THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19993, 9 July 1928, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE.

INTERESTING COMPETITION. DEVONPORT STILL IN LEAD. DELGROSSO IN GREAT FORM. The second defeat of Devonport on Saturday has had tho effect of adding much more interest to the senior championship. With fou/ more matches still to be played to complete tho round, the lenders arc by no means in a safe position, and should they suffer another defeat the final matches will bo fought out amid the greatest enthusiasm. Newton failed badly on Saturday against, a more superior and more finished Ponsonby team. It was as much different Newton side from the ono which defeated Devonport on the previous Saturday, but at the same time the old football axiom, "a team can only play as well as tho other team lots it," amply sums tip the position. Ponsonby adapted itself much better to the conditions than its opponents and if anything was superior both back and forward. There were several changes made in the Ponsonby back division. Schofield played fullback.' K. Peckham and Litton on the wings, Moore, centre. Thompson arid Delgrosso, five-eighths, and T. Peckham. halt. J. Peckham took .Moore's place in. the forwards. Under the adverse conditions which prevailed on Saturday the game was an exceptionally good one. the manner in which the Ponsonby inside backs handled tho ball being quite a treat to watch. Splendid tackling and loose rushes by the Ponsonby forwards, supported by clever handling and smart cutting-in by the inside backs, proved Newton's undoing. Peckham and Delgrosso. It was pleasing to see T. Peckham back to the top of his form, and lie gave an excellent display. He- mado many fine openings, often leaving the opposition "grabbing tho air." His defence showed a remarkable improvement, while his combination with Delgrosso was easily the best combined inside back plav seen this season. "Delgrosso played a magnificent game, both on attack and defence. He was here, there and everywhere, first piercing tho defence by clever play, and next holding up opposition attacks just as cleverly. Without tho slightest, doubt Delgrosso gave the finest exhibition seen at C'arlaw Park for some time. Delgrosso's kicking was also a feature, and, altogether, ho registered eleven of his team's seventeen joints. Thompson, who usually plays fullback, made a good connecting link in the chain and was responsible for scoring a very fine try, besides being very sound on defence. " Moore was .also a very solid defensive player, whilo both K. Peckham and Litton* proved themselves good individualists. Tho Ponsonby forwards were a hardworking set. and all did their full share of the work. Gardiner gave easily his best exhibition to date. The less said about tho Newton backs, with the exception of Murray and Wilson, the better. Dufty, except for welliudged high kicks, was right, off his game. Herewini was injured early, and when Murray took up the fullback position, lie pave a good all-round display, saving his team repeatedly with well-placed kicks, while he was not afraid to go down to opposing rushes. Wilson played a sound game, but Cammick was clearly not at home under the conditions. Newton Unlucky. The Newton forwards, although not playing so well together as usual, stowed up well in good dribbling rushes, and were unlucky in not scoring on ono or two occasions. Hall, Rhcdes and Clark were the most prominent. The game between Marist and Devonport will go down on record as ono of the g.-eatest battles seen at Carlaw Park for many seasons. Marist's narrow win was full of merit, as the team was two points behind at the interval, and against a howling gale had all the better of the second spall, eventually scoring a try and.winning by one point. Tho whole pack played grand football, adapting themselves to the cqnditions in a finished style. The losers were by no means put of it and at times beat Marist at its own game. Rarely has such high-class play among forwards been seen at Carlaw Park. Although the vanguards were well matched Marist had slightly the better of the play. The ground was greasy, but tho backs were often prominent in good passing runs. The Devonport backs were not at home in the conditions, but, nevertheless, some excellent individual work was accomplished. Both sides were seen to advantage in some solid tackling, especially in the second spell, when tho forwards were battling for supremacy. Many exciting incidents occurred late in the game but a good, clean spirit prevailed throughout. A Sensational Opening. Devonport made a sensational opening and almost from the kick-off, Sea car scored a splendid individual try. The winning trv was scored by .T. O'Brien, who actually snatched the ball out of Simons' hands to dive over near the corner. To individualise the best of Marists forwards would in no way belittle any of the vanguard, so well did it play. The form shown bv O'Brien, however, was a feature of Marist's win, and the ex-New Zealand representative played a great game. It waS O'Brien's first game this season, and he displayed surprisingly good form. Usually a frontrow forward, he played with distinction as the last man down. Kecnan and Noble were always prominent in the loose, as were Johnson arid Graham. The last-named was lucky to escape the notice of the referee when he made an unnecessary kick at Simons. Campbell did well in getting the ball for Marist. Gregory was not a success at' fiveeighths. which position he occupied in the first half. Ho kicked too much, the ball on three occasions going over the deadball line. At fullback, however. Gregory saved Marist with masterly fielding and excellent placements. Brisbane was the pick of the threerinarters, and ho showed splendid individualism in scoring two fine tries. Brisbane was also good on defence. Promising Five-eighths. Hassan, who changed places with Gregory, made some good openings and is undoubtedly a promising five-eighths. Cronin was prominent behind the scrum and took advantage of O'Brien's clever play. The wings, Nasey and Batchelor, ditJ not get many opportunities. Webb gave a 'disappointing display at fullback for Devonport and was overshadowed by Simons, who replaced him in the second spell. Beattie was not at home under the conditions, failing to make anv impression on attack. Seagar played well in the first half, l>ufc later failed to show up when his team was losing the ball from the scrum. Cleaver was Tn every movement and did a lot oi good work on defence. Rule played a splendid came and was tho best of Devonport's forwards. His future inclusion in the pack should be certain. A. Scott proved an able leader, savin" his side on numerous occasions by clover kicking. Ruby was injured early and was not seen to advantage. Dixon played well, his dashing run iu the second spell almost resulting in a try.. St, George was prominent in tho loose but O'Brien lacked condition. Ellerslie gave its best display to date on Saturday, uik.l cusily clGfcatcu City, the form of which was disappointing iu view of the good games it played against Devonport nud Ponsonby. Weak tuckling was a. noticeable fault in City's play, and all of Ellerslie's tries were st*>red through weakness in this departmentNeither side displayed good team yprk but there were some fine individual efforts. Elierslie had all the the scrum work but City's rear division had the better of the play in tho loose.