LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19050, 22 June 1925, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SURPRISE BY DEVONPORT. MARIST OLD BOYS BEATEN. CITY OVERWHELMS ATHLETIC. A complete reversal of forra by Devonport was the feature of tho senior League championship competition on Saturday, and before an attendance estimated at 5000 spectators tho team rose to the ocjasion at Carlaw Park and defeated a very strong side in Marist by a margin of eight points. Played in beautiful sunshine, the game was watched with great interest. The spectators remained until the players camo in from the field, both teams receiving an ovation for their display. With the greatest of ease City defeated Athletic by 57 points to 10. Tho first half was closely contested, but on changing over City ran all over their opponents. At the Domain Richmond fully extended Ponson.by, who won by seven points. The results aro as follow: Dovonport, 19, beat Marist, 11. Ponsonby, 14, beat Richmond, 7. City, 57, boat' Athletic, 10. Ellerslio, 7, beat Northcoto, 5. Otahuhu, 14, beat Mangers, 0. MARIST V.' DEVONPORT. Marist wero "-quickly on tho attßok against Devonrwrt* and a good run by Kirkland carried' play to Dovonport's lino, where a forward' pass spoiled a chance. Several scrums on tho lino kept Devonport busy defending. until B, Lains picked up in tho looso, and with a wollrlacixi kick, brought welcome relief. Smart following up by Godick saw Gallagher caught in possession- Gregory attempted to return the kick, -but tho ball rebounded, and O'Brien followed, on, to score Dovonport'a first try. B. Lains failed at soaL Johnston and O'Brien followed tho kick out, and futility handling by Greig got Dovonport into trouble. From the scrum that followed Laing made a fine opening and passed to Wobb who. however, hung on too long, a try being thrown away. Marist tried to', open up the game, but Dovonport's forwards wore breaking quickly from, tho scrum, and tackling soundiy. Kir wan was prominent u ho beat the defence*, and passed to Brisbane, The latter ran Molloy into a scoring position, but Dixon just, got the .Marist wing thxeequartor a few feet from the line. From the resulting scrum Stormont dribbled the ball over tha lino, bnt Butland forced. Dovonport's forwards, headed by Douglas, O'Brien and Dixon, swept down the field. Dixon was obstructed by a Marist player, and Lains placed a fine goal. Deadly tackling by Laing broko down a promising movement, in which , Kirwin made the opening. Marist kept up tho attack, and Kirwin brought the spectatora to their feet by an unexpected ran through £he defence. Just on the lino ho lost tho ball, but Brisbane, racing in support, picked up and scored. Gregory failed with a good attempt at goal. Devonport. 5; Marist, 3. A promising dash by Singe was carried on by Hannan, whoso pass to Johnson was intercepted by Godick. Tho Devonport wing ran to Gregory, and short-punted, but Kirkland came fa3t and beat Godrck for the; touch-down. From a scrum Ghent started a bout between Kirkland, Kirwan and Brisbane, bnt the last-mentioned player foolishly kicked when a pass to G-allagher would almost certainly have .resulted in a try. A brilliant effort by Lams saw Dovonport's forwards carry the play to Gregory, who saved in great Btylo. For a scrum breach Marist were penalised and Laing kicked a fine goal Half-time sounded with the scores:— Devonport . * 7 . Marist . • • > > • . . 3 Marist opened the second spell with much improved team work. A clever opening by O'Brien wsa turned to good effect by Kirwan, who ran strongly down the centre, and passed to Brisbane. Brisbane sent the ball on to Gallagher, who, after beating Scott, slipped, and a try was missed. A penalty kick enabled Laing „to put Devonport in a better position. Webb passed to Laing, and then Cleaver, cutting in nicely,, found the line with a useful luck. Keeping up tho attack Dovonport's forwards showed great dash, but again Gregory proved . a stumbling block, driving them back with a fine kick In Mariats' twenty-five Devonport were awarded a free kick, and Laing added the goal