Ponsonby Newton Clash

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 11

Ponsonby Newton Clash

Rugby League Takes a Chance, and May Get Away With It

POSTPONEMhIs TS generally turn out to be a second-hand version of the original. But the Auckland Rugby League has followed such an unusual course with the postponed Ponsonby-Newton match that it might be well to look before one leaps to the obvious conclusion.

THE more one looks into the circumstances of the Ponsonby-Newton match, the better proposition it apoears. When last week’s fixture list JJag first announced, there was a considerable difference of opinion among the “fans” as to the wisdom of staging this game on an outside area. So much so that the ’’fans,” who are not disposed to accept everything that is* set before them as gospel, turned up at the Domain on Saturday afternoon in large numbers, unaware of the postponement and supremely oblivious of the bill of fare that had been provided for them at League headquarters. As luck would have it, the U amfl was postponed, and the crowd trekked off down to Carlaw to swell tho gate receipts to a record figure for club games this season, possibly, the League will be accused of somersaulting over this match. But, it any rate, it has ‘‘put over” an unexpected decision, which has spiked the guns of the opposition, and left a rapidly-growing impression that it has handled the situation with a deal of discrimination. A win at the present juncture is very .important to Ponsonby, and Newton is just the team to bob up and upset the general* calculations. It has done so twice already this season, and it would be a great feather in the caps of the up-town thirteen if it was to spring one of the biggest surprises of the season. DISAPPOINTED Newton was a disappointed team last week when it became known that the game had been postponed. It considered its chances good on a wet ground, possibly with a recollection * of the trouncing handed out to Richmond under somewhat similar circumstances. Ponsonby, on the other hand, is a dry-day team, always showing to advantage with a dry ball. But is there any guarantee that conditions will suit the Blue and Blacks on Saturday? Carlaw Park has stood up to a terrific pommelling this reason, and the once level green sward, in common with other grounds, has been sadly mangled of late. In the present state of unsettled weather, Newton may easily find things to its liking to-morrow. When these two teams met in the first round, the game was played on Grey Lynn Park and the conditions were awful. The ground was practically under water, and Newton was then considered unlucky not to have

■When all is said and done, however, Newton will find the Ponies a hot proposition to-morrow. Both sides something of a reputation as League opportunists. Their style of play frequently fails to measure up to orthodox standards, but it is not always the accepted version of League football that wins matches, as Richmond and Devonport have found to their cost. THE TEAMS Langley, who will defend the Ponsonby goal-line, is playing good football, as also is Heriwini, who will hold the fort for Newton as the last line defence. There are a few arguments to be settled as to the relative merits of this pair. Gardiner, at centre for the “Ponies,” did not show up too well in his last game, and will be well looked after this time by the redoubtable Dufty, who played a great game in his last appearance on the No. 1 area. Ponsonby’s two wings, Usher and Grey, aro good, but the same applies on tho other side. Little and Mormon are quite capable of looking after this pair. Newton’s five-eighths, Hargreaves and McLeod, are both showing good form, especially the latter, a fine young player, who is improving with each game. They will, however, be up against a clever pair, who have played together a lot and understand each other’s play, in Riley and Delgrosso. The two halves, Peckiham (Ponsonby) and Mclntyre (Newton) should have a royal battle, but they are two different types of halves, Mclntyre playing the game taught him in Australia of delivering the ball to his backs as soon as possible, while Peckham does a lot of the attacking himself. THE FORWARDS Of the forwards, the two hookers are old rivals of years’ standing, and have met together in many hard-fought battles. Somers is considered one of the fairest hookers in the game, but will have to do his best to beat the ever-green Sam for possession. Of the rest of the pack both have a good set of forwards, and if it depends on the forwards to win the game, then either side might win. Mr. L. Bull will have the whistle.