Clear-Cut.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 237, 7 October 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

Clear-Cut.

Marist Overwhelm Ponsonby.— Fast Raids in Second Spell. Marist, bv a series of fast and penetrating raids, in. the second spell, demoralised Ponsonby and scored a convincing win in tlie main attraction at Eden Park. The teams were: — Ponsonby: Kerr-Taylor, Hook, Jamieson, Carter, Fraser, 'Pearman, Frankhain, Somers, Pond, Gillett, Newdick, Williams, Burning, Couper, Solomon. Marist: Colebrook, Liddle, Friend, Loombe, Bell-Booth, Muller, Connolly, S. Hadlev, Judd, W. Hadlev, C. Hadlev, Evillej Irvine, Poland, Toye.

There was nothing in the opening to arouse much enthusiasm, most of the play being even among the forwards around the ,half-way mark. Both sets of backs were doing their best to open out, but determined tackling by both sides smashed all attacks. Eventually Ponsonby's persistent attack brought success. The backs, fed by Frankham, flashed into attack, and when the ball reached Jamieson he cut in brilliantly to send Hook over wide out. Jamioson converted with a good kick. Marist's play now took on a new glow._ Their forwards played with great virility, and badly bustled Ponsonby. They raided with one or two dangerous attacks, but the Ponsonby defence held. Marist soon turned on a brilliant passing bout, in which half the team handled. Then Friend shot through the defence to pave the way for a try. When a Ponsonby back attempted to clear, ho miss-kicked, and the ball spun into the air behind the goal line. Friend's pace got liim to the ball almost as it bounced, and with the Ponsonby defence at sixes and sevens the Marist centre pounced on it to score. Loombe missed the kick, and when half-time came the score was:— Ponsonby 5 Marist 3

Shortly after tlie opening of the second, spell Eraser went off with an injury, and his place was taken by Tetley. Marist were doing all the attacking now, and soon they took the, lead with a splendid field, goal from the" hoot of Bell-Bootli. Marist had definite command at this stage, and soon came a pretty try. From a scrum in Ponson'oy's twenty-five Connolly fed Muller, who sent to Bell-Booth. The second five-eighth cut infield cleverly and passed, to his forwards. S. Hadley was quick to return the- ball to Bell-Booth, who raced over for a good try. Loombe converted with a good kick, putting Marist seven pointrc ahead. Exciting Ponsonby attacks followed, but their reign was short, and Marist were soon back near the Ponsonby line, their speedy attack slowly demoralising Ponsonby.

Two tries came in quick succession. Loombe snapped up a rolling ball, and, catching the defence napping, lie raced 40 yards to score and convert. A dazzling combined Marist attack ended in Muller going over. A dropped pass when Ponsonby attempted to clear saw Muller shoot through., pick the ball up going at top, and score between the posts for Loombe to convert. Right on time another try came Marist's way, S. Hadley diving round the blind side of a melee following a fast forward attack. Loombe missed the kick, and the final whistle sounded:—

Marist Ponsonby Mr. J. A. Malcolm was referee