LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19728, 30 August 1927, Page 14

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

FINAL OF CHAMPIONSHIP. NEWTON DEFEATS PONSONBY. HARD GAME AT CARLAW PARK. The battle for the 1927 club champion- , ship between Ponsonby and Newton at Carlaw Park on Saturday was one of the hardest contests for some years. , Newton won by 6 points to 3, three goals to a try. It was at times a close game, and only deadly tackling prevented the high-class football that ap- | peals to the spectators. On other occai sions, both backs and forwards attacked 1 with surprising speed. The play was keen throughout, but the match was ,'j fought in the best sporting spirit. There ,! were many stoppages —in fact they must : have constituted a record for club games j—due to the hard tackling. Both pets ! of forwards were conspicuious for clever , j dribbling, resolute tackling, and clean ; passing. Both teams, particularly in the i backs, displayed signs of nervousness, and 1 it took some time for them to settle down ( | to their customary play. ! Ponsonby Opens the Attack. From the outset, the Ponsonby backs swung into the attack, and gave the opposition a busy time. However, Newj ton met each attack with such solid ; tackling that the Ponsonby five-eighths i were compelled to kick. The hookers, * Peckham and Somers, fought hard .to | gain the advantage, and in the first ! spell the Ponsonby man got a good I share of the ball. In the second spell, Somers, Newton, proved superior. All through the second spell the Newton ! forwards monopolised the play, and their | rushing tactics had Ponsonby constantly ; defending. The Newton backs did not give a great deal of support as they were too slow to take advantage of the forwards' good nlay. From IMclntyre at halfback, to Dufty at centre-threequarter, the pasisng S W as bad. Time and again the five-eighths I stood still and sent passes that were j difficult to secure. ! Ponsonby's inside backs had some spieni did opportunities of intercepting loose ; passes from Morman and McLeod. Mc- ! Intyre quickly changed his methods in I the" second spell and resorted to short I punts that played havoc with the Pon- ! sonbv defence. Well-placed kicks forced | Grey to race for the ball, and only his i brilliant play prevented Ne.vton's charg- ! ing forwards from scoring. Ponsonby was I unfortunate in the matter of penalties as i each of Dufty's goals was within good I range. _ I While not discrediting Newton for its ! fine win, Ponsonby has on numerous occaI sions showed better form. It lacked the ; finish usually displayed. Winners' Successful Rise. I The winners have made a meteoric rise !to win the club championship. From j I a lowly position occupied for some years, j Newton lias suffered many reverses, and 1 only this season has success come its way. i Week after week, almost the same team I took the field, this being a striking ! ieature of its success. Besides winning ! the Monteith Shield for the club cham- ! pionship, Newton has also won the Thistle I Cup, given to the team securing the most points in the second round. For the winners Herewini, at fullback, gave a fine all-round display. His fielding was excellent, but at times his return kicks were unduly delayed. Hcrewini's field goal was a great effort. Little showed pace on the wing, but proved an easy man to beat when racing after the ball. Hardgrave shone in defence ! and was reliable on attack. Dufty played a fine game. Although not brilliant on attack, because he lacked pace, he was : best back on defence. Dufty displayed remarkable judgment in line-kicking. McLeod tackled well and made several good runs. He is a promising five-eighths. Morman was too slow u- be a success at five-eighths, and his passing was too high. However, the Newton captain went- down to forward rushes in good style Mclntvre showed excellent judgment in his play round the serum. His passing was perfect, and his ability to "stab-kick" when running with the ball gave the forwards complete control. Clarke Plays Well. Clarke gave a brilliant display, being the best forward on the ground. He possesses rare pace and a nice swerve. With more experience, Clarke should develop into a great player. Hall played a dashing game and was always prominent. Ho was injured on four occasions. Rhodes tackled well, and Henry and Stack were great workers in the loase. Somers proved himself the best hooker in the code, some of his efforts beating the halfback. Grey played a heady game at fullback for Ponsonby and saved his side repeatedly in the second spell. Grey has played almost continually since 1920, but still retains his form. Delgrosso got few opportunities on the wing. He may have improved the attack by going into centre in place of Gardiner, whose handling was very weak. Ponsonby was unfortunate in losing Usher who, until his injury, was playing his usual good game. Ilis retirement five minutes after the second spell had commenced had a disheartening effect on Ponsonby. K. Peckham, at first fiveeighths, bore the brunt of some solid defence, and for a player of his youth he did really well. Riley was inclined to run too much across the ground, thus crowding his wings. In the second half, Riley made a beautiful opening, and this effort was the best of the day. With a speedy support a try would have resulted. T. Peckham was overshadowed by his vis-a-vis in his play round the scrum, but in the open Peckham has no superior playing the game. Ponsonby's forwards gave their best display this season, and it was not their fault that more tries were not scored. Jhe whole s;et was faced with a tough proposition in Newton, bui they enhanced their reputation of fine battlers. Payne, was perhaps the pick of a good even lot. I'agan was a tower of strength, particularly in the loose. Ward and McNeill followed up well and were conspicuous for deadly tackling. Ilutt ably filled Usher's place on the wing. The Representative Team. The first Auckland representative team chosen this season was made known on Saturday, and considerable interest was displayed in its personnel. The selectors have done well under the circumstances and the team was well received. Faults can be found in the selection, and the omission of T, Peckham is most discussed. Peckham has shown consistently good form in the club games, being an outstanding player in the open. Mclntyre is undoubtedly a clever player round the scrum, but both Webb and Peckham are superior in passing movements. However, Mclntyre by reason of his youth is well deserving of a place, and he is certain to do well, ns Somers, his club honker, has also gained a place. It would be interesting to see Mclntyre playing behind a scrum beaten for possession of the ball. The backs selected can be depended upon to play fast, open football. It will take a speedy rear division to repel their attacks. The forwards have b>en well selected, although. L. Hutt, of Ponsonby, is lucky to secure a place.' His club-mate. V. Fagan, has shown good form, and Moisl?.y, of Marist, is a particularly good frontrank forward. F. Bass, Richmond, and W. Hall, Newton, are representing their province for the first time, and their inclusion is justified.