POOR TACKLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22718, 3 May 1937, Page 14

POOR TACKLING

THREE EASY' TRIES

Poor tackling by the City backs gave Ponsonby three easy tries, otherwise the i>iay did not indicate the margin between the teams. City was handicapped by losing the ball from almost every scrum, and throughout the game the Ponsonby rearguard was in possession. Ponsonby had a territorial advantage in the second half, but only bad handling kept the score down. In the two tries scored by Kay, three City backs made.no attempt to stop the Ponsonby centre, who only had to use his pace to go through gaps in the opposition. The Ponsonby forwards beat City badly in the set scrums, and the vanguard handled better in the loose. City's backs failed to show the form displayed in the preliminI ary matches. It would havo been more effective on attack to play Hapi and Tawhai nearer the scrum. Both can make fine openings, and were starved on the wing. The pair are also good tacklers. Bright play was witnessed in the first half when Ponsonby had much the better of the game. Its backs are likely to develop into a good attacking- force. City played its best football soon after half-time, particularly the -'forwards, who showed dash in the loose. Ponsonby, however, was always the better ■id*.

Although Kay scored most of Ponsonby's tries and ho wttb prominent on attack, his handling wis very faulty. Ho made many Mistakes by passing yards before he had drawn his vis-a-vis. Both the wings, Nurse and McKinney, played dashing games, particularly tho former, who has a lot of speed, Stockle.v played a sound game as did Halloran, who niado several clever openings. Black prominent at halfback. Morgan was the best of the Ponsonby forwards, arid he received good support from Middle ton and Blackman. Wiborg was easily the best of the Uly backs and did soino fine work at fullback. Neither McLaughlin nor Rata was as prominent as usual. Thore was a tendency among the City backs to be selfish. Raymond, Webner and Spire wero the best of the forwards. . , , • Ponsonby scored seven tries, and not one was converted. Kay (3), Nurse (2), Middleton and Rush scored. For City Wchner scored a try, which "VViberg converted. Wiberg also kicked two penalty goals. Mr. O. Chalmers was referee.

COMFORTABLE WIN CREDIT TO FORWARDS • Marist comfortably defeated Newton in a solid game on the No. 2 ground, which was heavy after rain. Play was only spectacular on occasions and it is evident neither team has devoloped good combination. The Marist forwards pavol tho way for victory, and their speed in tho loose caused the Newton backs to make many mistakes. Bad handling by both sides cost, numerous tries. • Tn the first half tho Marist backs, with Haslam, Donovan and Midgeley prominent, rushed play to Newton's territory, and a nice try resulted. Marist was favoured with most of the ball from the sot scrums, and it was only on rare occasions that Newton took a hand on attack. The defence, however, was very sound, particularly that of Dempsey and Young. .Tn the second half, Marist scored 16 points, mostly as the result of better finish to the plav of the backs. For Marist Glover played a sound game at fullback, and kicked with good judgment. On tho'wing, Midgeley showed a lot of pace, and his try in the second half was a good effort. Haslam made some nice openings and was difficult to stop. Donovan did a lot of useful work at five-eighths and was perhaps tho best of the backs. Behind the scrum Crocker was prominent, but delayed his passes too long. Breed and Anderson wero prominent among the forwards and McGreal also did good work. The Newton hacks are likely to improve with moro games together. Brimble, Dcnipsey and Young got through a lot of useful work. Beattie, Reed and Ferrall played well in the forwards. For Marist tries were scored by Anderson (2), Midgeley (2), Donovan, McGreal and Crocker. Anderson converted three tries. For Newton Dempsey and Sissons scored a try each. Sissons converted one try and Beattie j kicked a penalty goal, i Mr. R. Otto was referee.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS Senior Reserve Grade. —North Shore, 21. Manukau, 0; Marist, 37, Newton, 0; Richmond, 16, Mount Albert, 10; Ponsonby, 7, C'ty. 7 - „ T „ Senior, B Grade.—Richmond, 16; Nortacote, 5; Green Bane, 14, Newton, 5; Papakura, 15, R.V., 11. Third Grade.—Ellerslie, 11, Papakura, 0; City 12, Richmond, 8; Papakura, 9. Manukau,' 2: Mount Albert, 6, R.V., 5; Newton. 6, North Shore, 0; Otahuhu, 13, Marist, 2. Fourth Grade. —Ellerslie won from Point Chevalier by default.; Richmond, 23, Glenora, Fifth Grade.—Richmond. 01, Avondale, 10; Otahuhu, 2-1, Ellerslie, 0; City, 0, Papakura, ° Sixth Grade. —Green Lane, 10, Mount Albert- 5. Seventh Grade.—North Shore, G, Ponsonby, 0; Otahuhu won from Point Chevalier by default. T , Schoolboys' Matches.—Junior grade; Richmond, 3, Balmoral, 0; Mount Albert, 12, Point Chevalier, 0; Newton A, 9, Ponsonby, 0; George Court's, 3, Green Lane, 0; Newton B, 3, George Court's B, 3. GAMES IN PROVINCE [from herald correspondents] Papakura. —Senior B.: Papakura, 15, R.V., 11 Third grade A: Papakura, 15, Ellerslie, 4 Third Grade B: Papakura, 11, Manukau, o Fifth grade: Papakura, 0, City, 0. Sixth irade: Point Chevalier, 11, Papakura, 0. Whangarei.—The Northland Rugby League commenced its season in perfect football weather. There wa„ a good attendance .at, Jubilee Park, where the principal senior match, between Hikurangi and lakahiwai, was won by the former by 21 points to 11. At Hikurangi, the Kamo senior team defeated Whakapara by 17 points to 8. Juniors: Citv, 11. One Tree Point, Ramo, Ih, Hikurangi, 0. Third grade: Kamo, IG, City. 13; Whakapara, a bye. SOUTHERN CONTESTS [by telegraph —press association] Wellington.—St. George, 23. Randwick, 7. A new club called Eastern Suburbs has been formed and will play later. Christchurch. —Sydenham, 17, Hornby, 16; Waimairi, 10, Linwood, 10.