Devonport’s First Defeat

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 6

Devonport’s First Defeat

CITY LEAGUERS EFFECT SURPRISE Spectacular Play by City Backs CITY’S defeat of Devonport on Saturday was tlie sensation of the League season to date. It was Devonport’s first loss, and although the chances of Shore losing the premiership at this late stage are remote, it has infused fresh vim and life into a great club competition.

Although City’s smashing victory took the .majority of League fans by surprise.*it was freely whispered behind the scenes all last week that City had a rod in pickle for the champions. For the past two or three weeks, City men had been working like Trojans on training nights to stage a come-back after the hammering it took from Ponsonby three or four weeks ago. On Saturday, every man in the team was keyed up to concert pitch. A fine win against Richmond the previous week put the side in good heart. There was no holding it on Saturday. City took risks, and got away with it. Every man was right up on his toes from the kick-off. The forwards, headed by Joe Hadley, Len Barchard and Pascoe, plunged into their game like men possessed. They held the Shore pack down, and put the ball out to their backs. It was the City inside backs that won the game. No fine' exhibition of sheer, devastating running with the ball has been given this year than the display which George Berry and McLaughlin staged on Saturday. They smashed the Devonport defence to a standstill, and it was smsdl wonder that some of the backs cracked up under the terrific pounding they took. Up till half-time, and even half-way through the second spell, Devonport still liud a. chance, provided it could keep young Perry and McLaughlin in check. But the former settled the issue by scoring one of the greatest tries ever seen at Carlaw Park ny cutting right back against the swing of play, and going through lor a wonderful try. After that, it was clear the game was as good as finished. It was no disgrace to Devonport to be beaten as it was. {Shore played a good, solid game all through, a game that in nine cases out cf ten would have been good enough for a win. It was beaten by a team that played miles above itself, and surprised even its strongest supporters by the way it kept up the terrific pace it set from whistlo to whistle. BRIGHT FOOTBALL It was a great game to watch. The “Dismal Jimmies” may say what they will, but there is nothing wrong with the League game in Auckland this year. Devonport, City, Marist and Ponsonby are all playing great football, and there should be some wonderful games ahead when the Roope Rooster knock-outs come along later in the season.

George Perry was the outstanding back on the field on Saturday. He was lightning-fast off the mark, and

his shattering runs from the fiveeighth position were a treat to w a t c h. IT i s handling has improved out of all knowledge, a n d provided ho keeps it up, some of the old-stagers will have to step themselves out it if they want to retain their place in tli e Auckland team.

McLaughlin at centre played his best game this season. He has been consistently good all the year, even in the forwards, and on Saturday, he excelled himself with magnificent straight running and brilliant anticipation. Watene was off and on at fullback, but on the whole, played well. Laurie Barchard showed a great improvement on the wing, and it it evident that the City selectors have found the right place for this nuggetty player. Iveson was safe and sound all day. His solid game should not be overlooked in comparison with the more spectacular work of the other backs. Reynolds at half did not make one mistake till well on in the game. He got the ball out well, and gave a splendid display. W. Perry was very solid on the other wing. Len Barchard was one of the best forwards on the ground. He has plenty of weight, and he is not afraid

to put every ounce of it into the tight stuff. Joe Hadley set a great example to his team by his deadly tackling, and consistent following up. Pascoe, too, gave a splendid display of hooking, and was always in the forefront of the game. Hamilton, Clarke and Townsend did their

share, too. Shore’s inside backs did not play as well as usual, but the forwards put up a tremendous battle right to the finish. They were a bit sluggish in the first half, but they rose to it in the second, and had the inside backs been able to bold Perry and Co. in the second spell, matters might have been different. Sid Rule and Casey were in the thick of the game all day long. St. George and Ruby were very solid, and Alf Scott came to light in the second spell, but it will take him another week or two to get back to his old form after liis recent injury. MeCarthney was not so good as usual Although Coghlan and Seagar did some good work on defence at times, the Shore backs were bustled off their game on attack, and could not connect up in their old style. The inside backs were weak on attack. The O’Learys played solidly, and Len Scott gave a long-delayed glimpse of his best form once or twice. Simons had his hardest test this season, and considering that he was playing behind the beaten side, he did very well. He must get off the mark quicker, however. and some regular sprinting work on training nights would do him good. Mr. V. Simpson had a hard game to control, but he gave an excellent display. The scoring register was as follows: City (tries by Laurie Barchard (2), McLaughlin, Pascoe and G. Perry, and a goal by Laurie Barchard), 17 points; Devonport (tries by L. O’Leary and L. Scotto. and a goal by A. Scott), S points.

