LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 210, 5 September 1932, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

ROOPE ROOSTER COMPETITION PONSONBY and-devonport out. FINAL BETWEEN MARIST AND CITY The semi-finals of the Roope Rooster competition were played on Saturday under excellent conditions and the two games resulted in somewhat surprise wins, Marist downing Devonport and City scoring over Ponsonby. In both games the closeness of the scoring contributed toward making the matches interesting. Saturday's results leave Marist and City to j fight out the final this week-end.

JUST A POINT.

At one stage in the Marist-Devonport game there was every" indication that Marist would score an easy victory. They rattled on points and at half-time led by 14 to S, with the Deyouport team playing a very erratic game. Marist. ton. were below their usual standard, but not to the extent that the Devonport men were, and the latter showed nothing of the dash which was a feature of their play in the championship games. However, after the interval Devonport livened up somewhat, but there was nothing brilliant about their play aiul it was simply the forwards who took charge of affairs to dominate the position. Scores came to both sides and there was considerable excitement when Devonport were within a point of Marist's score. But the bell beat the men from across the harbour and time was called with Marist taking the honours by 1!> points to IS. On the Marist side Laird. Flanagan and Iveson were always dasliy in the forwards, while of the backs Brisbane. List and Schultz played solidly aud evenly throughout. Sowter. Leatherbarrow and Casey showed out in an even bunch of Devonport forwards, while Olliff was the best back, he getting through a tremendous ammut of work and doing it well. Smith. O'Donnell and Scott played patchy games, their play at times being high-class and at others rather weak.

CITY USE THEIR SPURS,

City supporters on Saturday heaved sigh* of reiiet* when the bell sounded the end of one of the finest club encounters of the season against Ponsonby. 'who finally were battling all out for a try that would have meant a draw or a win by two points. It was a game packed with thrill and incident, as backs aud forwards, revealing good form aud combination, threw themselves into the frav with every atom of energy. City won the dav by a three-point margin in a total of 37." but the fine spirit of the losers deserved a better fate. They were shaded merely in the tlank positions, being tilled by emergency players lacking in attaching initiative and speed. The weaknesses, no doubt, will be rectified for the New Plymouth trip, where the club hopes to get ♦he credit of a win over Devonport. City Rovers, with their lull strength in the field, proved a worthy side for semi-final honours in the Roope Rooster. Wateue played with great dash, running resolutely and unsel-li.-Jilv in the open, where he started many a good passing bout. The unsettled, hreezj weather seemed to affect his goal-kicking reliability", in which department his vis-a-vis. as usual, shone. As a matter of fact. Delgrosso also gave a tine, all-round dispiaj. on occasions moving up into the firing line to centre and first five-eighths, as situations demanded. His ability and experience alwavs were evident. Drew, the Citj rightwinger. showed that he is one of the most improved scoring men of the year. Hlckey. another ex-Ellerslie player, did not appear quite at home at centre and was shitte<l to the wing. The play was not much in his direction, but he did not impress as being too fit I'urdv, Davidson and I. Herring, well served by Alderton behind the scrum, performed with splendid collaboration. They were always on their toes. t and their confident inter-passing and varied tactics, harried the opposition. Purdy must now, be elapsed among the smartest of Auckland inside backs. Atkins with hard-workin forward support, raked writ for Citj. Pearce. Herring. Hobbs and McLaUj.hlan being an untiring quartet. Uarkes handling. for au international, wns poking, -though he was conspicuous in thf tieht rucks. McLaughlan. who has developed into a dangerous loose forward, agaiu distinguished himself by scoriug two McLeav. Lunn and Grieve were outstanding of the Ponsonby van. McLeay bring easily the best forward on the ground. Hls .peed and quickness to seize every opportunity nnil turn it to bestj account, stamp him as a plater who should rise high in the game An attractive showing as half-back was given bv Mclntyre. ably supported b.vMiUs. The Vmtllv seintillatine Riley was good in ivitche" aid it was left to Thompson and Dri"Toiso of the others to bear the brunt f -5-r.r.V Kelcher. a promoted junior, was f i o * t iu the welter of play, and Georce Gardiner, in his stockinged feet. was alto at a disadvantage after being so long off the scene. A word orpraHeJsdue o the referee for a nice consistent y wnn which the advantage rules were applKHl. therebv eliminating needless hoi the match, whiqii was exceptionally tast.

northern union cup.

SOUTH AUCKLAND THIRTEEN. The selector, Mr. S. J. Witson, has picked the following team to represent South \uckland a t Nsaruawahia. nest . when Northland wiU endeavour o recover the Northern Lnion Cup . Full-back, G. Tittteton (TaupirU ; threeBPto , c tr Hill i \jraruawahia \- luiie ?on (Ncaruawahla) W Smith (Huntly): five-eighths. K. Peckham E \btwtt (Ngaruawahia) ; hali. L. (Hunttv) ; " forwards. Mason (>CTrua- _« -," «stpvenson (Huntly), Hojjan (Hamilton)'. J. Farretl (Taupiri). Meßurnie (Ngaruawahia), T. Tirnrns (Huntlj).

NEW PLYMOUTH TRIP,

DEVONPORT AND PONSONBY TEAMS. At a special meeting of the New Zealand Council held on Saturday eveninc. it was derided to send Devonport. the Auckland championship winners, and F"nsonb> teams to New Plymouth to play an exhibition match at pukekura Fark «u Saturday Sereral other Auckland international and «tar ptavers will be invited to join either iide mV«sts A. Ferguson and V Culpan. Who will manage their respective combinations. were empowered to consult with their club selectors regarding the substitution of the new players, with Mr T. A. McClymont, a New /.eatand sehctor. act in advisory capacity on behalf of th° council to ensure the balancing of the thirteens. It is not expected, bowever. that more than four or five outside rlayers will be invited to give their services. The tiaras will leave Auckland on Fndav evening in motor cars placed at the disposal of the authorities by officials and supporters, stay at Te Kniti that night and resume the journey early on Saturday mom inc. arrivirc at thesr destination about 11 a.m. The New North Taranaki Lea-ue has made arrangements for the reception and accommodation of the visitors, who will be accompanied by Mr. W J. Hammill, hon. organiser of the New Zealand Rugby League.

GRADE GAMES. RESERVE GRADE. Stallard Cup Semi final. Marist 13, beat Richmond 3. Devonport -4, beat Newton 9. SECOND GRADE. Mangere 20. Point Chevalier 3. Otahuhu beat North Shore by default. Northcote 10. beat Mount Albert 3. THIRD GRADE. Fonsonby beat Papakura by default. Richmond 10. beat Gienora 7. Maris; 10, beat Mount Albert 2. FOURTH GRADE. Qtahuhu 13. beat Newton 3. Marist 3. drew with Point Chevalier 3. Fapakara A 6. beat Fonsonby 0. Akarana 12, beat Richmond 3. FIFTH GRADE. City 3. beat Northcote 0. Newton beat Point Chevalier by default. Marist B 15. beat Devonport 10. Ellerslie 24, beat Richmond 0. Marist 7, beat Papatoetoe 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond A 37. beat Ellerslie 0. Richmond B 0. drew with Devonport 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. DUNEDIN. Christian Brothers 4. beat Pacific 0. City beat Athletic by. default.