LEAGUE CONTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19020, 18 May 1925, Page 12

LEAGUE CONTESTS.

DEVONPORT OVERWHELMED. OUTCLASSED BY PONSONBY. MARIST DEFEAT ATHLETIC. Tho large crowd of spectators who assembled at Carlaw Park on Saturday t,o witness the League football match between Ponsonby and Devonport were keenly disappointed at tho indifferent display by the latter. At no stage did Devonport,, who were without the services of their captain, B. Laing, look like winning, and Ponsonby had little, difficulty in running up a big score. Tho exhibition of football was poor and uninteresting. On th« adjoining ground at the park Marist Old Boys had a good win over Athletic, although they hardly produced tho form they had shown earlier this season. Results are as follow: Ponsonby, 40, beat Devonport, 5. Marist, 18, beat Athletic, 5. Richmond, 21, boat Newton, 9. Ellerslie, 19, beat Northcote, 11. Otahuhu, 13, beat Mangere, 0. A DISAPPOINTING CONTEST. Devonport kicked off and almost immediately Ponsonby woro awarded a free kick. Delgrosso placing a fine goal. Douglas opened up tho play for Devonport, but hi 3 fiaas to Webb was dropped, and a little ator, when Dixon was prominent in a dash for Ponconby's line, Henewini tackled well. A series of scrums followed on Ponsonby's line, and a free kick saw play go back to half-way. Delgrosao hero accepted a pass and sent on to Gardiner, who tnado a determined dash downfield, Proctor saving with a good tackle. Ponsonby wero soon back in Devonport's twenty-five and, from a scrum, T. Peckham picked up and passed to Gardiner, who in turn sent the ball on to Litlewood. Tho last-mentioned player had little difficulty in outpacing Seager to notch an unconverted try near the corner. Almost immediately afterwards Peckhrmi cut through the defence and passed to Litllewood, who ran strongly down tho line. His in-pass was well taken by Gardiner, who scored. Delgrosao kicked a fino goal. Ponsonby 10, Devonport 0. Webb fielded the ball nicely, and with a clover run carried play into Ponsonby's twenty-five and offside play by Ponsonby saw Hand tako a fruitless shot at goal. Butland secured the ball in Devonport's territory and, beating several Ponsonby players, spoiled a chance by hanging on too long. J. Laing had a shot at goal but the kick missed and Cole brought tho ball out. He passed to Gardiner, who found tho lino well into the Shoro men's twenty-five. Poor fielding by Seagar gave Ponsonby a chance and Littiewood, following up the kick, secured and scored. Delgrosso added a splendid goal. Ponsonby 15, Devonport 0. Dickson followed up tho kick-off and. catching Cole in possession, secured the ball, narrowly missing a score. A free-kick to Ponsonby saw Delgrosso find tho line well down. From this stage on Ponsonby wero complete masters of the game and tho match developed into an uninteresting display of football, Devonport making very poor attempts to tackle the Ponsonby men. Delgrosso ran along the line and on his way just brushed aside threo North Shore players, wlioie attempts to stop him were very poor. Delgrosso scored in the corner and the kick failed. Dixon, who was playing well for Devonport, made a dash that almost brought a try, and a scrum on Ponsonby's line followed. It was only a minute later, however. that Ponsonby launched an attack. Peckha.m opened up clovorly and to Gardiner, who sent Delgrosso over the line to score. The same player goaled. Good work by Douglas and tho hopes of Devonport supporters were raised as O'Brien accepted a pass and scored. J. Laing converted. Heavy rain fell and tho ball was difficult to handle. Webb made a. fine opening and ran almost, from half-way, but, he hung on too long and a try went begging. Threo times in succession Webb gavo his backs a chance to improve the score, but bad handing gave Ponsonby many opportunities, of which every advantage was taken, and the spell endod with tho score; Ponsonby 20 Devonport .. . . ~ 5

When Devonport enmo out for the second spell J. Laing was absent, Boyer playing behind the scrum. Shortly after play was resumed Henewini was responsible for a brilliant solo run, and aided by weak defence ho ran from halfway, being slopped just on Devonport's line. In Devonport's twenty-five Peckham darted through and passed to Gardiner, who in turn sent the ball on for Delgrosso to score tho simplest of tries. It was not converted.

