NORTHERN UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 160, 7 July 1919, Page 8

NORTHERN UNION.

• GREAT TEST BETWEEN CITY AND PONSONBY. " PONIES" WIN, 7TO 4. MARIST OLD BOYS' BIG DEFEAT BY NEWTON. NORTH SHORE AND MARITIME 8 APIECE. Six thousand spectators witnessed the opening of the Northern Cnion game between City Rovers and Ponsonby United on Victoria Park on Saturday, and the attendance was considerably swelled in the course of the opening half. City required a win to get on even terms with the suburban team, but the name ended iv favour of Ponsonby. who led by seven points against lour, thereby firmly establishing their position at the head of the chart. It was a great trial of strength. Thanks to their superiority immediately behind the scrum, Ponsonby were again able to make the most of the passing game, and iv the tirst hall" attacked strongly. The interval came, however, with the teams ou even terms, both sides having secured a penalty goal. In the early 'stages of the second half Ponsonby maintained and pressed home their advantage in the attack, and a fine try by Norgrove was converted. City replied with a penalty goal, and thereafter made desperate attempts to make up the leeway. But lor the failure of two excellent opportunities to goal they would have gone away with the honours, but. with the passing of these opportunities, the Ponsonby defence held good against all onslaughts, and the game ended with the "Ponies" three points ahead. Fast and untiring forward play was a feature of the game, but City's slight advantage in this respect was more than outweighed by the handle Neat's work behind the scrum gave to Ponsduby. Newton outran aud outplayed Marist Brothers* Old Boys, also on the Park, in a match that ended with a score of 27 points against .'! in favour of Newton. After a fast, open, and at times dashing game between Shore and Maritime, on No. 2 ground, the teams left the field with S points apiece to their credit. Maritime gave a desultory exhibition in the first half, against good combined play. The tallies at tlie end of the first half were: Shore S points. Maritime 5. The second half saw Maritime set out determinedly, and by splendid attacking efforts, bring their points level with Shore's. Shore rallied again at the latter end. but failed to secure a win. For Shore Scot* aud Nelson scored a try apiece, and Bailey converted one. Maritime's points were scored by Duvidso nand Sutton, a try apiece. Davidson converting one. CITY Y. PONSONBY, With Ponsonby two points ahead in the League table their meeting with Cltv Rovers on the main ground of Victoria Park had.special slgnillcaiu-e, inasmuch as a win by the Rovers would put the two teams level. A crowd of 5000 or 0000 witnessea tiie opening of the game. Tbe game started with a great swill™ Ponsonby kicking off in brilliant sunshine, and some fast ami clever footwork was witnessed in miillleld. Neal made an attempt to burrow through, and passed to MeXauiarn when cheeked. The movement was choked by the density of tlie defence, but scarcely had the ensuing scrum broken up when Mr Eddowes hud to penalise City, and McGregor scored a beautiful goal. Ponsonby 2, City o. There was some tiptop forward work In the ensuing stages, and both packs gave pretty exhibitions of the dribbling art. Occasionally the backs got going. Neal giving several pretty openings to his backs, but the defence of botn sides was sound, and the tackling so keen that neither lot of backs could get suing for many yards without a cheek. Ponsonby. who enjoyed most of the offensive at thLs stage, strove untiringly to penetrate the defence, but City were ever resourceful, and finally the Rovers eased their wav out of the ditliculty. and judicious kicking and speedy following once more put them in the striking zone. Again, when Ponsonbv were penalised, Postlewaight was entrusted with, the kick, but he missed the mark. Soon after McNaiuara was penalised, nnd this lime kicking from a few yards fron the touch-line. Postlewaight put his side ou even terms. Interval: Ponsonby 2, City 2. Ponsonby had the better of some rough and ready exchanges which marked the opening of the second half. Adlnm. City back, punted down the field, and. racing at top. Norgrove •beautifully fielded the ball, and. Tunning with great elan, fended off nil opposition as lie travelled along the right wing. Beating the final challenge near the flag be ran round and placed the ball behind the posts, to drop, winded, as he walked out. From point-blank range McGregOt nddcSf'tbo points, nnd the score sheet, read: Jjjjasonby 7. City 2. . ' the City men were playing with great spirit, and for n prolonged spell Ponsonby had all their work cut out to keep their line intact. At length Ponsonby were penalised for obstruction, and Francis, who was given the opportunity, kicked with power nnd judgment, and wiped n couple of points off the margin. To the end City worked desperately to retrieve the situation, hut there was no alteration In the figures, and the final scores reed: Ponsonby 7. City 4. Mr Eddowes was referee. MARITIME Y. NORTH SHORE. In common with the other grounds on Victoria Park. No. 2, oil which Maritime nnd .North Shore met, was heavy, but drying, a fresh westerly improving its condition as play progressed. The Maritime team played below its strength, the places of several prominent players being filled by substitutes. Opening play favoured Shore. A punt to Davidson was taken by that player, but he hesitated and was collared with the ball in his possession. He disposed of it, however, to Sutton, but that player was no sooner in possession than he was collared from several directions, and losing possession it. went across. Scott was handy and made Shore's first points. Roberts failed with lhe kick: North Shore. :i: Maritime. I). A splendid passing bout by the attackers, all the 'backs handling the leather, saw Nelson tuck in a high pass from Bundle and go over. Roberts again failed: North Shore. fl: Maritime. 0. Maritime next took a hand at attacking, but there was no solidarity about it, and the turning point came within a few yards of the line, where the black forwards broke up the attack nnd took it with them into tri-colour territory, where piny continued very much ill their fa*iur. After strenuous assaults, which were staved off on the line, a free enme to the blacks, and Bailey added more points: North Shore, S: Maritime, o. The blacks continued the pressure, and one of their number went across with a pack of Maritlmers cllngiug to him. The ball was brought back for a scrum, an interchange of kicks following, from which Davidson came in possession at Maritime's twenty-five, and making straight for the line, the pace being a cracker, he outdistanced the opposition, and running round, touched down immediately behind. He converted his own try: North Shore, S; 'Maritime, 0. Half-time was sounded immediately. Play had not been in progress many minutes when Maritime, showing the dash that their opponents had in the first half, went down the field in fine style. Sutton golnc across near the corner. Davidson failed to improve the try. and the teams were on even terms again: North Shore, 8: Maritime. S. After Interchange play, in which several scrums went to Shore's advantage, the attack passed to Maritime. A kicking bout ended in Shore's favour, .itist outside their twenty-five line, wheie from a scrum Lunn came away and placed his side a few yards from the corner post. Here Pullen broke away from the ruck and kicked. Bundle following up came in possession, and after a shnrc sprint handed on a difficult one to Nelson, who was already o n the move. Tucking it in this player made a bold dnsh for the line, but Davlrison came from the ruck and grounded his man. Strenuous piny centred about midfield until the call of time with the scores unaltered. Mr. W. Wynyard refereed. ,■

