Variety of Sports

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 336, 23 April 1928, Page 7

Variety of Sports

Leaguers and Harriers Open 1928 Season at Carlaw Park £SOO FOR R. STACK BENEFIT FUND STIRRING contests in Rugby League, boxing and athletics were witnessed by over 10,000 fans at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when a huge carnival was promoted in aid of the benefit fund for Dick Stack, the injured Newton Leaguer. The gate-takings amounted to £SOO. Besides ushering in the 1928 Auckland harrier season, by the running of the Metropolitan Steeplechase, which was won by J. W. Savidan, the fixture proved a very satisfactory preliminary to the regular Rugby League football season.

‘T T NIQUE” is a most fitting word to describe the carnival, and the staging of events by three of Auckland's prominent sports bodies in one big meeting met with the approval of enthusiasts present, who were treated to contests of high merit in each branch of sport. There was nut a dull moment throughout the whole of the afternoon, for all events were well arranged and were run off in quick succession. Great <redit is reflected on the promoter, Mr. j W’. Hammill, and other officials who assisted. One of the most pleasing features of the afternoon’s sport was the great reception received by Dick Stack, when, walking on crutches aqd assisted by two officials, he took his place in the stand to witnessfthe various events. AMONG THE LEAGUERS PONSONBY DEFEATS NEWTON All eight senior Rugby League teams which wil be taking the field this year in the senior competition were seen in action, and it proved a very satisfactory forerunner to the 1928 season, which officially opens next Saturday. The play in all games certainly lacked finish, especially in the back divisions, where the passing was inclined to be weak. For the first games

BOXING DISPLAYS PLEASE SPECTATORS SOME GOOD CONTESTS The boxing* contests staged in connection with the benefit made a distinct hit with the public, and as all the bouts were fought with cleanness and good sportsmanship the display was particularly pleasing. Professionals as well as amateurs lent their support and services, and the spectators showed their appreciation with unstinted applause, although they were not slow to make known their disapproval when they thought the decision wrong. Many of the spectators no doubt would be seeing a boxing match for the first time, and perhaps would previously have held the opinion that it was a brutal and demoralising sport. If that had been the case the contests on Saturday , would have done much to alter that opinion. Although billed as exhibitions the bouts were all hard fought and the boxers treated the spectators to displays of hard fighting as well as scientific boxing. In the majority of cases the decisions were endorsed by tlv> public, bat twice the verdicts were hooted. On the whole the judges and referee, Mr. Frank Burns gave satisfaction although some of the bouts were very close.

The programme was opened by Verrall and Manson. Verrall scored much oftener than his heavier opponent in the 1 ' first round, but his work was spoiled by wild swinging. The second round was slightly in the favour of Verrall, who scored cleaner hits than Manson. In the last round Manson became aggressive., and toward the end had Verrall covering up. Manson received the decision. A draw Was the only possible decision in the bout between Crook and Purdy. The former made the most of his superior reach and height, but Purdy went in close and scored to the

of the year, however, nothing better could be expected, and the play had rll the speed and interest attached to it, sufficient to bring forth loud and prolonged barracking from the terraces and stand. Undoubtedly the biggest game of the day was that played between Ponsonby and Newton, when the latter, last year’s champions, were defeated by 13 to 0. On both sides there were many new faces, and it must be said that most of these proved to be the “shinning lights” of the day. Tim Peckham and Dufty, the respective captains, led the sides out. Play remained in the centre of the field for some time after the kick off until Peckham. securing; from the scrum, passed to Cammick, who ran through to put Por.sonby on the attack, but. no score resulted. The Newton forwards relieved the position by good following up, but they were again on the defensive when Langley broke away from a passing rush. Hutt then secured, and with a good kick and a follow up he went through to score without trouble. Gardiner missed the kick. Ponsonby opened the second half by a slight attack, mainly the work of Gardiner, but a great line-kick by Dufty evened the play up for a short time Eind then Newton went to a hard attack which lasted for ten minutes. Owing to unfinished back play, however. they failed to break through the Ponies’ line. Gardiner, who was playing very spectacular football, again showed up when, taking a pass from Peckhani, lie put in a good run and crossed the line. Gardiner converted. Ponsonby forwards pressed hard and Pagan scrambled over. Langley converted making the final score: Ponsonby Newton 0 RICHMOND’S EASY WIN

