THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20333, 14 August 1929, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE.

FINAL OF CHAMPIONSHIP.

SUCCESS OF PONSONBY TEAM

CITY SIDE VISITS HUNTLY

The replay in the Auckland liugby Leaguo's senior championship created great interest during last week, and in spito of unsettled weather conditions a large crowd assembled at Carlaw Park to witness the meeting of Devonport and Ponsonby. The fino football of both teams had attracted good crowds during the season and Saturday's gamo was a fitting end tu a well-contested championship. Ponsonby's win by fivo points to 0 was well deserved. The Devonport backs were unablo to make the most of tho opportunities offered. It was moro sound back play that gave Ponsonby a territorial advantage. Tho losers were not favoured by much of tho luck that usually follows matches on heavy grounds. Devonport held a decided advantage in the forwards and had tho scrum been allowed to control the play, tho result ruight have been different. It appeared fatal for tho Devonport backs to open up the game. The five-eighths would have met with more success had the short punt been exploited, thus giving fast forwards an opportunity to regain possession. This style <?f play would have been very advantageous seeing White was so uncertain at fullback.

Good Combination. Rarely this season have Ponsonby's backs combined so effectively. The rear division was dangerous in every attack in which good passing was a feature. Many followers of the codo claim Ponsonby \\as lucky to win the coveted honours, on account of Devonport having beaten its rivals on two previous occasions. Ponsonby, however, has played consistently well and has only suffered defeat on two occasions by narrow mar-

gins. The 1929 champions can claim a wellbalanced thirteen and on Saturday its backs gave a high-class display under wretched conditions. It is very interesting to note that with one exception tho young players in the Ponsonby rear division have made a good impression, and keenness in training has been duly rewarded. 'llio final was played in a splendid spirit. Although defeated Dovonport has proved it is little inferior to the new champions. For Ponsonby White was a little uncertain at fullback. However, he got out of several difficult positions with more than ordinary luck. _ The play of Thompson, at five-eighths,'was in keeping with his form of late. He is fast developing into a player who will have to be considered in the best company. Thompson is one back who should be given a trial in representative football.

A Good Leader. Delgrosso played his usual good game, controlling the attack with excellent judgment. Riley also was in good form at centre. His" speed off the mark got Ponsonby out of many awkward positions. Behind the scrum Mclntyrc did sonic great work, his defence being very sound. P Sk el to n was tho best of the wings, particularly on attack. Ho was unlucky to receive" a nasty head injury, but returned to the field later. Winters showed a lot of pace, but was weak on defence. The Ponsonby forwards played better than usual. Each of the set was conspicuous in following up. Payne showed a return to Ijis best form which two seasons ago won him a place in the Auckland team. Fugan did some fine work, although he was apt to get offside in forward rushes. (.itirdiner s try was a good effort. Moore was perhaps tho hardest worked player on the ground. He was iu almost every movement. T. O'Leary pViyed well at fullback. His kicking, however, was a weak point. L. Scott was disappointing on tho wing, and appears to have lost all confidence. Beattie was the best of Devonport's backs and led ;no-t of tho attacks. Seagar played a solid game, but he should have varied his attack more, as he is capable of opening up play against the soundest defence. Coughlan was not a success at. halfback. He defended ably, but failed to open up the game when opportunities offered

The Devoaport Forwards. The Devon port forwards were* always the aggressors. In the loose the set played splendid football. Casey and Rulo were prominent, while Dixon played a fine game considering his absence from tho team during tho past few matches. Marist had an easy win against Ellerslin in a match which hail to bo postponed from earlier in the soason. Marist was superior in all departments, and the gamo was declared off well before time. A feature of the game was the brilliant work of Gregory at fullback. He repeated a performance of last season by scoring a brilliant try—a feat rarely seen in League football. Gregory's fine play has caused the selectors to include him in the team to practise for Saturday's Northern Union Cup match. Hassan and Brisbane worn in good form. O'Brien led each forward raid, and was supported well by Johnson and Graham.

Grogan was the best of Ellerslic's backs, while 01 iff and Hemmiugwav did useful work Ilobbs and Chapiuan were the best forwards. An Unbeaten Record. It is interesting to note. Murist is the, only team with an unbeaten record in the second round, and it thereby wins the Thistle Cup, a special trophy awarded to the club scoring most championship points in this particular round. Mnrist holds tbo Roope Booster and Storrnont Shield, two competitions to be decided in the next few weeks.

With the four weakest teams drawn against the foiy strongest it is almost certain patrons will lie treated to good football in the semi-final of the knock-out round. Oil form it looks certain Ponsonby, Devonport, City and Marist will comprise the teams for the semi-final. The meeting of any of these clubs will be followed with interest.

Member's of the City team, which visited llunt 1v on Saturday, speak highly of tht« hospitality extended by the country club. The attendance at the match was a surprise to the visitors, and expenses for the trip were easily met. With Pascoe excepted City was at full strength, and was beaten by 23 points to 13, after a splendid game.

The benefit from these vists was mentioned at a function held after the gamf, and each speaker appealed to Auckland clubs for better support iv tho future.

rONSFOKD AND BASEBALL. SYDNEY.BARRAGKERS BUSY. W. H. Pousford, as captain of the Victorian baseball team in Sydney, is having some amusement with tho banuckern, who facetiously call out ''put on Lanvood," says a Sydney paper. Pousford will probably got'a few runs against Larwowl in England next year, and silence tho .•hirpere who have said that fast bowling is not to his liKing.