ORIENTAL AND PONEKE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 7, 8 July 1935, Page 4

ORIENTAL AND PONEKE

Although Poneke, in Hie dying stages of their game against Oriental played at Prince of Wales Park, made desperate attempts to regain the lead they had lost shortly after the commencement of the second spell, the task was beyond them, and the victory went to Oriental by 4 points to d. it was a game full of incident and excitement, and held the attention of a large number of spectators from beginning to end. Even taking into consideration the fact that Poneke were without the services of Ball and also that the ab< sence of their regular full-back, Barrett, must have had an upsetting effect, the result of the game reflects most favourably on the display given by a much-improved Oriental fifteen. It was a gruelling contest in which play for the most part was confined to the forwards, and the fact that neither line was crossed is a tribute to the fine defence of both sides. Oriental owe thensuccess to a splendid field goal kicked by Ramsay, together with the effect ot spoiling tactics adopted by their forwards, who seldom allowed the opposing inside backs to initiate the attacks that might conceivably have altered the complexion of the game. When the Poneke backs were able to handle the ball they demonstrated that they were the superior combination and there is no doubt that this fact was appreciated by Oriental, who wisely kept the game tight and, by doing so, were able effectively to frustrate the majority of the opposing movements before they had fully developed. Poneke were the first to open the scoring account when a penalty after thirty minutes' play enabled Griffiths to kick a good goal. Just before full-time was sounded a further penalty in front of the posts gave Poneke an opportunity of winning, but Griffiths's attempt this time just missed the mark, although to many it seemed that the kick had succeeded. ~..,. The teams were:—Oriental: Ritchie; Coxon, Glengarry, Turnbull; Cook, Wilkinson; Syddall; Searle, Brown, Ramsay, Orchard, Anderson, Potton, Dawson, Humpherson. Poneke: Griffiths; Hegglun, Hill, Ward; Cheeseman, Prebble; Pptier; King, Hull, Ongley, Stone, Pringle, O'Brien, Coulton, Cully. Playing with the assistance of a light southerly, Poneke early assumed the. aggressive. Their forwards kept their backs well supplied with the ball and several chances were lost as the result of mishandling and weak passing. After twenty minutes of play it became apparent that Poneke would have to show considerable improvement if they were to repeat their previous successes and that steps would have to.be taken to-counteract the

good spoiling work by their opponents. On two occasions Oriental toolc Poneke completely by surprise—first when Wilkinson intercepted and then when Cook left the opposition standing only to lose a certain try through lack of support. As full-back for Oriental, Ritchie could always be relied upon and his lengthy line-kicks were, up to this stage, a feature of the play. Sneer weight and forceful ness of purpose enabled the Poneke forwards to gain a slight territorial advantage, and a penalty in front of the posts at last gave Poneke a chance to open their account. Griffiths had no difficulty with the kick. 3-0. Oriental were not to be denied, however, and on several occasions they came close to scoring, and for the remainder of the spell Poneke were kept on a strict defence. Poneke commenced proceedings after the interval at a fast pace, put a force-down by Ritchie relieved for Oriental. In an endeavour to sharpen up their attack Poneke brought Griffiths up to the second five-eighth position in place. of Cheeseman, who substituted at full-back. The change did not prove as effective as anticipated, and many of the Poneke back movements were checked by the fast-break-ing methods Of the Oriental forwards. Wilkinson and Syddall combined well to put Oriental in an attacking position, and, after several scrummages, Ramsay secured on the twenty-five line and kicked a beautiful field goal which gave Oriental the lead. 4-3. Oriental continued to play aggressively, but over-eagerness ruined for them many chances. Poneke then infused much more dash into their play and for the remaining ten minutes they sorely tested the defence. With half a minute left for play Oriental conceded a penalty right in front of the posts, but Griffiths's kick did not turn the scales, and the game ended in favour of Oriental. During the game Ward (Poneke) and Cook (Oriental) were injured, and were replaced by Crichton and Gill respectively. Oriental 4, Poneke 3. The referee was Mr. G. Rathbon.