LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 226, 24 September 1934, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

■WESTERN SUBURBS' TOUR.

MARISTS NARROWLY DEFEATED. ;! THRILLING OPENING MATCH. ! In a contest of skill and incident, lefore a large crowd at Carlaw Park on Saturday, the fifth Australian club side to visit New Zealand succeeded in narrowly defeating Marist Old Boys team by two points in a match notable for its keen and clean tackling, and the wonderful recovery made by the home 6ide, which was down 3—lo at the interval, and emerged losers by 19—21. The visitors, who now have the first Jeg won for the Walmsley Shield, did not present their best side, but, while tliey gave glimpses of brilliance, were hardly at tlieir best after the sea voyage. Ridley, tiie Kangaroo winger, was outgtanding of West's backs for his determined, speedy and elusive running. Marists tackled with tenacity throughout, and were a shade unlucky to be rebbed of victory in the fading momcuts. ?he visitors will meet Newton Hangers ion Wednesday. The Play Described. Tho teams were:—• Western Suburbs. (Black and White.) \ Full-back: J. Sharman. Three-quarters: A.Ridlev (captain), J. jkynch, R. Knight, V. Shechan. Five-eighth: S. Tanered. j Half-back: P. Williams. Forwards: A. Blake, P. Fairall [(hooker), J. Hartwell, J. McConnell, B. Green, F. Sponberg. Marist Old Boys. (Green and Gold.) j Full-back: N. Campbell, j Three-quarters: Loader, Kay, Smith, j Five-eighths: Brisbane, Glover, j Half-back: Grottc. Forwards: Laird, Steven, Webberley, [A. Clarke, Keane, Bakalich. Marists set the ball in motion and a scrum was ordered at midiield. The home thirteen hooked cleanly, but the , advantage was lost when Webberley was penalised, the visitors invading until Hartwell offended. Marists pressed when Campbell found the line. -Then on the right wing at tho twenty-live line Clarke broke through in a ruck, handed to Grottcj to Loader, who centred, the ball going across the goal line with Grotte in close pursuit. Sharman tapped the ball dead. The game was held up by an arm injury to Tanered, who, however, was able to resume. Owing to the stern tackling, the play had not opened out : although the visiting forwards were repealing snaps of combination in the 'loose. Smith followed a kick through, caught the dtfence unawares and then tackled Sharman in possession. Glover came on the scene at top and, favoured iby the bounce of the ball, swooped across to score the opening try, which Campbell - failed to convert. Marists 3 ;• Wests 0 The visitors went immediately to the attack, and Williams essayed an ambitious shot. A penalty against Hartwell enabled Keane to make good use of the kick. There followed a swirl of-play and passing between the visitors. Willie's loomed and gave a short pass to Ridley who, with the defence out of position, shot diagonally through a centre gap for fifteen yards to score under the posts as Campbell and Clarke tackled. Williams goaled. Wests 5 ! Marists 3 The crowd was delighted with the run of play. From a breaking scrum Hartwell was penalised and Marists moved to half-wa'y, but the table was quickly turned, when Tanered, with the pace all on dummied twice, and, after heating Campbell, handed on to Knight, who scored wide out with Sheelian outside in support. Williams received ap- ' plauso for a splendid long-range goal. There was now a variation in the play, an exchange of kicks between Campbell and Sharman. The ball was swung out to the right wing, Glover, Brisbane, Kay and Smith handling, the last-mentioned heinn 1 downed making a desperate bid. a couple of yards from the Domain corner. The interval came with the scores:— Western Suburbs 10 : Marist Old Boys 3

Operations were resumed with Wests making keen efforts to get their rearguard machine going, but found the smothering tackling solid. Marists were in good position when a passing run broke down through a low pass. Knight intercepted. • Tailored received, to make a thrustfui 'run,' but the movement crashed when- Campbell kicked dead. A scrum went, down near the corner after the. drop-out, andiWilliams got across. Fairall failed with the kick.

Wests 13 Marists ... . . ... ........... 3 Some minutes of loose play roused the crowd, and,then jt'.was brought to its feet. Clarke and Kay broke away into their opponents' territory. The former let the ball gov and Tancred gave a short kick. It went to the right, into the hands of Brisbane. Faced by Kniglit and Ridley to the left, he •changed direction inwards, cutting out two players and the full-back to score in a 20-yard run a wonderfully clever try. Campbell, goaled easily. The game was now becoming fast and keener than ever, the tackling being terrific. From the ruck, Laird gathered a bouncing ball and, running fast for ten yards towards the corner, handed on to Smith, who materialised amid cheers. It was too far for Campbell. Inspired by their success, Marists strained every effort, and in a penetrating rapid run from a scrum Glover got within inches of points. With Marists holding to the attack, a stoppage was necessary for Lynch, who soon recovered. Marists worked back gradually into West's area, where Bakalich broke away, skirting the ruck. Grotte came on the inside for the pass and shot across wide out in a tackle. Campbell missed. Marists 14 Wests 13 Ridley followed up the drop-out by Williams and pinned Loader, who redeemed himself a second later by a clearing dash along inside touch. Wests were soon back in a burst of spectacular passing opened up by Williams. Ridley accepted at the inside and, after parting with possession, came round in a determined run to the corner. Tackled by Campbell, Sheehan accepted a chver_ inpass near the line and scored. Knight failed with the kick. The most surprising try of the match followed"a series of thrills. Grotte ewung Glover into line from a serum pass on the stand side twenty yards out. The ball was shortkicked by Smith. Sheehan and Shannan missed the ball as it was followed up fast, and Smith won the try, which Campbell capped by a beautiful goal. Marists i- ]Weste sbbwmi ■mmri—yg- 1