RICHMOND IMPROVED BUT FAILED TO CLINCH HONOURS FROM PONSONBY Although the Richmond Leaguers failed to clinch the honours against Ponsonby on Xo. 2 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday, and went down by a five-point margin, there were stages during the game when they were “knocking at the door.” and, compared to past games, they undoubtedly

showed a marked improvement in form.

Turns of spectacular play were frequent, and although of course the match could not be compared with the

stirring battle on the main area, it attracted a fair number of fans, and was quit© a good game to watch. The Ponies were favoured with a slight superiority in both the forward and back divisions, especially in the rearguard line, which went away at times in smart passing bouts to penetrate the Richmond defensive. With Prentice back in the fold, Richmond was a strengthened side; but, even so, there was something lacking in its back line. While Hanlon’s services as a fullback have been proved over and over again to be invaluable to Richmond, his presence in the fiveeightli line, or perhaps at centre, would undoubtedly have made much difference to the side on Saturday. Hanlon and Prentice playing together, and assisted by the services of Davis, and a speedy winger in Mincham, would have worried Ponsonby. The crack loose forward Jenkinson was one of the shining lights of the Richmond pack, while* Lennie was always in the thick of it, and made a good showing. There were a few fresh faces showing in the forward division. Lawless, Potter, and Goldwater mado up a new trio, which put in some great work, but which appeared to be lacking a little in experience. The Ponies certainly missed the services of Lou ITutt in their pack, but in Skelton, Payne, Stevens, Fagan, Gardiner, and J. Peckham, which made up the scrumming division, they had an experienced set of players with plenty of weight. From these it is perhaps difficult to pick any particular shiners, each member playing well. Among the rearguarders, the pick for Ponsonby rested with the invincible Delgrosso, and the brilliant centre, “Spot” Riley. Other than these two. nothing startling may be written of the rest of the back line. Winter and Scholfield, the two wingers, put in some fine individual runs, especially the former, who scored a try after Sprinting nearly the whole length of the field. Moore, at fullback, was off colour, and has to be excused for some of his bad blunders, which at times got Ponsonby into trouble. Mclntyre, at half, played his usual reliable game. While Prentice at five-eighths has proved himself a tower of strength to Richmond, his deadly tackling and attacking tactics worrying Ponsonby at times, undoubtedly the soundest rearguarder on the field for Richmond was Davis, at half. He played a great game from whistle to whistle. Hanlon, at fullback, as usual, was safe. With the ground in good order, and most suitable for some of those spectacular dashes, a characteristic of Mincham’s play, the Richmond insides made a bloomer in not having this whirlwind winger better fed.

NEWTON’S SMALL MARGIN SPECTACULAR MATCH A good game from beginning to end was the display by the Ellerslie and Newton Leaguers at Ellerslie on Saturday. The teams were evenly matched, Newton having slightly the better of the weight. Newton won by 7 points to 5. At no stage was the game scrappy, and seldom did an individual worker fail to find support. The combined work in attack and defence was sound. With the weather chilly, the teams were content to keep moving, with the result that the game was made hard and fast for all. The spectators were able to forget the cold in their excitement. Newton was lucky to win by its two points. Their combined work and their individual efforts were equalled man for man by their suburban opponents. The result was really “in the hat” right up to the last whistle. Nevertheless another three or five points were lost to Newton when Little crossed the line, but dropped the ball, shortly after he had scored the first try for his side. Little sparked throughout. What he started he carried on unless he saw another man with a better chance to finish the movement. Brimble was a reliable co-worker. Hooker Cammick made a good showing both in and out of the scrums, and Page was a hustling and enthusiastic forward. This player was recently transferred from the Ellerslie Club. Peckham’s kicking in clearing away an Ellerslie attack was always welljudged. His conversion of Little’s try pulled the game out of the hat for the city men. Hill was a success at the tail end, with hard tackling and deep line kicking.

