City Still Leads

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1023, 14 July 1930, Page 6

City Still Leads

LIVELY LEAGUE GAMES Richmond’s Thrilling Finish CITY had a good win against Newton on Saturday, and is still in the lead for the senior League club championship, closely followed by Ponsonby. Marist has been practically at a standstill on the competition table since Gregory and Brisbane went to Australia with the New Zealand team. It was beaten by Richmond on Saturday by the narrow margin of one point, after one of the hardest club games that have been played at Carlaw Park this year.

The main game at the Park was not a brilliant exhibition of League, a good deal of mishandling and deadly tael: ling by both sides robbing the game of spectacular features. However, it Avas a grim tussle all the way, and the closeness of the play kept the spectators in a simmer of excitement right up to a thrilling climax. City beat NeAvton by a bigger margin than was generally expected, but Ponsonby had its Avork cut out to defeat Ellerslie at the Domain, and it A\ r as only a converted try in the closing stages of the game that enabled the Ponies to pull the game out of the fire. KINGSLAND-ATHLETIC GOES DOWN TO DEVONPORT JUNIORS IN FORM In a fast and sparkling game at Devonport on Saturday, the home side defeated Kingsland Athletic by a much narroAver margin than the final score, 13 —6, Avould indicate. Devonport Avas considered lucky to Avin as, a feAV minutes before the final Avhistlc, the score was only B—G, and the Maroons appeared to have every chance of passing their opponents right up until a magnificent try by O’Donnell and a conversion by Scott put tho Blacks out of danger. Play opened with Kingsland on the attack, and Devonport Avas Avell beaten for the ball in tho early scrums. Shore got its first fright Avhen Bob Carter, on the Maroon Aving, outplayed Trevor O’Leary and nearly Avent over. Seagar saved only just in time. Now on their mettle the Blacks retaliated, and Smith and Seagar treated the crowd to some pretty passing Avork. With play inside tho Maroon twenty-live, *Ruby Avas most unlucky not to open the account. Ho picked up in the loose and went o\'er Avith a great dash only to lose the ball before touching doAvn for Avhat seemed a certain try. The first score of the day came when Kingsland was penalised a long Avay out and L. O Leary put over a beautiful kick. After the opening of the account Ruby made another attempt, this time with better luck, and Shore was. five points up. KINGSLAND OPENS

Tho consistent Black attack was beginning to Avorry Kingsland and Cocks, tho Maroon second-flAo-eightli, opened up nicely to send List across. Long\’ilie’s kick failed and at the half-time whistle Shore Avas only tAvo points ahead. Trying hard to make up ground in the second spell, the Maroons commenced on the attack and kept Devonport confined to its oaa-ii twenty - liA'e. Shoro broke away however and took play diagonally across field for Alf Scott to dive over. Shore kept up tho pressure for a time, but the visiting pack eventually broke uptteld for R. Carter to go over unopposed. At this stage tho game Avas anyone’s, and only tAvo points ahead, Devonport Avas again becoming uneasy. A Shore attack put the Kingsland men out of position, and only the ball being kicked out saved the visitors. The respite was of little avail, however, for the Blacks got the ball out of tho scrum, and O’Donnell took it over for a magnificent try, to wffiich Scott added the extra points. Now safely in the lead, Devonport eased up for a few minutes, and Kingsland took play upheld for a time, but failed to add any extra points. Time came A\-ith the Blacks forcing Kingsland into its OAvn territory once more. For tho losers, G. Simms, in the back roAV, avus prominent when the game became a forAvard battle. Cocks, at second-five-eighth, Avas brilliant at all times, though he did not got the support he might liaA'e from F. Herring, in the first position. Longville, at fullback, played a reliable game. List, at centre, Avas brilliant in patches, Avhiie the Carter brothers on the wings were always handy. On the Devonport side, the outstanding players Avere the three juniors, Seagar, O’Donnell and Smith. Seagar, on tho wing, showed nice judgment in all his Avork and A\ ? as very speedy. Smith on the other Aving, supported him well and tho two Avere responsible for some pretty passing work. O’Donnell shone out in the five-eighth line. Rhodes, behind the scrum, Avas handy, and alAvays got his backs aAvay smartly. The O'Leary brotheA gave their usual sound displays, though Trevor gave the impression that his talents were wasted at fullback. In the Ruby, McCarthney and St. George were prominent. Mr. L. Bull AA r as the referee. NEWTON FADES AWAY BEFORE CID ATTACK UNACCOUNTABLE LAPSE What gave indications of being the best game of the four on Saturday, City v. Newton, became a very drab sort of affair when played on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park at 3 p.m. The game began badly, for City was OA'er ten minutes late in filing on to the ground. The championship leaders played better football all round than their opponents, and .ran out easy Aictors by 21 points to S. The light NeAvton men bustled City in the opening exchanges of both halves, but those Avere the only periods of the game at which City Avas severely challenged. NeAvton dreAV first blood when the red and Avhites carried the ball to the line to give E. Brimble an opportunity which he turned to good account. An easy chance of converting went begging, and Newton took the only three points it scored till late in the second half. The lapse of Newton was most unexpected. The only thing which can be said in mitigation of its sorry failing is that it, was playing on a damp ground, which did not suit its |jght contingent. City possessed more speed and penetration on the day, and more than that, the City forwards AA'ere definitely in the ascendant for the greater part of the game. Of the City van, W. Hadley, brother of the Union All Black, stood out as a great toiler in the tight, and an effective raider in the loose. Hamilton was perhaps the best of the rest, although

