LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 160, 10 July 1933, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SHORE 1933 CHAMPIONS.

GREAT DUEL WITH CITY. ! MARISTS IN SECOND LADDER POSITION. Easily the record crowd of the season had a feast of good football at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when the fate of the championship was decided by results involving two eplendid exhibitions of the Rugby League code. In the principal contest the team, from across the Waitcmata—Devonport—again proved the season's winners, defeating City Roverts by 17—12. Whatever the match lacked in clever combined play, as compared with the early etruggle hetween Marist and Richmond, it compensated for 'by its speed and high-lighte. At half-time the ecoree were 6—5, and 15 minutes from the end it looked odde-on that City would snatch a try and merit honours by a point. However, Devonport positional play told in the end, and they will again hold the Fox Memorial Shield. Mavist worthily a|e runners-up. Newton comfortably beat Poneonby across the way. The former fielded three new playere— BrigVlt, a promising 11-stone centre, Stephene, a three-quarter, and a forward, Blacklawe, who proved notable acquisitions from Papakura. Lou Hutt, the international, appedted with Ponsonby for the first time this season. Amongst visitors who received official welcome was Mr. H. J. Knight, chairman and trustee of the Wellington League. The Ladder Final. Following wae the position of teame in the championship:— Points. Ch. Team. P. W. L. D. V. A. i'ts. Devonport 10 7 2 1 136 124 15 Marist 10 7 » — 104 07 14 City 10 6 4 — 192 141 12 Newton 10 4 6 — 138 180 8 Richmond 10 3 6 1 147 131 7 I'onsonby 10 2 8 — 143 247 4 PHASES OF TENSE MATCH. The story of the defeat of the City Rovers U2 —17), in the Auckland championship of 1833, might well go down in history as a case of missed chances and misfortune. It was a very gallant bid that the club, which last won the laurels in 1U25, made to annex the honour they won in the foundation year. As it happens, had City triumphed they would have been required to meet Marist Old Boys, who qualified in the other leg of the pronounced day's "double." After their display against Devonport, it could hardly be suggested that City, in spite of two earlier deteats of Marists, would now liave been capable of repeating those successes. However, as events proved, Saturday's was a glorious final, and Devonport, who pluyed in winning vein, well deserved a success that crowned their season of consistently fine work on the field. While City truly demonstrated that they had the form and the will to succeed, they just lacked finish us a teaming entity, whereas their opponents featured in spoiling tactics and tenacity on defence. Those factors tended to curb the chain-] like characteristics of the higher plane of spectacular Rugby League, but the match■ was nevertheless a gruelling and exciting! contest for most of the way. That the crowd enjoyed it, goes without saying. It is not detracting from the Devonport team's reputation to say there was every indication that City had a host of wellwishers who never gave up hope that their team might pull the game out of the fire. In fact,, at one stage near the end, City were well within justifying this supreme confidence of admirers, and then the excitement of barrackers manifested itself in an incessant, human roar. Ordinary enthusiasm finds plenty of scope at the Park, but on Saturday surely the peak was reached! Was it another sign, both in attendance numbers and free vocal expression, that "depression" has departed? Though he was troubled on several occasions and actually beaten once for a try, Laing played a grand gamo as fullback for the winners. There can be no doubt about the quality of this promising young international. As a defensive player he was wonderful on the day, and Shore has much to thank him Tor that its line was not reached on numerous occasions. He put his vis-a-vis completely in the shade, but this is no disgrace to Hughes, who, although he frequently failed badly and eventually was stationed on the wing to more advantage, was much below par compared with some of his earlier performances. Devonport'e three-quarters Smith, Rhodes and Radonich, played with fire, keeping , position well, moving with celerity, and defending resolutely. However, it was amongst the inside backs that. the core of play rested. Here Seagar and O'Donnell employed destructive tactics—varied by breaks away and long kicking—with such success, that, when they did combine, the opposition was taken unawares. Olllff at half, played largely into the hands of hie scrummers, who, though not by any means masters in the pack work, were capital in the loose play, without exception. City forwards used their weight well, and Raprg hooked creditably. Leatherbarrow, for Shore, was brilliant in all departments, whilst Scott and Donald were also to the fore. Rawiri, Herrintr end Pierce were the leaders of City, and Mclaughlin also played well, even when later placed in the back line. Axeman gave his supports plenty of the ball. Purdy in the early stages scored well, but Watene was far too selfish and starved Wayne, who, however, showed some brilliant flashes, and was unlucky to have to leave the scene with an injured finger. Watene was a greater success later at fullback. Turel's over-eagernees and bad handling robbed him of possible scoring opportunities. On the other flank Perry, at times, was indecisive, but generally showed hie best form to date. Too much of the piny cramped the wingers. City won the championship In 1010-11-10-21-22-23-25, Devonport in 1913-28-31-32-33, nnd Marlftfa, the present runners-up. In 1024. All will join in extending congratulations to the club across the harbour.

