LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19656, 7 June 1927, Page 16

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

A REVERSAL OF FORM. KEEN FIGHT FOR LEADERSHIP. PONSONBY HEADS THE LIST. A reversal of form was a feature of tho fifth series of matches in the Auckland League football competitions on Saturday. As tho result of the matches, Ponsonby holds a one-point lead from Marist. Richmond and Newton, both of which were defeated, are in third place, one point away. It is because the teams at the bottom of the championship-table have repeatedly upset the calculations of the leading teams that interest in all club matches this season is increasing. Although Ponsonby has a one-point lead at present, there is no certainty that that team will retain the lead for long. Athletic, which is at the bottom of the ladder, does not appear to bo sufficiently strong to upset the leading teams, but both Devonport and City are sides to be reckoned with. Marist's Inconsistent Form.

Saturday's spectacular display between Marist and Newton was fully anticipated and the game provided some, rare thrills. Newton failed to make the impression expected of it, but tho team went down only after a hard battle. The form of the Marist team has, to say the least, been inconsistent. Against Richmond last Saturday week its display was poor, but on Saturday its team-work was a revelation.

The Marist forwards were in good form, and by dashing rushes they completely disorganised Newton's rear division. Newton's failure can be attributed to too much kicking. Opportunities to score tries often presented themselves, but both backs and forwards failed to realise the importance of passing. A feature of the game was the splen-didly-packed scrums, while both sides gave the respective halfbacks every assistance in putting the ball in. The hookers, Somers and Johnson, packed straight toward each other, and their outside front-row forwards kept a clear passage through the scrum. It was quite a change to see the ball go out of the scrum r.leanly, instead of at the sides, as has bean the case in most games this season. Gregory's Outstanding Display.

Gregory has given some brilliant exhibitions since he joined the League code in 1925, but his display on Saturday was his best. His clean fielding and fine defending, combined with the resource with which he started passing movements, stamped him as the best fullback in the rode to-day.

Knott displayed improved form, while King showed plenty of speed and determination in finishing off passing movements. Kirwan was a tower of strength to his side and showed excellent judgment in running his supports into scoring positions. Brisbane was a solid defender, but^his usual excellence on attack was spoiled by Crewther, who kicked on almost every occasion. The Marist forwards tackled in fine style. Moisley was, perhaps, the best of the line and showed up prominently in the loose. O'Brien was Marist's best scrummager, and he gave his backs plenty of support. Johnson "gave a good exhibition against a well-tried hooker in Somers, of Newton. Newton Players' Performances. * Herewini, at fullback for Newton, gave a faultless display, his straight running and strong kicking being troublesome to Marist. Littlo was the best of Newton's threequarters, his speed standing him in j;ood stead on attack, but his defence was not strong. Hargreaves and McLeod were below form at five-eighths. Both appeared to have little understanding on attack.

Dufty tackled strongly, but he overdid his lengthy kicking, particularly when Gregory proved such a master. Mclntyre is only a diminutive halfback, but he revealed a splendid knowledge of the posi-" tion, and passed and short-punted with fine judgment. Honry and Hall led the Newton forwards throughout the game. Clarke was not so good as usual. He shone in' the open, but kicked too often in passing movements. SomerSj the ex-New Zealand representative hooker who made such a good impression in Australia in 1919, has again taken up the game, and when in form will be an acquisition to Newton. Irvine and Stack also played well. Spectacular Encounter. •Richmond showed splendid combination against Devonport in last Friday's match, which was the most spectacular seen this season. However, Devon port had the fortune in its favour that sometimes follows a closely-contested game. The game was marred by the ordering off of four prominent players. Rough play should not be tolerated in any game, but thefe is a distinct difference between rough and hard play. It is to be regretted that O'Brien, the Devonport captain, and Prentice, Richmond, earned the displeasure of the referee.

For Richmond, J. Parkes gave his best display this season. He was in every attacking movement, as was Jenkinson, whose football showed improvement. The inside backs, Davis and Prentice, showed a sound knowledge of five-eighths play and were quick on attack. F. Bass was the outstanding forward. There is no doubt the Devonport forwards are a fast set. They continually harassed the back movoments of their opponents. Dixon and Ruby were great workers for the winners. O'Brien's sound handling was a feature of his play. The Devonport backs still lack the necessary combination to score tries. Athletic's Stubborn Defence. Athletic put up a stubborn fight for the greater part of the game against Ponsonby, but the champion team was superior in tho latter stages, and won easily. However, Ponsonby's form was not generally impressive. At times its team-work fell below expectations. Riley gave a clever display at five-eighths, opening up the attack for Delgrosso and Gardiner in finished style. With two such experienced players as Avery and Herring, it should not take many seasons to develop the present Athletic team into a fine side. Most of the players, in fact, all the backs, played junior football last season, and already individual improvement has been noticed. Angelo and Lucas did good wofk, while Longville is a fullback of considerable promise.