LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20325, 5 August 1929, Page 13

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. MARIST DEFEATS DEVONPORT. A PLAY-OFF NECESSARY. The Auckland Rugby League's senior grade championship underwent a complete change on Saturday, when Marist was successful against Devonport. Although the ground was heavy in places a large crowd of spectators thoroughly enjoyed sonic splendid football. Devonport started off well and looked likely to win comfortably, but the Marist backs, with excellent combination, scored several fine tries. Although Marist only had an advantage of four points, tlio game was much moie in its favour. A well-contested game resulted in the meeting of Ponsonby and City. Ponsonby won, but it was a case of lost chances so far as City was concerned. The championship has now reached an interesting stage, with the result that Devonport and Ponsonby will have to play off next Saturday to decide the issue. Newton won a well-contested game from Richmond, while Kingsland beat Ellerslio comfortably. The results wero as follows: — Marist, 10; Devonport, 6. Ponsonby, 17; City, 5. Newton, 6; Richmond, 0. Kingsland, 19; Ellcrslie, 7. Following are tho positions of tho

MAR IST V. DEVONPORT. The outstanding brilliancy of 1 lie Gre-gory-Brisbane-Brady combination proved too sound for Devonport. Tho panic opened with Marist forwards attacking, Dunne and O'Brien carrying piny to Dovonpot'a territory. From a scrum near halfway, Hassan set the Marist bucks in motion and Brady brilliantly bent the defence. He run 10 T. O'Leary. at fullback* but delayed his i.-ass to Brisbane, who had iv clear run in. Benttic raced through the cenlre, but Batchelor stopped L Scott past halfway. (Mlfide play by Rhodes saw the kick rebound and Casey went clo.xo to scoring. Devon port turned a similar penalty to butter advantage. From a high kick Beattia beat Batchelor a'nd Brady to touch down near the posts. A. Scott missed an easy goal. McCarthny started a passing bout, but Seagar held oil with two supports waiting. In spite of the. heavy ground play was fast and open. Coughlan, with splendid anticipation, cross-kicked, and after Devonport players over-ran the ball. Casey secured and passed to Bcnttie, who scored, Ruby failed to convert. The Marist forwards carried play to the Devonporl twentyfiv'e, where Gregory just missed at goal from a penalty. Both teams indulged in a lot of offside play and consequently play slowed down. The Marist backs flashed into tho picture and the • ball travelled to Batchclor who made a great effort to get over, lie was injured in his attempt and retired. Clarke replaced him. A brilliant effort by fSregory saw Brisbane tackled inches from Devonport's line. Eventually Hassan sent Brady over for a nice fry, which Gregory converted. Encouraged by its success the Marist backs played the open game, several times Devonporl being compelled to adopt safe tactics. Ilalftime enme with Ihc scores: —Devonport. IS; Marist, 3. The Marist forwards forced the pace from the outset and Brisbane lost the ball after crossing tho line. O'Brien and (! rail am raced away with (lie ball at toe. The former kicked hard and Johnson scored alongside the posts. Gregory converted. The Mnrist backs wero again prominent and Brady made a spectacular run through to Devonport's twenty-five, but Graham dropped his pass Marist had complete control over the game by winning the ball from the scrums, but there was no further scoring, tho game ending:—Marist. 30; Devonport. C. Mr. L. Bull was referee. PONSONBY V. CITY. Ponsonby had better combination than Citv, which, will; numerous opportunities, failed to finish off each attack. Watene fielded the kick off. and started a passing bout which had Ponsonby defending. Good play by Shortlund saw McLaughlin race well into Ponsonby's territory. Len Bareharrl and 'Webberley broke away, and White was compelled to force. A long kick by Riley bent Watene, who slipped before he could return. From tile loose P. Skelton snapped up and raced over to score. Delgrosßo failed to conveit. Shortly afterwards Dclgrosno kicked a penalty goal. Laurie Barchard mnde a fine run down the sideline. but with three players in support no try resulted. For a time City attacked with more vigour but f!. Perry held on when a try seemed likely. Watene's kick was charged down, and Payne started a brilliant passing bout in which 10 players handled the ball before Thompson scored. Delgrosso gonled. Shortland made n clever opening and McLaughlin went close to scoring. Ponsonby's backs showed excellent combination and their passing gained much ground. White got Ponsonhy into difficulties by faulty fielding, but Hadley overran the hall. W. Perry initiated a passing bout which looked likely to materialise, but Thompson millified a pass to G. Perry. The Ponsonhy forwards rushed play to Wnteue, who picked up smartly and beat half a dozen players and G. Perry scored between the posts. Laurie Barchard converted. '1 no scores at half-time were: Ponsonby. 10; City, On resuming P. Skelton made a good opening. but Stevens missed a linss and a certain try. W. Perry and McLaughlin were associated in a good run, which carried play to Ponsonby's line. From the side-line Delgrosso increased Ponsonby's lead with a magnificent goal. Clarke led the City forwards in a splendid offensive, which swept over tho opposition. The City backs had some fine opportunities, but were 1111 nolo to turn tliem to advnntsige. Just on time 1\ Skelton placed the game beyond doubt by scoring a good try from n, mistake by Watene. Delgrosso converted and the game ended with the scores: Ponsonby, 17; City. 5. Mr. B. Emerali was referee. KINGSLAND V. ELL EPS LIE. Kingsland had too much combination for Ellerslie. Tho first lialf was particularly interest inc. but later Kingsland dominated play. Nasey was prominent for Kingsland and after Revell had mado a good opening. Carter was pushed into touch. Good play by Grogan placed Ellerslie in a. strong position, and a minute later Crowtlier Bcored for Hemingway to convert. From a penalty Hemingway increased Ellerslie's score with n fine goal. List was responsible for Kingsland's first try, York following a short punt to score in a good position. The kick failed The Kingsland backs threw the ball about in good style and York scored. 'J he kick was again unsuccessful. .Tust on half-time List placed Kingsland one point ahead with a field goal, the scoreß being: Kingsland, 8: Ellerslie. 7. . Burke and Hemingway wero prominent for Ellerslie. but Kingsland soon controlled the game. Good passing by Nasey and An--elo saw the latter score. Lucas converted. Kingsland's forwards swept over the opposition. and Simms scored. The kick failed. Yoik had a real good day and just before time scored his third try, which was not converted. Tho game ended with the scores: Kingsland. 10; Ellerslie, 7. Mr. S. Billman was referee. NEWTON' V. RICHMOND. Nowloe defeated Richmond by G points to 0 in the gamo at the Domain. Tho contest was dull throughout, owing in a. largo measure to the heavy state of tho ground. A great deal of ragged play followed tho commencement, until Brimblo and Francis combined in a dribbling rush, but a misunderstanding between thoni nullified (lie effort. From a scrum about quarter-way the Newton backs got possession and a fine movement ended in Little scoring wide out. Bi im'ole missed' the kick. Tho Richmond pack carried tho bull to tho other end, where Cannnick wns caught in possession, Brimblo saving. Prentice was then prominent in a brilliant run through tho opposition, but his pass went nstrny. Newton retaliated, and Hanlon saved well. Neither team could do anything with the wet ball, two Nowton offensivcH failing through mishandling. Miiieham secured the ball in his own territory and put in a fine run down tho line, several backs carrying on to within a few feet of Newton's line, but Mincham, who had run up on tho inside, missed his pass when he had a. clear run in. Loose play ensued until half-time, an uneventful spell ending with tho scoro: ■ Newton, I!: Richmond, 0. Mincham missed a penalty kick from a difficult position. Twice Francis put Newton on attack with tricky runs, but Richmond pressed back, Newton being compelled to force to save. Newton's turn came when a Richmond player miskieked, Little snapping ii)i tho ball to cross at the corner unopposed. Brimblo fniled to convert. Newton was holding tho advantage at this singe, and r>lay resolved into a hard strugglo between tho opposinn forwards in Richmond

