LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 117, 20 May 1935, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

TEAMS IN FINE FETTLE.

RICHMOND DEFEAT PONSONBY

POINTS TO MARISTS AND NEWTON

Another large crowd enjoyed the championship play on Saturday when Richmond Kovcrs continued theiv winning way to triumph over l'oiisonby by a margin which far from reflects the clash, devil and skill that marked the contest throughout. The elan and driving power of the maroons were just too much for their opponents. In the early conveet Newton played in sparkling form to conquer Devonport, and Marists had too many guns for City Hovers on \o. 2 area. Scores at a glance were: — Richmond 22, bent Ponsonby 5. Newton Hangers 20, heat Devonport o. Marist Old Boys ,22, beat City 11.

PROWESS OF RICHMOND

The Auckland triple champions of. last | season, Klc onil Kovcrs, by defenting the clever roueonby thirl I by 22—r>, demonstrated that any team to lower the maroon colours will have to be an exceedingly brilliant combination In every particular. Richmond have weight, spoed and understanding, allied witli condition. Their play is marked by mnchtne-llke backing up in tho forwards and backs, and a powerful covering defence which challenges penetration, as if did only 100 truly on Saturday. Certainly I'onuonby missed some Kolden ebanei's through uncertain bundling, but on the whole, their attack was remarkably telling, and, though ICiclunoml are not invincible, they withstood dour and electric thrusts that were tribute to their resistim; power. Again the meteoric [ouches of voiing Blckerton, the steadying incisive Becond live-eighlhs moves of Fletcher and the grand pivotal centre three-quarter development of Minchain were in evidence. McNeil was somewhat unsteady me flank, but Couper, the new man on the other wing, was seen In scintillnlillß runs, at the end of one i>l which. when attempting to put the ball over the line when lirtnly held ]>y an opponent, he | incurred the due penalty. With (he way I made for him he is hard to stop. A. K. Cooke played a sterling game at tull-baek and crowned It with what may be termed II staggering, side-stepping, try-scoring gallop from half-way, lie deserved the great ovation of the spectators. His vis-a-vis, I'ayne, also played well ngainst odd.s, but had to retire before the end. Jones to a certain extent was off his game as a winger, anil, strange to say, the former full Lack was guilty o£ grave lielding lapses. Holland played fairly, if not yet familiar Mtli tho art of limling the gaps and liming tho ball awav. The brunt of attack ami defence was borne by that fine pair, Kay and Bright, who made some wonderful openings, lirighf's elusiveness being a feature, lthey was also magnificent when in possession, nnd not thoroughly -sate on defence. This also applies to llalloraii. .Making bis debut for the season in new colours, Leutherborrow, who will improve, certainly made a difference to tho l'onaonby torwnrd line, which showed remarkable speed in the open. lUigers, ex-Ulenora, is a solid colt. liutt was simply wonderful in the rucks, continually Cod His hacks, and was up with the piny In passing ami in the loose rallies. Munui also shaped well nnd Stockiey was outstanding in the early stages of the struggle. Uichmoild has a front division which presents an ironlike phalanx. Lawless was always on tho ball in the open and harried L'onsonby witli his lollowing-up. Tclfoid, (.'. Salhi'rloy and Broadbent featured In tho heavy going, the lirst-menlioned being in great nick. J. Sathcrley got a good snare ot the ball in tho .second spelt. Tctley is an admirable loose forward and is now fitness J personified. Richmond will take a lot of whacking. l'onsonby might have been inspired to more advantage had they taken fuller advantage of goal-kicking opportunities twenty minutes from the linish of a fast and clean contest.