HONOURS TO DEVONPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 230, 29 September 1930, Page 15

HONOURS TO DEVONPORT

FAST, SPECTACULAR GAME. CITY MISS BY A POINT. STALLARD CUP TO RICHMOND. One of the best matches seen at Carlaw Park for a long time was the contcst on Saturday between Devonport and City, resulting in a win for the. former by a margin of one point after the scores had fluctuated in fascinating fashion throughout. The play was open and fast until the last few minutes, when City made a gallant effort to wrest victory during a tense lorward struggle near the Shore line. Richmond B had too many guns for Point Chevalier in the linal for the iStallard Cup.

CITY MISS BY A POINT,

Calculations were upset in the play-off to decide the challengers of X'onsonby in the contest for the coveted Stormont Memorial Shield, emblematic of the champion of champions for the season. Last year the trophy was won by Marist Old Boys. Although City ware favourites for the weekend fixture there were many who believed that North Shore were capable of springing a surprise, and this, no doubt, invested the match with more than ordinary interest. Patrons were rewarded with football of the brightest kind —spectacular movements and thrills a-plenty. It opened up in normal fashion and City wore on their toes lirst. Within eight minutes they had two clear-cut tries on the board. This was not hopeful for the seasiders who, however, soon rose to the occasion with the odds against them, Alf Scott, as breakaway, behind a vigorous pack, was commencing to size up the situation and playing his hand accordingly. Seagar, on the wing, made some of his disconcerting runs and it was not long before live points were up as the result of a liery forward raid, followed quickly by another try also converted. The reds, with W. Hadlcy making a great success as hooker, retaliated in flashing style, George Perry showing some ot' his old form by a brilliant run to let the vigilant Ben Davidson over in good position. So, the tallies were 10—i) at the interval, with spectators quite keyed up with the' splendid open and fast play by both teams.

Exciting Second Half. Within a quarter minute ol' the resumption Devonport got a lucky break. ' The bail rcbounued in to Ruby's hands, and, in tho momentary coin -ion, the galloping forward was through-a' gap. Casey received and swiftly linisned on' the manoeuvre. Alt Scott registered his. third goal. City were I now all out and playing with better understanding. Clever .work by Reynolds, Davidson and Laurie Barehard severely tested the defence, but Dcvonport's new winger, Wilson, and Smith, at full-back, were safe. Clarke, Hamilton and Hadlcy led the vanguard to the attack and a centring penalty kick taken by Ben Davidson at quarter-way and near tiie outline was mishandled by the defenders and a fast follow-up enabled Clarke to pounce on the ball near the goal posts. Davidson converted and City were now within. one point of their opponents. Zonnavicli, a lower- grade player who came on early in the game when W'atene retired with concussion, was co-operating well with Len Barchard, and his lieetness on attack really contributed to the next score. He made u pretty opening. Davidson swung liis flankman into position and Laurie Barelmid literally Hew past Harding, who was now on the wing with Seagar at live-eighths. The angle and range were too much for Davidson, but City were two points in the lead. The deciding try of the day, ensuring victory for Shore, was obtained by Trevor O'Leary, and it was a masterly effort, on a par with that of George Perry in the lirst Half. At midlield St. George hooked the ball. Rhodes handed on to O'Donnell, to Seagar, who cut in well and handed to the roving Alf Scott, who seemed to be taken by surprise at this onward burst. His pass went astray, but Seagar whipped round to gather and hand on to O'Leary. The latter was going at full speed with his winger in line. He elected to cut in instead of passing, and sped on, amid enthusiasm, to score as he was tackled by George Perry well out. With the score 18 —17 against them, City made a determined last bid in hard rucking oil the Shore line, but it failed, and a loud appreciative cheer went up as tho whistle sounded. Watene was not shaping too well at fullback wlieu lie had to leave the licld. Shortland was no better when tried and then George I'erry was wasted in the position. Laurie Barchard played a fine all-round game, with limited opportunities, and Hen Davidson revealed his best form of tlic season. The other winger was Muncc, of Parncll B. lie performed with credit for a novice, showing possibilities. Reynolds was easily the best of the inside oaeks, though young Zannovich also did well in company wth Len Barchard in the latter part of the game. Iverson, who played in the backs and forwards, was prominent throughout and appeared to be very fit. Sliortland has given much better displays. The forwards were a very even lot and W. Perry was good in the open with Clarke and Hamilton outstanding in the .close work. Iladley was a success as hooker. Smith played steadily at full-back for Shore. Wiison, ex-Grammar Old Boys, was one of Shore's trump cards for the day and lie well justified his tryout as a winger. O'Leary, O'Donnell, Harding and Rhodes all did well and Seagar was in liis element, giving tile opposition a lot of trouble with his incisive and elusive running. Alf Scott was a great strength to the team in ail departments. Simpson, the Norchcote winger, made a very successful debut in the top grade. Casey, Ruby and Rule were untiring of a fast set for forwards. u ' th their full complement fielded Shore may give the championship winners more than a shock this week.

SENIOR B GRADE. STALLARD CUP. The Richmond B team put up a remarkably fine performance on No. 2 ground, and in defeating the Point team by 21—11 showed that they have quite a number of pin vers who will be an acquisition next season. Clever work between the inside backs, in support of fast forwards, revealed the merits of Dunn and Pell. The maroons had a lead of IS points at the interval. Their opponents never relaxed, and it was a bright and interesting contest to the whistle. GRADE GAMES. FOURTH GRADE. Akarana S, beat Avondale 3. SIXTH GRADE. Point Chevalier 9, beat City 0. Newton G, beat Richmond 0. HOUSE MATCHES. Modern Shoes, Ltd., 34, beat Thompson and Hills 7. ] PRIMARY SCHOOLS. ; A reps. 6. drew with B reps. 6. . Possibles '3, beat Probables 2. I SCHOOL REPS. i After,witnessing two games at Carlaw Park on Saturday between primary school teams, the. selector (Mr. Cowley) has chosen two i teams to meet again at the Park next Satur- ; day, with a view to finalising the two thirteens which arc to play an exhibition game i next month at Papakura. The players are - as follow :— A Team. —Scott (Devonport), Wickens (Richmond), Neil, Hawkes (Akarana), Pat- ' terson (Newmarket), Halsey (Papatoetoe), ] Graham (Richmond) ; forwards, Walters - (Newton), Mclnarney (Ellerslie), Stewart , (Akarana), Rice (Mangere), McLean (Aka- » rana), Stanaway (Newmarket). Reserves: Hammond (Akarana), Lye (Ellerslie), H. Tidmarsh (Papatoetoe), Turner (Rich- J mond). „ „ ~ B Team. —Tackle (Richmond), Benfall ] (Northcote), L. Moore (Newmarket), Ticrney (Avondale Con.). Donovan (Onehunga), E. Moore, Bennett (Newmarket) ; forwards, Kent (Richmond B). Radovieh, Evans (Devonport). Selby (Richmond), Murton (Ellerslie), Rapley (Devonport). Reserves: Sime, Matthews (Mangere), C. Tidmarsh (Papatoetoe). Franklin (Newmarket). GAMES IN PROVINCE. HUNTLY. ' Juniors,—Huntly first grade 14. beat Mt. Albert B grade 6 ; Mt. Albert fourth grade " 6, beat Huntly second grade 3. 1