Ponsonby All The Way

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1029, 21 July 1930, Page 7

Ponsonby All The Way

CIT.Y ROVERS CRASH BADLY Hard and Fast League Games AFTER the most impressive performance the side lias given so far this season, Ponsonby United trounced the leaders in the Auckland Rugby League’s senior competition, City Rovers, by 29 points to 12 on Saturday afternoon. The decisive nature of the victory was a great surprise to even Ponsonby supporters, but there is no denying that the Ponies deserved their victory all the way.

Another of the surprises of the after- i noon was the large attendance at Carlaw Park, which one would have thought would have been at zero with such a game as Britain v. Auckland at Union Rugby on. But the turnstiles clicked away in a manner which indicates that the thirteen a-side code has a largo following of loyal supporters. Certainly there were more than ‘ dyed-in-the-wool'* Leaguers at Satlirdav’s game. The keenest match of the whole four in the senior series was that between Richmond and Devon port. The shore men led UP till the closing minutes of tho game, when Richmond established a one-point lead and carried off two competition points. At the Domain, Marist had an easy win over Ellerslie and Kingsland caused something of a surprise by lowering the colours of Newton. BRILLIANT BACKS WIN DAY FOR PONSONBY

CITY AT SIXES AND SEVENS Although every man in the team rose to it in great style, Ponsonby owed its big victory on Saturday chiefly to the deadly thrust of its inside backs, Mclntyre, Delgrosso and Riley. They were a brilliant trio, this three, Mclntyre playing in the form which several seasons ago stamped him as one of Auckland's finest halfbacks. ; Delgrosso at first five-eighth crashed through the City back line time and again, and on defence he tackled with 1 a grip like a vice. Riley, back in his old position, showed the form which won for him a place in the Xew Zealand team for Australia. His forte was the dummy and interception. He toyed with "the City backs all afternoon and disclosed pace which no City player could equal. The game began at a great pace and continued to be fast right till the final whistle. City appeared to have an advantage territorially early in the game. Two penalties came its way, and Paton made good attempts to convert both. Tho second went close enough to hit, the post and bounce back into the field of play. Delgrosso opened Ponsonby’s score with a penalty, and from that time the Ponies never looked back. Despite the fact that Stevens was being penalised assiduously by referee McCall (apparently for lifting in the scrum), Ponsonby saw most of the ball. It crashed on 15 points in rapid succession, bewildering the City defence and throwing it into dislocation. At the interval Ponsonby had a ten-point lead. City having scored just before half time. CITY’S MOMENTARY REVIVAL When the second spell opened it looked as though City was going to make a fight for it. It was the first side to score again, but could not get within five points of Ponsonby’s total. After a momentary lull, Ponsonby came back again and, playing great guns, again smashed the City defence and definitely placed the issue beyond all doubt. It can be said that City was outclassed fore and aft. Ponsonby carried, too much dash and weight in the van. Bass ami Hamilton were perhaps the

pick of the side's six, Bass doing great "’ork in the loose. Pascoe was not the equal of Stevens as a hooker, despite the penalties the latter caused to be rained down against his side. Shortland was not seen much on attack, but he played a great defensive same. He always got his kick in and was an invaluable support for Barchard. Reynolds played as well as the Ponsonby men would allow him, but G. Perry, looked upon as the best of the backs, must have been well o ff form. He hesitated at vital moments and then did the wrong thing. a ton was weak on one wing and on the other Iveson, although as hard as a bullock to upset, handled very badly. More than pace and weight is demanded of a winger. Barchard, at fullback, usually so consistent:, played one of the worst games he has played this season. He got his aide into all sorts of difficulties, and time after time actually lost ground by running back in his own twentyhve. He swung long and dangerous Passes which the speedy Ponsonby men were always on the lookout for. His was certainly an unaccountable lapse. The Ponsonby forwards set to from

