LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19679, 4 July 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

MARIST-DEVONPORT MATCH. TEAM CAPTAIN ORDERED OFF. REFEREE CAUTIONS BOTH SIDES. The Auckland Rugby League continued its second series of Hub competition nntlclies in tlie second round on Saturday under adverse weather conditions. At Cnrluw Park a fine game was witnessed between Marist' and Devonport. Heavy rain during the week had made a sodden playing area, but a high standard of play was maintained, particularly in the opening spell. In the second spell the game was keenly contested, and O'Brien, the De.vonport captain, was ordered off. Both teams were also called together by the referee, who issued a general warning. The incident marred one of the best struggles seen this season. Marist, bv defeating Devonport, is now at the top of the championship table. On No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, Richmond had the'better of the game against City. The Auckland League was compelled to postpone the Newton-Ponsonby game owing to the ground being considered unfit for play. The ground was closed by order of the City Council authorities. The results were as follows: Marist, 16, beat Devonport, 6. Richmond, 16, beat City, 11. The positions o£ the teams to date aro as follows: Pts. Ch. P. W. L. D. For. Ag. I'ts. Marist . . 8 (5 2 140 140 70 12 Devonport '. . 8 5 3 Ponaonby ..6411 97 <55 9 Newton .. 7 4 2 1 103 09 9 Richmond . . 8 3 4 1 10L 95 7 City .. .. 8 2 5 1 97 153 5 Athletic . . 7 MARXIST'S GQOD WIN. Superior team work, aided by the dashing play of its forwards, gave Marist a good win against Devonport. Within ten minutes of the commencement of play Devonport had scored two unconverted tries. Mariat, however, soon settled down and for the majority of the time did all the attacking. Kuby and Beattie headed a strong offensive by Devonport, but Gregory saved. Keenan and Graham removed play to midfield. where Brisbane made an oxjeriing and passed to Sweeney, who kicked too hard. Perry forcing. Devonport's backs threw the ball about in good style, and from a scrum in the Marist twenty-five, the ball came out to A. Scott, who cleverly short-punted, and in an exciting race between Beattie and Knott, the former opened Devonport's points with a good try. A. Scott failed at goal. O'Brien broke through the Marist defence, and Rule and Douglas improved the position. Round the blind side Webb made a great opening for L. Scott, who raced over and scored a fine try. which A. Scott failed to improve. Devonport continued on the attack by winning the ball from the scrums. The Marist forwards were equal to every onslaught, and Keenan and O'Brien were prominent in clever dribbling that swept over Devonport's defence. Noble joined in the movement and kicked the ball to Perry, who fumbled it. Graham bustled the Devonport fullback, and dived over to score. Gregory converted. Another great charge by Marist forwards proved irresistible and Graham scored his second try. Gregory missed at goal. Good play by Rule saw Ruby secure possession, but Brisbane nullified his pass' to O'Brien and the chance of a try was missed. Gregory proved a solid defender and twice cleared the Marist line. Brisbane snapped up the ball in the loose and after several players had handled in a brilliant passing bout, John son raced in and scored. Gregory converted. At half-time the scores were:—Marist, 13; Devonport, 6.

Webb made a run from half-way. lack of support spoiling a likely chance. At this stage the difficult conditions considerably hampered the players. Sweeney set his backs going, and Brisbane made a fine opening, but Kirrnan missed a difficult pass and Devonport was lucky to save. Twice in succession Harist forwards swept over the opposition, and each time Perry was caught in possession. The game developed into a great battle between the forwards, and at times it bordered on roughness. Several cautions were administered and they had a good effect. A dash by Moisley was well supported by King, and Keenan carried play to the Devonport line. Here Webb was seen in some clever work and from his own goal line he started a passing bout that ended in L. Scott finding touch near half-way Marist forwards swarmed round Devonport's goal line, where Perry was slow to clear. Kirwan kicked the ball over the line for Graham to secure and score his third try. Gregory missed an easy goal. Mari3t continued in the ascendancy, and Brisbane made a determined run through the. defence, but Knott missed his pass, and Seag&r saved. Devonport s backs were getting p ! er:ty of chances, but each passing movement, saw the ball kicked. When Marist, was attacking Q«Brien, the Devonport captain, was ordered off and for a time Loth sets of forwards engaged m a desperate struggle near Devonport s line. Webb proved elusive, and ho paved the was for L. Scott to carry play well into the Marist twenty.five. Each Devonport offensive saw Marist prove eoual to the occasion, and the bell sounded soon afterwards with the scores:—Marist, 10; Devonport, 6. RICHMOND V, CITY. Richmond proved a little too good for City in a game that was marred by the muddy state of the ground. The winners did most of the attacking and . their backs were superior to the opposition rearguard. Prentice soon opened the attack and he sent Parkes and Jenkinson away in a good passing bout that ended on City a line, where Wetherill saved. Spencer and Hadley led the City forwards in a sweeping dash that nearly ended in a try. I 4 rom some loose play. Parkes snapped up the nail and evaded several City defenders to score near the corner. Taylor failed to convert. Then Hadley missed a kick at goal from a good position. Richmond's backs attacked hotly and the ball came out to Swift, who almost, got over. Spencer and Pascoo broke away Hanlon repelling the attack, t.ood play 'by Parkes gave Richmond a chance and Davis dived over to score. lay tor missed the kick The Richmond forwards, headed by Bass and Stewart, rushed play to Godkin. who made a mistake, and quickly Telford battled hin way over. Tay or converted City's backs now played better, arid Ferrall started a passing run. m which pace and sure handling almost gave Lewis a try. Better fortune favoured City m its next offensive, and Wetherill passed to Perry who performed a perfect dummy and Wade raced over to score near the corner. The kick by Hadley missed. Just before the spell ended Taylor kicked a penally goal for Richmond, which then led bv 13 points to 3. , ... . Richmond was first to attack find Purkcß passed to Hanlon. and the fullback almost beat the whole City team in a brilliant side-stepping run. City was pressed for many minutes, until Jenkinson broke away and -Parkes broke through the centre. Swift scored a pretty try. which Fay lor failed to improve. Pascoo and Hadley headed a forward rush from which Godkin was awarded a try. City still had a winning chance and twice Spencer and Mackie went close in scoring efforts. Richmond was penalised and Wetherill added n- goal for City. A final effort, by the City hacks saw Perry make a fine opening, but the defence was solid. City was attacking when the bell sounded, the scores beingßichmond. 16; City, 11. SENIOR B MATCHES. Kingsland. 23. beat Parnell, 7; Ellerslie, 13, beat Otahuliu, 0. JUNIOR RESULTS. Third Grade.—Richmond A. 3. beat Richmond B, 0; Ellerslie. f>, beat Point Chevalier, 3; Devonport, 0, beat Kingsland, 0. Fourth Grade.—Athletic. 38, beat Ellerslie, 2; Devonport, 21. beat Remuera, 0. Sixth Grade.—City B. G. beat Athletic, 0. RESULTS IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PEESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. League football matches played to-day resulted:—Albion. 47, v. Petone, 11: Hutt, 3. v. North, 0. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. League football matches played at Christchurch to-day resulted:—Hornby, 9, v. Marist, 8; Waimniri, Id, v. Sydenliam, 8. DDNEDIN, Saturday. League football matches played in Dunedin to-day resulted as follows:—Kaikorai, 9. v. Pacific, 3; Athletic, 19, v. Christian Brothers, 3.