NORTHERN UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 183, 4 August 1919, Page 8

NORTHERN UNION.

EIGHT THOUSAND PEOPLE WATCH XEWTON DOWN I'ONSONBY. WITH A TWO-POINT M.UUIIN. This argument between Newton and Ponsonby is settled now, for the time being, at any rate. The two teams had their final try-out on the Domain on Saturday, and close on eight thousand spectators watched a game where there was no try in the lirst spell, but only two goals, mid in the second half the lead of only a point or so alternated with exciting uncertainty till eventually Newton came otr the ground on tlio happy side of v 12 —10 score. Three features of the play distinguished this game from every one that has gone before during the season. First, it was the cleanest and probably one of the fastest and most close contests of the winter. Secondly, both players and referee are to be congratulated on tho infrequency of the whistle hold-ups. And again, there were more pots at goal from the field in play than have beeu seen on the Domain for many a day. Newton drew first blood with a beautiful drop by Dufty, and the only other points of the first spell went to the same team from a free. After the interval the game was keener than ever. Ponsonby rushed ahend witli eight points, Newton got n point ahead, Ponsonby went in front again by virtue of a pot, and finally Newton went into the lead with a nice try on the corner. Almost all the tries were surprise affairs to movements that had been started by chance,'and on the other hand many opportunities were lost by both teams through the spirited defence of their opponents. THE PLAY. When the game began Ponsonby c.ime at It like a whirlwind, and pressed" luird till there was a struggle on the corner, and Newton made a force-down. Their forwards fought their way Into Ponsonby territory, but a .Ponsouhy ftack forced. Norgrove. McNamara. and Neal made a great break over on the fur side, but the Newton, defence .was ns spirited ap the Ponsonby attack. Ncal sent to McNamara. to McGregor, whom Manslll grassed, and the ball shot in to centre, where Dufty saved with a brilliant Interception aud a long kick. Before the crowd could properly realise it. the blue and whites wen; on the Job again, and Williams in front of the goal passed to isomers, to Bas-s. but the latter's throw was wild, and spoilt a line chance for a try, Kdwards coming along and footing the leather out of danger. But the dark blue pack carried it back again, and Edwards sent to Norgrove. to Brien, and the latter 'was grassed by Mansill just a yard short of the corner flag. The scrum had just broken, and there was a deal of fumbliug. Dufty picked it up In the middle of the ruck, and was- tackled high. He made a drop-kick at the goal about Xi yards away, the hall willed away out of the pack, and just slid over the bar. dead centre. No many minutes later a Ponsonby linck was penalised for holding on to the ball on almost the same place, and Dufty took a shot that went over. The epell ended with no more results. The second spell had not long started i when Mansill beat Cross and Chatfleld, and his Mck was brought back by McNamara. w;ho sent to Norgrove. This player stopped near the corner and passed In to IkClymont. He was rushed, but managed to throw it further In to Ixiwrj - , and the forward dived over. Cross Just missed the kick. The game was proceeding very evenly when one of those queer turns of fortune came. jMansill lind tons of time to get the ball .iw*Jiy. but he elected to wait, and stayed too long. He was beaten for the ball, and lies, coming down fast to save, went down and missed it, leaving a clear Held before McGregor when he stepped out of the ruck, kicked, ran, gathered in. and grounded it between the posts. McClymont easily goaled. Pousonby S, Newton 4. A mistake by Cloke let Cadman in. and he and Neal and McNamara almost did the trick. A batch of New.'on forwards had the ball nn the Ponsonby twenty-flve. Dufty got il and sent It along a chain quick to lies, who ran round and made a try in good position, and Dufty the kicker uwde no mistake. This gave the blue and whites a onepoint lead. Chatfleld made a rush out in the open near the posts, but Mansill caught him absolutely. Then the ruck set hard in the centre of the Newton ground, aid McNamara had a shot that got there nicely aud put Poiisonby a point up. Back she came to the middle, and the battle was more than exciting as the tennis scrapped to get over. Dufty sent a long one out of the ruck <to lies. It went backto Somers, to lies again, to Thomas, and at the corner! Dufty "inlssed this one. Newton 12, Ponsonby 10. The packs closed again iv battle royal, ami Edwards separating himself made a great ran, and passed to Cadman, whom Bass grassed with a flying tackle. Delgro9so took one of Dufty's long punts and; ran up. He came right on to the twenty-flve, and took a drov. but the referee gave It a miss. The Ponsouby team were still holding the advantage when the bell rang, and one of the fastest and cleanest of this season's games ended: — Ponsonby lo Mr. w. Murray -wielded the whistle. CURTAIN RAISER. The curtain-raised played between Sminyside and City, the "two leading teams in the second grade championship, resulted in a win for the metropolitan players by S points to 5. City made two tries and a goal, and Sunuyside one with a goal.