LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19703, 1 August 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

* f MATCHES ON WET GROUNDS

PONSONBY DEFEATS MARIST. GRADE LEADERS OUTCLASSED. The Auckland Rugby League's senior grade competition matches were continued on Saturday on sodden grounds. At Carlaw Park 8000 people witnessed the downfall of the successful Marist team. Ponsonby, playing with great dash, secured a clear-cut victory over the grade leaders. On No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park, Newton, which occupies a prominent position on the? championship table, had a close call against City. Richmond had the better of the game against Athletic, played at Victoria Park, and won comfortably. The results are as follows: Ponsonby, 13, beat Marist, 0. Newton, 14, beat City, 8. Richmond, 21, beat Athletic, 3. The positions of the teams are as follows :

AN ATTRACTIVE GAME. Ponsonby cava an attractive exhibition under conditions usually against its style of play, and beat Marist both back and forward. Marists' display was disappointing, both rear and front divisions attempting to handle the ball instead of keeping it at their feet. Marist was quick to take the advantage of a good run by Gregory. Crewther and Kirwan were responsible for Marist's nest offensive, but Usher intercepted a pass and saved. K Peckham made a brilliant run through the Marist defence, being stopped only a few feet from the line. The Ponsonby forwards, led by Payne and J. Peckham. set up a dashing rush, but Gregory made a brilliant save. T. Peckham made a fine opening and passed to K. Peckham, who dropped the ball when over the line. Ward. Riley arid T. Peckham were associated in a promising passing bout until tlie last-named knocked on a_nd the chance of a try was missed. A minute later K. Peckham missed a transfer with an open field. Usher, however, snapped up the ball in the loose, and passed to Riley, who raced across. . Delgro3So failed to convert. The spell ended a minute later, the scores being: Ponsonby, 3; Marist, 0. Kirwan gained ground with a fine run into Ponsonby's territory. The Mariat forwards swept' over the opposition, and O'Brien and Graham toed the ball to Grey, who proved sound, and saved well a few feet from the line. T. Peckham placed bis side on the attack with a tricky run. The ball travelled along the Ponsonby back line and Kirwan saved a try with a splendid tackle. From the scrum Peckham beat the defence with a clever run round the blind side, and dived over near the corner. Gardiner converted with a magnificent kick. A minute later the Ponsonby forwards bustled Gregory, whose kick was charged by Moore, and from the rebound the latter scored an easy try. which Gardiner acain converted with a fine kick. Brisbane was prominent in a good solo run. Twice in succession Ponsonbv went close to scoring, but. Gregory sent the attackers back. The best, piece of play on the day _was starled when T. Peckham passed to K. Peckham, The ball was p.assed alone the line to Pelgrnsso, who made a brilliant opening and passed to Gardiner, who in-passed again to Delgrosso, the movement, ending inches fr«">m the line. The bell then sounded with the scores: Ponsonby, 13; Marist, 0. A CLOSE GAME. Newton had a. close call against City, which, for a greater part of both spells was always liable to turn the tables. Newton was much stronger in the rear division, and its ability to complete, the work "of its < forwards proved the deciding factor in the final stages. Wetherill led the City backs in a promising passing run and Wadt raced well into Newton's territory before his progress was stopped Hales made a fine run and was tackled only inches from City's line. Dashing play by Pascoe and Spencer removed the danger. Wetherill snapped up the ball and passed 1o Wade, who was unlucky m missing a fry. From some loose play in midfield Mclntyre started a passing bout from which Hargreave scored near the corner. Dufty failed at goal. Duffy's powerful kicking saved Newton, and Rhodes .and Henry followed up rapidly and _ nullified Austin's return kick. City continued to fight hard, its forwards proving troublesome to Newton. Little paved the way for Somers to score the next try. Dufty converted. Wetherill intercepted a long pass intended for a Newton back and raced over fo score. Austin added the goal points. \ The spell ended: Newton. S; City, 5. Newfon was first to attack, and its forwards struggled hard to score. First Clarke, and then Hall, were held up. Good play by Mclntyre gave Hall a chance to show his pace. He kicked the ball beyond Austin and scored. Duffy failed at goal. City immediately retaliated, and Pascoe and Mason dribbled the ball to Newton's line, where Pascoe dived over. Austin faileo to convert. Right on time Mclntyre scored a | try for Newfon. and the game ended: Newfon. 14; City, 8. RICHMOND V. ATHLETIC. Richmond gave a finished display against. Athletic. It, started passing movements from all manner of positions, and won by a good margin. Athletic was successful m repelling Richmond's opening attacks, and for a time held its own. Good play by Hanlon saw Swift made a run to the Athletic twentyfive. where Bass snapped the ball up and raced over. The kick failed. forwards swept over the opposition, and Herring made a good run before passing to Timmins. who scored. Locgville missed at goal. From, s scramble on the Athletic line Hanlon' was awarded a try. Taylor missed an easy goal. Athletic was attacking when half-time was called, the ocores being: Richmond, 6; Athletic, 3. The Richmond backs started a pass-ng bout early in the second spell, and Tay!o~ wan well stopped by Lcngville. The greasy ball cost Athletic a try when Lucas broke away and passed to Angelo. Davis set the Richmond backs in motion, and the oau travelled to Swift, who cleverly cut passed several defenders to score a fine try, which Taylor converted. Then Davis scored from a passing bout and again Taylor goaled. Cood play by Averv and Bryer saw the latter slip wlten h© had teateri From a scrum near Prentice the best of a good opening and Swift raced over, Taylor adding his third. goal. The game ended soon afterwards with t£ie scores: Richmond, 21: Athletic. S. SENIOR B. GAMES. Ellerslie. 13, belt Point Chevalier, 6: Mangere, 16. beat Parnell, 8; Eingsland won by default from N'orthcote. JUNIOR RESULTS. Second Grade.—Hamilton. 22, beat Richmond. 8; Ponsonby 15. beat Marist, 0; Devonport, 12. beat Remuera, 8. Third Grade.—Richmond. 9. beat City, 0. Fourth Grade.—Remuera, 3, drew with Ponsonby, 3; Richmond won by default from Athletic. . Fifth Grade.—City. 3, beat Ponsonby, 0; Akarana, 8. beat Northcote, 0. Sixth Grade.—Richmond, 14. beat Kingsland. 2; Athletic. 5, beat Akarana, 0; Point Chevalier, 8, beat City, 0. GAME AT HAMILTON. [BY TELEGR APH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ' HAMILTON. Saturday. In a League football match at Hinemoa Park to-day. Frankton defeated Huntly by 12 points to 10. PLAY* IN CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. The League football was continued yesterday. Results were: —Sydenham, 20 beat Marist, 10: Waimairi. 7, drew with Aldington, Hornby, 36. beat Woolston, 3.

Pts. Ch. P. W. h. D. For. Ar. Pts. Mariafc . . JO 7 3 — 140 04 14 Newton . . 9 6 2 1 131 110 13 Ponsonby . . 9 6 2 1 128 87 13 Devonport . . 9 ft 3 — 190 92 12 Richmond . . JO 4 5 1 124 103 9 City . . JO o 7 1 313 J 82 5 Athletic . . . 9 — 9 — 72 241 0