LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19957, 28 May 1928, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE SEN HOR COMPETITION. PONSONBY BEATS RICHMOND. FAST GAME AT CARLAW PARK. The fifth series of matches in the senior competition of the Auckland Rugby League was played on Saturday under the worst conditions which have prevailed so far this season. A strong easterly wind made matters strenuous for the defending side, while after half-time steady rain commenced to fall. The surface of the ground soon became greasy and the ball difficult to handle. In spite of these handicaps, a fast, open game was provided on No. 1 ground at Carlaw Park, where Ponsonby lowered the colours of the youthful Richmond 13 after a closely-fought contest. Marist secured an easy win over Ellerslie on the No. 2 ground, its rearguard combination being much too speedy and clever for the opposition. At the Domain City defeated a weakened Newton team in another close contest. The conditions interferred with the attendance at Carlaw Park, which was' estimated at about 4000. Following are the results: — • Ponsonby, 10, Richmond, 6. Marist, 26, Ellerslie, 8. City, 6, Newton, 3. The following table shoNvs the present positions of the senior teams: — Points. Chp. P. \V. L. D. For. Ag. Pts. Devonport . . 4 4 Kichmond . . 4 22 Newton . . 5 2 3 Marist *"..4 22 Ponsonby . . 5 2 3 City . . - . 4 22 Ellerslia . . 4 1 3 TAYLOR'S FINE KICKING. Richmond won the toss and played with the wind. Soon after the commencement. Ponsonby was penalised and Taylor kicked a magnificent goal from just inside the halfway line. Ths same player made a fine opening in a passing bout shortly afterwards, but a weak kick spoiled his effort. Schofield was prominent in a run through the opposition, but Stephens failed to accept a transfer when a good scoring opportunity offered. Taylor intercepted cleverly and play was transferred to the Ponsonby twenty-five, but Richmond could not break through a sound defence. Play remained at midfield for a time, and then Cole was instrumental in starting a movement from halfway, which resulted in Moore scoring after several players had handled the ball. Delgrosso kicked a good g<?al. Taylor immediately missed at goal from a penalty m an easy position. The same player made amends by kicking another good goal from the touchline a few minutes later. Taylor took advantage of a further penalty a little later and registered his third goal. There was no further scoring until half-time, the scores being:—Richmond, 6; Ponsonby, 5. Rain was falling steadily when play was resumed. Ponsonby set up an early attack and a passing rush between the backs and towards seemed likely to end in a try, but mishandling spoiled a good chance. Delgrosso. who had moved from centre to second five-eighths, left the opposition standing by cutting through, but he passed wildly and a fine opportunity was lost. Hanlon then made a splendid run, beating half the Ponsonby team. Prentice took a pass from his fullback and made a valiant effort to score, being brought down just short of the line. Some exciting exchanges followed. Then Delgrosso placed' his team one point in front from a free kick beside the posts. With eight minutes to play. Taylor foolishly kicked the ball across to the right wing from a penalty on his own line. Delgrosso took the ball and dashed through to score an easy try, while two or three Richmond players waited for him to pass. He failed with the kick. The game ended without any addition to the scores, which were:— Ponsonby. 10: Richmond, G. Mr. L. Bull was referee. MARIST SCORES HEAVILY. It. Crewther was prominent in Ellerslie's opening attack and a minute later Speight was nearly over, but a pass forward spoiled the movement, from a wild pass, Brady snapped up the ball and made a good run from which Moisley scored lor Gregory to convert. The Marist forwards completely outplaayed the opposition and after Petherick and Keenan had handled m turn, Moisley again raced over to scoro a good try. Gregory again converted. Good play by S. Crewther enabled Ellerslie to resume the offensive and for some minutes its forwards pressed hard on the Marist line. Davies made a