LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20283, 17 June 1929, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR COMPETITION.

DEVONPORT BEATS PONSONBY.

WJN •• IN THE FINAL STAGES. A record-crowd, estimated at 12,000, on Saturday witnossed a; great'game at Carlaw Park, in which Ponsonby put up a splendid < ! fight -against, Devonport. Tho matcl) was the cliief attraction in' the first series in the second round of" the Auckland Rugby League's senior competition. Play was' most exciting when the two teams were, equal in scoring . halfway through the second spell. A draw seemed likely, but tho Dovonport forwards were successful in breaking, through the opposition, and scoring a try four minutes-be-fore time. On. the day the bettor team won and Devonport. has now n. clear lead in .the championship. On tho No: 2 ground Marist narrowly beat Newton in au even contest, in the, curtain-raisers City beat Kingsland and Richmond defeated Ellerslie. The results were as follows: Devonport, 10; Ponsonby, 5. City, 13; Kingsland, 8. * | Rjclmiond,' 10; Ellerslie, 5 Marist, 20; Newton, 19. Following are the positions of < the teams: — , Fts.Pte.Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pis. Devonport . ~ 8 7 1 135 05 15 Pousouby , . 8 6 2 City * ... .. 8 5 3 Newtou ..853 Richmond ..73 4 80 79 ti Marist ... 8 2 4 2 111 115 ti Kingsland ..715 I 76 139 3 Ellerslie . 8 8 00 134 • PONSONBY V. DEVONPORT. Soon after the commencement of the match between Ponsonby and Devonport Simons made a Sue ruu and passed to L. Scott, The wing set out for the corner and when pressed passed - infield to' Beattiol but'Delgrosso saved With a fine tackle. Fast, ooeu l>lay followed and Ruby and McCartliriy swept over Ponsonby in n dashing forward movement. Beattie made a good individual effort to ope"n ud play for L. O'Lear.v. Delgrosso was tho first Ponsonby back to show up and he cleverly beat Seagar, but elected to kick when the backs supported. _ Then Seagar had a great chance, but failed to notice T. O'Lear.v on the inside.- • Riley penetrated Devonport'? defence, but his pass to Hutt was low and Ponsonby lost a chance of -scoring. Payne and Fagau led Ponsonby 'a forwards and Thompson gave excellent support. Delgrosso missed at goal from a penalty. Ponsonby was winning the ball from the-majority of scrums, but Seagar and' O'Lear.v defended stubbornly. Tho Devonport- forwards auickly changed the run of play and Ruby kicked to Delgrosso. The Ponsonby captain missed badly and MeCurthny and St. George toed the ball,on. With a clear run in the two forwards attempted to pick the ball up, fell over, and missed a certain try.,- Ruby and Dixon headed a dashing forward rush, which enoed ill- Casey scoring a fine try, which Seagar converted. Riley evaded several defenders, but Schofield; was out of position for the final pass. Ponsonby had several opportunities on attack, but each movement lacked finish. A high 'kick beat Moove, but'in the face of charging forwards, the Ponsonby fullback recovered and wildly speculated, successfully kicking the ball past halfway. Just.- before half-time Hutt and Skelton bi-oko away, but Simons saved brilliantly. The score-was:—Devonport, 5; Ponsonby. 0. A. nice run by I*. O'Leary. followed by a clever cross-kick, bad Ponsonby in trouble, but, Moore took a timely mark. Delgrosso adopted "the same tactics as in the first half and found tho line with' three backs in support. From a scrum Dixon received a pass, but- was tackled inches from Pousonbv's line. Here from u scrum Coughlan made a fine effort to score. The Ponsonby forwards fought hard to keep their line illtact. Pagan being prominent. Thompson found an openfhg in Dcvonport'e defence and passed to lliley, but Scott stopped Schofield hear tho corner. Hutt ui3de a great individual effort to get over, being thrown into touch. The same player, however, did good work in the loose and from a. scramble dived over with Rule. The referee's decision—a try" to Ponsonby—was followed by applause when Delgrosso kicked a fine goal from the side-line. For a time the Ponsonby iorwnrda had the better of the game arid crave splendid support to ihe baCkft. From a scrum near halfway Mclntyre passed to Delgrosso and Riley outpaced Beattie in an exciting run. However, fhompsou iust failed to reach a pass which may have resulted in "a try. Ponsonby was now fighting hard to obtain the advantage avid twice Devonport was compelled to force. Ilison and Rule raced through with Hie ball at toe and at the critical moment Moore; tonsonb.v's fullback, slipped. Dixon kicked over the line and McCarthy scored the winning try. Seagar converted." The game ended with the scores: —Devonport, 10; Ponsonby, 5. Mr. L. Bull was referee. CITY V. KINGSLAND.