DEVONPORT’S CLOSE CALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 371, 4 June 1928, Page 6

DEVONPORT’S CLOSE CALL

North Shore League Team Beats Ponsonby After Thrilling Struggle

MARIST TOO GOOD FOR CITY

THE Devonport League XIII. had a close call on Saturday at Carlaw Park, the veteran Ponsonby side running the competition leaders to within a few points of victory after a fast, exciting and spectacular game in which no fewer than 40’ points were scored. Over 5,000 spectators witnessed the big game which was one of the best so far this season.

Saturday’s big clash, when Ponsonby went so near to upsetting Devonport’s exceptionally bright chances of clinching this season’s competition championship, was no less than a typical example of how the League code is meant to be played. Producing snappy passing rushes, plenty of dash and good combination between the rearguard and the pack, Shore played the true game. This style won for them a hard-earned victory, and gave the contest an international flavour. The much improved Ponsonby 13 on the other half, although favoured with backs of a fine, dashing type, lacked the combination of the seasiders and its rearguard line failed to swing away in those dazzling passing bouts which mean so much in scoring victories in big League. PONSONBY’S SHOWING But Ponsonby did well and owes its fine showing to the many brilliant solo efforts, Delgrosso’s remarkable kicking and ability as a captain, and the producing of a heap of “pep” and good spoiling tactics in the loose. But without combination such a style could never hope to compete against a welltrained team, each member of which is aware that the key to success and victory is combining efforts among both the backs and f or ward,s. The score see-sawed to and fro, and for the most part the Ponies claimed the lead, but in the final stages the SLiperior tactics of Devonport told the tale, for it hemmed the Ponies in on the defence, and the backs, throwing the ball about nicely, made charge after charge at the line. Of course it appeared to everyone that Shore was certain to cross. It was not until the last 15 minutes that the advantages of those neatly-formed rushes were so noticeable. It must not be overlooked that when Ponsonby took the field it was fully aware of the strength of the Shore back line, and that it would be a better policy, perhaps, not to make the game too open. But if Ponsonby had the combination for passing movements among its backs up its sleeve, it would certainly have put them into force when on the attack and then more scores would certainly have come its way. Gardiner, Payne, Hutt, Fagan and Ford, the Ponsonby pack, worked like trojans, and by securing the ball from the majority of the scrums gave their backs plenty of opportunities. Had the Shore back line been given the same chances it can only be expected that Ponsonby would have suffered defeat by a greater margin. As it was Devonport sadly missed the services of its hooker, St. George, whose place was filled on Saturday by Ruby. GARDINER FINISHES BADLY During the first half Gardiner, for Ponsonby, proved himself a handy man in the tight and worked wonders by holding the scrum together. But in the second half when the game became much more open Gardiner was not worth his “salt,” and made some horrible mistakes. In fact on one occasion when he fumbled the ball, he actually put his side on crutches, and it resulted in a deciding score going to Shore. Devonport’s set of forwards made a good showing, but missed the services of a good hooker. “Dooley” Moore lurked behind the scrum for the Ponies, and although he was noticed to be just a little on the slow side at times he showed plenty of pluck and played a great game, especially when playing on the defensive. In the five-eighth line Delgrosso was outstanding, and Cole certainly came up to expectations. Letton, at centre, is a fine stamp of back player. He put in some great runs and proved himself the finest tackier on the field. SCORING QUARTETTE Cleaver, Preston, Seagar and Beattie were Devonport’s inside, tracks, who proved themselves wizards with the ball. Each of this quartette played well up to form, while to finish off some of their well-timed rushes Len Scott and Saxon, filling the wing positions, were often in the limelight. “Pip” Webb at fLillback was not the sound fullback he was of old, but, of

course, it was his first game for some time, and on top of this “Pip” had a heap of real bad luck. He is sure to more than please the fans when he hits form again.

WALK-OVER FOR MARISTS

The clash of the Mar is t and the City Rugby League thirteens at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon resulted in a decisive walk-over for Tykes by 39 points to 12. For the first ten minutes, City had the best of the game territorially, but after that there was only one team in the picture. The bulky green forwards, making the most of their weight and pace, dominated the game. Behind them came one of the finest back lines playing the code in Auckland. Moisley, outstanding player in the last two games, was transferred to the forwards, where his spoiling work and dash in the tight and open marked him as a strong candidate for representative honours. He was ably supported by Jock Graham and “Massa” Johnson, while ZSToble'p red head was always in the limelight. The red and blackvanguard, although lighter, was less nimble on its feet and showed little resemblance of forward play as it should be. Hamilton certainly stood out as a fine player individually, as also did Macky until he had to go off with a kick in the ribs. The Hadley Brothers also played game football. WEAK BACK DIVISION The diminutive Hines behind the scrum was only one of the several weak links in the City back division. tie is as game as a lion, and a deadly tackier, and got through a tremendous amount of work on Saturday, but on attack he lacks the pace. Eveson played a good game, as also did Wetherill, but Perry and Barchard were weak. The passing of the City backs left a. lot to be desired, even “Giggy” Wetherill offending occasionally in this respect. BRISBANE’S FINE DISPLAY Cronin behind the scrum played his best game to date, and there was a noticeable improvement in his passing, which had marred his game the week before. Hassan further out played another fine game, and it was his tactics largely which nullified the efforts of the opposition. The veteran, Brisbane, at centre, was probably the best back on the field. His strong, straight running was reminiscent of “Brissy’s” former brilliance —a brilliance which every Saturday appears to be quickly returning. He was ably supported by the fleet-footed Sweeney on one wing, while Batchelor on the otjier flank did all he was asked to do well. Gregory, at fullback, again surpassed himself as Tykes sheet anchor, linekicking, handling and tackling (when it came his way) with unerring accuracy. He sent the sphere over the props four times during the afternoon. It is a pity this fine player finds it hard to control his tongue. He is too much inclined to lend advice to the referee, and one day the knight of the whistle will show his resentment by dispatching “Pope” to the sideline.

ENGLISH LEAGUERS LOSE NEW SOUTH WALES VICTORY HARDLY-CONTESTED GAME (United P.A. —By Telegraph — Copyright) SYDNEY, Sunday. In a Rugby League match yesterday New South Wales defeated England by 20 points to 15 after a hardly-contested game. In the early stages play was very fast, but the Englishmen did not appear to be in the best form, and were apparently still suffering from the effects of the voyage. At half-time New South Wales led by 15 points to 5. In the second half England gave a better display, but the local speed and combination were too good.