LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1928, Page 15

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

ROOPE ROOSTER SERIES.

NEWTON AND PONIES DRAW.

MARISTS DOWN CHAMPIONS.

Tt was a case of slip, splash and scramble at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when the semi-finals of the Poopc Booster League competition were staged. Grey skies wept copiously, the ground was as slippery as the floor of a skating rink, and the players were faced with the dual task of keeping on their feet and endeavouring to handle a ball which was nearly as elusive as a greasy pig. In a wonderful struggle—great football considering the adverse circumstances —Newton and Ponsonby drew, and, although extra time was played, they could not be separated. It was an unusual happening which will necessitate a replay next Saturday. The hardened enthusiasts who braved the day —it was Charity Day—were amply rewarded by the tenseness of the struggle, and the good display which both teams made.

The champions crashed. Marist took to mudlarking with a rare enthusiasm, and successfully extinguished the Devonjxirt lamp which has burned so brightly during the present League season. Perhaps Marist were a shade lucky, but it was, nevertheless, a meritorious achievement on the part of the greens. DEVONPORT DEFEATED. "Come on. you drowned rats.” called a juvenile from the line at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when Marists and Devonport engaged in the knock-out contest on No. 2 ground. It was typical wet-dry football, but. despite excusable erratic handling of the greasy ball, interesting football was provided. Ultimately, after a desperately hard contest, Marist ran out victors to the tune of 10 points to five. At the commencement Devonport attacked with vigour and L. Scott was nearly in from a passing bout. It was good wet weather football with fortunes fluctuating in Interesting fashion. Campbell was carried off with an injured ankle, and was replaced by McKay. In a heated exchange Dixon got off-side, and Gregory opened Marists’ account with a nice goal. Marists 2. Devonport 0. Just before the spell. Tykes set up a determined attack, and Simons mulled the wet ball for Johnson to follow through and score wide out. Gregory added the extra points, to make the halftime scores: Marists 7. Devonport 0. The second spell had not been in progress long when Shore, having repulsed a promising Tyke siege, carried the ball at toe to the other end for S. Rule to retrieve and dive across. Simon converted. Marists 7, Devonport 5. Brisbane made an opening, and Kirwan was up with the movement and dashed in with a dribbling effort to secure possession before two Devonport nien and score. Gregory’s shot failed. Marists 10, Devonport 5. Gregory, Tykes’ stalwart, was carried off on a stretcher owing to an Injury. There was no further score. STALLARD CUP KNOCKOUT. Early spectators on the stand at Carlaw Park witnessed a fine wet weather struggle on No. 2 ground, In the knockout for the Stallard Cup between the grade champions, Graf ton-Athletic nnd Kingsland. Despite the precarious foothold, the play was open, fast and keep. Kingsland started the second half with a converted try and penalty goal to a converted try, but Athletic added another two points from an infringement award, and evened up the scores. The blues maintalned the pressure, and from an attempt at goal List fumbled and Haydon took advantage of the mistake to put Athletic in the lead. Increased to six points when Longville broke through a Kingsland attack at half-way and raced to the goal-line. At this stage Kindley, at full-back for Kingsland, who had made a few costly errjrs. provided compensation by breaking through the ruck along the sideline and dribbling on to score wide out. Athletic attacked and Longville cut the defence to pieces, and Haydon converted. The game ended :— Athletic Kingsland 10 VETERANS’ MATCH. For the pending veterans’ match between City and Ponsonby the team of the first named, to be captained by Albert Asher, will be selected from the following:— Fitzgerald, Barchard, Hunt, Robinson, Davidson (2), Minchain, Laing, Asher (3), Rukutai, Mitchell, Sheehan, brands, McKubrey, Hadden, Hawkes, Wynn, Clark, K< The match will be played next Saturday.

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONS.

RICHMOND’S FINE RECORD.

The record of the Richmond Club b third grade intermediate team in the Auckland Rugby League championships is one or pleasing merit. Four years ago. the side started in the 0A grade (Bst 71b), and, going up a step each year, has captured four championships and two knockout competitions. The team has been beaten only once in a championship game. In the third grade this season every one of the fifteen matches played has been w<* n > with Joo points for and 28 against. The championship points are 30, and the nearest team to this total is I’onsonby, with 22 points.

JUNIOR RESULTS.

SENIOR B. Point Chevalier 13, beat Parnell 6. Athletics 18, beat Kingsland 10. THIRD OPEN. Richmond 26, beat Northcote 3. FOURTH GRADE. City beat. Otahuhu by default. Richmond 21, beat Point Chevalier 0. Remuera 32, beat Ponsonby 3. SIXTH GRADE. Newmarket A 14, heat Point Chevalier 0. Marists 11, beat Devonport 6. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HAMILTON. Tn the final for the Innes Memorial Shield Ngaruawahia 6, beat Hamilton 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Marists 17, beat Christian Brothers (Dunedin) 10.