LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 205, 31 August 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ROOPE ROOSTER. MATCHES.

FIRST KNOCK-OUT SERIES. PONSONBY BEAT CITY. Following an intermission of two. weeks in club rivalry to provide players and public with special attractions, Carlaw Park attracted a fair off-day. crowd ou Saturday, when the annual knock-out series for the popular silver lloope Rooster was started under ideal conditions. The quest for the " poultry " trophy, by reason of changes made in teams that have lagged in the premiership, invariably invests this portion of the season's programme with surprise flavours, but the matches on Saturday found most of the thirteens running true to championship order. The principal game, between Ponsonby ancl City, threatened to be a tonse contest, but Ponsonby emerged comfortably through their better positional play and surer handling ancl defensive back play. The curtain-raiser was another fast and open struggle, in which Ellerslie went near to a place in the semi-finals, whilst over on the other ground Newton, after a promising opening, petered out by losing two players through injury, and Devonport won in a canter. However, the Ranger reserves made reparation by eliminating the championship winners in a close match. Marist teams had the byes, the seniors being at Hamilton.

PONSONBY'S SPURS.

Sustained sparkling play was at a discount on Saturday, but the spectators were well entertained by some of the rearguard flashes and the general forward work of Ponsonby and City, who provided the main attraction. The former presented their best-balanced side of the season, whilst the Rovers, also somewhat strengthened, failed to perform with consistency as a team. In the early stages, they held their own, and, but for some exasperating handling, well might have been points to the good instead of to the bad in a 5 —3 half-time score. Ponsonby were winning the serums, and when the second spell commenced with a cheat) try and a goal, the prospects were none too rosy for City. Always known foxability to light against adverse circumstances, the liovers rose to the occasion in fine style, and soon had the disparity in points reduced to a single. But it was evident that City could not last out the pace and Ponsonby took charge to win convincingly by 24 —12. Ponsonby forwards have not been seen previously this year in such workmanlike service. Lou Hutt gave a taste of the form which won him outstanding international repute in England. His was an exposition of fast, clean and polished tactics all the way. The fair-beaded McLoay was also outstanding, and his resourcefulness, sure handling in the open, speed and tenacity, yielded two typical tries. Stevens, the Ponsonby hooker, was another In the picture. Delgrosso was seen at his best when he went to half-back, Scherer going into the scrum. Pat Skelton linked up well with Riley in the five-

eighths line, the former improving as tli« game advanced. The new winger, N. Drew, was an acquisition and showed anticipation and positional knowledge. On the other Hank Winters was full of enterprise and utilised his pace to some purpose. Barring one error, which nearly cost his team a .try, Waerea, the full-back, making a first appearance in the upper flights, provided a cool and useful exhibition, and should improve when lie learns that kicking is not the only duty of the rear-liner. Steve Watone was sound for City and when he replaced McLaughlan on the wing, proved his versatility. Ben Davidson at centre-three-quarters was brilliant, and he made prodigious efforts to save the day. The newcomer, Stanaway, and Reynolds, were a nippy combination .in the inside berths, but Alderton appeared to be too slow in getting the ball away on many occasions. At times "Stan Clarke, showing exceptional pace, featured in the heavy ruck play, and with Pierce, the pair were always in the hunt. Len Barchard gave good support, hut more conspicuous for initiative and dash was Iveson. The next appearancc of Ponsonby will be interesting.

RICHMOND CACKLE.

Richmond Hovers were not seen in thenbest light when opposed by Ellerslie in the curtain-raiser and the young team from th« racecourse suburb, ably led by Webb, mado a gallant bid to clinch the issue, .lust failing by.four points. Piling up 15 points to Ellerslie's 4 in the first half, the maroons were inclined to rest on their oars, and

it was then that the opposition spurted, to finish the course just four lengths short of victory, and the right to make another clutch for tho elusive Koope Kooster. It took both teams some time to concentrate co-operatively on the game, but the second half was replete with spectacular movements. In spite of wonderful play by Prentice of the Richmond pack, and clever moves exploited by Dunn at centre threequarters, the Richmond side, which was heavily penalised for passes forward in rearguard exploits, paid tho penalty of over-anxiousness, and, but for a lastminutc rocevery ol elan, may liave suffered defeat. Wingers Mincbam and Pell have been seen playing more confidently. Dunn was the steadying star. G. Davis was also in good trim, but the record livceightha, Stelir, appeared to be off colour and slower than usual. Prentice, Lawless and Lennie were the best of the van. It was surprising to see Kllerslic raking the ball with ease and regularity. Boswell did well in this respect. I-lobbs and Howartli were prominent in all phases of play. Olliff was a troublesome little demon behind the scrums, and when not shooting the ball cleanly to the wily Webb, was up to other tricks, of which he has bagfuls. Webb (though he deserves censure for fielding the ball high to strike a pressman fair on the nose) was a typical Jimmy Craig in his methods, keeping the maroons always guessing by his tactics. Hickey was supporting and used his pace creditably. Chapman played with judgment, at centre, and it was this opportunism that gave Glenn a fine try. This winger and Drew, on the other side, were always dangerous. The nimble Keesing,who kicks well either foot, favourably compared wi'th the Richmond full-back, Merv. Lee. The stiff battle should put' the maroons in fettle for the semi-finals.

