LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20995, 5 October 1931, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS. DEVONPORT DEFEATS MARIST. AN EASY VICTORY GAINED. The Auckland Rugby League's Stormont Memorial Shield for the champion of champions match was won by Devonport. which surprised a good crowd at Carlaw Park on Saturday by beating Marist, the championship winners, by 25 points to 6. The game was fast and open and Devonport was superior all round on the day. The vanguard of the winners was again very prominent in assisting the bac':s, which handled splendidly. Marist was not up to full strength, but it would have taken a good combination on Saturday to defeat Devonport. Besides winning this champion of champions competition, Devonport will play the Eastern Suburbs Club team (Sydney) at Carlaw Park next Saturday. Devonport attacked early and L. Scott raced for the line, a force-down resulting. Good play by Campbell at fullback saved Marist, but the Devonport forwards soon rushed play to the Marist twenty-five. P. Young made a nice opening and the Marist backs looked dangerous. Playing with great keenness, Ruby and Hawkes headed tho Devonport forwards, but Campbell saved well. Then Seagar opened Devonport's score with a penalty goal. Although Marist won the ball from practically every scrum its backs failed to impress. Hassan, however, got a chance near midfield. The Marist half passed to Schultz and Young cut in nicely. Brisbane gave excellent support and Meelian raced over to score a fine try. Clark failed to convert. Then Batchelor's pace gavis MnriEt a chance, but S. Campbell missed the final pass and an easy try. Fast plaj' -followed before Smith kicked through and raced past Campbell to score in a good position. Seagar converted. Smith and Seagar were responsible for Devonport's next try. The vanguard gave splendid support, Leatherbarrow passing to Simpson, whe scored. Seagar converted. Just before half-time L. Scott broke away and Sea?ar scored. The Bcorer failed to convert. The interval came with-the score:— Devonport, 15: Marist, 3. The Marist backs started well on resuming, Young and Brisbane making groat efforts to beat the defence. Meehan accepted a push from Brisbane and P. Young wer.t close to scoring. The Devonport pack turned defence into attack, with Casey and Simpson prominent. Hassan picked up in the loose and started a movement, whifh endsd on I>evonport's line. Weak handling by Schultz and Brisbane gave the Devonport backs a chance. Smith snapped lip and short punted, Rhodes sending the ball bac's to Smith, who scored. Seagar converted. Clark and Carter headed a dangerous Marist offensive, but Seagar saved well. Thti Marist backs only played well in stages. From a scrum Hassan passed to Schultz and Brisbane beat the defence. Although tackled, Brisbane passed quickly to Meehan, who scored. Clark failed to convert. Young and Brisbane were again pro:aiinent, but the attack lacked support. Just before time Hawkes broke away, and Seagar scored between the posts. The scorer kicked his fifth goal and the game ended with the score:—Devonport, 25: Marist, 6. Mr. V. Simpson was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS. F Durtli Grade.—Marist, 21, Point Cheva--11 Fifth Grade—Final: Marist, 6 % City, 3. Sixtli Grade.—Richmond, 13, Northcote, 0: iDevonport, 13, City, - 0; Marist, 3, Point Chevalier, 0. Seventh Grade.—Hoiise match: Tattersfield, 3, Woolnough Window Co., 0. Primary Schools. —Devonport, 12, Ellerslie, 9; Richmond, 5, Newmarket, 0. IIID-WEEK REPRESENTATIVES. DEFEAT OF TAUPERI SENIORS. The Auckland Rugby League's mid-Week competition, representatives travelled to laupiri on Saturday to play the Taupiri senior team, a splendidly-fought game ending in a vin for the visitors by 24 points to 12. HAMILTON BEATS PONSONBY. [ifROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Sunday. An easy victory by 35 points to 14 in favour of the local team was the result of a league football match between the Pon--sonby Club team and Hamilton, played at Hinemoa Park yesterday. The visitors were not up to full strength. Griffiths scoied early for Hamilton. LINWOOI) DEFEATS WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Linwood Club, Christchurch, defeated the Wellington League football representativcis to-day by 23 points to 39.