Strenuous Struggle.

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

Strenuous Struggle.

Abels Divide the Points with

Ponsonby.

The. long dry spell resulted in Blandford Park playing up hard and fast this afternoon and the conditions altogether were perfect. The first game was between Abels and Ponsonby and the teams were: — Abels: Cameron, Ilowlett, Alexander, Owens, Chalmers, Pearson, Hunter, Gill, McLeay, Anstecd, llitcliens. Ponsonby: Watson, Haggett, Stewart, .T. Morrison, Grant, Masters, Innes, Cole, Jepson, A. Morrison, Forman. Referee: Mr. Rickard. Right from the kick-off the paco was a welter. Ponsonby were the aggressors and Cameron's charge ran two hairbreadth escapes. Ponsonby were full of running and their initial dash seemed to leavo Abels dumbfounded. But the blacks soon settled down and took their share of attack. At the same time Abels' backs were weak and once or twice caused Cameron anxious moments, but Ponsonby's efforts to score were frustrated. Abels' right broke away and after a nice manoeuvre by the front line Cii 11 scored a brilliant goal. Ponsonby retaliated with a desperate attack and Anstecd conceded a penalty kick that Grant missed. After this let-off Abels attacked, but confined their efforts to long shots, which Watson easily negotiated. Right till the interval the exchanges were fast and willing, with Ponsonby's vigorous attacks being staved off and Abels fighting back with equal determination.

The, second spell opened at the same swinging pace as the Jinst had seen, and end-to-end pluy was the order. After ten minutes l'onsonby equalised, Grant letting the left wing away for Forxnan to send over a lovely centre. Cole headed the ball against the Crossbar, but Jepson dashed in to send the ball into the net. The contest after this was territorially very even. Ponsonby forwards and half-backs got in each other's way in front of Cameron and lost a chance which Abels prolited by and immediately attacked, forcing a corner. There were exciting exchanges in each goal mouth in turn, but the finishing generally was weak. Towards the close l'onsonby tried hard to get ahead, but Abels' defence stood solid and the forwards were always ready for a breakaway. A few minutes from time Vonsonby missed three times by the narrowest margin, and a strenuously fought out game resulted: — Abels 1 Ponsonbv 1