LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19643, 23 May 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

PONSONBY BEAT CITY. GAME LACKS BRILLIANCE. MARIST'S FIRST DEFEAT. Tlie third series of club competitions controlled by the Auckland Rugby League took place on Saturday. Favoured by ideal conditions, there was an" attendance of 10.000 spectators at Carlavv Park. The chief game, in which Fonsonby defeated City, was a disappointing exposition, and it was only during the last 20 minutes that any good football was witnessed.' Richmond caused a. mild sensation by defeating Marist, the grade leaders. At Devonport the local team outclassed Athletic and won comfortably. The results were as follows: — PonSonby, 17, beat City, 14. Richmond, 15, beat Marist, 3. Devonport, 47, beat Athletic, 3. The positions of the senior teams are as follows: Pts. Ch. P. W. L. D. For Ag. Pts. Marist .. 3 2 1 C'ity . . . 3 1 X 1 36 51 3 Richmond . 3 1 1 1 38 31 3 Ponsonby . 2 I i 22 ]!) 3 Newton . . 2 1 1 18 13 3 Devonport . 3 " 1 2 Athletic . . 2 A DISAPPOINTING GAME. The meeting between Ponsonby and City usually provides exciting football, but Saturday's exhibition fell far below expectations. The cause was very apparent, as the hookers. Lawry and Tovvnsend, prevented the ball going into the scrum. Each time a breach was caused, as many as four scrums were formed before the ball was fairly hooked. The referee was continually blowing hi 3 whistle, until the game developed into a duel between the respective hookers and the controlling official. As a result, the ' backs of both teams failed to produce their best concerted play. City's rear division, in particular, had a day off, and it was only in the Inst 35 minutes that the team displayed anything like its true form. During that period City scored 11 points. Its final effort, just as time was up, proved easily the most exciting incident of the game. Play hovered in midfield until Wetherill passed to Davidson, who made a great run through the defence, and, with Wade in support, the pair carried the ball within a few _ feet of Ponsonby's line. A smart cross-kick followed, and amid great excitement the ball just rolled • into touch as Brown flashed past to gather possession. Ponsonby's forwards kept the game close, and for a time adopted rushing tactics that kept City on the defence. Clever dribbling by Mackie saved City from a dangerous position, and play swung back to midfield. A series of scrummages held the game up and dull play followed. Riley, for Ponsonby, made a splendid opening, and when a try looked certain Brown nullified the pass to Gardiner. City's backs had several good chances to score, but Perry and Wetherill kicked too often. Ponsonby was getting the better of the open play, and twice Usher nearly scored. Ponsonby's first try was a "presentation." Wetherill's kick was charged down by Riley under the posts, enabling the charger to score and Delgrosso converted. A minute later Delgrosso added a goal from a penalty. Then City's rear division combined well, and Wetherill, brilliantly beating several defenders, finally whipped out the ball to Davidson, who raced over to score. Bass failed with the kick at goal. The half-time scores were:—Ponsonby, 7; City, 3. Gardiner opened up the attack for Ponspnby after the interval, and he ran well into City's territory before being stopped. Poor defence on City's part gave Biley another try, which Delgrosso converted. Ghent put City's backs again on the attack, and Wade made a fine dash to Ponsonby's twenty-five, where he passed to Perry, but a forward pass spoiled the effort. At this stage Bass , retired with an injured knee. Wetherill kicked a short "grabber," but the ball failed to reach its objective, and Delgrosso snapped it up. He passed to Riley, who kicked hard, and Payne scored. Delgrosso again goaled. City looked a badly beaten side, but the team soon rallied, and the backs for once made use of their speed. Good passing saw Wetherill, Townsend and Perry break away, and Davidson raced between the posts. Wetherill missed an easy goal. City's forwards infused plenty of dash into the next offensive. Langley's return kick was charged down and Ghent dived over to score, for Davidson to goal. City then set up some strong attacks and for a, time had Ponsonby hard on the defence. Good play by Dnvidson saw Perry make a fine opening. Nearing the twenty-five he