LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SECOND AUCKLAND SERIES. NEWTON'S SURPRISE VICTORY RICHMOND AND POXSONBY AGAIN. With the weather holding fine, except for a light shower or two, and the principal ground at Carlaw Park in capital order, a crowd far larger than on opening day was treated to two superb exhibitione of League Rugger on Saturday. Ponsonby won with distinction against an improved Devonport thirteen in the principal contest, in which the speed and elan of the winners' backs were the deciding factors. Newton Rangers sprang the surprise of the day in accomplishing the defeat of City Hovers fore and aft by exhilarating play, whilst across the way, where the ground was sodden, Richmond's strength and combination proved too much for Marist Old Boye. The senior results were: — Ponsonby 17, beat Devonport 2. Newton 32, beat City Rovers 3. Richmond 29, beat Mariste 3. RICHMOND EASILY.

Never at any stage of the game did .Marist Old Boys look likely to extent! Richmond on iNo. 2 ground, and the maroons ran out very cuuilortable winners by 'J'J to a. Right from the outset Richmond took up the offensive and pretty work by the inside backs had Marist continually defending, with the result that the match suffered in consequence. Richmond have a really solid team and they "appear likely to again figure prominently in the light for championship honours. On the other hand, Marist were scratching for players, two boys, Schultz and O'Kaue, playing In both the reserve and senior matches. Marist are noted for their bad form in the early part of the season, but it looks as if they will be up against it this time, as most of their best bucks are not donning the jersey. , For the winners, Cooke was safe and sound at full-buck, while Mincham was the better of the wingers, giving an outstanding display. Young wus always making openings for his wings, and Prentice was more solid tliun brilliunt. Powell was ever on the ball, and of a solid vanguard Lawless, Jeukinson and Satherley was most "prominent. Campbell had a very busy afternoon at full for Marist, and his display was patchy. Dunne and Furlouger were the best of the backs, the latter pleasing for a third grade player in his lirst senior mutch. He tuckles solidly and displays keen anticipation. The forwards worked hard all afternoon, with Webberley, Iveson and Keaiie in the limelight. BRILLIANCE OF PONSONBY. The feature game between Ponsonby and Uevonport, wtiu the honours to tUe lormer oy 17—2, wus uii exhibition that could not mil io win tin; hltfaest uppiucmUoii of a lootball-loving puuiie. Devo.ujoir, as in their previous performance uguinst Richmond, went down with colours uyiiig. Xliey were without their general, ijoagtir, and Laing was in the Lieeigattis line, position at full-back being taken by u youiig fulr-baek, Thompson. It was, indeed, a better team than previously presented, but Lhe youthful, virile and licet Ponsoiiuy thirteen soon showed its superior mettle. As in the earlier mutch of the day, oue set of Inside backs preponderated, llalloran, atockley, Kili*y and Kay, of Ponsonby, represent, as the result of good coaching, as classy a .quartet as Auckland hut seen for many a day. Fast, weighty and clever, their understanding play was u treat to behold. Shore has a reputation lor the defensive ability of ;t» insider!, and Rhodes, O'Donnell, I.alng and Radonich are no exception, but, once Stockley ami Rlley got the hang of things, the Ponsonby machine became a vital factor or the march. With tiieir forwards playing witli devil and da*h, the blue rearguard rose to tue occasion in magnificent vein anfl borne of the fines!. moves were exploited with a Onesse that Is commendable for so early in the season. Let it be understood clearly that the Uevonport defence wns vigorous, but it was penetrated on several wa'.ions by the sheer shuttering speed and eomolunHon "f the opposition. Kay was the Star bnck of the contest. Solid, fast and capable of making openings at the psychological un.'/ient. his centre three-quarter play was aI ah class. Littlewood and Shoror were alert and capable wingers, albeit Sehen-r was just a shnde careless at time. Jones pluyetl well defensively at full-back. To a man the Ponsonby forwards were good, with Butt, Mcl,eay and Why outstanding. Hutt is in spanking form again. was the speedster and Why also was in everyfhine. As a flatter of fnct the forwards were well matched, both In scrum work nml in the loose. Pmmld nnd Lentherharrow were a most formidable pair for Devonport, Lentherbnrrow being one of the harrtipst of his size nnd type in the gnme. Scorf nnd Mnxefleld did their pnrf. Rhodes.' nt lmlf-linck. was no match for Tlnllorm. O'Donnell nnd Lnincr had their hnnilß full stopping the nlnyfnl thrusts of their onnonentß. When the ball ' did go nlom: the chnin there wns lacking purposeful nenetrntion—ton much erossfleld stuff or too much kicking. Smith did not hnro inany ohnnres nr>d on the other wine ilnll nlso' wns stnrved. Tie has tons of pace nnd snved a certain try. Thomnson. Nt full-IT-ck. is n colt who will improve with p XT y>*innfe. The holders of t*e hnndsome Fox Men>o>-'nl Ship'd will hnvo to slmrpen up their side if they t>npe to retain the championship trophy this season.

