Devonport’s Narrow Shave

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 685, 10 June 1929, Page 6

Devonport’s Narrow Shave

League Champions Were Lucky

Ponsonby’s Brilliant Play

ONLY the brilliant goal-kicking of its fullback, Simons, saved the Devonport Leaguers from losing their unbeaten record at Carlaw Park on Saturday. As it was, the champions, with a badly depleted side, were lucky to scrape, through with a draw. Two of the senior games on Saturday were of a onesided nature. City received its worst defeat of the season at the hands of Ponsonby, and Ellerslie was well down to Kingsland at the finish. Newton, minus the two Duftys and Somers, did well to heat Richmond after a keen game.

SHORE LUCKY TO MAKE DRAW WITH MARISTS

HONOURS GO TO SIMONS With four of their best men missing from 4the ranks, the Shore Leaguers failed to produce their usual fine quality of football when they met Marists in the cur-tain-raiser game at Carlaw Paj k on Saturday. In fact, they were indeed lucky to make a draw of it—--13-all. And the seasiders must hand out the honours to fuHback Simons, who compiled the majority of their points with his fine goalkicking. So fa.r was Shore, in the earlier stages of the game, from producing its usual fin© standard of play, which until Saturday had marked it as the invincible thirteen in the senior competition, that it seemed incredible that the absence of four men, substituted by fairly reliable players, could possibly affect a team to such an extent. There appeared to be

some demoralising force playing havoc with the team—and possibly there was. for the most prominent of the absentees was the skipper, Alf Scott. He is a tower of strength to the Shore side both from a moral effect and from an actual playing point of view. He is a

great leader, and without him the Shore team could never be the same. Marists, on the other hand, rose to quite great heights. Their play featured snappy and clever passing bouts, which at times completely dazzled the seasiders. “Pope Gregory” came to light like the “Pope” Gregory of past seasons, when he was at the height of his career. At five-eighth he made some remarkable openings. Jim O’Brien was another who played like a man inspired, and indeed, the broken-down Shore side was unfortunate enough to meet the Tykes at their best. But had it not been for ridiculous off-side play, Marists would have clinched the honours, and by a fair margin. With Simons kicking so well, it was more than they could afford to do to leave any chances for Shore. The half-time score was 13 —2, in favour of Marists. Within a short time after the start of the'second spell, by breaches of the rudimental rules of League football, they presented Shore with another four points, in the form of easy penalties which Simons goaled. Following this, Len Scott put in a great dash down the line, and cross-kicked for Ruby to go through and score, for Simons to add the minor points. This put Marists two points in the lead?* but shortly before time they were again penalised, and Simons evened up the score with a beautiful kick. AMONG THE FORWARDS Although Ruby scored Shore’s only try and did it well, he did not play with his usual dash. It must be admitted, however, in spite of this, that he was one of the most prominent of the Shore packmen, while St. George was also in the limelight a good deal, although in the scrums he was not seeing so very much of the ball against the Marists hooker Campbell. Casey and Rule also worked hard, but Saxon who was last man down in the scrum, was inclined to be weak, and is certainly not suited to that position. Marists’ most noticeable forward trio was O’Brien, Moisley and Johnson. The latter, while proving a great worker and a still greater spoiler, is likely to get a rap over the knuckles from his club’s officials for some of his tactics. Among the rearguarders Marist had a couple of cracks filling the fiveeighths position, in Gregory and Brisbane: This couple worried Shore throughout the game, Gregory with all his tricks, and Brisbane with his characteristic penetrating rushes. Batchelor, on the wing, played well, while Campbell, at fullback, although quite safe, was a little feeble with some of his clearing kicks, and consequently could not be compared with Simons, whose kicking throughout the match was brilliant. Shore’s crack winger, Len Scott, did not. see a great deal of the ball, but whenever lie got it he certainly made the best of any opportunities, and the honours go to him for Shore’s only try. Without his mate in Seagar. Beatty was not as showy as usual, although h© had strong support in the O’Learys and Rhodes. In summing up the game, Shore was undoubtedly most lucky to come out of it with a draw while Marists, had they played more carefully and not taken so many liberties, would certainly have come out of ’t easy victors.

