SUPERIOR BACK PLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22421, 18 May 1936, Page 13

SUPERIOR BACK PLAY

\ PONSONBY/ TEAM IMPRESSES The first spell of the match between Podionby and Marist was fairly evenly contested. and the play was hard and keen. The Marist forwards held the upper hand ■jn thu scrums and on the line-outs, and I'lheir loose rushes, in which four big for Vards-Fitzgibbpn. McGrory, McHugh and (Sutler—were always to the fore, gained much |"valuable ground. Had they kept the ball |*t their toes thpy would undoubtedly hav* I'done much better, but they would try to •pick it up and mishandling checked many 'dangerous rushes, and resulted in lost ground. Marist's ambition was to get the backs in action, but it was early apparent that they did not fcossess sufficient speed to break past the defence. Their movements ' were cumbersome and easily dealt with. It ' was 'surprising, therefore, that liarist did (-Sot realise the position and endeavour to make a forward game of 'it.

With possession of the ball denied them, 'the Ponsonby backs and forwards had to •look for openings when their opponents made ■mistakes and in this they were entirely successful. Jamieson early displayed great penetrative powers, and the whole Ponsonby back ■line handled the ball snappily and with precision. It was only solid and determined tackling that prevented Ponsonby from scoring until almost the close of the first spell when D. Solomon went across at the corner. Hook converted and this gave his side a lead of o-nil at half-time. The result appeared to be still in doubt at this stage, but another try to Ponsonby almost immediately after resuming took the sting out of the Marist team's play, and the winners registered three more tries by greatly superior back play. Then Hook put the finishing touches to a good exhibition of fullback play by dropping a goal from about 15 yards inside halfway and a similar distance from the touchline. Ponsonby's win was a very creditable one. The forwards conceded weight and size to the opposition, but they kept well together as a pack, and played fine football in the loose. Carson was always prominent in both tight and open play and he was ably seconded by Knight, while Bond, Fraser and F. Solomon was always up with the 'dribbling rushes. The whole back line is deserving of great praise. Apart from a good exhibition of passing and handling the backs displayed ieadiness in all their movements. They always looked dangerous when in possession and that type of Rugby will make them • popular team at headquarters. Once again the Marist team showed that its strength lies in its forwards. The backs ar? much too slov to be an effective combination, and it would probably pay the •ide to endeavour to win its future matches Per medium of the pack. Tries for Ponsonby were scored by D. Bolomon. Carson, Ramsay and Frankham. Book converted two tries and Jamieson one. Hook also kicked a goal from the field. Mr.' C. F. P„ull was referee.