LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20259, 20 May 1929, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. FOURTH SERIES OF MATCHES. DEVONPORT DEFEATS CITY. The fourth scries of matches in the Auckalnd llugby League's senior grade competitions on Saturday drew a large crowd to CatiaA' Park, where all four senior games were played. The chief fixture, between Devonport and City, both unbeaten teams proved a great struggle. Uevonport's backs played splendidly in the first half, and scored two good tries, from then on City had all the better of the game, and its forwards played great football. The final stages were very exciting, bt;l City was unable to penetrate Devonport's splendid defence. Ponsonby was successful in beating Richmond in thu 11n-•»I stages of a good game. Marist. and Kingsland played a drawn game ou No. 2 ground, while Newton proved too good for Ellerslie. Tollowng were the lesults ot matches on Saturday: —Devonport, 8, City, 4; I'onsonby, 15, Hichmond, 10; Marist, 18, drew with Kingsland, IS; Newton, 15, Ellerslie,' 7. The positions of the senior teams are as lollows: — « Pts. Fts. Ch. I>. \V. L. D. for, ag: pts. Devonport . . 1 ■* ™ j ;i J?. 1 ? City ... . . 3 1 at 34 b I'onsonby •• 4 :i 1 ~~ jJ ft Newton . ■ 4 ' - 51 " '! Richmond .■ 4 ;!:? . Marist . . 4 - 3 ?' « Kingsland . . -4 o 1 4[ 1 lillerslie .. 4 - 3o t>t 0

DEVONPORT V. CITY. City was penalised early, but Scagar missed at coal from 40 yards out. McLaughlin was prominent. and broke through the centre, Lawrence being stopped a few yards from Devonport's line. FrOm a penalty, Watene kicked a fine goal. Reynolds cleverly exploited a short punt and regained 'possession, but kicked when a pass might have resulted in » try. Rule and McCartlujy broke away and the latter passed to Bcattie, but Watene* saved with a splendid tackle. The new play-the-ba 11 rule clearly puzzled the forwards. City was penalised oDel A. Scott equalised with a nice kick. The forwards continued to dominate the game, until W. Terry opened up play and the City backs went away. City's forwards rushed play to the Devonport line, where iron) a penalty Watene just missed at goal* City fought hard to get over, but the champions ottered a stubborn deience. Sea gar lucked, past halt-way and Tait carried 011 to the Uity twonty-nve. The JJevonporl backs got a chance when Rhodes passed to O'Jjcary. and beager cleverly short-punted past City s threequarters. L. Scott, racing at top speed went over to score a good try. A. scon, failed to convert. , Devonport s backs did a lot of good work in the open, and on one occasion Tait. almost got over. Clips defence was effective, \V. Perry and Watene saving repeatedly. A well-placed kick by A. Scott had City in trouble, and Iverson was cauglit in possession. A scrum lollowed, and again Seagal* displayed excellent judgment by kicking when City s backs lined out to defend. L. Scott took advantage of the position and raced across to touch down. Ruby lailed to convert, City .was attacking when half-time came, with the scores: Devonport, 8; City. 2. , City's forwards soon attacked and billions failed to field. In a flash. Hadley kicked the ball clear, but Clarke toed it over the dead-ball area. Both .sets of forwards were engaged in a stirring battle, witii City's set holding the advantage. A wellplaced cross-kick by L. Scott had City in trouble, but Beattie mishandled and a chance was lost. Barchard and Lawrence broke through Devonport's defence and Hamilton and Pascoe carried play to the goal line. City was awarded a penalty and Watene kicked another splendid goal, t rom this stage the City forwards completely controlled the game, and Devonport fought hard to keep its line intact. E irsi Clark then Iverson went within an ace qf scoring, only to be hurled back into play. The last 10 minutes of the game proved most exciting. Reynolds kept Ihe game close, and relied on his forwards to gain the day. Devonport. put up a wonderful defence. Clark and Hamilton stood out prominently, the former on one occasion actually got over, but was carried back. The game ended: Devonport, S: City, 4. Mr. L. Bull was referee.