HIGH-SCORING GAME,

Playing as second attraction at Carlaw I ark on Saturday on No. 2 ground, Devonport completely outclassed Newton, to win as they liked by 41 to 8. Right from the opening the seasiders held the ascendancy and it is hard to say what the score would have been had Devonport exerted themselves over the latter stages ?. Same. The black rearguard was the big factor in the Newton defeat, and when they received (be ball from the scrums, trouble was invariably in store for the red and whites. When Newton swung to the attack, their handling was usually at fault, and on numerous occasions excellent opportunities came their way, only to be nullified by a wild pass at the crucial stage. In the concluding stages of the game Devonport did not take the game at all seriously and treated the Newton defence as a joke. Newton sadly missed the brilliant all-round leadership of their popular skipper Francis, also being handicapped through the loss of three players through injuries received in the game. For the winners A. Smith had a rest for the afternoon, but what he had to do he did well. Scott was right on form and had the defence bewildered at times with his brilliant dashes down the line. lie scored five tries. R. Smith gave a fine exhibition of brilliant play, cutting in and side-stepping his vis-a-vis in great style. His defence was very solid and this Shore colt perhaps was the best of the blackjacks. He is also an excellent kick. It would be hard to discriminate with the backs as they all were to the fore against a wejik team. The forwards were a hardworking sextet, with Simpson, llawkes and Casey always in the foreground. Dempsey hud a heavy afternoon for Newton. and, apart from a few mistakes, came through with honours. McCarthy was more solid than brilliant, while Pope was about the only Newton, back on form. The forwards were the mainstay of the side, Allen and Middleton toiling particularlv well.

GRADE RESULTS,

SENIOR RESERVE. Ponsonby 31, beat City 2. Newton 9, beat Devonport 3. SECOND GRADE. KNOCK-OUT. Papajsura 16, beat Mount Wellington 0. THIRD GRADE OPEN. FINAL. Marlst 4, beat Ponsonby 2. FOURTH GRADE. Marist 16, beat Akarana 11. City 3, beat Richmond 2. Point Chevalier 25, beat Papatoetoe 2. Newmarket 10, beat Mount Albert 0. FIFTH GRAPE. Ponsonby 12. beat Devonport 2. Northcote 13, beat Richmond 0. SIXTH GRADE. City 16, beat Newton 0. Richmond 3. beat Akarana O. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Newmarket 34, beat Newton 0. Papatoetoe 23, beat Avondale 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. WHANGAREI. Combined Northern Juniors 22, beat Richmond 111. 12. Curtain Raiser.—Hikurangi 0, beat City Seniors S. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. WELLINGTON. Newtown S. beat Old Roys 5. Petone 5, drew with City 5. CHRISTCHURCII. Addington 14, beat Linwood 6. DUNEDIN. Marists (Greymouth) 14, beat Christian Brothers (Dunedin) 0.

WIN FOR MARIST.

WAIKATO BEATEN BY TWO POINTS. Auckland Marist defeated Lower Waikato at Steele Park, Hamilton, on Saturday after a very fast and spectacular game, the scores being 13—11. The Hamilton Sunshine League will benefit by the proCGP(IS. Waikato was the first to score. Wliorsky followed up one of his own punts, repined possession, and crossed the line. Tittleton s kick failed. The territorial advantage was maintained by Waikato for the remainder of the first half, but likely chances of scoring went by through infringements. .Tust . -before half-time sounded, Scott scored for the home fide, and .Tackways converted. Marist attacked strongly. and the movement resulted in Bachelor scoring. Clark added the major points. Half-time sounded with the scores: Lower Waikato S, Marist 5. On resumption Marist's score was increased when Campbell drop-kicked a fine goal from nearly half-way. Tittleton. Brisbane and Young handled the ball well for Waikato. The leather was- returned to Tittleton, who scored. The kick failed. Marist assumed the offensive and quickly scored two tries through Bachelor and Clark. The game ended: Marist 13, Lower Waikato 11. Mr. A. Harlock was referee. In a curtain-raiser Mount Albert defeated Hamilton by 6 points to 5. Cotter and Mattson scored for Mount Albert, and Armishaw scored for Hamilton. Muir kicked a penalty goal.

PRIMARY SCHOOL REPS.

The following players have been chosen to represent Auckland at Ngaruawahia on Saturday week: —Stanaway, G.. Moore, Bennett, Franklin, Johnston, Filmer (Newmarket), Zaninovitcli, Burgess (Newton), Williams, Turner, Ivoosache, Banern, Mills (Richmond), Hall, Stenberg, Gildard (2) (Avondale), Beer, Mclnnarney, Haynes, Legge, Robertson, Bell (City), McArthur, Sime, York (Devonport), Burgess, Skinner, Paltridge, Mullins, Patterson, Duncan (Papatoetoe). The players are requested to attend first practice at Carlaw Park on Tuesday afternoon at 1.30.

GAMES IN ENGLAND. LONDON, August 29. The following are the results of tlie matches played to-day mirier Northern Union rules:—Barrow 7, y. Swiijtoii 30; Batjey 9, ▼. Hunslet 12; Bradford 2, v. Keigliley C; Bramley 5, v. Featherstone 8 ; Castleford 7. v. ]!)ewsbury 5; Halifax 21, v. Broughton 0; Hull Kingston Hovers 20, v. Rochdale 13; Leeds 12, v. York S; Leigh 6, v. Iluddergfleld 15; Sal ford 5, v. Oldham 7; St. Helens 39, v. Widnes 2; Wakefield IS v. Hull 10; Warrington IC, v. St. Helens Recreation 6; Wigan Highfield 8, t. Wigan 27.