head and body. A good display was given by Agnew, Auckland feather-weight champion, and McPhail, his runner-up. Those who are acquainted with Agnew as a boxer, know that he was not up to his best and did not show anywhere near his true form. But he would have had a hard job to beat McPhail in any case. McPhail was in great form on the day and was a fairly easy winner. Agnew did much better in the last round, but he had no hope of catching McPhail. As soon as the gong clanged for the first round between Buckley and Gifford both boxers stood flat on their feet and slugged at each other, but it did not last long. Gifford rushed Buckley but the latter made his opponent miss badly. Gifford scored with both hands in the second round and Buckley placed a hard right swing and later a couple of straight lefts. The decesion, a draw, was correct. SPECTATORS AMUSED Fraei and Thompson boxed a very tame opening round. In the second term Fraei made the other miss badly. Thompson rushed in, but mostly wasted his energy on the ether. Fraei occasionally replied with a sudden left oi right. The last round was much the same as the second term. Although not ideal from a boxing point of view the bout kept the spectators amused. Thompson caused niuch amusement with his abortive, swings. How the judges found Thompson a winner is hard to understand. May hill and H. Broadfoot boxed a fast and even first round, and the second was much the same. They did not spare each other in the last round, and fought hard all through the round. The decision went to Mayhill. McCarthy, Auckland heavy-weight champion, and Frear, Auckland Lniversity heavy-weight champion, mixed it well from the first gong. In the second round Frear scored well with straight lefts, McCarthy replying with solid rights to the body. Both mixed it well in the final round, Frear having the better of the exchanges. Ihe decision in favour of McCarthy was certainly a very doubtful one. Two exhibition spars were given, Frank Taylor, Auckland professional bantam-weight, opposed by Rickard, Auckland and New Zealand University champion, and Jim Broadi foot Auckland professional middle- ! weight, boxing with McLean, terntor- ; ial heavy-weight champion.

Richmond set the game in motion and a forward rush took play to City s line. Play'zig-zagged a good bit here, but Richmond held an advantage. Turton made a good lun for City s line, but he ran into Ryan and ton. who made a good save. Then Prentice made a get-away, and sending to Turton, the latter let McCarthy take it over to score an unconverted try. The second spell saw Richmond .'gain bustle to the attack, forcing play into City’s territory. City made several determined forward rushes, but the passing was ragged. Richmond then got through with a rush, and from a scrummage Jones slipped over at the posts. Taylor converted. Richmond forced the play now and forced City to adopt defensive tactics. A penalty shot was taken by Taylor and added two more points. City forwards then broke through, but they could not beat the opposition. The game ended: Richmond 10 City 0 ATHLETIC S CLOSE CALL

Athletic forced the pace from the start and a penalty kick taken by Longville gave first blood. The game became deeidedlv fast after five minutes’ Play. Athletic was awarded another Penalty, but it missed. Ellerslie was fighting a forcible defensive game, but found difficulty in staving off the flying breaks made by the opposing forwards. A third penalty kick was taken by Longville and added two more Points. •

Play was very ragged at times, and half-time came without alteration in the score. The next spell opened w ith the Ellerslie players on the at- ! tack. They had a royal chance of setting over but for some very weak . Passing. The forwards lost chance j after chance through holding the ball. , although Athletic was being hard Pressed. After a scramble in mid field j Longville made another unsuccessful Penalty kick. An Athletic rush looked dangerous, but Cook saved with a good j line kick. The end came with the scores: Athletic * Ellersl •• ® MARIST V. DEVONPORT In the Marist v. Devonport game, bp and down the field play occupied most of the first spell, but just before half-time Kirkland broke away and scored. The kick failed. Marist 3, Devonport 0. The reverse prior to the spell appeared to have braced Devonport, and they commenced in determined fashion. Marist successfully repelled the attacks, but for the most part were hemmed in their own quarter. Devon - Port could not get across the line ana the game ended without further score. Marist 3 Devonport . . .