LEAGUE CONTESTS.

Observer, Volume XXXIX, Issue 48, 2 August 1919, Page 22

LEAGUE CONTESTS.

The Rooster Round

Hard and Gruelling

The opening games in the Eoope Rooster competition gave rise to much interest, and a first-rate "gate" was received by the League officials at the Domain. The Mari-time-City match on No. 1 ground was much more evenly contested than the scores would indicate. Though the Watersiders won by 17 to 6, there was hardly a point between the teams. Lang, the Maritime half-back, was the dominating influence in the game. v His work was clean and clever, and his dashes for the line when inside his opponents' twenty-five were always dangerous. He fed his backs generously with the ball, but when he found they could not pierce the defence he had a go on his own, and got through. It is to be hoped that Saturday's experience won't lead him into the habit of endeavouring to beat "off his own bat" all the teams he plays against. Probably it won't—versatility is a feature of his game. Another Maritimer who did yeoman service for his side was Avery, who again proved himself a dashing try-getter. City's attacking movements seemed to go wrong at the crucial stage, a bright exception being the passing bout that was finished by Clarke sprinting round the opposition and scoring. Adam, who has shown remarkably good form at full back for City, had a day off, but will do better, as he is a consistent trier, and shirks nothing. $ © <$

Stoush! Marist Old Boys maintained the improvement they displayed against Ponsonby in the final game for the League Championship, and comfortably accounted for North Shore. If they continue to improve it is quite on the cards that they will make a bold bid for the Rooster. They deserve every credit for plugging along in the face of adversity during the early part of the season.

A Dirty Interlude. The Newton-Ponsonby game on Saturday was full of thrills, and supporters of the 'Ponies" appeared to lose their heads in the concluding stage of a great struggle. Probably they have recovered them ere now, and wish they had allowed the to be. played to a finish, as the Ponsonby players were all out to win, and would quite likely have scored a try in the last five minutes. The game was completely spoilt by the loutish action of some of the crowd, and they can be assured that their action, far from doing the game any good, would let it down. There's a little adage, "Play the game." Let future Ponsonby supporters think of it before going to the match.