LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 118, 21 May 1934, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP. RICHMOND TROUNCE CITY ROTTERS. WINS TO MARISTS AND POXSOXBY. The big surprise at Carlaw Park on Saturday, in the presence of a large crowd —the new grandstand again being filled to capacity—was the overwhelming defeat of City Rovers by the present championship leaders, Richmond, who, playing fascinating, fast football, by a 30point margin, completely routed their opponents, who. nevertheless, with a muni short in the second spell, made a bravo but futile stand against odds. The early; game provided sparkling piay in the second .spell, and Ponsonby won by a three-point margin. On Xo. 2 area Marists notched their first win. The positions of teams at a glance to-day

Senior Reserve Grade.-—City 0, Newton 5, Marists, Devonport and Richmond 4, Pousonby 1.

CITY ROVERS , COLLAPSE

Richmond Rovers had a brilliantly decisive win over City Rovers, who crashed in the same unaccountable manner as they did against Newton Rangers on May 5.

They have registered two good wine—• against lioth Devonport and Mnrlsts. As bad as City's full (I<>—4<>) was, the match had its redeeming features ns well as some of the reverse character. At the start it looked us if the championship leaders were about to have n severe task, for, up to the departure of the City fnll-bilcfc, Watene. the game was evenly contested, despite Richmond's territorial advantage. From then onward Richmond's inside back moves, allied with quickness off the mark and thrustfnl running, discovered the opposition weakness, and tries were piled on until the maroons held a 28-point lead over City's solitary goal credit. The red and blacks regained a little confidence and fought hack gallantly so that the deficit was reduced by the interval with the figures 80— S. City were more severely handieaped In the second spell through Axeman not resuming. Richmond were easing up a hit, when the City forwards jumped into their stride in devastating style, hut the hacks let them down, coupled With the fact that the handling was shockingly faulty and there was a lack of system nil round. So It was that the maroon machine, with forwards supporting, held the upper hand. However, encouraged by the crowd, the losers again took a new lease of life, and it looked as though some Richmond players rather became unduly piqued, with the result that there were several tempestuous scenes. A linesman intervened and the referee Issued timely warning. The high feeling—"fireworks"— was regrettable, for the issue was inevitably settled by this stage. City had the better of the rough deal Interlude, but Richmond won the football—as will ever be the case. The Richmond team largely had its own way on the day. The backs went like clockwork and the forwards did their duty soundly, combining well in the open. Cooke was good at full-back, but the stars were Mlnchani (four tries and four goals), McNeil, and to some extent Prentice. ,T. Satlierley was fair. Tetley showed further improvement on the Trine. C. Satlierley (three tries) was an outstanding forward and probably was never fitter than he is at present. Lawless, Milicieh and Telford gave useful supnort. City's chief scrummers were Clarke, .Tones and Xatlian, and otherwise the pack needs building up. Wiherg and Wayne were outplayed. White, at centre, again showed his mettle, rising to the occasion in fine style when most needed. Hughes, who substituted for Watane, was not too RiiCe. City is having hard luck with the fullback berth. The team wants a tuning up end reorganising if it is to succeed agninst the unity and force of Ponsonby.

NEWTON DESERVED TO DRAW.

Ponsonby United may count themselves rather lucky to end with a try margin In a BO me that reached n hlsrh plane in the second half. A draw would have been a fairer reflection of the run of play. Both te-ims played piifeliily at the outset, .ind when Xewton lust Ihelr clover half-lm.-k. Porteous (by Rtrlklng .Tones' knee), it meant a severe loss to them. Neither Brimblo nor Crook could satisfactorily ill! the sap. and the consequence was tint the rearguard generally was hampered. It cannot be said, either, that Ponsonby entirely revealed their best form, thouch jrlimpsos were observed late In the .Tones, at full-back, was overshadowed by Dompsey : yet be defended troll. The threequarter line was not an well cast as formerly. The winters, Shoror and Keeslng (who was emergency for Littlowood). bad a tendency to kick too much, and the centre. Kay, was unable to exploit his resourcefulness against the speedy Stephens. Tt was left to the inside trio. Tin Horn n-iStockley-Rlley. to carry the attack, and very effectively they need the opportunity at times, though Brimble. Crook and Pope were alert and clever. The Ponsonby pack shaded Xewton In the heavy rucking, but In the scrums and loose Xowton were superior. Blood created n favourable imnrosslon fis tho now hooker, and seems to have speed. TTutt led his supporters well, and Why., McLoay, Grieve and .T. .Stoekloy wore well up with the play. Hall was in everything for the Xewton vanguard, which was In splendid nick. Tho promoted reserve Krado man. Merrlck, proved very dashing, but must loam to pass the hall in easy manner. Qulrke. Rrowne. Kelsall find Middloton were solid nickers. The lastmentioned, profiting from a knock-on by Jones, when following through, appeared to score n sure try Inte in the game, but was strangely recalled. The referee also Insisted on the ball being inserted on the open side in the twenty-fives, and this, on several occasions, spoilt Inside play. With Allen and Blaeklaws back. Xowton should perform well against Marlsts next time out.