passed to Ghent, who transferred to Wade. The latter finished a good run by scoring the best try of the raatch. Paxton failed to irrmrove. and the gs.me ended: Ponsonby, 17; City, 14. MARIST OUTPLAYED. Playing with great dash and combining well, Richmond upset the -Marist attack, and often outplayed the grade leaders. It was a fine, open game, and served to show that this season's club competition will be contested with exceptional keenness. Marist was first to attack, and Sweeney was prominent ill a fine run., that carried play well into Richmond's territory. Richmond, however, retaliated, and Davis, Parkos and Swift were associated in a passing bout that resultod in Marist being forced. Kirwan was responsible for a good individual effort. He passed to Hansen, who burst through and sent the ball to Sweeney, who scored between the posts. The same plaver missed an easy goal. Richmond was continually on the attack. Gregory was a solid defender for Marist, and saved his side well. Awarded a free kick, Carroll .opened Richmond's score with a good goal. The spell ended with the scores: Marist, o; Richmond, 2. - , Headed by Bass, Richmond's forwards swept over the opposition after the interval, and Stewart scored a good try. which Carroll converted. Good play by Brisbane put Marist jn :v good position, but their backs handled poorly and the opportunity was lost. During a melee on Richmond s line, O'Brien, Marist and. Stewart. Richmond, were ordered off. Richmond outplayed its opponents and, giving a good exhibition of snappy- passing, soon added tries. Davis ninde an opening, and Parkes scored, <nrroll converted. A few minutes later .Tenk ill son scored, Carroll failing with Ibe Kirk. The. game ended with the scores: Richmond. 15: Marist, 3. DEVON'PORT'S EASY VICTORY. Athletic could field only 12 men against a very strong Devonport team, and the latter won easily. Tne winners indulged in delightful passin.2 bouts, which completely bewildered the opposition. Early in the game points were quickly scored for the home team. L. Scott was first to score, and a few minutes later 'bt. George kicked a fine penalty goal. Good passing by the Devonport, backs resulted in Kul© scoring, but the kick failed. tie. then added a e:ood try. and in the next passing bout Hemingway made a hne opening. Benttie again racing over. iNeither try was converted. From the kick-out the Athletic forwards rushed play to Devonport's line, where Angelo' scored. .lust before half-time Senear, scored and Hemingway converted, making the scores. Devonport, 10; -Athletic,; 3. In the second spell Devonpor. completely outplayed its opponents., its forwards sweeping over Athletic with irresistible rushes. Dixon was always at the head of the Devonport attack, and he sent Scott over to score. Hemingway converting. Devonport continued to pile tip the points, tries being scored by Scott • <2l, Dixon <2< and Rule. Hemingway. Ruby. L»ing and 'Clever converted one try each. The came ended with the score:— Devonport. 47: Athletic, 3 SENIOR :b grade. v Otahuhu Trotting Ground. land • defeated Otahuhu by 11 points to 3. For Kiugsland Sims scored two tries. and Herring one. the latter converting one fry. White Scored a try for Otahuhu. Northcote beat Point Cnevaher by 6 points to 5. _ v File'slie home team defeated Ofahnhu by 26 points to 7. For Ellerelie Shand 12! Littlewood (2). Orogan at-.d hoxHnr'ouah scored tries, while Shand and Johnson converted two {ties each. For Manger* Rosieur scored a try and Wilson converted and kicked a penalty goal. JUNIOR RESULTS. Third Grade.—-F.ic'hmor.d, 13. beat ParneH. 10. , Fourth Omr3e.—Devonport, Atn- ; 1^43. Bie'hracmd* 50. "!*•.*► a f 0; 5 Ponionby. P. drew 'with Remr.era. S. ! Fifth Grade.—Akarana. 7. beat Ricb- | mnnd 0: Citv, 33. Swat Newton. 0. Sixth Grade.—Akarars. S. heat DevonI n Athletic., 3. drew *rlh ; B. 25, beat Point Chevalier. 0: ! Rir'nfriond* A. *l6. beat Akarana. O Primary Schools.—Richmond. ?v»at | Oneininsrsi Convent, 0: Otahuhu. S. beat Newmarket, 0. CHRISTCHURCn .AND DUNT.PIN. [BY TELESS hrn. —PRESS APSOCrtATHV*.] CHIHSTCHURCH, Sunday. Results of the Learn* football matches in hT?b-cb.t»Tc?i v 21» beat Watmairi, 13; Hornby, *. beat Sydenham, ('»: Addisstos. 17. beat Woolston. 7. DUNEDIN. Sunday. League football nsaftches were cos tinned is Dsnedin yesterday, resslts being*—Athlejic, S. best Christian Brother.?, 3; Pacific, 30, beat Kaikcrai, S.