SUBURBS V. PONSONBY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 154, 1 July 1901, Page 3

SUBURBS V. PONSONBY.

■ (Suburbs, 7; Ponsonby, 0.) The contest between Suburbs and Ponsonby was fought out on No. 3 grounded resulted, after a very even game, in a victory for the> former by 7 points to nil. The whistle was entrusted to Mr C. Boyce. The Jame was interesting, and for the field, until the' Suburbs forwards

made a rush, followed up by a well judged kick, which placed Ponsonby's line in danger. A scrum ensued, and Absolum securing the oval from the pack, ran over the line, securing" the only try recorded. Absolum failed to convert. (Suburbs, 3; I'onaonby, 0.) A pretty piece of passing between Sutherland and Absolum again imperilled the blue and blacks' line, and ih<- game remained a few yards from the goal line. From another scrum Gray handed the ball to Cowan, who passed id Absolum, and the latter transferred to Sutherland, who was fin out into touch, and I'onsonby were compelled to force. Repeated attacks by the winning team characterised the remainder of the game till half 1 ime was called.

When the game resumed, Suburbs again invaded their opponents' ground, and being awarded a free kick, ('has. Austin, Prom a difficult position, and directly against Unwind, was successful in landing a beautiful goal. (Suburbs, 7; I'onsonby, 0.) I'onsonby rallied and made a good attempt, but were repulsed, and a. passing rush between Kyburn, Oempsey, Austin, Absolum and Sutherland considerably improved the position of Suburbs, but Stephenson relieved temporarily. A little later Rybiirii broke away, but Francis pursued and collared the runaway. The rest of tin- game consisted of dogged attacks by either side, which were repulsed by the defence of the teams attacked, and the match concluded without further score. (Suburbs, 7; I'onsonby, 0.)

NOTES.

The game was characterised chiefly by loose forward play, the backs having but little to do. Ponsonby played a rather heavy set of forwards, but they lacked combination.

Absolum, as wing threeqnarter, played, as usual,the most conspicuous game on the field, and was always to be seen in the thick of the strife. The winning team certainly owe their victory in a large measure to his exertions. The other two threequarter backs, Cowan and Derapsey, also played good games. Sutherland at full back was perfectly safe, and when hard pressed retained his presence of mind, and played with judgment. Gray behind the serum was conspicuous for the celerity with which he handed out the ball from the serum. Sutherland and Austin put in a good deal of graft as wing forwards. Austin must certainly be complimented for the beautiful goal he landed, when kicking against the wind and at a difficult angle. Of the Ponaonby team, the full back Stevenson played well aud did his best to repulse the frequent attack.s that so often endangered his team's line;;. , Lendrum played a good game as threequarter, and his colleagues, Upton and Neil, worked well together. Saxon, at live-eighths, and Stevenson at half-back, were very energetic. Doran was perhaps the superior of the two wing forwards, and played a

good game. Francis worked hard, but did not shine as noticeably as usual.