MARIST IMPROVE,

Revenllnjj their best form since the season opened. Marist gained a comfortable win over Devonport at Carlaw Park on Saturday and finally ran out winners by 10 to 10. Marist are now just beginning to settle down, and after constant rearrangement of the rearguard, have now moulded a team that is both solid on attack and defence. On Saturday they always held a territorial advantage, nnd although only six points separated the teams at the bell, Marißt never appeared in danger of defeat. The chief fault of tho Devonport side wns the inability of their backs to handle accurately, but the forwards never let up and gave a mnsterly exhibition. For the winners. Campbell gave his usual sound display, while B. Sehultz was the bettor of the wingers. Smith, a promoted junior, was responsible for a neat showing, and fully justified his inclusion in the senior*. Dunne was the best back on the field, and was a strong force in the greens' attack. Hassan displayed keen anticipation, while of a solid pack White. Laird and Keano wore alwavs in the limelight. Reagar wns nalpnbly out of position nt full-back for Shore and his showing wns very erratic. The Devonport back line was not impressive, although Rhodes nnd Radonich collaborated to good advantage in tho early stages. Tho black forwards worked likod trojans. with Simpson, Sowter and Donald constantly in the frav.

GRADE GAMES.

SENIOR RESERVE. Devonport 10, heat Mnrist C. Richmond 20, heat City 2. Peusonby 2, drew with Newton 2. SECOND GRADE. Pt Chevalier 24, heat Ellcrslie 0. Otahnhu 5, bent Papakura 2. Mangere 20, beat Mount Albert 12. THIRD OPEN. Glenora IC, beat Akarana 0. Richmond 12, beat Marist t>. Ponsonby 0,, beat Papakura T. Mount Albert 8, beat Maugere 5. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Ponsonby 23. beat Richmond 3. Pt. Chevalier 2, beat Devonport 0. Marist 41, beat Otahiihu 0. Papakiira 24. beat Manukau.A 3. Miiiiukau li C, boat Northcote 0. Akarana S, beat Glenora G. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 5, drew -with Marist 5. Newton 15, beat Northcote 0. . Gleiiora 33, beat Bt. Chevalier "0.

FIFTH GRADE. Mt. Albert 5, beat Devonport 2. City 15, beat Richmond 8. Grammar 0.8. 17, beat Grafton 3. Manukau 12, beat Ponsonby 2. Otahuhu 0, beat Papakura 0. SIXTH GRADE. Richmond 3, beat Avondnle 0. l't. Chevalier 5, drew with Newton 5. SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond A 22. bent City O. Di-voiiport .'!. beat Richmond B 0. Northcoto 27, beat Mt. Albert 7. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. Avondalo 7. boat Marist o. Richmond 0. boat Ellerslio O. liovonport 17, beat Noitlicolo 0. Seveu-a-side: Avondnle •'!, beat Marist 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TAUPIRI. Juniors. —Tduplri 13. beat Ilunlly 0. TUAKAU. Seniors.—Mnnalo 29. beat OnopotoO; Hula 17, beat City 9. HUXTLT. - Seniors.—Huntly 13, boat Xgarunwahia .1; Taupirl 2.">, bent Hotowaro 5. Juniors.—Tiinpiri 18, bent Huntly 0; Ngaruawahia S, beat Glen Afton 0. WHANGAREI. Senior.-—City 5, beat Whakawaro 2; Hlkurangl 12, beat Kensington 8. Junior.—Kamo 0, beat Portland S; Onertthi 13, beat Whakawaro 0.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

NAPIER. Clive 23, boat City ."i. Tarndalo IS, beat To Awa fi. To Ngarue boat Ahuriri (no scores given). GH RISTCHURCH. Hornby 11, bout Addlngton 0. .Sydenham 10, beat Llnwood IC. Brighton 11, beat Ruru 3. DUNEDIN. Christian Bros. 8, beat City 0. Athletic 10. beat Pacific 13.

are:— P. "W. I,. P.P. P.A. C.P. Iiielimoml 4 4 — 100 30 8 Poiisonby ... 4 :', 1 57 41 G Xewton 4 2 2 1)2 oT 4 Citv 4 2 2 r>0 80 4 Marlsts 4 i ;; 32 sr> 2 Dcvonport 4 — 27 04 —