VARSITY BEAT PONEKE.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 46, 23 August 1926, Page 6

VARSITY BEAT PONEKE.

Superior rearguard action enabled University to score a comfortable victory from Poneke at Athletic Park, the play of the 'Varsity backs giving colour to a well-con-tested game. Poneke were just as badly off as ever in the matter of getting a team together; even so, their vanguard-display-ed good form. S. Shearer filled the lock position, and when players were injured during the progress of the game a couple of forwards dropped into the back division. In the second spell F. Tilyard filled a gap in the rearguard. University were without South, and Mackay retired early in the game. Working up good combination, University were able to counteract much of the aggressive work by the Poneke forwards, aiid, establishing a good lead, they were able to hold it to the end, running out winners by a margin of 13 points, and maintaining their position in second place on the championship ladder. Although having the assistance ot a strong wind, 'Varsity were unable to move effectively in the early stages ot the game, the Poneke forwards, with some support from the backs, starting off m dashing style. .. As the. play progressed, the 'Varsity backs showed more finish, and eventually a combined movement succeeded in reaching the objective, Deiderich registering a try, which O Regan converted. The Poneke forwards still played with dash, but ere long a fine bit of play by Noble-Adams saw 'Varsity further ahead. Noble-Adams cut through to score under the posts, and O'Eegan converted. Before the end of the spell Fodcn added another try, unconverted. In the second spell there was much give-and-take play. Poneke's strenuous efforts resulted in only one try, scored by Middleton, but Gilbert realised three points from a mark. yar : sity's score was improved by 6 points, O'Kegan kicking a genalty goal and ioden scoring another try. The game ended: University 19, .Poneke 6. Mr. G. Bradley was the referee.