ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20555, 5 May 1930, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

EVENLY-CONTESTED MATCHES

THE DEFEAT OF TRAMWAYS.

PONSONBY'S DESERVED SUCCESS

Good football was provided at Blandford Park on Saturday, when two evenly contested games produced thrills at an astonishing rate, the ebb and flow of fortune, especially iu the main contest between Tramways and Ponsonby, having tho spectators continually on their feet. Ponsonby well deserved its win over the redoubtable Tramways combination, and was tho slightly better team throughout tho struggle. Combination, which has always been Tramways' greatest asset, was sadly lacking becauso of tho great blocking tactics employed by its opponents. Tho curtain-raiser match between Celtic and Manurewa was of a very high standard. Celtic maintained a slight advantage throughout, possessing moro co-opera-tion than Manurewa, which found sturdy defenco to faco its rush tactics. Y.M.C.A. experienced little difficulty with Onehunga and Thistlo signalised its return to form by beating Corinthians in a hard tussle. Following wcro tho results of senior games:— Ponsonby, 2; Tramways, 1. Celtic, 2; Manurewa, 1. Y.M.C.A., 6; Onehunga, 2. Thistle, 4; Corinthians, 1. PONSONBY V. TRAMWAYS. Tlio chief gamo at Blandford Park between Ponsonby and Tramways livened up considerably in the second half and in a finish Ponsonby ran out tho winners. Science and speed characterised tho opening exchanges with Ponsonby the moro aggressive. Inne3 came into prominence with a jinky side-line run which was repulsed. Spencer and Strctton brought Tramways in tho picture, combining well to the penalty area, only to bo sent back by McCosh. Innes then tried out Balty's capabilities. Tramways massed its forces in a spectacular raid, which instantly bore fruit, Spencer tricking his way through the centro and shooting past Surties. Tramways held the upper hand for quite a period, and good defensive work by McCosh and Balloch, combined with a fair amount of fortune, was all that kept Ponsonby's goal intact. Tramways was bo intent on attack, however, that when Innes Stewart and Forrester essayed a raid tho defence was in ribbons and Stewart took a neat pass from Innes to put his side on level terms. Elated by success, Ponsonby was not a team to be taken lightly, and it showed this conclusively when a triangular movement gave Forrester an opportunity of crossing to Lornie, who found the net with his head. The scores at the interval were: Ponsonby, 2; Tramways, 1. Ponßonby played to Innes after tho spell, as this wing had been tho most productive. Tramways was kept on defence, tho spasmodic raids by Mill and Spencer being tho only initiative shown by last year's Dominion leaders. Tho play became fast and exciting, occasional bursts by the forwards meeting with sound defence from both sets of backs. Tramways almost drew level when Stretton grazed tho post with a screw shot from 40 yards. The closing stages saw Tramways attacking strongly in an endeavour to wipe off the deficit. Surties had to bo lively to save snap shots from Williams and Spencer. Ponsonby camo again, a scrimmage on tho Tramways goalmouth threatening to put Ponsonby further in the lead, but stalwart defending by Batty and Simpson averted disaster. Excitement reigned for tho last few minutes, both goals being in imminent danger. Tlio scores were unchanged, however, and the gamo ended:—Ponsonby, 2; Tramways, 1. CELTIC BEATS MANUREWA'. Celtic proved a little too strong for Manurewa at Blandford Park and secured the full points after a stirring battle. Celtic seemed a very second-class team for a start, the backs and forwards crowding one _ another detrimentally. Manurewa, realising tho fact, tried to press its advantage, several incisive movements, originating in the halves, missing through poor finishing by Palmer and" Williamson. Grant started Celtic's revival by sending Gavan away, the latter crossing well for Alexander's parting shot to go astray. Gavan camo again and outmanoeuvred the wing halves to bring Parks to his knees with a fast ground shot. Play was now swinging slightly in Celtic's favour, but a bright rally by Manurewa'a attacking quintet saw Palmer _ unfortunate not to register with a swerving shot-. _ Success followed immediately for both sides. Manurewa took tho lead first subsequent to a pretty piece of forward work in which R. Clark did tho star turn. He received the ball on the goal line, pivoted finely, and his centre left Alexander with the goal at his mercy. Celtic set out for revenge and a goal came following a meleo in tho goalmouth. G. Hunter received and made no mistake with a rising shot. The half-time scores were: Celtic, 1; Manurewa, 1. Determination marked Celtic's efforts to equalise, a barrage oi: shots being well saved by Parks in Manurewa's goal. Gavan had the custodian beaten by a snap shot, but the ball struck (ho upright and rebounded out- of danger. Celtic was not to be denied, however, Thomas originating a movement which culminated when McIntyre slipped a pass to A. Hunter, the latter crashing an unstoppable shot past Parks. Davis figured in a solo run for Manurewa. racing down tho left flank and testing Hall from long ranlre, but the goal-keeper fielded safely and transferred activities to mid-field. In spite of desperate efforts to equalise Manurewa was well held by Celtic (o the end. when the scores read: —Celtic, 2; Manurewa, 1. Y.M.C.A. TOO STRONG. Onehunga, with