GRAFTON V. PONSONBY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 161, 10 July 1899, Page 3

GRAFTON V. PONSONBY.

(Grafton, 15; Ponsonby, 8.) Grafton won the toss and defended the western goal, with the sun at their backs and a light breeze in their favour. Play at mid-field followed the kick-off, and a passing- run by the Grafton backs put Ponsonby on the defensive. Another dangerous passing run was initiated, but Stewart failed to take the ball, and the Ponsonby forwards working back to centre, Upton carried the ball close to the line, where he was thrown out by Smith. Another good run by the blue and blacks again threatened the line, Biley being- sent out well in the 25. From the throw in Ponsonby had a shot at goal, and C. Hay forced. Ponsonbv were again put on the defensive,'a long kick by D. Hay sending out near the line, and from a pot at goal by Eenwick Ponsonby forced. A couple of forward rushes by the magpies took the play to the line, where a scrum took place, and Webber forced. Play followed in Ponsonby's ground, a clever rush by the forwards transferring the ball to the other end of the field, a mark by D. Hay relieving. A long kick by Renwick, well followed up, took the ball into Ponsonby's ground, where Smith had a shot at goal. Open play by the black and white forwards again threatened Ponsonby's line, but the backs carried back to centre. A" forward rush, headed by McGregor, took the oval to the line, where a scrum ensued, and Ponsonby again forced. Prom a mark by D. Hay, Renwick kicked at goal, and Webber forced. Innes, making a splendid dribble from near the quarter flag, beat Rule, Galloway ana Riley, and scored between the posts. Smith landed a good goal. Grafton, 5; Ponsonby, nil. Ponsonby Tallied and kept the play in Grafton's territory for the remainder of the spell. Following the changing of ends, Ponsonby put their opponents on the defensive, and near the 25 Riley picked up, transferred to Eule, who sent on to Upton, and the latter, with a good run, succeeded in grounding the paM just over the line. Riley made a poor attempt at goal. Grafton, 5; Ponsonby, 3. A loose rush by the black and whites took the play near the goal line, where a knock-on saved. Prom a scrum loose, play followed, Brady and MacGregor broke through, and the latter dribbled across the line, and scored in a good PjpSition r Smith converted with- a goioi' kick. Grafton, 10; Ponsonby,' 3. The PoasQaby backs took the play into Grafton's ground, where play remained. A good run by Riley and Lendrum was well stopped by Campbell, and the forwards, with a straggling rush, took the play back to midfield. Another loose rush carried the ball near the line, where D. Hay obtained possession, kicked-across, and scored. Smith's kick was again successful. Grafton, 15; Ponsonby, 3. From the kick-off 'che blue and blacks worked the ball close to Grafton's goal, where Doran made' a good dribble, but lost the ball, and a force resulted. An open rush in front of Grafton's goal ended in Rylance scoring beneath the bar. Webber added the minor points. Grafton, 15; Ponsonby, 8. The blue and blacks continued to press their opponents, who •were content to play a defensive game, and no further scores were registered. NOTES. A couple of showers _which fell durthe progress of the play mads both the ball and the ground very greasy, and dodgy running was out of the question. The Ponsonby backs pl:iyed better than their opponents, and got on some splendid runs, the hall being sent out and taken very nicely. The Grafton team played the four three-quarter game, and were consequently beaten in the scrum work, though on the line out they more than held their own, Mathieson played his usual clever game, and MacGregor also showed up prominently, as did lorns and Brady. D. Hay played a splendid half-back game, and C. Hay was very good at five-eighths. Smith fulfilled his duties ably, and performed the "hat trick," landing three goals in succession. The Ponsonby forwards worked well together, Gallagher and Rule playing beat. Doran, on the wing, put in some clever foot-work, but he made a number of mistakes during the game. Stephenson, on the other ■wing, played a sound, hard game, and kept well on the ball. Galloway played a good half-back game, and Riley was also useful at five-eighths. . The three-quarters, Lendrum, Rule and Upton, played well, and Webber, at full-back, played a careful game, his sicking1. being very good. Grafton swtously felt the absence of C. Brady and Stirling, especially in the scrums aAd packs.