SATURDAY’S FIELD SPORTS—THE GAMES REVIEWED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 721, 22 July 1929, Page 6

SATURDAY’S FIELD SPOR TS—THE GAMES REVIEWED

Marist’s Turn Now!

STOPS CITY'S WINNING SEQUENCE

Ups and Downs of League Teams

Rapid rises and sudden slumps have turned the senior League competition into a bewildering series of surprises this season. A month or so ago, it was Devonport all the way. Then came City in a blaze of brilliance, with a sequence of shattering victories over Richmond, Devonport and Newton. On Saturday, however, it was City’s turn to crash. Marist, which has been hard on the heels of City right through the Thistle Cup series, rose to the occasion in thrilling style on a heavy ground and won out by 13 points to 7.

only once looked like striking its old. Irresistible form in Saturdav's mud. That was when Raurie Barchard, George Perry and McLaughlin cut loose in a magnificent burst of passing in the second spell. But it was Right through the match, the forwards showed no idea of dribbling, and were com-

pletely outplayed Laurie Barchard at the finish by a team which adapted itself better to the treacherous conditions under-foot.

Marist's win was due, first to the magnificent display of bunching and dribbling by the Tyke forwards, and second, to the way the backs supported them by clever kicking and fast following up. It was a great game to watch, considering the handicap under which it was played. For once, City failed to start off at its usual terrific pace, and after gradually allowing Marist to get a grip on the game, it could not shake off the hustling, bustling tactics of the opposition. Shortly after half-time. City disclosed a glimpse of its true form, and when Watene had brought the Reds up to within one point of the Marist score (8-7), City still had a chance. But the Marist inside backs came to Tight and saved the day. Gregory, Brisbane and Brady were the stars in clever tactical play, which shifted play to the City twenty-five, and although it was a lucky speculator which enabled Brady to dash over and score, it was the whole story of the match—the Marist backs playing right up on their opponents, and throwing their defence into chaos by well judged kicking, with quick following up by backs and forwards alike. Marist thoroughly deserved its win. The Tykes have had a stiff run of illluck this season, and never seemed to bo able to do anything right in the first round. On present form, it stands a good fighting chance for the Roope Rooster. This series should produce some great football, with Hevonport, Ponsonby, City and Marist going great guns. “Jock” Graham, Moisley and “Stump” Campbell are a great backbone of workers in the Tyke pack. They are always on the ball, with Duane and Johnson, the two fliers, putting in great work in the loose, with such a wellbalanced team, Marist can generally afford to let Jim O’Brien have a roving commission. And the old warrior knows his J. Graham drill, too! Time and again, he bobbed up on Saturday to save the situation with a mark and a safe kick to touch. Gregory and Brisbane played clever, brainy football. Gregory’s kicking was beautifully placed, and Brisbane put in some splendid dashes. Brady played one of his best games this season at centre. He had a hand in at least two tries, and did some great work on attack. Batchelor was very solid on the wing, and .N. Campbell gave a first-class display at fullback. His taking and kicking were splendid. The City forwards were well below form, with the exception of Pascoe, nnd occasionally Clarke and Hadley. But they did not get much' support from their backs. Shortland was a regular little mudlark at halfback. He Wants a bit of coaching up in the play-the-ball rule, but apart from that, he gave a good display. McLaughlin did several good things at centre, his try being a beauty. Raurie Barchard deserved a fair share of the honours. He was very solid. Watene had his hands full at fullback. He made a few mistakes, but he also did some very good work. Scoring Register.—Marist (tries by Graham. Moisley and Brady, two goals by Gregory), 13 points; City (try by Mcßaughlin. two goals by Watene), 7 points.

