LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR COMPETITION.

DEVONPORT BEATS RICHMOND.

SHORTLAND PLAYS FOR CHY. The Auckland Rugby League's senior competition matches were continued at Carlnw Park on Saturday, when tho heavy grounds, after rain, made good football impossible. The main area at Carlaw I'ark was reserved for the Devonport-Richmond match. Devonport, after a well-contested game, maintained its lead in the champion ship.

City, .strengthened by 1 110 inclusion of W. Short land, the New Zealand Maori halfback, beat Newton comfortably, although both teams were level at halftime. I'onsonby beat Kingsland with three unconverted tries, while the gamo between Marist and Ellcrslie had to bo abandoned owing to the Domain being considered unfit for play. The results were as follows: Devonport, 14, Richmond, 0. City, 16, Newton, 6. I'onsonby, 9, Kingsland, 0. Tho following table shows the present positions of the teams: — t'ts. Cii. P. W. L. I), for. at:, pts. Devonport ]i 10 1 1 10.1 !>j 21 I'onsonby .. 12 9 2 1 231 108 19 City . . . 12 9 ;i Newton . . 12 6 6 -- Kit) ISM J2 Marist ..11 J i 3 157 114 11 Richmond .11 ;i 8 Kingsland .11 2 8 1 108 202 5 Ellcrslie . . JI DEVONPORT V. RICHMOND. In spite of a heavy ground the Devonport backs did some fine work on attack and its combination and npeed proved too good for Richmond. Jcnlticson was prominent for Richmond irom tho kick-off, and play hovoicd round Dovonport's goal A loug kick by Seagar relieved aud Ruby and A Scott carric-d play to Richmond's territory. Miuchani m;idt> a good effort to get over, but Simons saved well. The Devonport forwards wero superior 111 the loose, and with the ball at toe Casey and McCarthliy almost scored, ilanlon failed to lield a long kick by Seagar and L. Scott toed the ball over the line to score near tho posts. Simons converted McDonald and Lcnnie led the Richmond forwards in a strong offensive, which carried play to Devonport's twenty, tive. Jenkinson was prominent in a good run, but his pass to Prentice was forward. The Richmond hacks combined effectively, and Mincham went close lo scoring. Casey ! and Rule rushed play to the Richmond line, j where ilanlon again got into trouble. The Richmond fullback, however, saved well a lew minutes later Half-time came with the score: Devonport, 5: Richmond, 0. Prentice made a splendid opening and I Grace gained n lot of ground. Aguew worked the blind side and was almost sue* I cessful in sending Mincham over, but a forward pass was ruled. Seagar handled the greasy ball well, and started a passing bout in which T. O'J.eary was prominent. Then Heat-tic cut in nicely, but slipped after beating Ilanlon. For a time Richmond attacked strongly, but each offensive found Simons safe at fullback. Clever play by T. O'Loary placed Devonport in a pood position, and L. O'Lear.v almost scored. From a scrum McCarthny scrambled over. but Simons failed to convert. A Scott made a good run a "d passed to L. Scott, who dropped the ball and lost a try. Rule followed fast and caught Ilanlon in possession, a forcedown resulting. The Devonport backs had too much p;'ce and . successfully curried out a passing bout from which Reattie scored. Simons failed to convert. Good play by T. O'Lcary saw Beattie given a chance, but the centre dropped the ball. Mincham did some good work a minute later, and Davis was pushed into touch. Again the game developed into a forward scramble, with Devonport strong on attack. Seagar punted hijili to Ilanlon. v.-ho failed to field, and L. Scott touched down to score. Senear failed to convert, and the game ended: Devonport, 11: Richmond, 0. Mr. L. Bull was referee. I'ONSONBY V. KINGSLAND. The game between Ponsonby and Kingsland was moved to No. 2 ground, which was soon turned info a field of Kings, land was first to attack, with Knmrn prominent among the forwards. Lucas made a bold effort to cross Ponsonby'3 line, but P. Skelton touched down. Delgrosso made a nice opening, but his pass to Fagan was forward, and a chance was lost. Angclo and List were associated in a passing bout, the latter holdin:' on when R. Carter could have scored. Ponsonby did some good work on attack, but the backs had great difficulty in holding the ball. Nasey came- through with the ball at toe, but a- forward attempted to pick it up