LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 160, 9 July 1934, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

' SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

DEVOJfPOET DOWN RICHMOND STERLING WET WEATHER GAMES. The greatest ovation accorded a side at ' Carl aw Par\: tliis season w;is tendered on , Saturday, w'uen Devonport; succeeded in defeating l!ioi>inond, hitherto unbeaten in the Auckland Rugby League premiership, by a margin oP .one goal in thi'.ee —an otherwise scoreless ,match. The "was marked by some clever open play in the first half, in spite of. the stave of the ground, but the second spell developed into a thrilling battle between, the forwards, in which the Shore defence was outstanding and marked by a brilliant display on the part of the fall-back, Laing. Newton were lucky to obtain a single point margin agairust diarists?, who made a great bid towards the close. Across the way City Rovei\s surprised by comfortably- beating Ponsonby. All teams were "muddied oafs" for the occasion. There was a good attendance, the grandstand again being packfd.

RICHMOND GREAT IN DEFEAT.

Deafening cheers and prolonged applause was the fitting salutation accorded two unrecognisable teams as time was signalled at headquarters at tlie culmination of tlie fixture between Devonport and Tiiclinionct, resulting in tlie initial lowering of; the maroon colours by scores of 4—_. . Including even the recent Taranaki-Auckland match, it was the most enthralling wetweather game witnessed this seasort. In their first flush of victory, the winners received earliest tribute from , ,]£ opponents while leaving the field. \ , 9 public evidently cherished well-foam (led liopes that the Shore thirteen, whicti lias a high tradition for play' tenacity, might take the honours. Those hopes \were realised bevond expectation in a measuring of skill, physical fitness and tactics that gripped the imagination of the crovwd. It was a merited triumph", for a dour impenetrable defence over a grim ai d determined attack, without the goal-lit c iieing crossed. Under the worst conditions possible, goal-kicking decided tilt issue. The ground had been sadly churned up by tlio earlier games, and a nice light soaking rain early made it treacherous, but that did not prevent Richmond from endeavouring to throw the ball about in approved fashion. The Shore stalwarts opened the I scoring, and with the forwards keeping the i ball down and the backs alert in tackling— with judicious kicking placements—Rich- [ mond moves, were surprisingly checked.: The ground surface, following heavier ram, then became a veritable mud lather, but the game did not slacken in speed and vigour, the Rovers being recompensed to even the scores by the interval. The battle waged keener than ever when they resumed. It was impossible to handle the ball accurately, and both sets of forwards were mixing it in towering rucks and loose and rapid rallies which fired enthusiasm. It was give-and-take play of clean and tough character, relieved by remarkable exchanges between Cooke and Laing. The attack gradually swung in favour of the Rovers; and then commenced as stern a twenty minutes of close play as could be seen. The maroon backs tried every conceivable move from the scrums, and behind it, to break the Devonport wall. Again and again the onslaughts were rolled back and there were breathless moments, when it seemed that Shore could not hold out against the oncoming waves; but they did. Over-eagerness and scrum penalties cost the maroons dearly, and the siege lifted through heady work by Seagar ancTi magnificent full-back play by Laing. Then came what was perhaps the crowning feature ox the contest. The Shore forwards retaliated, aud, witli superior supporting play, took charge in the last minute, Richmond having the greatest difficulty in keeping their ,goal intact, as the blacks made exciting eft'ovts. It was a thrilling climax to a game or games. It would be invidious to single out players, for all played well. On a dry ground the issue might have been' different, but Rugger is not designed for that condition alone. If anything Devonport's strength was in the inside backs (with a clever breakaway), the anticipation of Seagar and the almost uncanny brilliance of Laing under severest test. Cooke was seen not 'quite at his best. So, even without the services of their regular' liveeighth, O'Uonuell, Devonport' obtained the most striking success of the season. ' ltadonich was his worthy deputy in a match to be remembered.

STIRRING BID BY MARIST,

A feast of wet -weather Rugger, interspersed with entertaing midget school boy spersed with entertaining midget school boy last and even exhibition between Newton Rangers and Marist Old Boys, the former prevailing by 'J- —8, and having a shade of luck in the process. The Rangers had Roy Ilardgrave on the right wing, their new three-quarter Brady going to centre, while Brimble, at. live-eighths,was supported by Sclilesinger, from Point Chevalier Club. The idea that the side would be considerably strengthened was quickly dissipated by the virile young Marist team, which, ably generalled by Brisbane, jumped into its 'stride anil more than added to recent reputation of being a j)otential match-winning combination. The state of the ground, of course, was far from conducive to the fascinating style and tactics which Newton espouse, but even making such allowance, it must be admitted that the Old Boys adapted themselves more capably to conditions, and, but for over eagerness and misjudgment at critical moments, might have won by two clear tries. Newton hardly teamed to the best advantage. They held a clear six-point lead at halftime, and later added another, three points. The green and golds rose grandly to the occasion with the odds against them and devastatingly outplayed their opponents toward the end in a whirlwind linish that was inspiring to see. It was another case of the sheer gallantry of youth, and Newton had reason to rejoice when phe bell went. The game fluctuated wonderfully in the early stages and the duel between the two full-backs, both playing faultlessly, was relieved alternately by some clever rearguard work and forward clashes. The ball went rarely the way of Hardgrave, who flashed into the picture but occasionally, in spite of the tliruStfulness of Brady, whose strong and straight running was impressive. Stephens also did well with limited opportunity and his snap try really saved his side. The new back, Sclilesinger, proved a decided acquisition, his only fault being an inclination to go too far before letting the ball go. He lias the requisite pace and a good pair o£ hands. Brimble was at his top form, revealing that the rest following his recent injury has done him good. His brilliant and : elusive running and fine supporting play was only curbed when the Marist hooker Steven began to get the ball from, tlie scrums, an<J. Glover became more watchful and consequently more dangerous on. attack. Porteous was,, always prominent behind the Newton pack, although Grotte was ,by no means overshadowed. Brisbane was the king pin of Marist and his quick smothering tackles and anticipation had a lot to do with a good deal of the bottling up of the other insides. Furlonger, at , centre,; did some 'clover things, but .his . handling at times was unfortunately erratic, while the winger Loader also spoilt chances by some slight impetuosity. Smith, on the other flank, rivealed commendable confidence and his determined fry was a fair reward. He is a coming star. The Newton pack had tlie belter of the bargain, though they wilted toward the end. Blacklaws. .Hall and Middleton showed up' consistently, .with Quirke, ICelsall and Nathan keen in the close rucking. Laird, O'Kane and Bakalich were to the fore for Marist. wliode sextet was so irresistible in the final bid. The match should tune Newton up well for their meeting with Richmond, and Marist should prove a special obstacle for Tonsonby.