DLxon and Veart led a Devonport attack but a solid front -was offered by Heur.wini who sent them back with a good kick. Payne wag uert to add to Ponsonby's total. Gardiner's kick failed. A fine piece of play ■was witnessed as Dixon broke through and passed to Scott, the ball going on from Julian, to Webb, who slipped just as he had cloared Ponsonby's fullback. An ertiy try was scored by Cole, who intercepted the ball near half-way, outpaced Seagcr and touched down. Much ragged play followed and Delgiosso. catching the Dovonport backs out of position, again scored. Ponsonby 3'2. Devonport 5. Entland followed up a long kick by Scott and caught Hcnewini in possession, a series of scrums on Ponsonby's line following. Donovan found touch with a good kick and then fast followed up saw Fagan score, Delgrosso converting. Ponsonby continued to overrun their opponents, and when Peckham cut in and kicked Payne followed up to score, raising Ponsonby's total to 40. The game ended soon aflerwtuds. MARIS!' V. ATHLETIC, Athletic were quickly in their stride against Marist Old Boys, and were attacking on the Marist lino until Gregory sent them back with a fine kick. Dufty was prominent as he ran strongly down the lino, but his pass t-o Had ley was intercepted by Carroll, who found the line in Athletic's twenty-five. Marist secured their first try when .Tones, in gathering up the ball, slipped and Singe, following up fast, beat him for the bull. Gregory was successful with the kick. Marist got the ball from a Sacrum and, on the blind side, Foas sent Gallagher tway, the latter being stopped just short of the chalk line. Athletic, wcro penalised and the high kick was followed up by Singe, who secured and dashed over to score his second try, Gregory was again successful. Marist 10, Athletic 0. Hadloy was conspicuous in a clever run well into Marist, twenty-five. Ho passed to Wilson-Hall, who in turn showed up well an ho cleverly beat several defenders, but Gregory proved a hard man to pass. Herring and Mason carried play to Marist twenty-fivo, where Kirwan gathered in the ball and found the line with a well-placed kick. From a scrum near Athlotic's lino Singi picked up, and ran over, to score his third try. Gregory failed to convert. Half time sounded with tho ecore: Marist. k. ■« t,- 36 Athletic bi uu k a 4 0

Athletic's forwards oponecl up proceedirif!H in the second spell with great dash. Wilson-Hall cut in nicely and passed to McGregor, but. the latter'» pass to Hadley was luckily fielded by Gregory, . who* cleared. Marist attiicked again, and from a fine passing bout, in which nil their backs figured, play was carried right back to Athletic'h twenty-five. O'Brion and Stormont, carried the 'ball oyer," but .Tones forced. Dufty, with a brilliant solo effort, put Athletic in a good position, and he passed to Malloy, who was held up just short of the line. Mason inndo a dash for the line, and passed to Draffin, Malloy saving with a good, tackle. Almost immediately Dufty ', received a pass from Webb, and making a brilliant run scored a really fiuo try. He also added tho coal points. Marist forwards, with Slormont in tho vail, dribbled tho ball well into Athlotic's territory, where Malloy picked up, and, beating .Tones, scored. Gregory wan sue ocasful with tho kick. Tho gamo endedMarist, ]8 Athletic .. .. 6 NEWTON V. RICHMOND. The game between Newton and Richmond, played at Victoria Park, was very closely contested in tho first half, but throughout tho second spell Richmond held tho upper hand. Soon after tho start, Newton wero awarded a freo kirk, and Clark was successful with a fino kick. Richmond woro not, to bo denied, and their forwards rushed play to Newton's line, where Avery, picking ui'. (lived over to nr.ore. Both sides were making cood efforts to open up tho game, the ball travelling among tho backs at a great pace. From a. penalty Clark put Newton in tho lead with a splendid goal, Newton 4, Richmond 3. Newton were getting the ball from the scrums, and Poison made an opening, sending tho ball to Andercon, who beat soveral men to score a nice try. Clark goaled. Hyland, picking up the ball in Iho loose, sent a bad pa-ss to Kottlewell, who mado a fine recover;/ a,lid put in a most determined dash for tho line. Although tackled by several Newton players, he scored. A heavy shower swept, the field, and the ball waa difficult to handle. Hanlon at fullback saved Richmond with fine fielding. Newton" wero penalised in their twentyfivo, and IT anion kicked a coal. Half time sounded with tho snores: Newton . . , . .. 0 Richmond . . .. . . 8

Play opened up very fast, in tho second spell, and tho spectators woro treated to somo fine football. Richmond attacked, arid a _ certain try was thrown away through Hing hanging on. Poison saved. Newton wore now busy defending their line, and 'Richmond kept up tho pressure. Hing, .Daniels and Bass wero associated in a fine passing run, but Watson tackled well. A series of 'scrums followed. Tho ball slipped from Hyland's hands as ho went over, and Brown cot .a lucky force. Newton held a temporary advantage until W. Hanlon secured, and badly beating the opposition scored. He kicked a good goal.

Newton, with the aid of Poison and Har-gre-aves, kept thoir line intact from Richmond's repeated attacks, but at last a. long kirk by Bass was followed up by Kettlewell. who secured possession of the ball and scored. W. Hanlon again kicked a goal. Richmond IS, Newton 0. Both seta of forwards were playing hard football, when Ilyland stopped a dangerous Newton rush, and passed to Ring, to Little, to Bass. Tho last-mentioned player ran well down field before sending on to Kettlewell, who floored. Hanlon failed with the kick. Tho game ended without further score.

