LEAGUE MATCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 118, 19 May 1913, Page 8

LEAGUE MATCHES.

BIG CROWD AT VICTORIA PARK. PONSONBY BEATEN BY CITY. NEWTON AND NORTH SHORE WIN. The third series of matches under the auspices of tbe ,__i:klu ml Rugby League provided one particularly close contest—City Hovers v. Ponsonby United. This game was played at Victoria Park in the presence o£ a crowd of several hundreds, aud right up to the final whistle the result was in doubt. City scored two tries in the first half to nil, Ponsonby, mainly through the medium of their backs, had the best of matters iv the second term, scoring a try and a penalty goal. Play was ot a decidedly willing order, and temporary spells for minor injuries were necessary on occasions. Itonpe bad to leave the Ponsonby side with aii injured ankle. . Pousonb..- were attacking when no side was called. At tbe Domain l_den Ramblers were defeated by North Shore rather easily. Unfortunately as the result of some little disagreement D. Kenealy (tbe captain) did not take the field, aud his absence naturally af feeted the l_den combination. At Onehunga the Newton representatives had all ihe liesi , of Lbings, and ran out winners in the game j with Manukau Rovers by _'. points to _. \ PONSONBY V. CITY. Savory kicked off for Ponsonby against a light southerly breeze. His forwards followed up smartly, aud had the red and blacks defending hard. Both sides were showing great lorm, and it was with difficulty that City hurled the hefty Ponsonby forwards back to halt-way. Here Mitchell marked for City, and Opie Asher made a good shot for goal. It went wide, as also did another shot from the same spot by Asher a few moments later. Hack and forward across the centre Hue weut the ball in sharp successive movements, but nothing of a sensational nature eventuated. Spragg gathered up in City's twenty-five and, making a fine run up the line, kicked into the enemy's territory. Webb marked, aud cleared, but the leather soon returned as the result of a tricky run by Opie Asher and a timely pass to Ormsby, who was bustled out. A stubborn combat, with many scrums, took place inside Ponsonby's twenty-flve, and, although the blue vanmen repeatedly rolled tbe attackers back with j occasional sallies up to the opposite end. they were penned in their own twenty-live for a great part of tbe time. Once the ball went over the centre-line, and Robinson cleverly turned defence into attack. lie scooped up in tbe loose and set off with pretty side-stepping movements, making a diiiicult pass to Opie Asher when cornered. The latter cut in towards the corner, and was .omewhat lucky in getting over the line. He failed to convert his try. City 3 j Ponsonby v ' Ponsonby retaliated with three determined rushes, led by Savory and Manning, but the red aud black backs successfully turned tbe tide, and at half-time were pressing Ponsonby hard. City 3 Ponsonby v SECOND SPELL,. Opie Asher opened up for City right from the start, and sent up a kick, wdiich was nicely taken on the full by Watene, who got over at the corner. A. Asher just missed with the kick. City '•■ « Ponsonby — v McClymont made a fine lone-handed ruu for the blues, and tlpped-on. Webb and Koope almost put tic- finishing touches on. City attacked, and then Ponsonby came again The latter's backs were given several openings by Webb from behind the scrum, and some fine attacking movements ensued, but the side failed to turn them to account. Webb got au e.-.sy shot as the result of obstruction by Ormsby, but he failed to find the bar A similar shot from a mark was also missed by Webb. Still the blues kept up a warm aad willing attack. Roane kicked over tbe Hue. Krnie Asher mulled the save, and Irwin scored for the blues amidst cheering. Savory missed the shot for goal. City • Ponsonby ° Mitchell got off-side, and Savory, from a fairly easy shot, found the bar. City « Ponsonby •» Roope hnrt his ankle in the rough and tumbie associated with a try, and retired. A. Asher, -with a penalty kick, shot for goal from half-way, and hit the post high up. Pocsonby stormed down again, but they | failed to penetrate the determined defence of City's back division, and no side was called "without further score. McClymont played a great three-quarter game for Ponsonby. Mr A. Ferguson refereed. Fiual scores: — City « Ponsonby % .