LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 211, 7 September 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

WHANGAREI'S VISIT. MATCH WITH ELLERSLIE. The Whangarel City Club team travelled from north on Saturday to play a friendly match with EUerslie at Ellerslie, when they won by 6to 3. Tt was not good football to watch, the handling of the northern team frequently nullifying excellent opportunities that came their way. Time and time again they would be within an ace of scoring, only to throw the chance away with their inaccuracy. The margin of points in their favour should have been much more decided. Taken collectively Whangarei is not a good team, although one can notice phases of the code in which they have been improved, doubtless through the coaching of the New Zealand representative, • Ben Davidson. They have a coming bapk in Crackett, who was having his first game of League, and a little more knowledge of the finer points should see him a very good player. Shortl.and was the best back on the field, but was a little inclined to do too much. Dent, a northern representative, gave a disappointing display. At times when attacking he received the ball and stood absolutely still. Cantlin showed a nice dash of pace, but did not get many opportunities. Of the forwards, Bowyer and Sirl were the pick. Ellerslie were no doubt weakened by the absence of Keesing, Webb, Oliff and Chapman, and as a consequence their display was not their best. If they had had a little cohesion amongst their backs on Saturday the score against „them may .ha\re been much different. They were all inclined more to individualism than collaboration. Hickey made a couple of penetrative runs that had Whangarei hard pressed, but he did not receive any support. Drew was the better of the two wings, while .Lawrence was more solid than spectacular. The forwards were a very hard-working lot, with Ilobbs always in the vanguard, ably assisted by Arthur.

GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. Papakura S, beat Nortlicote. 5. Mount Albert 6, beat Point Chevalier 0. SECOND GRADE. "'Marist S, beat Devonport 0. : Glenora 3; beat Richmond 0. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. : 1 < ■ (KNOCK-OUT). Akarana 10, beat City 4. ' ■ FOURTH GRADE. . Marist 22, beat City 0. Newmarket 5, beat Richmond 2. Akarana 3, beat: Papakura 2, . . SIXTH GRADE. Newton 6, beat Marist 5. Akarana 3, beat Devonport 0. Richmond beat Northcote by default. SEVENTH GRADE. Ellerslie 2, beat City 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. WHANGAREI. Hikurangi 10, beat Auckland Watersiders 10. The home side's handling of the ball was superior, and this factor, coupled with the superior pace of the Northerners,, proved too big a handicap for the Waterside team. Watersiders were unfortunate in the loss of their half, Peckham, who took ill on the trip and was unable to take the field. For the visitors R. Purdy scored two tries, both of which were converted by G, Gardiner. The scorers for Hikurangi were E. Cunningham, two tries, C. I-lainilton, R. Cunningham and R. Hamilton a try each, and C. Hamilton two goals. Junior.—Portland S, beat Waro 3. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Runanga 16, beat Addington 6. GAMES IN ENGLAND. LONDON, September 5. Following are the results of matches play eel to-day under Northern Union rules: Barrow 14, v. Bramley 7; Brougliton 11, v. Leigh 5; Dewsbury 13, v. Keighley o: Featherstone 11, v. Leeds lo; Huddersfield 20, v. Batley 5; Hull 4, v. Halifax -; Hunslet 21, v. Hull Kingston Rovers 3; Oldham 35, v. Wigan Higlifield 10; Rochdale 7, v. Salford G; St Helens Recreation 04, v. Bradford 16; Swinton 11, v. Warrington 10; Widnes 7, v. St. Helens 7; Wigan 48, v. ; Castleford 0; York 15, v. Wakefield S. -