LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19667, 20 June 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

FIRST ROUND COMPLETED. FAST GAME AT CARLAW PARK. PONSONBY DEFEATS RICHMOND. Tlie last series of matches in the first round of the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade competition on (Saturday were marked by a close and exciting game botween Ponsonby and Richmond, i'onsonby's narrow victory by a penalty goal has placed it at the top ot the championshiptable. The game, which was witnessed at Carlaw Park by a crowd estimated at 5000, was easily the best of the first round series, and Richmond was decidedly unlucky in not winning by a comfortable margin. On No. 2 ground, City made amends for a succession of failures, and comfortably defeated Athletics. At Devonport, Newton was outclassed by the local team. The results were as follows: Ponsonby, 15, beat Richmond, 13. City, 22, beat Athletic, 11. Devonport, 32, beat Newton, 8. The positions of the teams to date are as follows :

A TWO-POINT VICTORY. Splendid team-work characterised the Ponsonby-Richmond match. Richmond at times completely outplayed Ponsonby. From the commencement tho play was fast and open. It appeared that h draw would result, until, with two minutes to 20. a breach by a "Richmond player gave Delcrosso the chance to put his team in tho lead. Tho Ponsonby forwards soon had Richmond luisy defending. Within a few minutes of the commencement. Delgrosso made an unsuccessful attempt at goal, but Hnnlon's return wns smothered by Fagan, and from the rebound ho scored a simple try, which Delgrosso goaled. Richmond was gaining a fair share of the ball from the scrums, but its inßide backs ran too much across the ground. A long return kick was well fielded by .Tenkinson who kicked a fine field goal. Parkes made an opening and the ball came out to Prentice, but with six men waiting ho lost an opportunity to score. Richmond continued in th® ascendancy and Hanlon commenced a movement in which Hyland, Parkes, Taylor and Prentice handled but Langley saved inches from the line. Prentice made an opening and raced to tho Ponsonby twenty-five, where he threw a long pass lo Jenkinson. whoso speed carried him over to score a try which Taylor failed to improve. Peckham raised the hopes of his side with a brilliant effort, but he held on a little too long, and Hanlon nullified his pass to Usher. Just before the spell ended Parkes and Taylor were associated in a movement which almost resulted in a try. The scores at half-time were: Richmond, 5: Ponsonby, 5.

