PONSONBY V. UNIVERSITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 168, 18 July 1910, Page 7

PONSONBY V. UNIVERSITY.

Ponsonby and University had the honour of No. 1 ground, Ponsonby winning the toss, and playing the first quarter tfita a fairly strong wind and sun behind them. The kick-off ended at halfTcay, University heeled quickly, and Ottersen sent to Gray to Walker, but tie latter missed, and a chance was lost, farsity were setting a warm pace, their backs handling in good style, and they had the blue and blacks defending. A nice kick by McGregor gave the champions some relief, Schofield's return being a bit weak, and play was at the centre. ■Varsity got going again, but Wilson jmng on too long, and the students were in trouble, Sehofield saving cleverly. Ponsonby now set up an attack, and JlcKenzie, kicking across the field, let Ponsonby in, McGregor up neatly, and, with a dashing run crossed, and drew first blood for the cracks. jyAudney failed with the kick. Ponsonby ... _. 3 'Varsity -.., 0 Ponsonby were on the attack from the tick-off, but a change came o'er the scene, Wills gathering in, and making a jieat opening, and 'Varsity had a fine cknce, but failed to put on the finishing touches, and Ponsonby cleared their lines, Francis getting in a long kick, niich gave his side much-needed relief. She blue and blacks set up an attack, E<d matters looked bad for the students,] is 4 the bail -was" very lively, and they si_sJ. to .hold it, -and. -the -blues got reTi;a force when the bell rang to thuigl ends. The kick-off produced a smoat the centre,-and, Gray marking, jS&Md found the line -well inside Ponfiat/s 25. The students attacked hoth, and, McKenzie marking, Sehofield, sith a fine kick, equalised the scores. Ponsonby - - 3 Varsity . : 3 Ihe exchange of kicks ended at the centre, 'Varsity breaking away from the throw-in, and 'Varsity were on the attack Ponsonby retaliated, Wright heading a forward rush, which removed play from the danger zone, Sehofield saving luckily. "Varsity cleared, Walker kicking down field, Murray kicking out at centre. The cracks now took a hand, Walker stopping a rush, a Ponsonby player being cautioned for putting in the boot unnecessarily. Ponsonby still kept up ie pressure, and Morse was nearly orer, Gray taking him from Ibehind. 'Varsity relieved, Walker kicking down field, and McDonald's kick rebounding, Ponsonby were in trouble, but Murray tame to the rescue and stopped their adrance. Ponsonby shifted the scene of operations, but. their work was very tagged, the backs throwing the leather about in a reckless manner. "Varsity wre playing up to their best form, and, iter forwards overrunning the opposition, Gray had a pot at goal, but the toll failed to rise, and Ponsonby forced. The blue and blacks livened up from the ™k out, and Francis made a nice opentog, but was unsupported, and Gray reeved. Ponsonby were making big efBrt3_to add to their total, but the Tarsity defence was solid, and the bell te og for half-time -with the scores:— Ponsonby .'»S. __..___ 3 Varsity ..*§.„, . 3 SECOND SPELL. ' JJtoeen set the ball rolling in the f°nd spell, and after some loose play «namby were on the attack, and from aark by McGregor, Francis had a shot 44 goal, sending the ball fair over the bar. Ponsonby .___ g Tat % —1.*".,. ~"**"" 3 forwards were playing betl y tller than in the first spell, but -play w _s very loose. A fast rush by I tie°r , i Wa3 Sp ° Ut hj off " side P lav > and I H»J ',■ were forced twice in" quick I bin,? by lon S kicks fa y Francis. The j mti* Wacks were attackin g de ter-1 tahX'i Scllofiei d earning applause by I »K-f de 7 erl J"- Ponsonby kept up the I m v' but McDonald threw away a I g Aance by failing- to take an easy | antrJi McKenzie, getting possession, Jfet w d took a hand in Sp but their efforts were nullified by iad a + mg ' and the blue and blacks tW» ' and after McDonald had Wst T* another trT failin g *° j_ i the end of a passing run started i-* he Wue and blacks scored > *W, gettm g over after a nice run. * a, a> converted. Ponsonby -, -, ar % .:::::::;;;;;;;: " arsity W re not losing heart, and atWm he kiok -° ff . but it was only « Vrr■*"' A Y alker f ailhl S to tak e a kick « regor .?' The latter followed up j •Wbkrt- * tte return > aud the blue | lin ghi 5 -/ ere attackin g> McKenzie get- j , In troub le by kicking across ' S°al mouth, and Nicholson being 'Wtmn Iwi 611 tae s P here - OTer > Morse j: bß*4tf finisbin g touches. O'Leary ! fe ?..::::;:::;::::.:; *!

'Varsity rallied and got in a fast forward rush, Blakey pulling them up with a mark, and the bell rang for change ends. Carr returned the kick-off to the centre, where from the throw-in Walker made a fine opening, and then sent to Carr, who was just stopped on the line. Keeping up the pressure, Wilson made a fine opening, and set his backs going, Walker getting over amidst applause. Schofield's kick was a good but ineffective one. Ponsonby 16 'Varsity 6 The score put new life into "Varsity, and Wilson intercepting a pass, put his side on the attack, the blue and blacks eventually being forced by a long kick by Sehofield, and immediately after, as a result of a loose rush. 'Varsity were still having a bit the best of it, Nicholson giving his side relief by getting away with a clear field in front of him; but he lacked pace, and was overhauled from behind. Ponsonby were taking matters a bit easy, and 'Varsity were more than holding their own; but their work lacked finish, and they failed to take advantage of their openings. Ponsonby had very little trouble in keeping them out, and after a lot of give-and-take play the game ended .- Ponsonby 16 'Varsity _ 6