NEWTON TOO GOOD.

There -was nothincr to enthuse over In the matt* between Newton and Ponsonby, nnd in a very one-sided came, Newton, after leading 27 points to 3 at one frtage, slowed down, end Ponsonby, talcing advantage of the easing of tho attack, took their score to Iβ, at which it remained at the took tfjarsre. and practically did all the bell. Right from the outset Newton attacking. Their backs threw the ball about with precision, and had the PonRonby defence in trouble all through the first half. In the early stages of the second spell it wes the same over again, and tries came frequently, Ponsonby being a well-beaten eide. Stephens played a fine game for Newton, putting in some very dashing i*une. Brlglht, tPorfreous. Brimble, and Pope were also in Rood form. The forwards worked had, Quirke being one of the best. On the Ponsonfoy wide the play was rather disappointing. Bright and Riley were always showing out among the backs, and Fagan and Btevens were perhaps the beet of the forwards.

RICHMOND'S STRONG EFFORT.

Although it bad no chance of winning the championship, Richmond was all oat on Saturday to make its presence felt in the issue. That the clnb won many friends by its fine effort against the doughty Marlste, there can be no question. The teams both played the ideal type of football—fast and polished for the most part. The Marist side clinched victory in the fading stages through its fine supporting play, abetted by thrustful ability from any point in the field. It had a stronger balanced side. Nevertheless Richmond liejd a territorial advantage, and. at several periods in the struggle, was outplaying its opponents, so much so, that had it evened up the scorns after the interval, there was every possibility that it would have carried the day. The score, 13 —5. rather flatters Marists, for whom N. Campbell was generally safe as custodian. On the wing i>. Schultz impressed, and his try in the corner from a position wherein he had liftle room In which to work, was a mark of merit. List varied his taeticß nicely at centre, but was not justified in his unwarrantedly hard late tackle of Abbott, who, although be continued to piny, wss unable thereafter to, show bis real worth. Abbott, up to that' Ktage. behind the Richmond serum wns a blur thorn to the greens. As a result of smart Having runs and good covering defence. B. Rchultz, on Marists' left flunk, wns not always sure on defence, but clover on the move. The ineides, Brisbane, Punn nnd Hassan, worked with great understanding, hut had their hands full to deal with Prentice and Young, who paired brilliantly. Prentice was the kingpin of thp Richmond reareuard, moving sspeedily and making snlenrild openings- Young, too. has improved beyond recognition. lie mado several penpfrating runs, and was right up 'MiQk Mm 9U5, Laird, Jmssm «4 3&b>

berley featured as Mariet packmen, but Richmond had a clear booking , advantage. At present it is the best set of senimmers in Auckland. This spearhead takes some stopping, and the forwards fan out cleverly in the loose. It would be invidious to mention any particular member of the pack, so uniform was their excellence. The wingers, Marshall and Mitchell, were very fleet and willing, but Hanlon' was a trifle too slow at centre, though valuable on defence. Richmond, it is interesting to recall, have never won the premiership, though they have (tone close to it. Tiipy won the Roope Rooster in 1926 and 1027, and will be fancied for this trophy again this year.