THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE.

MARIST LOSES THE LEAD. DEVONPORT'S GOOD EXHIBITION. AN EVENLY-TOUGHT SPELL. Marist was dispossessed of tho lead in tho Auckland Rugby League's senior competition on Saturday by Devonport, which gavo a splendid exhibition of the code. Tho ground at Carlaw Park was in splendid order and spectators were treatsd to a fast open game, especially in tho second half, when play was most interesting. Although Gregory and Brisbane wero absent, many still expected Marist would prove superior. Tho Devonport rear division underwent soveral changes on this occasion and it was pleasing to seo tho youuger players do well against more experienced opponents. Tho wide margin of points was, howover, not a truo indication of tho game. Marist was by no means outclassed and the champions wero unlucky in not scoring threo tries. Thero was a stage in tho second half when Marist ran all over Devonport. Splendid passing and speedy attacks frequently threatened tho Devon port line. Both Brady and Young had clear fields, but each timo tho pass was dropped. Tho turning point camo twelve minutes before time. A bad mistako by Campbell gave Smith an opportunity and his pace gavo L. -O'Lcary an easy try. Marist Backs Held. Tho first half was evenly contested with only two points between the teams. In the second half Dcvonport's forwards played great football. Fast breaking from tho scrum checked the Marist backs, who got a good share of tho ball. Tho Devonport backs gave tho forwards excellent support and although much lighter than Marist, surprised with daring passing movements. Tho rear divisions were well matched bi.t tho Devonport forwards won the day with splendid play in tho loose. In scrum work, however, Marist was the better side.

Devonport's success has made the championship all the moro open arid the team is likely to trouble both City and I'onsonby in tho second round. Saxon was the only weak link in the Devonport back division. 110 was tried at fullback but his display was not impressivo. Smith, a promoted junior, was the best of the thrcequarters. He showed rare anticipation and a nico side-step. L. O'Leary played splendidly on tho wing. Ho scored two tries and kicked four goals. His brother, T. O'Leary, was not favoured with many chances. The fiveeighlhs, O'Donnell and Preston, both young players, also played well. Rhodes can be credited with a fine game behind tho scrum. Ho sent out beautiful passes and did great work on defence. Pace greatly assisted the forwards. A. Scott gave a glimpso of his best form, especially in shielding the halfback. Rule got through a lot of useful work. Ruby did good work in following up which once resulted in a *t.ry being scored. Campbell Of! Form.

Campbell gave his weakest display this season. His weak fielding gave Devonport two simplo tries. Batchelor again proved he was unlucky to miss a place in tho New Zealand team. He is easily the fastest wing thrcequarter in the game and his try was a fine effort. Brady played better than usual. Ho made many nice openings, but would do better by passing after beating tho defence. Young spoiled a good display by dropping a pass which cost Marist a try. Hassan shaped fairly well at five-eighths. Cronin was not good behind the pack. Clarke was easily Marist's best forward. Johnson. O'Brien and Graham all played good games. Tho Newton backs failed in positional play against Ellerslie. , Many times tries could have been scored had tho threequarters moved into the attack more quickly. Good individual efforts by the forwards received little support from tho threequartcrs. Ellerslie gave a disappointing display, especially after getting so much of tho ball. Tho backs, with one or two exceptions, played below senior standard. It was only in the last ten minutes that Ellerslie played good football. Dempsey Plays Well. A feature of the game was the splendid football of Dempsey at fullback for Newton. Twice he started passing bouts which ended in tries. C. Brimble showed a lot of pace on tho wing but played too far away from the centre. Hill was the best back, while Murray and McLeod did good work. Allan, St. Georgo and Francis were prominent among the forwards.

Webb played a sound gamo at fallback for Ellerslie. Hemingway was easily (he best back but tlie five-eighths got little support. G. Chapman and Qtiirko were tho outstanding forwards. City will need to find a hooker to be successful in keeping its place at the top of tho championship tabic. Pnscoe was absent on Saturday, with the result that City's rear division rarely saw tho ball Richmond was unlucky to lose. Without liass and Davidson City would surely havo been defeated. Bass staged a. great " come back." Tho ex-New Zealand representative) showed all bis former speed and clover play round the scrum. Davidson made several beautiful openings and did splendid work on dofence. The City captain was again unlucky to have his ear badly split. G. Perry proved a fine opportunist, the deciding try being a good effort. Next to Bass, W. ITadloy was tho best forward. Watene and Hamilton also played well. In the first half, Lee, at fullback, played a fino gamo for Richmond. Against tho sun ho never failed to field and kicked with excellent judgment. G. Davis and Prentice played well at five-eighths, while Patterson was sound on the wing. Lennio was outstanding among tho forwards, all of whom played well against a good pack. Ponsonby Extended. Kitigsland went closo to giving Ponsonby a shock in tho charity pa mo played at Mangere. Kingsland showod improved form, especially tho forwards, who did well in the loose. Ponsonby's backs combined well on occasions and gavo a nice exhibition of clover backing up. Angelo was perhaps tho best back and with Delgrosso was prominent on attack. Schofiold's try was a good effort. Gardiner is fast getting into his best form and played well. Fagan was also prominent. Sirnms, Kingsland, was tho best player on the ground. His paco is much above that of tho average forward. Longvillo played a sound gamo at fullback and Railiy and Ramm worked hard in tho scrum.