LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19727, 29 August 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

7HE championship final. I NEWTON DEFEATS PONSONBY. COAL-KICKING WINS MATCH. The Auckland Rugby League's senior grade club championship was decided at / Carla-.v Park on Saturday, when a crowd estimated at over 12.000 saw Newton win a splendid game against Ponsonby, the present champions, by six points to three. The football was exciting through out, and the game was played at a fast /pace. - In the first spell Ponsonby, which did most of the attacking, fed by an unconverted try to mi. Iu the second sespon, Newton's forwards, although they jailed to score, outplayed the old fhampion's. An exciting incident occurred three minutes beiore the gams ended With the scores four to three m Newton's favout, Ponsonby made a great effort, and succeeded in beating all but Herewim, who snapped up the ball, ran toward the goal posts, and kicked s» magnificent field goaJ from 40yds. out The positions of the teams at the close I cf the championship are as follows: Pts. Ch. P. T7. L. D. For A sr. Pts. Kewton . . 13 10 2 1 190 128 21 Ponsonby ..13 9 o 1 130 11 19 Marist . . 11 7 4 JDevonport . . 12 7 5 Richmond . . 12 4 7 1 136 140 9 City . . 11 3 7 1 118 162 7 Athletic . . 12 . 12

WELL-EARNED SUCCESS. Newton's success in winning the 1927 club championship was well-merited. Althougn eoal kicking gave it • the advantage, on the day it was the better team. The Newton forwards gave a dashing display of fast following up and deadly tackling. Their passing in the open was the best seen this Beason. Ponsonby's attack was patchy, and at times its form was below the usual standard. A feature of the game was the deadly tackling, and stoppages were treQuent. Ponsonby was quick to take advantage of a mistake by Herewini. and Deigrosso was tackled well into Newton's territory. Both teams were a little cautious, and their handling was weak Good play by Clarke put Newton in a good position, but Grey saved in brilliant style. Herewini slipped and failed to reach a. short punt, McNeill racing on to score an easy try. Deigrosso missed at goal Ponsonby. 3; Newton. 0. The Ponsonby backs indulged in several passing bouts, sound tackling holding them in check. One movement was a particularly bright one, T Peckham handling the ball tb:ee times in the rush. Good play by Cl'rke placed Newton on the attack. Its backs attempted to drive the advantage home but Grey saved with a fine kick. Mclntyre made a clever run round the blind side, but Grey saved. From loose play near midfield, T. Peckham beat the opposition and gained 30 yards in a spectacular run. the movement ending on the Newton line. Over-eagerness cost Ponsonby a penalty and Dufty found touch with a great kick. T. Peckham made a clever run and Usher cross-kicked. Herewini missed the bounce, but Little's pace saved Newton. Ponsonby was doing most of the attacking and several times Herewini was badly bustled. Usher beat three opponents in a sensational run to half way. Mclntyre however, was_in brilliant form and several times saved Newton. The spell ended with the scores:—Ponsonby. 3: Newton, 0. Newton faced the sun in the second half hut in spite of the disadvantage its backs set up an immediate attack, a fine run by Little gaining ground. Ponsonby was unfortunate in losing. Usher, who retired hurt. Hutt went from the scrum to the wing. In & fine passing run, Dufty cut in and ran Hardgreave »into a scoring position, but the latter slipped and a possible trv was lost. For a scrum breach. Ponsonby was penalised and Dufty kicked a magnificent goal from the sideline. Ponsonby attacked for a short time but Newton was soon back again. Twice the Newton forwards broke •through in massed formation. But Grey •was always reliable. A good ran V>y Hutt gave Ponsonby a chance, but his pass to Gardiner was knocked on. The ball came out to Morman who shortpur.ted, and Clarke bent Grev for the bounce. With a clear field Clarke toed the ball within two feet of the line, where he attempted to pick it un and knocked on. A minute later. Ponsonby was penalised for ofr-side play and Dufty placed Newton in /the lead with a good goal McLeod beat Rilpv, but Dele-rosso nullified his pass to Little, and a try was averted. Ponsonby kept up the pressure. Its chances, however, vrerf» ended when Herewini cleverly snapped up tbe ball and polled a beautiful field goal. The*game ended:—Newton, 6; Ponsonby, 3. REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. i PLAYERS FOR TOUR SOUTH. ( The following players have been selected to represent the Auckland team on its tour in the South Island:— —Gregory (Marist), Dufty, Little (Newton),. Brisbane (Marist), List (Kingsland), Wetherill (City). Rile? (Ponsonby). Prentice (Richmond), Webb (Devonportl, McTtityre (Newton). Forwards.—O'Brien (Devonport), Somers, Hall. Clarke (Newton), Hutt, Payne (Ponsonby). Dixon (Devonport), Bass (Richmond). v Players unable to make the trip are requested to notify the selectors immediately. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. The junior selectors. Messrs. Davis, Hopkinson and Short, will select a team to travel to Rotorua next Saturday from the following players:—Casey. Paltridge. Hunt (Devonport), Stevens, Wilson (Ponsonby), Ronage, D'. Ross (R-emuera), J. Davis, Barrett (Richmond), Bissett. Clarke (Athletic), Crura, Firth (New Lynn), H. Carter, Ramn (Kingsland), J. Boddy, Craike (Mangere), Hemming (Glen Eden). Players are resuested to attend the League Xoom3 to-morrow evening.

GAMES AT CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. J CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. League football matches played at Christthurch yesterday resulted:—Hornby, 14, -v. Sydenham, 6; Addingfon, 16, v. Marist, 16. OTAGO DEFEATS WEST COAST. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Saturday. The first League representative match of the sea.son wan played at the Caledonian ground this afternoon between Otago and West Coast. Otago won by 11 points to 9. The., conditions made really good back play impossible, but a fair-sized crowd witnessed an interesting game, with more than occasional fla3he9 of brightness.