Big Wins at League

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1071, 8 September 1930, Page 6

Big Wins at League

ROOPE ROOSTER CONTESTS Richmond Puts Marist Out THREE out of four matches in the tirst round of the Roope Rooster competition at Carlaw Park on Saturday resulted in runaway victories at the finish, but the main game between Richmond and Marist was a hard, desperate contest, which provided one of the most thrilling battles of the season. As a result of Saturday’s play, Richmond, City, Ponsonby and Devonport will fight out the next series of games this week-end.

The Marist-Richmond game was not a very good exhibition of League football. In the second spell especially, it was more like a pre-war Rugby game than anything else. What made it such a thrilling contest was the closeness of the scoring, and the grim intensity of the play. On the run of the play, Richmond fully deserved its win. Just what would have happened had Brady and Brisbane been playing for Marist is another question. Marist had to weaken its forwards by bringing Clarke back to centre, and with Graham unavailable, the pack was unable to produce its best form, especially in the loose.

Richmond dashed into its game with tremendous vim. The pace was too hot to last, and even while it did last, Richmond lost several good chances of scoring through over-eagerness. However, the winning team played like a well-drilled combination throughout, its forwards bunching nicely in sweeping ground rushes, and the backs playing sound, solid football. Richmond generally plays fully 25 per cent, better football In the Roope Rooster than it does in the club series, and it seems to be a tradition with the club that it reserves its most brilliant form for the knockout competition. If Richmond plays as well next Saturday as it did at the week-end, it will take a power of beating, no matter what team it meets. SOLID FORWARDS The forwards carried the brunt of the battle on Saturday, every man of them playing well. Ritchie is one of the most promising players who have come to light this season, and Lennie was a great battler in the tight. The two Jones's played hard, honest football, and Potter also did well, but he would be well advised to be less aggressive in his style of play. The same remark applies to some extent to Prentice, who is inclined to put too much vigour into his tackling. His work on defence is good enough at any time without that. He gave a magnificent exhibition of all-round play and sound leadership on Saturday.

The two Davis’s played good, workmanlike games, and Lee was very safe at fullback, but a lot of his best play was considerably reduced in value by an almost unaccountable failure to finish off what he started so brilliantly. Young, of Marist, was the best forward on the ground. He was always in the thick of it, and never shirked anything. He figured in one or two mild "incidents," and although he appeared to be provoked into retaliating, he would do well to drop a tendency to "rough it.’’

Johnson and McKay both did well, and Webberley played one of his best games. O’Brien did not play as well as usual, and as a result of something that was said, he was sent off in the second spell.

Hassan played a splendid game at half, and Clarke and P. Young both did well, Gregory appeared In a more subdued light than usual, being well bottled up by Prentice. Scoring register—Richmond funconverted tries by Prentice and Ritchie), 6 points- Marist (an unconverted try by P. Young), 3 points.

SHORE’S SECOND-HALF VICTORY

NEWTON GOES UNDER By 15 points to 2, all put on in the second half, the Devonport Leaguers soundly trounced Newton Rangers in the curtain-raiser on No. 2 ground at Carlaw Park on Saturday.

For Newton, Dempsey, the fullback, was the handiest man on the field. He showed speed and judgment in all his work. C. Brimble, on the wing, was speedy, and it was sheer bad luck that prevented him scoring several times. His brother, in the five-eighth line, was handy in support. Cammick, behind the scrum, did what he could with a beaten pack in front of him. In the forwards Mollett, Francis and St. George were the best. On the Shore side O’Donnell, in the five-eighth line, was brilliant. He. beat the opposition time and again with his nippy footwork. Smith, at fullback, played a good defensive game although he was too often caught in possession. Bill Seagar was brilliant and showed an excellent turn of speed. He played both in the forwards and at five-eighth. L. O’Leary was off form particularly in defensive work. Rhodes, at half, played a wonderful game and set his backs going every time. The weak link in the back division was Lar Seagar. who certainly did not show the form that earned him his place in the Kiwis. His passing was responsible for the loss of several tries for Shore although, at times, he sold a pretty dummy. Ruby, Rule and L. Scott played excellent games in the forwards, while St. George, hooking in the Black scrum, beat the Newton man almost every time. Sadgrove’s weight was felt to advantage in the scrum when he replaced Gyde. Mi;. L. Bull was the referee.

