LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Issue 111, 13 May 1935, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

PREMIERSHIP CONTESTS.

SPECTACULAR THIRD SERIES

POINTS TO PONSONBY AND

RICHMOND

Stirred by a great effort ™ ac J e Devonport, who ran Richmond to u ith'n a point in the early same at Carlaw lark on Saturday, the large crowd " a ® regaled by another excellent contest between I'onsonby and City Rovers, the foi running out easy winners as the result of clever cohesive back play, although C y had a decided advantage in the scrums. Across the way, Newton Rangers came strongly at the finish to make up eight points leeway and hold the rising Mount Albert to a high-scoring draw in a gripping finale. The results at a glance were:— Richmond 10. beat Devonport 0Newton 22, drew with Mount Albeit

I'onsonby 30, beat City 13

SHORE ON THE WARPATH.

Richmond Rovers had as big a fri-ht as thev could have without actually losing Last voar Devonport surprised the inhabitants 'by inflicting first defeat upon tlio maroons. ami they wont clone to r °P^ a |- ins the performance in the courso of a trame that ran the gamut of football vivacity, anil \vhi<*h ended 10—J in Kiehmond's favour. Two solid packs crashe I into their work in relentless style, fanned out in passing moves or supported their backs and raided ruthlessly. The. back divisions featured in unorthodox brilliant bouts, with Richmond just shading the blacks, whose tackling, f-poed and ability to turn defence into attack were highlights of tlie best curtain-raiser presented tills season. Territorially the Shore thirteen had tiie best of matters, but their opponents combined a little more collaboration with slightly more individual opportunism. Every phase of spectacular play was exploited. and t lie next meeting of these two sides should be something wortli g"'"S a long way to see. A. E. Cooke, at fullback, again revealed his top form, fielding the ball perfectly, even when all out, and kicking with deliberation and skill. He showed speed and occasionally ran his mates into action. He completely overshadowed ids vis-a-vis. Smith, upon whose retirement the young forward Rogers proved himself worth while. Mincham at centre was one of the shining lights of the contest, and his final burst through the opposition in a swerving run that carried him thrve quarters tlie length of tlie Held and within a few yards of a try, deserved a better reward. Before being grassed from the rear, lie let the ball go and the pass was dropped. Interest was shown in the first appearance of Couper. ex-Technical Old Roys' winger, a player of fine physique and with more than average toe. He was not asked to do too much, but liis play indicated that lie will be a valuable acquisition once he is accustomed to the tecliiiiqtio of the game in that position. He responded well when Fletcher opened the gate for a try that was scored in decisive fashion. McNeil, on the other think, was not as impressive as usual. Fletcher and Bickcrton are as good a pair of five-eighths seen together this season. Behind the scrum, Powel still disclosed a tendency to hang to the ball ioo much, but his job was a much tougher one than usual. Cowan, on the other side, disclosed improved form. .1. Satherley was only fairly successful in winning the ball from Millcieh. On the whole the Richmond forwards met their match, in spite of towering play by C. Satherley, Lawless ami Telford. liroadhcad incurred too many penalties. Tetley has developed into a class breakaway. Simpson is to be complimented on the manner in which lie captained his Hide ami led liis pack, in which Donald and Hunt were always conspicuous. E. Scott was an unqualilicd success at first-tive-eightlis, and I!. W. Smith, who retired hurt, was erratic at times. Rhodes made some gooil attempts to serve his wingers, and I.en Scott looks likely to again strike liis gait. Over-anxiousness causes him to get out of position. Given the right chances. Hall, on the other flank, will score good tries. The team should be in rare fettle to meet Newton Rangers. SPOTLIGHT ON PONSONBY. In a game that was always entertaining and marked by consistently high-class tactical operations on Hie part of I lie winners, Ponaonby boat City Rovers by 3fl— 13. after the losers had held their opponents at bay on comparatively even terms until within ten minutes of the call of time. It was a good. cl?an, hard and fast exhibition in which the speed' and combination of the I'ousonby backs told its tale. City did well in the set serums, but a lack of smoothness and understanding among the inside links meant the conceding of attack to the opposition, 'the Rovers offered a gallant resistance for most ot the way. only to have lo bow to the superior form ami litiesse of tin- i'onsonby three-quarter line when 'lie final testing stage arrived. I'ayne again did well for I'onsonby in the last line, and yet Wicierg must be given credit for a really splendid display under difliculty for the Rovers. The effectiveness of the four three quarter and two half-back system o£ t onsonhy was seen to positive advantage, ivitll the fiveeighths acting us off-half swinging t lie attack one way or another. The Brlglit-Kay-I(iley-Jones line went smartly eventually although there was much mishandling at times. Stockley and Ilallornu played inside with deftness. When the former went off, Bright, who showed polish in liis methods, did effective duty as second fiveeighths, and his try was a gem. His position on the wing was taken by Holland, who, getting Ids first chance this seasonail emergency one at Hint—clearly showed Improvement. Kay electrified the crowd with liis fast running and clever anticipation, and Hi ley and Jones answered most requirements. Although the forwards were shaded in tlie tight rucking, tliev raided well in the loose, Hutt. Stockley and Moran being to the fore. Clarke. Herring and Watene were prominent for City, and Itagg must be congratulated upon his hooking. Axeman got t lie ball away all right, but McLaughlin and Nathan were unable to do much with it. Johnson came io from the wing to change with the Wairoa liov and though lie did score a try, the inside back play still was unsatisfactory. Lou Brown, at centre, where he bore the brunt ot defence, was severely handicapped, and yet he flashed into the picture time after time. His resolute running is worth "watching. The trouble is that the other backs do not appear to recognise adequately that the man with the ball requires support, which goes hand in hand with the arts of positional play. Waten and Johnston (forwards) were conspicuous for their good lorm in this respect 011 Saturday. Under the circumstances the game may he expected to lie the means tit* Inspiring 11 good overhauling of City Rovers in view of their clash with Marists in the fourth series. KEENLY EXCITING FINISH. A strenuous batttle was waged between Newton and Mount Albert. As indicated by tile scores. 22 points each, the game was last and full of stirring incidents the issue being 111 doubt right up to the tiiiai bell- In the second spell Mount Albert appeared to have the game in hand, hut the Aewton hacks, making the most of tlieir opportunities, rose to the occasion and evened the scores just before the finish ihe play was very last in the last few minutes, with Newton vainly endeavouring to storm the Mount Albert line, but the defence held good and the ball was in midiiclU when the bell rang. It was a grimly exciting struggle with enough purple patches to keep the crowd keyed up to n keen excitement, though there were few teats ot outstanding brilliancy. Oil the whole the team work 011 both sides was fairly sound, with the Newton backs showing rather better combination than their opponents. For Mount Albert Morrisay at full-bnck gave a good exhibition and was in excellent form with his place kicking. McNeil at three-quarter, used ills pace to good effect when the ball came his way. The inside hicks. Dunne and Hassan, bore the brunt of the attack and did their work in excellent style. In a hard working pack Flanagan, Gunning. Sliiro and List were frequently prominent and were always dangerous when handling t lie hall. For Newton ■Uempsey played his usual sound game at- full-back, and kicked witli judgment. Fronich at centre three-quarter and Brady 011 the wing were brilliant nt times and showed fine speed in attack E Brimhle at live-eigliths and W. Briinlile" lmlf-back, got through an immense amount of work in good style. Johnson. Lunn Quirke and Kelsall were frequently noticeable among the forwards and co-operated well in many p.tssing rushes. Conditions of course, were ideal for fast open play, and a succession of suoh games should' maintain the interest of club supporters at a high pitch throughout the season. RESERVE'GRADE. Newton 10. beat Mount Albert S. City 23, beat I'onsonby 2. Richmond 18, beat Devonport 2.

