LEAGUE COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20941, 3 August 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE COMMENTS.

devonport team improves. GOOD PASSING BY REARGUARD. EASY VICTORY FOR MARIST. Considerable improvement in form was shown by Devonport on Saturday in its match with Ponsonby and the team came out easy winners. Except for a few short-lived attacks there was really only one team in the picture. Devonport displayed surprising combination under the conditions and the accurate and snappy passing bouts of its rearguard were greatly appreciated by the spectators. Playing with the wind in the first spell Devonport adopted the right tactics by kicking high and following up fast. These tactics, together with splendid tackling seemed to have Ponsonby quite nonplussed. Although the losers tried similar tactics in the second spell the splendid defence of the Devonport team and support of a player in trouble nullified their efforts. Devonport was without the services of Simons, fullback, who is on holiday, and Rhodes, half, who is suffering from a knee injury. The two players who filled the vacancies came through the game with great credit. A. Smith, at fullback, played a fine game, and handled the ball very accurately. His kicking was also good and he frequently joined in passing bouts. On occasions he was inclined to run too far when he lacked the necessary support. E. Scott, a forward, filled the half-back position capably and it was not surprising he found difficulty in placing the ball in the scrum. On occasions an experienced half would have been in trouble, and as a result of forwards in the front row committing breaches, penalties were fairly frequent at one stage. R. Smith and O'Donnell worked well together, the former showing cleverness on attack and the latter doing some great defensive work. After a rather uncertain start Seagar settled down to play a sound game and both he and R. Smith showed ability in dribbling. The wings, L. Scott and Harding, put plenty of dash into their running when the opportunity offered. Harding is a much-improved player, who is developing well with experience in the higher grade. Ruby Outstanding. All the Devonport forwards played well, their fast following and tackling troubling the opposition throughout. Ruby was one of the best forwards on the ground and Hawkes was frequently prominent. A. Scott again proved a fine general and in the second spell stood out for excellent defence. The Ponsonby forwards played well individually but did not keep together as well as the opposing vanguard. Hutt and Fleming were perhaps the most prominent, with Thompson and McLeav showing out in the loose. Hutt anticipated the play well and his support of the backs saved more than one try. The Ponsonby backs were not impressive as a combination. White and Delgrosso defended ably and Angelo got through a hard day at fullback well. He was rather unfortunate when chasing a high kick to be beaten by the bounce and cost the team a try. Otherwise he gave a good exhibition of clean handling. It would be difficult to imagine such bad ground conditions as those under which the Newton-City game was played. Football was out of the question, but Newton was able to handle the muddy ground better. Its forwards played with great dash and throughout had complete control. City made mistakes in attempting the passing game. Most of Newton's successful attacks came from exploiting the short punt, which enabled the forwards to regain possession. Some splendid dribbling was witnessed. City was a considerably weakened side as the result of five players being absent. Newton's success was pleasing to followers of the code, and the win was popular. The forwards can bo credited with a splendid game. St. George was outstanding and scored two tries. He proved a splendid handler and each try was full of merit. Kirkup and Ferguson revelled in the mud, while Middleton, besides kicking well, played a good game. Emanuel and Allen worked hard. The backs had little to do. Dempsey outplayed the City fullback, and his fielding was good throughout. Pope and Hill 'got through a lot of useful work. Brimble was also prominent. Mistakes by Backs. Pierce was easily City's best forward Scott, a junior, also played well. The backs mado mistakes in attempting to |iass. Rarely was a short punt exploited, and a usually good set of forwards merely watched tho backs in their unsuccessful efforts. Malier, a reserve grade player, made several costly mistakes at fullback. Davidson was the best of the backs. Iverson and Len Barchard played good games. Against a patchy Ellcrslie defence Marist had a day cut and showed fine back combination and sure handling of a heavy and greasy,ball. Honours in the scrum were even, but tho Ellerslie backs did not have a chance to turn any opportunity to advantage. N- Campbell had an easy task at fullback for Marist, but his vis-a-vis, Boswell, played a greatly improved game on last week's performance. Tho Marist threequarter line was in good form. Gregory signalised his reappearance with a faultless game. Keesing was tho pick of the Ellerslie threequarters, his interceptions being a feature, while Hickey played well at second fiveeighths. Oliff played well at half, and he should do well in any company. Clarke was the best ot" an even Marist scrum while Freebairn, Arthur and Howarth were prominent in Ellerslie's van.