LEAGUE KICK OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 14

LEAGUE KICK OFF.

DEVONPORT DOWNS CITY. MARIST JITST GETS HOME. ELLERSLIE AND NEWTON DRAW. Promising form was shown by teams in all grades on Saturday afternoon, when the Rugby League season wae inaugurated in brilliant autumnal weather. Devonport and City were featured at Carlaw Park, and, after a tussle which was remarkable for the missed chances on both sides, the seasiders ran out victors by 23 points to 18. In a match which was pretty at. times, patchy at others, but never passive, Marist beat Richmond by 11 points to 10 in a whirlwind finish. Out at Ellerslie, the home thirteen played Newton to a draw —five points all —in a keen, fast and vigorous encounter. Ponsonby, winners of the senior competition last season, had a 'bye. A good deal of interest was taken in the reserve senior grade matches, which provided excellent curtain-raisers to the senior fixtures. Shore Superior. While Devonport won from City with five points to epare, with any sort of luck they might have piled on another ten points. They frittered away golden scoring chances by mishandling (not that they had a monopoly of this early-, season fault), Casey lost the ball when he was within an ace of the line, and, what looked like a well - merited try, was not allowed by Referee Bull. The final scores, 23 points to 18, in favour of the seasiders, certainly was not an accurate criterion of the merits of the two teams, for Shore were immeasurably their opponents' superior, and had the game in hand even when City were leading in the first spell. Territorially they won hands down. Despite the erratic passing at times,' the struggle was fast, open and interesting from bell to bell. It was studded with bright gems of individualism rather than of concerted action, although at times back and forwards combined prettily and exploited short passing and, reverse passing effectively. The men from across the water showed promise of brighter things, and gave the impression that they are going to prove a tough nut to crack this season. They have virile forwards, thrustful inside backs, and a leavening of seasoned players such as A. Scott (who has emerged from retirement), Seagar (who is always reliable), lien Scott (who has returned to the fold after a year in Fiji) and Simons (a great fullback, who lias suffered nothing through a spell in Wellington). Alf. Scott's influence was particularly noticeable, and his able generalship contributed in no small measure to his side's initial success. He scored a nice try by sheer weight, daeh. and determination, and grafted in the pack, or made an extra ;back,. as the occasion demanded. It was rather' surprising to see Len Scott —a few seasons back Auckland's crack threequarter—in the role of a forward, but he acquitted himself well. Of other stalwarts in the van, Casey was a hard worker. The most outstanding colts were E. Scott and Simpson, whose tireless energy proved a thorn in the side of the opposition. City saw a fair share of the ball, but their forwards excelled in the tight stuff. J. Hadley, Len Barchard and Iveson were the most conspicuous. S. Clark, who made the trip to Australia last season, was disappointing, and has a good deal of condition to work off before he reaches hie best form; Steve Watene, City's Maori full-back, was a defection, but his place was ably filled by Kerr, a young Tecruit from Parnell. The latter' made a few mistakes, but should do better in the future, particularly as he takes a leaf out of Simons' 'book and runs his backs into position. On the day Simons was his master, being safe in all departments. Ben Davidson was the pick of City's three-quarter line, and his anticipation and alertness allowed him to finish off two movements engineered by McLaughlin. The latter, in the fiveeighths line, was dangerous on the move, but he can afford to brush up his defence. A promising colt is Munce, formerly of Parnell, who showed pace on the wing, and scored the first try of the day as the result of entering twice into a movement which swept from one end of the field to the other. Reynolds did his beet behind the scrum for City, although a trifle on the slow side. He was overshadowed, however, by his vis-a-vis, Rhodes. Trevor O'Leary sparkled on occasions in the Shore scoring machine, while O'Donnell proved a resourceful five-eighths. Seagar held the line together well, while Harding and L. O'Leary made the most of the opportunities that came their way.

ELLERSLIE MATCH.

Two fine teams in the making, Ellerslie and Newton, ushered in the season on the former's ground. It was. rousing opening football, and a big crowd enjoyed the display. The run of play and-five points all just about measured the contenders, though Ellerslie were lucky to ©scape a penalty try for interference with the Newton breakaway at one stage. The home side had weight advantages. Still, Newton is a much improved side physically to that of laßt year, and it lacks nothing in speed. The game started off at a great pace on a pleasantly holding well-trained ground, and both sides made handling mistakes which would be unpardonable except in the initial match. The home forwards were effective for a time, in spite of occasional flashes by the visiting backs, on whose account Dempsey had two penalty shots without success. Hickey, who was in great form, was playing incisively, rushing and raiding in the open, giving the opposing five-eighths little peace, when they began to get the lion's share of the ball, thanks to Williams and later to Pope, who substituted as hooker. Newton lost several chances to score through Hill at centre failing to collect or gather the ball at crucial moments, and Dufty goaled just before the interval, which, it appeared, both teams relished. A different complexion was given shortly afterwards when Craies, Pope, Francis and Allan swept in a movement from halfway, and the last mentioned went over for an easy try. Ellerslie backs now set to work, ana slashing play by Hemingway at fiveeighths and Hickeyj outside him, produced result, not forgetting the able support of Olliff, Hobbs, Quirke, Caulder and Hart in the sorties that occurred. Dufty, in command from the rear, was also doing his part, though two further shots at goal were below his standard. A slight weakness in Newton pack's defence was then found by Hickey, who ran through the ranks and over the line. Evidently it was too easy for Dufty, and the scores were even. Newton made some remarkably fine onslaughts, forwards and backs combining, but the Ellerslie defence stood the test, and, if anything, towa'rds the end had an ascendancy.

