AUCKLAND.

NZ Truth, Issue 471, 27 June 1914, Page 11

AUCKLAND.

League enthusiasts had plenty to Interest them at Victoria Park on Saturday, when all three senior matches were decldea in.the-Qlty, ' l: . ; , ; . NORTH SHORE v : FONSONBY. League enthusiasts rolled up m streams to witness, the North ShorePonspnby go at Victoria Park, and long before the teams took , the field there? must have been close upon 600.0 people present; The big stand was a mass ■ of ; heads, while * '.all *along' tho playing lines hundreds were standing. The fans "were rewarded- with the game of tho season and one or two Buch contests would do more to Ingratiate the new game with the public than anything the officials themselves could do. As a game, It was a "snooker," and there was hardly a moment throughout the two , spells when the big crowd did not have cause to stand up m their seats — those fortunate enough to be so comfortably, placed — and cheer lustily. Up till Sa-, turday. North Shoro wore leading Ponsonby for championship honors by one point, consequently when tho teams met It was expected that there would be something And there was, for a game more full of incident has not been provided m club football. For two spells both teams tried their utmost to break through tho opposing defence, and though it looked that the feat would be accomplished on more than ono occasion. It was not to bo, and no tries were registered. Ponsonby won by the narrow margin of 2 points to oil, a goal kicked by Cross a few minutes after tho game started. No one will begrudge the "ponies" their victory, but they woro iucky, and very lucky, too. Under ordinary conditions North Shore would have won. not because they were v better side, but because the place-kicking could not have boon worae had they tried not to kick goals. It almost made their mipporters weep to see shot aftor shot right m front of tho "ponies 1 " goal go anywhero but over the bar. Ono man scorned no bettor than the other, and as every shot went either along the ground or w»do of tho poata. tho spectators began to mat goalkicking «V Joke. To «ay the placekicking WflM bftd would not bo corr«ct —it was putrid. leaving th« kicking out of the question, the game was one to be remembered, and from beginning to end there waa not a dull moment. Though beaten North Shoro hnd tho little, if any, advantage there was, and without wishing to take awuy tiny of tho credit tltit? to l'onsonby, on tho day's play North Shore should have won. as they had by fur the most chances. It was a gJimo worth going v long way to Bee. There wan only one loafer on the ground and he waa a Ponwonby back. Th« "ponlon' " defence was alrnoßt perfect and the tackling was a treat to look nt. Now tlmt tho teams aro level and both look like winning tho romalning matches,; ih<? play-off at th<j cud of tho season, should there be one., will bo looked forward to with keen Intercut. Jt wan rx peeled that City would havo little dimculty In beating CHahuhu. but thin wets not burnt? out and a. keen game ended In City's favor by 5 points to 3. Thcro was nothing briU Hunt about tho play and Interest won only maintained through Uio clononcj* of iho score. Newton had an oaxy win from Gntrton. who, after loading In thA flr«l upoil. fell to pk'crß ftnd In the second half Now ion put »n nv.i trie*. Ou> rtnnl score being Newton IG, Grofion I).