LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19044, 15 June 1925, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CITY'S FIRST DEFEAT. PONSONBY WIN BY A POINT. TWO SURPRISE VICTORIES. Great interest was taken in the match between Gity, the leading team in the senior League championship competition, and Ponsonby at Carlaw Park on - Saturday, the attendance being estimated at lu,doo. The leaders met their first defeat. The game was highly exciting with the result in doubt until tho bell sounded, leaving Ponsonby the winners by a margin ot one point. On the run o£ the play Ponsonoy were just the better side. Poor goal-kicking cost City the game. With ten minutes to go City looked a badly beaten team, but with great dash two tries were scored in quick succession. Absolute silence reigned as Sandham placed the ball for the kick at goal after the second try. He missed and Ponsonby secured a well-earned victory. Playing on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park Richmond caused quite a sensation by easily defeating Devonport. Tho Richmond men showed excellent combination, eventually winning by 18 points. Another big surprise was registered by Newton, who defeated Athletic at Victoria Park, thus winning their first gamo this season. Results are:— Ponsonby, 10, beat City, 9. Richmond, 23, beat Devonport, 5. Newton, 38, beat Athletic, 11. Ellerslie, 3, drew with Otahuhu, 3. Kingsland, 11, beat Mangere, 2. CITY MEET THEIR MATCH. Just after the opening of the City-Ponsonby game the latier were penalised, Delgrosso failing with the kick at goal. Instead of touching down Crewther carried tho ball out finding tho lino at half-way. For breaches in the scrum Ponsonby were twice penalised. Sandham missed the first and Crewther failed with tho second kick at goal, tho ball hitting the post in the latter instance. It was soon apparent that City wero to have a day on tho defence. Ponsonby were getting possession of the hall almost continually from the scrum. Gardiner waa conspicuous in a strong rim downfield, bumping sovcisil City players as they mad© attempts to tacklo him. From the loose set his backs going. After Wetherall and Davidson handled the ball L. Brown cut ill nicely and placed a fino line-kick. On Ponsonby's line City made strenuous efforts to open their score. Peckham, however, shifted play with a tricky run round the blind side.' Again Ponsonby's backs attacked. Gardiner being a difficult man to stop, and Rnbv gained much applause as he downed the Ponsonby centre. Neither side was giving its best display. The keenness of tho two teams kept the game "close and at this stage it was uninteresting ' football. City's supporters shouted as Bass broke through and passed to MoDonald. The latter ran well into Ponsonby's twenty-five before sending it on to Davidson who beat several men. but Henewini saved with a splendid tackle. Ponsonby forwards, with Payne and Dempsoy in the van, rushed play to City's end. where Crewther just saved with a timelv kick. The ball went from Peckha.m to Donovan, to Colo, to Littlewood. and Ponsonbv were again in • a good scoine position. It was left to Wetherall to v stop a dangerous rush, and the City captain with an elusive run beat several opponents. Ho passed _to Davidson, who ran Brown into a scoring position. Tho last-mentioned player kicked and a chance was thrown away. After a good run along the side-line Delgrosso kicked. E. Brown fielded the ball%nd, iust as ho kicked. Payne dashed up. The ball rebounded over City's line and Payne followed on to score. Delgrosso kiokod the goal. Ponsonby, 5: City. 0. . Ponsonby continued to get the ball from the scrums, but good tackling by Wetherall and Davidson kept them out. Townsend gathered up a loose pass and whipped it on to Hawkes. who in turn passed to Ba3s, but a fino tackle bv Peckham stopned City's progress. The bell sounded for half-time with Ponsonby on City's line, and the scores: Ponsonby i < .« _< .. 5 City • »-« >. 6