GRADE GAMES. SENIOR B. Otahuhu 12, beat Point Chevalier 0. SECOND GRADE. Tonsonby 13 beat R.V. 0. Richmond 16, beat Glenora 0. Papakura 20, beat Manukau 11. THIRD GRADE. Marist B 19, beat Devonport 3. Richmond 11, beat Northcote 3. Ellerslie 13, beat Otahuhu 8. Marist A 38, beat Akarana A 10. City 23, beat Akarana B 3. Ponsouby IS, beat Mauukau B _. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 10, drew with Papakura 10. Mount Albert 8, beat Northcote u. City 27, beat Ponsouby 3. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond A 23, beat Mount Albert 0. Nowton 18. beat Dovonport la. Ellerslie 10, bent Richmond B 0. Papakura 3, drew with Akarana 3. SIXTH GRADE. Northcote 8, beat Devonport G. Richmond 24, beat Glenora 0. City 10, beat Point Chevalier 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Citv 17, beat Ellerslie 2. Richmond 3, beat Avondale 2. SCHOOLBOYS. Richmond 3(5, beat Avondale Convent 0 Devonport 39, bent City 0. Northcote 3, beat Ellerslie 2. Marist 8, beat Akarana 3. SEVEN-A-SIDE. Richmond 3, bent Richmond B 0. 'IN THE PROVINCE. HUNTLY. Senior.—Huntly 5, beat Ngaruawahia 2. Junior.—Ngaruawahia 5, beat Huntly 0. GLEN AFTON. Kia Ora 8, beat Pukemiro 0. MERCER. Manaia 19, bent Mercer 17. WIIANGAREI. Hikurangl 12, bent City 2. Juniors.—Kamo 211, beat Onerahi 23. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. WELLINGTON. St. George 12, bent Central 2. Petone 23, bent Hutt 11. CHRISTCHURCII. Hornby 8, beat Waimairi 6. Addington 50, beat Sydenham 2. Linwobd 15, beat New Brighton S.