LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 140, 15 June 1936, Page 11

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

REVIEW OF THE FORM. > 1 PONSONBY NOW LEAD, ECLIPSE OF DEVONPORT. ' . ' Before a record crowd for this season the final games in the first round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior competition were played at Carlaw Park 011 Saturday. For the modt part the play was colourful, bright and entertaining. In the main game of the day Ponsonby narrowly beat Devonport to take the lead in the championship. The mercurial Manukau side led Newton by a point, while wins were also registered by Mount Albert and City in their respective matches with Marist and Richmond. Kesults: — Ponsonby 17, beat Devonport 15. Mftnukau 15, beat Newton 14. Mount Albert 10, beat Marist 7. City 18, beat Richmond 12. Positfons of teams: — Tts. Cli. P. W. D. D. F. A. Pts. Ponsonby .... 7 5 - — 127 110 10 Devonport 7 4 2 1 111) 84 0 Mount Albert .7 4 3 — 95 !)!> 8 Manukau .... 7 4 3 — 122 125 8 Richmond 7 3 3 1 108 95 7 Marist 7 3 4 — 80 114 (i Newton 7 2 5 — 8(1 !14 4 City 7 2 5 — 102 128 4 PONSONBY'S RECOVERY. Rallying flieir forces in glorious fashion Ponsonby piled 011 17 points in the second spell of their match with Devonport, to get the decision with two points to spare. Thus they assumed tho position at the head of tin; competition ladder after a game which was worthy of two of the finest combinations in the competition. At llie interval, the seaslders had 13 points on the board to their opponents' nil, and in their bustling way looked invincible. The uiiex]KH'tl'd happened, however, for the Ponsonby backs came into their own and carved passages through the defence which had been rock-like prior to the change over. There was a complete metamorphosis in Hie I rend of the game, and after superb combine*! play by Ponsuniby had made the scores level, Paton clinched victory for his side with a neat penalty goal. Once more Ponsonby proved themselves great finishers, and a side which will not admit defeat, even when things look blackest for them. Beaten for possession in the early stages, the Ponies had to defend and keep 011 defending, and it was" not surprising that 011 several occasions the speedy Shore forwards and backs nipped in to score tries which were stamped with individualism more than anything else. The seaslders are great opportunists, and they reaped to the full the scoring chances which came their way. As usual, the licet Den Scott registered a try by dribbling through and diving on the Imi 11. Later he almost repeated the dose, as throughout he was on the alert to snap up the slightest offering. The game was fast and willing, and when Ponsonby got down to work in tamest after the spell it was studded with those gems of fast-moving back play which so delight the League crowds. Movements were unwound which it would have taken super footballers to stop. The Stockley, Riley, Kay combination functioned at its best, and its speed and resource was more than a match for the slower, but hard tackling Devonport inside backs. Stockley played a fine game both on defence and attack, and though harassed by 13. Scott, who played opposite him, got the ball away with well-directed passes. Riley and Kay wore always looking for the opening, and they teamed splendidly in the second half. Kay was. perhaps, the hotter of tiie pair on the day, and he scored a line try by cutting the defence to shreds. Jones was Die pick of the wingers, while llalloran played soundly behind the pack. Paton was hustled into errors at full-back, and 011 tho day was eclipsed by Kerr, the Devonport custodian. Kerr fielded the ball splendidly, and he kicked with nice judgment. The Devonport backs as an attacking force dill not combine as sweetly as desired, and though given a feast of the ball in the lirst spell the wingers saw little of it. Cowan did all that was expected of him as scrum half, and once darted through for a good try. E. Scott and Jordan were sound without being penetrative, while Seagar was too well watched, or was too busy watching Kay and Riley to rise to any great heights. Hall and Len. Scott botli gave it a go when the ball reached them, and Scott was always dangerous when there was a glimmering of an opening. The Devonport forwards were as lively as usual, with Hunt, Sower and Milicich being the pick, while for Ponsonbv Morgan was, periiaps, the best, working 'splendidly in tight and loose, and swinging the ball out to the backs in approved style. Morgan's best supj)orts were Middleton, Blood and Carter. For Ponsonby Jones, Kay and Morgan scored tries. Paton converted two, and kicked two penalty goals. For Devonport Cowan, L. Scott and Souter scored tries. Milicich converted one and kicked two penalty goals.