FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1853, 27 May 1887, Page 24

FOOTBALL.

The match between Ponsonby and North Shore was played on Saturday before 1500 spectators. The game opened by a splendid rush and fast open play by the Ponsonby forwards,' but the North Shoremen soon rallied, and their superior weight was apparent on the scrums. About the middle of the first ,spell Whiteside got his first good chance and made a splendid dash, passing all but Ways, the North Shore back, who collared him, but the Ponsonby crack cleverly passed out to Stephenson, and the latter crossed the line. No goal resulted. Shortly after Murphy and Martin, by a grand piece of play, carried the ball through the Ponsonby backs and scored a try, from which Swinnerton kicked a goal. Ponsonby rallied and had now far the best of the game, their forwards playing splendidly, though hard kicking by one or two spoiled a couple of fine chances. No further score resulted, and the game ended in a win for North Shore by five points to two. The result was a surprise, 3 to 2 being freely laid on Ponsonby's ability to win. The Gordon and Auckland teams met for the the first time this season, and the match resulted in a pronounced win for the former by 40 points to nil. Grafton and Albert were matched together, and after a capital game Grafton won by 2 points to nil.