They were always on the ball, or very near it. Gardiner was of much use in the tight and had one or two gallops in the loose. Bill Skelton also shone on occasions in the loose. It was hard to understand why ' Stevens continued to make the breach to which the referee evidently took exception. It was an attitude which against a stronger team might have cost his side the game. Pat Skelton, obviously still Handicapped by a stiff leg, played a brilliant game in parts at centre. His one or two lapses could be forgiven under the circumstances, and his race over half the length

of. the field for one of Ponsonby’s tries was a real gem. Winter, Schofield and Wilson all played up to the mark, the last-named at fullback showing plervty of determination and an accurate boot. The scoring register was: Ponsonby: 29 (two penalties and five conversions by Delgrosso, and tries by j Lunn, Pat Skelton, Schofield, Bill 1 Skelton and Riley). City: 12 (three penalty goals by and tries by Hamilton and Pascoe). WALK-OVER FOR MARIST

ELLERSLIE WELL BEATEN AT DOMAIN

By 25 points to S, in a game remarkable? for its lack of finish and combined effort, Marist soundly trounced Ellerslie at the Domain on Saturday.

Ellerslie began well by attacking, and Chapman intercepted to send Quirko across to draw first blood. It seemed that Ellerslie’s first score was permitted by the Greens as a little encouragement, for, from then on. Tykes had the best of most of the game.

Marist’s combination in the back division was not all that could be desired in senior League, although it was better than that of Ellerslie. Hassan, the halfback, who was perhaps the most brilliant player on the field and most certainly the brains of the Marist combination fed his backs consistently, and play was early carried into Ellerslie territory where an infringement allowed Clarke to put on two points with a penalty kick in which the assistance of the wind played no small part. Once having opened the account Marist

forged ahead in something like its old style and Clark handled neatly for Bachelor to score. Almost immediately afterward Drew grabbed the ball out of the ruck and dived over to put Tykes five points up. Ellerslie livened up and Olliff started a promising movement only to have the Greens intercept at half-way, and play was forced back into Ellerslie ground. Bachelor went over again, this time with Young's assistance, and at half-time Tykes had an eight-point lead.

On the resumption of play after the spell Marist soon took charge and play milled round inside Ellerslie’s twenty-five for a time. Then came a humorous episode to relieve an otherwise dull afternoon. Hickey broke free of the pressing Green forwards, and after out-manoeuvring a couple of attacking Marist men started down-field with a run that promised to end across the opposite line. However, a burly man in green snatched wildly at him and succeeding in connecting with the Ellerslie’s man’s nether garments which proved unequal to the strain imposed on them and brought their wearer to a quicker stop than any lightning tackle. ELLERSLIE LIVENS UP Ellerslie seemed a little more determined now, and its back division got away well to take the leather to the Marist end for a time, where Olliff kicked a nice penalty While play was in Marist territory, Brady shaped up belligerently to an Ellerslie man, and Referee Billman had no hesitation in giving him his marching orders. At this stage of the game Drew, Marist’s left wing-threequartcr, came into remarkable prominence when he notched three tries in quick succession. The first was the result of an opening by Young, who picked up on the twenty-five and sent out to the daSning winger, who struggled over with “Pip” Webb's arms round hint. The second was also a result of Young’s opening, while the third was practically a solo effort. Drew picked up in the ruck and made a spectacular run light through the Ellerslie pack to ground between the posts. Schultz was the next man over for Tykes, and he added the extra two points with a fine goal kick. With a few minutes to play Ellerslie showed more dash than it had done all afternoon, and kept the Greens on strictly defensive play until Quirke galloped over the line to add another three to Ellerslie’s meagre total just as the whistle blew for time. On the Marist side, Hassan and Drew were head and shoulders above the rest. Bachelor, on the opposite wing to Drew, showed up well, and did some nice speedy work in what little open play there was. Ferron, the fullback, was reliable with his tackling, and his clearing kicks. Clark's goalkicking was not up to standard, the only one to go over being his first, a penalty.. For Ellerslie, Hobbs, Quirke and Campnt-r were outstanding in the forwards. Olliff, as usual, was sound behind the scrum. In the back division. Drew, Kennedy and Hickey, in the threequarter line were most impressive. ’’Pip’’ Webb did some fine linekicking.