Dempsey played a sound game at full for Netrton, but, like HUI and Beattie, was just getting his eye io. Inving, the -winger,

requires to sharpen up his methods. Craies, the Akarana boy, shaped well beside Brimble in the five-eighths line, which was well served by Porteous, an enterprising half, who in his debut to seniors kept his vis-a-vis thinking hard. , Francis was the fittest man on the paddock, and he played wonderful football throughout, setting a fine example to his team. His associates, particularly St. George, were always battlers, and the hooking was first-class. The lighter scrum packed down well, and got the ball. There must be a knowing coach somewhere! Dufty proved invaluable as Ellerslie's last line, and put in some good runs towards the end. Webb subsequently made reparation for a bad start as winger. On the right flank Boswell (a member of a well-known Rugby family) performed eagerly, but looked as though his place was: nearer the scrum. He should'have been tried when Hapi was removed from second five-eighths. Hemingway strengthened the defence when brought in from centre, Hickey coming out of the pack and playing brilliantly. Eustace, the Otahuhu five-eighths, was not outstanding, but will be in better trim soon. Olliff was good as usual behind the solid Ellerslie scrumniers. who were well led by Hobbs and Quirke. Both of these teams will take some beating in future, for each has a fine reserve grade side upon which to call In the early selection stages. Muir (fullback), Ferguson (winger), Eddlestone (five-eighths), and Kindly (forward) were prominent Newtonites in the senior cur-tain-raiser, whilst Ellerslie has a full hand with Dunn and Conway (five-eighths), Keesing (half), Phillips, Crowley and Pai (forwards).

WON AFTER TIME.

Marist's defeat of Richmond Is probably a record in the annals of Kugby League history. When time was up Richmond were leading by 10 points to eight. Marist managed to keep the ball in play, and two minutes later managed to snatch the , aged to stnatch the winning try. It was two minutes of sustained excitement for the greens' supporters. Play raged on the Richmond line, the maroons lost a couple of men in casualties, and only then was a gallant defence broken. If Marists were lucky to win, then indeed, Richmond were unlucky to lose. It was a ' J remarkably even game all the way, with a .... pointless first half. It was a hard-fought struggle, defence was better than attack, there were occasional very, bright gleams of assertive, constructive play, and—very occasionally—collaborative effort of the carefree kind that makes the game a fascinating spectacle.

When the teams took the field it ■was evident that the Marist-Kingsland courtship had been productive of good results, with a spearhead much heavier than . the Richmond sextet. Sheer weight gave the greens the superior pack on the day, and as possession is everything, the green backs had a happier outlook than the Richmondseven. Yet on the full run of the play, there was little between the two sides. Hassan, the Marlst half, was the outstanding player in the game, despite a kick on the head half-way through the piece, and a rest on the ■ side . line while an ambulance man manipulated a surgeon's scissors. Brisbane's strategic play was good, although he has still some points to find. Brady gave a glimpse of the form that a few seasons ago had international promise. Batchelor was dashing on one wing, while on the other flank List had the weight, pace, and fend to make him exceptionally dangerous in attack. It was List who got Marist's winning try, a characteristic hard dash and dive when there was very little room to manoeuvre in.

Daley, Simms and Campbell showed up well in the Marist van. . There is a leaven pf youth in the Ttlchmond backs this season, and as the season advances they should make a very spectacular attacking side. They have a great pivotal lock in Prentice, whose experience and resolute defence have meant much to the maroons in other seasons, and a very premising five-eighths partner in Dunne. The latter, on a couple of occasions in attack, completely nonplussed his opponents in changes of pace. He certainly is a player with unusual gifts, which may carry him far in the game. McKinnon was a promising centre, while on the wing Pell showed a great burst of speed and sterling defence. The Richmond pack was very even, with Telford, Ritchie and Lennie prominent all the way, a tireless trio whose fast raiding in the loose play was a perpetual thorn in the Marist side.

GRADE RESULTS,

SENIOR RESERVE. " Ellerslie 10, beat Newton 2. Devonport,. 21, beat City 5. Richmond 8, beat Marist 6. Ponsonby, a bye. SECOND GRADE. Mount Wellington 10, beat Northcote 0. THIRD OPEN. Waitemata 9, drew with Eden 9. . Ponsonby 11, beat Glen Lynn 2, Ponsonby beat Devonport by default. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Akarana 15, beat Richmond 0. FOURTH GRADE. Mount Wellington 19, beat Papatoetoe 0. Akarana 18, beat Devonport 6. Newmarket 5, drew with Pt. Chevalier 5. FIFTH GRADE. Newton 27, beat Devonport 0. SIXTH GRADE. Newmarket 25, beat Newton 0. Marist 4, beat Point Chevalier 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond A 0, drew with Ellerslie 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TAUPIRI. Juniors. —Taupiri 23, beat Huntly 0. Colts.—Ngaruawahia 6, beat Taupiri 0. HUNTLY. Renown 3, beat Huntly 1. Rotowaro 6, beat Thistle 1. Te Aroha 13, beat Huntly 9. Junior. —Waiterimu 6, beat Huntly 0; Taupiri 21, beat Huntly Athletics 0. Colts.—Huntly 17, beat Ngaruawahia 0. HAMILTON. Pukemiro 7, beat Wanderers 2.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH,

CHRISTCHURCH. Addington 31, beat Sydenham 9 Linwood 21, beat Hornby 13.