THE LEAGUE CODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21922, 4 October 1934, Page 9

THE LEAGUE CODE

WESTERN SUBURBS WINS PONSONBY WELL BEATEN HOME TEAM'S WEAK TACKLING In a scrappy game, Western Suburbs, champion Rugby League team of Sydney, defeated Ponsonby at Carlaw Park yesterday by 26 points to 13. The local side, which was strengthened by Hardgrave, Donald, Laing and Herring, missed several opportunities through poor passing and ipishandling. There was an improvement in the second spell, when the back lino was rearranged. Weak tackling proved costly to Ponsonby. The visitors led at half-time by 18 points to 5 and did not fully exert themselves in the second spell. The Western Suburbs backs were seen in some nice movements, but poor tackling allowed them at times to cut the defence to ribbons. The teamß were:— Western Suburbs.—Fullback, J. Sharman; threequarters, R. Hines, R. Knight, J. Lynch, S. five-eighths, V. Hey; halfback, P. Williams; forwards, B. Green, A. Blake, J. Hartwell, J. McConnell, M. Gray, F. Sponberg. Ponsonby.—Fullback, A. Laing; threequarters, C. Jones, A. Kay, R. Hardgrave; five-eighths, W. Stockley, B. Riley; half-back,-F. Halloran; forwards, D. Herring. J. Davis, Donald, J. Stockley, R. Blood, L, Hutt. In the early stages Halloran was penalised and Williams kicked a nice goal. Hey made a brilliant run from halfway and was tackled just short, of his objective. Weak tackling by Ponsonby let the visitors through several times, but selfish j>Jay spoiled likely chances. Riley was prominent in a nice run and n. little later- Laing just failed at goal with a fine kick from a penalty. From a kick by Hey, Gray followed up fast to gather on the bounce and pass infield. The ball went to Lynch, who scored an easy try between the posts with several players in support. Williams converted. Western Suburbs, 7; Ponsonby, 0. Both «de 3 mishandled. From a free kick Ponsonby was caught napping and Williams short-kicked. Hey gathered and made ground before sending to Hartwell, Williams finishing a fine movement with a try wide out. The scorer failed to convert. Western Suburbs, 10; Ponsonby, 0. Sponberg made a nice opening from a scrum from which Gray scored. Knight failed with the kick. Hey was seen in another spectacular dash from which he almost scored. Hutt .made a nico opening, which Donald further improved, and, although the latter's pass went astray, Riley' eventually gathered and threaded his way through the opposition to score near the posts. Laing converted. Western Suburbs, 13; Ponsonby, 5. Sharman retired with an injured shoulder and was replaced by Ridley, Lynch going to fullback. Knight cut right through in a passing bout, easily evaded Laing, and scored by the posts. _ Williamß converted, and haTf-time came with the score:—Western Suburbs, 18; Ponsonby, 5. On resuming. Ponsonby rearranged its backs and Laing and Kay were associated in a good movement from which Kay scored between the posts. Laing missed the easy kick. Western Suburbs, 18; Ponsonby, 8. Mistakes by the Ponsonby backs lost good opportunities. A little later a splendid reverse passing movement by the Ponsonby backii saw Hardgrave score a good try between the posts. Jones converted. Western Suburbs. 18; Ponsonby, 13. Almost immediately Sponberg added a try for the visitors from a determined run. Williams failed to convert. Sponberg next made an opening from which Gray scored, Williams converted. The game ended with the score: Western Suburbs, 26; Ponsonby, 13. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee. MATCH WITH RICHMOND Western Suburbs will play a return match with. Richmond at Carlaw Park next Saturday, when another fast and close game is anticipated. Last Saturday Richmond beat the visitors by 18 points to 16. LOWER GRADE FIXTURES Following are the lower grade fixtures for Saturday•- »* . Third Grade Intermediate.—Citj' v. Papskura, Carlaw Park No. I, 1.30 p.m., Mr. M. Renton; Richmond v. Marist, Carlaw Park No. 2, .1.45 p.m., Mr., G. Belly;. Akarana v. Manukau A, Carlaw Park No. 2. 3 p.m., Mr. A. F. Smith; Devonport v. Manukau B, Grey Lynn, 1.30 p.m.. Mr. S. Ball. Schoolboys' Grade.—Knock-out competition: Avondale v. City, Carlaw Park. 12.30 P.m., Mr. L. Wilson; Marist A v. Ellerslie, Carlaw Park, 12.30 p.m., Mr. B. Anderson. Seten-n-side match: Marist v. Ellerslie, Carlaw Park, 8.45 p.m. Friendly Match.—Harvey and Sons v. Brown and Geddcs, Grey Lynn Park, 3 p.m., Mr. L. Dixon.