SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19981, 25 June 1928, Page 12

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

THE LEAGUE CODE. HANLON AT FIVE-EIGHTHS. NEWTON OUTPLAYS RICHMOND. CITY SHOWS IMPROVEMENT. The results of the games on Saturday increase Devonport's lead in the championship by two more points, and this team now has a clear lead of six points. Richmond and Newton are equal in second place and Marist and Ponsonby are next equal, being two points further back. Ponsonby, however, has played one move game than Marist. A feature of the match between Newton and Richmond on Saturday was the splendid place-kicking on the part of both Taylor and Dufty. Taylor kicked four penalty goals and converted one try, while Dufty kicked three penalty goals and converted one try. Another feature of the game was the splendid exhibition given by Hanlon at five-eighths for Richmond. Hanlon displayed all-round football brains and gave easily the best exhibition of five-eighths play so far this season. The way he side-stepped and made openings was a treat to watch, and no doubt he must have set the Auckland selectors thinking ft bout his claims to inclusion in the representative team. Hanlon was just as sound on defence and repeatedly saved his team's line when it was seriously threatened. Richmond gave easily its best display for a few weeks past. * Its form was reminiscent of that displayed in the first match or two of the season. The forwards played finely in the loose and tackled <in gleat style. So effective was their tackling that the Newton rearguard failed to combine at all welL G. Stewart was a fine leader, but the whole pack plaved well. Heath did well against such an experienced hooker as Somers. Leng, who replaced Hanlon at fullback, gave a satisfactory display, his two mistakes in handling being quite excusable under the circumstances. Clark Shines Out. Newton would have been an unlucky side to have lost, in spite of the fact its rearguard did not combine nearly as well as usual. Dufty was a tower of strength on defence, but when he moved into first live-eighths he was severely handicapped through Cammick sending out impossible passes. It was pleasing to see Clark play such a good all-round game. In the loose ho was easily the best forward on the ground while lie took his share in the tight work in the most convincing manner he has hq far done this season. Up to Saturday Clark was too much inclined to hold off in the tight play, but his exhibition in this game clearly demonstrated his ability in this department. The Ponsonby backs gave an impressive display against Ellerslie, and their good combination paved the way for several nice tries. Considering the conditions of the turf some good football was witnessed. The passing was crisp and delightful to watch and the handling certain at all' times. Ellerslie received plenty of opportunities but its backs were too slow on attack, while lack of pace prevented them from scoring on several occasions. Both sets of forwards were evenly matched, Ellerslie, if anything, holding its own in this department. Ellerslie was first to gain the ascendancy, and for some time the B section champions of last season appeared certain to repeat their performance in the first round. Mistakes in handling, however, cost Ellerslie two tries in the first spell, and from each fault Ponsonby turned defence into attack. 4 A Pine Try. Ponsonby's try scored by Letton in the second half was the gem-of the match. From a set scrum each back showed good judgment ,in running. Gardiner's burst through the centre gave Letton a chance and the wing threequarter accepted a difficult pass to score a brilliant try. On present form Ponsonby will take a lot of beating. The Auckland representative forward, L. Hutt, played a sound game at centre for Ponsonby and his strong, straight running proved disastrous to Ellerslie. Hutt handled the ball with the ability of a hack and gave his wings good scoring chances. Letton played a fine game 011 the wing, showing good anticipation in supporting Hutt. Schofield did not get many chances but he put in some solid work on defence. The five-eighths, Usher and Delgrosso, displayed perfect understanding with Peckham, who played splendidly on»attack. Thompson at fullback fielded in good style, but bis placements were faulty. Ford and Payne were prominent among the forwards, 'all of whom played well. Gardiner proved a hard man to stop and when played as an extra back he showed up prominently. Ellerslie Lacks Pace. Lack of pace among the Ellerslie backs proved the team's undoing on numerous occasions. S. Crewther was, perhaps, the best of the backs, but he has a bad fault of passing over the head of a supporting back. He cut Speight out twice when tries-looked certain. Hemingway spoiled a good display by dropping passes when chances presented themselves. When moved to fullback, Roxburgh repeatedly saved Ellerslie. Allen was the pick of the Ellerslie vanguard and lie was well supported by Johnson and Page. Playing without the services of Wetherill, Pascoe and W. Hadley, City put up a surprisingly good game against Devonport, which was lucky to win by a twopoint's margin. The grade leaders were fully extended by a team capable of showing still further improvement. Within a few minutes of the start Devonport scored live points, the result of an interception. From then on City had all the better of the game and kept its opponents on the defence. At half-time Devonport led by 8 points to 3. The second half was one of the most exciting seen for years and time and again City just failed to score. On one occasion the bounce of the ball beat Amos after he had the defence beaten. The result revealed a weakness in the Devonport. rearguard, which when bustled, passed wildly, and droppod simple transfers. An Ass3t to City. Beattie and Seagar were at fault on many occasions. Beattie got few chances at centre-threequarter. McLoughlin, who was Beattie's opponent, played up closely and gave the Devonport centre no chance to get going. Seagar and Preston were closely watched by the City five-eighths. Ruby was the pick of Devonport's forwards. O'Brien turned out again and did some solid tackling. A. Scott was prominent in the loose. The brilliant play of Amos and Iverson, at five-eighths, for City was a feature of the game. The former, who only arrived 011 Monday from Canterbury, is undoubtedly the ' find" of the season. He made some clever openings and displayed a remarkably strong fend. Iverson made many fine runs and also shone in excellent tackling. He is one of the most improved players in the competition. Barchard gave a masterly display at fullback. His fielding was certain and his kicking powerful and well-directed. Had»ey played a fine game among the forwards, and was ably supported by Mconald, Hamiltou and Towasend*