Nelson Bass, as last man doAvn in the scrum, showed fleeting glimpses of his greatness of other days. He adopted a position identical Avith that of the wing-forAvard in Rugby, and Avas opposed by Francis, who took .Lip the same position. SHORTLAND’S DAY OUT

Sliortland. at halfback, played a wonderful game. He avus here, there, and everyAvliere, and had an uncanny knack of popping up Avherever the ball was. His try Avas a fine bit of Avork. and he led the NeAvton .forwards a merry dance all afternoon. George Perry was the star of the constellation outside Shortland, although the backs, man for man, could not be met by NeAvton. Reynolds played an impressive game at liveeighth, while Iveson Avas the outstanding one of the threequarters. His handling Avas not of the best, but when he did get possession he shut his teeth and set sail for the line in a manner Avhich took a lot of stopping. Barchard played consistently at fullback. and had the best of the luck Avith several speculators. He Avas off goalkicking, hoAvever. The Newton men, as a team, seemed to be below par. The forwards were out-weighted and overrun by City, and the backs could not produce a man of the calibre of Perry. E. Brimble Avas probably the best of tho lot on the day. He is a great opportunist, as ho showed Avhen ho clapped on the only try NeAvton got in the first half. Dempsey, at fullback, had a hard afternoon’s vv’ork to get through, and he got through it well. For a man of such slim build lie has been a surprising success as the last line of defence. The team as a Avhole played as AA'ell as City Avould allow it, but there avus no denying that it sadly disappointed its supporters. SOLID ALL-ROUND PLAY WON GAME FOR RICHMOND WHY MARIST CANT WIN Richmond was lucky to beat Murist the way it did on Saturday—by a penalty goal In the last minute ot play which struck an upright and then fluklly tumbled over tho bar—hut when tho match is analysed, -Richmond would have been unlucky to have lost on the run o£ play. Tho plain truth is that Marist has been at sixes and sevens ever since Gregory and Brisbane left for Australia, and it will continue to be. so long as it makes the mistake of supposing that forwards can be turned into capable backs at a moment’s notice. it would bn bettor to keep on brinetrig up promising youngsters than to be chopping and changing about with good pack forwards. .Not only are tho backs not being strengthened, but the pack is very dclinitely being weakened. As for the youngsters, Marist can want nothing better than the way Little, Young and Schultz played on Saturday. They were as game as they make ’em on defence, and Drew has already made good on the wing. It was very evident from the first few minutes that Marist was going to have its work cut out to avoid defeat. The Richmond forwards bundled cleverly in fttst, raking rushes down the centre of flip paddock, and kept good command of the ball at their feet There is nothing that upsets a team more than this much-neglected stvle of Play, and on top of that, Marist had to meet Prentice and Peckham at the top of their form, backed by solid, consistent work on the part of Mine-ham. Ben Davis and Patterson. All through, Marist was fighting desperately to hold off these attacks. Its °avn back attack was not up to much, Johnson being a grave Avcakness in tho five-eighth line, and when Clarke was brought back to stiffen up tho backs, it only made confusion worse confounded. The rearguard was then cluttered up with too many bucks who were not experienced enough in positional play to carry out the South Sydney style of game, while Clarke’s fast, bustling play was sadly missed in the forwards. Under the circumstances, it was not surprising that Marist was beaten, and if Richmond's final effort which won tho game was a lucky one, Marist was equally lucky to have held Richmond off as long as it did. 'Once Prentice had an almost certain try in front of him, but stumbled off his balance, and could not get his hands on the ball to touch down for a try. WELL-BALANCED PACK The Richmond forwards played good football, every man of them. Ritchie was a great force in the loose, and McCarthy, Engge, Jones, Potter and Lennio took their full share of all that was going in the heavy stuff. The backs, too, went well together. Prentice played as well as ever he has done, and Mincham and Patterson showed any amount of dash in the threequarter line. Peckham was his old mercurial self at first five and was here, there and everywhere. ’ Lee was a bit slow', but quite safe at fullback Clarke continues to play great football in the Marist forwards, and there is nothing wrong with O’Brien’s form. Cither. Graham was tho headiest forward on the paddock when it came to following up, and is playing well at present, blit lie roused the crowd’s ire on one occasion, and it seemed, not without reason. AYcbberlcy showed improved form. In tlie backs, Hassan and Young worked well together. Hassan was Marist’s best back. Brady suffered bv tho weakness of his inside partner. Drew and Schultz shaped nicely, and with more opportunities, the form“r especially, will do well. Little was an excellent substitute for N. Campbell, and was 'very good on defence. Scoring register:—Richmond (tries by Mincham (2) and Ritchie, and a penalty goal by' Mincham), 11 points; Marist (tries by Brarl and Graham, both converted by O'Brien), 10 points.

