LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20431, 11 June 1928, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS BEAT PACIFIC. ATHLETIC AND KAIKORAI DRAW. Contrary to expectations, the weather was fine on Saturday, and the matches were played under fairly good conditions. A strong wind dried up the grounds considerably, and although the playing areas were a bit heavy they were in very good order considering the antecedent conditions. The senior matches resulted as follows; Points. Points. Christian 8r05... 20 Pacific d Athletic 2 Kaikorai .... 2 POSITION OF THE TEAMS. The following table shows the positions of the teams engaged in the senior competition: — ,

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS v. PACIFIC. The match between Christian Brothers and Pacific was played on the Caledonian Ground. Pacific started off with the wind in their favour. Christian, Brothers made the play open from the start, throwing the ball about with the greatest freedom. Pacific had the best of the play, and from a penalty just outside the Christian Brothers’ twenty-five Tait made a fine effort to kick a goal, but the ball went just outside the posts. Shortly afterwards a knock on stopped a movement which should, have ended in a score for Pacific. Christian Brothers then assumed the offensive, but several attacks were held up, mainly through offside play. A splendid run by Montague was the next feature of the game. A great run, in which Quinn, T. O’Connor, and J. O’Connor participated, took play close to the Pacific line. Blackledge then got possession and centred. M’Kewen snapped up the ball and scored between the posts. Bennetts converted without difficulty. Pacific then asserted itself, and a passing bout ended in Hendry scoring at the corner after making a dashing run. Blazey failed with the kick. From a penalty a couple of minutes later Blazey made a good, but unsuccessful shot at goal. A pot at goal by Keen was a failure. Good work by Blazey threatened the Christian Brothers’ line, but Woodhouse immediately transferred play to the other end. A passing rush by the Greens threatened the Pacific line, but play was soon shifted to neutral territory. A spirited passing rush was initiated by T. O’Connor, who passed to Cusack. The movement was carried on by Blackledge, who made a great run, T. O’Connor, and Bennetts, who was brought down dose to the Pacific line. Pacific soon removed playoutside the danger zone. In the last minute of the spell a passing rush by Cusick, Wills, and Woodhouse —a splendid effort—ended in the last-named scoring. Montague converted with a fine kick, and the spell ended with Christian Brothers leading by 10 points to 3. _ Early in the second spell Christian Brothers attacked, and from a scrum near the twenty-five Cusack sent the ball out ' to Wills, who raced in diagonally towards the corner flag. When threatened by a tackle he transferred to Quin, who had no difficulty in scoring. Montague kicked a splendid goal. A little later Pacific put Chrisian Brothers on the defensive, and a solid attack ended in Keen scoring near the corner. Tait made & food, buf unsuccessful attempt to convert. ’or some time the play was fast, but neither side had any material advantage. Gradually Christian Brothers asserted their superiority, Cusack had. cleverly made an opening he passed to J. O’Connor, who scored in a handy position. Bennetts "converted easily. _ Pacific gave its opponents a few anxious moments, but before long it was busy on defence. There was no further score in the concluding stages, and the game ended as follows: — Christian Brothers 20 points. Pacific 6 points. The game was controlled by Mr E. Watson.

ATHLETIC v. KAIKORAI. Athletic and Kaikorai met on the Oval, the game ending in a draw, each side scoring two points. Neither team succeeded in crossing the opposing lines, the scores being made by two penalty goals. The teams were very evenly matched, and gave a sparkling exhibition of the code in the second spell. Athletic set up a strong attack immediately after the kick off. Mackay and then Webber broke away, but they were quickly brought down. A rush by Kaikorai’s forwards removed play to Athletic’s line, but the movement ended in a force down. Athletic worked back to halfway. A rush by Athletic, which was started by Webber, carried play to Kaikorai’s line, but a force down resulted. Kaikorai swept down the field, finishing the movement on Athletic’s line, where J. Hunt was responsible for removing play to the other end of the field. A few minutes later Athletic was awarded a free kick in front of Kaikorai’s goal, and J. Hunt made a good attempt to register a score, the ball going over one of the posts. Kaikorai then came away with a sweeping rush, which ended in front of Athletic’s goal. A free' kick to Kaikorai for an infringement was taken by Nepier, who sent the ball over the bar. Kaikorai had the upper hand for some time. Athletic being penned in its twenty-five until half time, the score reading: Kaikorai 2 points. Athletic nil. Athletic had its opponents busily defending for a time when the game was resumed. Athletic was awarded a free kick in front of Kaikorai’s goal, and Webber had no difficulty in sending the ball over the bar, making the scores even. In the last few minutes each side made strenuous efforts to score, but failed, the game, resulting:— __ Athletic .. .. .. 2 points. Kaikorai 2 points. The game was controlled by Mr A. L. Marlow. SECOND GRADE. Athletic 6, Kaikorai 3. Christian Brothers 14, Pacific 8. IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND MATCHES. (Pee United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June ft, Newton 21, Marist 3. Richmond 27, City 18. Devonport 16, Ellerslie 3. CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June ft. Marist 11, Hornby 10. Woolston 18, Addington 15. Sydenham 11, Waimihi 10.

P. W. L. D. Points. F. A. Pts. Christian Bros. 6 6 0 0 157 24 12 City .... 5 4 1 0 92 46 8 Kaikorai .. .. 6 2 S 1 68 165 5 Athletic .. .. 6 1 4 I 30 86 3 Pacific „ .. 6 0 5 0 25 111 0