LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 130, 5 June 1933, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SECOND ROUND OPENED. DEVONPORT SHADE PONSONBY. MARISTS AND NEWTON DEFEATED. The sccond round of the Auckland Rugby League's championship competition at Carlaw Park on Saturday drew a good attendance, considering the weather uncertainly and the counter attraction at Ellerslie, and a satisfying programme of good play, for turf conditions, included two surprise results. Richmond trounced Newton in the early game, and Devonport were fully extended to maintain their premiership lead. It was not the best of football, but it bristled with incident and a number of exciting long-range movements. The packs were evenly matched, the Shore inside backs proving more effective. Across the way City colours

again were hoisted by the team's second defeat of .Marists, who missed the services of Brisbane.

During the interval of the main game school boy ecven-a-side teams pleased spectators. Avoucale had bettor combination and speed to defeat Northcote by 13 points to nil.

Another innovation was the referee putting the ball in the scrums in all grade matches. The system proved very

.successful at the park, and there was generally favourable comment. The senior matches resulted:—Devonport 14, beat i'onsonby 13; Richmond 18, beat Newton 10; City 13, beat Marists 8. Positions of Teams. The championship positions are: — Points. Ch. I*. \\\ L. D. I'. A. l'ts. Devonport .. . . (i 5 1 — KM) 72 10 Newton (> 3 3 — B."i 1)5 (i Marists (J 3 3 — OS ~iS <5 City (i 3 3 —■> 88 !>8 0 I'onsonby ....(> 2 4 — 88 3DO 4 Richmond ... . U 2 4 — 03 SO 4 Following arc details of players with doublc-figuro points scored to date:— Marshall (Richmond), 3 tries, 10 goals, total points 29; Porteoue (Newton), 0, 5, 28; R. Smith (Devonport), 4, 8, 28; Mills (Ponsonby), 3, 8, 25; Bennett (Richmond), 0, 1, 20; Watenc (City), —, JO, 20; A. Smith (Devonport), li, —, 18; D Herring (Marists), 2, 5, JO; P. Herring (City), J, 6, 15; Turei (City), 4, J, 14; Delgrosso (Ponsonby), —, 7, 14; R. Drew (City), 4, —, 12;. .Luim (Ponsonby), 4, — 12. SHORE'S FIFTH VICTORY. Against Devonport United at (heir full strength, Ponsonby put up a sterling performance to lose by a point in the 27 total. In the circumstances the display of the grade leaders was just a. trifle disappointing and suflicicnt to indicate that though the North Shore team has a good lead on the ladder, its supremacy is by no means assured. At the week-end, enterprising play by O'Donnell, at first fiveeighths, had much to do with victory. He ] was well supported by R. Smith and to some extent by Rhodes, at centre. Leatherbarrow, Simpson, Donald and Souter were a resourceful forward quartet. Donald's first try was a creditable effort. The Shore learn had a bit the better of the hooking, but were well matched by Ponsonby in the tight work, where Brown, Neale and Lunu held well to their task. Keith made some good breakaways and has pace and vigour. For a much-reconstructed back division, Ponsonby went well, improving in tackling as the game proceeded. Riley was the pivotal star, but the inside backs were inclined to give and take their passes standing, and some of Ferrall's serving from the scrums was erratic. For a very young player, Kay has football brains and should do well with coaching. Mills, in (ho first berth, has been seen to better advantage, but he did not have many chances. Roy Bright, the winger, was full of dash and his try was most meritorious. Jones was safe enough in his second run in the high flights. However, as to judgment in kicking, he was overshadowed by his international vis-a-vis, .Laing, who is now in great form. It was not a contest marked by inspiring tactical moves. On the of her hand, it fluctuated rapidly, with tho Devonport rearguard's driving power and greater handling accuracy telling their talc in the end.

RICHMOND ON THE MOVE.

On Saturday in a remarkably keen and spectacular curtain-raiser, Richmond, by defeating Newton 18—10, demonstrated that they are to bo seriously reckoned with before the competition closes. The Rovers played very calculatingly and met the teaming thrusts ot their opponents with strong defensive measures and were thus able to score off Newton's mistakes. There %vas something wrong with the covering defence of the Rangers, whoso macliine-like handling sometimes proved their undoing. At other times Newton accomplished some really dazzling movements, but there was a lack of finish when most wanted. Hanlon was steady at full-back for the winners. The three-quarter line—Marshall, Mitchell and Bennett—always was dangerous, the ex-Feilding Iligli School centre, Mitchell, being a classy player. Young and Prentice showed line understanding and were well served by Abbott from the scrums, particularly in the later stages of the display. Telford, Satlierley and Lawless were the pick of a line pack, which battled hard in the rucks and revealed pace and anticipation in the loose. Newton lacked the services of Trevor Hall, whose place was taken by C. Thompson, late of Marist. Nathan was outstanding for Newton, using his weight well and never letting up. However, the Richmond pack was more virile. This placed greater responsibility on the Newton rearguard, which was always clever and nippy. Porteous, who has proved himself this season to be about the best halfback in sight, again scored tries. Brimble was unable to make his usual piercing runs, but his defence and anticipation were superb. Pope did not appear to link up too well, but Cameron played in lieady style. Crook went better on the wing and Harding (cx-Devonport) was not at his best. Dempscy had a busy day and. performed well. 1

MARIST'S FAILURE.

