LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19716, 16 August 1927, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

DEVONPORT'S GOOD SHOWING

NEWTON RETAINS THE LEAD.

ELLERSLIE'S B SECTION WIN.

Devouport's fine effort against Ponsonby on Saturday was the principal feature of the League games. The display of the Devonport team was the more surprising considering it was without the services of A. Scott and B. Laing, both of whom were not fit to play. Had the Devonport wing-threequarters played up to first-grade club form the team would probably have won. The three points margin fairly represents the difference between the two teams on the day's play. Ponsonby's win was well deserved,. The ♦earn again demonstrated its ability to turn defence into attack by snappy passing which has characterised its play throughout the season. Some of the Ponsonby movements on Saturday were brilliant. speed and sure handling and clever backing up gaining the side its three tries. The Ponsonby team has become accustomed to sodden grounds and under unfavourable conditions is always ready to open np the game. Saturday's match was a test between the Devonport's formidable front division and the Ponsonby rearguard combination. By its defeat 'Devonport has now lost its chance of winning the championship, but at full strength it will prove a hard team to beat in the Roope Rooster competition. Ponsonby Inside Backs. 'At fullback, Grey gave a fine exhibition for the winners. He fielded cleanly, kicked with good judgment, and passed to his threequarters whenever the opportunity came his way. Grey's play was marred by "speculators," but they luckily /gave Ponsonby relief. Delgrosso played a dashing game on the wing, and passed infield to his centre with good judgment." His defence was superb. Gardiner gave his best display this season, showing more confidence than usual. Usher was quick and elusive. Ponsonby's strongest asset, particularly on attack, was the perfect understanding of its inside backs. Short dashes before sending • the ball to the threequarters stamped Riley as an ideal five-eighths. K. Peckham was also conspicuous and passed with better judgment than usual. ''Behind the scrum T. Peckham proved a good general and did' not lose a chance ef sending his backs away. The Ponsonby vanguard was more solid than brilliant, but each forward handled the hall with the ability of a threequarter. Payne showed a lot of pace in the loose, and his defence was very Bound. iFagan gave excellent support to his backs, while Ward was a tireless worker. Hutt and J. Peckham played good games and' Moore displayed a sound knowledge of back-row forward play. Devonport' Wings Weak. For Devonport, Perry made .few mislakes, but his attempt to prevent Gardiner from scoring was a feeble. one. The wings, Hemingway and L. Scott, were the weak links. Their failure to keep in position proved expensive. Beattie played a game at centre. The five-eighths, Cleaver and Seager, were a well-balanced pair. Cleaver made two brilliant openings in the last few minutes, and on each occasion a try should have resulted. Webb is undoubtedly the most improved player that returned from England. The Devonport forwards upheld their reputation as great battlers, and their deadly tackling jnd speedy following-up almost brought Ponsonby's defeat. Dixon was the best forward on the ground, giving a splendid display. It is to be regretted such a clever player should have developed, an unsound knee. Rule is Devonport's most improved forward and shows promise of still further improvement. Ruby followed np well, but made several mistakes in attempting to pick up the greasy ball. Sadgrove, O'Brien, and St. George worked well in an even scrum. 1 » Newton 1 Wins Easily. Newton' retained its position at the top of the championship table by easily defeating Athletic by 26 points to 2. The winners gave their usual solid » display, and at times their snappy passing nonplussed the opposition. The forwards were again superior in the loose, and each of the front division supported the backs well in passing runs. . Clarke gave a .dashing display, his handling being clean and sur«. Somers is getting back to his best form, and his inclusion as the Auckland representative hooker appears certain. Hall and Henry were excellefit in defence, while their fast following-up nullified the Athletic attacking movements. , Stack and Hammond also played welL Little was the outstanding Newton back. At present he is in his best form. Norman played a, better game than usual, but still" lacks pace when, in possession. Dufty was strong in defence, and dangerous on attack. At halfback, Mclntyre was very elusive. McLeod defended well throughout. Longville played a sterling game for the losers, and is undoubtedly a promising fullback. Angelo, Christmas and Lucas all did well against strong opposition. V Injury to B. Avery. The misfortune that befel B. Avery, Who was carried off with concussion, will be regretted by all followers of the code. It is to be hoped the New Zealand captain will make a speedy recovery, as his able leadership will be an asset in the match against the St. George League Club team from Sydney. The final of the B section competition was played on Saturday, and Ellerslie proved a little superior to Kingsland. Kingsland did most of the attacking in both spells, but was unable to complete j the good play of the individual. Ellerslie has proved a most consistent team, and has. in its ranks several promising players, who would do better in some of the A section teams. Crewther was the best of the Ellerslie players, and the late City five-eighths proved a fine defender. Grogan made several splendid runs, and Shand also played well. The Ellerslie forwards displayed a lot of dash in the- concluding stages. JohnRon, Cook, and Page were the best of the line. For Kingsland, Simms played a great game. He was the best forward on the ground. Flower and McGregor were often conspicuous. List, the Auckland repreeeat&tiv®, get few chances. Herring and were tho best backs.