The local men had the greatest faith —and with good reason—in Olliff and Dufty, the half and fullback respectively. Dufty played his best game yet for his new club. He and his kicking leg seemed to have a travelling order, as he was always where his weight, tackling or booting was most needed. He was probably collared more often on Saturday than during the rest of the season past. The Newton men watched him and Olliff nil the time in the second spell. The halfback seemed to be working for representative honours, although his was by no means gallery playing. His lack of weight and size is more than balanced by his science, quickness and enthusiasm. Of the others, the Crewther brothers were not as prominent as usual; in solo work Grogan and Tooman were keen and hard, playing a breakthrough forward game all the time. Tooman sneaked every opportunity to trot the ball along the line for 30 or 40 yards when no one was looking. In the front Hobbs was the hardest fighter for the locals. With Dance and Chapman, and with rear support from Hemingway and Glenn, Ellerslie kept hard at it when at Newton’s end of the ground. Dance shone individually in the second half, when the game was anybody’s.

Referee Bindall was worked hard to follow everything toward the end, as the last quarter of an hour was very fast play. The game ended in semidarkness.

AFRICAN CRICKETERS RADIO CALL FOR PLAYER (United P.A.—Bp Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z . Press Association) (United Service) LONDON, Saturday. The South African cricketers today commenced a match against Notts. The county eleven batted first and scored 445 runs for seven wickets (Carr 194, Payton not out 116, Walker 53). Owing to injuries to members of the South African team, the manager has broadcast an appeal to the newspapers and by wireless requesting J. P. Duming, who is believed to be somewhere in England, to get into touch with him with a view to joining the team. CLAY BIRD SHOOTING NEW LYNN GUN CLUB The New Lynn Gun Club held a series of matches on Saturday. There was a good attendance of members, and some fine shooting was clone. The first match of seven birds resulted in a tie between M. Delich (15yds), G. TI. Brown (15yds), A. M. Bartley (13yds), F. Keene (14yds), and F. Hazard (14yds), each with the possible. The chief match of the day, one of 15 birds, for Mr. M. H. Tisdall’s trophy, was won by G. IT. Brown with the possible, off 16yds. This was a very fine performance, Brown getting all his birds with the first barrel. F. McGeehan (12yds), M. Delich (16vds), R. H. Bartley (15yds), and A. E. Macredie (18yds), all tied for second place with 14 each. The next match was one of five birds, and resulted in a tie between J. Milne (11yds), R. TI. Bartley (15yds), G. IT. Brown (17yds), and IV. Hazard 13yds). In the shoot-off R. Bartley lost his sixth bird, G. Brown his ninth, J. Milne dropped his 12th. while W. Hazard shot his 12th and took first money. J. Milne was second. The next shoot will be held on July 20. MORRINSVILLE GUN CLUB Following are the results of a claybird shoot held by the Morrinsville Gun Club on Saturday:—First sweep of seven birds each: A. Aitkin, the possible. Second sweep of seven birds each: A. Aitkin, the possible. Third sweep of 10 birds, fourth round for Hodges and C.A.C. trophies: S. Parlour and W. Aitkin. 9 each. Fourth sweep of seven birds each: G. Green, the possible. Fifth sweep of seven birds each: A. Aitkin, G. Green, S. ParJour, W. Sharp, \V. Aitkin, 6 each, divided the prize. Sixth sweep, gimcrack, of six birds each: S. Parlour and \V. Aitkin, 5 each, divided the prize. Seventh sweep, turkey trophy, ,of 9 birds each: A. Aitkin, the winner. Eighth sweep: turkey trophy, of seven birds each: Parlour, the possible. Ninth sweep, quail drive, 6 birds each: Parlour, Green, A. Aitkin and A. Stuckey, equal, A. Aitkin winning in the shoot-off.