ELLERSLIE BEAT NOIITHCOTE. Ellerslio met Northcoto on tho Domain, and after a very interesting gamo the former won by If) to 11. From tho outset the gamo was played at a, fast pace. Shand opening up the play made a Quo run before passing to Williams. The lat,tor's reverse pass was taken by Shand, who scored, opening Ellerslio'a account. Northcoto attacked strongly, but good defence by Ellerslio kept, them out. R. Johnston was next to score, for Ellerslio, and Shand added tho goal points. A freo kick to NoTthcote, and Wilkins placed a nico goaL Ellerslio 8, Northcoto 2.

Shortly after half time Ellerslio attacked, and R. Johnston scored, Shand failing with the kick. The paco was fast, and Northcoto tried hard to score, but good work by Ellerslie's forwards saw Poolev notch a try. Northcoto again attacked Ellerslie's line, and this time Thompson scored. Northcoto kept up tho pressure and Pennycook was successful in scoring, Ellerslio 16. Northcoto 8. Shand, who was playing a lino gama for Ellerslio, made a brilliant, oponing, and passed to Johnston, who scored. Northcoto showed to advantage in a fine passing run, their backs throwing the ball about in great style, and just before tho bell sounded Fitzgerald added a try. OTAHTJHU V. MANGERE. Tho gamo between Otahuhu and Mangere was closoly contested. Gane scored twico for Otahuhu, and Kirkland notched another, whilo Phillips kicked two goals. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. SECOND GRADE. Richmond 11. beat Mangero 0. Ponsonby A 21, beat Newton 2. City 13, beat Kingsland fi. THIRD GRADE. Oil;' 26, beat Northcoto ,'t. Now Lynn IP, boat Ponsonby A 0. Otahuhu 10. beat Coroinandel 5. Parnell 8, beat Kingsland 0. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond 23, beat Kingsland 3, FIFTH GRADE. Athletic 14. boat Now Lynn G. Ponsonby 10. bcat_ Ellerslio !). City 17, beat Marist 0. SIXTH GRADE. City 29, beat Athletic 0. Richmond 27, beat Ellerslio 5. Citv B 16. beat North Shoro P. Richmond B 22, beat Northcoto' 0. Ellerslio B 36, beat Richmond 0. HAMILTON DEFAULT. SECOND IN SUCCESSION. [BY TELEGEAni. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Saturday. For the second Saturday in succession the senior match arranged by tho Hamilton Rugby League was not played owing to tho local team not arriving. The match arranged was between Ngaruawaliia and City United, but only half a dozen of the latter team put in an appearance and Ngaruawahia, won by default. It was noticeable that while the Rugby matches in the adjoining ground were well attended, there were not. more than a. score of spectators oil tho League grounds. The latter game therefore appears to be faced with a. somewhat serious position during the coining season. RESULTS IN' THE SOOTH. [B\- TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. Rovers defeated IJutt by 10 to 0. CHIiISTCHURCH. Saturday. League results.—Sydenham, 30, v. Linwood, 5; Hornby, 12. v. Marists B, 5: Marists. 0, v Addington, fi; Waimiri, 20, v. Woolston, 5. . DUNEDIN. Saturday, League results:—Christian Brothers A. 17, v. Kaitangata. 12; Athletic. 24, v. Pacific, 5; City 31. v. Christian Brothers B. 3. WAIHT FARMERS' SPORTS. WOOD-CHOPPING HANDICAPS Tho following handicaps h&vo been declared by Mr. C. L. Hardy for the woodchopping events at tho Wailii district farmers' annual sports meeting on Saturday:— 15iu. Standing Chop.—Whatii Green, scr.; J. E. Richardson, W. J. Costella, ss; A. L. Fisher, A. Duffull, Geo. McCaulay, 12s; A. MoCormick, 20a; F. Patterson. 225; F. Christopherson. R. Beaaley, E. Vance, D. H. Iloey, 255: J as. Douglas, Jack Douglas, Pu Tangitu, W. Young, P. Iloey. I'. Magnuasen, R. Fitz'patrick, 28s. loin. Underhand Chop.—Whatu Green, scr.: A. Duffull. A. L. Fisher. ss; J. B. Richardson, I On; E. Vance, 20s; Geo. McCaulay, W. J. Cost'olla, 225: A. McCormick, H. McCormick. F. W. Wait©. R. Beasley, B. K. Iloey. I''. Patterson. R. Fit?.natrick, Pu Tangitu. W. Young. P. Iloey, P. Mugnussen, F. Chriatopherncn, 255.