THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21485, 8 May 1933, Page 12

THE LEAGUE CODE

SECOND SERIES OF MATCHES DEVONPORT TEAM'S SUCCESS PONSONBY DEFEATS RICHMOND Thf* second series of matches in the first round of the Auckland Rugby I league's senior championship was played on Saturday. Car law Park was in surprisingly good order after the heavy rain and only an orld shower, which made the ball a little greasy, handicapped the players. In the principal match Devonport thoroughly earned its margin of five points over Marist in a fcamo which was exciting and full of interest throughout. City failed in the curtain-raiser against Newt: n. and went down to a superior combination in a bright match. On the No. 2 ground Ponsonby surprised by taking the honours from Richmond by a single point. Following are the results of Saturday's senior matches: — Devonport, 10; Marist, 5. Newton, 16] City, 12.

Ponsonby, 14; Richmond, 13. The match between Devonport and Marist was very keenly contested, and although not providing the spectacular football anticipated there were many fine movements oxecuted by both teams. Devonport took the lead early in the game and only on a few odd occasions looked likely to lose it. Splendid Tackling

Groat credit is due to both teams for their splendid tackling, this in a large measure being responsible for the lack of much combined play, as movements were early nipped in the bud. To a great extent Devonport has to thank its forwards for its victory. Playing a very fine game in the loose, with fast following and deadly tackling, they were a continual source of worry to the Marist backs, who many times were hustled into errors. The forwards received good support from the rearguard, who also tackled and smothered very effectively. Only on a few occasions could the Marist side strike a combination, and it has yet to settle down to team work. The forwards were heavier than the opposition, but were overshadowed by the lighter vanguard. The great amount of work thrown upon Hassan, at half, was a good indication of Devonport's superiority in the forwards. Although Campbell, who was making his 'first appearance this season at fullback for Marist, did not make any bad errors, he was overshadowed on the day by Laing, the Devonport custodian. Laing played a fine all-round game, showing the benefrt he has received from representative football last season. A. Smith was better than Powell on the wing, and did good work. Powell was too weak on defence. Rhodes, R. Smith, O'Donnell and Oil iff all played good games, the diminutive halfback doing some fine work both on attack ana defence. All the Devonport forwards played well, and there were no two better forwards on the ground than Simpson and E.. Scott, who were always prominent in the loose, besides doing more than their share in the tight play. Leatherbarrow gave fine support, while Donald, Masefield and Sowter were always in the picture, Donald, the former College Rifles Rugby forward, is a decided acquisition to Devonport, and will be of still greater help when he gains a better knowledge of the rules. Hassan Outstanding Hassan was the outstanding back for Marist, but he spoiled much of his good play through holding on to the ball too long. B. .Schultz played well on the wing with limited opportunities, and was never afraid to go for the line. Neither List nor Brisbane was up to his usual form) but Dunne was responsible for some clever play at fiveeighths. L. Schultz continues to show promise, and with a few more senior games ho should justify the confidence placed in him. Laird, Clarke and Carter again found places in the Marist pack, Clarke playing the best game of the trio. However, he has developed a bad habit of picking up tho ball when hooked in the scrum, instead of leaving it for the halfback. Laird was much too prone to get offside, while Carter did not seem to bo in form. Ivesen showed improved form and Herring again played a good game.

.Devonport gained more than its share of the ball from the scrums in the first half. Campbell, however, equalised in the second spell. City failed to produce the form shown in the opening game and Newton won a well-contested match. The winners fought strongly to overhaul City's early lead and in the concluding stages outplayed City. The losers' forwards failed to make the most of the ground conditions. Possession of tho ball from almost every scrum gave Newton a big advantage. City's speedy rear division therefore, had few opportunities to attack. A brilliant effort by Turei placed City in the lead halfway through the second half. The margin of four points was not a true indication of the game, although Newton have been unlucky to lose. The winners' backs supported well and this support was absent from City's team work. Brimble was the outstanding back for Newton. He was in every movement and always dangerous on attack. Porteous, too, played a splendid game behind the pack. Pope, at five-eighths, was the weak link. Nathan and .Hall worked well with a solid vanguard. F. Herring and Turei were tho pick of the City backs. Watene showed poor form at fullback. Pierce \yas the best forward on the ground. Boswell was also prominent Hard Forward Game Tho game on No. 2 ground between Ponsonby and Richmond was not a good exhibition of the code. Both sets of forwards battled hard throughout and play was kept too close to be inspiring. C. Satherley, the former Auckland Rugby representative, played for Richmond. He gave a fine display, particularly in the loose rushes. Ponsonby's lighter pack did well against Richmond's set. Lee played his first game with Richmond after being away from Auckland for a year. His play at fullback was good. Abbott and Marshall were the pick of the hacks. Lawless was the outstanding forward on the ground. He received good support from .Tenkinson and Telford. Much credit for Ponsonby's victory is duo to the fast raiding rushes of its forwards. Lunn, Brown and Nealo were always prominent. Delgrosso was a little uncertain in his fielding, hut otherwise played well. Mills ' and Thompson were the best backs.

