PONEKE AND HUTT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 139, 15 June 1931, Page 14

PONEKE AND HUTT

Although each side scored the same number of tries, Poneke's superiority over Hutt at Athletic Park was so marked as to come as a surprise to many followers 'of the game. . A close study of form, however, had revealed. previously that, as jointed out in "The Post," Poneke were ■moulding into excellent shape as a strong combination,., and they, were too strong a. team for Hutt on Saturday. Team work ■'fmder an ■ able-bodied direfctor had much :to do with. Poneke's; convincing win. The forwards, always''a danger when under iway-in the. loose, applied, full pressure, and •their solid all-round '■ work was capably supported by the backs, so much so that Hutt were outplayed back and forward. It is not an exaggeration to say that but for one man, Lilburne, Hutt's defeat .would have been much1 heavier. The subxirban, forwards,1 of the fight stamp for a good pack, played more as individuals than as a set, and this, of .course, reduced their driving force.' -..The backs were erratic, duein part to the wild manner in ;which. the ball was^ passed, especially from the base of the scrum. They were also jharassed by the opposition, but in spite of •this their performance should have been amich better. ■'•The many faults caused Lilburne to shoulder a tremendous burden, and he did it valiantly. Two forwards worthy of -special mention for their sterling worfc were Jessup and M'Pherson", both' heavyweights, who knew what to do ■with; their, weight. The game attracted 'over: five thousand spectators. The teams ■ were:—Poneke: Pelham; •Bird, Barrett, Edgar; Griffiths, Neal; Martin; Gower; Jessup, Dickeon, Shearer, Ji'Pherson, Organ, Quirke, Stone. Hutt: !Pomare; Ball, Hansen, 'Boss;.-Lilburne, Killeen; Sadler; Wood; Jaggers, Coulston, "Peck, Roberts, Barry, Wilson, Skilton. ■ • Hutt wori':the toss, and with the assistance,'of the wind, they made quite a good (beginning." -Play had not been long in progress before the backs were given a chance, and when Lilburne was let through ja fine opening was created. .-The. ball was teent'on to Hansen, who in turn transferred ito Ross. ' The. last named touched.down Bear the corner, but Pomare could not convert. 3-0. Hutt made further advances until they were taken by surprise, fn-hen Shearer worked an old "stunt" once again. Taking a penalty1 kick in Ppneke ■forritory ,he propelled the ball just far enough forward to enable him to regain possession.'' '"He 'then -kicked> but-the ball rebounded, from an. opponent, whereupon Barrett started a passing bout in .■which the ball was sent through to Edgar, Who made a, great 'run,; to. the Hutt line. Here, possession-'of the ball was lost, and a, scramble for it ■ resulted ia M'Pherson gaining a -try.;,l- "Neal'failed- to, convert. 3-3.1 ■ Lively play- between - the ■forwards was interspersed with .some;:snappy ad-. Taices by the'Poneke backs, and ere long Poneke benefited "by.'. Hutt, infringements. !A penalty :k'ick: by:; EFeal was unsuccessful, ■but■'anothef kick,' awarded-. through' the Hutt forwards on the .mark not remaining '.'passive," was-directed accurately. 6-3. In--subsequent play there'was much erratic passing by "the Hutt backs, and this aided Poneke, whose play was more even. When the ball was kicked through by Griffiths after a passing bout had broken down, a 'Hutt-player made a costly mistake Jn.obstrii'cting'-.Grifaths." The" infringement occurred uiider the. goal-posts, and it1-was forjtiiiiate fbr^Hu^t, that a penalty try "■was.^ißpt-va%arded.:-- The ...penalty licki how,ef9r;-;.was easy for .Neal. . 9-3. Hurt's patbJi'to?- success was being made larder, but 'eventually when play was in Poneke's twenty-five; Ball.came- round on the 'open side of a "scrummage and, tending off several'players, he scored a good til, whicE Lilburne was unable to convert, 9-6. That ended the scoring, tor the first session, but there' was ,< still any amount. o£ incident. Strenuous efforts were made by Hutt to improve their position in the second spell. Poneke, however, remained masters of the situation, although on a couple of occasions Lilburne went exceedingly, close to scoring, 'tn'the course of one of Poneke's advances, Griffiths, on receiving the ball from_ Neal, . elected to "pot" and made no mistake, 13-6. Among other features of subsequent play was a bout of in-and-out passing by Jessup and M'Pherson, two solid forwards. A move on the blind side resulted in Neal scoring a good, try; he fell short but immediately reached forward to touch down oii the line. He did not convert. 16-6. Butt made some rallies, and Ponekp kept, going strongly, narrowly missing another try.-when Neal lost possession as he was Tirpught down at the line by Lilburnc. The game ended: Poneke 16, Hutt 6. . Mr. H. S. Leith was the referee.