was easy' for Dufty. With Ellerslie twelve points in front Richmond infused more dash into their efforts to penetrate the suburban team's defence, and were ultimately succcs:fi 1 when Potter scored from

a melee. Again Richmond swung to the attack, Ragg being instrumental in further reducing the leeway, after Prentice had made an excellent opening. Mincham made no mistake with the. kick. Securing from the loose, Davis sent Prentice away, for the .latter to draw the defence and transfer to Thomas; who ran over unopposed, making the scores in favour of Richmond. With only a minute to play, a concerted rush by Ellerslie had Richmond hard pressed,, when the maroons were penalised. All eyes were on Dufty when he placed the ball for a very difficult kick, but lie did not fail, the ball sailing over the bar. This proved the winning kick, as the whistle sounded without further play.

For the ..winners. Dufty gave a wonderful display, his kicking and handling being a decided asset to his team. Grogari was the better of the two wings, more chances going his way, but Webb was the pick of the rearguard, opening up for his supports in great style, besides shining on defence. Oliff gave his usual sound display, while of the hard-working vanguard Chapman, Quirke, and Hobbs were outstanding. In fact, the last named was the best forward on the ground. Lee was safe and sound for Richmond, but was outshone by his vis-a-vis Dufty. Thomas put in some determined dashes on the wing, while Mincham was always prominent in attack. Prentice and Davis collaborated well at live-eighths, the former in particular giving an outstanding display. B. Davis fed his backs to tlie best Of advantage, while in the hard-working sextet Richie, Lennie r.nd Ragg were the outstanding players.

THRILLING FINISH. When the City-Kingsland match started on Saturday it looked as if it would develop into a very tamo affair, but toward the end the spectators were treated to some rare thrills. At one time it looked as if the spectators were going to take a hand in the game, especially wlien fully 100 youths and men crowded round the players on the side line. Excitement was intense and women and girls screamed when the play became extra "tight.'' There was only one point difference in the scores, and this was in Ivingsland's favour. City gradually forced their opponents back to their own goal line and it was within a yard or two of the white chalk mark that the trouble took place. Try as he would Referee A. E. Smith could not get the over-eager City barrackers - back off the line. Kingsland were fighting all they knew to prevent a score and things were very lively for a time. Both teams were below senior strength, City having to play two sixth grade players in McGregor and Zannoviteli, while Kingsland had to field a fourth grade player in Tunnicliffe. The youngsters gave a good account of themselves, but it was noticed that they were shrewd enough to keep out of all the trouble that was going at the end. The Barchard brothers were a tower of strength to the City side, but Shortland was not up to He played a most selfish game and lost his sirte many opportunities. Longville, Kingsland s full-back, did all that was asked of him and saved his side on several occasions. His coolness was remarkable under the circumstances. Lucas and List were alwaysi prominent. and Herring and Hogg, the latter an emergency, worked hard. It is a game which no doubt will be talked about in years to come as one of the most thrilling finishes to a .match which went for three parts of the way very tamely.

NEWTON HOLDS ON. The contest between Marist and Newton on Carlaw No. 2 was tnarkeO by many passages of bright Play, though nothing of classic description. Gregory made his first club appearance since his return from s /tralia, and the Marist teanr was not at its best without Brisbane, Brady and 0 Brie" As usual the Rangers were eager and showed plenty of pep, their well-sustaind efforts bringing reward in the shape of 16 points— a drawn game. Initial play presaged that Old Boys had a shade the better of affairs up to the interval and led by B—o. They made strenuous efforts to increase the wargin, and the stubborn defence of Newton suddenly was transformed in the course of the prettiest movement of the day. Right under his goal, Hill snapped up the ball and made a swerving run through the green forwards, then veered slightly towards the wing. MeLeod swiftly raced into position 'for a -pass, side-stepped Shultz and handed on to Middleton, wlio ran straight on to the twenty-five line. Here Francis on' the inside received the transfer, and outpaced Feran to score under the posts. It was a neat illustration of the value of supporting play. Hill had no difficulty with the goal that gave the reds the lead. Retaliation immediately followed, the Marist forwards, minus Duane, who left the field injured," being well backed by the rearguard in an invasion. Young the flveeighths, took a quick pass from the scrum: . to> go .over diagonally near the posts. Gregory goaled. For the second occasion in the match the tallies were even when E. Brimble made a brilliant run from midfield and centred. MeLeod missed the ball, but the kicker ran on to retrieve and score wide 5 * out. Smart collaboration /by Bachelor, who had returned to the field recovered from a nasty kick when getting down to a rush, and Cronin, enabled the latter to score at the corner. Then Newton staged another vigorous attack and Allan crossed the line to equalise the totals. Graham had retired earlier with an injured finger, so the Marist scrummers were having difficulty in the closing quarter of an hour.

Until he suffered the effects of a couple of severe tackles Munro was snowing to advantage in the Marist three-quarter line. Gregory and Young opened up the play well, but the backs were not very Impressive taken as a whole. Johnson, Campbell and Young were the best forwards. On the opposing side the pack teemed with honours, Francis being in everything. His consistent fitness is an object lesson for many local players. Middleton and Allan were a good pair also. Cammick was the outstanding weakness of the backs. The result was that much of the responsibility fell on the first live-eighths, E. Brimble, who played brilliantly and proved himself the big thorn to the greens. He is fast and thrustful. Hill again demonstrated liis ability as a centre. C. Brimble played beside Ills brother, but was not as prominent as usual. McLeod did a lot of good work, but was inclined to get out of position. FerralL was relegated to the other llanK and tackled properly. Dempsey continues to improve as a full back, but snould endeavour to avoid kicking the ball—especially to opponents.

OTAHUHU WIN. SENIOR B CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED. The .senior B grade championship was decided as a curtain-raiser to the main attraction, Otahuliu defeating last year's winners, Point Chevalier, by the narrow margin of 3 points to nil. While the game aroused the enthusiasm of supporters, it •did not thrill the spectators. 'Players indulged in all too much, kicking, and endeavoured to do too much on their own.. The only try was scored by Matson, who got over as the result of fast following up when the ""Point" were in difficulties. GRADE RESULTS. SENIOR B GRADE. Ponsonby 28, boat Devonport 3. Kingsland 14, beat City 13. Marist 16, drew with Newton 16. SECOND GRADE. Mt. Wellington 7. beat Marist o. Richmond 17. beat Devonport 7. Ponsonby 30, beat Mangere 7. THIRD GRADE OPEN. Marist 15, beat Avondale 3. Ivingsland 13, beat Glen Lynn 2. Ponsonby 44, beat Richmond 2. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Akarana 3, beat North Cote 0 V Kingsland beat Devonport by default. Mt. Albert 80, beat Newmarket 6. FOURTH GRADE. Kingsland beat Pt. Chevalier by default. City 10, beat Akarana S. Richmond 33, beat Glen Lynn 4. Mt. Albert 21, beat Papatoetoe 3. Avondale 8, beat Devonport 5 (final). FIFTH GRADE. Marist 15, beat Ponsonby 0. Richmond beat Northcote by default. Newmarket 11, beat Papatoetoe 0. SIXTH GRADE. Newton 10, beat Marist 80. City 14, beat Newmarket 0. Pt. Chevalier 19, beat Gl6n. Lynn 2. SEVENTH GRADE. Ellerslie 22, beat Richmond B u. Marist 5, beat Glen Lynn 3. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Richmond A 0, beat Newmarket '3. Richmond B C, beat Oneliunga Convent 2. Ellerslie 47. beat Otahuhu 0. Ponsonby IS, beat Avondale 0.