DEVONPORT'S GOOD WIN FORWARDS SUPERIOR The Devonport forwards proved superior to Marist in a keenly contested match, the team scoring a good win. Marist attacked right from the start, Hassan setting the backs in motion from an early scrum. Clarke joined in, hut 13. Schultz dropped his pass. A little later Schultz gave Campbell a poor pass and from a penalty well out I{. Smith landed a fine goal. Devonport was over-keen and two penalties placed Marist on attack. However, a penalty to Devonport relieved. Devonport was hooking the ball in the scrums, hut the tnckl'ng on both sides w;># excellent and frustrated any likely movements. Clarke made a good effort from a wide penalty and a little Inter from another free kick in an easier position he raised the flags. Devonport attacked for a brief period, only to be driven back from a penalty. Free kicks were numerous and neither side could settle down to a proper combination. Hassan spoiled some of Marist's movements through holding on too long. Once the Devonport backs lost a great chance when O'Donnell was caught in possession. Devonport maintained the pressure and Leatherbarrow scored from a loose scrum near the lino. R. Smith failed at goal from well out. Good play by Hassan placed Marist on attack and Clarke failed from a penalty on the twenty-five line. Marist. was now attacking strongly, first Clarke then Hassan

narrowly missing in attempts to score. A quick counter-attack, "with fast following I and sound tackling by Devonport, changed the scene of operations to the other end. where Laing failed from a penalty, .iae Devonport forwards were playing well in the loose and had Marist worried. Iveraon intercepted a pass and made a good run before passing to Hassan, who ra " himself out and fell, being then smothered. Devonport was attacking at half-time, when the score was:—Devonport, 5; Marist, 2. Shortly after resuming A. Smith intercepted in a Marist back attack and- on coming to Campbell transferred to R. Smith, who scored behind the posts. Laing verted. OLff made a good run clown the lino, and Devonport, using thfl sun. Marist on defence. At last the Marist backs cot away. List making a good run, but hi 3 in-pass went astray. Leatherbarrow and Masefield relieved with a loose rush. The Mariat backs were playing better and Dunne made a nice opening, List being well collared by Laing. Maintaining the pressure. Marist was rewarded when Iveson scored from a bout of short passing by the posts. Clarke missed the easy kick. Marist now had Devonport defending hard, and Dunne was nearly over. A penalty relieved Devonport for a space, but splendid passing by Marist soon placed it on attack again. Then A. Smith intercepted and ran to Campbell. Masefield came up. took the pass, and in a great race ju:it failed to score, Campbell tackling him from behind. The ball rolled clear nnd A. Smith picked up and sent to Powell, who went over, b»ft the referee ruled a free kick. Devonport w-as now bavin? its turn, Powell just missing a try. Poor passing by the Marist backs let Devonport through nnd R. Smith missed an easy shot from a penalty in front of the Eoal Marist made a short-lived _ attack, ..y Devonport was soon back again, a free kick right tinder its goal relieving Marist. Time was called soon afterwards._ the final score being:—Devonport, jO; Marist, 5. Mr. P. Rogers was referee.

I NEWTON TOO GOOD CITY TEAM DEFEATED Better team work carried Newton to victory over City in the curtain-raiser match. Soon after the kick-oS City was awarded a penalty, but Herring elected to find the line. Turei charged down a kick and City looked dangerous. Dernpsey, however, saved for Newton. Watene let City down and Newton went close to scoring. City's backs played nice football, with Turei and Drew gaining good ground. From a brilliant passing bout Purdy opened City's score with a nice try, which Watene converted. A good run by Barchard gained 50 yards for Newton, which now attacked strongly, and from a penalty Porteou3 kicked a nice goal. The strong wind aided Newton, and City had to defend. From a scramble Allen scored near the posts. Porteous converted, and half-time came with the score:—Newton, 7; City. 5. . Newton faced a strong wind, but its forwards rushed play to City's line. Crook then Brimble went close to scoring. Turei made a brilliant opening from near halfway and raced to Dempsey and kicked. In a thrilling race Turei beat Crook to score a fine try. Watene converted. Fast, open play followed. Brimble making a good run. The City forwards made a rally, and Clark carried play to Newton's territory, wherp a penalty was awarded to City. Watene kicked a fine goal. Then Watene was caught out of position and Nathan scored a welldeserved try. Porteous failed to convert. From a scrum near City's twenty-five the Newton forwards kicked through and Axeman missed badly. Porteou3 kicked and scored. Porteous failed to convert. City tired badly in the last few minutes and Newton finished well. Just before time Pop* •was awarded a doubtful try. Porteous failed to convert, and the game ended:—Newton, 1G: City, 12. Mr. V. Simpson was referee.

