LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20695, 15 October 1930, Page 19

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

SUCCESS OF PONSONBY TEAM.

BACKS DECIDING FACTOR.

NEXT SEASON'S SENIOR GRADE. } The Rugby League match between Pon- t sonhy and Ngaruawahia on Saturday did 1 not provide a test as to the strength of 5 either team. Neither side took the game , very seriously and only the even t scoring maintained interest in the play. ! The concluding stages provided easily the ( best football of the game. Ngaruawahia | strove hard to make amends for its earlier 1 failures, and more than once looked likely ] to win. The Ponsonby backs had ] too much combination for the visitors 1 and were the deciding factor in the team's | success. Herewini, at fullback, was the weakest of the Ponsonby backs, his poor fielding giving the visitors two easy trios. The wings, Bright and Winter, played good football. Friend, a junior, made a good impression at centre and scored two nice tries. Delgrosso was the best back, the Ponsonby captain giving a splendid allround display. Angelo also played well. Mclnbyre reappeared behind the Ponsonby scrum but he was not in form. Gardiner was the most prominent of the Ponsonby forwards, while Thompson, a junior, gave excellent support. In the second half Thompson acted as rover, and was given too much latitude in offside play. Injury to Tittleton. Tittleton, who scored three tries for Ngaruawahia, was easily the best back. The Now Zealand representative was unlucky to break his collarbone, his injury being not known until the game ended. W. Abbott, at fullback, made few mistakes and easily outplayed Herewini. Hall and Wilson made the most of limited opportunities. An injury to his arm prevented E. Abbott from doing his best behind the scrum. The New Zealand representative, however, was in .each attack which resulted in a try. The oldest forward playing Leaguo football in New Zealand, Menzies, stood out as the best forward on the ground. Mason and Laid gave the backs plenty of support. The decision of the special committee set up to decide the six clubs to comprise the senior grade next season has caused considerable discussion in League circles. The merger of City and Newton under the name of Metropolitan is opposed by both players and officials of each club. It can be said, however, that Metropolitan would undoubtedly be a strong side. Included in both teams are many fine players. City could be strengthened in several positions by promising backs from Newton. Tbi3 aspect, however, does not appeal to the clubs concerned, and during tho week-end representatives of both teams conferred at some length. It is almost certain every effort will be made to retain one of the two names or a combination of both. Eastern Suburbs Olub. Western Suburbs, to include Kingsland and Richmond, seems to satisfy those in authority. Richmond occupied a lowly position in the championship, but the senior team could be strengthened by its own juniors, many of whom showed good form this season. Kingsland is a much stronger side than its position in the championship would show, and, on form, is entitled to hold a prominent place in the organisation of a Western Suburbs club. It was only to be expected that Ponsonby and Devonport would retain their identity. Both teams can be relied upon to place strong teams in the field with the competition more keen. There can be little justification in depending on Ellerslie to form an Eastern Suburbs club. Since Ellerslie was admitted to the senior grade three yeais aC o, the club has made very little piocress in the competition._ In fact, two seasons ago Point Chevalier, winners of the B section, went close to beating lerslie. It is intended that the Eastern Suburbs Club should include Otaliunu and , Mangere. It will, however, require good 1 organisation to field a-team sufficiently strong to hold its place among the six clubs. . , The Auckland Rugby League is keen to have the question settled this month, and fresh developments are expected at to-night's meeting of the management , committee, which will either reject or j confirm the special committee s recommendations.