ELLERSLIE MAKES NO RACE AGAINST PONIES

CHAMPION’S EASY VICTORY By the big score of 30 points to 12, the senior competition champions, Ponsonby, got home against Ellerslie in the first round of the Roope Rooster knock-out competition at Carlaw Park No. 2, on Saturday afternoon. At no stage of the game did it look possible for the champions to be put out of the Rooster preliminary, for Ellerslie fell well below expectations. This was accounted for, to a large extent, by the effect on the players of the announcement of the suspension of the captain of the side, C. Dufty. Ponsonby. in turn, was a little below strength, with Mclntyre and Wilson on the absent list, the latter with an injury received in the championship final the week before. The game took some time to warm up, but after that, and before it was turned into a Ponsonby scoring procession late in the second spell, it was full of spectacular movements. The Ponsonby back line, although missing Mclntyre, swung into action

with delightful smoothness time and again, and it was more than the Ellerslie defenders could do to hold it in check. THE KING PINS Angelo filled Mclntyre’s position at the seat of the scrum very well, and. as usual the two five-eighths, Delgrosso and Riley, were the men who drove* the attack through. “Delly" was in as great attacking from as ever on Saturday, and of Riley it is sufficient to say that he was the essence of elusiveness and a brilliant flyer when on th*» stride.

Pat Skelton reappeared at centre, and ho also was responsible for a fine afternoon’s work. He worked well with both his five-eighths and wings. On many occasions the ball travelled out to the centre or wings and came in again to the insides —a move which beat Ellerslie on several occasions.

Of the Ponsonby forwards Fagan was perhaps one of the hardest grafters in the tight, with Goodwin and Bill Skelton figuring in the open country. George Gardiner travelled about to advantage and unfolded a fine place-kick on one occasion.

Olliff was the outstanding Ellerslie back on the afternoon.-• So much has been said about "Shorty" this season that it is hard to find anything more to say in praise of him. Besides a neat and effective delivery from the base of the scrum, he displayed football brains and resource when he adopted cutting through tactics, a la Abbott. He was in everything going all afternoon.

Webb put in several good runs during the day, but he would be a more effective director-general on the field if he used less of the megaphone. Kennedy was the outstanding threequarter, and Hand, playing his first game in five years, substituted for Dufty at fullback. Hobbs, as usual, was a tireless toiler in the pack, in which Quirk also shone.

Scoring register: Ponsonby.—Tries by Riley (2), P. Skelton (2), Winter (2), Schofield (1), and Fagan (1). Conversions by Delgrosso, Gardiner and Herewini, one each. Total 30 points. Ellerslie.—Tries by Quirk and Somers, one conversion and two penalties by Olliff. Total 12 points.

CITY’S EASY WIN

LAURIE BARCHARD GIVES FINE DISPLAY

Displaying a better all-round standard of play which was more pronounced during the second spell. City had little trouble in registering a most convincing victory over Kingsland on Saturday, by 28 points to 13. It was quite a come-back on City’s part, after the previous Saturday’s game at the Domain, when Kingsland managed a narrow win by one point. But on Saturday City played a vastly superior type of football, and with the backs combining in most spectacular fashion during the second half, there were only slim hopes of Kingsland coming away to take the lead. Much of the credit for City's win, however, must go to Laurie Barchard. He proved himself a regular scoring machine, and, although he had great assistance in Davidson, who made some fine openings and played very unselfish football, he was undoubtedly the star exponent of the game. From the outset City took up the attack, and when Kingsland managed to work play to City territory it was for the most part by flashy, individual play. Kingsland certainly got the better of the ball from the scrums, but its backs did not make the best of this advantage, and in spite of the handicap City gave the better exhibition of back play. With the forwards there was not a great deal to pick and choose. Both packs were a fairly even and hardworking lot. Hadley and Iveson were the two shiners for City, while Riley, Atkins. McCloughen, Yardley, Hogg and McElwaLn were the members of Kingsland’s solid pack. City has a much improved player in Len Barchard. He has now quite a turn o' speed, and can play quite a shining part in any back movements. Shortland has lost quite a deal of colour as a halfback, although he still retains the gentle art of being nippy, but he is caught with the ball in possession far too much.

List Is still Kingsland’s right-hand man as far as the Yearguarders are concerned, and his solid tackling and determined running was always dangerous to City. Simms is also capable of brilliant efforts, but generally the Kingsland back line is lacking polish.

SENIOR B. KNOCKOUT

The Otahuhu senior B grade thirteen defeated Mangere at Papatoetoe on Saturday by six points to nil, in a game which was devoid of anything spectacular, except near the close. Mangere then commenced to throw the ball round, and was within an ace of opening its account on several occasions, but failed to pierce the defence of Otahuhu. Several promising movements by the Otahuhu backs, instituted by Farrell at half, broke down in the threequarter line. Questionable tactics were adopted by both sides, but were nipped in the bud by the controller of the whistle. Tries were scored for the winners by Matson and Conway. The kicks at goal failed. Matson, Farrell and Eustace were the pick of the Otahuhu backs, while Conway in the vanguard was always in the thick of it. Mr. E. McCall was referee.

DRAWN BOXING MATCH

LECKIE MEETS DONOVAN Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. Johnny Leckie, feather-weight boxing champion of New Zealand, and Tommy Donovan fought a drawn bout last evening. They gave a stirring display of boxing. Donovan was the more aggressive, continually carrying the fight to his opponent, and thus he gained points, but Leckie showed remarkable science and the packed house was satisfied with the verdict.

