LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19038, 8 June 1925, Page 13

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

END OF THE FIRST ROUND. CITY DEFEAT DEVONPORT. PONSONBY OUTCLASS NEWTON. The first round of the Auckland Rugby League senior championship competition was concluded on Saturday, with the exception of the game between Marist Old Boys and Richmond. City had a hard struggle against Devonport at Carlaw Park. The game was a fine exhibition of the code, particularly in the second half when Devonport gave City a trying time, As a mark of respect to the late W. Stormont, the teams stood in silence on the ground for one minute. On No. 2 ground Ponsonby had a runaway win over Newton. The latter team, composed mostly of young players, were no match for their heavier oppouents, who ran through at leisure. Results are:— City, 27, beat Devonport, 20. Ponsonby, 42, beat. Newton, 3. Otahuhu, 2, beat Northcote, 0. Ellerslie, 9, beat Kingsland, 5. AN INTERESTING CONTEST. Almost immediately after the opening of the City-Devonport game, Laing was penalised for not playing the ball aud Sandham kicked a-nice goal. Crewther opened up the City attack and found the line well into Devonport's twenty-five. From the scrum that followed Webb made a nice run before sending on to Laing, who found touch well into City's territory. A free-kick to City and fast following up bj; Wetherall saw Hooker caught in possession. Dixon was 'timely in saving. From the scrum Crewther sent the City backs away, Wetherall, Davidson and L. Brown handling in turn. With O'Brien and J. Laing in the van, Devonport rushed play to City's line. Wotherall here was conspicuous as he dashed past the Devonport forwards. He sent the ball on to Hawkes, who sprinted from half-way and scored near the posts. Sandham missed at goal City were soon back to the attack again. This time Paki picked up in the open and made a fine opening. He passed to Woolley, who was well tackled by Jones. Offside play by Ruby and a good lino kick, by Laing placed the North Shore team in a good position. Devonport got the ball from the scrum and Webb passed to B. Laing, who simply ran through the City team, but selfish play resulted in a certain, try being thrown away. From a penalty Laing opened Devonport's score with a fine goal. Devonport continued to get the ball from the scrum. A pass from W e bb to Scott was missed, by the latter, and Wetherall, who was playing a fine game, whipped up the ball and scored ,a fine try between the posts. Sandham goaled. City, 10; Devonport, 2. Devonport's kick-out was followed up by Dixon, who secured and ran strongly downfield. Bass saving with a fine tackle. B. Laing was again prominent as he made a brilliant run down the centre, but again he hung on too long. A handling bout by City carried the play to Devonport's line, but the North Shore forwards were now playing at their best, and Haddon and Dixon, with the ball at toe, gained much ground. In a flash Webb picked up and passed to O'Brien, who raced over to score. B. Laing placed a great goal. City, 10; Devonport, 7. - City's backs were prominent as they raced away, and after a brilliant run by Davidson Eass was tackled just short of tho line, City were penalised and a well-placed kick by B. Laing put Devonport on the offensive. Their forwards rushed the ball to City's line, where E. Brown sent a very weak return. J. Laing snapped up. the rolling ball and Bcored. Again B. Laing goaled. Just on half-time Devonport added another try. Webb picked up and passed to Haddon, who just placed the ball between • the posts. B. Laing converted, and half- ! time sounded with the scores:— Devonport 17 City . . . . 10 Citv were auicklv in their stride on resuming. Crewther made a clever opening and passed to Davidson, who. ran almost from half-way, but his pass, just on the line, was missed through lack of support, and Scott cleared with a well-placed kick. A fine solo run by Ruby caused much excitement. but the big forward hung on too long. Webb and Dixon woro then associated in some clever passing. From looso plav in midfield L. Brown gathered up the ball and ran well into Devonport's twentyfive, where he kicked over Hooker's head. Following up fast Brown scored a good try which Sandham'failed to convert. Devonport wero now getting the best of the game, their backs playing well together. Webb, round the blind side, sent Jones away but Baßs came fast and stopped his progress with a splendid tackle. Dixon received a, pass from O'Brien, but just on the lino lost the ball and City forced luckily. , , _ A brilliant opening was made bv Bass, who ran stronglv down the line, and passed to Davidson, who sent the ball on to L. Brown. The latter scored. Sandham goaled. and Dlaced Citv in the lead. 18 to li. Some fine football was witnessed at this stage. Devonport's forwards rushed P'ay to City's line, but Wetherall picked the ball from the feet of tho oncoming forwards and. with a smart pass, sent Davidson. Baas and Brown away. Tho last-mentioned player s great pace resulted in his securing another try. Sandham missed at goal. City. 21: Devonport. 17. ~ , i Tho crowd shouted itself hoarso as Uevonport Totaliated. Webb picked uo the ball and passed to Haddon. The latter sen,, it on to Dixon, who ran strongly for City s line. He then passed to Scott who gave a nice return pass and Dixon dived over to score a really good trv. La.mg missed the kick at goal. Citv 21 : Devonport. '2O. , A Teat line-kick by Laing saw Devonport busy on City's line. For several minutes the men from North Shore fought hard to gain the lead. Bass, however, was responsible for giving City a much-needed breathing space and play went hack to midfield. From tho scrum Crewther Passed to Wetherall. who whioned it on to Davidson. In a fine sDrint the latter -inst missed a try. stumbling as he beat Hooker. Weak handling by Hooker gave City a lucky "chance Brown was first to the ball and ho passed to Bass who sent MacKie over to scoro. Brown failed at goal, The superior pace of <'ie Oitv plavers was now beginning to tell. Wooliey mae.o a good dash down the line. but. was thrown into touch From the scrum that followed Wethora.ll made ?n opening and passed to Davidson. The ball went on to L. Brown who scored his third try. Tho game ended without further score. PONSONBY V. NEWTON. Early in the game between Ponsonby and Newton it was apparent that the latter would be outclassed. Peckham first opened up the play and passed to Delgrosso. who ran over to score a try which die converted. Newton attacked strongly. Clarke and McDonald carrying the : ball to Ponsonby a ino where Herewini saved and found the lino with a good kick. Heeling from the scrum PonSonbv's forwards gave their backs the ball and Delgrosso' scored an unconverted was next prominent as lie dashed down tbe line, beating several men aud scored in tho corner. Almost immediately Peckham whipped the ball up. and with a clever run raced over to Bcore. Deigrosso added the goal points. Ponsonby, 16: Newton, 0. . . , ' Good work by Hargreaves was carried on by Poison, and Stack. A good save by Henewini put Pousonby back on the attack. Goodley followed up fast and secured. He passed to Cole, who sent the ball on to Del"tosso. The Ponsonby captain touched down and added the goal points. Ponsonby * -.. i v.- 21 Newton .. 1 Poor defence by Newton's backs gavo Littlewood a chance, and ho ran down the line to score an easy try. Delgrosso kicked the goal. Newton were finding it difficult to slop Gardiner as he brushed aside several men. The ball eventually went to Payne who scored. Newton tried hard to open their score. Good work by Poison gave them a chance, and after Hargrea.ves, Callaghan, and Stack had handled tho ball in turn the last-mentioned just -missed tlio goal "line, aud Delgrosso forced. Colo was next to open up the game, passin" to Delgrosso, who ran over to score i his° third try. Almost immediately after- . wards Littlewood picked up in his own twenty-five, and the Newton men made verypoor efforts to catch him as he made down the side line to score. Cole converted. Half-time then sounded. The second half had not long been in progress before Newton had enough. In that brief time, Delgrosso scored another try for Ponsonby, and Peckham kicked the goal. Newtoii also scored a try, Poison making an opening for Lawson. OTAHUHU V. NORTHCOTE. The game between CHahuliu and Northcote at Carlaw Park prox'ided a good exhibition of the code. Otahuhu were the first to attack, and their backs threw the ball about in good style. McDonald made a good opening and passed to Kirkland, who found the line near the corner flag.. From the scrum that followed Green cleverly cut in and passed to Speight, who carried play to midfield. Otahuhu were soon busy on Northcote's line, and when the defenders were penalised, Ellery kicked a goal. On commencing the second half Otahuhu were first to attack. A nice passing run in which Kirkland. Ellery and Murray handled the ball, saw the last-mentioned player well tackled by Phillips. Otahuhu were getting the beat of the exchanges, and soon had Northcote in trouble. With McLoiighlin and King in the van Northcote once again drove Otahuhu back. The best piece of play duriug the game came from Northcote.' Green gathered up the ball near the half-way line, and passed to Greening. Tho latter made a, beautiful opening before