-' . . Kingsland set up the first .attack in its match against City and its backs threw the ball about in good style. Nasey and List were prominent, but the latter dropped a puss. Ramm secured, however, and scored for Longville to convert. Watene saved a. certain try when Angelo broke through, and City's fullback found touch with a great kick. From a scrum Hadley scored for City. Watene failed to convert. Christmas made a good run down the line, but Watene saved with a fine tackle. ' Clark led ' City ill a forward offensive, which Longville saved. Lucas placed Kingsland in a good position and Carter carried play to City's twenty-five. After several Kingsland backs handled List scored between the posts. L6nSeville missed au easy , goal. G\ Perry and Barchard were associated in clever - passiug, but Hadley knocked-on when a try seemed possible.. Bailey and'An-gelo combined effectively and the hitter slipped after he had tiie defence beateii. -lvingslfind's forwards drove City back. but. Watene again proved reliablo. At halftime; the scores were:— Kingsland, 8; City. 3. . < . ■ Ou resuming Pascoe kicked high and Longville was forced (o kick out of touch. From the resultant scrum the ball* went' to G. Perry, who'raced' across to score a nice try. Watene couvertecl. Barchard was prominent on the wing and beat several defenders. but Longville saved. AngeJo ran in nicely* aud in a brilliant -run beat tho City, backs. A good tackle by Watene saved. Kingsland continued to attack and McLoughJin. with poor defence, nearly let List over. City was lucky to get out,of.a difficult corner when Lucas and Sims carried play to the goal line. Clark and Barchard. however, broke away and passed .to G. Perry, whose kick was charged by Longville. 1 Kingsland'b backs made repeated efforts, to get over, but the defence was Bound. McLouchlin raced ' through the centre and passed to 0. Perry,, who scored a fine try. Wateue again converted. Ihe Kapie ended with the scores:—City. 13: Kinasland. ."> Mr. W. Miucham was referee. ELLERSLIE V. RICHMOND. - Fillcrslie went dowu to a, superior team in its match against Richmond, the latter winning after an open'contest by five points. Five minutes after tho commencement Richmond had difficulty in defonding, Grogrtn being tackled near tho 'corner. Ellerslie camo again, however, and Hobbs, picked up from the ruck and ran across to score an easy try. Richmond being caught napping. Dully failed to convert. Tho Richmond forwards carried play to (lie other end and Hamilton kicked a. penalty goal from a handy position. After a period of even play ill Richmond's territory the ball was takeuto the other .end by good work among flic bocks. Jenkinson . securod near'the Ellerslie line and 'transferred to Hamilton, who cleverly cut in and passed buck. Jenkinson scoring behind the post's... Hamilton missed the kick. Jobpson picked ;;:p in-tho Richmond iwenty-five and cut through with a good run, but - lack of support spoiled , a. likely try. ■ Hamilton next made a. fine attempt for -Richmond, but was tackled when lie had only Dufty to pass. Tho interval came ..'with . Ellerslie in difficulties, the scores being:—Richmond, 5:, Ellerslie,, 3. . ...... - . Duffy was bustled when in' possession* and only good defensive work ;by- tho Klle-rajm backs kept '.Richmond out. Ellerslie. bowever. Ca.nie away : a moment later and a fine back' movement in. which Dufty . participated was spoiled • bv (Irbgaii, dropping lus pnss,_ Dufty theu kicked-a penalty from a-difiieiilt position'. After a strenuous, forward-' tight near tile KVlcrslie iine. M-inckam .scrambledover for a .try; the samo player missing the kick. A little later Miiicham kicked an easy penalty in front, of the goal, Ilatnilton' returned at this • stage with'an aniurcd hand. -Hot .work, by tho Rioh.nionu forwards had the Klle-rsjie"vanguard in difjiculty for sonic moments. Lciinto was nearly, over after a passing movement among'tho vanguard, but lie was collared inches short,,: The game ended with F,'i_erslie still.-, defending, the final s«.-orc3 being: Ficbmcmd,' 10; Ellerslie. 5. '• - - ;• - • Mr. V!. Simpson was referee. . , MARJST V. NEWTON..' '- Mptist narrowly averted defeat in" the game against Newton; winning by a margin Of ono-point after; a very close game. NeW. lon attacked' immediately, and had Camp? hell bustled on pelled to force.'- Newton was not to be denied. .however, and shortly _ Rhodce'scorcd wide.out, Hill-fiuling'to con-"

