LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19033, 2 June 1925, Page 6

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

SATURDAY'S GREAT GAME. AN OUTSTANDING CONTEST. CITY'S SENSATIONAL WIN. The great gathering of spectators at Carlaw Park on Saturday to witness the game between Marist anil City will all agree that the exhibition was one of the finest in tho history of the League code. The end was without doubt the most sensational. Just when a draw seemed a fitting end to a great contest, Davidson placed City ahead with a potted goal. Marist opened up tho attack in a dashing manner, and within 15 minutes of play they had registered seven Hpoints. In the second spell City's backs gave a glorious exhibition of fast, skilful handling. However, Marist 'defended grimly, and only this kept the score down. When City drevv level with their opponents, the game aroused tho most intense excitement. Tho City forwards were on Marist's line for quite a long time during the second spell, but thanks to tho wonderful defence of Ghent, Gregory and Kirwan, no score resultd. On the nm of the play City would have been a little unlucky to lose, for during most of tho second spell they had ©easily the better of the game. The next meeting between these two teams should draw an even larger crowd. The gate takings were just short of £4CO. Although the game was played hard, and was at times strenuous, it is interesting to note that there was but one stoppage in the 90 minutes of play. Comments on City Players. In E. Brown, City have discovered a young fullback, with a good future. His general play was as fine an exhibition as one could wish for. Brown's fielding of tho ball in all positions was brilliant and his defence very sound. City's backs were not as good a-s usual in defence. M. Wetherall got through a solid afternoon's work. With such a. of pace, combined with trickiness, Wetherall should, make a high-class halfback. B. Davidson played his best game this season. On attack this young player was very clever. It was only a perfect understanding of Wetherall's play that enabled Duvidson to kick the winning goal. L. Brown had an unlucky day. Several times the whistlo blew when some spectacular football was expected of him. J. Mitchell behind the scrum was hampered by getting so small a share of the ball, but nevertheless his try was the result of a claveir move. The wings, Wardlow and Crewther, were below form. B City's forwards were beaten in scrum work. In tho open, however, they excelled, their handling. of the ball being a treat »to witness. Bass was a great worker, showing wonderful knqwledge of back row play. He assisted tho backs in great style, running and kicking with the skill of a threequarter. . McDonald and Hawkes played fine games. The former is back to his very best form. ' Hawkes should make a closer study of the,, off-side rule, as :, several breaches were committed by him. E. Mackie :'s perhaps the cleverest of the smaller forwards playing the League game. Against Marist on Saturday he showed up in much clever dribbling. He ' was always a timely support to his backs in attack, and in defence. Kuby is a dangerous scaring player, iind with more experience should be . a great forward. Tho Marist Thirteen. , Marist'' turned out their side in fine form, and their football was excellent. It was. certainly hard luck going down < by a field goal, but all credit is due to thera for the meritorious way in which they- battled along. Marist would have shown up better had Malloy been moved to fullback arild Gregory to five-eighths. This chango would have greatly assisted tho team on attack. Tho star back for Marist was ,T. Kirwan. ' Kis play at five-eighths was " the best seen this season. Ho was

sound all round, handling well, and tackling soundly. Kirwan'u try wa s tho result of a particularly fine effort. Gregory, gave another great display at fullbacL He get through a tremendous amount of useful work. Some of hi§ saves woro of tho brilliant order. Malloy was not a successat five-eighths. He was too slow in sending tho ball to j his supports, being content to attempt to fight his way through a stonewall defence. W. Ghent made his reappearanco after a .few weeks' enforced spoil. The Marist captain-did not show up so well oh attack) but his defenco was very sound. Brisbane, at centra, kicked too often. Ho • did not; givo 'Kirkland scoring chances he might have given. Tho wings, Gallagher and Kirkland, played good, solid games. The latter is a promising boy, with plenty of pace. J; Stormont was easily tho best of the following up fast, and tackling well. O'Brien ably supported Stormont, and played his best game this season. A.- Singe shone in the .open, bn't ba3 produced better football in other games. The newcomer, Hannan, showed a good knowledge of. the game, and will be a decided acquisition to the Marist pack. Tho gJime was ably controlled by Mr. Ripley, his firm and quick rulings being greatly admired. \ Ponsonby v. Athletic. i ...Tho gamo bdtwocn Ponsonby and Ath- I letic was an exceedingly good contest. Plenty, of bright passiag movements were the order of the day, and in this department tho Ponsonby team showed to advantage. Athletic were playing without the services, of Dufty and Timmins. Dolgrosso was easily the best of tho Ponsonby .thirteen. Ho is a very elusive player, and at present is showing his best form. as full-back was very sound, running well with tho ball and opening up passing movements in fine style. G, Gardiner was.not a success at cr,ntrc three-quarter, and "should be played in She forwards. T. Peckham, tho tiny half-back, was very nippy, passing the ball on almost every occasion he handled it. Tho Ponsonby forwards gavo a solid display, Payne and McMahon being tho best. The Athletic team was considerably strengthened by tho re-appearance of B Avery, who stood out among tho forwards. It is to be heped that Avery will continue to play for his club. Wilson-Hall was the best of tho barks, playmg his usual clever gamo. Jones, at full-back showed improved form. Tho well-known Maori forward, W. Te Whata donned the jersey for Athletic, but his game at centre three-quarter was onlv fair. To Whata is, however, a good forward, und should strengthen tho Atldetic pack. ' Newton v. Devonport. At Devonport Newton made a bold bid to defeat the home team. Had Hargreaves not retired in the second spell, the game would have been much more closely contested. , Devonport hc.vc now strengthened their back division by the inclusion of two new' wings. Greiger and Cleaver. The latter comes from Taranaki and shows much promise. Newton's best player, m fact the bera on the ground, was S. Hargreaves, whese form was brilliant. Last season Harcreaves played in the fifth grade, and although v?.ry small, is one of tk.:> most p,».it,iising' playptf.»? Leagid;