THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19661, 13 June 1927, Page 13

THE LEAGUE CODE.

PONSONBY'S FIRST DEFEAT. CAPTAIN ORDERED OFF FIELD. MARIST NOW IN THE LEAD. Ponsonby, the leading team in the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade competition, suffered its first defeat this season oil Saturday at the hands of Devonport. The dashing forward display by Devonport was a feature of an exciting match. Adverse weather conditions prevailed, but a crowd estimated at 7000 was present at Carlaw Fark. On No. 2 ground Marist had a comfortable win against a weakened City team. Newton and Athletic fought out an even contest at the Domain, Athletic winning by 5 points. The results were as follow: Devonport, 9, beat Ponsonby, 6. Marist, 33, beat City, 8. Newton, 19, beat Athletic, 144. The present positions of the teams aie

forwards decide issue. Dcvonport's victory over Ponsonby by 9 points to C will so down as one of the greatest forward struggles seen at Carlaw Park for many yours. The second half was particularly exciting. It was not a day for good back play, but Ponsonby was always keen to open up tho attack in this department. The Devonport rear division, however, was ecjual to ' the occasion, lbe game was naturally hard, but the referee always had a firm control. The only incident that marred the match was the ordering off of Delgrosso. the Ponsonby captain. Ponsonby attacked early, and in a passing bout Usher failed to hold the greasy ball,, losing a good scoring chance. The ground cut up badly, and good combined play was impossible. Devonport. using the weight of its forwards, dashed down the field in a sweeping movement, but Laugley saved. From a scrum in Ponsonby'a twenty-five, Webb made an opening, an off-side pass spoiling the movement. Good play by a. Scott improved Devonport's position and, from a passing bout, Seagar dived over near the coiner. Scott failed to convert. In spite of the treacherous nature of the ground, Ponsonby backs combined well. However, .Devonport adopted different tactics, and by Quick driving movements, its forwards were often dangerous, t rom a penalty in the Ponsonby area, Scott missed at goal Passing between Seagar and A. Scott saw Beattie tackled inches from tho Ponsonby line. Ponsonby was kept busily defending for a period. Webb, who was playing a fin© /jam© fov Devonport, badly beat the opposing inside backs with a tricky run. He passed to Rule, who transferred to Dixon. Dixon was tackled right on the line, and ns the ball rolled clear, St. George dived on it. Half-time sounded with Devonport leading by 6 points to 0. Ponsoliby's backs opened up the play with a passing bout,, but the defence was sound. Preston retired and Hemingway replaced him. In another bout Gray crosskicked to Delgrosso and Peckham, the latter scoring. Gardiner missed at goal. Peckham was again prominent for Ponsonby. He initiated another rush, from •which-Usher dived over. Gardiner failed to improve. . Ruby and O'Brien headed a dashing rush that swept all before it, until Langley saved well. Devonport continued to show to advantage, and slowly its forwards gained control of the game. A spectacular run by Webb saw Devonport well inside Ponsonby's territory. A long pass was well fielded by L, Scott, who dashed over at the corner. The kick a£ goal failed. Ponsonby's backs were always dangerous in clever passing. The last five minutes of the game were full of excitement. in succession Gardiner made splendid efforts to score, but the defence was too sound. There was no addition to the scores, and the match ended: Devonport, 0; Ponsonby, G. CITY RANKS WEAKENED. With the very weak team that City fielded against Marist it was expected the latter would not have any difficulty in winning easily. City was without the services of L. Brown, Wetherill and G. Brown in the backs, while N. Bass and F. Townsend were missing from the scrum. City was first to attack, and Hadley was almost over. Good play by Knott put Marist on the offensive, and O'Brien kicked a penalty-goal Brisbane made a nice opening and passing between Kirwin and O'Brien saw the latter race across. He failed to convert the try. Weak