ATHLETIC SPORTS. LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19081, 28 July 1925, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE CITY-MARIST CONTEST.

'ANOTHER CLOSE STRUGGLE. Tho City-Marist gamo at Carlaw Park aroused moro than usual interest among League followers and although tho ground was very muddy in places tho contest was a good ono, with plenty of excitement. Tho meetiag of these two teams in the first round created great interest. They are noted for fast opop, football and the public liko to see them in action. City have an impressivo record this season and so far have geen defeated only once, Ponsonby being tho team to lower their colours. They have had some close calls, and Marist in tho first round gave them a hard fight, City just getting home by a margin of two points. The feature of tho game on Saturday was tho splendid showing of tho Marist forwards. They are a fino lot. They eclipsed tho City act in the scrums and wero excellent in the looso. Several new players wero tried in tho Marist back division, and with a little coaching in team work tho combination should go far. City wero not up to full strength, Bass and Townsend being among tho absentees and the team was greatly handicapped by losing tho ball from tho scrum on almost every occasion. This weakness will have to bo remedied, or City's match-winning ability will bo seriously affeciod On tho run of tho play Marist wero a trifle unlucky to lose oven by tho narrow margin of ono point. They had ample opportunities, and it was only their own mistakos which led to their defeat. The City Players. For City, K Brown, at fullback, had a, busy afternoon and came through the crdeal well. His form was a distinct improvement on that of tho previous week. Wardlaw, on tho wing, gavo a dashing display, and his try was a particularly fine effort. B. Davidson was tho pivot of tho City attack and mado many fino openings. Ho kicked just a little too much. Tho Crewther brothers combined jvell at five-eighths. The youngor boy, R. Crewther, is tho reserve back for tho jDity team and gives promise of making » good player. Among tho forwards, Ruby was easily the most outstanding. His fast following up and sound .tackling being good to witness. Mackio very ably assisted tho backs, starting many passing runs. Hawkes and McDonald got through a lot of work in an ablo manner. Marist Brothers' TFonn. For Marist, Cooke, a recruit to tho League gamo in Auckland, gave a fairly good display at fullback. Under more favourable conditions he may bo seen to greater advantago. Marist's best back was their five-eighths, Lennard, who gave a brilliant display. In attack ho made ■omo beautiful openings and showed up as a pl»yer of much promise. Lineen, in the centre, also played well, and with careful coaching should bo just the typo of player wanted in the Marist team. On tho wi n S> Kirkland did not get many opportunities, but mado tho most of his pace. Singo wa3 tho best of tho forwards, and for ali-roand play was in a class by himtself. Stormont shaped woll, but Marist's most improved forward was Hannan, who played a fino game. Ho is much better with the ball on the ground than in passing. Mannix, the Marist hooker, won tho ball from the scrums in a most consistent manner. Ponsonby and Athletic. Athletic gave Ponsonby a hard strugglo in tho first spell, but on changing ends the speedy Ponsonby backs soon ran up the points, eventually winning by 25 to 5. The ground was in a very bad state, and tho mud-covered players were at times difficult to recognise. Tho Ponsonby backs, as in their other gamr.i this season, showed up in some perfect team work. Their willingness to open np the gamo is a feature of their play. Riley, Godley and Gardiner were tho best of the roar division. Tho trio handled tho ball in good stylo and showed a Bound knowledge of support in attack. Payne was the best of tho Ponsonby forwvrds, using his weight to tho best advantage. * « For Athletic tho two forwards, Mason and To Whata, wero great workers. Te Whata is a fino player, always on tho ball and ready to assist tho backs. Mason, one of the biggest men playing the League code, is ono of the fastest and most versatile forwards. Ho figured in several magnificent efforts against Ponsonby. Devonport and Newton had a hardfought contest. The former were a better side than tho scoro, 11-—3 in,their favour, indicates.

Devonport had all tho ibettor of tho forward play, and it was tho front division that won for them tho game. St. George, in tho forwards, played a fine game, showing to good advantago in tho looso play. Veart and Haddon also played woll. Newton's best player was Warren, who opened up the gamo in good stylo. Poison was also a great worker. Dominion Team in Australia. With two victories over New South Wales tho New Zealand touring team has mado a good impression, and has revealed ttio possibilities of developing into a very strong combination. Tho experienco gained by tho players in Australia should greatly benefit tho gamo on their return to New Zealand. It is generally accepted that New Zealand was unlucky to havo lost a singlo game. Their visit to Queensland, where tho football is of a very high standard, will bo followed with keen interest, and on the form shown the Dominion team must bo given a good chance of beating tho crack Queensland thirteen. A lot depends upon the players themselves, and their keenness in team-training. The forwards have mado a particularly good impression, and their work all round has been above that of their opponents. During Fleet Week patrons of the gamo will probably have an opportunity of seeing a match betwaen City and Ponsonby. Tho consent of tho City team has yet to bo obtained. It is possible that tho match will bo played on August 12. The gate takings will bo ear-marked for tho purposo of building a training shed in tno Ponsonby district. Alroady a piece of property has been secured, and a favourable reply from the City Club will earn tho good wishes of all followors of tho gamo. Junior Competitions, Tho junior competitions aro now drawing to a close. In tho third grade no fewer than 17 teams aro still engaged. The following tables show tho positions of tho stronger teams in tho second and third grades up to and including July 18:

SECOND GRADE. W. L. Ch. P. D, pta. Richmond a r.. 8 7 1 0 11 Ponsonby B i.. 10 7 a O 14 Devonport .* •• • 8 0 2 O 1'2 Ponsonby A •• -.8 r> a 0 10 Newton r.. 8 a r» 0 6 Man s ere .. ..8 2 5 1 6 THIRD GRADE. P. Ch. W. L. D. pt.8. City , r.~.< r.. 50 10 — — 20 Athletic i.. 10 9 I 0 18 Pt. Chevalier t.. !) 8 0 1 17 Northcota i.. 10 7 1 2 16 New Lynn H ,..9 S 1. '2 H Ponsonby £ 9 5 a 1 11 Hewtott «■ « 9 4 8 2 10