PHELAN SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 13

PHELAN SHIELD.

There was not a great deal between Ponsonby- and Marist in the l'helan Shield filial, but the Ponsonby forwards gave their backs the better of the supply from the set scrums, and then they moved with rhythm, purpose and smoothness. There were lost chances by both teams during the game, towards the end when there was only a point between the teams anything was possible, but then Ponsonby 'added another try and the shield was theirs. For! the win Ponsonby can thank their forwards, | who rose to it to give a very tine display in both tight and loo.se play. The Ponsonby backs were re-arranged for the occasion, with W. Stockley at full-back, where he played a very tine positional game, while l'engeley, who made his debut in the live-eighths line, got a try with a run that was brilliant in its sharp penetration and change of direction with accelerated pace. With Jones and Kay at the top of their form the Ponsonby backs gut off a lot of clever inter-play, and were really impressive. The Ponsonby forwards, collectively, went well all the way and all the day. On paper, at least, Marist had a back I team of class, but they did not blend well' in their attacking work, with the result; that Fletcher and Loader on the wings did ■ not get the best of chances, although the I latter, who went solo on one occasion, got! a very spectacular try. Ilaslam played as solidly as ever in the centre, and Murdoch! was very quick to seiao any chances that came his way. But backs cannot do tooi much in the way of attack when a fair] share of the ball is not won from the setl serums, and for that reason the green rearguard were iiiot as much in the picture as' usual. Keaue. Serra and Anderson were a good trio in the forwards, the latter getting six of Marist's nine points with goal-kicking that was of a very high order. It was a bright and changeful game all the way. with every incentive to make the play open, as players caught in possession speedily found that the sun-baked ground was nearly as hard as coc rete.