DULL FIRST SPELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22107, 13 May 1935, Page 13

DULL FIRST SPELL

PONSONBY BACKS IN FORM Except for an occasional flash of bright Play the first spell of the match between and Ponsonby was disappointing, far too many mistakes in both passing and handling being made for senior football. As a. result each side lost aomo golden oppor- • <i. ni ii les '. C i ty i ns^6 backs persisted in balloon passing, while the Ponsonby rearguard could not settle down and frequently mishandled. A noticeable fault was the tendency of some players to take a pass with one hand. Ponsonby's first try came as the result of a. nica movement between Hutt, Kay and Jones, the last-named coming infield and running over behind the posts. The Ponsonby backs were a little disorganised for a time owing to W. Stockley being injured and leaving the field. A reorganisation of the line was necessary, but once settled down the rearguard played good, combined football, the inside men often cutting the defence to ribbons. The Ponsonby team was caught well out of position when City scored its second try. The players were far too slow and most of them had their backs to the ball when Brown took a freekick quickly and placed it to a gap. Ponsonby led at half-time by 10 points to 8. City could do little in .the second spell against the fast Ponsonby backs and soon after the opening the City defence wilted. This gave the Ponsonby rearguard plenty of chances and the players turned them to good advantage. Half-way through the second spell it was just a question of how many Ponsonby would win by, and many of the spectators went to watch the close game on the No. 2 ground. For Ponsonby Payne again played well at fullback, but the outstanding back was Bright, who came into centra when "W. Stockley was injured. Bright mado gome clever openings, showing ability to sidestep, swerve and go through a gap very quickly. He scored two tries, the first being a splendid effort in which his quick change of direction and pace left the opposition standing. A good game was also played by Riley, who started several attacking movements by his speed and deceptive running. All th® other backs gave good support, the wings, Jones and* Holland, displaying determination and dash in going for the line. Halloran, at halfback, was inclined to run too much with the ball. The Ponsonby forwards gave the backs good support in the open, but City gained the ball in the majority of the scrums. Hutt played an outstanding game and was well supported by J. Stockley and Blood. Wiberg played a sound game at fullback for City and came through a hard afternoon with credit. He would have been of better service to the team, however, at first five-eighths. In this position McLaughlin was too slow off the mark and often took his passes standing, while at other times ho kicked too much. Brown was easily the best back and wag always dangerous in possession. However, he did not get many opportunities and was starved throughout the second spell. Brown's passing and method of running a support into a good position were an object lesson to his team. The forwards did not work together as a. pack, their play being more or less of an individual nature. Watene, Clark and Herring were always in the picture. For Ponsonby. Jones (2). Bright (2). Kay (2). Holland (2) and Riley scored tries. Bright converted aix tries. For City. Johnson, "Watene and McLaughlin scored tries. Wiberg converting two. Mr. M. Wetherill was referee.