The points were level when a thrilling' rush by McConnell, Hartwell and Ridley, who changed direction in handling, caught the home side on the wrong foot. Ridley kicked the ball and obtained possession again, but let it go when collared by Campbell near the line. Sponberg snapped it up and scored. Williams made certain with the kick, and a really line match concluded with the scoreboard reading— Western Suburbs , 21 diarist Old Boys 19 Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

FEATURES OF THE GAME. Under sunshine conditions and with a nicely liolding turf, everything lavoured a last and fascinating struggle, and the public was not disappointed, it was evident from the outset that the iNew South Wales premiers were up against a home thirteen well tuned up and able to maintain the demands ot speed and physical combat from bell to bed. On the other hand, Wests were but six hours off the vessel which had brought them across tho Tasman, and those who have voyaged will understand that swaying peculiar feeling which persists for a day or two after sueii a trip. However, the visitors steeled themselves up tor the battle, and both sides took some time to settle down, though the play iluctuated rapidly. Marists had the good fortune to score first, chiefly as the result of inside back opportunism, Wests' reply coining with a try of the same nature by Ridley, who gave a taste of his resolute merit to compensate for an earlier mistake when his failure to pass the ball meant the loss of points. The black and whites established a 10—3 lead at tiie -.interval after a magnificent opening made at halfway by tiie live-eighths, or stand-off half, Tanered, who dummied Brisbane and Kay and sent Knight romping across. This was a very brilliant piece of work, but Marists were by no means dismayed, and, with their forwards heeling from the scrums and breaking away to collaborate with backs who were playing dose up on the opposition, Wests must have relished the spell, which really marked the close of clear ascendancy on tho part of the sturdier Australians. The second stanza proved as thrilling as any Hugger patron could ever wish. Wests, with backs to tho sun, raised their tally to the pet number of the superstitious as the outcome of what looked like a doubtful try by Williams, the half-back, who appeared to go into toueh-in-goal. The linesman did not seem to signal properly and the referee apparently awarded the try. Anyhow, from that on "13" promised to prove the rock on which Wests should stick—and crash, for Marists now began to play all over the visitors in a manner that drew crescendos of applause, the delight of the crowd being boundless when the board read 14—13. Ridley's Leadership. It was at this point that the leadership and greatness of the Kangaroo skipper, Ridley, was manifested by his cool, rallying power and example, and, from his desperate delving crosstield run, during which he shook ott' tacklcrs, Wests got their noses in front, anly to lose the margin the next minute, when JMarists moved up into good position and received the reward of tast following up, making the totals 19—16, with about eighty seconds to go. The welter of play now became cyclonic as the thirteens crashed into at with greater force than ever, with the odds just a shade with the green and golds. Again Ridley rose nobly to the occasion," aud, backing up his forwards, was a prominent factor in a successful dr.ive wnich rolled up the defence in one mighty blow down the centre and produced the equalising try. Now, the crowd was hushed in expectancy. Could Williams land the goal upon which Wests relied for victory? The nimble little halfback of South Sydney probably never placed a ball with more loving care and accuracy, and with calm deliberation he addressed himself to the objective after a long and steady run. The ball sailed high and clearly over the bar from a fairly difficult angle, and, as the flags were simultaneously raised, the spectators stood and cheered, the bell and whistle sounding as the tumult died away. It was an appropriate climax to a game that will long be remembered.

