LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21207, 13 June 1932, Page 12

LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP.

TWO CLOSE MATCHES RESULT. CONDITIONS HAMPER PLAYERS. CITY TEAM STILL IMPROVING. Prospects of close and interesting games in the second round were evidenced at Garlaw Park on Saturday, where two even matches resulted in the Auckland Rugby League's senior competition. It. was unfortunate for another good crowd that a slight shower made the ball difficult to , handle in the principal gamo between Devonport and Ponsonby. The spectators thoroughly enjoyed a fast, open exhibition of the code between Newton and City in the curtain-raiser. Good handling and clever passing were features of the game, but these teams had the advantage of a dry ball Wet day football was not attempted in the Punsonby-bevonpoi't match, w.th tho result that efforts to open play by passing usually broke down. The first half was uninteresting, mainly through the failure of the rear divisions. It was surprising that the forwards did not control tiie game more. They even attempted pass.ng when dribbling would have been more effective. Several prominent players could not adapt themselves to wet grounds. S.cond Spen Advantage. Although Devonport won by it margin of four points, Lhe game should have been more close. Ponsonby dominated the second half in which some good football was witnessed. Two line runs by Bright, at centre, should have resulted in tries. If the advantage rule had been applied when La.ng knocked on Riley could have scored unopposed. On the other hand, however, two instances of selfish play robbed Devonport of tries, L. Scott and Seagar being the offenders. Splendid exhibitions were given by the rival fullbacks, Laing and Delgrosso. Devonport owes much of its success to tho cool play of La.ng, whose line kicking and clever running repeatedly saved the team. Delgrosso, after making a mistake early, settled down to play a game of well-planned tactics. His kicking was not so powerful as that of Laing, but his returns wero usually placed to advantage. L. Scott Plays Again. L. Scott made a reappearance for Devonport and showed all his speed. Seagar played a heady game at t:mes, but was inclined to overdo grubber kicking thus robbing Scott of opportunities. K. Smith made several nice runs, but ho is an individual attacking player. O'Donnell, at five-cighihs, was not at homo on tho wet ground. Many times lie took nice transfers from Oliff standing still and was frequently out of position. Oliff did really well behind the pack. A. Smith lacked opportunities on the wing. The vanguard played its usual good game in the loose. The set passed too much instead of putting the ball at toe. Leatherbarrow, C'ascy and Ruby were prominent. The others also worked hard. For Ponsonby Bright was easily the outstanding player. He made some nice openings and was unlucky not to score two tries. Mills, who played well in previous games, kicked too much and was a weak link at five-eighths. Mclntyre did a lot of useful work at halfback and at times outshone Oliff. Shera was easily the best wing. The colt has pace and showed good judgment in passing. _ Riley was hampered by the ground conditions. The forwards played dashing football and cannot be blamed for the defeat. McLeav was a great worker in the loose, i although apt to pay too much attention ito an opponent. Hutt, Fagan and Lunn ' were always in the picture. Stevens gave i Ponsonby a good share of the ball from 1 the scrums. Oity Unfortunate. i The gamo between City and Newton provided spectators with a good exhibition :of the code. City again showed improved form and was unlucky to be beaten. Several times this season City has shown excellent form in patches, only to be outclassed in tho concluding stages of : matches. City led at half-time and but for selfish play on the part of several City ; players the game may have been easily won. Roth teams can play good League football and are capable of extending teams higher in tho championship taMe. For Newton Dempsey was not so good as usual ns his kicking lacked direction. ; Rrimble played a good game at fiveeighths, while Crooks was easily the best of the tbreequarters. His try in the second half was a splendid effort. Portcous did useful work behind the scrum. Allen, Kirkup and Clemm were the pick of the forwards Davidson was City's best back. He showed a lot of pace in passing bonis and tackled well. Purdv, a promoted junior, is likely to do well at five-eighths. Herring played soundly at centre, but Hickev, on the wing, spoiled a good gamo by selfish play. The forwards played well, particularly Pierce, Clarke and J. Herring, while Atkins gave tho team a good share of the ball. A Fact Exhibition. In spite of a greasy ball and heavy playing conditions, the game between Marist and Richmond provided a fast exhibition of the code. 1 lie first half proved a great battle between tiie forwards, and if was the marked ascendancy of the Marist pack that paved the way for Richmond's eight points defeat. In the second half, however, the complexion of the game changed and the issue was sternly contested until the last minute. Lawless, who has slTown excellent form this season, enhanced his reputation with an outstanding exhibition in tho Richmond pack. His stern tackling broke up several promising movements by the .Marist backs, while his opportunism on attack was responsible for Richmond s first try. In the Marist vanguard Clarke proved a tower of strength. Handy in the loose, he used his weight with valuable effect, in the ruck, and his successful goal-kicking from almost impossible positions delighted the spectators. 'lhe surprise of the match was the brilliant display by Johns, who was the inspiration of the Richmond back division. His handling of the greasy ball was perfect and his passing crisp and sure. While he engineered many clever openings for his backs, his solo efforts, in which he exploited a nimble sidestep, were pretty to watch. The handling of the game bv the referee. Mr. P. Rogers, was a subject, of favourable comment, among the spectators. The match was marked bv very lit lie whistle and. with the advantage rule applied, the play was fast and open.