vert'. C'rimpbell missed a penalty kick from nuartcr-way. but Inter put the ball over from another penalty further 'back. A' period of even. play, ensued in midfield, until tljo Morist backa took play to" the other end, whero a good effort by McDonald enabled, lirady' to touch down, Campbell converting. Marist', came again and Ptirdy secured, passing out to Brisbane' who was tackled near tho poats, but McDonald came through brilliantly and took . the pass to score behind the.goal Campbell converted, Newtou • retaliated * and Rhodes picked up and transferred, to Hardgruve. who made a .good.-run down-tlie" line ,to scoro at the corner. Butterworth .missed the kick. Beautiful, in-and-out -passing by the Marist. backs carried play the length ■of , the field. A scrum saw McDonald-secure, and. touch down after.a -lightning run through the opposition, Campbell' converting.' Misfielding by Brisbane let the Newton forwards through, but faulty handling, nullified Ihe effort. McDonald figured' in another brilliant run ana transferred to Batchelor, who made for-too line, but was grassed near the corner, I lie scores at the interval .were- Marist. 17,; Newton., C, ' ," ■ ' ■' .Newton tfttaCkea on. r'enum>mr and * for some minutes .the .Marist -defence, was fully extended. Francis was puntied over the lino after a, .eoed run but Hall,- who had . followed. up, secured aud eiit through to touch down hear tho goal posts. Hardgrave converted."'Hill ended a spell of 6los>e play in the middle of the field with a brilliant dash through (be opposition, .'passing to Brimble, who ran over unopposed. Hairdgfavo.missed the, kick. Marist returned to the attack and Johnson rail over to score. Campbell failing With.;tho kick. ' The Newton vanguard was exerting itself and play was confined to Marists' territory for some time, until the backs broke-away- and Brisbane sent Brady off. but the .latter was tackled when nearly over. From a scrum about quarter-way Cammick worked the blind side and sent out to Hardgrave. who .evaded CalmPbell, to score. Brimble missed a- difficult kick. Then Newton was unlucky not to iscore after another run by Hardgrave. Brimble kicked an easy penalty from quarter-way. and Hardgrave was prominent in another dashing run down the-line iust before-time. but the ball was kicked into touch. The final scores were: Marist: 20: Newton. 10; Mr. A.' McKubrey was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Senior Grade B.~Otahuhu, 10. Point Chevalier. f>: Northcote. IG. Paruell, 10; Maugere, 13. Richmond S Second Grade.—Mouut, Albert. 17. Newton, 0. • 1 . .Third Grado Open.—Ponsonby A, 11. Ellerslie. 3; Richmond. S. Kingsland, 5; City. 25. Richmond. 0. , Grade Intermediate.—-Akarana, 7, Newmarket. !).. ' Fourth Grade.tr-Ponsonby. 0, drew with Remuera. 0: Akarana. 3 drew with Kings'land 3; City. 28 Otahuhu A.Fifth ' Grade.—Richmond. 7. Point Chevalier. .O;. City. 0, drew with Devonport. 0; Marist. 17. Akarana, 3; Newmarket. !), Kingsland..o. Sivt.li Grade.— City 8, DevonpOrt, 5: Richmond B.'Jl. Northeofe. 0; Marist. 2. Ellerslie. 0: Otahuhu. 10, Kingsland. 7. Primary Schools.—Otahuhu, 3, Mount Albert 2: Parnell. 8. Mangcre. 3: Newton. .12, Onchunga.'o GAMES AT WHANG A RET. [BV TELEGRArH.- —OWN COREESPONDENT. ] WHANGAREI. Saturday. In a League football match to-day Athletic defeated Waro by 18 points to 7; Hikurangi. IG, Kamo. 5. Juniors: Waro. G. Kamo, 3. ' GAMES IN THE WAIKATO. [EY TELEGRAPH.—-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Sunday. League matches played yesterday resulted:—Seniors: Huntiy and Hamilton drew, 7 points each; Ngaruawahia defeated Taupiri by 33 points to 8. Juniors; Gleninassey defeated Taupiri by-14 points to 8. CHRISTCIIURCH AND DUNEDIN. Results of League football ■ matches in Christchurch and Dunedin on Saturday, according to Press Association Diessages, were:— Christchurch,—Sydenham, 10, v. Marists. 6, this being. Marist's -first defeat; Addiugton. G. v. Hornby. 5. , , Dunedin.—Chriutian Brothers A, 27, v. Kaikorai, 0; Citj-, 51, v. Christian Biotheis B, 9; Pacific, 36. v. Athletic, 13