tackling on City's part gave Marist its next try. Sweeney easily evaded the defence and passed to Knott, who scored. Gregory failed with the kick. A minute later Marist over-ran the City team, and O'Brien paved the way for Moisley to score. Gregory again missed at goal. Lewis and Ferrall showed good combination, and Davidson gave Wade a chance, but he dropped tho pass, and Gregory completely beat the opposition in a fine run that ended in Sweeney scoring an unconverted try. City was winning *ho ball from the scrum, but its backs gained little ground. Headed by Webberley, City's forwards broke away, and Hamilton scored for Davidson to convert. For some minutes City played better, and from a short punt, Lewis gained possession and scored a try, which Davidson failed to improve. The scores at halftime were: Marist, 14; City, 8. King replaced Kinvan in the Marist team in the second half. From the outset Marist proved superior and kept City on the defence. Weak tackling was again responsible for Marist's next try, Keenan dashing past three tacklers to score. A minute later Brisbane kicked hard, and King raced on to score again. City was hopelessly outclassed, and gave only occasional glimpses of form. A nice passing bout between Davidson. Lewis _ and Wade just missed a try. Tho Marist forwards drove City back, and Brisbane scored for O'Brien to goal. Then Knott and Crewther scored tries, Knott converting one. The game ended: Marist, 33; City. 8. NEWTON V. ATHLETIC. Shoeing improved form Athletic put up a splendid fight r.gainst Newton in a. game in which some good football was witnessed. Newton was . hard pressed throughout, and it was only its more finished play that gained a five-points victory. Christmas was prominent in tho opening attack by Athletic, but Hercwini effected a great savo, and sent play back to midfield. Headed by Herring, Athletic carried a strong offensive to Newton's territory. where Hudson raced down tho sideline. and passed to Angelo, who scored a nice try. Watkins cut in smartly and passed infield to Longville, who transferred to Courtney, the last-named scoring. The game continued to be fast and open. Avery was prominent in a passing bout, and finally Courtney got over to score his second try, which Longvillo converted with a fine kick, Newton tried hard to make up leeway, and Hall was first to open its score. Herewini converted with a fine goal. A minute later Little made a dashing effort and succeeded in scoring, Herewini again converting. Then Morman, with a splendid solo run. placed ft try to Newton's credit. Mclntyre paved the way for Newton's next try. He ran round the blind side and passed to Little, who swerved toward the centre and scored. Clarke failed to improve. Lucas cleverly gathered in the ball, to make an opening for Avery, who dashed over. Herewini saved Newton on several occasions by good defence. Little made a run, but fell inches short of the line and Hales kicked tho ball over to score. The game ended: Newton, 19: Athletic, 14. SENIOR B GAMES. Olahuhu beat Mangere by 7 points to 6 Northcote defeated Parnell by 8 points to 3. JUNIOR RESULTS. Second Grade.—Devonport, 7, beat Remuera, 0; Kingsland, 11, beat Point Chevalier, 5; Northcote. 8, beat Parnell, 3. Third Grade.—New Lynn, 5, beat Athletic, 0; Devonport, 8, beat Newton, 0; City, G. beat Richmond, 3. Fourth Grade.—Devonport, 23, beat. Ponsonby B, 0: Athletic, 6, beat Ponsonby, 5. Fifth Grade,—Richmond, 5, beat City, 0. Sixth Grade.—Athletic, 6, drew with Devonport, 6; Kingsland, 3, beat City, 0; Akarana. 10, drew with Point Chevalier, 10. Primary Schools.—Otahuhu, 5, beat Newmarket, 0. CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. League matches in Christchurch yesterday resulted:—Hornby. 14, beat Wuiraairi. 12: Sydenham. 30. beat Woolston. 15. DUNEDIN. Sunday. Senior League football matches in Dnnedin yesterday resulted:—City. 0, drew with Pacific, 0; Christian Brothers, 3'J, beat Kaikorai, 3.

as follows:— Pts. F. A Gh. P. w. L. D. Pts. Marist Ponsonby Newton Devonport .. •.. 0 6 ... 5 4 3 3 3 l l 1 1 1 1 90 04 82 52 7G 50 100 57 61 50 G1 116 41 132 8 7 7 6 Richmond .. City .. Athlotic • 5 .. 5 .. 5 2 1 3 5 3 0