When the pair last met at Napier Leckie won by a knockout. Since then Donovan’s condition has considerably improved and both men gave a great display. The championship was not involved.

DUFTY’S SUSPENSION

ELLERSLIE PLAYS UNDER PROTEST The Ellerslie League Club met at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon to consider the position in which it has been placed as a result of the suspension of Dufty. For a time It appeared that Ellerslie would not take the field, as a mark of its protest against the action. It was even suggested that the team should line out, cheer its rival, Ponsonby, and then leave the field. However, other counsels prevailed and the match was played as usual. It was even suggested at one stage that Dufty himself should play in defiance of the council’s action, but this did not eventuate. “UNDER STRONG PROTEST" In an interview with The Sun at Carlaw Park, Mr. G. F. F. Harrison, the honorary secretary-treasurer of the Ellerslie Club, said that the only reason why the team played on Saturday was to safeguard the interests of the younger players of the side, in view of possible action against them and the club, if the match was not played. It was only under strong protest that the match was played, he said. Mr. Harrison said that he had not received the letter conveying the decision of the council till shortly before noon on Saturday. It was the only notification he had had. The letter had .also been received by registered post, which Mr. Harrison considered unnecessary. Mr. Harrison also said the club could not see why action by the council could not have been taken sooner If, as it was rumoured, the suspension applied to events immediately subsequent to the return of the New Zealand team. It Is understood that the club committee is holding a special meeting this week to consider whether or not .to take any further action.

POLISHED RUGBY

AUSTRALIA DEFEATED BRITAIN WINS 29-14 BRISBANE, Sunday. In the second Rugby Test match yesterday Britain defeated Australia by 29 points to 14. The teams were: Britain.—Fullback, Bonner; threequarters, Novis, Jones-L avies, Knowles, Murray (captain); halves, Spong and Poole; forwards, Dunne, Rew, H. C. Jones, Hodgson, Welch, Wilkinson, Beamish and Ivor Jones. Australia.—Fullback, Ross; threequarters, McGhie, Towers, Steggall, Brawn; halves. Lawton (captain), Malcolm; forwards, Thompson, Bonis, Cerutti, Finlay, White, Clark, Reville, Banks. The British victory can be attributed to the visitors' more polished play and better understanding in concerted movements, which so often found gaps in Australia’s defence. Spong was a source of great trouble to the Australians. Time after time he initiated movements which sent the ball across the field to Novis or JonesDavles, and although the lighter Australians tackled like demons, they could not continue to stem the tide. OPENING PLAY EVEN Play was even in the opening stages, and at half-time Britain led by 14 points to 8. But the Australian supporters had reason to feel optimistic, as their men had shown sterling form, the forwards particularly giving of their best in a fast game. The eight were more than a match fof the visitors and gave their backs some opportunities of which they could not take full advantage, owing mainly to the speed of their opponents. However, except for flashes. In the second half the Australians did not play up to the standard they set at the opening and the British,' playing like a machine, dominated the game and added 15 points while the Australians put on six. Ivor Jones was in great kicking form. He kicked four goals and two penalty goals, and also scored a try. The Australians as individuals did not disappoint, but in combined play therfe often was much to be desired; FLASHING MOVES Several of the tries by the British were scored as a result of players being out of position, but often they were the result of such flashing play that even a thoroughly organised side would not have been able to stop the fast-moving backs. Lawton, the Australian captain, had an off day and seldom was seen to advantage. He was conspicuous in one try scored by his side, twice handling in a dash that was pretty to see. The best players of the British backs were Spong, Poole, Jones-Davies and Novis, and of the forwards Hodgson, Wilkinson, Ivor Jones. Of the Australian backs Ross, Brown, Malcolm and Steggall, and of the forwards Banks, Cerutti and Clark were prominent'.

PEACE CUP MATCH

HAMILTON RETAINS TROPHY From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Saturday. Hamilton just retained the Peace Cup, drawing with Te Aroha, three all, today. The challengers had the strongest side experienced this season, and but for Going, the local fullback, Hamilton would have been several points down.

The Te Aroha forwards worked havoc among the local backs, and attacked constantly in the second half.

TE AWAMUTU MATCHES

From Our Own Correspondent TE AWAMUTU. Today. The contest for the Insurance Cup between Te Awamutu and Rovers proved a win for the former by 17 points to 6. Te Awamutu backs showed to better advantage than their opponents, who relied more on their forwards. The backs did not combine well, and were frequently caught with the ball in their possession. Te Awamutu, as the result of combined play, scored all its points during the first half of the game. Scott, who was conspicuous on more than one occasion, scored two tries, one of which Wilks converted, while the latter kicked two penalty goals. L. Spiers scored the other try. C. Pollard and A. Spiers scored for Rovers. Mr. D. Freeman controlled the game. Two Te Awamutu players, F. Brewer and J. Martin, received injuries during the game and iwere unable to resume.

AFTER THE MATCH

ELLIMAN’S EMBROCATION Is the player’s friend after the match. Banishes aches and pains.— 2.