BUSTLING FORWARDS

PONIES’ DECISIVE WIN Failure of combination among Ellerslie backs allowed fast-moving Ponsonby men to run up 20 points against three at Ellerslie on Saturday.. The standard of play was fair and Ponies mainly had the upper hand. JSTlerslie caused a good deal of trouble to the winners, however, and its forwards played a really rattling game. I'p to the latter part of the first half, Ponsonby had been blocked in every move and actually had to defend solidly. Then came three runaway tries for Ponies, with a reply by Ellerslie just before the interval. Play in the second half was not nearly as interetsing as in the first spell, and it merely gave Ponies an opportunity of adding 11 points. Ellerslie had two new players —McLaughlin. a forward from the Waikato. and Stringer, a back who has played in Canterbury amt Thames. Ponsonby’s backs got' away in several gallops. Before he retired through a leg injury. Riley, the -centre, played cleverly. W. Skelton, the

scrum breakaway, replaced Riley in the second half, and played an excellent game, in the backs. In the first half, Skelton scored a splendid try on his own effort and then made the way for Fagan to score. Helgrosso and P. Skelton were solid five-eighths, but they were closely watched. Moore was useful at half and Ellerslie’s player at the base of the scrum, Olliff, played a line game. The Ellerslie backs who did best were tlie wing-threequarters, Toornan and Grogan. Starved for the ball on attack, they somehow managed to get through a lot of sound, individual play. Assisting Skelton in the Ponsonby pack were those consistent ’forwards, Payne and Fagan. Gardiner and Stevens were good, too. Hobbs was Ellerslie’s busfest worker and was one of the best players on the field, F. Chapman and McLaughlin were the next pair. Scoring details: —Ponsonby, 20 points (two tries to Moore, tries to W. Skelton, Fagan, Gardiner and P. Skelton, conversion to Helgrossol ; Ellerslie, 3 (try to Grogan ).

DEFEATED AGAIN

RICHMOND GOES DOWN TO KINGSLAND WELL DESERVED VICTORY It could be classed as a mild surprise that the youthful Richmond Leaguers should go down to. Ivings-land-Athletic in the senior' game staged at the Domain on Saturday. In spite of the shocking condition of the playing field, and rain which continued throughout the first half, there were occasional flashes of brilliant and exciting play. The Kingslanders proved the better mudlarks and h-eld a. territorial advantage from whistle to whistle. They deserved their victory. 6-0. With the game played under such impossible conditions it would certainly be unfair to offer too harsh a comment. Some players could adapt themselves better than others and they were the shining lights, while quite a number who, under any reasonable circumstances are classed as cracks, failed miserably to make a good showing. On the day played the better class of football, and its bustling tactics by both rearguard ers and packmen, and fast following-up were undoubtedly the key to its success. The Richmondites actually threw golden opportunities away by not going up faster. Then Kingsland was favoured with the services of the px-Ponsonby player, Revell, at fiveeighth, who, assisted by List, made one or two brilliant back passing movements. There was undoubtedly some weakness in the Richmond rearguard line. The fact that there was no score at half-time does not give any indication of the'general run of the play. Kingsland attacked throughout. Only at times was it pushed back on the defensive and then it;, did not look like having points run up against it. From-'-the kick-off in the-:, second spell Richmond took the offensive, but it was not for long, for relieved and in a great race with Grace managed to dive for the ball and .-score. Christmas on the wing managed the other score for Kingsland when, in a lino solo effort, he dribbled down the line from half-way eventually to take up and score an unconverted try. After the players had been wallowing about in the mud for a while it was almost impossible to tell one from the other. For Richmond, Prentice and Jenkinson were outstanding, the last-named especially being a tower of strength to his side. Lennie seemed to like tire' mud and did some good work, while others to shine were Agnew, Davis at half, and Hanlon, who although making one ol* two slips, was very soupd. On Saturday’s game it appears Kingsland has a handy man in Revell. He put much more vim into his play titan he did with any game he ever played Ponsonby, while, with List playing as consistently as ever, the newly-promoted senior team fielded a strong rearguard. Christmas on the wing is very sound, and his score was a brilliant one. Wilson at fullback did not make as good a . showing as Hanlon, but even so, he was- quite safe.

