LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 118, 22 May 1933, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NEWTON BEATEN.

MARIST'S BEST GAME.

WIXS FOR CITY AND DEVONPORT

The largest attendance of the season at Carlaw Park on Saturday got good value. Without ever reaching to dazzling standard, the football provided in the three matches was hard and exciting, particularly in the games between Devonport and Richmond and Marist Old Boys and Newton.

Richmond, with a seven-point lead at the interval, looked like emerging comfortable winners over Devonport, but the latter rose to the occasion in the second half, wiped out Richmond's lead and put on just that extra point which gave the team from across the water victory. Richmond still had a chance, even though the bell had. gone, because they had a shot at goal awarded on the call of time. In the Newton-Marist game Newton held the lead at half-time, but Marist had the better of the- second spell and fully deserved the win by 11 to 6. City surprised by beating Ponsonby after the score had been even for the greater portion of the game.

Championship Points. Following are the positions of the teams up to the end of the fourth series of matches:— I'oints. Oh. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Newton .... 4 8 1 — • 58 ."'0 (i Devonport .4 8 1 — (i 246 6 Marist 4 2 2 — 3S 30 4 City 4 2 2 — 02 (if! 4 Richmond .. 4 1 3 — 70 GO 2 Ponsonby' .. 4 1 3 — 47 09 2 Next Saturday, when Marist and Richmond will meet for the first time to provide the principal attraction at Carlaw Parle, City and Devonport will play at Devonport. It will conclude the first round. MARISTS DOWN NEWTON.

Except for poor place-kicking, in which department of the match the sides were equally lacking, the Marist Old Boys-New-ton game, staged as the star turn at Carlaw Park on Saturday, provided excellent entertainment, and the crowd, which was surprisingly good considering a strong counter-attraction, must have enjoyed every minute of the two spells. If the play did not actually reach dazzling heights the game lost nothing on that score, because a good solid game, played hard from bell to bell is perhaps preferable to one in which a fasi set of backs throws the ball about and completely overshadows the position, the result always being a foregone conelusion. Saturday's match was of the former type, the play being keen and hard, with neither side letting up. For some reason hard to understand, it has been eharacteristlc of the Marist team in their matches this season, that their men seem I slow to get going at top. On Saturday it was the same again, and though it was nobody's game at. the interval, neither side having scored, Newton had certainly had a shade the best of the play. Outside two or three shots at goal, which should have been easy, b.ut went for nothing, luck played little or no part in the swing of fortune. In the second half there was a continuance of exciting play and the points were put on score for score. Cameron got a fine try for Marists. and Bareliard did likewise for Newton. Flanagan again gave Marists the lead by barging over for a try which Herring converted, and within two minutes Brlmble put Newton's second try J on the board, but he missed evening up the score when the simplest of shots in front of the goal saw the ball hit the crossbar; and Marists were two points up on the total. Towards the end of the game Marists, who were having the better of the play, increased their tally when the ball travelled along the chain of backs for B. Schultsi to score an unconverted try, and Marists took the honours by 11 points to 6. It was Newton's first defeat this season, but they went under only after a rare struggle. ; In attack Marists were the better team, in defence it was an even break, both sides being well tested, both Campbell and Dempsey, the full-backs, having quite a busy afternoon, and neither missed a man he could reasonably have been expected to get. Of the Marists* backs, List played a very solid game, and his only fault, if any, was that he did not give L. Schnltz the opportunities the winger might have expected. On the other hand, B. Schultz was fed well by the centre and was in consequence well in the spotlight. Almost the same can oe said of Brisbane . and Dunne. Brisbane was never still, being in the thick of all attacks by his team, and consistently frustrating movements started by Newton. Dunne, who partnered him at five-eighths, could., have been given a little more consideration when the backs swung into action, and on the few occasions the ball was handed to him he did well. In defence he was a tower of strength. Hassan, behind the pack, played a fine game doing everything right. The two outstanding forwards on the side were Laird and Herring, but the whole half dozen were solid triers. The Newton side put up a great fight and went under with flying colours. Dempsey had plenty to do and stood up- to ' every call made upon him. Crook, on the ' wing, was possibly most in the limelight ! among the backs, but they were an even, willing set, and Pope, Cameron and Barchard played we'll. Brlmble was a much better player in the second half than in the first, while Porteous was solid behind " the scrum and gave his backs plenty of r ball. Ihe forwards were a witling set t with Allan and Quirke grafting hard all i the time. A fine game with Marist Old Boys recording a well merited win. I

