LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 159, 8 July 1935, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND PREMIERSHIP. PONSONBY DRAWS WITH RICHMOND. WINS TO MARIST AND SHOEE. In the fourth game of the second round of the Auckland championship at Carlaw Park on Saturday Ponsonby backs had the better of exchanges in a fast and open contest with Richmond, but the maroon forwards came towards the end to make honours even. Tn the first spell two opposing wingers had a bout of fisticuffs and were ordered to the sideline. The ground was in very heavy condition and was badly cut tip in the early match in which a smart Marist rearguard weighed against City Rovers. Across the way on a slushy surface' Devonport avenged their earlier defeat by Newton, who were minus several prominent players. Results at a glance weie: — Richmond 11, drew with Ponsonby 11. Devonport 14, beat Newton 3. Marists 20, beat City Rovers 7. Ladder positions:— Points. Ch. P. W. I* D. F. A. Pts. Richmond 10 7 '2 1 IG2 80 15 Mount Albert . 0 C 1 2 132 109 14 Marists 9 4 3 3 114 112. 10 Devonport ... 10 4 5 1 110 13S 9 Ponsonby 0 4 f> — 131 146 8 Newton 9 3 4 1 124 113 7 City ltovers .. 10 2 8 — 05 176 i

HOW PONSONBY DID IT.

In a surprisingly fine game in the mull, Pousonby were unlucky to terminate on a titty-fifty basis with Richmond, who, without the brilliant A. K. Cooke in the last line, found the going pretty hard. That is not to say J. Young dhl not piny worthily at fullback. He did quite well, but lacked that experience which gains the extra territory or paves the way to an effective counter move. It happened to be a day and a game in which the finesse of Cooke would have counted for so much, especially in the form which he has struck this season. The understanding between' the Pousonby backs was the big factor in a clash marked in the early stages by several displays of fireworks —on the left side of the scrum and on the rgiht wing. In one case Broadbead, the Richmond forward, annoyed by persistent illegalities, while Puyne and MelVeil on the flank, who revealed early temperamental mutual hostility, eventually got to open blows and were properly given their marching orders. Payne accepted the edict in a sporting style, but McNeil was reticent. After that the play settled down to an even ' clean tenor with Ponsonby backs showing constructive methods on attack, and an ability in cover defence that was surprising to a public so used to sen the Richmond back line canter off in smooth cohesion. Rarely ditl anything happen once the ball reached Mincliam, who was not a shadow of the E.T.M, of the previous Saturday. Consequently Mitchell or Tetley (who went out in place of McNeil) saw little of the ball from openings inside. The fact of the matter was that, although montl was hooking the ball from the scrums (and whenever they didn't, Lawless persisted in breaking offside) Powell was too slow In getting his insldes away. This just suited the panther-like Kay, playing as offhalf to Holland, and Jones, who for the first time this year was right on his game. He was rapid to tackle, dashing for the gap and altogether a thorn to the opposition for his sense of anticipation. Later in the game, when he tired, Kay took his mantle and showed , some dazzling ntuff. On the right flank Bright was also much of his former representative self, and some of his clever running in the mud quite amazed. How good he is all-round Is indicated by the fact that he scored all Ponsonby's points—the try and four goals. Holland had a new berth as scrum-half, and made the most, of his job, but failed to retire in the' manner expected, though he rarely abused, that advantage. Moran, Tor a forward, acted quite worthily on the wing A great deal of credit for the solidity of the Ponsonby defence In its most critical stages must so to the ex-Khnjr Country player, Murray, who made a distinct name for himself on the day. His clearances were fine, and he was safe at all stages. He overshadowed his vis-a'-vis on test. This Maori boy looks like shaping into a player of the first water. In the main rearguard actions Fletcher was the star of Richmond, although Blckerton flickered at times, but the ball rarely got to Mitchell or the other flunk. The Richmond forwardft, except in the fading stages, did not play well together, although C. Satherley. Lnwr loss and Telford were frequently in tho picture. Hutt was the keenest pnekmnn on the: ground, and Lentherbnrrow sliowfd sreat speed, with J. Stockley, in the loose. For the condition?, it was a grand gnnin of rugger, full of interest to the end. It will put Richmond on their mettln for their match against Marists, their only conquerors in the first round.

SHORE SUPERIOR.

