EXCITING FINISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21847, 9 July 1934, Page 13

EXCITING FINISH

MARIST UNLUCKY Ther> was an exciting finish to the game between Newton and Marist, honours goinu to the former. Marist, however was a little unluoky and actually gave INewton unlucky. staee The Newton backs played good football first half and but for uncertain handling would have scored more tries. It to 9 k Marist some tune to settle down, but late m the second half its bacKs showed improved form. Five players handled the greasy ball in one movement and Smith scored a fine try. Newton forwards were a lutln superior in general play, although Marist's lighter set did well in the loose. Much "was expected of Hardgrave, but the wins got few chances. Brady held on three times when Hardgrave had splendid opportunities of scoring. Selfish plav was very noticeable with the Newton backs. 1< ast following up by tho Newton forwards was a feature of the game. These speedy raids did much tio put tne youthful Marist backs off their game. In dribbling the Marist forwards did well. Considering the conditions, the standard of play was very high. With a little better understanding, tho Newton backs should develop" into a good combination. With each game Marist shows improved form and its display on Saturday was good. The fullbacks Dempsey, Newton, and Campbell, Marist, gave high-class displays, the honours being: with Campbell. Dempsey had several good opportunities of opening up tho game by running with the ball. Campbell started many passing bouts and his kicks were always well placed. Brady spoiled a good game by selfish play. He is an impressive player on attack. Hardgrave showed a lot of pace on the wing in hiß few opportunities Schlesinger, a newcomer to the team, played well at five-eighths. Porteous, halfback, was perhaps tho best back, and made some nice openings. Hall was the outstanding forward on the ground. He scored a good try as the result of backing up. Quirke and Blacklaws were also prominent. , , . Furlonger, at centre-threequnrter, cost Marist at least three tries through faulty handling. On one occasion ho droppod a

pass from Brisbane when the defence was beaten. Glover played a good same at fiveeighths mid is the most-improved back in Marist. Brisbane was a tower of strength on defence, while Loader did well on the wing. Laird played a great game in the forwards and received good support from Keane and Webberley. Bakalich played a clever game as rover. For Newton, Hall, Brimble and Stephens scored tries. Smith and Laird scored for Marist, and Campbell converted one try. Mr. S. Billman was referee. CITY IMPROVES GOOD FORM OF BACKS The surprise of the series was the defeat of Ponsonby at the hands of City, which played fine football on a muddy ground. City adapted itself better to the conditions and on the day it would have taken _ a strong combination, to have lowered its colours The surprising form of the City backs was a feature of the game. The rearguard handled the mudji.y ball well and executed several clever movements. City's forwards were superior in all departments. In the loose they showed improved form, and hunted successfully as a pack. Ponsonby was by no means so inferior as the score would indicate. Its backs did well on attack, and only lack of finish prevented tries being scored. The Ponsonby forwards put up a good fight against a heavier set. It was pleasing to see the return to form of the City backs, who have been disappointing of late.

Johnson, a five-eighths, made all the difference to the play of the backs. He made several nice openings and ran straight when in possession. Both Wyberg and- Axeman played improved football, the former scoring a nice try Wayne was the best back on the ground, and his clever running frequently beat the opposition. Turei played with more dash than usual, while Watene was sound at fullback. Among the forwards. Clarke, Herring and Nathan were outstanding. McLaughlin also did good work. Halloran played a 6ound game at fullback for Ponsonby. his fielding being very certain. Kay was easily the best back, and got through a lot of useful work. Jones and Shera, the two wings, played with plenty of dash. Riley was prominent at five-eighths. Hutt was the outstanding player on the ground. He was in almost every movement, whether back or forward. Davis and Brown also played splendid football. For City tries were scored by Ragg (2), Wyberg, Herring, Wayne and Turei. Wyberg and Nathan converted one try each. For Ponsonby Kay and Shora scored. Jones kicked a penalty goal and Stockley converted one try. * Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Grade.—City, 10. Ponsonby, 10; Richmond, 13, Devonport, 6; Marist, 8, Newton, 0. Second Grade.—Mangere, 20, Point Chevalier, 9; Papakura. 6, Mount Albert, 5; Otahuhu, IG, Ellerslie, 2. Otahuhu wina the championship. Third Grade Open.—Richmpnd, 4, Glenora, 3; Papakura, 10, Akarana, 9; Ponsonby, 10. Mount Albert, 0. Third Grade Intermediate.—Manukau B, 28. Glenora, 3: City, 22, Akurana, 0. Fourth Grade.—Richmond, 3, Glenora, 3; Papakura, 9, Manukau, 7. Fifth Grade.—City, 24, Manukau. 0; Richmond, 17, Otahuhu, 5; Mount Albert, 0, Papakura, 0. Sixth Grade.—Newton, 5, Avondale, 3; Ellerslie. 5. Richmond, 0. Seventh Grade.—Richmond A, 5, City, 2; Devonport. 6, Richmond B, 2. Schoolboys' Games.—Avondale, 6. Richmond, 3; Marist A, 9, Otahuhu, 6: Marist B, 11, City, 5. Seven-a-side match: Otahuhu, 0, City, 0. MATCHES IN THE PROVINCE The following results of League football matches played in country centres of the Auckland province were forwarded by correspondents of the Hebald:— Tuakau.— Huntly beat Tuakau at Tuakau by 20 points to 12. The game was very evenly contested, each side scoring four tries. Huntly converted all its tries, but Tuakau failed with each goal kick. The players who crossed for Huntly were T. Singer, M. Lee. J. Allen and T. Pimms. Singer converted three of the tries and Knight one. Tuakau's tries were secured by R. Cooper (2), J. Cooper and B. Hapi. Mr. Chalmers, of Auckland, was referee. Whangarei.—The senior representative trial match, which was to have been held at Hikurangi under the jurisdiction of the Northland Rugby League was abandoned owing to rain. Taupiri.—Playing for the Innes Memorial Shield at Ngaruawahia, Taupiri defeated the home team by 14 points to 5. The ground was in perfect condition, but a strong wind was blowing. The first score came to William Tittleton, who scored in a handy position, H. George failing with the kick. From a passing movement in the backs Garry secured the ball to score, Jackways converting. At half-time the score stood:—Taupiri, 8; Ngaruawahia, nil. With the wind in its favour, Ngaruawahia became aggressive and from tho loose Abbott secured possession and raced over, converting his own try. From a scrum near the home team's line H. George secured and dived over, Kiti failing to convert. From a loose ruck Farrell passed to Shaw, who dropped over near the posts, the kick failing. In the junior game Ngaruawahia defeated Taupiri by 8 points to 3.

SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS ,[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] Christchurch.—Hornby, 14, Addington, 3; Sydenham, 13, Linwood, 0; New Brighton, 8, Ruru, 3. Dunedin.—City, 18, Athletio, 0; Christian Brothers, 41, Pacific, 0.