SHORE BATTLE TO A DRAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 165, 15 July 1935, Page 13

SHORE BATTLE TO A DRAW.

Emphasising the exceptional closeness of play in the championship grade this season, Dovonport came to light by holding Mount Albert to an 8-all draw —the fourth of the season. The promoted seniors, who now stand close on the ladder to Klchmoixl who drew, 11-all, with I'onsonby, havo lieen involved in no less than three o£ the lour draws, so threaten to earn fame as il "draw" side. It is a curious fact that every team in the competition has draw points, except City Hovers. On Saturday Uevonport opened well against Mt. Albert who led at the interval 5—3. Early in the second stanza the mariue-siders conceded another five points, and it looked as if all was over, but such was far from being the case. Shore, in characteristic vein, took a new lease of life, and, playing with speed and elan, rapid handling back and forward being a feature, the forwards crashed through. Hunt going over determinedly after a fine run by Donald. From then on Shore never gave the mainlandites mucli peace, making attack their safest means .of defence. It was fullblooded football all right, though it lacked a good deal in polished finish. Ivau Wilson, who a couple of years ago turned out for Ponsonby,' was Mt. Albert's custodian. He found the standard somewhat above the senior team requirements hitherto, but was getting well to his task towards the end. He is a good player, but will need to know the methods of his men in front. The wingers McNeil and Schultz were up to the mark, the latter showing some real form. The play did not go so much the other way. List was steady at centre, and Morrissey and Dunn paired creditably at five-eighths from Hassan, who was aleri from the scrum base. A little more guile on the part of the Mt. Albert insides might have made a great difference in opening out the play for the wingers. As it was. Devonport backs were quick to tackle an< anticipate a stereotyped tendency and to make the most of reverse countering tactics. As a matter of fact, , the black backs have rarely been seen to better advantage this season, but there is still room for improvement, naif-back Cowan was the big surprise, and he, Adams and Rhodes played with distinct understanding. Hall and Seagar on the wings responded, abetted by the very heady work of Radonich. The unstable link in the rearguard was the new full-back, who, playing with needless desperation, landed himself into lots of troubU and eventually had to go off, E. Scott coming out of the pack and Seagar dropping back. The latter played well, out missed a golden chance of points on one occasion. Hall was the most impressive winger on the paddock. What a daisy ht would be if given full opportunity J Duvonport forwards carried the honours at the finish, and revealed remarkable form, not to say that Shadbolt, Gunning, Herring, Spiro and company did not do their share. It must be confessed that on the run of the play Shore had the worst of the luck that was going. Perhaps they will change it against Ponsonby at the week-end.