There were few highlights in the Devonport and Newton Rovers match, which was fought out keenly on the No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, but the game was productive of some lively exchanges and some tine individual efforts. The" run of the play favoured .Shore, who ran out fairly comfortable winners in the end by 14 points to 3, and- thus avenged their defeat at the Rovers' hands In the first round by 20 points -to-5.- The . losers were minus the services of some of their best backs an.l lacked thrust in this department. Tho seaslders' forwards man for man acquitted themselves better than the opposing pack, while the side as a whole team in a much more superior way than the Nowton thirteen. Rhodes was again one of the best Devonport backs, defending soundly and keeping the opposition busy on the attack. The versatile Adams, who paired with him in the five-eighths, also gave a good allround exhibition, while Radonich a reserve grader, who was called on to play two games on end, got through a wealth of good work at centre. Hall was the pick of the wingers, while Seagar was safe and sure at full-back. W. Brimble, the Newton halfback, was a tiger for work, but a lot of it was abortive. Time and again he ran up against defenders when he endeavoured to whip ' round the struggling packs. He rather overdid this part of his play, and his side would have been much better served, had he sent his backs away and given them more chances. The five-eighths, Middleton and Pope, and centre, Young, were not a happy combination, and on the move made little impression on the defence. Franich, on the winpr, made the most of the limited oportunlties that came his way, and his strong running and great fend were features of tho game. Brady, on the opposite wing, had little to' do, but usually did the right thing when called upon. It was really the Shore forwards who carried" the day. They were a light but lively sixtet, and battled with vigour from bell to bell. Always in the forefront were Simpson, Scott and Donald. 1 but the othors—Rogers, Southland Mllicioh—were at all times doing their sharo of the hard work. The pick of the Newton pack were Nathan, Johnston, Lunn and Kellclier.

MARISTS , IMPROVED FORM.

In the early part it looked as though City Rovors were going to spring another surprise by effecting the downfall of Marist Old Boys, who, however, came to light in the end and won well by 20—7. It was a case of youth, form and speed staying on to prevail. City led at half-time by 5—3, after having had rather the best of the deal. It is a peculiar thing that although City did better in the second spell, they failed to register, whereas ' the fast rearguard of the green end golds made the most of every turn, ably supported by their speedy vanguard, of which Keaae, Woods and Laird were outstanding. Wiberg played a fine defensive game at full-back for City, whose flankmen were, unequal to giving Lou Brown adequate support which opportunities offered. Chalmers, behind the Marist scrum, was fast away, and Kerr and Glover were wise to rely on the pace of their threerquarter line which came prominently into action, although Bakalich was hardly a reliable centre link"; However, wingers Loader and. Furlonger—the latter particularly—were always dangerous. ' Hira handed slow passes from the scrums when City won the ball, and Johnson and Ford did not combine very harmoniously. Dye, the ex-Union player from Rotorua, was easily the outstanding City forward of an unimpressive sextet, of which Herring, MoLnughlip and Clarke occasionally shone in the loose. Marists, for whom Campbell played a masterly full-back game on his first appearance' for spme weeks, virtually repeated their' victory of the first round, and should be in good trim for their next engagement. On the other hand, City Rovers should greatly benefit by the contest in view of their bye fixture at Whangarei at tie -week-end.

GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. Devonport 11, beat Newton 3. Richmond..39., beat. Ponsonby. 0. Marist .5, beat Ci.ty. 3. SEXiOR B. Otahuhu 40, beat Waiuku 2. SIOCOND GRADE. Ponsonby 7, drew with Glenora 7. ■ ' R.V. D, beat Richmond 8. Manukau 8, beat Mount Albert 5. THIRD GRADE. Akarana 3, beat Northcote 0. 1 Ponsonby 10, beat Marist 8. Richmond 20, beat Green Lane 0. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 11, beat Point Chevalier 2. I'apakura IS, beat Mount Albert 0. FIFTH GRADE. Kllerslle 5, beat Newton 0. Richmond A 18, beat Akarana 0. Papakuro IS, beat Richmond 10. SIXTH GRADE. CttS 10, beat Glenora 2. Richmond 29, beat Northcote 0. SEVENTH GRADE, ' Richmond 3, .beat Avondale 0. . SCHOOLBOYS' OAMKS. Green .Lane 6, bent Avondale 0. Devonport SI, beat. Kllerslle 0. Mar.ist 21, beat Avondale 0. SEVEN-A-SIDE. Richmond AO, drew with Avondale 0. Richmond B 0. drew with Ellerslic 0.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

CHRISTCHIIRCH. Waiinairic IC, beat A3dln?ton 13. Liuwood 11, bear Hornby 9. New Brighton 11, beat Sydenham 9.

N.S.W. BEATS QUEENSLAND.

BRISBANE. July 7. In a Rugby League football match yesterday' Now South Wales defeated Queenslaud by 23 points to 0.