NEWTON V. MARIST OLD BOYS. Newton nearly got the points with a passing charge shortly after they started, and lies got a shot at the post, but failed to get there. A free kick to Marist Brothers relieved, btit from a scrum at halfway Newton came at it again, a knockon spoiling the attempt. -Marist Brothers came back with a charge to Newton's ip.arter line, where a scrum gave them a chance that just went out. Newton were not to be denied, and a long passing run resulted in New-lick getting across. lies failed with the kick.—Newton a. Marist Brothers O. Newton kept up the pressure, and Knox just missed with a shot at the posts. Keenan got away ou a smart solo attempt, but Ghent took it and brought it back. Newton were at it again a minute Inter. A series of serums right on Marlsfc*Brothers' corner brought nothing better than a free kick that went out. Then the Newton pack got away again, and Maiisou. who wns prominent in the charge, got across. Ills own klek failed.- Newton 0. .Marist Brothers 0. Play remained iv Marist Brothers' half, and from a tussle on lhe line Keenan scored. He converted lhe try himself. Newton 11. Marist Brothers 11. Keenan struggled across the line again a few minutes later, but failed to find Ihe posts with the kick. The score at half-time was. Newton 14. Marist Brothers o. Bass was next to score and I'owley converted.— Newton 11). Marist brothers o. Marist Brothers got some of their own back with ja charge down field, from which Morton scored. Si. (leorge failed In get the extra points.—Newton Hi. Maris! Brother's :;. Keenan got lhe points for Newton next |time, but Mansell's attempt at goal failed. iNewtnn 22. Marist Brothers :'. Marts! I Brothers were mi the offensive for a short period, but they failed 1., hold Newton. f..r I whom Mel.lver scored another try. . lies succeeded with the kick. The game ended: Newt.m ut Marist Brothel's .1 SECOND GRADE. Maritime defeated Mangere at Victoria I'ark by 12 points tn 2. Sunnyside beat Otahuhu hv 17 goals to nil. Sunnyside thus lead for lhe championship. FOURTH GRADE. Otahuhu won by default from Northcote Richmond drew with Newton A. neither side scoring. FIFTH GRADE. City -'!. beat Otahuhu nil. Davidson scored for City. Richmond A won from Post and Telegraph by default. SIXTH GRADE. City 5. beat North Shore 2. For City, Brown scored a try and Green kicked a ..Mil. For North Shore. Cole kicked a goal. j NEW ZEALAND TOURING TEAM. NARROW DEFEAT BY QUEKNSLAXD. 1". POINTS TO 13. BRISBANE. July .I. I The weather was line and there was a [large ntteiidiillee Tor the second match bctweeu Queensland ;in .l ihe New Zealand League football teams. ti,,. teams were:I New Zealand. — McCnrihv. McGregor | DuvliUon, Ifuersen. Cloke. Mitchell. Stewart. Iliikutai. Watldel, Tain-red Williams. Snmer. Walters. I Queensland. - Fewin. Broad foot, McCosh jMcGulre. Paten, Thorgood. Thonuison Potter, O'Donuell, Moran. Richards. JohnTlie opening play was characterised by roughness, and the game throughout was very fast. New Zealand won the loss. Mitchell intercepted a pass and scored n try. which Ifwersen converted. Queens land then scored a try, which was converted. The next svnre came when (hike .accepted a pass and got well away, securing a try. which was not converted. At half. j time the figures were: — New Zealand s Queensland "" .-, In the second spell Queensland pressed I vigorously, and scored two tries ~ne'" of ; which was converted For New Zealand I hike again scored after a clever piece of I work, amil Ifwersen converted the try. Near the call of time Queensland secured another | try. winch was not convened, the ~ame ending:— Queensland \-, New Zealand lit - iA. ami N.Z. Cable.)