points. ... Devonport were now showing some fine team work, and their football was a vast . improvement on tho first spell Securing the ball ouickly from tho scrum Webb passed to Laing, who raced to the centre where ho passed to Greig. The latter carried the ball on to Cleaver., who, instead of going on, turned and ran. infield. When nearing the twenty-five. Cleaver passed to Laing. and amid great excitement the Devonport captain passed again to Haddon who ran between tho posts. It was a brilhant movement. Laing added tho goal points. Laing, who had borne the'brunt of some solid defence, and had received an iniury -to one ear, went back to fullback. Devonport again rushed played to the Marist line, but Kirwan tackled Dixon. Gregory and Brisbane were associated in a nice passing run, which Singe and Gallagher carried on. At this stage-Laing. retired.. From a- scrum m Marists' twenty-five Ghent's attempt to kick was smothered by Webb, who ran over to score an easy try. J Laing kicked the goal. Dovonport. ID: Marist, 3. , „. ... O'Brien, Stormont. and Singe carried t>lay to Dovonport's line, where a scrum followed. Marist secured quickly. and Ghent passed to Malloy, who dived over to score. Gregory landed a fine goal j _ Marist were making the most of Devonport's weakened side. There was some fine passing between Ghent, Kirwan. Kirkland and Brisbane. Brisbane ran well into Dovonport's twonty-five. and kicked. Webb fielded the ball, and found the line at halfway. Once again the ball passed through the hands of the Marist backs until it came to Gallagher who cross-kicked, and following tip, picked up the ball near the line and dived over to scoro. Gregory missed at goal. Devonport, 19; Marist. 11. Marist kept: up the attack, and. appeared to have a chance of pulling tho game out of the fire. Singe was prominent as he raced down the side lino but his pass to Kirwan was ruled forward. From the sornm Ghent passed to Kirwan. who ran well into Dovonport's territory. He passed to Brisbane who kicked when Gallagher was raoine in support. Some hard play followed. O'Brien (Maristl and Haddon (Dovonport) were ordered off tho field. Marist were getting a good share of tho ball, but their football again foil away. On Dovonport's line; Marist fought hard to gain the advantage but tho gamo ended with tho scores unchanged. , CITY'S RUNAWAY VICTORY. City had Athlotio busy defending their line shortly after the game started. From a scrum in A thletio's. twenty-five Avery made a useful run to midfield before Davidson got him. Wilson-Hall set the Athletic backs going, and, Dufty placed his toarn in a good position with a fino line kick. City's forwards. with Hawkes and Towfisend in the van, carried on a dangerous rush. From a scrum in Athletic's territory tho ball went out to Davidson who outpaced tho opposing oackf,, and passed to L. Brown who raced on. to score in the corner, 6. Crowther missed the kick at goal. It was soon apparent that the City backs had too much pace for tTieir opponents. L. Brown and Davidson were together in some clever passing, the former again scoring, bass kicked the goal. From the kick-off the ball was fielded by Mackie and. after b. Brown and Davidson had handled it. L. Brown scored his third try. Athletic showed tip in a promising movement. w llson-Flall opened up tho game and passed to Avery to Herring, who ran ' , \ Clty 8 twenty-five before Basil stooped tho movement. Mason and Herring were prominent in a dangerouJ rush over City s line. E. Brown forcing. Dufty missed a shot at coal from a penalty. Mackie instead of forcing down, opened up the play Hia pass to L Brown was fumbled and Wil-son-Hall dribbled on and passed to Avery who scored, Dufty failed to add the -oai points.. City. 11; Athletic 3 " City were soon back to tho attack. From the loose Pak, gathered in the ball and •passed to Davidson who beat several players badly and whipped it on to L. Brown who again scored. City, 14: Athletic. 3 After tho kick-off Bass ran strnight down the centre.. and on tho twentv-five line passed to Paki who scored beneath the posts. Bass converted and the half-time scores were:— City . • Athletic ; 3 'On resuming Athletic were first to attack. A useful run by Faulkner was carried on by Webb, who kicked, and E. Brown mulled the ball. Mason followed it on to score. Dufty kicked tho goal. A foolish cross-kick by Angels was fielded by Paki. who passed to Davidson. The , latter ran from half-wav and passed to Ruby who ran oyer, to score under tho posts. E. Brown *added'tho coal points, '

