SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20633, 4 August 1930, Page 12

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

pE LEAGUE code:

'CITY TEAM FINISHES WELL.

SUCCESS OF YOUNG PLAYERS.

BRADY PLAYS FINE GAME.

, Playing one man short and losing the fcall Worn each set scrum, City made a remarkablo recovery against Marist in tho senior grado League match at Carlaw Park .on Saturday. Well into tho second half Marist led by 25 points to 9. Davidson, City, retired hurt in tho second spell.

The City backs gave a brilliant display of tho passing gamo in the later stages. ITie spectators were disappointed with early showing and many loft tho ground long beforo timo was called. Each City back played well and although somewhat disorganised by tho absence of its captain tho combination outplayed Marist. The lpst ten minutes was most exciting and when O'Brien came out of tho Marist scrum into the backs City's forwards dominated play for the first- time. Twice in succession tho backs attacked and each time 4 try was scored. Taken all through, Marist had tho better of tho game and tho rear division did its share in scoring tries. City's lost chances can be attributed to the weakness of Barchard at fullback. Tho City custodian gavo Marist three easy trios.

Colts Play Well.

A foaturo of the game was the splendid showing made by tho Marist colts, Schultz and' Young, who havo played only a few games this season. The pair did well on attack. Throughout, tho first spell the City backs were on defence, as from oach set scrum tho ball went to tho Marist rearguard. For tho first time in club football City tned the five forward formation and played an extra back. This style oi play ha,d a lot to do with City's success in the second half. Several times tho oxtra back proved a source of worry to the opposition. For Marist Feram played a sound game fct fullback. Brady's play at centro was another feature of the game. The Marist threequarter ran straight and showod a glimpso of the form ho revealed last season against South Sydney. Batchelor scored three nice tries, showing a great burst of speed when receiving the final pass. I Schultz was a tower of strength on attack, especially when given room to work. Young made a good impression at five-eighths. Ho used a nice side-step and sent out good passes. Hassan played a fine gamo behind the pack. Joy did woll fo£ his first game in senior football. , , . The Marist forwards packed a good scrum 1 and easily beat City for tho ball. Clarke and O'Brien wore tho pick of a hard working scrum. Graham and Johnson were also prominent. Campbell proved a reliable hooker.

Shortland at Hall. For City G. Perry played a splendid on attack, but twice allowed his vis-a-vis to run through. Davidson made two nice runs, wbicn resulted in tries, iihortland was responsible for good work behind the scrum, especially with limited opportunities. Tha Hadley brothers were easily tho best forwards. Both gave the backs splendid support. McLoughlin, Hamilton and Ivcrson also played well. The Kfngsland backs played good football against Richmond and gavo their best display this season. List and Carter proved a good pair on attack. The former, however, is inclined to throw wild passes when tries seem certain. Long* villa played a sound game at fullback. He kicked with good judgment and tackled well. The forwards showed a lot of pace in the loose, Simms and Riley being tho most prominent. Pockham was easily Richmond's best back: Mincham also played well. Ritchie and Ragg were tho pick of Richmond's forwards. At Ellerslio Dovonport just managed to beat the local team. The inside backs, Rhodes and O'Donnell, wero chiefly responsible for Devonport's success. Smith combined well with L. O'Leary on attack. Ruby and McCarthny played well among the forwards. For Ellerslio Webb and Hickey wero the best backs, while Sommers and Hobbs were tho outstanding forwards. ' Ponsonby Backs Too Good. Although Newton was defeated by Ponisojiby by a fairly substantial margin its forwards more than held their oivn against the /heavy Ponsonby pack. Tho Ponsonby rear division completely over-shad-q\ved the Newton backs. Even when the Newton rearguard had chances their play was spoilt by faulty passing. The gamo was fairly even during the first half, thero being only one point between the teams at half-time. Ponsonby completely dominated the play during the second half. Wilson, at fullback for Ponsonby, played a fairly sound game, while of tho threequarter line Winter was perhaps the best. The elusive Delgrosso was playing up to his best form and made some nice openings. llis partner Riley was the best back on the field and an indication of his pl'ay may bo judged from tho fact that he scored two of Ponsonby's four tries. Mclntyre played a good game behind tho scrum, while Lunn and Stevens were prominent among the forwards. Dempsey played a reliable game for Newton at fullback, but his line-kicking /was rather weak McLeod impressed among the threequarters, while E. Brimble was the best five-eighths. The forwards were all a hard-working set, Francis and /Mollett heading some good rushes.