VICTORY MISSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 144, 21 June 1938, Page 17

VICTORY MISSED.

PONSONBY'S ILL-LUCK.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

MERIT IN MANUKAU'S WIN. ''There is many a slip—'' 1 his truism was forcibly brought home to the Ponsonby team and Ponsonby's supporters on Saturday, when Mount Albert won by 10 points to S. Ponsonby were extremely unlucky to lose. They threw their all into a final effort to pull the match out of the fire, and almost succeeded. The move was well carried out. Rapid passing saw Nurse in possession on the right wing. lie showed good pace, and as the Mount Albert defence worked across kicked across and ahead. At that moment the I'onsonby forwards, in anticipation of the move, were teaming down midfield. The ball fell into a gap and bounced. Morgan gathered it in, carried on almost to the Mount Albert try-line, and then passed to Riley, who came up fast in support. He went over the Mount Albert line. All that he had to do was to touch down, and the match was won. Rut the ball fell out. of his hands and went forward.

It was a very closely-contested match, and at one stage the tackling got very hard and fiery, so much so that some players were showing an inclination to lose their tempers. Still, the game ran its full couise in a way to which no exception could be taken.

There was much individual effort, and some very bright conceited play at times.

Mount Albeit got one trv an th" result of excellent concerted effort. Krom a net scrum Wilson, after a i'eint pass to t Inopen side, and consideration of the fact that the Ponsonby forwards were beginning to break that way, sent the •ball on the blind aide to C. List, the riglff wing three-quarter, who was playing clone up at the time. List went ahead, passed back to Wilnon, and then ball was sent along to Leatherbarrow and F. List, for the latter to score. The forward play was even, but there was more rhythm and smoothness in the I'oneonby backs compared with their opponents, and Riley's facility for changing pace and taking the gap cleanly was often in evidence. The game showed that Ponsonby have settled down to a good working combination. With the return of Pickrang to the

wmc the forwards are at full strength. I hey liave bright, youns inside backs in Mush and Cai r, ami players of pace lor t.he wings in .Nurse and Campbell. Schroeder is showing improvement at fullback. and is beginning to exploit the kick that bounces into touch and gains ground Lor his side.

The Mount Albert backs have been chopped about considerably during the season. mid have yet to settle down properly. McLachlan's display at full-\»a< k wan quite sound. V. List should be retained for tho wing position, while there are decided possibilities with both Marshall and M< I nnarney for the insiile back positions. Hansen and Tristram were two outstanding Mount Aibert forwards.

Leaders Meet. Manukau had some difficulty in getting a team alield in their match against Newton. and had to start one short until the thirteenth man turned up. A good deal hung on the result of the match, as both teams were in the leading positions. In the opening match of the lirst round Newton were victorious, and M.nvukau were ke<Mi to turn the tables. The teams produced a bright game of a rather scrappy kind at times, and mistakes were many. Newton got ail early lead with a penalty goal and held on to it.

In the second half of the game Newton held their opponents so well that Manukau supporters began to Homier if their team could win. Vet the Manukau winning try was full of merit. The move started in the New ton twenty-five from a set position anil the play began to swing in an orthodox way to the right side of the field, with Newton fanning out in defence. It was then that Kirk wood came the reverse way. gathered a scissors pass cleanly, and romped in to score. Conversion gave Manukau the two points that meant victoiy. Some of the Manukau reserves are now playing so well that the absence of five of the team with the New Zealand side in Australia is not so keenly felt. I'anapa, the North Aucklander. is running into good form. Broughton is one of the soundest club players in tin 1 game, and Shilton and Kyan are exceptionally good forwards.

Denipsey. at full-back for Newton. is getting closer to his exceptional form of last year, and his good positional plav was a feature of the game. Sharp penetration and elusiveness by lirinibl-> gave colour to the Newton attack. McKenzie. in the centre, ran strongly, but Duncan, on the wing, was troubled with a leg injury, and although the play flowed his way more than usual, lie could not give his best. The .Vewton forward play was virile and robust, with Nathan. .Tones and Cinders hunting hard all the day. A splendid exhibition of bark plav enabled Marist to defeat. North Shore in a decisive manner. The inside backs, Donovan, Chalmers ami Murdoch, teamed well and worked smoothly. Haslam. in the centre, played an outstanding game, and the result was that the Marist wings had quite a happy time. Clover again gave his best at full-back. and for consistent 1 plav is without rival amongst Auckland full-backs.

Thn fact that Woo,ls has suddenly developed outstanding form has given the .Marint. pack added strength, vet lie was only one of bi'voral good forwards on Sat 11 i*(l a v. Sinrp tho transfer of Banham the Shore back division lias suffered in Tjlav. although K. Smith has liinh qualification*. and Zano on the winjr makes the b«st of everything that comes his way. V. Scott's play at full-back wan of a very hijrh order.

Tlie Sliore forwards wore even a rul ;rond. lint tho w hole side was shaded by an opposing team which clirtso the particular dav to give a very fine exposition of team-play. The decision of the League authorities to stage a senior match at Papakura was rewarded l>y exceptional local interest, and the creation of a denire for further senior fixtures there. I'apakura are essentially a district team, ami their support. is niaikcd by considerable enmniunity of interest. .

Papakura's Showing. Kiihmond had to give their best to come out winners l>y a fairly narrow margin, and the showing of the home team on their own ground pleased their (supporters. In their first venture in senior League football Papakura have done remarkably well, even if they have not. met with general success. They play bright and open football, and they have been by no means an easy team to defeat. That they have not been more successful is largely due to the evenness of the League standard this season and the fact that they have to meet teams which have had the ability of building up for a number of seasons. Tt was only Richmond's rallying power which got them on the l'i'jht side near the end Oif the day. as the Papakura dash and enterprise was too much for their opponents in the early p tapes.