LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ROOPE ROOSTER SEMI-FINAL. MARIS! TEAM DEFEATED. DEYONPORT TAKES HONOURS. The semi-final of the Auckland Rugby League's Roope Rooster competition provided two well-contested games at Carlaw Park on Saturday. The <lrfp.it of Maris!, the senior grade champions, by Devonpoit was a feature of the .series. Devonport, in spite of the loss of a back in the second half, . had a little the better of the play, and deserved us success. The splendid tackling of O'Donnell and Sea gar had much to do with tho breaking down of Marist's attack. Play in the first half was confined to the forwards, and was unintetesting. Bright, football was enjoyed in the second half and Marist made great, efforts to win. The champions equalised the scoro before L. Scott scored the deciding try for Devonport, which won by 11 points to 8. More than usual interest was taken in the game between l'onsonby and Richmond, played on No. 2 ground. At one stage Fonsonbv was hopelessly outclassed, Richmond leading by IB points to 7 in the second half. l'onsonhy, however, made a great recovery and each side had scored 20 points when time was called. The rules of the competition provide for two extra spells of five minutes' should the score be. equal. Dining this period Ponsonby added 8 points to its score, and won the game by 23 points to 20. SURPRISE VICTORY. MARIST'S ONLY DEFEAT. Marist lost its only match of the season when Devonport gained a surprise victory. Tho game opened at a fast pace arid the Devonport forwards swept over the opposition and Casey just missed a try. Devonport was awarded a penalty, and Simous just missed with a great kick from 40 yards out. Hassan smartly passed to Brisbane, but the latter' 6 transfer to List was badly directed. Smith smartly secured and Scott outpaced the Marist threequarters only to find Campbell a splendid tackier. A great save by Brisbane checked Devonport, but Smith secured and kicked a perfect field coal. Play was confined to the forwards for some time. Although Marist won the ball from the scrums, its backs made little progress. Hassan misfielded a short punt and Casey snapped up and passed to Harding who scored. Simons failed to convert. Marist attacked and the rearguard took part in neat passing, Batchelor being held up on the line. Half-tiihe came with tho score:— Devonport, 5; Marist. 0. On resuming Devonport pressed hard, but Campbell cleared. Then came one of the simplest tries. Seagar was tackled on the Marist line, and quickly played tho ball sideways to Masefieid, who accepted on the full and went over unopposed. Smith missed an easy goal. A bright run by List placed Marist in a good position, but the centre lacked support. Brisbane raced well past halfway, a forward pass checking a promising movement. Hassan started a passing bout and List carried on to the Devonport line. Campbell, the Marist fullback, racing in support, snapped up to score a fine, try, which Clarke converted. O'Donnell, Devonport, retired at this stage with an injured shoulder. List was again prominent and the centre brilliantlv beat the defence and passed to McDonald, who scored. Clarke just missed the goal. Weak defence by Batchelor gave Devonport the lead. L. Scott racing over near the corner. Seagar failed to convert. The Marist backs tried hard to retrieve the position and Brisbane made a nice opening, but McDonald was pushed into touch. The game ended with tho scoreDevonport. 11: Mariet. ?. Mr. E. McCall was referee.

PONSONBY RECOVERS. EXTRA TIME NECESSARY. Ponsonby, although appearing a well-beaten side at one stage against Richmond, made a splendid recovery and in the extra time necessary for a decision added eight points. Ponsonby attacked from the kick-off. and Riley made a nice opening for Delgrosso, who made a try easy for Winters. Delgrosso failed to convert. Then Mincham opened Richmond's 6core with a penalty goal. The Richmond forwards rushed play to Ponsonby's line where Dunn secured and scored. Marshall failed to convert. Delgrosso equalised the score with a, nice field goal. Offside play by Ponsonby's forwards spoiled a good chance of scoring and Prentice carried play to midfield. Lawless headed a dangerous Richmond offensive and Pell went c).ose to scoring. Richmond's inside backs broke away and Mincham raced over for a splendid try. Marshall failed to convert. Richmond had all the better cf the remainder of the fpell.. Mincham snapped up a wild pass and Dunn scored between the posts. Mincham converted and half-time came with the score:-Richmond. 13; Ponsonby. 5. On resuming Delgrosso kicked a penalty goal for Ponsonby. Then good passing by Richmond ended in Davis scoring between the pests. Mincham converted. Ponsonby appeared hopelessly beaten, but a splendid rally pleased its supporters. Delgrosso made a beautiful opening and Lunn scored. Delgrosso failed to convert. Delgrosso was again prominent in a movement from which Lunn scored. Delgrosso converted. A minute later. Riley made a nice opening, and Delgrosso gained' good ground before sending Skelton across for a splendid try. Delgrosso kicked a great goal fron: the side-line. Exciting play followed and Mincham equalised the score with n penalty coal. A few minutes later time, was called, but extra five minutes' spells. a = provided in the rules, were played to decide the issue. During this time Ponsonbv outplayed Richmond. Delgrosso gained ground with long line kicks. From a passing bout Winters passed to Skelton who scored. Delgrosso failed to convert. Or turning round for the last session, the Ponsonby forwards swept over the opposition and Stevens scored. Delcrosso converted, and the game ended:—Ponsonby, 2- 1 : Richmond, 20. Mr. P. Rogers was referee.

LOWER GRADE MATCHES. Reserve Grade.—Richmond. 15, Poneonby, 5; Newton, 19. Marist, 15. Third Grade Open.—Knock-out: Ponsonbr. 8. (rlenora. 3. Third Grade Intermediate.—Knock-out final: Richmond, 6, Akarana, 3. Fourth Grade.—City. 25. Papakura, 0. Fifth Grade.—City, 3. Northcote. 0; Newton, 12, Richmond, 3. Sixth Grade.—City, lg, Marist. 0. Seventh Grade.—Knock-out final: Richmond, 3, Ellerslie, 2. HAMILTON BEATS NGARUAWAHLA. [FR.OM OUR OWN <VOR RES PON DENT. ] HAMILTON, Sunday. Playing at Hamilton yesterday, tho Hamilton Lea cue team defeated Ngaruawabia by b points to 5.