JOHNSONVIILE ENTERPRIS-

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 9, 11 July 1938, Page 19

JOHNSONVIILE ENTERPRIS-

Revealing far more enterprise and initiative than previously, the Johnsonville backs showed themselves to be a dangerous attacking force against Poneke," and'helped to bring about the defeat of the leaders. The ground at Johnsonville was on the heavy side, but conditions otherwise were good, and the game was interesting and fast throughout. As usual the Johnsonville back was always a source of danger in the loose, some of the dribbling rushes being a treat to watch. In addition the home forwards were more successful in hooking and heeling, and the back line was given plenty of chances. The half-back was in good form, and made several good openings; indeed, all the backs were on the lookout for the gap,- and would probably have done even better had they shot the ball out more quickly to the wings.

As for Poneke, .the forwards played a hard game, and- in the tight they shaded'their opponents. Some of their loose rushes were good, but they did not handle as well as did the Johnsonville forwards. With slightly more of the ball than Johnsonville, the Poneke backs made very little use of it, there being an entire lack of penetration. In addition the tackling by the Johnisonville backs was firstclass, and Poneke found it very dimcult to get through. The absence of Griffiths has made all the difference to Poneke, both on attack and defence, and unless the side can sharpen up their back movements they are going to find the way to victory very hard.

Territorially Pomeke had a slight advantage, but Johnsonville possessed far more dash, Engel scored the first try from a line-out close to the goalline after Ivamy had been pushed out at the corner. Lyons, scored shortly afterwards, after he had passed on the blind side to J. Burns, who cut straight through and passed back to Lyons right on the line. For the remainder of the first spell the Poneke forwards attacked strongly, but half-time came with Johnsonville six points in the lead. Fast following up gave O'Brien (Poneke) a try early in the second spell, but play was even after that, with the Johnsonville rearguard displaying sound attack. A bright dash by J. Burns was well supported, four forwards handling before Grant dashed across, unopposed. No goals had been kicked^ " though had Crisp been in his usual form Poneke would have had a handy lead, for he had failed with five shots at goal. However, he finished up by placing three points more to Poneke's total with a penalty goal, but failed again with a long kick from the touchline right on the call of time, leaving the final score: Johnsonville ?, Poneke 6/ The referee was Mr, A. Hooper,