LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 126, 30 May 1932, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

DEVONPORT AND MARISTS DRAW. FAST AND EXCITING FOOTBALL. NEWTON DOWN RICHMOND. An exciting game at Carlaw Park on Saturday when Devonport and Marist Brothers played a draw—ll points eachdelighted the biggest crowd attracted this season. Play from the start was fast, but it was in the second half when Devonport set themselves to wipe out the Marists' lead that the crowd were treated to thrills. The final score was a satisfactory indication of the merits of the teams. In the Ponsonby-City match the former ""as too good, and scored a rather comfortable win by 30 points to 13. City and Richmond had a great tussle on No. 2 ground, and in a spectacular match Newton secured the honours by 15 points to 13. The following table shows the positions of the teams to date: — Pts. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Devonport 4 2 — 2 01 38 6 Marlst 4 2 1 1 46 30 5 Newton 4 2 1 1 4S 34 5 Richmond 4 2 2 — 43 36 4 I'onsonby 4 2 2 — 60 60 4 City 4 — 4 — 26 76 — AN EXCITING GAME. The entertainment served up in at least two of the three senior matches at Carlaw I'ark on Saturday was the kind that causes the League code to draw big crowds. In the Newton-Richmond match the result, 15—13 in favour of Newton, was a surprise to many, but the win was deserved. However it was the second half of the Devon-port-Marist Bros, match that had the crowd thrilled. It was a game with the pace a cracker all the time. There was never a moment when one or other was not desperately attacking and endeavouring to smash a way through the deadly and accurate defence. There were occasions, of course, when men were missed, but that is expected always. It was the consistency and determined tackling which characterised the defence of both sides that was recognised—tackling of the kind that docs not give a man downed any chance to have a second helping of the ball in any single movement. At one stage Marists had a substantial lead, and seemed certain to win outright, but it is a tradition with the Devonport team that no game is over till the referee calls time. And that Is just how It was on Saturday. In the last quarter of an hour Devonport seemingly rose en masse and literally hurled themselves into the game. They were detennined that no defence would withstand their onslaughts, and it didn't. Whether the ball was kicked or thrown mattered not, the blacks were on it, and two slashing tries eventually saw them draw level with Marists within a minute or so of time being called. The decision, 11 points each, should have satisfied both sides. The players on both sides did their job and did it honestly in a hard game. Individually there were on the Marist side perhaps one or two players who stood out, but collectively they were two well matched teams. Laing, the Devonport full, had a busy afternoon, and so did Campbell, the last line of defence for Marists. They both tackled and kicked well. Devonport's threequarter line was not one to enthuse over, and if anything, A. Smith did best, although the others were always triers and grafting hard. Seagar showed a little more Ingenuity than O'Donnell at five-eighths, while Olliff got through a tremendous nmount of work behind the pack, and did it well. The forwards were a willing lot, putting nil they had into the game. Sowtcr and Scott played great games. For Marists Brady, though playing on the wing, was the shining light in the threequarter line. He was never idle, and in both atta-ck or defence was sound. _ Brisbane and Dunne worked well at five-eighths, Brisbane being responsible for cutting in brilliantly and opening the way for his fellow backs on numerous occasions. Hassan played soundly behind the pack, but there was a tendency on his part to come round just a little too quickly. The forwards were an evenly balanced and hardworking lot.

CITY IN THE DOLDRUMS. Until half-time City Rovers gave promise of more than extending their old rivals, Ponsonby, who eventually ran out easy winners by 30—13. The Rovers completely faded in.the second half, and the stocks of their opponents rose high as tho back division began to work like a well-oiled machine, thanks to first-class work by Mclntyre at half-back, Riley and Mills. Riley, indeed, is right back in his best form, and lie starred in everything, revealing a ton of pace, making great openings and timing his passes well. Bright also showed up, but is inclined to go too far before looking for support. Thompson played resolutely on the wing. lie is one of several in this team who should have the eyes of the selectors. Sliera, an elevated reserve grade player, had a big day for a colt, and was bustled on several occasions. Delgrosso gave yeoman service at full-back. Th# forwards all did commendably, McLeay, Brown and Hutt being a fine trio. Hutt incurred a number of penalties for breaking away from the Bcrum too soon, and thus getting offside. That is, of course, a sign of keenness. Stevens hooked the ball consistently. Longville, who had to leavo the field injured, was not as safe as usual as City's last man. The Rovers' three-quarter line is still a somewhat patchy combination. As a matter of fact, one ot' the worst features of City's display was the mishandling. Many opportunities that easily could have been turned to scoring account were literally thrown away by fumbling at the psychological moment. The team seems to require more intensive training. Hickey and Davidson, and, to a more liited extent, Joy anl F. Herring were the pick of the backs. Hobbs, the ex-Ellerslie player, was the uotstanding forward, and Clarke, occasionally appeared in the picture. City certainly will have to shake itself up, or be left lamenting. It might seem that facing Devonport on Saturday, City have a hopeless task. The Rovers have been in worse plight, and then have sprung a surprise. Ponsonby will have a tough proposition in Richmond, and Newton will step out confidently against Marists.

CLOSE AND KEEN. The narrow margin of two points separated 'Newton and Richmond at the end of their game, with excitement running high in the closing stage, when Richmond put up a desperate fight to bridge the wide gulf that lies between victory and defeat. It was fast and keen football all the way, interspersed with bright handling movements, which kept the fortunes of both teams rapidly fluctuating. Newton is one of the League clubs that believes in giving youth its chance, and this season they have blended a side that has speed, resource and skill. There was an evenness of high quality about the Newton play. They gave an exhibition as a team, they collaborated, and they have gone further on in their winning way. In the Newton backs, Brimble gave a mercurial and incisive display, and with good support right through, the Newton backs worked like a machine. At full-back, Dempsey, who is one of the best full-backs in the code, was safety personified. Praise must be handed to the Richmond forwards, who chased every hope to the end. Lawless was again outstanding. The Richmond backs were more solid than brilliant. At fullback, Valentine was safe, and cleared well, while Prentice and Reynolds were always in the picture. In the intermediate line there was an occasional lack of sharpness and penetration, and for that reason the Richmond three-quarters did not get the best o£ chances to launch concerted attack. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR B GRADE. Ponsonby 10, beat City 2. Richmond (3, beat Newton 3. Marist 0.8. 15, beat Devonport 5. SECOND GRADE. Point Chevalier 5, beat Ellerslie 0. Mount Albert 11, beat Otahnhu 0. THIRD GKADE OPEN. Ponsonby 26, beat I'apaktira 3. Mount Albert G. beat Richmond 3. Point Chevalier 5, beat Ellerslie 0. Akarana 7, beat Glen Ora 0. Eden 3, drew with North Shore 3. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Richmond 23, beat-Devonport 6. Marist 22, beat Akarana 2. FOURTH GRADE. Akarana 24, beat Newton 0. Richmond 11, beat Otnliuhu 0. Marist 7, beat Point Chevalier 2. #

FIFTH GRADE. Newton 14, beat Marist A 0. City 8, beat Point Chevalier 2. Marist 0.8. 10, beat Richmond 6. Ellerslie 44, beat Papatoetoe 0. City 8, beat Point Chevalier 5. SIXTH GRADE. City 2, beat Richmond B 0. Richmond A 21, beat Mangere 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Devonport 10, beat Richmond 3 Richmond A 25, beat Ellerslie 0.