LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21201, 6 June 1932, Page 11

LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP.

FAST EXHIBITION OF CODE.

SPLENDID TACKLING WITNESSED. ,

HALL AND HASSAN INJURED. Some of the best football seen at Carlaw Park this season resulted from the meeting of Marist and Newton on Saturday. Both teams threw the ball about in great style and several fine movements resulted in tries. Each team used tho reverse pass to much advantage.

One of the features of the match was the hard and determined tackling, and it was apparent near the end of the game that the majority of the players were feeling the effects of this. Taken on tho whole there was little between the teams on the play. Newton can be accounted a little unlucky at least to have gone off the field without tho honours even.

Early in the match weakness on defence on the part of the Newton second five-eighths and centre allowed Marist to break through and this was what really cost Newton the game. Marist obtained the ball from most of the scrums, this giving it a decided advantage, especially in tho first spell. Later in the game when Newton was receiving a share of the ball, mishandling lost several good chances. The pace was exceptionally fast in the first spell, which ended with Marist leading by 13 points to 5. The clever movements of both teams had the spectators wildly excited and the quick manner in which the play swung from end to end provided plenty of thrills. Play at tho start of the second spell was more tight, but later on it was opened out again, but the hard tackling and pace had told its tale and each team committed errors. Newton made a valiant effort to save the match right on time, Crooks narrowly failing to score. Newton was unlucky to lose Hall early in the second spell as he was leading the pack well. At the same time Marist was unfortunate to lose Hassan, who was disabled in the first spell. In the end Hassan, who had a gruelling time, was hurt five times and had to be helped from the field. Campbell's Fine Game. For Marist, Campbell, fullback, played a fine game. He was called on to do a great deal of work and never once failed, his kicking being splendid. Meehan did good work on the wing, scoring two tries, while his tackling showed improvement. List played a sound game at centre. Marist sadly missed Brisbane, who was on the injured list. Brady, who took his place, spoiled some good play by poor

transfers. Both Dunne and Hassan had

a hard time, bub played well

The forwards were faced %vith strong opposition, but showed better form. Johnson made a reappearance and was

frequently in the picture, but the whole set was always in the thick of the play.

Iveson, Clark and Thompson were seen to advantage in the loose. Dempsey, the Newton fullback, also got through a heavy afternoon's work with credit, and one fine run of his nearly resulted in a try. Crooks, on the wing, was one of the outstanding players on the field, his all round play stamping him as one of the most promising threequarters in Auckland. There was a weakness in the inside backs, but Brimble, first five-eighths, played a fine all-round game, his try being a clever effort. A tendency to run across the field was his only fault. Porteous, halfback, also gave a good display, showing a fine burst of speed and good anticipation. As with the Marist pack, the Newton forwards all worked hard, Hall, St. George, Allen and Kirkup being the most prominent. The tackling of both teams was splendid, there being no mistake about getting men low. City's Pine Showing. Spectators at Devonport must have been surprised at City's splendid showing against the local thirteen, which prior to the kick-off were strong favourites. _ City was without the services of Davidson, Peckham, Drew and Longeville, all backs. The reorganised team, however, proved a formidable combination, although three City players had played in the curtainraiser.

Devonpovt started off well, and at one stage looked likely to win comfortably. It was not until late in the second half that City made any impression. Several times City was unlucky not to score and on other occasions the grade leaders were hard pressed. Devonpoi't owes its success to the splendid work for the forwards, all of whom played dashing football. 'lime and agjain City pressed hard on the Devonpoi't lino but the six forwards played as a pack and got through wonderful work in defence. Citv's efforts in the second half were a feature of the game, and with any . luck the result might easily have gone against Devonport. Watene, fullback for City, and Hickey wing-threequarter, played fine football. Watene saved his side on numerous occasions by hard, low tackling. For Devonport, Seagar and R. Smith were outstanding. Laing, a,s usual, played a solid game at fullback. Harding showed determination and speed on the wing. Of the forwards, Soutcr was outstanding and scored three good tries. Simpson and L. Scott also worked hard. But for holding 011, Terry played a good game at five-eighths. He has the ability to beat an opponent 011 attack. Herring is fast gaining form and played really well. The vanguard was ably led by Hobbs, who stood out. with Souter as the best forwards on the ground. J. Herring and Clarke also played good games. A High-scoring Game.

The three-points victory to Ponsonbv over Richmond reflects fairly the trend of the play in il high-scoring game. The standard was mediocre rather 'thqij brilliant. Both sets of backs attempted orthodox passing movements, but opportunism, except for one or two bright flashes, was .at a discount. However, Mclntyre, Ponsonby's diminutive half, has seldom displayed surer handling or crisper passing, lie fed his backs like a macnino and continually had Richmond in difficulties with his elusive tactics. Delgrosscvs wide experience stood hiin in good stend, when he proved the bulwark of the Ponsonbv defence. The fullback out-manoeuvred his younger vis-a-vis. Valentine, in several kicking duels and in this manner paved the way for Ponsonbv's initial try. In the Ponson.iy rearguard Bright gave a, sterling exhibition enhanced by two sparkling solo efforts which delighted the spectators. He is a young player who, with more experience* should prove an asset to ..lie C °A°mong the Richmond forwards Lawless was outstanding with his stern tackling and uncannv anticipation. llis punting and fast following-up were a feature _ot the game, and his exploitation of this move almost brought Richmond a tiy in tho last minute. , Reluctance to tackle Jh« man with tl ball was a notable weakness the '™ sonby defence and on twooccas.ons Rjjhmond took advantage o • p across and touch down. Had the i o sonby tackling been moro resolute Ric mond would not have registered the