LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 148, 26 June 1933, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CHAMPIONSHIP, QUEST. CITY ROVERS IN THE PICTURE. WEN'S FOR MARISTS AND SHORE. Considering the counter-attractions, there was a. good crowd at Rugby League headquarters on Saturday to witness the third series of matches in the second round of the Auckland championship competition. The principal contest between City and Richmond proved fast, keen and colourful, particularly in the second spell, when fortunes fluctuated with rousing changes. A slight advantage in speed in the backs gave City a lead, and halftime scores were 7 —2, the final figures being 13—8. Richmond made a gallant effort in the second stanza, and with more success at goal kicks might have won the verdict. In the curtain-raiser Devonport were rather lucky to shade Newton by 11 5 whilst across the way Marist dominated- the second spell against Jronsohby. The results leave the three major clubs in the some positions on the ladder as last week, with tw° matches yet to go to _ decide the fate of the *ox Memorial Shield. _ . , The championship positions of the teams are.— t Points Oh. -- 1 * -p nv. D. F. A. Pts. Devonport >. •|6g -«§ \* - 111 ,lt l o° Newton ° S - iqt nq 6 Richmond 8 3 o Ponsonby - .>.B o LTJCK WITH DEVONPORT. Devonport did not play like champions tort but' t lrr o atlc h lam°e? t ?Sn^l S 'by kickin™, with Newton showing in a far more favourable light in the second spell for their classy play* spite of points n«ainst them. Shore scored three rather lucky tries to Newton's one, which was well earned. The latter team was without the services of Cameron and Brimble, otherwise it is safe to conclude that the Rangers would have registered their second victory against Shore, even allowing for the fact that the latter missed R. AV. Smith. The match had its spectacular touches, but principally was intensely keen forward rucks and loose rushes. 0 Donnell at fullback for the winners was unsatisfactory, and was later brought up nearer the scrum to replace- Laing. Seagar, at five-eighths, •was a steadying influence, and extricated his side from difficulties in his usual cool manner, but was the worst offender in the matter of giving away possession. Rhodes, and, to a certain extent, Radonich, played well. The hot-headed Powell also occasionally-revealed thrust, but there was a gennine lack of the combination usually attributed to the marine-siders, who were really redeemed by their forwards, amongst whom Leatherbarrow, Simpson, Donald and Scott were a worthy quartet. Newton's full-back was the reserve-grader, Muir, Dempsey going up to five-eighths. The substitute was distinctly too slow and uncertain for the greater part of the game. Hickey, ex-Ellerslie, was also fielded at fiveeighths. The newcomer made a fair showing, but was not on his toes. Pope was brilliant on attack and defence,- playing his best game to date. Porteous revealed magnificent form, and undoubtedly is well qualified for representative honours. Crook and Harding, the wingers, stood up well to all demands. Quirke was the best forward on the paddock, and his try stamped him as of first rank. Nathan, Allen and Hall were also prominent, the lastmentioned directing the employment of tactics that puzzled opponents in the fading stages. But the usual back division forcing combination was absent owing to team changes for the day, and so Newton had to bow to defeat. They are by no means finished with, as this week-end against Marists may well demonstrate. MARISrS EASY WIN. Throwing the hall about with the delightful collaboration they displayed the previous week, Marist never gave their supporters any cause for anxiety when they severely trounced Ponsonby at Carlaw Park on Saturday by 34 points to 17. Although quite early in the game Ponsonby led 10—6, it was only a momentary advantage and only served the purpose of thoroughly waking the Marist team up, and from then on till the ball there was only one team in it. Always renowned as one of the most brilliant scoring sides in the competition, it is hard to understand why it should take the greens two or three matches to get properly into their stride. Time and agaiu they have lost championship honours only through sustaining a loss or two in the early matches ■of the competition. Brisbane la recognised as the pivot of the Marist backs, but on the displays Dunn has been giving of late as his co-partner, he is one of the most impressive five-eighths we have had for a long time. On Saturday he was positively brilliant, the neat way he cut in or pierced the defence being of the highest standard. Mainly by the opportunism of Brisbane and Dunn. Marist were responsible for annexing thirteen tries, very good scoring. On the other hand, Ponsonoy never seemed to be able to combine with any degree of accuracy, and splendid opportunities frequently went astray owing to inaccurate handling. For the winners, Glover, a reserve player, served as full-back, and he proved quite a good substitute for Campbell, who was not available. L. Schultz is inclined to be a little over-eager, and frequently is pulled up for taking the ball offside. List gave a good display, right up to his best form, while B. Schultz put in some very determined dashes down the side line. Fine collaboration and brilliant openings by both players saw Brisbane and Dunn out-stand-ing, and they were the two best backs on the field. Hassan showed keen anticipation behind the scrum and opened up the game to the best advantage for his supports. The forwards were triers right through the game, with Laird, Iveson and Carter always prominent. „ , The Ponsonby full-back, Jones, had a big day's work, but came through it all with credit. Keesing was the better of the wings, but is at a disadvantage owing to his light weight. Riley gave a polished exhibition, but did not receive much support from the others. Mills had an off day, his handling being very faulty, but Rush worked hard all day, his try Being a fine effort. Of a hard-working sextet Brown, Neale and Fagan were always in the limelight. CITY SHADE RICHMOND. City and Richmond romped Into stride in first-rate style, and the, game was punctuated with clever and thrilling play, culminating in a second half crammed with exhilarating team work. It was anybody's win up to the concluding whistle, and a draw would have fairly indicated the merits of the teams. Whilst it is true that City missed two certain tries through fumbling by Turei at crucial moments, Richmond, who lost B—l2, also mulled chances, and the usually trusty goal-kicker, Marshall, certainly did not show his best form. However, City were just a shade more resourceful and workmanlike in their general tactics, and these are vital factors. What the winners lacked in loose scrum power they made up for in the enterprise of a fast rearguard. On top of all, the most inspiring thing of the contest, marked by plenty of devil and dash, was Richmond's superlative efforts to pull the game out of the fire. As full-back for City, Hughes was patchy/ but improved as the game proceeded. He was to some extent protected by the centre three-quarter, Wayne, who was the star of the match. The ex-Waitaki High Schooi boy has developed since he took up the game. His speed, dummying and swerves when going at top created openings for Ms wingers, Perry and Turei. The former, unfortunately, did not get much Of the play, but Turei was in the best of fettle, bar his faulty handling. Watene and Purdy opened up the play creditably, and should prove a hard combination, if Purdy will only curb his impatience. Axeman was nimble at half. The forwards did not team to the best advantage in the loose, Rawiri, Herring, Pierce and McLaughlin being outstanding, whilst Clarke and Ragg worked effectively in the tight rucking. Ragg proved that he is a good hooker, though Richmond dominated the scrums in the later stages. In fact, the maroon pack then excelled. Satherley was thw best forward on the ground, ably supported by Lawless, Hawkes, Telford and Milicich. The backd were inclined at times to get out of position, and too often the attacks went across field to cramp the wingers, of whom Mitchell was the star. This player shows much promise. Prentice was another who caught the eye for his initiative and speed. Abbott varied his play nicely behind the scrum, and Hanlon was steady and reliable as the last-liner. The game will have done Richmond much good for its meeting with Devonport, who won in the first round by . a point.