City gave their opponents no respite. Picking up the ball from the scrum Ward law bustled his way over and Bass kicked tho soul. Superior pace saw Davidson and Hawkes clear out from the field. Hawkes passed to McDonald who added another try. At this stage Bass retired hurt and soon afterwards Dufty also Hot a knock. Throwing tho bail about in stylo City soon niled up the points. With Davidson and L. Brown making most of the openings. Ruby. Crowther. Hawkes. Maekie and Wardlaw scored tnoa. while Wardlaw Mackio Hawkes, Townaend. Davidson and R. Crowther each kicked » coin. RICHMOND V. PONSONBY. Playing at the Domain Ponsonby were folly extended to beat Richmond. McDonald opened Richmond's score with a ponalty goal. A riico passing movement by Ponsonby carried play to Richmond 3 lino, but Thorburn sent them back with a good kick. Securing possession from tho scrum Peokham passed to Littlewood who ran over to score a good try. Delgrosso missed with the kick at goal. Even play followed and Richmond were at their best. Ward and Payne rushed the ball to Richmond's line where » >crum followed. Round the blind side r beat several men and passed to lu3 brother. J Peckham. who scored. Delgrosso nnssed with the kick. Ponsonby. 6; Richmond. 2. Richmond were not to be denied, however, and their supporters wore delighted when Hyland cut through the defence, and passed to Bass, who sont Little over to score. McDonald added the goal points. Just on half time Dclgroaso placed his team in the lead with a penalty goal. Ponsonby , "7 Richmond ' Richmond were first to attack. Onl resnmins. Avery and Redwood being prominent in a dangerous forward rush. Riley Baved Ponsonby with a timely kick. After a nice passing run in which Riley beat several men, Littlewood scored a good try* Richmond were having the best of the open play, and were a trifle unlucky. t*ust on timo Delgrosso scored in tho corner, and tho game ended with the score 14—7 m Ponsonby'a favour. NORTHCOTE V. ELLERSLIE. The game between Kprthcoto and Ellerslio was played at Ellerslie. Northcote were first to open tho score, Wilkins kioking a fine goal. Good tackling by Northcote stopped Williams from scoring, but ft Penalty against Northcote was taken by bhand who placed a splendid goal from near half way. Northcote 2, Ellerslio 2. Both sides were frequently penalised., but kicks at goal failed. In the second spell a good opening was made by W. Johnston, and Shand scored. The same player added the goal points. Ellerslie, 7; Northcote, 2. Coming down tho field at a fast pace Wilkins scored a fine try for Northcote and tho game ended with Ellerslio two pointa in tho lead. JHNTOR RESULTS. SECOND GRADE. Richmond, 16, beat Ponsonby, 2. THIRD GRADE. City 29, beat Dovonport 10. Athletic 12. beat Newton 3. Northcote 6, beat Mangere 3. Point Chevalier 32, beat Suburbs A 5. New Lynn 3, beat Parneli 0. Suburbs ~B won from Otahuhu by default. FOURTH GRADE. Pirnell 35, beat Newton 5. FIFTH GRADE. Richmond 5, beat Marist 0. City 25, beat New Lynn 2. Pamell 11, beat Athletic 0. SIXTH GRADE. Richmond 18, beat City B 3. City A 13, beat Devonpoxt 0. WELLINGTON TRIAL MATCH. [BX TEIJEG2APH. —PKESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Rugby League trial match resulted:— A team, 21; B team. 5. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH. [bx telegraph.—pbess association.} CHRISTCHTJRCH, Saturday. The Rugby League games on Saturday resulted:—Marista A, 8 v. Waimairi, 7; Aldington 26, v. Sydenham, 17; Hornby, 32, v, Woolston, 2; Marists B, 31, v. Linwood, 9. DUNEDIN, Saturday. The Rugby League matches to-d.ay resulted:—City, 9, v. Christian Bros. A, 7; Athletic, 33, v. Christian Bros. B, 10; Pacific B, 8, v. City B, 3,