great effort to get over, but Gregory's defence was sound. Better luck favoured Ellerslie in its next attack, from which R. Crewther scored a nice try, which S. Crewther converted. Ellerslie was seen in some nice passing bouts, but the defence was sound and twice good tackling saved Marist. Just before halftime Knott raced down the line Nearing the twenty-five he passed to Brisbane, who ran over near the posts for Gregory to goal, the scores being:—Marist, 15; Ellerslie, 5. On resuming the ball became greasy and the Ellerslie backs made a mistake in trying to pass. Twice in succession Speight and Littlewood dropped passes when likely chances offered. From a scrum near midfield, Cronin set his backs going and Hassan made a beautiful opening which resulted in Keenan touching down for the best try of the match. Gregory converted. Headed by Davies, Ellerslie's forwards swept downfield in a good dribbling rush. Gregory was caught in possession, and from a scramble Cooke scored. Crewther missed the kick. 1 The Marist backs had too much pace for Ellerslie, while they handled the wet ball well. A good effort by Hassan was carried on by Brisbane and Moislev raced over to score his third try. Gregory failed to convert. A minute later Moisley scored azain and Gregory failed to convert. The game ended soon afterwards with the scores:—Marist, 26: Ellerslie, 8. Mr. W. Mincham was referee. CTTY WINS AGAIN. Newton fielded a weakened thirteen against City at the Domain, Dufty, Herewini. Hall and Murray being absentees through injuries. Up and down play marked the opening stages, mishandling costing each side likely chances. Hardgrave made a good opening and after a sharp passing bout Herring went over, but was held up. The only score before half-time was registered by J. Hadley, who touched down at the corner after a scramble. Barchard failed to convert. City, 3: Newton, 0. Little ran round behind the posts soon after resuming, but no try was allowed, as it was ruled he lost the ball before touching down. However, Clarke scored a good try a little later, but failed kick. City attacked strongly, nnd had Newton defending hard. Eventually Lawrence scored as the result of a nice rearguard attack. Barchard failed to convert. Newton made desperate efforts to avoid defeat, but the game ended without further scoring, the final scores being:—City, f>; Newton, 3. Mr. A. McKubrey was referee. RESULTS IN LOWER GRADES. Following are the results of matches played on Saturday in the lower grade competitions:— Senior B Grade.—Otahuhu, 8, v. Parnell, 5; Mangere, 11. v. Point Chevalier, 5. Second Grade.—Devonport, 12, v. Remuera, 11; Ponsonby. 7, v. Newton, 5; Richmond won by default from Mangere. Third Grade Open.—Ponsonby, 6, v. Glen Eden, 3: Ellerslie, 2, v. Northcote. 0: Richmond, 17. v. Devonport B, 0: New Lynn, 8, v. Kingsland, 0; Mount Albert. 12, v. Otahuhu, 0: Parnell. 12, v. Devonport A, Third Grade Intermediate.—City, 22. v. Newmarket. 6, Point Chevalier. 7. v. New Lynn, 0; Newton, 20, v. Remnera, 3: Ponsonby, 3, v. Devonport. 3. Fourth Grade.—Northcote, 12. v. Ellerslie. 0; Richmond, 28. v. Point Chevalier. 0; Akarana, 19. v. Otahuhu, 0: Remuera. 11, v. Ponsonby, 3. Fifth Grade.—Athletic, 2f>. v. Browne Bros, and Geddes. 2: Akarana. 2, v. Devonport. 0. Sixth Grade. —Section A: Newmarket, 6, v. Otahuhu. 0. Section B: Devonport. 26. v. Newmarket. 3: Marist, 26, r. Newton. 0; Point Chevalier, 8. v. Akarana, 0. TAUPIRT V. NGARUAWAHIA. [Br TELEGRArn. OWN CORRESPONDENT. | HUNTLY. Sunday. \ League match played at Huntly yesterday resulted:— -Taupiri. 7. v. Ngaruawahia, 6. GAMES IN WAIKATO. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Sunday. League football games played in the Waikato yesterday resulted:—At Hamilton.— Seniors: Huntly, 21, v. Hamilton, 7. Juniors: Hamilton, 8, v. Taupiri, S. At Taupiri: Taupiri. 15, v. Ngaruawahia, 6. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. League matches played at Christcburch yesterday resulted: —Addington. 16, v. Sydenham, 8: Marist, 20, v. Woolston. 2: Hornby, 17. v. Waimairi. 5. DUNEDIN, Sunday. League matches played at Dunedin yesterday resulted :—Christian Broe. Old Boys, 55. v. Kaikorai. 0; City, 7, v. Pacific. 6.