LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19655, 6 June 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

FIFTH SERIES OF MATCHES. MARIST DEFEATS NEWTON. PONSONBY IN THE LEAD. The Auckland Rugby League's club competitions were continued on Saturday in beautiful weather. At Carlaw Park, in spite of strong counter-attractions, 6000 spectators witnessed a splendid exhibition of the code between Marist and Newton. Victory to Marist by 12 points to 7 was well merited, for the winners gave their best display this season. On No. 2 ground, at Carlaw Park, Ponsonby scored a comfortable win against Athletic.

The results are as follows: Marist, 12, beat Newton, 7. Ponsonby, 36, beat Athletic, 14. Devonport's victory over Richmond on Friday, and Newton's defeat by Marist on Saturday, have altered the positions of the teams which are now as follows:

MARIST IN FORM. Marist made a splendid showing against the much improved Newton team, and the game was full of many exciting incidents. Newton did not repeat the splendid team work shown the week previously against City. Its backs indulged in too much kicking. This was fatal to its chances, as Gregory, at fullback, for Marist, gave an excellent display. Marist played better combined football, and its backs wore able to complete the good work of the forwards. In the latter stages of the game Newton looked like winning the match, but injuries to Clarke, its best forward, and Hargraves, prevented it at the critical moment from driving home the offensivo.

Newton opened the frame with a sweeping forward rusk in which Clarke and Somers were the most prominent. Good play between Newton's inside backs Baw Hargraves run through the defence, but Gregory proved a solid defender. Sweeney, well supported by Brisbane, took the attack dangerously near Newton's line. Near midfield the ball came out to Crewther who passed to Kirwan. The Manet centre sprinted to the Newton twenty-five where ho passed the ball to King who opened the Marist score with a splendid try. It was not converted. A minute later Dufty kicked a penalty goal for Newton. Good play by Clarke, improved Newton's position. A great rush by the Newton backs saw Hargraves go over after he had handled the ball twice in the movement. Dufty failed with the kick. The game was fast and open, both sides taking turns at attack. From a good position Crewther sent Kirwan away. The latter made a good opening before transferring to Knott who raced over. Gregory failed to convert. Offside play by Sweeney cost Marist a penalty and Dufty gave Newton the lead with a good goal. Newton did not retain the lead long. Clever passing between O'Brien. Keenan. and Moisley carried play to Herewini. who was well tackled by O'Brien. Marist bustled Clarke, who threw a wild pass to Morman and Brisbane secured the ball and scored unopposed. Gregory again missed. At half-time tho scores were: Marist. 9; Newton, 7.

Immediately cn resuming Gregory initiated a fine attacking movement in which O'Brien was prominent. The last-named made a, great, opening but spoiled a possible try by holding on too long. Sweeney quickly passed to Knott who dived over near the corner. King missed nt, goal. Marist backs were getting plenty .of opportunities, but C rewther each time kicked, and spoiled the whole attack. Racing down the touch-line Crewther gave Marist a. splendid chance to score. With players in support he again held on and a try was thrown away. McLeod. Herewini and Morman raced away but Gregory was sound in defence, relieving the pressure with a, crest kick. A short punt Sweeney race on and gain possession, but, Noble dropped the pass. Newtorl persistently attacked. Its backs, however, indulged in too much kicking, and. as a result, team plav fell away. _ Gregory saved Marist. on numerous occasions. Marist lost a likely try a few minutes before the game ended when Kirwan kicked hard past "Rerewini, and King only had to tap the ball over the line, but. he attempted to pick it up. nnd failed. The game ended soon afterwards. the final result being:—Marist. 12: Newton. 7.

PONSONBY V. ATHLETIC. Ponsonby added another win to its list of successes by defeating Athletic. Although Athletic pressed hard on occasions the grade leaders were too clever and won comfortably. Athletic was soon seen to advantage and Angelo started a passing movement that carried play right to Ponsonby's line. The Ponsonby forwards, however, had too much weight, and. with Payne in the van, they drove Athletic back to niidfield. Hntt raced down the side-line and passed in-field to J Peckham. who scored. Gardiner kicked a great goal. A minute later Athletic launched an offensive. Lucas opened up the play and the ball was handled in turn by Avery, McLaughlin, Stevenson and 'Herring, who raced across and scored a splendid try, which Longville failed to convert. A good individual effort by Gardiner gave Ponsonby its next try. Delgrosso improved the effort and Asher scored near the posts. Gardiner converted. Ponsonby was notf showing better form. Riley dashed away before passing to Delgrosso, who easily scored. T. Peckham goaled. Half-time sounded with the scoresPonsonby, 15; Athletic, 3. Avery and Herring were prominent in a dashing forward rush and Cavanagh just missed a try. From a scrum Angelo made a run down the centre. Herring joined in and completed the movement with a good try, which Lucas converted. Ponsonby was hard pressed during the next few minutes, Hudson just failing to touch down. Gardiner, with a solo run, transferred play to opposition quarters, Delgrosso finishing the movement with a try. Gardiner failed with the kick. Lucas then kicked a penalty goal for Athletic, who from this stage tireel. Ponsonby took advantage of the opportunity and tries were scored by Usher (2), McNeill and Gardiner, who also kicked two goals. Lucas added another penally coal for Athletic. and the game ended:—Ponsonby, 30; Athletic, 11.

SENIOR B. SECTION. Kinesland defeated Northcote by 00 points to 6. For the winners. Carter (3), and Railley scored tries. Herring converting four. For Northcote, Speight and Thompson scored tries. Bllerslie heat Point Chevalier by 23 points to 5. For F.llerslie, tries were scored by Littlewood, Grogan, W. Johnson, Pago and Crewther, while Shand and W. Johnson kicked goals. Humphries scored a try and Monoghan added a goal for Point Chevalier. ... Mangere defeated Parnell by 15 points to 11. p'or Mangere, Bosienr, Grubb and Wilson scored tries, and Wilson, jun., kicked three goals. For Pamell. Anderson scored a try and Patton kicked four goals.

JTJNIOR RESULTS. Second Grade.—Kingsland, 20, beat Richmond, 3. _. , , Third Grade.—Richmond, 21, beat Devonport. 2; City. 21, beat Kingsland, 12; Richmond, 17, beat Newton, 8. ' Fourth Grade.—Richmond, 21, beat Devon port, 11. Fifth Grade.—-City, 18. beat Ponsonby, 10. Sixth Grade. —Akarana B, 3. beat Northcote. 2: Marist B, 23. beat Devonport, 0; Point Chevalier, 16. beat City B, 10; Akarana. 2. beat City A. .0. 1 .Primary Schools.—Richmond, fi. neat Papatoetoe. 5; Otahuhu. 34. beat Onehunga, 0; Newmarket. 20, beat Onehunga Convent, 0.

MATCHES IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAFH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday.

League matches played to-day resulted:— Waimairi. 37. v. Addington, 9- Hornby, 53, v. Woolston. 7; Marist, 37. v. Sydenham. 8. DUNEDIN. Saturday.

Following are results of League football matches played to-day;— Athletic. 26, v. Pacific. 10; City, 15. v. Kaikorai, 3; Christian Bros., 17, v. Kaitangata, 0.

Pts. Ch P. W. L. D. For. Ae. Pts Ponaonby ... 4 3 — 1 76 43 7 Marist . . 5 3 2 — 57 5H fi Richmond . . 5 2 2 1 61 50 5. Newton . . 4 2 1 1 57 42 5 De%*onport . 4 2 2 — 91 51 4 City .. .. 4 1 2 1 53 a"! 3 Athletic . . 4 — 4 — 27 113 0