SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20313, 22 July 1929, Page 14

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

TIIE LEAGUE CODE.

CITY TEAM HELD IN CHECK. MARIST FORWARDS SUPERIOR. DEVONPORT'S EASY VICTORY. Conditions were again very unfavourable for matches on Saturday, but nevertheless a fine game was witnessed at Carlaw Park, "where the City team had its first loss in the second round at the hands of Marist. ' Many expected City to maintain its position, but the conditions favoured Marist. whose forwards dominated the play. The score did not represent the difference between tho teams, although, territorially, Marist had a decided ad vantage The for wauls were allowed a lot of latitude in the interpretation of the off-side rule I'ime and again the Marist forwards waited many yards offside, with the hope that a City back would drop tlv ball These tactics were successful, and City was beaten by more experienced players. Tho City backs had a day on defence nnd it was surprising to see Campbell heat Pascoe for the ball Marist well do ■served its win and under such conditions should fully extend Devonport I'lio Marist forwards have no superiors on a we.t (lav. A Brilliant Display. For the winners Campbell, at fullback, pave a brilliant display He fielded surely and placed his kicks with good judgment. Campbell's display equalled the best seen at headquarters this season The wings, Batcheloi and McDonald, had little to do. Brady did some fine work at centre(hreequartei and is Marist's most irn proved playet For combination and perfect understanding few five-eighths play better than Gregory and Brisbane. Most of Marist's attacks wero commenced by this pair, who were at home on the heavy ground Even under better conditions it would havo been an interesting duel with Perry and Overson. Hassan, at halfback did some solid work. His defence was very sound. O'Brien was Marist's best forward. He led most attacks and at times assisted the backs Moisley scored a fine try, the result of anticipation. Graham, Johnson and Duane also played fine games Sliortland's Fine Game. Shorthand's display behind the scrum was a feature or City's play. His passing was perfect and on defence he did tome great work. Watene played a sterling game at fullback and saved City on many occasions McLoughlin scored the best try of the day. The five-eighths, G. Perry and Iverson, defended ably, but the conditions did not suit their play on attack. W Perry played a splendid game on the wing, but Laurie Barchard got fewer chances. Pascoe was equal to the best forward on the ground, while Iladlcy, Len. Barchard, and Clarke played good games. Kingsiand s success against Richmond was a reward for its consistent form in the last three games. 'ihe ex-section B champions have fully justified their inclusion. in section A, and with such an array of young players Kingsiand should win more games. Against Richmond tho Kingsiand backs handled tho greasy ball well and several good movements resulted, i The Richmond backs held their own. but the forwards were beaten in the lo'»:,<\ ■ *jucas at Halfback. For Kirigiland List played a sound game. His powerful running paved the way for both Kingsland's tr.es. Lucas played a great game behind the scrum. There are few belter halfbacks than the Kingsiand player. Sirrims, Wilcox and Ilamm were the best of Kingsland's for- I wards. I

. Hamilton and Prentice did good work for Richmond. Mincliam had fewchances, but his pace saved two tries. •Jenkinson a.nd Lennio wero the best of the forwards.

Ellerslic made a good showing against Ponsor.by in the first half, but as tho game progressed the latter's combination proved too superior, and several fine tries were scored. Tho Moore-Dclgrosso-Riley combination was very effective, and at times P. Skelton considerably aided POll- - Mooro did somo excellent work behind tho scrum. He oxploitcd a short kick to advantage. Gardiner and Skelton were Ponsonby's best forwards. • For Ellerslie, (Jliff, at halfback, played a fine game. Ho was in every movement. Grogan and Stringer also played well. Hobbs and Chapman did good work among tho forwards. Newton fielded a more or loss scratch team against Devonport, and to this may bo attributed its overwhelming defeat. In neither department did Newton equal its opponents, the forwards being continually over-run by a weightier pack, while tho backs wero unable to cope with the fast Devonport rearguard. Combination Too Good. At no time during the game was any ser.ous opposition presented by Newton, with, perhaps, the exception of the early stages, but the combination of the Devonport backs soon broke down the defence. In the second half Devonport further increased its advantage by keeping its op- ] !ir,::r:rd in the twenty-five for he time. .■.nport tons gave a good disj! iy u fullback. : Ie was sure on defence, although lie did not have much to do during the game, while his kicking \ ■was a great asset to the side. The • wingers, [{bodes arid L. Scott, were sound, the latter being tho better. O'Lrary and A. Scott found plenty to do at five-eighths, and came through the gam ft well. Coghlan, at halfback, made mistakes, but generally was superior to his vis-a-vis. I'ule, McCarthriy and Ca.iey were the, pick of the lorwards Ihe most. outstanding player in the Newton thirteen was Francis. He played ft dashmg game, and was clearly the best of the forwards Of t.lie l acks lirimblo was pel haps the most piouiincut Ife | excelled on defence, and was once or twice I dangerous on attack. I!ii| ar „] M,.|,cod were the best of the others, the latter distinguishing himself by good defensive play. Cair.mick, nt halfback, was good ori attack, but did not get many opportunities behind a beaten pack.