Both teams were quick to get going on resumption. Payne and Ward dribbled tho ball to City's line, but offside olav by tho former gave City relief and Bass found tho line with a good kick. Fast followingud by Rubv saw Peckliam caught in possession. A lucky speculator bv Littlewood and poor handling by Crewther got City into trouble and Davidson had to use his best pace to catch Gardiner. A nice run by Coie carried play into City's twenty-five, where Peckham passed to Donovan, who handled badly, and Wetherall whipped un tho ball and passed to Davidson, who in turn sent tho ball on to L. Brown. Gardiner was cautioned for a deliberate obstruction-- of Brown and City were awarded a shot. Sandham missed with the kick at goal. City's first try camo from a useful run by Brown,, who passed to Davidson. The latter raced to Henewini and then passed to Crewther, who got over near the corner. Sandham failed with the kick. Ponsonby. 5; City, 3. City were now playing better football, their backs showing better -concerted action, With a fine run Brown started a handling bout in which Bass. Townsend and Hawkes participated, a wonderful save by Henewini gaining much applause. His kick was followed by Littlewood, who ran down the line, Crewther and E. Brown made poor attempts to chock his progress, and Littlewood ran round to score behind the posts. Delgrosso kicked the goal. Ponsonby. 10; City. 3. Tho game now brightened up considerably, and City were for once this season faced with defeat. After bright passing by Mitchell, Wethorall, and Davidson tho lastmentioned cross-kicked. The excitement was intense as Mitchell dashed on, but . just as he dived for possession Peckharn kicked the ball over the line. It was really hard luck for City. "• Tho light was failing fast and City were making great efforts to avert a defeat. From a, 'scrum near Ponsonby's twenty-five Donovan whipped a pass to Gardiner, who dropped the ball, but quick as a flash McDonald gathered it up and dashed ovor betweon the posts. Sandham missed the easiest of shots. City were now getting the better of their opponents. Several scrums were packed in Ponsonby's twenty-five. First Wetherall and then Davidspn made great efforts to get over. The defence was, however, sound. Peckharn drove City back with a high kick down tho centre. L. Brown fielded the ball and the crowd shouted themselves hoarse, as the City centre, with a sensational run. beat player after player in a great run down the lino. Near Ponsonby's twenty-five Brown passed to McDonald, who 6cored near the posts. The spectators remained silent as Sandham had the shot at goal, but he missed an easy kick, and the bell sounded with the scores: Ponsonby, 10; City, 9. DEVONPORT SOUNDLY BEATEN. Richmond's first scoro against Devonport camo early. The latter were penalised just . after tho game started and Hanlon kicked a good goal. Webb and Dixon were partners in a bright passing movement that carried play to Richmond's line. A dash by B. Laing was well stopped by Hanlon, and then a clever run by Hyland gave Richmond a chance. Little, in turn, sent the ball on to Thorburu, who scored a fine try. Hanlon failed with the kick. Richmond, 5; Devonport, 0. A free-kick to Richmond was taken by Hanlon, who placed a fino goal. Devonport's forwards, with O'Brien, Veart and Haddon in the van, rushed the ball to Richmond's ilne, but over-cageruess lost an opportunity and Devon cleared with a well-placed kick. Richmond were busy defending their line as the North Shore players tried hard to open the score. Faulty handling by Jones gave. Richmond a chance to get clear, and their forwards rushed the ball tp North Shore's line, where, from the loose, Hyland gathered up and scored. Hanlon failed with the kick. Devonport made strong efforts to get across Richmond's line. A fine run by Webb saw Laing tako the pass. Ho whipped it on to Dixon, who passed to Sturmie. The latter ran over, but a try_ was not allowed. From a forward rush just on half-tirno W. Hanlon scored, and McDonald kicked tho goal, making the score; Richmond r. . t.. 15 Devonport .. 0 Devonport opened up the attack with a fine run by B. Laing, the movement being carried on by Dixon and Scott, but Richmond, playing go a football, threw tho bull about in fine styie and soon had DevonEort in' difficulties. Tho ball went from little to Devon, to Bass, who scored in a good position. Devonport now took a hand' in attack. A dashing run by O'Brien was carried further by Veart and J. Laing. From the scrum Webb set his backs, going, but Scott slipped near Richmond's line and Hanlon cleared with a nice kick. Richmond were soon back again; this timo Little scored and. 