LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18749, 1 July 1924, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

. SATURDAY'S CONTESTS.

' NOTES AND COMMENTS.

CITY'S EASY VICTORY.

The League matches on Saturday were played under conditions militating against brilliant football, the playing areas being in every instance; in a deplorable condition,

City scored rather an easy victory over Richmond. Great interest centred on City's new piayer, L. Brown, as much had been heard of his improved play in England. Early in the game ha scored two tries and should be capable of showing up better when he slriKcs form. B. Davidson played well, a.'i did Crewther, Bass and Weatherall. H. Hawkes ■was the miost prominent City foVward, and seems to show his best on a wet ground. McDonald played his utnal honest game, while Mackia irade best use of any opportunities. The Richmond player, Avery, played his best game to date. Hyiand and iWhittington did good work, the latter often nullifying Wetherall's -efforts.

Maricts' Good Font). Marist Old Boys showed good form, considering the bad state of the ground, in the match against Newton. C. Poison was unfortunate in receiving ftn injury thai necessitated his leaving the field. Ke has not lost any of hi.s resourcefulness as a player, and the mainstay of Newton's team. R. _ Caliagan is a young player who promises to make good, and with the experience he is now gaining should bo a further acquisition to his club. W. Soraers is playing as well as ever, and his ability in hooking the bail gives tho Newton backs every opportunity. 2" Tho Marist fullback, Gregory, got through a good deal of work in his cus- " tomary finished style. Kirkiaud shows improved form of late, and having a good turn of speed should benefit by experience. Stewart again showed up prominently, making many fine openings, whilo Brisbane and Sweeney played well. Gardiner was tho outstanding forward and his pace was surprising for such u big man. Keary, J. Stormont and O'Brien played well. .O'Brien does not shirk in any hard or tight play. Sherlock made his first appearance in tho forward ranks, and showed up really well. Johnson is showing consistent form this season. W. Stormont, who has been on. tho injured list, has recovered and will bo seen put against Dovonport. T. Casey has taken up his residence at •TVliangarei. His place in the Marist pack will probably be filled by L. CudMan. C. Stevens, who played brilliant football last season, and who subseqtien&ly sustained a broken leg, is making good progress and hopes to take up tha same later on. M. Flynn has also left, the hospital, and hopes soon to lay aside the crutchs3.

„ Devonport-Mangere Game. Devonport scored a pronounced win over Mangcre. L. Segar, a recruit from the junior ranks, showed up well for North Shore, and it will be interesting to see hovr he shapes in the harder matches. Lang and were always in the limelight, while Douglas and O'Brien were the best of the forwards.

Lipseombe, the Mangere fullback, played well, as did Wilson and Hapi.

Athlstio and Ellerslie,

Athletic, were hard pressed by Ellerslie on many occasions, and it was not until the- second spell that the former showed their superiority. Dafty and Wiison--11 all were notable absentees, while Peebles was not available for Ellerslie. Te Wliata played his first game for Athletic and helped considerably to gain the victory. Avery was a tower of strength, and .McGregor, Herring and Woolley were prominent. Cox, at fullback, gave a good display. Harrison, Williams and Brien were most noticeable among the Ellerslie players.

English Team's Visit. League enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the approaching visit of the English team. That they are a great side is quite evident, but it is anticipated that the local side will be capable of fully extending them. The New Zealand selectors, Messrs. Pearce, Live raid ge and Hill 3 are making every endeavour to get the strongest side possible to meet the visitors. It is proposed tg play three matches in Auckland, on» against tho Auckland thirteen, one against Auckland Province, and ona against the New Zealand team.