PONEKE v. 'VARSITY.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 10

PONEKE v. 'VARSITY.

; For three-parts of the game at Athletic Park, played under conditions that were .far from conducive to bright football, University, held an advantage over Poneke, and appeared likely to make • amends for their fall of the previous Saturday. It was in the latter stages of the game,'however, that matters took a decided turn in favour of Poneke. Four tries were registered by. the Red and Blacks in surprising fashion—the result of efforts in marked contrast to those which had been made m earlier play—and the hopes of 'Varsity's supporters vanished. There were about 1 three thousand spectators at the Park In. the play there was little of the bright, spectacular football that can be provided by teams such as 'Varsity and Poneke, but the vigour of the loose struggle, with some varying episodes, kept the crowd interested for. the period in which the Collegians gave promise of bringing off a surprise. The battle of forwards was good, and defensive play generally sound, while there were occasionally flashes by the backs. Interest *in the hard struggle began to ease off when the Poneke backs found their.feet. Their superiority was then plainly evident, and, after being three points to the bad for the major part of the.game, the Bed., and Blacks ran out winners by a margin of 11 points. The teams were as follow:— Poneke.—Wright; Tunriington, B. Algar, M'Arthur; F. Tilyard, F. Juno; Baumber; Parsloe; Booker, Tynam, J. Shearer, Bogers, Kennedy, S. Shearer, Brown. 'Varsity. — Sutherland; Jackson, Marks, Malfroy ; Biggs, Smart; Lloyd; M'Kenzie; Bryden, Boland, M'Rae, Martin-Smith, Thomas, D. Scott, Dighton. Winning the toss, 'Varsity took the advantage of the wind for the first spell, and soon brought pressure to bear upon Poneke, who had their work cut out jn stemming repeated advances to their line. On one occasion 'Varsity went exceedingly close to a score, the corner flag being knocked over in the effort. The play had been of a loose character in the early stages, 1 and continued so, with occasional bright individual dashes. Poneke'a solid defence was often, turned to attack by good work on the part of the forwards, with useful assistance from Juno and Tilyard, but their progress was never permitted to go very far into 'Varsity territory. The Collegians were the principals in attack, but their play was inclined to be a little too ragged to bring about the desired results. Sowever, Poneke were placed in numerous tight corners, but each time they managed to' clear the dangerous positions. Jackson made several dashes without success, Scott, Thomas, and Malfroy engaged' in a bright passing bout from which Poneke were fortunate in preventing a try, and there were several vigorous loose rushes, while Thomas had a couple of attempts to goal from penalties. All those efforts to' score were fruitless, and then Poneke were given a fine chance to open their account. C. Tilyard,, who had replaced B. Algar (injured), broke' away with the ball, at toe, and went into 'Varsity's twenty-five. Bight in front of the goal 'Varsity were penalised, .but Wright could not pilot the - ball accurately. After 'Varsity had compelled Poneke to force again, S. Shearer and F. Tilyard, the former handling the ball twice, were prominent in a lively passing bout, and Juno, the two Tilyards, and M'Arthur were the participants in another attractive movement, to which Smart, Biggs, Marks, and Malfroy replied with the best piece of passing during the first spell. In play which followed the latter effort 'Varsity were awarded a free kick, and this time Jackson made no mistake. 3-0. ' Poneke made strong endeavours to even up matters, but ' Varsity held them successfully until halftime.

The change-over gave PonekeTmuch assistance, and, as had been the case with 'Varsity in the first spell, they did most of the attacking. In their efforts, however, there were many faults, notably a tendency to kick the ball too far. The Collegians stuck to their task grimly, and warrrled up to their work' .so well as to make strong advances into Poneke territory. On both sides the play was of a loose order, but it was strenuous. Poneke battered hard to wipe off the deficiency against them, but their opponents held- out in- excellent fashion, even though seeking relief by force-downs at intervals..- Finally, when F. Tilyard and Juno went close to scoring) Lloyd, the 'Varsity half-back, in essaying a clearance, sent the ball high into the wind. The result was ikii iJi k&?K Pyei: .tfce line, and in

the scramble for it J. Shearer wai awarded a try. Wright converted, placing Poneke ahead, 5-3. That vrzn the turning point. Two tries were added in quick succession, Tunnington scoring both. A clever cork-screw run was made by that player in getting the first, and an opening . created by Juno largely accounted for the second. Wright could not add the extras. 11-3. 'Varsity retaliated, but to no avail, and Poneke maintained the' upper hand. Baumber added another try by neatly working the blind side of the scrum. S. Shearer failed to convert. The final score was: Poneke, 14; 'Varsity, 3.

Mr. j. S. King controlled the game.