'McDonald converted. The North Shore winger, .Tones, was prominent in a dash down tho lino. His in-pass was well taken by Dixon, who scored behind the posts. B. Laing aaded tho goal points. Tho gamo ended: Richmond, 23; Devonport, 5. NEWTON'S FIRST SUCCESS. Newton showed some really fino football against Athletic and had an easy win, their victory being the first they havo gained this season. Athletic were first to open the score. Herring going over from a forward rush. He kicked a goal. Fine open play followed: First one team then the other gave bright exhibitions of clever passing. Newton got to Athletic' 3 line, where Poison, from a scrum, scored. Hand converting, and making tho scores evon. Newton, aided by the consistent hooking of Sommer3, wero getting a good share of the ball. A nice passing run saw Polscrn give Harpreaves a change. Tho youthful back cut in smartly and scored a clover try. Hand was successful with tho kick at goal. Good following up by Hand- gave Newton another chance. This timo Sommers scored. A forward rush by Mason and McGregor put Athletic in a scoring position. Wilson-Hall was prominent in a splendid tricky run that beat several Newton players. He passed to Watkins, who ran over to score. Half-time sounded with the scores: Newton .. .. -.. ..13 Atthletic .. v .. . v 8 On resuming. Athletic wero quick Tft attack. Wilson-Ball opened up the play and passed to Avery, who sent tho ball on to Mason. Tho last-mentioned player whipped it back to Avery, who ran between the posts to score a fine try, which was not converted. At this sfasfe Newton's backs gave an excellent exhibition of tho true League game. Poison ana Ilargreaves were together in some really clever movements. Newton rattled up the points, tries being scored by Stack, Sommers, Hargreaves, Brown and Clark. Hand, with good goal-kicking, contributed four, and Thompson added another goal. The gamo ended 38—II in Newton's favour. ELLERSLIE V. OTAHUHU. The game between Ellerslio and Otahuhu was played as a curtain-raiser to the CityPonsonby match. Ellerslio scored first from a nice opening made by Brisbane, the ball being handled in turn by Shand, Johnston and Peebles, tho last-mentioned player scoring in the corner. Shand missed the kick at goal. Otahuhu. aided by Nixon and Hart, carried play to Ellerslie's line, where Murray passed to Game, who scored. Ellery failed at goal. Ellerslie. 3; .Otahuhu, 3. 11l the second spoil Ellerslie had several opportunities to score, but over-eagerness spoiled their chances, and the game cndec. without furtlwr score. JUNIOR RESULTS. THIRD GRADE. Northcote, 11, beat Devonport, 5. Athletic, 31, beat Mangero, 0. New Lynn, 0, drew with Newton. G. Point Chevalier, 5, beat Kingsland, 0. FOURTH GRADE. Richmond. 13, beat Athletic, 7. Point Chevalier, 5, beat Kingsland, 0. FIFTH GRADE. Parnell, 5,. beat Richmond. 3. Athletic, 26, beat Northcote, 3, SIXTH GRADE. Richmond A, 6, beat City A, 3. Richmond, 23, beat Ellerslie. 0. Parnell, 5, beat Richmond B, 3. SOUTH ISLAND TRIAL. KEEN GAME AT CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. Preliminary to the selection of the New Zealand League team for Australia, Canterbury played a combined Otago and West Coast team at Monica Park yesterday, which also attracted a very large attend ance. The combined team won by 12 points to 3. after a fast and exciting gamO. Meaia and Desmond scored tries for combioed, both being converted by Mou.Ut, who also kicked a penalty goal. Sanders scored an unconverted try for Canterbury. From this game the South Island team. to. play the North Island at Auckland will be chosen, and from the northern game tho team v.ill be picked for Australia. NORTHCOTE BEATS HAMILTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Saturday. About a dozen spectators witnessed the League match between Northcote and Hamilton to-day. Northcote had an e;>sy win, securing 23 points to Hamilton' 35. The Athletic representatives defeated Whitiora by 23 points to 0. OTAGO MATCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Sunday. Rugby League gamo: Kaitacgata, C, v, ' Pacific, -2.