The failure of the Marist rearguard to combine with any degree of accuracy wvas the main fault in connection with their defeat by City, the latter running out winners by 13 to S. Time after time the Tyke forwards would sweep down field, only to see their efforts nullified by weak handling by the backs. It was obvious that they sadly missed the services of their brilliant leader, Brisbane, who did not turn out owing .to injuries received last week. Without detracting from giving City credit for their victory, it must be admitted that had the Marist collaborated at all well, they woulci most likely have won. On the other hand. City rose to the occasion brilliantly, and were ever on the ball, while their defence was as solid as could be desired. The red and blacks played the game in Rugby style, keeping the ball at toe—this move proving the major issue in the success. The game was not brilliant to watch owing to the ground being cut up, and the greasy state o£ the ball making passing movements out of the question. For the winners, Hughes, a reserve grade plaver, gave a very solid display, good handling and fine defence frequently bringing relief to his side. lie aiso played in the earlier game, and on his showings it would not be surprising should he find a permanent place in the senior team. Drew was as dashing as ever on the wing, and City missed him when he was injured. The two Maori players Turei and Watene collaborated to the best advantage as inside men. and the try by Turei was a particularly neat piece of work by both players. Turei gives promise of developing into a top-notch five-eighths. McDaughlen was used as half-back on Saturday, his display being as keen as even He does more than his share of work, both on attack and defence. The forwards never let up, most prominent being Clarke and J. Herring, who were always in the thick of the fray. Campbell was as safe as usual, but Batchelor did not put as much determination into his dashes as usual, and he should have scored on at least one occasion if he had given it a "go" instead of kicking. Dunn was good in patches, his handling being a little faulty. L. Schultz played well individually, but selfishness ruined a lot of good work executed by him. List lacked opportunities, but made the most of anv chances that came his way, while on defence he was very sound. Ivcson was obviously out of place on the wing, but his determination makes him a very difficult man to stop. Hassan was not seen at his best behind the scrum, some of his passing to his supporters being very wild. The highest credit must go to the green forwards for their fine all-round display, never letting up from bell to bell, and It

!is hard to differentiate between them, althousch Laird and Herring were always prominent, Laird being the best forward 011 the ground. It was an off day for Tykes, but next week will: probably see them giving an exhibition more In keeping with their usual fine showings. GRADE GAMES. ♦SENIOR RESERVE GRADE. Marist IS, beat City 11. I'onsonby 5, heat Devonport 3. Richmond 17, beat Newton 11. SECOND GRADE. Mount Albert G, beat Papakura 0. Mange re 2G, beat Ellerslie 6. THIRD OPEN. Marist 8, beat Glenora 2. I'onsonby 28, beat Papakura 2. Mount Albert 0, beat Richmond 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. City S, beat Manukau B 3. Akarana 0, drew with Otahuliu 0. l'apakura 6, beat Richmond 3. FOURTH GRADE. City 3G, beat Manukau 0. \ Marist A 20. brat Devonport 0. Akarana 5, beat Tonsonby 0. Marist B 14, beat Newton B 0. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond A 5, beat Papakura 0. Richmond 13 21, beat Akarana 0. SIXTH GRADE. Richmond A 3, drew with Point Chevalier 3. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond 15 5, beat Ellerslie 0. Richmond A 12, beat Devonport 5. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TAUPIIiI. Taupiri 7, beat liuntly 0. Juniors. —Taupiri 2. beat Huutly 0. SCHOOLBOY'S GAMES. City 3, beat Ellerslie 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. NAPIER. Country 15, beat Town 0. •Tuniors.—Country 5, beat Town 0. Third Grade.—Clive S, beat Ahuriri 0; Taradale 5, beat City 0. CnRISTCHURCH. Lin wood 32. beat Pirates 2. Kieeartou 13, beat Sydenham 11. Hornby 12, beat New Brighton 7. DUNEDIN. No games were played. REP. CANDIDATES. EIGHTEEN PLAYERS FOR TRAINING. Tho following 18 players have been chosen by the selectors, Messrs. E. Asher, W\ Mincliam and B. Avery, for practice for (lie team to represent Auckland against Taranakl, the Auckland Rugby League's bis attraction next Saturday:—■ Backs: Laing (Devonport), Turei (City). Brisbane (Marist), List (Marist), Bright (I'onsonby), R. Smith (Devonport), Mills (I'onsonby), Briinble (Newton), Hassan (Marist), Abbott (Richmond). forwards: Clarke (City), G. Campbell (Marist), Leatherbarrow (Devonport), Lawless (Richmond), Nathan (Newton), Sathcrley (Richmond), Laird (Marist), E. Scott (Devonport). Practices will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, and any player not available should notify the selectors as soon as possible. N.S.W. BEATS QUEENSLAND. SYDNEY, June 4. In a Rugby League match. New South Wales beat Queensland by 24 points to 0.