LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19631, 9 May 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

OPENING OF CLUB SEASON. CLOSE GAME AT CARLAW PARK. CITY DEFEATS DEVONIPORT. The Auckland Rugby League's club competition season was opened on Saturday, and an interesting series of games resulted. City and Devonport fought out a stirring contest at Carlaw Park, victory going to City by 23 points to 19. On No. 2 ground Marisfc fielded a strong side against the newly-orgariised Athletic team and won somewhat easily. At the Domain Newton caused a mild surprise by defeating Richmond. The results were:— City, 23, beat Devonport, 19. Marist, 20, beat Athletic, 8. Newton, 13, beat Richmond, 8. CITY'S WINNING RECOVERY. City had a close call in defeating Devonport by 23 points to 19. Early in the first Bpell Devonport gained the ascendancy, and bad a lead of 11 points after a quarter of an hour's play. The City backs then swune into action, causing an immediate change in the situation, and the scores were 16 all at the interval. In the second spell superior team work gave City the victory after a keen contest. Seagar cut past the defence to score the first try for Devonport, and the same player goaled. From a set scrum Ghent sent City's backs away and L. Brown gained ground with a fine run. Devonport, however, soon carried play back. Scott charged down a kick and scored. Seagar failed at goal. A few minutes later Davidson mis-kicked, and Beattie scored an easy try. Seagar missed the kick. Passing among the City rearguard saw Wade race over, and Bass converted with a fine kick. Perry made an opening and the ball travelled to L. Brown, whose pace carried him over wide out. Bass failed to goal. Immediately Davidson made a fine run horn near naif way and - scored between the posts. Bass converted. Snappy passing among the Devonport forwards enabled O'Brien to touch down. Seagar failed with the kick. Just on half-time Davidson sent F. Townsend and L. Brown away, the latter going over. Bass missed a diffioult kick from the side line, making the half-time score:—City, 16; Devonport, Soon after the commencement of the second half, Bass increased City's score with a good goal. "Wetherall was prominent in a clever movement that placed City in a good position. Perry, _ racing up to support, deceived the opposition and scored, Bass converted. Devonport retaliated, and Scott made a good run before transferring to Beattie, who outpaced the opposition. Webb missed an easy kick. The final score was:—City, 23; Devonport, 19. MARISTS' GOOD SHOWING. Marist made a good opening in its game against Athletic, and superior team play, together with better condition, gave it a comfortable win. Athletic was first to attack, and Lucas made an opening for Herring, who scored. Avery converted. Good play by Gregory saved Marist on several occasions.. Crewther was prominent in a good .passing run, which ended in Hansen scoring near the corner. Gregory failed to goal. A few minutes later Hansen made another good run and in-passed to Johnson, who raced over to Bcore. Gregory missed an, easy goal. The half-time score was:—Marist, 6; Athletic, 0. Immediately on opening the second spell the Marist forwards set up a strong offensive, and Noble scored, but Gregory failed to convert. Herring led Athletic in a dashing forward movement, and a try looked certain, until Brisbane saved. Kirwan then beat the defence and re-passed to Brisbane, who scored. Gregory again missed the kick at goal. Austin then scored a try for Athletic, which Longville failed to convert. A . minute later Hudson outpaced the opposition, to score a good try, which Longville converted. In the last stages of the game Sweenev and Brisbane scored tries for Marist, the last one being converted by Hansen. The game ended with the score:— Marist, 20; Athletic, 8. EVENLY-CONTESTED GAME. A close game resulted in the meeting of Newton and Richmond, and, although Newton won by 13 points to 8, there was little difference between the teams. Richmond's backs showed excellent form, but Dufly proved a tower of strength to Newton. SENIOR B GRADE. North cote defeated Mangere by 7 points to IS. Nathan, with a try and two. goals, obtained NorthcotVs points. I'ai and Lipscombe scored tries for Mangere. Ellerslie beat Parnell by G points to 5. R. Johnson and Grogan scored for Ellerslie. Lawrence scored a try for Parnell, and Perry converted. Otahuhu defeated Point Chevalier by 12 points to 6. For the winners Hart and Kirkland scored tries, Phillips converting one and kicking two penalty goals. \V. Monaghan kicked three penalty goals lor the losers. . JUNIOR RESULTS. Second Grade.—Ponsonby, 20, beat RichThird Grade.—Richmond, 3, beat Devonport, 0; Kingsland. 7, beat Parnell, 3; Athletic, 11, beat Glen Eden, 3: Northcote, 9, beat Devonport. 0. Fourth Grade.—Point Chevalier. 30, beat Citv, 8; Devonport, 23, beat Remuera, 0. Fifth Grade.—Akarana, 34, beat Newton, 0: City, 9, beat Northcote, '2; Richmond, 23. beat Ponsonby. 2. ....... Sixth Grade.—Akarana A, 5, beat Athletic. 3: Akarana B, 5. beat Devonport, 0: Marist B. 15. beat City, 0; Devonport, 11, beat Richmond. 8. Primary Schools.—Newmarket., 13, beat Richmond. 6; Otahuhu. 18, beat Onehunga Convent, 0. MATCHES AT CHRISTCHURCH. [B3T TELEGRAPH.—FR.ESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHUHCH, Saturday. League) Rugby matches played to-day resulted ns follows:—'Waimariri, 5. v. Hornby, 3; Marist a. 18. v. Addington, 8; Woolston. 8, v. Sydenham, 3. ! : j I j