PONSONBY V. RICHMOND. The inclusion of Mclntyre behind Ponsonby's scrum proved a deciding iactor in its game against Richmond. Pousonby was better able to finish otf passing- bouts, while Richmond's backs were weak in handling. However, there was little between the teams. Ponsonby attached quickly, and a good run by Riley had Richmond defending. 1 onsonby was awarded a penalty, but Delgrosso tailed with the kick. JenKinson led Richmond s forwards in an offensive which carried play to the Ponsonby line. Telford and Stewart had the defence beaten, but Revell luckiiv aaved. Schofield made a good dash and Riley was held up on Richmond's line. Mincham cleared, and play was sent back to half-wav. Prentice made, a beautiful opening, but Winter luckily intercepted a pass, and transferred to Thompson, Ihe latter sent on to Fagan, who set out with a clear run for -10 yards. Five yards from Richmond's line, his pass to Thompson was knocked on. and a certain try missed. Ponsonby was awarded a penalty, and Delgrosso just missed. A minute later Ponsonby won the ball and Delgrossii short punted. McKinnon lost possession, and Mclntyre snapped up to score a _ good try. Dclgrosso failed to .convert. (rood play by Gardiner placed poujonby in a good position, but McKinnon was lucky to clear. Then Dclgrosso increased Ponsonby 3 score with a. penally goal. Richmond's backs got plenty of opportunities, but the passing was slow. Moore, and Dclgrosso were - associated in clever passing, and ;iguin McKinnon nearly let Ponsonby over. Ponsonby was on the attack when halftime sounded, with the scorc-s: Ponsonby, 5: Richmond, 0. Colebrook started Richmond's backs going hut Hanlon held on when plenty of support offered. Both sides indulged in passing, but the handling was weak and the game uninteresting. Davis passed to Prentice, who made a nice opening, but Mincham was obstructed '2O yards from Ponsonby's lino. Jenkinson broke away but his pass to Davis was wild and Winter cleared with a good kick. Ponsonby's forwards combined well in the open and Gardiner passed to Payne, but Fagan got- offside and a try was lost. Mclntyre then intercepted a pass to race over and score for Ponsonby. Dclgrosso converted. Hamilton made a good opening and - passed to Prentice who crosskicked. Hanlon fielded the ball in great style and passed to Jenkinson who sent Davis over between the posts for Mincham to convert. A few minutes later the Richmond backs combined effectively and, Hamilton scored for Minc.linm to convert, making the scores ten nil. Willi ten minutes to go, Ponsonbv (■♦tacked strongly, and Riley made a brilliant. run through the opposition, but was tackled near Richmond's line. The same plover beautifully beat Richmond's defence end passed to Mclntyre who scored his third try. Delgros«n easily converted and the game ended:— .Ponsonby. 15: Richmond, 10 Mr. H. MeKubrey was referee.

MAI!LSI V. KINGSLAND. The match between Kingsland and Marist resulted in a draw. Tlie game was not a particularly bright exhibition, although the acoiua were nearly even throughout the mutch. With more dash infused into its play, Marist, which was below its usual form, might hav« won. The Marist forwards dominated play from the kick-off but List cleared from a hot attack on the Kingsland line. A penalty awarded to Kingsland saw Longville miss with a difficult kick. A period of dull play followed until Batchelor broke away but he was pushed into touch. Kmart following up by Brisbane enabled O'Brien to secure the ball and pass out to Campbell, who scored, Hickey converting. A tine movement by the'Kingslalld back division culminated in R. Garter getting acrosH the line near the corner. Longville missed with the kick. After a hot attack by Marist Graham scored, Buydon missing the ball as he was about, to field it. Mickey's kick hit the upright. Bustling tactics by the Marist forwards gave them the advantage, but just, on half-time the Kingsland backs forced them back and Marist cleared with difficulty. The spell ended with the scores:—Marist. '8: Kingsland, 3. After half-time Marist attacked and Hassan got over at the corner to score, the kick going wide. A few moments later Kingsland retaliated and Campbell misfieldiug the ball. Longfield picked up and dived over near the posts, the same player converting. A hard-fought melee near tho Marist line saw McLoughlau break through wide nut,, Longville converting. Play went to the other end aud Campbell kicked a penalty goal from a. difficult angle, making the scores even. Moislev was penalised near his own goal and Longville missed (in easy kick. A penalty to Kingslond enabled it to "clear after a hot Marist attack. A magnificent kick by Longville took nlny un fifty yards but Marist. with nn_ effort, cleared. Kingsland came on again and the backs took the game in hand, sending R. Cavter over at the corner, Longville missing tlie kick, Marist then attacked

and from a penalty in Kinijslancl territory O'Brien sent up a high punt, Graham racing through to rather luckily secure the ball and score. Campbell converted. Shortly after Longville evened the score with a penalty from .a difficult position. With a few minutes to go O'Brien was nearly across, Ivingslantl having great difficulty in keeping the Maria! forwards out. Flay ended with the ball in the Marist twenty-five, the scores being:—Marist. IS: Kingsland. 18. Mr. T. Chernside was referee.

