LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19039, 9 June 1925, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

FIRST ROUND CONCLUDED. HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY. POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. The first round of the Auckland Rugby League senior championship competition was concluded on Saturday. City have an unbeaten record so far, while their closest rivals. Marist, have suffered but one defeat. The high standard of play shown throughout reflects great credit on the clubs. There is very little to choose between the three leading teams: City, Marist and Ponsonby. City have placed themselves in a winning position solely through better team work. Both Marist and Ponsonby have shown some excellent football, but lack of finish has made them go down to tho leaders. Patrons can look forward to souio fine football in the second round. Ponsonby, by reason of their excellent games of late, will be the hardest team to beat. Tho positions of the teams are as follow; — Cham. P. W. L. D. Pts. City , <! G 0 0 32 Marist .i .. f> 4 1 JJ ' Ponsonby <(1420 8 Devonport * t> 2 4 0 4 Richmond 5 14 0 2 Newtoa , / .. G 0 6 Q 0 Devonport and City. In their game against City on Saturday the Devonport .players placed themselves well in the limelight for future games. During tho second spell prospects of a victory for tho team from North Shore appeared particularly promising. Just, when they seemed to have a grip on the game, however, faulty handling by Hooker gave City victory. From then on City played with greater confidence. It was fully expected that Devonport would be playing their last season's fullback, W. Harrison, but unfortunately he did not arrive in time for the game. For tho winners E. Brown at fullback was not as sound as usual. His returns ' were very weak, and in this much improvement can bo shown with more practice. B. Davidson was easily tho best o£ the backs, showing brilliant form oil attack His defence also showed marked improvement. L. Brown, with his brilliant dash of pace, scored three fine tries, but his defence at t,imes was weak. M. Wetherall got through a solid afternoon's work. He was always on the and has the happy knack of being just where wanted most. S. Crewther played behind the scrum in the absence of tho usual halfback, G. Mitchell. Crewther did very wall in a most difficult position, and was responsible for several fine openings. An Outstanding Poxward. City's forwards played their usual dashing game. Bass was outstanding, his '"great tackling earning tho admiration of the crowd. His form of late stamps him as the outstanding forward playing League football. Mackio and Hawkes both played ably. G. Paki made a reappearance for City, and showed that dnring his absenco from tho game he has lost none of his brilliance. Paki is a decided acquisition to tho City team. Ruby is a fine solo forward. Ho is, however, apt to' play offside too much. On Saturday's game there was little to choose between, tho two packs. Devonport's forwards were, however, seen in a different light. Instead of making the game close they threw the ball about, with the ability of backs. Their football was in consequence very fine. The Devonport Players. \ J. O'Brien was tho best of the Devonport forwards. Ho played very ably, handling well and running strongly. Dixon, too, showed up well, being in all the dangerous forward movements, besides supporting, his backs in attack. Veart was tried as centre forward, and gave his team a good share of the ball. J. Laing and Hadctan played good bustling games. B. Laing was a thorn in the side of tfie ! City men. His brilliant solo efforts greatly inspired his team. Laing, however, threw away one certain try by hanging on too long. Tho Dovonport captain m:\de many beautiful openings, but just ovor- , did it. Behind the scrum Webb was a tower of strength to his aide. Feeding the backs on nearly every occasion he handled the ball. Scott was tho best of tho other backs, showing a good knowledge of wing threequarter play. Hooker at fullback was a disappointment. Newton Overwhelmed. Ponsonby had a runaway victory over Newton. Outclassing their opponents in all departments Ponsonby soon ran up a i big score. Newton battled ha,rd but the task of stopping their bigger opponents • was beyond them: For Newton Poison and' Iforgreaves were tho only backs' to sho}V good form. Both these players have the ability, and in a better team* ' their wbrth ; \vould be Noticed. It is to be regretted that such a one-time popular club should be lacking . in players.' Ellerslie v. Kingsland. The game betwoou Ellerslie and Kingsland. was closely contested, the former having a shade the/hotter of the play. There is some fine .rhaterial in tW 'teams. For Ellerslie, A. Williams was easily tho best back. He is a very promising young player. His hard straight running was a feature oE his play. List, for Kingsland, is a clever player, who usually scores tho most number of points for his side. Northcote v. Otahuhu, The game between Northcoto and Otahuhu was played as a curtain-raiser to the A division gamo on No. 1 ground at Carlaw Park, Otahuhu winning by a penalty goal. Both teams gave a bright exhibition of the code. Otahuhu's ful/back, Phillips, has all the qualities whichjgo toward making a good player m tho position. He is a splendid line kick, and a rino defender. In Green and Spbight Northcote has two verv promising players. Green is a halfback whoso defence is very solid, and although small he srfows pluck bv the wav ho goes down on the ball right at tho feet of the heaviest forwards. Speight and Greening, at fvve-eighths, wero associated in some clever football • An Auckland, tedm was to havo been selected after Saturday's game to meet South Auckland, but owing to a hitch in the arrangements with South Auckland the personnel of the team was not announced. Prominent Auckland Players. At this stage of tho competitions it will bo interesting to mention those plavors who have claims for selection. Thev are: — Backs-Gregory, Dufty, L. Brown, Davidson, Kir wan, Brisbane, Laing, Wcthern.ll, Delgrosso, Poison, Peckham, and H.vland. Forwards.--Bass, McDonald, Dixon, O'Brien (N.S.). Singe, Stormont, Herring, Clarke, with Lawry or Townsend as Jiooker.