sending on to Speight, who ran well into Otahuhu's twenty-fivci. lie -then passed to Wiikins, but a very fine effort by I hillips averted a score. It was really hard luck for Nortticote. 'Che bell sounded with jNortncoto on Otahuhu's line, and the score: Otahuhu, 2; Northr.ote, 0. ELLERSLIE V. KINGSLAND. Ellerslie met Kingsland at Carlaw Pjirk and another very even game resulted. the Ellerslie Lacks, however, showed just a little better combination. In the first spell Shand opened Ellerslie's score with a, penalty goal. From a splendid opening by Williams, Johnston scored a try for Ellerslie. lie also added the goal points. Kingsland were putting up a good fight, and with better support List would havo scored. This player was responsible for several particularly fine solo efforts. From'a forward ruah Lindsay carried the ball over Ellerslie's line, and touched down. McManus kicked a good goal. The game ended: Ellerslie, 9; Kingsland, S. JUNIOR RESULTS. SECOND GRADE. Ponsonby A, -24, beat Ponsonby B, 3. THIRD GRADE. Athletic:, 38, beat Devonport, 11. City, 18, beat Ponsonby, 0. Point Chevalier, 19, beat Parnell, 2. FOURTH GRADE. Devonport, 9, beat Athletic, 7. FIFTH GRADE. Ponsonby, 9. beat Marist, 5. Ellerslie, 3, beat Athletic, 0. SIXTH GRADE. City B, 18, beat Ellerslie, 3. City A, 16, beat Leys Institute, 0, Richmond B, 4S, beat Point Chevalier, 2. Northcote, 5, beat Richmond B. 3. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. Tho League football matches on Saturday resulted:—Hornby 11, beat Sydenham 9; Marists 33, beat Woolston 6; Aldington 23. beat Linwood j.