DEVONPORT PILES UP POINTS

CHAMPIONS' BIG WIN Newton's failure to field a full, team against Devur.port on the suburTiari ground ori Saturday, deeply disappointed the public, as Shore was thus virtually assured of victory before the game commenced. The debacle that followed was the only possible ending;' Devonport overwhelmed its opponents'by 35 points to three. , f The visitors could only field hine men at the start, but later managed to enlist two or three fourth-grade players to assist them. The greater portion of the ground was a slushy quagmire, having been well churned up by a curtain-raiser, and its condition was made even worse by driving rain showers during the first spell. Punt and follow tactics and dribbling were thus the best, and it was thus that Devonport piled up the points. At the . same time, the. Shore backs gave a fine display of passing work under adverse conditions. Shore set a merry pace in opening. Coghlan swinging his backs into action at every opportunity while the ball was

DAVIS CUP CONTEST

AMERICA BEATS GERMANY PLAYS FRANCE IN FINAL (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) BERLIN, Sunday. In the inter-zone final of the Davis Cup competition America beat Germany. In the doubles Allison and Van Ryn (America) defeated Moldenhauer and Prenn, 9—ll, G—2, 6—4, G—3. In the singles Tilden beat Moldenhauer, G—2, 6 —4, 6—4. Hunter beat Prenn, 3—6, 6—3, 6—4, 6—3. The winners will meet. France in the final.

NO SENIOR PLAY

SATURDAY’S BASKETBALL INTER-CLUB GAMES The Auckland Basketball Association postponed all senior inter-club matches on Saturday afternoon. Results of inter-club games played in the. lower grades are: Second Grade.—Grammar B, 6, Edendale, 11; Y.W.C.A., 7, Training College A, 8; Grammar A, 7, University, 4; Lynndale lost by default to Seddon. Third Grade.—Killaruia, 7, Otahuhu, 11; Wesley . lo.st by default to Turners and Growers College A won by default from "New Zealand Herald”; Surrey Hills won by default from Wellesley; Grammar, lost by default to Y.W.C.A.; Rata, 4, Technical College, 11. Fourth Grade. —Seddon, 4, Y.W.C.A. B, 4;-, Manukau, 3, Y.W.C.A. A, 3; Victoria, 3, Turners and Growers, 4; Papatoetoe lost- by default to Technical College; Lynndale, 7, Mackenzie, Ltd., 4; Y.W.C.A. A, 5. Victoria, S. Fifth Grade. —Papatoetoe lost by default to Surrey Hills; Bdendale, 16, St. David’s Guides, 2; Y.W.C.A., 1, Technical College A, 8: Seddon, 3, Technical College B, 17; Otahuhu, 10, Arohanui, 9.

CLAY BIRD SHOOTING

NEW LYNN GUN CLUB The New Lynn Gun Club held its fortnightly shoot on Saturday. There was a good attendance of members and some good shooting was done. The first match, which was one of seven birds, the final of a series of four for the Murrell Cup, resulted in a tie between F. Hazard and G. H. Brown. The best scorer in the next match was to be the winner, and as. Hazard beat Brown by one bird he holds the cup for twb months. The next match was a 15 birds’ event for a trophy presented by Mr. L. F. Ramsey. M. Delich (15yds), E. N. Barratt (3 4yds), D. Hyauiason (11yds) and YV. Turner (13yds) topped the score with 14 each. In the shoot-off M. Delich won on the 21st bird, W. Turner being second with 20. A seven-birds sweepstake resulted in a tie between M. Delich (16yds), H. E. Knight (17yds), R. H. Bartley ( 13yds), E. N. Barratt (15yds) and D. Stoupe (12yds), all shooting the possible. Tn the shoot-off, first miss out, M. Delich won on the tenth bird, Knight and Barratt dividing second money.

WRESTLING TONIGHT

ALLEY AND VANCE The stage is set for a hard bout at tire Town Ha.ll this evening, when Toni Alley and. Farmer Vance open the 1229 wrestling season in Auckland. Both men are reported to be in excellent condition, and a thrilling and scientific exhibition is expected. Vance is an experienced wrestler, and is the holder of the light-heavy-weight championship of Canada. In over 250 -contests, he has been the winner on many more occasions than he has lost, although it is impossible to give correct figures, owing to no record having been kept. Alley is in excellent form, and should show the skill which enabled him to win the light-heavy-weight and heavyweight championships of four States. His months’ stay in Auckland has benefited him, and in this he will have an advantage over the Farmer, who has only been here- a week. But Vance arrived in excellent condition after a good trip, and he will take the ring in the best of form. An excellent programme of amateur preliminaries will be staged.