LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 48, 1 May 1940, Page 8 (Supplement)

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

CLOSE WIN FOR PAPAKURA PONSONBY DEFEATED ■ Papakura Rugby League team won its first game of the season by defeating Ponsonby by five points to nil in an evenly-contested match. There was no! a great deal between the teams, and, if anything, the Papakura forwards swayed the balance. Good tackling by tlie Papakura backs stopped several dangerous Ponsonby attacks. The slippery ball made passing difficult and no points were scored in the first half. In the second half Hogan and Milliken headed the Papakura forwards in a sweeping offensive, and weak tackling allowed Halsey to score the only try of the game. Ponsonhy's hacks got plenty of opportunities. )hit their handling was uncertain. On one occasion Dormer and Williams, the inside hacks, broke away and a try in a good position seemed certain, but Nurse missed a pass and Dunning knocked the ball on. The game developed into a battle between the forwards, the winners keeping the ball on the ground to better advantage than the Ponsonby set. Among the Papakura forwards Milliken played a splendid game and was always on the ball. His handling, 100, was also certain. Hogan was prominent in the loose nd both Buclceridge and I’ratney gave excellent support. Mclnnes played a sound game and his tackling was a feature of the play. Halsey showed initiative on attack and is an acquisition to the rear division. Bilkev. centre. alsO played well, while Gossey. five-eighths, and Reid did good all-round work.

Williams and Dormer bore the brunt of the Ponsonby defence, and on attack Nurse and Bakalich stood out prominently. Dunning, Chester and Davies played good games among the forwards. For Papakura, Halsey scored the only try and Mclnnes kicked a penalty goal. Mr ,1. Gedye was referee.