WEAK BACKS LET CITY TEAM DOWN

ONE-SIDED MATCH The story of the City debacle against Ponsonby is one that can be told in a few words. It was simply a ca.se of a solid forward team being let down by its backs. It was a pitiful business. Up till half-time the City van had quite held its own with the heavy Ponsonby pack. City ought really to have led at lemon time, because the try that Hutt scored was a sheer stroke of luck and nothing else. After the interval Ponsonby got a reasonably fair share of the ball, and it was from then on that the City backs started to crack up. WEAK TACKLING Few worse exhibitions of tackling have been given at Carlaw Park. It was a crying shame to see the way the hard-fighting City pack was let down by the rearguard. There are few better teams in Auckland when it comes to getting their backs away with the run on than the Ponies. But eound tackling will stop any team from scoring. City’s was

just about the world’s worst. Once the Ponsonby forwards started getting the ball in the second half, McIntyre saw to it that the backs got their chance. Then it was Delgrosso, Riley, Thompson, Winters and Scholfield who provided the fireworks. This quintet gave a magnificent exhibition of attacking play. Every man was on the move to take his passes, and after that, strong and clever running were featured by the Pony expresses. McLaughlin, in the City forwards, fully upheld the reputation he has made fo.r good forward play in earlier matches. Clarke, Pascoe, Hamilton, Hadley and the rest were workers aAI the time. Glimpses of good play were shown by Iveson in the backs, but with this exception the City backs played shocking football. After Saturday’s display it may be expected that the club selectors will have something to say before the team takes the field next Saturday. Skelton, Kimberley and Hutt were a solid trio in the Ponsonby pack. All the backs played well, but it was really a picnic at the finish. The scoring register was contributed to as follows: Ponsonby, tries by Schofield (3), Riley (2), Winters, Thompson, Hutt and Delgrosso, five goals by Delgrosso, 37 points; City, tries by McLaughlin, Hamilton, Barchard, one goal by Watene, 11 points.

DESERVED_TO WIN KINGSLAND BACKS BEAT ELLERSLIE Although Ellerslie’s play was tinged with bad luck, Kingsland-Athletic deserved its 17-5 win on Carlaw Park No. 2 ground. Kingsland had the advantage of fielding a full set of backs and its tackling was effective. Ellerslie, disorganised in the backs, did not defend as well as usual. From the points of view of List, Kingsland’s centre, and R. Carter, the sturdy winger, the afternoon was successful. Both shone out and Carter’s try, at the beginning, was a lesson in determination. List’s two tries were due to speed, and ability to take chances. Ellerslie set to work steadily, but no amount of attacking, not overimpressive for crisp combination, could gain a point in the first spell. Meanwhile two penalties brought Kingsland’s lead up on the first spell. At the interval Ellerslie, nine points down, had actually warranted a score. The second spell was not remarkable for attractive play. Kingsland added eight points and Ellerslie’s try, converted, came when F. Chapman made a splendid opening. Brought back to centre from the pack owing to sudden changes, Chapman got through a heavy afternoon in good style. Olliff. Ellerslie’s half, and the fives, R. and S. Crewther, were reliable, but the support given them was by no means encouraging. One of the successes was Longvifle, who has been taken from the fiveeighth line to fullback for Kingsland. Neither Johnson nor Mays, who had turns in the position for Ellerslie, did anything remarkable. Longville, of course, was prominent in the position last year. Further, his kicking gave liis side eight points. Christmas ran well in the threequarters and Nasey, formerly of Marist, and Angelo handled correctly in the five-eighths. Lucas payed honestly behind the scrum. Faced with a hard proposition forward. Kingsland managed to hook the ball in cleaner style. Ellerslie bustled well and H. Crewther and Hobbs stood out. So did Cook, until he was ordered off for arguing, and A. Chapman, who went off injured. Railey, York, Wilcox and J. Carter were always in the hunt for Kingsland. Such an easy win must encourage Kingsland, which is still showing its possibilities. Bad luck is following Ellerslie, and Littlewood, one of the best backs, was reported to have turned out for City Rugby on Saturday. Match summary:—Kingsland, 17 points (List, 2 tries, R. Carter, 1 try; Longville, 2 goals, 2 penalties); Ellerslie, 5 points (Cook, 1 try, S. Crewther, conversion). Mr. A. Rae refereed.

