TOO MUCH SPEED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 673, 27 May 1929, Page 6

TOO MUCH SPEED

PONSONBY BACKS PREVAIL GRAFTON WELL TROUNCED Speed and mobility in the backs gave Ponsonby an overwhelming advantage over Grafton at the Showgrounds on Saturday, so much so that the margin of superiority was well represented by the final score of 32 points to 11. While one says speed and mobility in the backs enabled Ponsonby to win so handsomely, that does not imply that the blues played well in the rearguard. As a matter of fact, they did not, and. had the Grafton backs given a good pack more support, there would not have been so easy a passage for the Ponies. It was a battle between a. hardworking van, with its backs weak on defence, and another good pack with backs who had lashings of speed and a good understanding with each other. It is obvious which side had the advantage. Ponsonby unloosed some good rearguard sallies, true, but these were consummated after exhibitions of running across-field by the fiveeighths, both Jamieson and Cammick being prone to this. It was only Cammick’s understanding with Lucas that enabled attacks to be straightened up again, and tries to be scored. McManus served his line well from the base of the scrum. No half could do more than that, although at times he appeared slow in geting the ball away. Jamieson took the ball well, but neglected one of the primary duties of a five-eighth—to run straight. He ran across, and the result was that, although he appeared to be making ground, in reality he made not more than a yard or two each time during the day.

At second five-eighth, Cammick seemed to think that it was his mission in life to get the ball out to Lucas at centre. He chose the quickest way of doing this, by running across and transferring to the centre before he got up to his man. It was left to Lucas to straighten up the attack, and make openings either by reverse-passing to Cammick after cutting in, or making play for the wings, G. McLeod, playing instead of R. Hook, who is still troubled by his ribs, and L. Hook, both of whom had pace and determination. Lucas played a fine game, but it is easily seen that he is the keystone of the rearguard. Without him, the Pony rearguard would be of ordinary calibre. There was a change for the worse in Ponsonby’s play when he left the field about a quarter bf an hour before time with an injured ankle. At fullback, Symes went well. SOLID FORWARDS On the other hand, however, Grafton did not even have the advantage of team-work in the backs. They were individuals wholly and solely, with each man doing something spectacular every now and then. Easily the best Magpie back was Liddle, who played slashing football both on attack and defence. He was supposed to be on the right wing, but he roved to some purpose in strengthening a weak defence. Ruru tried to jink too much, but shone at times. McKay was very useful as half.

It was the Grafton forwards who led Ponsonby a merry dance for the closing portion of the first half and for part of the second. They played a solid game in loose and tight, and had a fair share of the hooking honours. In individual performance they were fairly even, with Finlayson, Crompton and Kaa shading the others. The linc-outs were their weakest department of play, Ponsonby getting a lot of the ball from there.

The Ponsonby forwards played a good game, but not one out of the box. They did their adequate share in getting the ball out to fast-moving backs. McWilliams, Palmer, Righton, and Appleton shone out, although McWilliams did not appear to be overexerting himself. Of course, in the state of the game, lie had no need to. There were patent glimpses, however, of the prowess which won him so good a name with the All Blacks in South Africa. Solomon roved cheerfully and efficiently. The goal-kicking by the Ponies was not at all bright, several easy shots being missed.