Looking at the Players. That Wests won and deserved their slight lead at tile finish, there can be no dispute, for, on tiie whole, their methods were a tritle more constructive tlian those of their opponents. Williams did not have the best of ball service from the scrums, but he played a very headygame and his well-judged, clean passes at psychological moments gave his supports innumerable opportunities, which were not used to the best advantage. Tancred was a tine: five-eighth, with a rare turn of .speed off the mark, and, except for a tendency to too much cutting-in and being caught too much in possession by a rocket-like defence, he showed that he has all the qualities of a clever exponent. There was a weakness, too, in the centres, Lynch often running out of position and Knight being conspicuous for mishandling at critical junctures. Ridley, of course, was the star, who, finding that his young vis-a-vis, Loader, invariably barred the way, looked for more assistance by repeatedly changing direction inwards. This was not iorthcoming and the powerful winger indulged himself in solo efforts, culminating often in co-operation from the forwards. Such play could only be attempted by a player of his type with experience, and it proved the saving of the game for Wests. On the other' flank, Sheehan, was. patchy, but generally reliable, impro.ving as the match advanced. Likfe others, he was finding his feet. This applied more painfully to the fullback, Shaman. He showed, however, that he has the kicking ability, but he left too much to chance on the day. It must be confessed ■ that. the Auckland full-back, Campbell, gave his worst display this season and yet he was the superior of the two on view. He ably compensated to some extent by splendid tackling. Kay was a- useful acquisition to the Marist three-quarter line, being steady and purposeful. Loader, on the left wing, was always on hand and improves with every appearance. Perhaps the most welcome feature of the home side's performance was the aggressive work of Smith, who, like Bakalich of the forwards, revealed pace and anticipation that surprised. Ihe inside trio, Grotte, Glover and Brisbane, revealed outstanding form and understanding, and, by their tigerish moves in tackling harried their opposites and bottled up attacks. The two colts have a bright future, now indicated under test. International Brisbane was ever in the Picture and his try was one of the colourful lights of the game. McConnell, Sponberg and Hartwell were the prominent visiting packmen, the first-mentioned and Sponberg handling well in the open, Hartwell spoiling his work on occasions by a tendency to hold on too long. Blake, Green and Fairall were more subdued. Wests had a cunning habit of screwing the scrum at times to gain an advantage, and the half-back often failed to retire when lie put the ball in the scrums, from which the Auckland hooker won the ball fairly freely. Steven is to be congratulated on his success in this respect. Laird, Claike, Keane and Bakalich held their own also in the rucks. Until he received a nasty knock. Keane was the best forward on the ground. The forwards shared the honours of a worthy match in which there was not a single instance of rough play. Dinner Felicities. In extending a welcome to the Western Suburbs party at the Commercial Hotel later, Mr. Cyril Snedden, president of the council of the New Zealand Rugby League, congratulated the visitors on their creditable debut for the tour. It was realised that they were at a disadvantage after the sea trip and that once they had their shore legs and turned out with their strongest side, that their play would reach the brilliance which earned for them such, a high reputation which reached beyond Australia. At the same tune, they would probably soon discover that the standard of the code in New Zealand had reaohed a high level. Wests were regarded as welcome ambassadors who would take back home next month not only memories of a happy trip and experience, but also reports that would warrant the Australian authorities in recognising the need for the visits of more State and Australian, aides Ito ifefflJJonuirioii. .(ApplaaseJ,

Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the Auckland League, said that New Zealanders knew as much about prominent Australian players as did the Australian public, and the visits of teams helped generally in improving the standard of play which had benefited by tours to England of the Kangaroos. In pulling the game out of the fire that day, Western Suburbs had delighted spectators and he was sure that their later performances with the full team fielded would be awaited with much pleasure. Ml - . J. J. White, manager for Wests, warmly acknowledged the welcome and tributes, and said this tour was eagerly looked forward to and hospitality would bo rigidly curtailed, as they came here to play football and win, if possible, as a matter of fairness to the public and for the prestige of the game in Australia, where he would have to report the results to the authorities.

WAXTANGI SHIELD. TAMAKI TEAM'S SUCCESS. NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday. The Tamaki team easily won the WaitaiiKi Shield from Taranaki Maoris by 32 points to u. Taranaki did nothing right, their handling being very poor, and they could not cope with the speedy Aucklanders. The best back on the iielii was Watene, who showed phenomenal change of p#-:e and ability to break through tackles. He scored It! points. D. Nathan was the best forward, while the most prominent of the disorganised backs was Hohain, a former Maori All Black. The score at half-time was 10—3. Auckland's points came from eight tries', three converted, ami a penalty goal. The scorers were Watene (4), D. Nathan, A. Nathan, W. Roberts, and Hera, who registered one each. PONSONBY DOWNED. BEATEN BY HUNTLY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HUNTLY, Saturday. One of the most spectacular games of League football seen at Huntly this season was witnessed when Ponsonby tried conclusions with the Huntly thirteen. The home team won, lti—l3. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. South Auckland 1-1, beat Pukekohc Senior B 5. Papakura South 14, beat Takapuna North 13. THIRD INTERMEDIATE). Richmond heat Otahuhu by default. Point Chevalier 13, beat Mauukau 3. FIFTH GRADE. City 24, beat Richmond 11. MARIST THIRDS WIN. In their game against Mariist, the Northcote intermediates held their own in the first half, but eventually the Marlst rearguard. showing fine combination, went on to win in convincing style by 14—G, although the marine thirteen offered a strong defence. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. The early curtain-raiser at Carlaw Parkwas a replftv of the schoolboys' championship final. Richmond having won last week !5 —0. On Saturday, Avondale, In a good game, settled the Issue by taking the honours 5—3. SEVEN-A-SIDE. Marist 9, beat Avondale 0. INTERMEDIATE SEMI-FINAL. Ponsonliy 9, beat Grammar 0.8. 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. NAPIER. Charltv Cup.—Taradale 10, bor.t CUve 7. Clivc 'suffered the first defeat for two seasons. ~ ' . . W. T. Ratana Cup. —Marama 18. beat Te Ngarue U. CHRISTCHURCH. Gore Cup.—'Hornby 10, beat Llnwood 17.