PONSONBY'S LAST-MINUTE TRY AGAINST ELLERSLIE SUPPORTERS GIVEN QUALMS Judging by the series of last-minute A'ictories which they have been responsible for over the past few Aveeks, tho Ponsonby Leaguers appear to be acquiring a risky habit. Again on Saturday afternoon, they gave their supporters some uncomfortable moments, for it was not until the close of the game that they raced across to gain the winning try and defeat Ellerslie by 10 points to 5. Ponsonby was indeed fortunate, for Ellerslie rose to quite great heights and its bustling forAvards and strongattacking backs enjoyed more than an oven share of the offensive. Ponsonby was often hemmed in for considerable periods and frequently Avas lucky to hold out. Ponsonby by no means combined with its customary proficiency. Many Ponsonby back movements broke down rather miserably. From the outset, Ellerslie rushed into it with racy, bustling tactics, and the game soon developed into a dour struggle. With Ellerslie displaying fine individual efforts which failed for the Avant of polished combination, Ponsonby yet had to exert every energy to stave off tho battering attacks. Late in the first half, the tables were turned Avhen Riley and Angelo raced away in a passing bout and cleaA-ed tho Ellerslie defence. Schofield chimed in and Avent over for a good try. A penalty had preA*iously been landed by Delgrosso and the score at the interval Avas s—o5 —0 in Ponsonby’s favour. ELLERSLIE SCORES Early in the second spell, Ellerslie resumed its strong attack and Hemmingway succeeded Avith a penalty, Avhich Avas followed by an unconverted try by Grogan on the Aving, Avhen Olliff sent his backs away nicely from a scrum. This made the scores equal, and it Avas not until the last minute of play that tho Ponsonby backs flew downfield in the most brilliant passing rush of the game, and Winters put in a great dash before passing in again t<» Riley, Avho scored. Delgrosso converted. W. Skelton. Goodwin, Lunn and McLeay all battled Avell in an evenly-con-anced Ponsonby pack; but, on the day, they certainly met their match in Somers, Campner, Hobbs and Chapman, Avho played really fine football for Ellerslie. Olliff was in form behind the scrum for Ellerslie and he had good support from tho insides, Hickey and Grogan. “Pip” Webb did Avell at fullback. In contrast, Wilson gave rather a weak display at fullback l'or Ponsonby. but he improved as the game progressed. Scfiofield and Winters did well in the threequarter line with limited chances, Avhiie the half, Angelo, sent the ball out freely. Delgrosso was inclined to starve the outside backs, but he played a sound game in loose play.

