LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19104, 24 August 1925, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ROOPE ROOSTER FINAL.

PONSONBY DEFEAT CITY. FAST, EXCITING CONTEST. After a great contest, Ponsonby defeated City by 10 points to 5 in tho final of the Roope Rooster competition at Carlaw Fark on Saturday afternoon, before an attendanco estimated at 8000. It was a good exposition of the League code. Ponsonby won well and their inside backs particularly gave a splendid exhibition. In the second spell City, who won tho trophy last season, looked liko gaining the de> cision, but they failed to make the most of their opportunities. Tho gate takings will be devoted to local charities.

In tho Stallard Cup competition, for the B division of the senior grade, a splendid game was witnessed on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, where Northcote defeated Mangero by 19 points to 18. At tho Domain, Otahuhu proved too good for Kingsland and won by 11 points to 2. PONSONBY V. CITY. City were penalised several times in the early stages of the game and from ono of these infringements Gardiner opened PonBonby's score with a good goal. With McDonald and Ruby in the van. City's forwards rushed play to Ponsonby's line t where several scrums were ordered. Breaking away quickly Payno nullified Mitchell's pass to Stevens and tho Ponsonby forwards kicked the ball out near tho half-way flag. Ponsonby got the ball from the scrum and Peckham set his backs in motion, each handling tho ball in turn until Littlowood was effectually checked by Wardlow. Soon afterwards Davidson raced past several Ponsonby men but ho luoked support and Herewini brought him down. City kept up tho pressure and Bass initiated a bright passing movement. The ball was handled by Stovena, Brown and then by Davidson, who beat Gardinor badly, However. Paki, on tho wing, lacked tho necessary pace and Ponsonby saved luckily. Two freo kicks were awarded to City but Bass failed in each attempt to open City's Bcore.

Poiisonby's defenco was well tested aa Reid and Townsond with the ball at too dashed toward the line, but Herewini saved iu great etyle, and returned to Crewther. Fast following up by Pagan and Payno, caught Crewther in possession, and lierowini, who had raced in support, was unlucky in knocking the ball on, thus spoiling a good chance. fc lelduig a return from Crewther, Peckham raced across the ground and passed t-o Cole, to Ward, to Gociloy. Littlowood was the next man to receive the ball and although partially stopped by Crewther ho struggled on to score. Gardiner hit the post with hia shot at goal. Almost immediately afterwards City's backs were caught out of position and Godley carried play over City's lino. Riley, who had come up in support, touched down. Gardiner failed to improve the score. Ponsonby 8, City 0. Ponsonby wero beating City round the scrums, the latter team's inside backs being too slow. Riley gathered up a miEsed pass and transferred play to City's twenty-five. IJ. Davidson cleared with a long kick. Townsend and Reid. following up, beat Herewini, but when a try looked certain Littlewood camo fast and kicked the ball over tho deadball lino. The game became fast, open and exciting as play travelled up and down the field. Vigorous attack was countered by sound defenco and half-time sounded with tho scores:—