and a good opportunity was lost. The Ponsonby bucks then raced through the opposition and P. Skelton scored a nice try. Dclgrosso failed to convert. Just before half-time Gardiner forced his wnv over from a scrum. Delgrosso failed to convert, making the scores: I'onsonby, G; Kingsland, 0. On resuming Lucas made a nico opening only to sco R. Carter drop the pass. The Kingsland forwards successfully won the ball from the scrum, and R. Carter broke down the sideline, but Skelton intercepted. Rih\V held ill) another Kingsland attack, and Winter carried play well into Kingsland's territory. From a passing bout P. Skelton made a fmo opening, and passed to W. Skel. ton. who scored. Delsrosso failed to convert. Simms headed a promising Kingsland movement, and I.ucas was unlucky not to score. Fine play by Lucas and List saw the latter givo SimriiH a chance, but he failed to get across. The came ended with the score: Ponsonby, 9: Kingsland. 0. Mr. V. Simpson was referee. CITY V. NEWTON, City gained a hard-earned victory over Newton ufter a willing encounter on the No. 'J ground, which was covered with mud. City fielded 11 surprise halfback in Short - land. 11 member of the Maori All Black combination which visited England in 1920. Shortly after the commencement determined work by the City backs enabled W. I erry to scramble over at the corner, Watcno missing the difficult kick. Tho Newton vanguard took play to the other end where Caniniick had an unsuccessful attempt at goal from a mark. The game at this since resolved into 11 battle between the torwards. (ho ball rarely passing the fiveeighths. Reynolds was next responsible for a good effort, running through the nick to score near the goal, Watene's kick failing. Newton returned the attack, Cammick taking a kick from Shortland in City territory and running past several opponents to touch down wide out. Brimble failed to convert. Newton continued 011 the offensive, aim twico in succession the forwards wero nearly over. Clarke cleared with a_ kick almost the length of the field, and Newton had a turn defending, only sterling work by lie forwards keeping the line intact. Newton worked play upfield, and Brimblo \eiy nearly crossed * after a dash down the line, but was pushed out at the corner Newton persisted, however, uud was rewarded when Francis ran through near the posts to score rather luckily. Cammick s kick .missed The honour* were even vintil the internal, the scores being: City, G; Newton. <>. Neither side could gain the ascend a 11c v on resumption, the forwards currying play irom end to end. Then a strong, attack by the City i.ack had Newton 111 difficulties. Brimble being compelled to force. C ity came again, and after a period of strenuous forward piny Hndley dived over tho line, 8111c'nard failing to convert. Newton was penalised in front of the goal and Barc.bard easily added the two points. Newton was hemmed in 111 its twenty-five for a considerable period, Hie City attack culminating 111. .. Perry scoring near the posts after a tricky run. which carried him through most ot the opposition. Harchard converted from a himdv position. Citv maintained its territorial advnntnse. but the greasniess ot. the ball nullified its efforts Two. promising movements failed through tho inability ot tho backs to handle effectively. The game ended with City holding the 'upper hand, the final scores bcinKt City. 10: Newton, u. Mr. W Simpson was referee. LOWER (SHADE RESULTS. Senior Grade B.—Northcote, 5, Parnell. 2. Second tirade.— Mount Albert,, J. RonThird Grade Open.—Richmond, 13, I'onsonby A. 0. Fourth Grade.-—I onsonoy beat Kcmucra by default. , . „ .... n , Fifth Crude..- Newmarket, 3. I ity, 0. Sixth Grade,—Richmond B, 30. Glen Lynn. ,i- Richmond A. B. Point Chevalier, 0; Marist. 59. Point Chevalier. 0. Primary Schools.—Ellcrslie. 3, Mount Albert, 0. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAM!. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] Christ church.—A dding'.on, IT. Hornby. 13: Waimairi. 11. Wools:ton. 7: Sydenham. t i , Marist. 5. Duncdin.—Christian Brothers. !). City, 3; Pacific, Hi, Kaikorai, 3; Kaitangata, 8, Athletic. 0. BOWLING. GAMES POSTPONED. Owing to the heavy rain on Saturday morning all club aud inter-club bowling matches to have been played ill Auckland were postponed.