PONSONBY V. SUBURBS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 143, 19 June 1899, Page 3

PONSONBY V. SUBURBS.

(Pomsonby 3; Suburbs' 3.)

This match was played on No. 2 ground, and an interesting g-ame resulted in a draw, each side scoring a try, neither being converted. Ponso'nby, winning the toss, defended the soutiiern goal, neither side being favoured by wind or sun. Central play followed * the kick-off, till A. Rule from a loose forward rush sent out near Suburbs' flag-. A pack followed in front of the goal, a fe-w yards from the line. The black forwards relieved, working the ball back to the twenty-five. Bremnan, intercepting a pass from Riley, made for the Ponsoniby line, but was stopped by Webber. Rule, making- a poor kick, sent the ball out in Ponsonby's twenty-five, the forwards returning to the other end. With a good run Absolum took the ball to the blue and blacks' 25, where he was well grassed by Webber. A dangerous run by Suburbs' backs ended in Alexander being thrown out on the corner flag. The ball remained in mid-field till Doran dribbled into Suburbs 25, where D. Gallagher marked, and Rylance made an unsuccessful shot at goal. Play remained in Suburbs territory, till Absolum, making a good run, transferred it to the other end of the ground. Absolum had a kick at goal from apenalty in a good position, but the opposing forwards spoiled, and carried the ball back to centre. Following the changing of ends, Pomsonby were put on the defensive till the three-quarters with a good run invaded Suburbs territory, and from a scram close to the line a force resulted. Suburbs again pressed their opponents, Doran relieving. From

loose forward play Lendrum picked up in Ponsonby's end of the ground, and making- a fine run nearly the whole 1 length of the field grounder the ball in a good position, liiley's shot at goal was unsuccessful. Central play folj lowed, till the blue and blacks, with a fast dribbling rush, took t;he toaJl close to the line, Absolum kicking oait at the quaarter flag-, and from the ; throw-in Suburbs wea-e a^'aiu forced. I Doran made a g-ood dribbling- run, and was sLopped by Absolum. A mark well followed up took the ball into Ponso-nby's half, where a dangerous rim by Absolum was stopped by Galloway. Lendrum, Galloway, and Rule with a good passing run took the play into Suburbs' ground, but the forwards returned, and Alexander getting possession of the ball dashed across the lino and scored for Suburbs'. The kick at goal proved futile. Play followed in mid-field, and the game ended without further scare.

NOTES ON THE PLAY,

Pmiisonby had "somewhat the best of the g^ame, Suburbs being1 forced a good number of times. The play was mainly of a forward character, and the Ponsonby vanguard divisioii paid1 rabher too little attention to their backs. Rule afc five-edg'h.tha was far below his usual form, and did not get the ball away cleanly. Galloway at half played a sound, useful game, while Lendrum and Biley were"berth ftoo:!. Lejidnim's score was the result of a brilliant rim. Doran played a five wing- forward game, his dribbling being very good. Stepihenson, Kule, and Gallagher were the pick of the forward division, while Eemmins--way also worked well.

The Suburbs' forwards played up well. H. Dacre showing- out prominently. Grey, behind the scram, gx>t the ball out well, but was not fast enough in the open. Absolum played ins usual hard game, and Alexander put in some useful work.