PONSONBY LUCKY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 127, 1 June 1931, Page 13

PONSONBY LUCKY.

With but a sis-point margin dividing the teams up to within five minutes of time, it looked as though the Ponsojjby v. Bllerslie-Otahuhu United contest was anybody's game. Played on heavy going ..at the sporting suburban ground, it was a very open battle all the way, and there were periods in which it appeared as if Ellerslie would definitely gain the day. Ponsonby .have to thank Pat Skelton for turning the tide; his elusiveness, judgment and straight running directly contributed to 16 out of Ponsonby's total of 24 points, ten of which (two surprise tries and goals) were gained in the last few minutes. The first try was the result of prettily concerted effort, topped off by a brilliant cut-in by Friend, who was alert at centre. Although Ponsonby threw the ball about fairly well, there was an uncertainty about their methods. Incisive work by Ellerslie forwards and inside backs very nearly altered the issue. On the whole Ponsonby owed their victory to breakaways, opportunism in the strictest sense of the word. No doubt they missed DelgrOsso. Culpan was very ordinary as full-back, and on the wings Winters was spasmodic and Schofield just fair. White had a difficult task behind the scrum, especially in the second half, when Stevens was not hooking so well. Angelo played confidently beside Skelton at five-eighths, and it was noticeable that the latter, except when well dispatched off the mark, found Hickey, outside of Dufty, quite a worthy opposing performer. The fair-headed McLeay played a splendid game as last man down, and C. Thompson and W. Skelton were always prominent. Gardiner was captain. In tight play Ellerslie forwards were more than a match, and towards the end were asserting mastery. Quirk, Hobbs and Boswell are a good trio, though the last-mentioned is a bit on the light side. Dufty's fielding of the ball in the first half must have been heartbreaking for Ponsonby, but his goalkicking was unproductive. When Webb went to full, Olliff at half, and Dufty and Hickey at five-eighths, the local team revealed renewed vigour, Keesing, at centre, who, like three others, had played in the

reserve match just previously, did well, and likewise Howarth on the wing. The other flankman, Rcwha, however, was weak; yet Ponsonby rarely exploited the position. True, the blues were without Delgrosso, but, on the other hand, the home team missed Pilcher, Eustace, Hemingway and Drew. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. Devonport 21, beat Richmond 0. Marist 32, beat Newton 0. Ponsonby 14, beat Ellerslie 3. SECOND GRADE. Papakura 10. beat Ponsonby 2. Point Chevalier 8, beat Mangere 0. Mount Wellington 3, beat City 2. Mount Albert 10, beat Northcote 6. THIRD GRADE OPEN. Marist 3, beat Waiterimu 2. Ponsonby 12, beat Richmond 2. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Akarana 2, beat Ponsonby 0. Richmond 5, beat Marist 2. FOURTH GRADE. Akarana 3. drew with Richmond 3. Northcote S, beat Point Chevalier 6. Avondale 3, beat Mount Albert 0. City 00, beat Papatoetoe 21. Marist 21. beat Papakura 0. FIFTH GRADE. City 3, beat Newton 2. Devonport 3, beat Richmond 0. Glen Lynn 18, beat Mount Albert 0. Marist 30, beat Ellerslie 0. Ponsonby 5, beat Northcote 3. SIXTH GRADE. Richmond 12, beat Devonport 0. Newmarket 7, beat Marist 2. City S, beat Northcote 0.

SEVENTH GRADE. Ellerslie 14. beat Richmond 0. Richmond 33, beat Point Chevalier 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. WHANGAREI. Senior.—City 10, beat Hikurangi 0; Towai 23, beat Waro 0. Junior. —Kamo (>, drew with Waro 6; Portland 6, beat City 0. HUNTLY. Juniors.—Huntly 0, drew with Te Ora 0. Seniors.—Ngaruawahia 12, beat Te Ora 'J. WHANGAREI. City 10. beat Hikurangi 0. Junior.—Kama 3, beat Waro 3. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Addington 19, beat Linwood 15. Hornby 16, beat Sydenham 10. DUNEDIN. Christian Brothers 23, beat Athletic 8. City 8, beat Pacific 3.