PONSONBY IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 172, 23 July 1934, Page 13

PONSONBY IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

Ponsonby, by their defeat (6-5) of Devonport in a gruml open game, also helped to churn up tliu ground surface, particularly; utter the only shower «£ rain during the •it'turnoon. Magnificent lialt'-back play by Hulloran had a great deal to do with Ponsonby's victory. His judgment in passing or running to swing nble supports into action, was noticeable. He was abetted considerably by Hutt us breakaway. The latter is in splendid form, and most veisatile. Riley and Stockley combined well, ami, supported by Kay, onlookers were treated to some wonderful moves, which the wingers, Jones and Sherer capped, as opportunity presented itself, with viinful deliberation. Murray was Steady enough at full-back, but showed a lack of resourcefulness compared with his vis-a-vis, Rtulonich, who displayed real tenacity on defence. Rhodes, at half-back for Shore, lins played better panics. O'Donnell and Trevor O'Lcary—who was making a reappearance after eighteen months' absence—went well together. Seagar, as centre three-quarter, has been seen in more effective work. . On one occasion a pass to Hall would have given Devonport a clear equalising try. This winger was in better vein than usual, and certainly was'more reliable than Powell on the right flank. It was a stirring solo effort in the loose by Stockley that resulted in Shore losing their slender lead, and from then on Ponsonby staged real cup-tie fooball of scintillating order. Davis began to hook the bail regularly, and, with the forwards on their toes flnd backs Hashing Into formation. It was a tribute that Devonport wore able to withstand the barrage. Brown, Browne And McLeay were good. Ponsonby. forwards, although McLeay was repeatedly penalised for off-side. Leathebarrow, Scott and Simpson were the best trio of packmen in the match. Leatherbarrow huntevl ruthlessly, and Scott was prominent for alertness on attack and gameness on dofonce. The struggle should act as a tonic for the winners in view of their engagement with Richmond on Saturday. NEWTON'S CLASSY BACK-LINE. Playing with remarkable ' elan and handling the greasy ball in a manner that must have surprised spectators, Newton conquered City Rovers by 17-5, In n match that gave mucTi pleasure. The losers, opening with enterprise and Uash, seemed likely to more than extend their opponents, but the latter, ten minutes after the interval, sparkled with greater speed than ever, and wore down a spartan defence, of which the bright star was Watene, who, nevertheless, could not compare with Dempsey, whose handling, accuracy, fine kicking and general reliability made his performance as good as anything seen this season. Bad positional play by key backs as much as anything else, contribute*! to City's downfall. McLauglilin, at centre, who made an impressive start, was the worst offender, the consequence being that his wingers, Tnrel and Purdy, were not well served. Undoubtedly, the renpguard nadly missed Wayne. .Johnson, at first five-eighths, was outstanding In the pnrly stagos. but Wiborg revealed more consistency and his short punts>were in the treacherous going. Axeman playeVl a tigerish game, and except that lie was too often caught in possession, he did not let up throughout. The forwards raided in telling style in the early stages, but did not seem to stay the distance. An acquisition was Johnston in the pack, whose speed nnd promptness to tackle always was in evidence. In the tight piny Herring, Nathan. Clarke und Sanmlers had a fiftyfifty tussle with Onirke, Kelsall, A. Nathan and Blacklnwß. Trevor Hall, however, was 'the Newton mninsiirins;, his ; pa=sos from nny and every position continually setting his hacks in motion, nnd lending to surprise offensives. Kixcept towards the end of the came. City hnil a fnir share of the ball from the (ictuitik. Brimble again revealed exhilarating brillnnee, and his pace, thrustfulnoKS nnd well-timed passes meant much to tlio nimble Sehlesinger. who played attraetively. Tiriflit, nt centre, wns also a strong link. Bmtlv and Stephens as w'nsrcro rpsnnniled in Illuminating fashion when chnnces ramp. The absence of Hnrdcrrnve. wlio wns disinclined to r'ay at centre caused disnnnninrmonr. and it is boned thaf some further explnnrition for his withdrawal will be forthcoming. KIUHMUJND'S XVAKKOW VICTUKY. Richmond ■ prevailed against Marist Old Boys on Saturday by the narrow margin of three points after a keen and exciting game, in which tnere was rarely a dull moment. The heavy state of the ground and the gre'awy ball prevented the players from making" full use of the handling opportunities, and as the conditions became worse as the game proceeded much of the play towards the end was done with the ball on the ground. There were also bright interludes of snappy passing and straight running that thrilled the crowd, nnd right up till the final hell it was difficult to say which side would win. In the first spell Mnrist anpeared to handle the conditions better than their opponents. The forwards swung into their game in tine style and the backs, with well placed kicks, kept Richmond busy repelling per-

