Newton Catches Rising Tide

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 397, 4 July 1928, Page 11

Newton Catches Rising Tide

League Competition Livens Up

THE defeat of tlie Shore Leaguers by Newton has added considerable interest to the senior championship competition. Although still leading in points, Devon port’s chances of clinching the championship honours are not as bright as they were previously and the recent form shown by the Newtonians make this thirteen appear a hard proposition.

Next Saturday’s Games Ponsonby v. Newton. Marist v. Devonport. Ellerslie v. City. Richmond v. a Hikurangi team. * * * Another “All Black” Defeat There was also a sensational “All Black” defeat in League circles last Saturday. Shore, the wearers of the black jersey, who, up until last week, had been the only senior 13 unbeaten, suffered a severe trouncing by the Newtonians. Although downed, the seasiders still maintain the lead in the championship competition, but the fact that they have been brought down a peg will certainly make the competition much more interesting. * * * Saturday’s Feature Game There is certainly some doubt which would be the best match for the main area at League headquarters next Saturday, as the draw shows every indication of there being at least two exceptionally interesting games. After Newton’s fine showing last week fans will no doubt be anxious to see it again on the park this week against Ponsonby. At the meeting of the Auckland League this evening it seems certain that this will be considered the big clash for Saturday. * * * Since the time when they gave the Shore Leaguers such a close call, the Ponies have been going along steadily. The changes made in their team recently do not appear to have done The Hat King is Bert Marshall.

any harm, but at present they have three of their most prominent men, in Hutt, Moore and Usher on the sick list. With three such players out of the Ponsonby team on Saturday Ponsonby will most likely have to draw on lower grade players. At this rate, it does not look as bright for Ponsonby in its match against Newton as it did previously. The scores in the senior B match on Saturday between Parnell and Athletic were incorrectly reported to .The Sun on Saturday. The correct score was Athletic 13, Parnell 8. Hard- Knocks Up until quite recently the injured list of the Auckland Rugby League has been very clean, but Secretary Ivan Culpan reports this week that there are many players off-colour and on the insurance. * * * Ponsonby’s hefty forward, Elutt, who has been seen playing at centre in the last couple of games, took the field against City last Saturday with an injured shoulder. The injury certainly did not improve with the game, and at times he could hardly handle at all. It is not expected that he will be oLit next Saturday.

Dooley Moore is another member of the ponies 13 who got knocked about on Saturday. Besides a crack in the nose he received a couple of black eyes which, by the way, owing to his particular complexion, are not very noticeable—although ‘Dooley” knows only too well that they are there. However, he may be ready for Saturday. * * * Syd. Usher, of Ponsonby, has wrenched his knee and is not expected to turn out in the game against Newton. * * * The Club Spirit Although suffering badly from boils —he should really have been in bed — Somers turned out for Newton on Saturday, because he knew that to win the game, Newton would need to win the scrums. The Auckland hooker, and the Devonport raker, St. George, engaged in a battle royal for possession in the scrums, and both sides got a fair share of the ball. Apart altogether from his hooking ability, however, Somers would be worth his place in any team for his work in the open. On Saturday he scored one of Newton’s tries. On his performance in the last few games, Hall has proved himself to be the outstanding Red and White forward, although Clarke is not very far behind him. Richmond On Tour The Richmond senior 13 has the bye in the competition for next Saturday, so the Auckland League has arranged for them to make a trip to Hikurangi where the code is gaining a footing. It is difficult to say what opposition the Richmondites will meet in the North, but they are a solid 13, and their open style of play will no doubt impress those recently changed over to the League code. Mr. Ben Davis will act as manager of the Richmond team, and Mr. W. Swift will be assistantmanager. * * * Representative League Canterbury will meet Auckland for the Northern Union Challenge Cup at Auckland on July 21. Marists.’ Injured List The “Tykes” also have a few among the injured. Brisbane was not seen on the field last Saturday owing to the “flu,” but will be ready for the game against Shore. Winger N. King is off the insurance now, but it is rumoured that he will not be turning out again this season. “Pope” Gregory’s knee is still troubling him, but he expects to be right for Saturday’s game. Davis Diddled Bill Davis, the usually bright little halfback wearing the maroon colours had a day off on Saturday. He was as good a battler as ever on defence, but was far too slow in making up his mind what to do when Richmond hooked the ball. Saxon, the Devonport wing-three-quarter, was seen strollyig into the League office yesterday with his arm in a sling. It is not likely that he will j be ready for the field again for a while. ; Not Out of the Picture But in a day of sensational trv-scor-ing, the North Shore idol, Len Scott, was not left out of the picture, al-

siderably cramped by the ever-ready Liard grave. It -would be no surprise to see him filling the other wing position in the “All Black” sides for the coming tests against the Englishmen, and with that versatile “old” warrior, Dutf-y, lining out as fullback, as he is bound to do, Auckland will be in the picture, in fact they will be the picture. Pars About Newtonians Although dame fortune has not yet smiled very freely on Little, he is a winger of the Hardgrave type, and like Hardgrave too he will yet be seen doing the sensational in Auckland League. # There is nothing flashy about the work of Cammick, the Newton half, but he has the greatest virtue to be found in any halfback. He plays always for his side. It was the tackling of Wilson and Murray which upset the work of Segar and Preston on Saturday. These two Newtonians are noted for their solid work in this department of the game. It was they who prepared the way for the sensational doings of Hardgrave.

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