1930 REPS. BASKETBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED INTER-CLUB CHAMPS. Auckland’s 1930 basketball representatives were selected on Saturday afternoon after a Possibles v. Probables match. The folloAving playefs Avere chosen: Goal: Misses J. Mclntosh (Varsity). M. Graham (Varsity). J. Nagle (Training College) ; G. Orbeli (Varsity), emergency. Centres: Misses E. Wann (Varsity), I. Jeffs (Grammar), X. Jacombs (Varsity); B. Buddie (Kai Toa), emergency. Defence: Misses J. Harper (Grammar), I’. Norris (Training College), C. Turner (Killarua); M. Stehr (Varsity), emergency. The selection committee consisted of Miss F. E. Lee, president of the Auckland Basketball Association, Miss T. Ogilvie and Miss G. Miles. Play in the test game was A*ery keen. Selection Avas difficult, and eventually physical fitness had to be taken into consideration. The team expects trying Avork Avhen engaged in tho Ncav Zealand Basketball Association’s annual tournament, which aa-111 bo held at Hastings this year. They Avill probably have to play eight matches. Tho selection committee found the standard of play high, the Aveakness, if any, being in the centres. Prominent in the test match Avere Misses J. Mclntosh (aa'lio has represented Auckland every year from and including 1926), J. Harper, E. Wann and I. Jeffs There is a fair smattering of neAV blood in the side, which, combined Avith the steadying influence of the old-stagers, should provide a formidable team.

It is expected that the tournament will take place from about August 25 to 29.

Inter-club championships Avere continued and a match was played between a visiting side from Thames and Training College B (senior B giade). The visitors were beaten bv a goal.

Following are results of the games:

Senior A Grade.—Training College 18 Wunjuih W: Kai Toa 20, Varsity Whites dale' s! Grammar 14; Eden-

s k T Kai T oa n - Varsity ■■ et '\ \’• Killarua 5; Grammar u, .{.miiK Cofiege B i>; Rovers 0, Seddon J; Lollege lJ o, Thames Reps. I, ri .lining College A If; George Court's *>. Lynndale 9. Victoria 6. Second Grade.—Training College B defaulted to Rovers; Kai 'Toa fi, Greers 12* Rata (j, Training College A 3; John Court's Manukau 4; Y W.C.A. A 17, George court's 5; Grammar defaulted to Technical College.

Third A Grade.—Victoria S, J.C.R n McKenzies, Ltd.. 5, Citizens 2; Olahuhu training College 1; Surrey Hills \ turners and Growers 3; Waratah 4. Milne and Choyce 3; Victoria 3, Technical Col-

Third B Grade.—Training College devaulted to Berlei; "New Zealand Herald" 11. Technical College 3; Cdendale It) Rovers 3; Seddon 13, Suburbs 10; i.vv.C.A, defaulted to Stones. fourth Grade A.—Akarana 1, Bycroft’s 0; AVoolworth’s 8, Whitcombe and Tombs 4; Parisian 10, Seddon 7; Papatoetoe 16 Melvern’s 4.

Fourth Grade B.—Rendell’s 11, Citizens 1; Browne Bros. G, Turners and Growers 4; Technical College 12. Berlei 0: Arohanui 4, Lynndale 4; Woolworth's' 12. Eden dale 4: Ashley’s 10. Otahuhu 5. Fifth Grade.—Y.W.C.A. 10, Arohanuf A' ,’~ itlKe ns S, Bridgen’s 7; Woolworth’s 8, Osborne’s S; Seddon 16, Bycroft's 5; btedman’s 6, Aloha 3.