LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18826, 29 September 1924, Page 6

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

MARIST, WIN FINAL REPLAY. TWENTY POINTS TO SEVENTEEN. DEVONPORT JUST BEATEN. The 1924 senior grade club championship ©f the Auckland Rugby Football League was decided on Saturday, when Marist Old Boys had a last-minute win from Devonport at Carlaw Park. The previous meeting of these two clubs r fortnight before, when Devonport won by 25 'points to ID, led supportero to anticipate an exciting struggle befitting a championship final. Consequently it was not surprising that nearly 16,000 peisons paid for admission, the attendance, estimated to exceed 17,000, constituting a record for the code in Auckland, so far as a club match is concerned. The game was one of thrills, sudden reverses. and deadly tackling. Devonport were perhaps unlucky to lose, and for the fight they put up deiserved a draw, at least. Both sides lost good scoring opportunities. Ir. the first spell, especially, play was frequently suspended because of infringements. Marist had the services of Kirwan, the ex-Auckland Rugby . Union representative, who was making his first appearance in a League K ame.- His presence was probably the deciding factor in giving Marist their narrow * Devonport had by far the better command ' of Play in the first spell, and. kept hammer•ine at Marists' defence practically throughout Marist were a little superior in the second half, however, but there was every indication of a drawn game resulting until within a minute of the call of time, when Molloy got over for Marist. In the first game of the Roope Rooster knock-out competition Richmond defeated lorslie, on No. 2 ground, after a rather rasged display, in which combined work was not very noticeable. A curtain-raiser to -he principal game was played between the Richmond and Newton fourth grade teams. Richmond winning an interesting game. Following are the scores m the senior games:— Marists. 20; Devonport, 17. Richmond, 11; Ellerslie, 7. Marists' Last Minute Victory. In. the game between Marist and Devonport accurate line kicking by B. Lame lor Devonport characterised the opening stages and his attempts at goal twice narrowly missed. Devonport set out to. make the pace and Harper just missed his objective. Fast following up and effective tacklniE the rule. Marist were penalised and is. Laing kicked a goal from 30 yards out. From the kick-off Brisbane and .T. Sstormont swept down field, and, a Devonport player fumbling. Stormont got over near the corner for Grogory to convert with a splendid kick. Following thi*. Devonport was unlucky on several occasions, but compelled Gregory and then Stewart to force in quick succession. Good saves by Gregory and Kirwan earned applause. Aided by Marists' frequent offside play Devonport kept up the pressure and Laing kicked uu eecond goal. , , , , , Marists' halfback. Ghent, broke away, but ho was unsupported. B. Laing continued to initiate movements and worked the sideline to advantage. Tho next score was the result of a magnificent effort on the part of Devonport s rearguard. Webb obtained from a scrum and despatched Laing who. after a great dash/ passed out for Harper to race over in the corner. Laing failed to convert. Just before the interval there were several anappy runs by both sides, but the defence was too effective, and the half-time . scoie was: Devonport, 7; Marist, 5. Marist had the upper hand at the beginning of the second spell. Malloy, following a high kick, caught Harrison in possession near Devonport's line, and from a melee Ghent whipped the leather out to Stewart, who sent Kirwan on to score in the corner. Gregory converted with a great kick. Play continued at an exceptionally pace, and the spectators' enthusiasm was pronounced. It was increased when Gregm-y " placed a penalty goal, through Webb being offside.; Marist now had the superiority, but eventually Harper rushed up the side-line, passing to B. Laing. who, after beating several of the opposition in fine style, passed to Douglas, who cut in and touched down between the posts. B. Laing kicked his third goal, and the score was 12 all. Then a sudden dash by Douglas, Webb and B. Laing ended in the last-named diving over to score a try which Scott converted Making great efforts to snatch a victory, both sides kept up spirited attacks and counter-attacks. Sweeney was nearly over for Marist, and then Stewart and Ghent combined cleverly. Ghent scoring a try. Gregory kicked his fourth goal. With the scores again equal and time almost up there was every indication of a drawn game resulting. However, with a minute to go, after a series of scrums on Devonport's goal-line, Malloy bustled his way through, and his unconverted try was instrumental in making Marist Club champions, as time was called almost immediately, the scores being: Murist 20, j Devonport IZELLERSLIE BEAT RICHMOND. The game between Ellerslie and Richmond was a close contest, although there were only spasmodic touches of brilliancy. Ellerslie were first to score, through the efforts of Johnston. Hetett. and Clarke. The last-named touched down, and Shand converted. Hunt, for Richmond, avenged this reverge directly afterwards, gaining a good try. which Hanlon failed to improve. Another try for Richmond resulted through a dribbling rush by Echrafft. Hanlon's kick fell short. The half-time score was: _ Richmond 6. Ellerslie 5. Uninteresting play marked the opening of the second half. Eventually, Shand, heading a forward rush, potted a good goal. Carrying play to Ellerslie's territory, R. Hyland got over for Richmond, and Hanlon converted, to place his side four points ahead. Continuing to have the best of matters, which had livened up somewhat, Richmond set up a hot attack, but no further scores eventuated, and the game ended: Richmond 11, Elle&Jit*. .7. JUNIOR GASHES. SECOND GRADE. Manger© 14, beat Devonport l'i, Otahuhu 14, beat Richmond 5. • THIRD GRADE. Athletic 7, beat I'imell FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 7, beat Newton 4. SIXTH GRADE A. City 5, beat Athletic 3. Leyton, for City, scored a try, which he* also converted. This was the first loss Athletic hau sustained during the Beas 9 n. The teams will Play-off for the championship.