PONIES CARRY THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 224, 22 September 1930, Page 15

PONIES CARRY THE DAY.

ECLIPSE OF RICHMOND. CHARITY DAY DRAWS GOOD CROWD. •SENIOR B REPS. TRIUMPH. Ponsonby are the winners of the. League double. Not only did they win the club championship with points to spare, but on Saturday tliey \yon the-. Roope Rooster knock-out competition in convincing style. The final scores in a tense struggle, 15 to 7 in western suburb's favour, were a fair indication of the trend of the play. Ponies rattled on 15 points to 2 in the first spell, and at practically no stage was the issue in doubt. Richmond failed to produce their recent form, although they struggled gamely against a better team till the end. The finalists-attracted an exceptionally good crowd considering counter-attractions, and consequently a goodly sum will be devoted to charity from the gate. The curtain-raiser was provided by the undefeated Ponsonby third grade team, and the North Auckland junior representatives' victory resting with the former to the tune of 32 points to 2. Out at Otahuhu Marist, in a benefit match, were narrowly beaten by the senior B reps, after a keenly-fought game. The League season, as the result of Ponies' dual win, is rapidly drawing to a close. The champions, however, have yet to meet the best club of South Auckland, and City and Devonport have to play off for second honours of the code.

Robertson at full-back was a trifle inconsistent for the winners, but also tad some good work. Matson produced the goods as a dashing three-quarter, and the aame remarks apply to McLaren. Monagnan at centre was always in the picture, though his handling was poor at times and cost his team the loss of two tries. Eustace \\ as brilliant. A straight, strong_ and ; dusne runner, he should shine in big company, lie was greatly assisted by that heady and unselfish player, "Wilsou, at five-eighths. Farrell was fine at half-back, and, in ad ilinn to "ottinsr the hall away well, was always up with the play. While Roberts and Conway were unflagging, the best for wards on the ground were Lawless and Simpson. This pair is lit for any senior team. Tall and fast, the former handles well Hurt proved himself a sure hooker Campbell was not quite up to ius usual standard in the rear line for Marlisis, though his experience was an assettothe team The wingers, Bachcloi and bclnutz, were in good fettle with limited chances Dempsey (the Newtonite) linked up well with the five-eighths. However, Busbane was not at his best in the. second berth Young being the most enterprising of the backs. Cronin did not see much of the ball Still, on live occasions when handed it after a try, he got the points, so his goal-kicking is not to ha despised. I urdy, though on the light side, was outstanding of the forwards, while the work of Youiif,, O'Brien and McKay was evident in the clcsc rucking. Both teams have to be com-, plimented on the exhibition. The collection taken up in aid of the family of Mr. W. McManus, a well-known Otahuhu supporter of the code, should prove a worthy ettort iu the cause of charity.