Riley made a desperate effort, only to Bee Gardiner miss Lis pass when a try see'med likely, prey, howover, kicked and Hutt, following on fast, scored, for Delgrosso to goal. From a scrum in Ponnonby'a territory, Davis sent his backs away and the ball came out to Parkes. The latter whipped it on to Hyland, who raced over and scored near the corner. The kick failed. Twice in succession Richmond's forwards swept over tho opposition, and only over-eagerness prevented them from scoring. Richmond's offensive was tho gem of the game. From halfway, Prentice passed to Hyland, who in-passed again to Prentice. Stewart next got pusession and made a sensational run through a bunch of defenders. With a clear field, Stewart and Peckham were enGaged in an exciting race for the line, Stewart lasting long enough to score a great try. which Taylor converted. Ponsonby threw the hall abaut at every opportunity. By clever inpassing Delgrosso made a good effort before passing to Gardiner. who in turn ' transferred to Grey. The latter dropped the pass, but he again secured possession and scored neiy: the corner. Delgrosso failed with the kick. The Richmond forwards set up a strong offensive, and Campbell just failed to score. Ponsonby, in a brilliant passing bout, transferred play to Richmond's quarters. Ilere Jenkinsnn was penalised for not playing the ball, and Delgrosso gave his side the lead with a simple goal. Richmond was attacking when the bell sounded, the scores being:—Ponsonby. 13; Richmond, 13. CITY'S IMPROVED FORM. Giving one of its best displays of late, City won a well-contested game from Athletic. Owing to tho early departure for England of L. Brown and B. Davidson. City played with almost a newly-organised team. The superior pace of tho City rear division W33 responsible for most of the points .gained Hudson was early prominent in a dash that almost ended in Herring scoring. Good play by the Athletic forwards saw Bryer pass to Avery, and he opened the Athletic score with a try, which Longville failed to convert. City was quick to take advantage of good play by Perry, who passed to Wetherill. and in a bright passing bout Wado raced over to score. Leydon failed at goal. Twice in succession Longville saved Athletic. Headed by Herring, Athletic's forwards swept over the opposition, but Lewis saved. Ferrall made a fine opening for Wetherill, and he passed to Wade, whoso pace again gave City a try. A minute later Leydon failed to field cleanly, and Allen scored a try for Athletic. Good passing between Mackie and Ghent saw Tladley race over to score. A minute later Perry scored the best try of the game, running from half-way to score between the posts. Ghent converted, and the scores at half-time were: City, 14: Athletic, 6. Perry made a great opening and passed to Wade, who ran fifty yards before being tackled by Hudson inches from the line. Angelo and Lucas were associated in a clever passing bout, which completely beat the opposition. Courtney and Avery joined in the movement and the latter raced py p r to score. Lucas converting. From the Cuv twenty-five, passing between Wetherill, Perry. Lewis. Hndley and Perry enabled (he last-named to sroro for Hndley to goal. Just before time Ferrall gained possession near tho Athletic line, and worked his p va, j over to score an unconverted try. The filial =cores were:—City, 22: Athletic. 11. DEVONPORT V. NEWTON. Tho large crowd at. Devonport was disappointed with Newton's showing against, the local team. From tho outset Devonport displayed its superiority and did most of the attacking. Newton was not up to full strength, Little and Clarke being absentees. Devonport's opening try came as the result of good work by Webb, who easily beat the defence and passed to Seagar. who scored, A. Scott converting. The Newton forwards forced their way to Devonport's territory, where Dufty opened Newton's points with a penalty goal. The Devonport forwards were too strong in the opeu and from a good dash St. George scored, for A. Scott to again goal. Newton was then seen in a splendid passing bout, which gained much ground. Hales burs; 1 , through tho centre, and Dufty carried on the movement. Hall finally scoring a good try. No goal resulted. Wenb and Cleaver were associated in a passing bout and the latter raced over to score near the corner. A. Scott missed at goal. Poor passing spoilt a Devonport attack, and Hardgrave was brilliant in a solo run to halfway, where Mclntyre and Mounan put Newton in a good position. Half-time was called with the scores: Devonport. 13: Newton. 5. Katterns scored for Newton immediately on resuming, but Dufty missed with the kick. Dixon, Ruby and Laing broke away and A. Scott scored a try, which he convened. Then Djxon secured the ball near half-way and scored. Scott failed to improve. Devonport was soon back again. Ruby and Beatlie outpaced the opposition, and tho latter scored. St.. George failed j at goal." Owing to casualties Newton was now playing with il men, and this proved too great, a handicap ngainst so strong a combination. L. Scott was next to score ! and J. Laing added t.he goal points. The final try was registered by Seagar, who beat the opposition in a tricky run. St. George failed to convert, and tho game ended: Devonport, 32: Newton, 8. SENIOR B GRADE. Norlhcote heat Otahuhu by 8 points to 5. Ellerslie defeated Kingsland by 9 points to 5. JUNIOR RESULTS. Second G rade.—Ponsonby. 8. beat Kingsland. 2. Third Grade. —Richmond, fi, beat City, 5: Devonport, 22, beat, Ellerslie, 0. Fourth Grade.—-Devonport, 8. beat Ponsonby. 0. , „ Fifth Grade.—Akarana, 3. beat City, 0. Sixth Grade.—Richmond A. 3. beat Devonport. 2; Richmond B. 6. beat Marist, 3. Primary Schools.—Otahuhu, 4G. beat, Papatoetoe. 0; Onehunga. 8. beat Onehunga Convent, 0, THE SOUTHERN CONTESTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. ( Following are the results of Loaguo football matches played yesterday:—Addington, 14. v. Woolsfon, 2; Hornby. 33. v. Sydenham, 10; Waimairi, 33, v. Mn>rist, 8. DUNEDIN. Sunday. League matches played yesterday resulted: —Athletic, 20, v. City, 10; Christian Brothers, 19, v. Pacific, 5.

W. Pts. Ch. P. L. D. For. Asr. Pts Ponsonby . . 6 4 1 1 97 65 9 Mnriat . . 6 4 2 — 90 64 8 Devonport • . 6 4 o — 132 65 8 Newton . . 6 3 o 1 84 8S 7 Richmond • . 0 2 ;) 1 74 65 5 City . . 6 o 3 1 83 127 5 Athletic . . G — G — 52 154 0