a reinforced team, was expected to lower Y.M.C.A.'s colours at Onehunga on Saturday, but tho latter team was all over its opponents, securing a comfortalilo win. Y.M.C.A. essayed a raid immediately on starting, and Humphries and Kay appeared dangerous, only to receive a setback from Johnson. Whimster and Clarke retaliated, but could make little progress, for Y.M.C.A.'s halves we.re co-eperat-ing well. Kay received when in a good position, and put Y.M..C.A. iu tho lead. Activities fluctuated from one end to tho other. Onehunga was rewarded when Scandle, Whimster and Gil] combined prettily, tho movement being finalised by tho last-named shooting past Hilliard. Tho Onehunga forwards were rarely dangerous after this, however, and before half-time Y.M.C.A. added Ibrco moro goals in quick succession. Humphries broko through twice to net, whilo Kay finished a jinky run just before half-time, by giving Zuill no chance with a left-foot drivu .Tho scores at half-time were: Y.M.C.A,., 4; Onehunga, 1. Tho hurdlo _ facing Onehunga after tho spell was u fairly stiff one, but spirited attacks saw Y.M.C.A.'s lead reduced following a tine piece, of work by Whimster and Clarke. Tho latter found tho goalkeeper unplaced, and tapped tho ball iu for an easy goal. Onehuuga's forward line kept pegging away, but litllo combination existed. Y.M.C.A. made a combined raid on tho Onehunga goal," and in the general mix-up Kay scored a simple goal with a low cenjre. Humphries scored again before the finish, with a clever overhead hook shot. Tho scores at tlio final whistlo were: Y.M.C.A., U; Onehunga. 2. THISTLE WINS EASILY. On previous Saturday's showing, Corinthians seemed to have tho advantage of Thistle, but ti J hitter showed good form to win easily Fast exchanges, mostly in Thistle's favour, marked the opening stages. Aided by two free kicks, Thistlo managed to gain an ascendancy. From the lat(er penally. Kennedy lobbed (he ball into tho goalmouth and McLeay completed the work by heading past Jamieson. Corinthians forced back tho Thistlo attackers, and should . liavo provided the equaliser, but for poor shooting. Wood was faced with a glorious opportunity of opening his side's account, only to shoot wildly over the bar. lie made amends shortly afterwards, however, slipping a neat ccntro through ih© goalkeeper's hands. Thistlo attempted to take the lead again, and was rather fortunate, the Corinthians' custodian slipping and leaving an open goal for N. Cummings'to shoot at. The half-time scores were: Thistle, 2; Corinthians, 1. , Corinthians was seen _to advantage on resuming, tho halves moving up and sending Wood and Ansteed away, the latter scoring, only to bo ruled offside. Exchanges became hard and fast affer this. Thistle's goal undergoing a bombardment from which it remained intact. Ahern received a nasty knock, having (o be carried off, but Corinthians maintained -its advantage. Tho absence of ono man told, however, affer a time. Thistle breaking through for N. Cum tilings to notch a £ood goal. Uislop, Wylio and McLeay combined .v*.-ll again just before the fiii'sh, M:l.eay beting .T.mv'frs-on with a snap shot which gave the jufoditn nc chanco. The 6nnl scores were: Thistle, 4; Corinthians, 1.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Senior Grade B.—Rangers, 3, Northcoto, 0; Aortb Shore. 3, Tamaki, 0; New Accord, 3, Newmarket. 1; Belmont. 3, Metro United, 0. Second Grade.—Gler. Eden, 2, Swanson, 1; Glen limes, 5, Y.M.C.A. 13, 0; Y.M.G.A., 4, Belmont, i; Mount Albert 4, United, 0; North Shoro, 3, l'onsonby A, 1. Third Grado Intermediate.—Burnley, 1, Ouchunga, 1; Comrades A, 1, North Shore, 1; Comrades B, 2, Belmont, 1. Fourth Grade.—Tamaki, 5, North Shore, 0; Western United, 2, W.Y.M.1., 1; Ouchunga, J, All Saints'. 1; Y.M.C.A. B, 2, Comrades, J ; Metro. College, 0. Belmont, 0. Fifth Grade—Y.M.C.A. C, 3, St. .John's, 0; Comrades A, 12, Y.M.C.A. B, 0; Y.M.C.A., 2, Comrades A, 0; Onehunga, 2, Belmont B, 1; Metro-Collego B, 3, Comrades B, I; Metro-College A, 3, Belmont A, 1; Y.M.C.A. A, 3, Carlton, 1. Sixth Grade.—Belmont A, G. Metro. College, 1; Belmont B, 5. Y.M.C.A. B, 0; Comrades B, •), Y.M.C.A. C, 0; Onehunga, 5, Tamaki, 1; Comrades A, 2, North Shore, 1; Carlton. 3, Y.M.C.A. A. 2. Seventh Grade.—Belmont A, 3, Y.M.C.A. A, 2; Comrades A. 1. W.Y.M.1., 0 ; Comrades B, 3, Carlton B, 0; North Shoro A, 7, Carlton A, 2. Secondary Schools.—Senior grade: Mount Albert A. 3, Grammar A, 0; Technical, -1, Mount Albert B, 0. Junior: Mount Albert B, 5, Technical A, 1. Intermediate grade: Grammar, 2, Mount Albert A, 2: Kowhai A, 5, Kowhai 13, 2; Takapuna, li. Mount Albert C, 0; Mount Albert B, 3, Technical, 1. GAME AT HAMILTON. [llY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Sunday. Only ono match was played under the auspices of tho South Auckland Football Association yesterday, that between Y.M.C.A. and Wanderers. Y'.M.C.A. won by 3 points to 2. WELLINGTON RESULTS. [TSY TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Saturday. Marist, 7, Y.M.C.A., 2; Diamonds, 7, Institute, ]; Seatoun, 1, l'etone, 3; Waterside, 1, Hospital, 0. MATCHES IN CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Rangers, 4, Sumner, 2; New Brighton, 3, Western, 2; Nomads, 5. Technical, 0 ; - Thistle, 3, St. Albans, 0. CHAMPIONSHIP IN DUNEDIN. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Saturday, SeaclifT, 4, Port Chalmers, 1; Maori Hill, 3. Mornington, 2: Northern, 1, High School Old Boys, 1; Technical Old Boys, 4, Y.M.C.A., 2.