CITY DEFEAT PONSONBY.

Under conditions that were altogether against a fast open game City succeeded in amassing the respectable total of 22 points against Ponsonby's 10 on Saturday. When the game started there appeared to be a prospect of the backs being able to handle the ball and combine to advantage. This prospect gradually dwindled as the game proceeded and in the second spell it became simply a matter of keeping the ball on the ground and using the boot. That City prevailed under such conditions is a tribute to their forwards who worked like Trojans and kept going at, a fast pace right up to the final bell. The Ponsonby men were, little behind .their opponents in dashing work, but In circumstances where luck was a. strong factor the City rushes were pushed home to the utmost effect. Despite the fact that smart, and accurate handling were impossible, there were some bright interludes of back, play that served to enlighten a grim struggle with a greasy and sodden ball. The try scored for City by Wayne was a notable example and the speedy three-quarter made • no mistake either in handling or running when the opportunity* came liis "way. Football tlio world over has to be played tinder adverse

conditions at times, and the City players by adjusting themselves quickly to. the conditions on Saturday thoroughly deserved . their victory. However it was, not a onesided game, the manner in which defence was frequently turned into attack sayin'g much for the speed at which the struggle was waged. For City, Watene, at fullback, was well taxed and defended in tine | style. The same may be said of the three-; quarter line, with Wayne ami Turd showing line speed on occasions. Wibcrg, at j live-eighths, got through a great amount | of work and appeared to revel in the going. All the inside hacks co-operated well with the forwards in the ground rushes that ■ characterised most of the play. The pack ■worked hard to a man and maintained their speed remarkably well. The POll- - backs, strove valiantly to surmount the conditions, and with- a shade, more luck might have gone closer to victory. Kay,' Shera and Riley were frequently prominent. The forwards were untiring and frequently taxed the defence with sweeping rushes. That the balance of the luck went against them in this style of play is no discredit.

SECOND GRADE ISSUE.

The announcement on Saturday that Otaliuliu had won this grade championship I was a bit premature, in view of the fact | that, "while the Auckland , Rugby League had ruled against the procedure of tlio junior control board in connection with the number of rounds to' constitute the chain-* pionship, the matter was merely referred back to the responsible authorities, who are likely to seek the opinion of all the clubs involved before altering a determination that was reached weeks before the belated appeal of one club. Furthermore, the extension of the championship to three rounds affects two lower grades, so three grades will be conccrned when the- subject is dealt with by the junior board on Tuesday.

GRADE GAMES.

sjENIOIt RESERVE. City 10, drew with Ponsonby 10. Richmoml 13, beat Devonport 0. Marist S, 1 beat Newton 0. SECOND GRADE. Mangere 20, beat l'oint Chevalier 9. Papakura <0, heat Mount Albert o. Otahuhu 10, beat Ellerslie 2. THIRD OPEN. Richmond 4, beat Glenora 3. PapakurarlO, beat Akarana 9. ' l'onsonby 10, beat Mount Albert 0. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Manukau B 2S, beat Glenora 3. City 22, beat Akarana 0. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 3, drew with Glenora 3. Papakura 9, beat Manukau 7. FIFTH GRADE. City 24, beat Manukau 0. Richmond 17, beat Otahuhu 5. Mount Albert 0, drew with Papakura 0. SIXTH GRADE. Newton 5. beat Avondale 3. Ellerslie 5, beat Richmond 0. I SEVENTH GRADE. Richmond A 3, beat City 2. Devonport 0, beat Richmond B 2.

SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES.

Avondale G, beat Klchmon'i 3. Marist A 9, heat Otahuhu 0. Marist B 11, beat City 5. SEVEN-A-SIDE. Otahuhu 0, drew with City. 0.

j GAMES IN THE PROVINCE.

WHAN GAREI. The North v. South trial match, which was to have been held at Hikurangi this afternoon, as a preliminary to the selection of the Northland team, which is to go on tour nex.t month, was abandoned ou account of the rain. LOWER WAIKATO. ,i Huntly 20, beat Tuakau 12. / TAUPIRI. Taupiri 13, beat Ngaruawaliia 5. Juniors. —Ngaruawahia S, beat Taupiri 3.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

' — NAPIER. To .Ngariic IS, boat Taradale 10. City 3, boat Ahuriri 0. Clive beat Te Awa. CHRISTCHURCH. Hornby 14, boat Addington 3. Sydenlinan 13, boat Lin wood 0. - New Bri&hton S, : beat Kuru' 3. V DUNEDIN. City IS, boat Athletic 0. ' Christian Brothers 41, boat Pacific 0. N.S.W. V. QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, July S. In a Rugby League match yesterday, Queensland and Now South Wales drew with a score of 25 points cach.