LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20899, 15 June 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

DEVONPORT IN THE LEAD. NARROW WIN OVER PONSONBY. EASY VICTORY FOR MARIST. The senior competition of the. Auckland Rugby Leaguo was advanced a further stage on Saturday when Devonport. maintained its unbeaten record by defeating Ponsonby by tho narrow margin of one point in a thrilling contest considering the conditions. On the No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park Marist scored a runaway victory over Ellerslie, the winners registering tho surprisingly largo score of 39 points. An oven game between City and Newton at Western Springs resulted in a. pointless draw. Richmond had the bye on Saturday. 1-loavy rain which fell prior to and practically throughout the matches made the grounds exceptionally greasy and tho ball difficult to handle. The results of senior matches wero as follows: Devonport. 9; Ponsonby, 8. Mari3t, 39; ,Ellerslie, 3. City, 0; Newton, 0 The following table shows tho present positions of tho senior teams:— Pts. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Devonport .. 5 5 Marist . ... 5 4 I Richmond .. 6 3 2 Ponsonby .. 5 3 285 B5 58 6 City .. ... 5 1 3 1 62 77 3 Newton . .. 6 Ellcrslie ■■ 5 DEVONPORT'S SUCCESS. VICTORY BY ONE POINT. In an even match in which tho result wns in doubt until the final whistle Devonport scored a deserved victory over Ponsonby. Devonport had tho advantage of the early stages, L. O'Leary once making a bright dash at the end of a back attack. Ponsonby was kept on defence until Winters kicked through, Simons saving. Devonport was soon back but the rearguard could not strike a proper combination. Then Seagar sent T. O'Leary away, tho fiveeighths running strongly to make a nice opening which L. Scott finished off by dashing over at tho corner. A. Scott failed with the kick. Even play followed, the Ponsonby forwards gradually working near tho Devonport line where L. Scott failed to gather cleanly and McLeay fell on tho ball to score a simple try at tho corner. Delgrosso failed with the kick. Loose rushes by the Devonport forwards and clever kicks by the backs had Ponsonby worried and strong defence was necessary to keep the attackers out. Led by Fagan tho Ponsonby forwards drove back and some strenuous exchanges resulted on tho Devonport line. From a scrum White dashed over on the blind side. Delgrosso made a poor effort to convert from a handy position. Half-time came with tho Ecore:— Ponsonby, 6; Devonport, 3. On resuming Ponsonby endeavoured to keep tho ball among the forwards and in the early stages met with success. Devonport retaliated with similar tactics and O'Donnell, following fast, just failed to get the touch down. Then from a high kick Ruby went close to scoring. Tho Ponsonby forwards removed the danger and Delgrosso missed at goal from a somewhat easy position. The Ponsonby forwards were proving too good in the loose for the opposition and the Devonport backs wero being starved. A. Scott kicked through hard to Thompson, at fullback, who mishandled, and T. O'Leary picked up to dive over at the corner. The angio proved too difficuH for Simons. A minute later a clover kick by A. Scott saw Ponsonby in

trouble. O'Donnell kicked through and L. O'Leary followed up and touched down at the corner. Seagar's kick hit the post and went outside. Ponuonby came- back again and Skelton dropped a goal from close range. Exciting ph:y followed until the end but there was no further scoring, the tinal score being:—Devonport, 9; Ponsonby, 8. Mr. L. Bull was referee. BACKS PLAY WELL. ELLERSLIE OUTCLASSED. Tho Marist backs played fine football against Ellerslie, which was outclassed on the day. From a scrum near halfway HasSRn sent tho Marist backs away. Butcholor gained good ground and passed infield to Brisbane, who scored. Meehan converted. The Ellerslie forwards did good work in tho loose and from a scramble Webb scored near the posts. 110 failed to convert. Play was fast and open and near Ellerslie's line Brisbane raced across. Meehan failed to

convert. The Marist forwards played with dash and from another scramble Drew scored. Meehan converted. Winning the ball from the scrum tho Marist backs had every chance. Brady made a beautiful opening and Drew outpaced the opposition to score a fine try. 'Meehan converted anil tho spell came with the scorq:—Marist, 18; Ellerslie, 3.

Ellerslio attacked early but faulty handling checked the movement and Batchelor scored after a run from halfway. Meehan converted. Webb and OlifT headed a dangerous Ellerslio offensive but good defenco saved Marist. A minute later Hassan found a weak spot in tho defence and scored for Meehan to convert. Brisbano next scored, Meehan converting. Drew and Batchelor added unconverted tries before the end, the final scoro being:—Marist, 39; Ellerslie. 3. Mr. F. Thompson was referco.

HONOURS EVEN. CITY'S LATE RECOVERY. After uninteresting and non-spectacular play for tho most pari, the game between City and Newton at Western Springs wns notable for the fino manner in which City recovered in tlie last singes. It whs too late, however, to have an effort upon the issue. Early in the gamo Newton pressed and tho forwards bustled over but lost possession. Watono had two unsuccessful attejnpts at penalty goals. From a scrum near halfway Harris secured and made a nice dae.h down tho line. The movement failed, however, through (lie supporting bnchs fumbling and losing a beautiful chance for a try. Play remained in City's twenty-five for some time. Following a series of scrummages tho Newton pack figured in some dangerous aggressive movements and City was twice compelled to force. Half-time came with Newton holding the ndvantago, -there being no score. On resuming ragged play in City's territory continued. Both packs were eiven plenty of work and several luird tussles ensued. McLaughlin, in a, fine solo etTort, relieved the position and City worked upfield. Alderton adroitly initiated a likely movement when ho worked the blind side hut. the ndvantago was not availed of. The Newton ba-ks came away in a passing rush and had City in difficulties until Davidson headed a. counter-attack. Following a. melee on Newton's line, Gardiner secured from the ruck and passed to McLaughlin who just failed to seoro. City was now displaying tho only combined movements of tho day. Watono made a fruitless attempt at a field goal, and the game closed without any score. Mr. P. Rogers was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Reserve Grade.—Devonport, 12. Ponsonby, 8; City, 10, Newton, 3; Marist, M. Ellerslie, 3. Second Grade.—Point Chevalier, 28, City 5; Papakura, 5, Northcote, G. Third Grade Open.—Ponsonby, 8. Richmond, 5; Marist, 28, Glen Lynn, 0. Third Grade Intermediate. —Maris!, G, Ponsonby, 5; Akarana, 7. City, 2. Fourth Grade.—Richmond, fi, City, 2; Marist, 29, Avondale, 0; Akarana, G. Papa kura. 3. Fifth Grade.—Marist, 8, Richmond, 0; Ponsonby, 0, Newton, 0; Northcote, 12. Elleralio, 3. Sixth Grado.—Richmond, ID, City, 0; .Newmarket, 17. Devonport. 0; Newton, 5. Akarana. 3; Point Chevalier, 5, Northcote. 5. Seventh Grade.—Richmond A, 14, City, I); Ellerslie, 29. Point Chevalier, 3; Papatoetoe. 0, Newmarket, 0. Primary Scnools.—City, 3, Devonport, 3; Nowton, 14, Ellerslie, 9; Richmond, 20, Northcote, 0.

CONTESTS ELSEWHERE. [by telegraph.—press association.] Chrlstcliurch,-- -Addington, 35, Sydenham, 14; Hornby, U, Linwood, It. Dunedin.—Christian Brothers, 30, Pacific, <2; City, 14, Athletic, 7.