NEWTON'S COLOURS HOISTED. If ever a team made full amends for an indifferent opening outing ,it was the Newton Hangers, who, in thrashing City Rovers to the tune of 32—3, made the park ring with joyous approbation. It must have been a rude shock to City supporters to see their favourites, who whacked Dcvonport the previous week, go down so ingloriously ; but here was another instance of play uncertainty, particularly early in the season. The Hungers started . off from the whistle like men with a mission, and, as it were, almost before their opponents realised it, were two tries in front. Playing ideal Rugby League with an abandon that was delightful to witness. Newton were 15 points in hand by the interval. In the interim the Rovers had made one rallying attack, but it petered out against a sturdy defence. Newton's speed, enterprise and splendid supporting play in all departments were too much for the opposition, r.nd except for a desperate desultory bid in the fading stages, the Rovers never looked to have a chance. The whole truth is that Newton benefited by their defeat by Richmond and their improved tactical methods proved worth while. The game was played at a cracker pace and, despite the score disparity, there was rarely a dull moment. It was a curtain-raiser that put the crowd in good humour for what was to follow. Dempsey again proved his talent as fullback for Newton. He fielded well, kicked with judgment, invariably ran his threequarters into action, and his defence was sound. By comparison, Craucu, of City, was a novice, his palpable mistakes and uncertainty under pressure being costly. In fact this probahly unsettled the Rovers" rearguard, for the team went better when Crnn'ch was placed in the forward line. Newton's three-quarters went like clockwork. Crook. Pope and Stephens all doing creditably. The five-eighths. Brimble and Bright, well served hy Porteous. were superior to the oposite inside pair. Rrimble, who has years of play ahead of him, wns really brilliant and undoubtedly he is striking the form which distinguished his promise of three years ago. Wihers was steady but not nippy enough in City's first Liveeighth berth, and Clarke was unsatisfactory next to him. Axeman, with a more than a generous share of the ball from the serums, was unable to use the advantage to much purpose. Wayne and Turei, and to some extent White;- were the mainstays of the City back division, which also wak improved later when MeT.nuc'ilan left the paek. Clarke. Herring and Nathan were City's best forwards, who, however, were repeatedly outmanoeuvred by the Newton forwards' v.'hen open plav started. Here Trevor TTnll shone, together with Qnirke and Mlrtdleton. Two cood new forwards introduced were Kelsnll and Clover, the former oommnnd'n<r frenvent notice. Newfon will take a power of beating from now onwards.

GRADE GAI.IES.

SENIOR RESERVE. Devonport 17. bent Ponsoiray 2. City- 8. bent ;Newton 2. Marist 17, beat Richmond 10. SECOND GRADE. Pt. Chevalier 15, beat Mt. Albert 0. Otahuliu 0. -drew with Mungere 0. Papakura 11, bent BUerslie 0. THIRD OPEN. . . Richmond Q, 0. _.. i Mount Albert 21, beat Ponsonby 2.

THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Marist 5, beat City 0. Otahuliu 13, beat Manukau A 0. Manukau B 27, beat Akarana 7. Richmond 29, beat Glenora 4. Posohby 3, beat I'apakura 0. FOURTH GRADE. Ellerslie 10, beat Point Chevalier 2. Marist 38, beat Northcote 0. Manukau' 28, beat Papakura 0. Richmond C, beat Glonora 0. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 35, beat "Pupnkura 0. Otuhuhu 10, beat Munukuu 0. SIXTH GRADE. Ellerslie 3. beat Newton 2. '''"''.. Richmond beat Devonport by default. Avondale 10, beat Point Chevalier i. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TAUPIRI. Huntly 7, beat Taupiri .'{. , Juniors.—Tauplri 14, beat Ngaruawnhla °' WHANGAREI. Whalio Waro 13, beat Hikurangl 10. Juniors.—Kamo 17, beat Wliako \\ aro 3; Portland 10, beat Oneralii 3. GAMES IK THE SOUTH. NAPIER. Clive 12, boat Taradale 7. Ahuriri 10, beat Te Awa 3. Te Ngaru 25, beat City S. DUNEDIN. Matches postponed. NEW PLYMOUTH. Western Suburbs 10, beat Eastern Suburbs 0. Stratford 11, beat Inglewood 5.