NORTH SHORE V. PONSONBY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 130, 3 June 1901, Page 3

NORTH SHORE V. PONSONBY.

(North Shore 8, Ponsonby nil.)

The Ponsonby team met the Nort'i Shore fifteen on the Devonport Domain. The wind, which blew right across the ground, was accompanied by frequent showers, and ground and ball being- very greasy, the onlookers were not treated to a particularly good display. Shore kicked off, and for the first ten minutes play remained between the half and Ponsonby's quarter, flag, forward rushes alternating in the line work. From open play near the 25, Mills picked up, and beating Stokes, transferred to Smith, who eluded A. Stephenson, the fullback; and scored in a good position. George made a successful shot at goal. North Shore 5, Ponsonby nil. A dribble by Wynyard was stopped near the line by the fullback, who sent out at midfield, and immediately afterwards a dangerous run by Prankham and Sutton was spoiled by offside play. The blacks kept on their opponents' line, a mark relieving the pressure. Ponsonby then rallied, and their forwards kept the ball in the home team's territory for some time. Wynyard carried back to centre^ and George took play again into the visitors' 25. A couple of line kicks put Shore again on the defensive, but a straight run by Harp transferred the scene of hostilities to Ponsonby's side, where the oval remained for the rest of the spell. Play centred at the opening of the second spell, and from the half-way ] flag McGregor got possession. He made a run clear to the fullback, who collared him nicely. Being unsupported, he was unable to pass, and the blacks returned to centre. Uninteresting forward play followed, and from open play near Ponsonby's 25, Taylor kicked across, Stephenson forcing. From loose play at centre, the home forwards rushed the ball oTer the line, but were too anxious. and Ponsonby forced. Line play at midfield followed, Ponsonby being1 again forced from a long kick by Sutton From the kick-off, Harp picked up ' and after making a strong run, transferred to Frankham, who sent on the ball to Smith. After beating his man the latter passed to Wynyard, who ran in and scored. George made an unsuccessful shot at goal North Shore 8, Ponsonby nil. The Shomtea kept the visitors on the defensive, a e-ood kick by Mills sending the oval out near the line. Here Mills threw away a certain score by hanging on too long. A couple of line kicks sent the- leather out in Shore's 25, but McClusky kicked back to centre, and the game ended without further incident.