NEWTON V. EM.ERSI.IE, Newton scored a rather easy victory over EUeislio in. the game on the No. 'J ground. After a period of close play following the commencement, the result was never in doubt, and Newton ran out comfortable winners l)y a margin of 8 points. The opening stages of the game were marked by hard, even play. A strong attack by the lillerslie forwards saw Mobbs dive for a score, but the try wa3 disallowed. The Newton backs were getting their share of the ball, but could noti penetrate the opposing line. Dutty relieved the pressure on the Newton line with a fine kick. Hard play ensued in the Ellerslie twentyfive and a penalty against the defenders javo Newton a two points lead, C. Dutty putting the ball over from a, bandy position. The Newton backs got possession and a tine Jiassing, movement saw the ball pass out to the «vin'g ivho >npassed to Dufty, but u knock-on held up the attack within a few feet.'of the line. Dufty missed with a good attempt at goal from a penalty goal. near halfway. Htirdgravo, made a brilliant run down the Line from his own twenty-five. He lost possession in Ellerslie territory but he secured the bull again and, after evading several opponents, sprinted over the line wide out. Dufty missed with the kick_. Half-time was- called with the score:—Newton, a; Eilerslie, 0. Two minutes after the commencement of the second spell Dufty kicked a fine field goal from about forty yards out. Ellerslie retaliated and hard work by the pack and repateri thrusts by the backs transferred play to Newton territory where Hemingway kicked a. penalty from wide out. raisins; Kllerslie's first points. Shortly afterwards ilie same player bad another unsuccessful attempt from the same position. A fast follow-up by Hnrrlgrave compelled Mays to force. For a few minutes Ellerslie • was hard pressed' in defending, Tt was making strenuous efforts to even up the score. Rvimble then figured in a determined run. picking up the ball near halfway and racing through the defence. . Ho was pulled down near the line, but just managed to scramble over. , Dufty converted. Newton attacked again but play was held up through an injury to a Newton player. The Newton pack carried on and i-n front of the Ellerslie goal the backs got the ball but Little was unable to force his way across. S. Crew-' flier cleared. Newton returned to the attack. the backs securing the ball, which travelled out to Dufty, who transferred to TTardgrave. the winder, with a lightning dash, eettinsr over wide out. Duffv missing f'>e kick. Shortly before the call of time Tifningway missed a penalty kick from wide out. Then, with a f»w seconds to tro, T'lttlewood scored, concerting his own try. The game ended with Newton ijtt-"king, the scores bein^:—Newton. 15: Ellerslie, 7. Mr. T!'. McC'owal.t was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Following are the results of matches played in the lower grades:— Senior Grade B.—Richmond, 13, v. Parhe"' R?; Nortlicote. 3. v. Otahuhu, 2; Point Chevalier. 14. v. Mangere. 0. Second Grade.—Mount Wellington, 13, v. Ponsonby, 5; Remuera, 10. v. Newton, .1 Third Grade One.n.—Kingsland, 13. v. 1 onsonby A. 0: Glen Eden. 23. v. Devon-po-f. 3; Ponsonby B. 29, v. Ellerslie, 0. Third Grade Intermediate.—Devonport. 2, v. Northcote. 2; Newmarket. 3. v. Richmond. 0; City, 32. v. Mount Albert, 0. Fourth Grade.—City. It. v. Kingsland. S: Aitarana.'36. v.. Otahuhu, 0; Devonport, 39, v. Mount, Albert. 0; Richmond, 2. v. Remuera, 0: Ponsonby. 9. v. Mount Wellington. 0. Fifth Grade.—Marist. 12. v. Citv. 7: Newmarket. fi. v. Akarana, 0: Richmond. 19. v. Kingsland. 0. Sixth Grade.—Richmond. 2.">, v. Akar-na. 0: Devonnort, 0. v. Newmarket. 3: Richmond A. 8. v. Point Chevalier. 0: Otahuhu. 17. v. City. 0: Newton. S, v. Papatoetoe. 0.

NGARUA WAHI A V. HAMILTON". [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COR RESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON. Sunday, 'n a Leasrue football match at Hamilton voatorday Xsjaniav.-ahia defeotcd Hamilton by .24 points, to 7. CTIRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN. Lcasne football matches in Christchurch and Dunedin on Saturday resulted as follows. state Press Association messages:— Christchurch.—Marist, 19. beat Wuiuiaivi, 15: Sydenham. 22, beat Hornby. 9. Dunedin.—City. 44. beat Kaitnnprnta, 20; Christian Brothers A, 32. beat Athletic, 5: Kaifcorai, IS. beat Christian Brothers B. 3.