FORWARD GAME HONOURS TO PONSONBY After a hard forward game, Ponsonby defeated Richmond by a single point. Pun sonby was prominent early, and Riley and Draper carried play to the Richmond twentyfive. The Richmond backs, however, at tacked strongly, but Prentice knocked on when the movement looked dangerous. A good run by Abbott placed Richmond on attack v again. Delgrosso, however, found touch near halfway. Play so far was un interesting. Richmond's forwards, headed by Satherley and Jenkinson, rushed play to the Ponsonby line, where Abbott just missed a try. The (Ponsonby forwards gained use ful ground and for a time Richmond defended. Ponsonby was awarded a penalty and Delgrosso kicked a fine goal. A few minutes later Mills lost the ball when a try looked certain. From a scrum 40 yards from Ponsonby's line, Abbott short-punted and Young secured to score a nice try between the posts. Millicich converted. The Richmond forwards played with plenty of dash and Satherley and Telford broke away. Abbott joined in 'he movement and passed to Lawless, who scored. Millicich failed with an easy kick, and half-time came with the scoreßichmond, 8; Ponsonby, 2. Ponsonby started well from the kick-off and swept over the opposition. Good passing by Mills and Thompson enabled Draper to score in the corner. Delgrosso failed to convert. Again Ponsonby attacked. _This time ♦he forwards T.unn. Brown and Neale were prominent. Mills received and in-parsed to Lunn, who scored a fine try. Delgrosso converted. Dull play foHowed a series of attacks by the Ponsonby forwards. Lee. however, was in good form and saved with well-directed kicks. Richmond gained the lead with a dashing try by Marshall, which he converted with a fine kick. Then Delrrrosso kick°d a pood goal for Ponsonby. Pon«onbv backs looked dangerous, but ■M>her missed tb» final nrss. With a n'ce kick De'grosso placed Pon c "nby one point in the lead. Both sets of forwards battled hard, but Ponsonby hold its advantage and the gam" ended with the score:—Ponsonby, 14: Richmond, 1?. Mr. B. Emerali was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—Ponsonby, 0. Richmond. 0; Marist, 16, Devonport, 8: City, 5, Newton, 3. Second Grade.—Point Chevalier, 5, Ellerslie, 4; Papakura. 9, Otahuhu, 6. Third Grade Open.—Marist, 6, Richmond. 3; Glenora. 30, Ponsonby, 0. Third Grade Intermediate.—Northcote. 37. Devonport, 2: City, 6, Akarana, 2; Marist. 34, Manukau B. 0; Richmond won from Manukau by default: Papakura, 13. Otahuhu, 7. Fourth Grade.—Ponsonby, 3. Devonport. 0; Newton A. 6, Marist B, 5: City. 2. Akarana. 2; Marist A, 22, Point Chevalier, 0: Richmond won from Manukau by default. Fifth Grade.—Ellerslie, IS, City, 0; Richmond. 9. Point Chevalier, 3. Sixth Grade.—Devonport. ?. Richmond, 2; Point Chevalier, 6, Avondale, 5. Seventh Grade.—Newton. 3, Devonport. 3; Richmond A, 16, Ellerslie, 0. RESULTS AT TAUPIRI [from oub own correspondent] TAUPIRI, Sunday League football matches yesterday resulted:—Seniors: Taupiri, 38, Rotowaro, 3. Juniors: Kai Ora, 13, Taupiri. 3. NORTHLAND LEAGUE GAMES [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Saturday Results of matches played to-day under tihe jurisdiction of the Northland League, were as follows:—Seniors: Takahiwai, 20, Ksmo, 7. Juniors: Onerahi, 2 Whaka \Varo, 2; Kamo, 6, Portland. 0 MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES [BV TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] Christchurch.—Linwood, 25. Addington. 2; Riccarton, 21, Pirates, 9; Sydenham, 21, New Brighton, 6. Dunedln.—City. 14, Athletic, 5; Pacifio, 16, Christian Bros., 16.