territory. Peckham missed a penally from wide out. A promising Richmond movement broke down through Mincham missing his pass in the Newton twenty-five. Brimble mode a Rood run of 50 yards, but won tackle.] when ho had only the fullback to PUK3. Very dull piny followed until the boll, the final score being: Newton, 0; Richmond, 0. Mr. A. Rue was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Following are the results of junior grade games plnyed on Saturday:— Senior Grado P.—Norllieote. G, Richmond, 0: Point Chevalier, 11. Purnell, 8: Otahuhu, 12. Mangere, 8. Second Grade.—Mount Wellington. 18, Ponsonby, 11. . Third Grade Open.—Ponsonby A v. Point Chevalier, cancelled: Ponsonby B, '23. Kingsland, S. Fourth Grade.—City. 30, Ponsonby, 0; Akiirana, 10, Mount Albert. 0. Sixth Grade.—Richmond B, IG. Newton. 0; Richmond A. HI. Ellerslie. 3: Northcote, 3, Richmond. 2: Northcote. 8, Papatoetoe, 3; Marist. 13, Point. Chevalier. 0 : Devonport. fl. Marist, 2; City, 0. Kingsland. 0: Richmond, 3. Northcote, 2. Primary Schools.— Onehunga Convent. G. Pnpatoetoe, G; Newton, 8, Mangere, 3. MORRIN CUP CHANGES HANDS. [BY 'XEI.EGRArH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J HAMILTON, Sunday. In :i League match for tho Morrill Cup at Hamilton yesterday Ngaruuwahia wrested the trophy from Hamilton, by 1G points to 0. v R EPRESENTATIVE GAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Tho Canterbury representatives, senior and junior, met tho West Coast teaniß at Monica Park to-day. In tho senior game Canterbury won by 28 points to 14. The Canterbury banks wero much more skilful in tho passing game, and this gavo them their victory. In the junior game the homo backs wero also superior. Tho final scoro was:— Canterbury, 20; West Coast. 8. MATCHES IN DUNEDIN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Saturday. League matches played to-day resulted ns follows: —Christian Brothers, 25, Athletic, 7; Pacific. !), Kaikorai, 7.

teams: — Cli. Points P. w. L. D. for. 11!?. l'ts. Dcvonport It 11 '2 1 '230 ioa •23 J'onsonby 11 11 'j 1 '271 110 '23 City M !l ;> — 105 138 18 Mariat. lit 0 •1 3 ISO J 30 15 Newton . . 11 7 7 — 13!) '.'IB 11 Kinissland j:i •I 8 1 J 33 '2011 9 Richmond 13 3 10 — J 05 llil 0 Elleralio 13 — 13 — 60 '20'J 0