PONEKE AND ORIENTAL.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1932, Page 14

PONEKE AND ORIENTAL.

Poneke were made to strive hard for success in their engagement with Oriental on Athletic Park, and it was not until the

second spell was well under way that superiority was established. Even then, Poneke were rarely permitted to operate so successfully as a combination as on the previous Saturday. A fine spoiling game by the Oriental forwards was largely responsible for this, with Wilkinson, wingforward, always a thorn in the side of the opposition. Oriental used the 2-3-2 scrummage formation for the greater part of the game, and it served them well against Poneke's 3-3-2. From the ordered scrummages Oriental gained a bigger share of the ball than Poneke, although there were few occasions, on which the new scrummage rule was strictly enforced. Oriental, however, did not make the most of their share of the ball, their backs being unable to rise to the occasion. The Poneke backs, although not up to concert pitch, profited from the mistakes of the opposition, and at other times showed ability in making play that was lacking with Oriental. Barrett played a fine game as Poneke's full-back, and Julian, the half, was full of life, if somewhat erratic in sending out passes. An occasional really snappy movement waa brought off by Poneke, in spite of the hustling tactics adopted by Oriental. The teams were:— Poneke.—Barrett; Edgar, Payne, Mincham; Griffiths, Chesterman; Julian; Shearer, Jessup, Quaid, Neal, McPherson, Quirk, Ross, Stone. Oriental.—Ritchie; Packnatz, A. Ramsay,, Davies; Dawson, Wiggs; Jaggers; Wilkinson; I. Ramsay, Lang, Biggar, Shepherd, Mcllraith, Collinge, McMillan. During the early stages of the game there was much loose, keen play. The forwards were in better working order than the backs, who frequently broke down, those on Poneke's side being troubled by the spoiling work of the oppositioni Oriental's attacks were eventually rewarded when Biggar was awarded a try at'the end of a loose rush. A. Ramsay converted. 5-0. Poneke equalised some time later,, when Julian worked the blind side. There was a temporary blockage, but Shearer finally touched down, Mincham converting. 5-5. Soon afterwards Oriental forged ahead per medium of a penalty kick by A. Ramsay. 8-5. There was not further scoring before [half-time. During the interval the teams' remained on. the field, and were'joined by several supporters. Immediately after the changeover Poneke engaged in some of their characteristic rushes, and soon gained another try—scored by Payne and converted by Mincham. 10-8. Oriental : were not disturbed, and kept moving, briskly, though with no more success' than to keep Poneke in check. At length the Poneke backs, moved in fine style, and when Julian joined in a second time to give a reverse pass, Griffiths was able to top off the movement, Mincham again converting.'Edgar added another try (unconverted) before Ramsay increased Oriental's tally with a penalty goal. Just on the call of time Julian ran through the opposing full-back and scored another try (also unconverted), making the final score: Poneke, 21; Oriental, 11. Mr. D. Calcinai was the referee.