Ponsonby . , 8 City 0 Shortly after play was resumed Ruby, following up a high kick by iMitchell, smothered Herewini's return und kicked tho ball past tho fullback, but mado the mistake of trying to pick up and Gardiner saved. Then Colo got offside and Crewther opened City's scorp with a splendid goal from 40 yards out. City wero now getting a good flharo of tho ball from tho scrums and Mitchell set his backs in motion, tho ball going through tho hands of Stevens, Crewther. Davidson and then to Wardlow, who centred. Bass carried tho movement on but Herewini saved well. City's backs returned to tho attack. Davidson dashed post Gardiner, but slipped as ho attempted to beat Horowmi. However ho quiokly kicked tho ball to Ruby, who dived over end scored City's first try. Crewther missed with tho kick at goal, Ponsonby 8, City 6. Ponsonby showed up in somo fino combined play. Their backs swung into tho attack and it was left to Davidson to uso his best pace to avert a try. A penalty against Ponsonby enabled Buss to find the lino near halfway. After an exchaneo of kicks City launched a sustained attack and n couplo of times were on tho verge of scoring, but bad tactics spoiled tho chance 3. Ponsonby dofended grimly and at last smart work by T. Peckham enabled tho forwards to clear. Ponsonby increased their load when a Citv forward infringed and Gardiner kicked a goal. City fought hard to avert defeat, but the Ponsonby bucks tackled hard and City could not get through. They mado a last effort when Crewther kicked high and Davidson made a brilliant, solo run toward tho Ponsonby lino. When ho reached Herewini ho cross-kicked, but Ruby just missed a try right under the goal, a Ponsonby player beating him for tho touch-down. Tho game ended soon afterwards with tho scores: Ponsonby, 10; City, 5 northcote v. mangere, . The result of the Northcote-Mangero game was in doubt riijht until tho bell rang. Northcoto's win gives them a placo in the final, in which they meet Otahuhu. Good play bv Tautaki enabled Mancoro to carry play to Northcoto's twenty-five, where the latter team was penalised and Lipscombe opened tho scare with a fine goal. The Maoris wero throwing tho ball about in great style and Ansell started a movement from which J. Hani scored. O. Lipscombe added tho goal-points. Mangere, 7; Northcote, 0. Tho game was fast and open, with Mangoro having the botetr of tho play. Ansell passed to J. Wilson in midfieid and after cleverly boating tho opposition Wilson scored an unconverted try. In good passing rushes tho Mangere team showed surprising pace and accurate handling, completely outplaying tho Northcote _ men. Just before the spell ended Wilkins kicked a fino goal for Northcote. Mangere, 10; Northcote, 2. Northcote showed much improvement in '.'ho second spell. Green set tho backs in motion, tho ball going to Speight, who cut in cleverly, and passed to Greening, who Bcored under tho posts. Wilkins easily added tho goal-points. For somo timo Northcote pressed on Mangero's line and from a scramble Watson scored.-Wilkio converting. Almost immediately afterwards Wilkins added a goal, which placed his team in the lead. Northcote, 14: Mangere. 10.

Mangero wore not slow to cot going again and clever play by Ansell and Pai saw the latter pass to Wilson, who again showed up in tricky running and scored a fine try. May was successful with the kick. In Mangero's next attack 110 fewer than nine members of the team handled the ball. M. Paul finally getting over the line. Prom n scrum in midfield. Green passed to Greening, who mado 11 good openinc before sending on to Speight. The latter beat the defence badly and scored between the posts. Wilkio added the goal-points, Mangoro made Bovoral determined efforts to score, but the pace had told, and their backs lacked tho sparklo shown earlier in tho day. Tho gamo ended: Northcoto, 19; Mangoro, 18. KINGSLAND V. OTAHUHU. liingsland put up a great (struggle in tho first spell against Otahuhu. and when tho bell sounded to change ends tho scoro wna two all. In the next lmlf Otahuhu dominated tho play and with the aid of good individual play eventually won by 11 points to 2. Kingsland wero tho first to attack and a. dosh by McManus nearly opened their scoring Recount, but Otahuhu repelled tho attack and McDonald was conspicuous in a nolo effort that, put. Kingsland 011 the defence. Kingalnnd were pmialised and Kllorv opened Otahuhu's account with a good goal, Almost immediately afterwards McCoy equalised with a ohot from a peik alty. Aftor tho interval List made a fine run to Otahuhu's twentv-fivo, whore he had tho bad luck to slip when a try appeared certain. Tho Otahuhu forwards then rushed the ball to tho other end and Todd dived over to score. Brown was the next ,to score making the most of a good opening by Ellery. Otahuhu were now getting the better of tho game. Just before the end F;>rtj made an opening and sent Todd over, mnkimj the final scores: Otahuhu, 11: Kingsland ;; 2. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. Tho Auckland junior League representatives are as follow:—Backs: T. Allen (Newton), Usher, Wilson (Ponsonby), Brough, JenkinsoK, Davis (Richmond), Lucas <A'hletic). Forwards: Telford, Donald (Richmond), Brier (Dovonport). Birch (Newton), J. Matthews, J. O'Halron (Poneonhy). Reserves: Parkinson (Newton). Hales (Dovonport), Sponcer (Ponsonby), Sadgrove (Devonjiort). All players must attend the League rooms at 7.30 pja. to-moriGVf.