LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20573, 26 May 1930, Page 12

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

MARIST'S NARROW VICTORY. GAME MARRED BY ROUGH PLAY. ELLERSLIE BEATS DEVONPORT. Spectators at Carl aw Park were treated to a fino exhibition of tho Leaguo code on Saturday afternoon when Marist narrowly defeated City. The meeting of the two teams promised to provide a good panic, and the crowd was not disappointed. The backs of both sides shone in fast passing inoveinonts, but the game was marred by frequent exhibitions of rough play. At limes feeling ran high, especially aftei Oily liaJ taken tho load. The referee was not as prompt as lie might have been, even allowing that a player of each team was ordered off. One Marist forward was warned no less than three times, and finally committed a glaring ofi'rnco which resulted in a City back being hurt. However Marist's victory was well deserved. Tho bricks were daring at times and handled the ball just a shade better than City City's rear division had opportunities of placing tho gaino beyond doubt during tho second half, but dropped passes meant defeat. Marist controlled tho scrums and thus held a decided advantage. However, tho Marist forwards wero badly beaten in tho loose. City Backs Uncertain.

City led at half time by seven points to six. The advantage was obtained in a similar way by Marist in the second half when goals played an important part. City had a shade tho best of the play in the first half, but tho backs were a little uncertain in handling. The Marist backs wero better able to finish off passing bouts and in tins the winners excelled.

It was surprising to see City's forwards outplay tho Marist pack in every department but the set scrums. City's pack cannot bo blamed for the defeat and on tho day's play is still the best in the competition.

For Marist, Campbell played a sound game at fullback* but has not tho pace to start passing bouts. Batchelor again •gave a splendid display on tho wing. Ho lias plenty ot pace and is constantly improving. Sweeney did well with limited opportunities. Ho was unlucky to bo ordered off. Brady's play at centrethreequarter was disappointing. lie never once beat a man, and seemed to pay too much attention to the opposite centre. Gregory and Brisbane wero clever on attack and even greater on defence. They joined in every forward movement, and gave splendiu all-round support. Hassan played splendidly behind the scrum. He maue several really clever openings, and got tniougli a lot of useful work on defence.

The Marist forwards were overshadowed by the opposition. In actual scrum work O'Brien was of great assistance to Campbell, the hooker. Clarke played a lino game in tho looso and Graham and Johnson were also prominent. Shortland in Form. Shorthand played easily his best game at Cariaw Park. Ho was always looking lor the ball and engineered some fine attacking movements. McLaughlin was disappointing. His weak defence gave Batchelor an easy try. S. Watene gavo an impressive display for his first game on the wing. Perry was clever on attack and tricky with his side step. Wetherill spoiled a good game by making expensive mistakes. Barchard was safe at fullback. Clarke and L. Barchard were City's best forwards, M. Watene and Iverson also doing good work. Ellerslie had easily tho best of tho game against Devonport. Tho 13 points load established in the first half placed tho game beyond doubt. Kllerslie's form was impressive, and both backs and forwards combined to good effect. A feature of the game was tho keen tackling of Ellcrslic's backs who held up Devonport's efforts in the second half. Du/t-y was a tower of strength in this respect. He kicked with great judgment and defended ably. Grogan was easily tho best back on the. ground. His try was a splended effort. Webb played a heady game at five-eighths and combined well with Oliff, whose clover play behind tho scrum greatly assisted Ellerslio Corners and Chapman were tho pick of Ellerslie's forwards.

Beattio made his first, appearance for Devonport, this season and played at fullhack. Ho was later replaced by T. O'Leary. Rhodes was the best of tho backs, while L. O'Leary was also prominent. In (ho forwards Dixon played a splendid game. The ex-New Zealand representative is fast regaining his best form. Casey was also prominent. Newton Unlucky.

Newton was unlucky to be beaten by Ponsonby in an interesting game. The losers were the better side, and with a little more luck would have won easily. Time and again the inside backs made beautiful openings only to see one of (ho fhree(]uarters drop a pass, llill and McLeoil gave a brilliant display and their efforts deserved better success. Usher was Ponsonby's best back and I'eckham also played well. The pair were playing for (ho first time this season. Mclnlyro foolt his old place behind the scrum and played ably. Gardiner and Skellon were the best forwards.

Herewini did well after a lengthy absence from (he code, and should bo an acquisition to Newton. Deinpsev gave a high-class display at fullback. Allan and Middle!on were the best forwards.

There was little bright football in (he match between Richmond and KingslandAthletics. The more certain play of the Richmond backs and the greater dash of tli'* forwards gave (he side a. comfortable victory by 10 points to 3. Lee, at fullback for Richmond, was very sound and ran strongly to initiate several attacking movements, one of which resulted in a try. Prentice played a pood all-round game, and Mincham displayed dash on occasions. The forwards were verv even and worked solidly. Kingsland lacked cohesion and missed a number of opportunities. Lucas was brilliant at intervals behind the scrum, and Herring was responsible for good work both on attack and defence. List mishandled at times, but was given few real chances.