LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

games on muddy grounds. PONSONBY AND NEWTON LEVEL. PLAY-OFF FOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The second round of the Auckland Bughy League's senior grade club competition matches was concluded on Saturday, and with Ponsonby and Newton level a play-off for the championship will be necessary. At Carlaw Park 4000 spectators watched * hard forward struggle between Newton and Devonport. The latter team made great efforts in the second spell to upset the grade leaders, and some exciting moJ meats followed, when, ten minutes before time, the match seemed certain to end in a draw. However, a fine penalty goal by Pufty gave Newton a lucky win by *5 fointi to 3. On No. 2 ground at Carlaw 'ark Ponsonby gave a pleasing exhibition of the code, and it scored a comfortable win against Richmond by 19 points to 5. At Victoria Park City beat Athletic by 5 points to 0. The results are as . follows: — Newton, 5, beat Devonport, 3. Ponsonby, 19, beat Richmond; 5. ' / City, 5, beat Athletic, 0. The positions of the teams are as follows :

NEWTON'S NARROW WIN. Newton was hard-pressed by Devonport in two' exciting spells, and although it won by a narrow margin, it was anybody's game. The ground was thick with mud in ' places, and the game developed into a struggle between the sets of forwards. Newton's backs indulged in more passing than iisui»l and they had a shade the better of the open play. Newton was handicapped in the -econd spell, playing without the »srvice3 cf Henry, who retired hurt. Newton was first to attack, but Ruby drove them back with s. good run and McLeod made a splendid save. The sodden ground made good football impossible, but ■the Devonpcrt backs threw the ball about in great style. Seager made a great opening afld ran to Newton's twenty-five, where he passed to Rhodes, but O'Brien was tackled before the movement became dangerous. Devonport continued I to attack and the ball went out to A. Scott, who short-punted, and L. Scott raced over to touch, down a good try. A. Scott failed at goal. Newton's backs replied with a strong offensive, but Dufty dropped a pass from Morman when a try seemed certain. ■ Cleaver made a brilliant rue from halfway and "iin A. Scott arid L. Scott into a scoring position, but his pass to the former was. for ward. From a penalty A. Scott missed an easy shot at goal. Newton's forwards, l ed by Hall, made desperate efforts to get over, but Symonds saved well for Devonport. Newton was successful in getting the ball from the scrum, and just past half-way Mclntyre set his backs going. J>ufty burst through the centre and passed to Little, who raced ov e r to make the scores equal. Good play by Seagar put • Devonport in a handy position, and its forwards swept over Newton, but Dufty he! 3 up the movement. A minute later the spell ended with the scores equal. Early in the second spell, Newton quickly - gained the advantage, and Morman and Mclntyre were associated in a good passing run that gained much ground. From a scrum near midfield Rhodes made a good opening and then passed to Rule. The " ball went on 'to O'Brien and to Benttie who was stormed a few inches from Newton's line. Newton went close to scoring when Dufty made a determined straight run but was tackled before he could pass to Clarke who had a clear run in. After sn unsuccessful kick at goal by Dufty, Clarke followed to fast and just missed a try. Symonds being compelled to force down. A minute later Clarke missed a chance at goal. The match developed into a grim struggle between the forwards and plnv became uninteresting. Newton compelled Devonport to force twice. Xn conseouence of a breach of the play-the-ball rule. Dufty placed Newi6n in the lead with a neat goal-New-ton's backs were givinrr the better display find Mclntyre. Clarke. Hall and Sallen took part in a. passing rush, fallen slipning after 'he had made a nice opening. With five minutes to go T)-o- made a fine solo run to Newton's twenty-five but the movement lacked sunport. The Pevonr.ort forwards continued to threaten the line and. just nn time rushed the ball over Newton's goal, but forced down, and the same ended: Newton, 5; Devonport. 3. :