SHORE DEFEATS RICHMOND

With the score at 17—10 in their favour at the interval, Richmond should not have been beaten by Devonport. The Rovers played very constructively in the first half, good team tactics bringing the best results. *or .some strange reason the attack was tost later, the Shore pack winning the ball. It cannot he said, however, that the best use. was made of it. It was R. Smith who W&'ihSL thC # .- B,t «»»«n by opportunism. t Hl „^" > l rt v. pl i n , t . and f0,,0w through.method turned defeat into prospective success, which he capped by the. final try. H. Scott Rhodes and Powell were the pick of the Devonport backs. O'Donnell was fair at full-back. Lcatherbarrow, Donald and Simpson were good forwards, but the pack has been seen to better advantage. It was I completely overshadowed In the early stages by the opposing set, which wilted sadly. , Hawfees and Satlierley seemed to be the only two who never let up. Prentice revealed some fine touches of brilliance | early in the piece and inspired his suppirfs, but-then ho drifted into the monotonous cut-in habit, and Devonport backs took charge. Young, the ex-Marist player, showed promise, but was not too safe at times. Hanloh was reliable at centre. Of thb wingers, Bennett showed pace and resourcefulness on attack, but his defensive quality was not impressive'. Lee played a a good all-round game at full-back, although several of his mistakes were costly. If the Rovers are tuned up, to repeat all the way their first-half performance against Devonport, they will fully extend Marist on Saturday. .

PONSONBY DOWN TO CITY. City Rovers and Ponsonby • provided a peculiar game on No. 2 ground. It was fast and open enough, but in some respects patchy, undoubtedly, due to the many changes in the sides. Ponsonby were first assertive. They- could not penetrate the defence. City backs then took charge and hoisted six Dolnts. When half-time arrived Ponsonby were seven points on the board. Both teams combined nicely and for some time it looked like anybody's game. Injury to Keeslng and Thompson weakened Ponsonby and City prevailed "as the result of back play by 22—13. Mills, Riley, Bright,' Draper and Thompson, of the backs, and Lunn, Neale and Fngan, of the forwards, did good work for Ponsonby.

For City, F. Herring, Turei and Hughes (who was full-back) were enterprising backs. Clarke, McLaughlin and J. Herring revealed splendio: form against the forwards. Bright was unfortunate to receive a leg injury, so with Delgrosso, Thompson and Keesing also injured. Ponsonby can be said to be "in the wars." City also missed Purdy, Watcne and Axeman.

SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES, City 12, beat Devonnort 3. Korthcote 8, beat Richmond 3, Avoadale S; beat Ellerslie 2.

GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE GRADE. Newton 10, beat Marist 2. Richmond C, beat Devonport 0. Pousonby 20, beat City 12. SECOND GRADE. Point Chevalier 11, beat Mount Albert 2. Papakura 1), beat Ellcrslie 3. Otahuhu 0, beat Mangere 7. THIRD OPEN. Richmond 12, beat Ponsonby 6. Marist 20,'/ beat Mangere 5. Mouut Albert 37, beat New Lynn 2. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Marist 14, beat City 8. Northcote 40, bent Otahuhu 0. Papakura 11, beat Devonport 0. FOURTH GRADE. Ponsonby 7, beat City 0. Akarana 37, beat Northcote 0. Marist A 20, beat Richmond 0. Newton B 10, beat Manukau 8. Newton A 2, beat Point Chevalier 0. Marist B 20, beat Devonport 4. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond A 7, beat Elleislie 6. Northcote 0, 'beat Akarana 0. Papakura 18, beat Point Chevalier 9. SIXTH GRADE. Devonport 0, drew with Otahuhu 0. Richmond 21, beat Avoudale 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond A 43, beat Richmond B 0. Newton 3, beat Kllerslie 4. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. lIUNTLY. Huiitiy 13, beat Rotowaro 9. Juuior Grade.—Kia Ora 13, beat Huntly WITANGAREI. City 11, beat Takahuwai 8; Kamo 5, beat Hikurangi 4. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. NEW PLYMOUTH. Western Suburbs 10, beat Inglewood 3. Wattara S, beat City Rovers 3. HAWKES' BAY. Olive 0, beat Taradale 0. Kiwi 13, beat City 3. Westshore 12, beat Ahurlri 0. Juniors. —Clive 4 beat Taradale 0; Westshore 10, beat Ahuiiri 0. Third Grade.—Clive 11, beat Taradale 0. CHRISTCIIURCH. Hornby 10, beat Linwood 14. Sydenham 27, beat Pirates 3. Kiccarton 20, beat Brighton 9. DUNEDIN. City 17. beat Pacllic 2. Christian Brothels 10, beat Athletic C.