LEAGUE COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20929, 20 July 1931, Page 13

LEAGUE COMMENTS.

MARIST TAKES THE LEAD. KEEN CONTEST WITH CITY. DAVIDSON IN FINE FORM.

By defeating City on Saturday Marist takes the lead in the Auckland Rugby League's senior championship, although the competition still remains interesting. Keen interest was taken in the. meeting and many enthusiasts expected City to repeat its performance of the first round, when Marist was easily defeated. The spectators were not disappointed, as City, in spite of an eight-point defeat, made a splendid showing. Marist's win can be attributed to its wing, Meehan, whose three tries were full of merit. Two came from dangerous attacks by City's backs and in each movement tries looked likely. Meehan, however, anticipated each pass. On the first occasion he came in from the wing to intercept between McLaughlin and

Savage. Territorially, Marist had the better of the game, but City was superior on attack. Had the City forwards played as well in the first half as they did in the second the result may have been different. The scoring did not indicate the difference between the teams. Two very doubtful tries were scored, one by each side. Alderton appeared to fall short of the lino and then "rabbit" his way over. Marist's last try cafne from a pass which seemed to be. well fonvard and placed Campbell, the scorer, offside. The result, however, proved both teams to bo splendid exponents of the League code. City's position in the championship is certain to be considerably improved before the season finishes, providing the team shows its form of Saturday. Brisbane's Off Day. Th& Marist backs did not play so well as usual. Much can be blamed on Brisbane, who had a day off. The Marist captain dropped many passes and the threequarters saw little of the ball. Hassan got through a lot of useful work and proved a thorn in the side of the rugged City forwards. Young, who replaced Brady, played well at five-eighths. List proved a powerful centre and defended ably. The outstanding player was Meehan, who showed uncanny anticipation. He exploited the short punt to good advantage. Campbell, the Marist custodian, played a splendid game and never made a mistake. Batchelor did well with few opportunities. The Marist forwards were more successful in getting the ball from the scrums, Campbell hooking well. Clarke was outstanding among the forwards, while Johnson also played well. A feature of the game was the outstanding play of Davidson, who was the best back on the ground. The City captain often tackled two players in each attack and inspired his team with clever running. Savage and McLaughlin played good games, but Reynolds and S. Watene were weak.

City's pack proved a formidable set in the loose and were capably led by Pierce, who, in spite of lack of weight, is a fine forward. Iveson was in his element under the conditions and also gave the backs excellent support. Pascoe and Clark played good games. Angelo Plays Well.

Newton and Ponsonby provided a fine match at Northcote. Both packs were tireless and the backs took advantage of every opportunity. Angelo, at fullback, played a fine game, being sure on defence and making good openings on attack. The Ponsonby tbreequarters were given plenty of work and acquitted themselves well. McLeay, who came from the pack early in the game as an extra back, and Culpan played outstanding games. Delgrosso was j>rominent for splendid line kicking. Pope and Brimble played their usual sure game for Newton, while Hill was the pick of the threequarter line. Dempsey was not up to form at fullback. In the Ponsonby forwards Stevens, Skelton and Goodwin were prominent. For Newton Emanuel showed a nice turn of speed, Kirkup shone in the loose and Francis played a fine game at breakaway, always troubling the opposing half and combining well with his inside backs. Ellerslie was not up to form in its game against Richmond. Hemingway, who played fullback, was rather weak in the early stages of the game, but improved later. Hickey, at five-eighths, was the only outstanding player: Pell was in fine form on Richmond's wing. He was always ready to take advantage of opportunities. Prentice was the outstanding forward. He was always in the picture, and scored four tries.