LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 220, 18 September 1933, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

EPIC GRAND FINAL. HONOURS TO DEVONPORT. THE EIGHT TO MEET ST. GEOKGE. In one of the greatest exhibitions of the code at Carlaw Park this season, Devonport, winners of the premiership, created somewhat of a surprise on Saturday by just turning the scales against Richmond doughty winners of the Koope Koster bv 12-7. lo a crowd that was large, conBidcnng the counter attraction the ijriu cipal contest was a sheer delight for its remarkable speed and towering forward rallies that carried to all parts of the held As a champion of champions battle for the coveted Stormont Memorial Shield at will rank high in the list of keen quests for the trophy—a credit to both teams. Jt can be truthfully chronicled that Richmond >> loss was due to the unfitness of the popular A. h. Cooke, who, obviously was a '-passenger" throughout. Virtually! tho losers braved the contest with twelve men, and were a shade unlucky on the run of play. Aow, for St. George! Newton won the challenge competition by convincingly defeating City Rovers, but it was the earlier curtain-raiser between Ponsonby and Marists that captivated more for its all-round brilliance. Tlie western suburbs thirteen were shaded by a mere four points in a high-scoring game. Game Opens Fast. The teams were: — Devonport United: Laing. Rhodes Seagiir, A. Smith, R. Smith, O'Donncll' Ollitf, Simpson, Sowter, Leatherbarrow' Donald, Y. Smith, Scott. Richmond Rovers: Lee. Mitchell Young, Abbo'f, Cooke, Prentice, Telford, MiUcich, Jenkinson, Lawless Satherlcy, Metcalfe.

Tlie crowd was on its feet early, with Richmond attacking. Twice Abbott was recalled after crossing the line. Once it looked as though Devonport had the way clear, but Seagar dropped a good pass from O'Donnell at the critical moment. Mitchell again made a fine break away, for the marine-side packmen to return to the attack in bristling play. Then Leatherbarrow and Sowter smashed through on the blind side of a breaking scrum. Sowter picked up and went on to score easily, Lee having made but the faintest effort to stop his opponent's progress. O'Donnell made a poor attempt at the goal from a fair position. Devonport 3, Richmond 0. Richmond now roused into it, and when Lawless broke clean away to gather cleverly the rolling ball, it looked that a sure try was on. The pass back went astray, but Prentice was there to send on to Telford, who was smother tackled by O'Donnell. From the loose again Ricliniond's left wing swung into action. Young sent a long blind pa6S out to Abbott, and a great chance was lost. The Hovers were revealing superior tactics, and it was obvious that Cooke was taking no risks after his recent injury. The Shore forwards again took the initiative, and R. Bmith made a neat cut-in, but his pass to Donald in the ruck was forward. Sowter was penalised, and Lee found touch at the halfway line. Gradually the Rovers moved into their opponent's twenty-five, and Powell went over from the side of a scrum. Milicich goaled. Richmond 5, Devonport 3. Play continued at a great pace up and down the field, and the interval scores were: Richmond 5 Devonport 3 Devonport went into their stride with a will upon resumption, and within three minutes Sowter landed a neat penalty noal to even the scores. Resourceful play by Abbott, supported by good kicking judgment by Lee, allowed the Rovers to invade for the first time in this half. Then, from right at the quarter-line flag, I Leo goaled. Richmond 7, Devonport 5. Stung by the reverse, Devonport I attacked with great vigour, and only j desperate work by Lawless, Telford and j Metcalfe shifted the danger. Eventually Seagar intercepted a long pass by Prentice to Mitchell, Cooke having been cut out. Seagar galloped away down the far side and centred. A. Smith was up to gather and score. R. Smith goaled. Devonport 10. Richmond 7. Fast and sparkling play continued to inspire the crowd, the tackling being sure on both sides. For a iperiod Richmond over-ran their opponents, and had hard luck in not scoring. The crowd went wild with excitement. Seagar relieved the pressure, and just before time R. Smith tioaled a penalty, a, thrilling game resulting:—