PONSONBY'S GOOD DISPLAY. Ponsonby gave one of its best displays this season and ita splendid combination proved too good for Richmond. Under adverse weather conditions, and on a ground Covered with mud, Ponsonby started attacking movements from all manner of positions. . , ~ From a series of passing bouts, the bai. went cut to Gardiner, who beat several defenders in a 'dashing ran and _ scored near the corner flag. Swift, Prentice and ■ Bass combined well and Ponsonby was soon defending its goal-line. Good play by Hutt placed Ponsonby on the offensive, but Hanlon proved safe, and his kick found touch near half-way. From the resultant- scrum Delgrosso secured and passed to Gardiner, who sent the ball on to £. * ecliham and he scored. Gardiner converted. Richmond's -backs indulged in mo mucn kicking and oeveral chances to score were lost. Davis made a useful run tonnd blind side but his transfer to Jenkmson was dronped. and Ponsonby was lucky *o save. Then Grey followed up a long kick and scored between the posts. Delgrosso missed an easy goal. , Richmond was getting plenty of opportunities and its best effort was when Davis passed to Prentice from whom it went to Jenkinson The ball travelled back infield to Prentice who raced over to BCO a try which Telford converted The spell ended with the scores: Ponsonby. 14: Rich ttond, 5. Ponsonby's backs were ouick to get goin-. And Cole made a good rim down the side line, missing a fry bv inches only. R ' cl j* *non<3*p forwards continued to get the ball from the scrums, but its backs failed in the heavy ground Time and a train Pr®ntice heat the on-nosing five-eighths, but Richmond's passing was bad and each "movement broke down. Then (jrey kicked hard, over Richmond's line, and Delgrro?so, following up fast, scored. Gardiner failed at er.nl. ■ Gond plnv bv Hutt was well supported by Cole nnd Or-ev. aM the latter carried it on to Richmond's line. Preyed on .the % side line Grey cross-kicked and McNeill lust fry. Ariothp" r roor* rl^r* <=Ti o~ fcnitf paved tjh» wnv for Ponton trv After' the hill to T. PecV!hnm. poorer? nr>r] CynrcliTier conThe prnnie cnrlrcl * Pcnsonny. 19: Kidirnond, 5.

CITY BEATS ATHLETIC. A win by five points to nil about represented the difference in a good game played at Victoria Park between City and Athletic. City had four juniors in ranks and they all performed well. Good play by Lougville put Athletic in a nice position but Wetherill turned the tide in City's favour with a tricky run. that carried play well into Athletic's territory. A dash by Spencer looked dangerous but his pass to Home was for\vard. From a scrum on Athletic's twenty-five. Wade made a run, but Longville tacked well. City was always on the attack, but its backs failed to complete the movements. Good play by Stevenson nearly resulted in a try for Athletic, and Austin was caught in possession over City's line, Wetherill and Perry drove Athletic back and the latter made a good opening for Wade who was ruled out of bounds after he had got over. City was still attacking when the spell ended with no scores on either^side Longville' made several splendid saves early in the second spell, and City s backs Were held up. Perry received a long pass from Reynolds.' and his cross kick was clov erly Gelded by Wade, who was forced into touch only inches from Athletic's line. Afhletic attacked and Lucas. McGregor ant, Witltins raced away but a penalty Raved ■Ci' v Prom a scrum in Athletic's territory Forrall made an opening and passed to Perry who beat the defence, but spoiled a chance by han<?inj£ on. Then Home intercepted a pass and broke away He passed to Ghent, who raced over for Spencer to goaK Several promising runs by Athletic looked dangerous, but City's defence was sound and the game ended:—City, 5; Athletic 0. RESULTS IN OTHER GAMES. Senior B Grade.—Ellerslie, -9, beat Point Chevalier, S. Second Grade.—-Ponsonby, 5, beat Remu*ra. 3; Richmond, 10, beat Marigere, 0; Devonport, 8. beat Kingsland. o.' , Third Grade.—Point Chevalier 16 beat Kewton, 0; Ellerslie, 3, beat Richmond A, 0. , . _ Fourth Grade.—Devonport, 5. beat Ponsonby A, 3"; Ellerslie drew with Kemuera, no score. - , , t Fifth Grade.—Northcote. 8, beat Richmond, 5.

MARIST V. HAMILTON. @ [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. 3 HAMILTON. Saturday. ..A. League game between an Auckland Martsr, senior team and a representative Aumlton team wan played at Hinemoa Park to-day. The weather was fine but the ground was greasy. A spirited game was witnessed, the first half being very even, the scores, eight points each, being a fair indication of the nature of the play. Marists had the better of the second half and added lo points to their score. Hamilton Bcored six points in the second half. The game ended with the score:—Marists, 21; Hamilton, 14. CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. J CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. League football matches played in Christchurch yesterday resulted :—Hornby, 12, v. Addington, 6; Marist, 24, v. Waimari, 0. Sydenham won from Woolston by default.

Pts. Ch. P. \V. L. D. For. As. Pts. Newton . 129 o 1 184 125 19 Ponsoiby , J 12 9 2 1 1ST 105 19 Marisfc . 11 7 4 — 150 114 14 Devcnport . 12 7 5 — 217 113 14 Bichmond . 32 4 7 1 136 140 9 City . 11 3 7 1 US 182 7 Athletic 12 — — — SI 305 0