LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19745, 19 September 1927, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

roope rooster contest. RICHMOND WINS THE FINAL. DEVONPORT'S ONE POINT DEFEAT The final match in the Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition between Devonport and Richmond, played at Carlaw Park on Saturday, resulted in Richmond retaining possession of the trophy, winning by 7 points to 6. Heavy rain and the sodden ground 1 made good football impossible, but the match was always interesting, owing to 1 the closeness of the scores. The teams also met last season in the final of the competition, and on that occasion only one point separated them, Richmond winning by 12 to 11. * An interesting curtain-raiser between Ellerslie, winners ol the B section, and Athletic resulted in favour of the former team. The result gives it the right of a place in the A section. The results were as follows: Richmond, 7, beat Devonport, 6. Ellerslie, 11, beat Athletic, 3. Richmond put up a splendid fight against Devonport, and there was little to choose between the teams. The match was in doubt right up to the call of time. Just before the whistle sounded, the Devonport forwards made a great effort to wipe out defeat. There was plenty of good passing among the forwards, and in this department Richmond was superior. A feature of "the match was Taylor's performance in scoring all Richmond's points. His goal that gave his side victory was a fine effort. A. Finlayson, a prominent Auckland Rugby player, was included in the Richmond team and his play was very impressive. Score in First Minute. Devonport waß first to altack and within one minute of the kick-ofi A. Scott kicked hard over the Richmond goal and L. Scott followed up fast to Bcore near the comer. A. Scott failed to convert. Finlayson led the Richmond forwards m >i dashing rush that swept over the opposition. A great struggle ensued, until Cleaver and Seagar cleared with clever gassing. It was impossible to handle the all and dribbling rushes were resorted to. Jenkmson made a good run down the centre, kicking to Simmonds. whose return was nullified Dy Finlayson. Beattie made a clever run back to midfield and the Devonport forwards carried play well into the Richmond territory. Stewart and Finlayson broke away with the ball at toe. Showing surprising control, they went almost the length of the field, and Simmonds was caught in possession. A mistake by the Devonport backs gave Taylor a chance. He snapped up the ball and flashed over to score a fine try. He failed with the kick. Rhodes set the Devonport backs going and Seagar ran straight for the line. IS earing the Richmond iwen'ty-five, he passed to Beattie, who was tackled just short of the line. Devonport. was penalised and Taylor kicked a good goal. For the remainder of the spell Richmond forwards held the upper hand and did all the attacking. The scores at half-time- were:—Richmond. 5: Devonport. 3. The ground was cut up badly and soon became a sea of mud. Ruby was prominent in a sood solo, the Devonport forwards almost going over. Hanlon was playing a Bound game for Richmond. One of his long kicks was well fielded by A. Scott, who kicked hard and L. Scott was again quick to take advantage of his pace by just beating- H'anlrm for the touch-down. Simmonds failed at goal. Cleaver and Seagar indulged in fine passing. but the greasy ball beat Beattie. The Richmond forwards showed a lot of pace in the opon and Finlayson, Telford and Lennie were associated in short, snappy passing. Simmonds fumbled a high punt, Stewart nearlv scoring. It was impossible 10 recognise the mud-covered forwards when a great battle was waged on the Devonport line. Slowly Devonport forced the play to halfway, where Hanlon made a brilliant save. Davis cleverly worked the blind side, but his pass to Taylor was knocked on and a possible try was missed. Over-anxiety by the Devonport backs cost the side a penalty and amid great excitement Taylor kicked a beautiful goal. Seagar made a brilliant opening and beat three Richmond players in a clever run, out, Jj. Scott failed to hold hi 3 transfer, and Hanlon cleared. The Richmond forwards made a final effort, Finlayson leading them to the Devonport line. The game ended soon afterwards with the scores:— Richmond. 7; Devonport, 6. ELLERSLIE'S GOOD EXHIBITION. Ellerslie showed superior combination and was too good for Athletio in the open. The winners gave a surprisingly good exhibition under the conditions. Both backs and forwards combined in fine passing. The Ellerslie backs opened the game with a passing bout, which ended in Littlewopd being forced out near the corner. Good play by Grogan placed Ellerslie in a good position, but McGregor saved well. The Ellerslie forwards charged a long kick and W. Johnston scored and Cairns converted. Crewther and Grogan were then associated in a clever passing bout, which ended in R. Johnston scoring. The kick was unsuccessful. A few minutes later the Ellerslie backs again raced away and Litllewood scored a fine try which was not converted. The spell- ended:—Ellerslie. U; Athletic. In the second half Athletic showed better form and from a good passing bout Lucas just missed a try. Herring and Courtney headed the Athletic forwards in a dashing rush and McGregor scored an unconverted try. Athletic continued in the ascendancy, but Ellerslie put up a solid defence and there was no further scoring. The game ended:—Ellerslie. 11: Athletic, 3. JUNIOR RESULTS. Senior B Grade.—Ellerslie, 11, v. Athletic, 3. Second Grade.—Mangere, 17, v. Richmond, 3; Remuera 12, v. Kingslana, 5; Devonport, 32, V. Newton, 0. Fourth Grade.—Richmond, 8, v. Devonport. 5; Remuera, 9, v. Ponsonbv" B. 0. Fifth Grade.—Akarana, 5. v. City, 3. Sixth Grade.—Devonport, 30, v. Richmond. 0: Athletic. 6. v. Akarana A 0. Primary Schools.—Newton, 5, v. Otahuhu, 3; a> ewmarket A. 26. ▼. Papatoetoe, 0.