Devonport 12 Richmond 7 Mr. 51. Wcthcrill was referee. Memorablo Battle. Analysis of the game induces acknowledgment that Kichmond, who played constructive and more attractive football, ■were compelled to dip their colours to ])evonport—a virile defensive side, always noted for its opportunism. At any rate, the club finale of 1933 will go down in history as one of the finest of contests. It Mas keen—even hectic at times —but always clean. In only one other club fixture during the year has public enthusiasm reached such a frenzied height. Laing played superbly at full-back for Devonport. Seagar, in centre position, took a long time to settle down, and towards the -end. when the struggle reached its peak, his resourcefulness and experience held the rearguard well together, but the wingers had but sporadic opportunities to reveal their merits. Most of the play went to A. Smith, who was in his best form of the season. Rhodes also featured in some fine dashes. Although overshadowed by Prentice, o'Donnell, at first five-eighths, showed admirable tenacity, and R. Smith, outside him, revealed glimpses of ability after a long absence from fields of play. However, his vis-a-vis, Cooke, apparently unable or unwilling to exploit his well-known methods, took fine care to let the ball go, and thus Smith invariably was side-tracked. Oliff. was nimble behind the scrum. The forwards were an even lot, more conspicuous for their effectiveness in the tight play. Uoiiald has developed into a great type of packman, with tons of speed. Sowter, Seott, and Leatherbarrow also played well, whilst V. Smith was unfortunate to have to retire. Lee, barring his early failure to stop Devonport's first scorer, played a generally fine game at full-back for Richmond. Most credit for carrying the brunt of Richmond's magnificent battle must be given to the three-quarters, who demonstrated that the best means of defence is attack. These three club colts —Mitchell, Voting, and Abbott—combined brilliantly. The firstlucntioned, a Feilding High School old boy, was the star of the day, his strong and clever running and defensive work stamping him a player of exceptional calibre. The only weak link was Cooke, on behalf of whom Prentice and Young rose to the occasion in glorious style. Powell always was good behind the Richmond scrum. Lawless, Satherley, Jenkiuson. and Metliilfe were worthy ruckmen, and, although Jililicich rather misfired in heeling the ball lute in the contest, the forwards played devastatingly in the loose, fanning out and handling with the approved technique of tho code. Undoubtedly it was A. Smith's try. converted by R. Smith, which robbed Richmond of victory. Seagar anticipated that Prentice would endeavour to feed the dangerous winger Mitchell (but cutting out the ineffective Cooke), and it was his lob pass that provided the turning print in a wonderful game. KANGAROOS GOING WELL. ANOTHER EASY VICTORY. LONDON, September 17, In a Rugby League match on Saturday the Australian team (the Kangaroos) defeated Bari-ow by 24 points to s..Barrow j at half-time led by. sto 4. -

CHALLENGE ROUND. NEWTOX WINS COMFORTABLY. «*.£ il Iy «- U \ l i ns i up t0 thG form thc - v ha™ s»S««i > tbeir last fow matches, Xewton ■severely trounced City, the tinal totals being •inTY* u y ,, w,unln S this mutch, Xewton .a Uomatically won the challenge round cup, h.unig come right through the competition FiilS au unb ™ tcn record. On Saturday there was only one team in it from tie commencement, the red unci whites having nrM?«2 °o C1 ? 1U poillts at Half-time, and adding a further seven in the second spell. showin"/ 0 ? t" 10 "natch was the brilliant h~« V g Ot , > ho Xc,vloll vanguard, their bustling and fast raiding in the loose drawing much applause. City were right off JS™',, wi'c-h was surprising, considering " ■„ ~ bc rl tcn I;muiaki o» the preceding n ~,,••■, Ihcro W;IS uo cohesion in their Piny, while the handling of the inside backs "as erratic. For Newton, Porteoii* Llacklaws (1) and l'ortcous (2) kicked goals. PONSONBY'S GOOD DISPLAY. ruotoall was witnessed when Marist met nZ\°a h l aS l h l ? nrly "ttwctlon, the nrst"i , L 1 n, « iU " 1I1 « a "arrow victory by Iμ- f J'; Eauh si,l ° held tlle advanrtmiUf Ji e i? atelj l' iUld tho reslll t was in e in 17~ ' i? P ,'° the Hnnl wh 'stle, a cone. ted try clinching proceedings for Marist 111 the last couple o£ minutes of the match. <hr> ™ S PI 1, ",^ 0 cx Derlence and finesse of he Marist side that gave them victory, as from°th/ K ; 1 ' 1 ll territorial advantage right SS .?, ,. Br , ! ? b »n? '•■!». Herring, and B. r,\ I>' ,vll " c , <-'amp Ue ll converted one, two force downs !>y Ponsonby making up the extra two points. f oi - tie losers, Kay r> ;".'";•• i ltilp -\-. il , nd Grce ™ added'the major points, Jones kicking a goal. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. Newton 13. heat City 5 Marist 5, beat Richmond 0. THIRD OPEN , . Papakma 10, beat City 5.

. FOURTH GRADE. City 28, beat Ponsonby 5. FIFTH GRADK. KNOCK-OUT FINAL. Richmond B 3, beat Ellerslie 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Avondolo 3u, beat Northcote 3. SEVKX-A-SIDE. City 3, beat Ellerslie 0. HOUSE MATCHES. Browne Bros, and Geddes u, beat McKendrick Bros. 3. Auckland Gas Co. 13, beat Entrican 2. GAMES IN TIIE PROVINCE. WHAXGARET. Champion of Champions.—Senior: Hikurangi 11, beat City 5. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRLSTCHURCH. Llnwood 16, beat Riccnrton 5. XAPIRR. Charity Cup.—Clive 9, beat Taradale 8.