LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19715, 15 August 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS.

PONSONBY BEATS DEVONPORT. ELLERSLIE WINS B SECTION. The Auckland Rugby League continued its senior grade competition matches on Saturday. After heavy rain the grounds were in a sodden condition. About 7000 people witnessed an exciting game at Carlaw Par!: between Ponsonby and Devonport. Ponsonby was a shade the bettei team and won by three points.* At Victoria Park Newton had a comfortable win against Athletic. Owing to the bad state of the playing field at the Domain, the gamo between Marist and City was postponed. In the final of the B section, Ellerslie beat Kingsland by 9 points to 3. Ihe results are as follows: — Ponsonby, 9 beat Devonport, 6. Newton. 26, beat Athletic, 2. The positions of the teams are as follows :

PONSON BY 'S COMBIN A TIO N. Ponsonby's better combination was shown to advantage against Devonport in a closelycontested game, in which Devonport was at times a littlo unfortunate in not adding to its score. The winners again proved themselves a well-balanced team and both backs and forwards showed splendid teamwork. In the second spell Devonport made strenuous efforts to equalise the scores and on occasions its back division out-played Ponaonby. Ponsonby's backs opened up the play with a splendid passing bout and the ball was passed to Delgrosso. who made ground with a good run. Peckman was prominent in a sensational run through the opposition, but his pass to K. Peckham was forward. Good play by Webb put Devonport on the attack and Ruby charged Grey's kick. From a scrum near midfield Webb gained 40 yards in a great run, before he pass&d to Scott, who was tackled only a few feet from the Ponsonby line. A clever cross-kick by Soagar was fumbled by Hemingway when an open field was presented. Ward and Mooro transferred operations to Devonport's territory. From a scrum T. Peckham "dummied" his way past the Devonport inside backs and passed to K. Peckham. who scored. Gardiner's kick hit the upright and rebounded. Devonport replied with a strong forward offensive. Dixon cut in brilliantly and passed to O'Brien, who short-punted over the Ponsonbv line. Beattie scored, but St. George failed to goal. Ponsonby was quick to attack and Delgrosso threw a long pass to Gardiner, who beat Perrv and scored a good try. Delgrosso failed to goal. Headed by Dixon, the Devonport forwards rushed olay to the. Ponsonby twenty-five, whore Hemingway kicked hard and in an exciting race Rule scored a try for Devonport. St. George foiled to convert. With the scores equal. Devonport was twice forced. T. Peckham again made a brilliant onening and finally Usher raced over neaT the corner. Gardiner was unsuccessful with the kick. The spell ended with the scoresPonsonhv, 9; Devonport. 6. A brilliant run by Gnrdiner was well stop ped by Beattie. Webh made a splendid opening and each back handled in turn until the hall came to L. Soott, who was collared a few feet from the Ponsonby line. Cleaver made a fine run to near half-way, but Seagar fumbled the greasy ball and a chance was lost. A moment later Seagar was tackled just in time to save a try. Twice in succession Cleaver made fine openings, but his nasses were delayed a little long. Good play by Ruby and Sadgrove saw the latter forced out in the Ponsonby twenty-five. In the last stages Devonport continually attacked, but the Ponsonby defence was sound and the game ended: Ponsonby, 9: Devonport, F>. NEWTON'S EASY WIN. Newton's well-balanced combination proved too superior for Athletic and the grade loaders won easily. Athletic put up a good showing in the first spell, its splendid defence keeping Newton from adding points rapidly. Early in the second spell Athletic had the misfortune to lose its captain, B. Avery, who was carried off the field suffering from concussion. Within one minute of the kick-off Dufty kicked a penalty goal for Newton. _ A good passing bout between Mclntyre, Little and Clark ended in the latter scoring. The kick failed. Good play by Lucas gave Avery a chance and he missed scoring by inches. Athletic continued to press, but its movements lacked' finish. Newton then launched a sweeping offensive and Dufty made a fine opening, from which Hall scored. The spell ended with the scores: Newton. 8; Athletic. 0. The Athletic forwards soon asserted themselves and Herring made a good run and passed to Cavanagh. but Avery knocked-on and missed a certain try. Mclntyre opened up the attack and Dufty paved the way for Clark to score. Dufty goaled. Newton soon scored again. This time Mclntyre added a fine try, which Dufty converted. From Hardgrave. the ball was handled by six players and scored. Dufty goaling. Good play by_ Christmas put Athletic in a good position, but Hardgrave snapped up a wild pass and raced down the line and passed to Somers. who dashed over. Dufty converted. Just on time Lucas kicked a penalty goal for Athletic and the game ended: Newton, 28: Athletic, 2. ELLERSLIE V. KINGSLAND. The final of the B section resulted in a good win for Ellerslie against Kingsland, which was by no means outclassed in a well-contested game. Kingsland was superior throughout the first half. Its forwards, led by Simms, swept play to the Ellerslie territory, where Herring made a great effort to score. Then from a good passing bout List raced over. The kick failed. This was the only score in the first spell. Kingsland continued on attack, but its movements lacked the necessary finish. In the last 15 minutes Ellerslie played exceptionally well and, after dashing play by Took. Slater scored from a forward scramble. Then Crewther broke away and Grogan. who scored a fine try. Ellerslie's last try was gained by Cook and the game ended: Ellerslie, 9: Kingsland, 3. SENIOR B GRADE. Northcote, 5, beat Otahuhu, 2. JUNIOR RESULTS. Second Grade. —Devonport, 3,, beat Ponsonby, 2 (Devonporl has now a clear lead for the championship); Mangere won from Marist by default. Third Grade.—Ponsonby, 8. beat New Lynn, 0: Athletic, 5, beat Devonport, 0: Richmond B. 6, beat City, 0. Sixth Grade.—Point Chevalier, 27, beat Akaruna, 0. > SCHOOL ■REPRESENTATIVES. Tho following players have been chosen to represent the primary schools in a League match at Taupiri on Saturday:— Fullback, Glover (Onehunga Convent): three-quarters, T. Hick (Newmarket); S. Fountain (Otahuhu), C. Kelly (Otahuhu); five-eighths, D. Baird (Richmond), O. Moody (captain) (Onehunga Convent); halfback. L. Gtibb (Papatoctoe): forwards. S, Whye (Otahulin), A. Crook (Richmond). E. Ramsay (Richmond). N. Forder (Otahuhu). C Wiberg (Onehunga). C. Yule (Richmond). Reserves: Backs, E. Hedge (Otahuhu). J. Coulam (Richmond): forwards. E. Ford (Newmarket), N. Mtvncastnr (Papatoetoe). All players-are requested to attend training at tho Domain to-morrow and Thursday at 4.30. DULLER DEFEATS CANTERBURY. ['by telecrafh.— press association.] WESTPORT, Saturday. Before a large attendance the Canterbury Rugby League touring team to-day played the first match of its tour, suffering defeat at tho hands of Buller by 20 points to 10. The game was fast and open. Canterbury established a lead of 10 points in tho first spell, but in the second spell Buller had-the better of the game. Goodall, for Buller. played brilliantly, scoring three tries and converting one. For Canterbury Curtin. Blacaby, Blazey and Woods were outstanding.

Pts.