LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20657, 1 September 1930, Page 12

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

HONOURS TO PONSONBY.

LOW STANDARD OF PLAY. MANY TEAMS BELOW STRENGTH. By defeating Devonport on Saturday Ponsonby placed itself in an unassailable position for the Auckland Rugby League's senior grade championship. One series of matches remains to be decided, but the championship will not be continued, and tho honours go to Ponsonby. Tho champion team has experienced rather a lucky season, more so because its combination was not disturbed as the result of the Australian tour. There was little interest in Saturday's games, and the principal fixture was disappointing. Devonport played much below form, and Ponsonby's task was made much easier. Most of the other teams wero below strength, and all round it was evident that interest had fallen off on account of Ponsonby's solid position. Tho champions played keen, but not brilliant football. Wild passing by both sides broko down many promising movements. A feature of the game, however, was the lack of kicking. Tho lesson taught in Australia is being put into practice by club teams in Auckland. Play of Ponsonby Backs. Ponsonby's backs played good football and outclassed tho opposition. Wilson, at fullback, played well, but was not overconfident in supporting the backs. Scliofield was easily the best threequarter, and played his best game this season. Angclo, who replaced P. Skclton, did some good work on attack, but Winters got few opportunities 011 the wing. Riley was the outstanding back. The Auckland representative made several nico openings, and played with a fine seuso of anticipation. Delgrosso spoiled a good display by selfish handling. On two occasions the Ponsonby captain hung on when support was offered. However, his goal-kicking was reliable. Mclnlvre played a fair game behind the pack. Skelton was the best forward. His pace paved the way for two tries. Fagan was always 011 tho ball, but was inclined to play offside. Gardiner and Goodwin were also prominent. L. Seagar was the only Devonport back to play good football The New Zealand representative was given poor support in some nice openings. Smith was much below form. Harding, in the threequarter lino, mado the most of limited opportunities. Rhodes got through a lot of useful work behind the pack. St. George stood out as the best forward on the ground. His hooking was clean, and he played well in the open. Ruby and Casey were always prominent. Promising Young Players.

Marist did not field a strong side against Newton, but the game was well contested and easily the best of the day. Newton played good footbajl and with a little more luck might have won. The disallowed goal at the close of play was unfortunate for Newton. Marist/ however, lost the services of Graham and Batchelor, and under the circumstances did well.

A feat tiro of the gamo was the pood football of young players. Included in both trams arc backs who show groat possibilities. A good coach could mould the Newton team into a first-class side. Dempsey, at fullback, gave a sound display of accurate kicking arid sure fielding. E. Brimblo played a. brilliant game. His pace paved the way for two 'if Newton s trios. Brimblc is now back to his best form. Hill was prominent, 011 attack and McLeod gavo ample support. The forwards played good football, especially Allan, whose try was a fine effort. Francis and Midrlleton were great workers. Gregory played fine football for Marist. lie made some clever openings and defended well. P. Young was a tower of strength in the five-eighths. Behind the scrum ( ronin played better than usual, Johnson and Young were the best foru ards. Dufty's Goal-kicking. _ Good goal-kicking by Duffy was responsible for Ellerslie's wir. over Richmond. The latter obtained an advantage hallway through the second spell and looked like winning. Richmond's backs put in Rome good work, but had little luck on attack. Ellerslie's forwards strove hard to obtain the advantage, but the defence proved sound.

For Ellcrslie, Duftv played a splendid game. He made some good openings and kicked with great judgment. Webb also showed a glimpse of his best form. Drewwas outstanding in the three-quarter line. He has plenty of pace and a nice swerve. Hiokey and Kennedy also played well. Oliff, as usual, gave a sound display behind the pack. Chapman and Hobbs were tho best forwards. Prentice was Richmond's back, llis defence was excellent and he gave good support on attack. Edwards was a weal: link, but -Mills, a junior, justified his inclusion. .Mineham scored a nice try, the result of keen anticipation. The forwards played right up to form and .showed plenty of pace in supporting the backs. Rotter, llagg and Ritchie were outstanding. Kingsland's Surprise Win. The inability of both City and Kingv land to field their usual teams had a deteriorating effect on the standard of play. City, in fact, had sixth-grade players in tho team. However, it was rather surprising li< see Kingsland win the game, even by the small margin of one point.

There was littlo attempt at concerted movements. Forward and wild passing seemed to be the order of the day. The last ten minutes had the spectators keyed to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. Only one point behind, City made desperate attempts to turn the tables, with Kingsland defending resolutely. Play became very willing and there were some heated arguments

Langville, fullback for Kingsland, played a great game. List was tho pick of tho threequarters. while Sinims was tho best five-eighths. MeLaiighlon and I'arnin were prominent among I lie forwards. Laurie Bare hard played a great game on the wing fur City and was always a source of trouble to Kingslanrl. Baton also played a steady game. Shortlnnd was not up to his usual standard. Leu. Burr-hard and W. Hadley were the best *>f (.lie forwards.