HARDGRAVE THWARTS RICHMOND’S EFFORTS NEWTON’S LUCKY DAY If Hardgrave had not been in fo' m for Newton, it is more than likely that Richmond would have won in the big game on Carlaw Park No. 2. As it was, the Richmond men had definitely the better of the second spell. Down by 10 points to two at the interval, Richmond attacked persistently for the rest of the same, and scored eight points more to Newton’s three. Newton had reason for relief when it left the field the winning team, 13 —10. Richmond suffered more than enough injuries and, in the first spell, Prentice had a finger broken, leaving a serious vacancy in the inside backs, and Coote went off, although he returned later. Slow to move for half the first spell, Richmond pent a good deal of the time attempting to stop Hardgrave’s flying runs down touch. Four runs by the winger pressed the defence to a corner each time, and then two of Newton’s forwards scrambled over for tries within a minute. Hardgrave goaled both of these. A revival by Richmond nearly won success in the second half, but it was Hardgrave who thwarted the losers. He intercepted in the loose right on his own line, ran the length of the field to outpace the defence, and scored the try which clinched the game for Newton. It was a brilliant, if lucky, effort. Easily Newton’s best back, Hardgrave was supported well by the centre, Butterworth. McLeod played soundly at fullback, but Newton’s insides were by no means impressive. Brimble was erratic again. HANLON STARS For adroitness, Hanlon, who played full Richmond, gave one of the best displays on No. 2 ground this season. His hand-

SENIOR B GRADE

ling was certain, and there were no flaws in his kicking and runs into position. Mincham stood out as a winger and an inside back for Richmond, and a fine game went to the credit of Hamilton, the centre, who ran vigorously and place-kicked accurately. _ The novice winger, Coote, scored twice, but be is raw yet. McKinnon plavecl a useful game at half, and was better than the Newton man, Cammick. Hard, battling forward play marked the whole of the game. Newton won a big percentage of the scrums in the first spell, but Richmond worried the winners immensely after the interval. In the loose, both packs set to with a " Francis, back packman. Hall, Page and Hammond were a valuable set of forwards for Newton, and the first three distinguished themselves by following up tenaciously. Jenkinson played a creditable game for Richmond, Colebrook roved efficiently, and Telford and Jones put in a solid afternoon’s work. _ . , More than the usual amount of luck attended Newton’s defensive efforts, and Richmond certainly had the territorial advantage. Shock tactics by Newton in the first spell, when Richmond was feeling the effects of casualties, told a material tale, and Newton managed to cling on over the last piece. Weaknesses in attack were revealed by both sides, and neither set ot backs really handled up to the usual standard. Scoring details: Newton, 13 points (Haragrave, try, two goals: Hall, try; Page, try); Richmond, 10 (Coote, two tries; Hamilton, goal and penalty). Mr. V. Simpson was the referee.

Playing Richmond at Otahuhu on Saturday, the local thirteen held the upper hand throughout, although both teams gaVe a sparkling exhibition of the code. Tries were scored for the* winners toy Harris, Levy and Farrell. G. Phillips converted one with a splendid kick from the side-line. 1 The outstanding forwards for Otahuhu were Jury and Levy, with Eustace and Farrell playing well in the I back division. The final scores were: Otahuhu 13, Richmond 0. Mr. McCubrey was referee.