sistent attacks on the goal line. Excellent work was done by Campbell, the Marist full-back, in placing his kicks, which time and again gained much ground for his side. Cooke, in a similar position for Richmond, was also good at finding the vacant spot in the field for his kicks, but his scoring ability was wasted at full-back. This was amply demonstrated in the second spell, when he exchanged places with Satherley and moved up to fiveeighths. Thereafter from being a doggedly defending side Richmond became an attacking machine, and managed to do a little more than wipe out the first spell deficit in points. It was not that Marist showed any signs of slackening as the game proceeded; they battled on grimly to the finish and made full use of every opening, but the strength added to the Richmond attack by Cooke at five-eighths was just sufficient to turn the tables. The other inside backs for Rlt-hmond, Fletcher, Prentice and Powell, performed well, and were thoroughly tested in defence, while Bennett and Swanberj?, the wing threequarters, also did excellent work. Among the forwards Jenkinson, Telford and Lawless were frequently prominent. Among the Marist backs Campbell as usual was a tower of strength, and his place kicking with the heavy ball was. excellent. The wing three-quarters, Smith and Loader, made eood use of the opportunities that came their way, but the sodden ball rarely reached them in an unbroken chain of passes. Brisbane, Glover and Grotto did an immense amount of rush stopping and adapted themselves well to the conditions by playing the ball on the ground when it became too greasy for accurate handling. Among the forwards Kpane, Clark and Webborley were prominent in a dashing pack, evex-y member of which worked hard throughout a strenuous game. GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. City 3, beat Newton 0. Ponsonby 8, boat Devonport 0. Richmond C, beat Marist O. SECOND GRADE. Point Chevalier ljcut Ellorslle by default. Mount Albert 8, boat Mangere 0. Papakura 9, beat Otahuhu 0. THIRD GRADE. Ponsonby 15, beat Mangere 0. Richmond 7, beat Papakura 3. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Manuknii B 6, beat Papakura 3. Ponsonby 34, beat City 5. Marist a, drew with Mnnukau A 3. Richmond 11, beat Devonport 5. Point Chevalier 13, beat Akarana 0. FOURTH GRADE. Mnnukau 0, drew with Newton 0. Marist 3, drew with Papakura 3. FIFTH GRADE. Mount Albert 20, beat Manukau 0. City 13, beat Richmond 8. Ponsonby 18, beat Otahuhu 0. SIXTH GRADE. Newton 8, beat Ellerslie 5. Point Chevalier beat Avondale by default. Devonport 5, beat Richmond 2. SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES. . Marist A 8, beat Ellerslio 3. Richmond 10, beat City 0. Avondale 20, beat Devonport 0. Marist B 17, beat Northeote 2. SEVEN. A-SIDE. Mnrlst B 3, beat Northeote 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. WHANGAREI. Seniors. —Ilikurang! IC, beat City 38.; .Whakawaro 8, beat Kensington 0. Juniors. —Kamo 14, beat Portland a, HUNTLY. Seniors.—Huntly won by default from Ngaruawahia. Juniors.—Kiaora won by default from Ngaruawahia. TUAKAU. Tuakau 30, beat Waiuku 10.