LEAGUE COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20935, 27 July 1931, Page 12

LEAGUE COMMENTS.

QUICK SCORING BY PONSONBY DELGROSSO IN KICKING FORM. IVESON OUTSTANDING FORWARD Although fast football was out of- tho " question oil Saturday owing to the heavy state of the grounds there were s omo < thrilling exchanges at times in the f e -> ; ture match between City iind Ponsonby Until the final stages the honours rested with Cit>% which iiad the better of the play and showed to more advantage as an attacking force. .A sudden change then came over the game, the Ponsonby f or . wards putting far more dash into their efforts, with tho/esult that three trie,} wero scored in quick succession. Lei; grosso was in great kicking form and landed three fine goals, all from difficult angles. Ho was unlucky with another kick from the toucliline, when the ball hit the far upright and bounced out. The heavy ground hampered each set of backs in combined play and efforts throughout were mere or less of an in* dividual nature. Each side lost sores • great chances, and once when Davidson broke through in the first spell a try would have resulted had he been better supported. The try scored by Laurie Barchard was the best of the match. Anticipating tho play cleverly he inter- ' 'cepted at the Ponsonby twenty-fivo and Angelo was badly beaten with a side-step.' Ponsonby would have done a good deal better had Skelton taken his passes. He twice missed scoring opportunities and when he did take lvis transfer in a passing bout Friend scored an easy try. The forwards were engaged in some strenuous exchanges and at one stigein the second spell tempers were frayed. Prompt action by the referee, however, soon brought the flayers concerned to $ their mettle. . \ Backs Hampered. Watene, Barchard, Davidson and Alder- \ ton all did good work for City, and the f backs would have been seen to more advantage had McLaughlin, at first fiveeighths, got rid of the ball quicker.White, at half for Ponsonby, played well; but threw some impossible passes to grosso. Fleming, Fagan and McLeay were the outstanding forwards, with' Hutt showing up on occasions.- Iveson was the best forward on the ground, and played a great all-round game. All tho other City forward; played well. Ground ' conditions were against good football in the game between Richmond and: NeVton. Mud was inches, deep and ' it was really a battle between the forwards. For a time Newton's '.pack gained the upper hand and several times went close to scoring. The second half, however, was all in favour of Richmond. The winner's rear division gave the forwards excellent sapport in tho loose.' Passings bouts were not attempted by either side, and this was responsible for much close play. Newton was unlucky on occasions, but generally Richmond had the better of the play. Lee, at fullback, brought o5 two lucky saves, one of wh.ch might easily hav6 given Newton five points. The Richmond custodian, however,, kicked with fine judgment. Minchsra was the best of the threequarters with limited opportunities. Dunn was prominent on attack. The j five-eighths, .Stehr and useful work. The former made a beautiful I opening just before half-time, but his | hesitation lost a try. Richmond's pack J worked well, with Telford, Prentice and ! Ritchie outstanding. Dempsey, at fullback for Newton, did a lot of useful work. Harris and Brimble were the pick of the backs. Ferguson and St. George did excellent work among an even lot of forwards. Harding Plays Well. Devonport and Elierslie gave a colourless exhibition at Devonport. The winning backs were easily superior, Elierslie showing up more in individaul efforts. Simons capably handled what work came his way overshadowing his vis-a-vis, Boswell. , The Devonport threequartcr line had a great day, Harding being the best back on the field. He showed resourcefulness aiid strategy with a good turn of speed. Seagar j opened up the play well, and Smitn was in good form at second five-eighths.' O'Donnell plaved a good defensive game. The star of Elleridie's backs was Hickey, his fine runs being a feature of iae pW> while Keesing was also prominent. Webb gave a good exhibition, and Oiili P? a ?£, well at half. Simpson and A. and E. Scott were the best. Devonport forwards and Hobbs and Calder were prominent in ; the Elierslie scrum.