LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18754, 7 July 1924, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE CLUB '.COMPETITIONS.,

ATHLETIC AND CITY DRAW. PONSONBY BEAT RICHMOND. The senior League competitions were advanced a. further stage on Saturday. Th« principal fixture, Athletic v. C;ty, proved a great contest. The results of the- senior games are:— • ' Athletic G, drew with City 6. Ponsonby li, beat Richmond 6i - . . Mangere 18 beat Ellershe 10. , . Newton defaulted to Devonport. A conference of the • parties concerned in the dispute which had ariaen in connection ■with the> playing of h. Brown by the City Club on the previous Saturday was ae.d on Saturday morning. The whole question was -considered and the finding, proved satisfactory to all. The case will come under review before the local League on Wednesday eveninc. , , The City team took the field against Athletic -without Brown and gave the contradiction direct to the many rumours that ■they intended to withhold from further competitions unless they got their own way. Their many supporters would not believe that they -would adopt euch a reactionary measure as ''striking."

STRENUOUS DRAWN GAME. The Athletic-City game was played on No. 1 ground. Carlaw Park, whioh, was in a very heavy state. It was under wate* in several places, and as was expected it became very muddy and heavy as the same progressed. But in the circumstances the game was hard, and the ball was thrown about in an enterprising B. Davidson scored the first ivy tor City by cleverly dribbling past the opposition and over the line, where he touched down. City kept up a hammering attack on the Blue and Gold line throughout the first half. Athletic forcing frequently. The kicking throughout was poor, owing to the heavy state of the ball. The defence was good on both sides. Bufty missed a very easj kick at goal, which would have meant victory for his side. Passing bouts were frequent. The City halfback, Mitchell. cleverly drew the oppoiition and transferred to B. Davidson, whi> made a determined run for tha lino to score City's secoiad try. Athletic were attacking desperately Mid had City continually on the defensive. Dufty, who wasi playing his usual sterling game, made a determined dash through to transfer to Te Wh&ta, who literally dived over and scored Athletic'# first try. The score galvanised Athletio into action and after several efforts Hemes broke through with the ball, which wftß kicked over the line. Yardley, smartly following up, outpaced the opposition and scored the second try. His effort was a good cn& and he received well-merited applause. The game at this stage became exciting, each side struggling for the deoiding score. City were without the services of Reid. who retired injured. The final whistle sounded with the scores unohanged. ■' For Athletics Dufty and Yardley were the best of the backs. Cox was weak at fullback. All the forwards played brilliantly, with Herring possibly the best of a good lot. Te Whata was sound. For City Bass and B. Davidson were most noticeable." G. Davidson iH certainly ting more vigour into his work of late, bis determined tackling earning him many friends. His superior pace stood him in good stead throughout. McDonald end Thomas were conspicuous. The pack was evenly balanced. Hawkes is back to his best form and Mackie retained his previous good reputation. PONSONBY AND RICHMOND'S EVEN GAME. Ponsonby opposed Richmond on No. 8 ground. Both teams were fairly representative of their true strength, and the game was very, trv-en throughout. _ The ground was particularly heavy. . Richmond were unlucny on several occasions. One certain try was spoiled by Hylind being too anxious. The scorers for Richmond were Butler and Redwood. For Ponsonby Delgrosso kicked a goal and Ward, Littlewood and Shirley each scored a try.

DEFAULT BY NEWTON. It was regrettable that the old-established and popular Newton Club was not able to field a team against Devonport. The Newton Club haa experienced a very lean year in the esenior ranks this year. That the club has been able to field a team up to the present in due to the hard work and keen interest of its executive officers. It is certain thai next year this club will be able to draw on the presant junior plays to reinforce its senior team, but it is adopting the right tactics in not depleting its junior ranks too much its seniors. . It las had a losing fight from the beginning, but upheld its prestige and kept faith with its supporters and tfae public by carrying on in advene circumstances right tip to- and, beyond the time when there was a possibility of it remaining in the competitions. The Newton, Mangere snd EllerHlle cluba will drop out of the competitions after the conclusion of the first round next Saturday. These teams will be eligible for the Boope Booster coropetHions later. Jt is expected that the Auckland Leslie ■will inaugurate some form of competition for them in the meantime. TEAMS IN SECOND ROUND. The six teams left in the competitions for the oacond round are Marists, City, Devonport, Athletics, Ponsonby and Riohmond. The Devonport team is as yet unbeaten, and- the result of its game next Saturday with Marists will have a direct bearing on the championship -prospects. The game should be the best of the year, as both teams are evenly weighted, and have both a particularly fine pack, which should ensure -a good contest.

JUNIOR MATCHES. ' Matches in the junior grade League competitions resulted:-—

FOURTH GRADE. United Suburbs, 6, beat Takapuna, 8. Ponsonby B, 3, beat Parnell, 0. Ponsonby A, 17, beat Marist, 2.

FIFTH GRADE. Richmond, 15, beat Newton, 8. Athletic, 7... beat Ponsonby, 0.

SIXTH GRADE. Marist Old Boys, 6, beat Newton, 0. Elleralie, 8 S beat Richmond, 3.

MATCHES IN THE SOUTH. Fey telegraph.—press association.]

WELLINGTON, . Sunday The results of the League football matches on Saturday are as follow:—Newtown 11. Hutt 0; Petone 21. City 20.

CHBISTCHURCH. Sunday. The League football matches on Saturday resulted: —ilarist B, 27, Sydenham, 10; Hornby, 11, Addington, 8.