SURPRISE VICTORY FOR KINGSLAND OVER RANGERS FIRST WIN OF SEASON With a margin of eight points to its credit, Kingsland-Athletic registered its first win of the season when it defeated Newton at the Domain on Saturday. From the commencement, play was fast and willing, and within two minutes of the kick-off, Middleton crossed for a converted try, giving the Rangers a five-point lead. Kingsland won one other match on a protest. Immediately upon resumption. F Herring took advantage of a penalty in froht of Newton’s goal to open

Ivingsland’s account, and a moment later a sweeping offensive found a weakness in the defence, to let Simms over in the corner. List, at centre, who was always in the limelight, was responsible for Kingsland’s two remaining scores, both secured in the second spell. Outstanding among the Maroon forwards were Simms, who played a consistently brilliant game in both attack and decence, Ramm and McCloughen. Dix conscientiously discharged his duties as half, while he was ably supported by F. Herring, at second fiveeighths, and the two Carters. Cocks was a sturdy and dependable custodian. On one occasion, 'after making a good relieving rush upheld, he resented the rather rough embrace he suffered at the hands of one of the opposition, wishing to settle the matter with the aid of his fists, and was warned by the referee. THE BRIMBLE BROTHERS For Newton, the Brimble brothers joined in some sparkling dashes upheld, their clever combination baffling the Kingslanders. These two Rangers always show to advantage in offensives, and C. Brimble’s kicking is solid and well calculated. Dempsey was safe as the last line of defence, white his clearing kicks were, on the whole, well-directed and powerful, although they rarely found the line. Hill, at centre, made the most of every opportunity, but Beattie was rather inclined to retain possession of the ball too long. In the forward division. St. George and Middleton were continually in tho picture, while Mollett, who was playing his first game of the season, fully justified his inclusion. This frontranker was directly responsible for Newton’s one and only try, when he penetrated upheld with the leather in possession, to pass to Middleton, who came up in support, and who had no difficulty in crossing. The game at ail stages was willing —even boisterous at times. Some of the players disagreed with several decisions of the referee, but his rulings were consistently fair and impartial. Ho had occasion, when some ribald supporters on the side-line grew intolerably insulting, to remind the offenders that he had authority to report them to the Rugby League executive SHORE’S NARROW DEFEAT RICHMOND TAKES LEAD IN CLOSING STAGES Richmond’s close win against Shore on Saturday by the narrow margin of 14 points to 13. was quite a sensational one and caused keen excitement among tho fans. For the most part the Shore Leaguers had a decided advantage and played a better class of football, but Richmond never lost heart and battled away until the closing stages of the gamo when a certain amount of good luck and Mincham’s fine goal kicking was sufficient to win the day.

The closing stages of the match were keenly exciting. Shore did not collapse, far from it, but the tables turned suddenly by the surprising aggressiveness or Richmond and the game became fast and lively. There was no doubt that the Shore Leaguers played a superior class of football and were unlucky to suffer defeat. From the outset they stepped into with their characteristic style and led by eight points to five at half-time, but even this was hardly a fair indication of the run of play as they had by far the better of the game. Their staunch forward play and snappy back movements continued to worry Richmond In the second half and the score soon read 13-7 in their favour. But it was during that last seven minutes when Edwards raced up to beat four Shore men to the touch and Mincham converted, that Shore met its defeat.

Richmond played a loose and uninteresting style of football, but in a hard and most dogged fashion with an abundance o ?

spoiling tactics. In Itself it wais not sufficient to put Shore under, but M incham, who played centre, rose to great heights and actually won the game by Ills excellent goal kicking, while he also managed one fine try. It is doubtful if Shore

has ever been pen

alised so much before during this season and the re-' sultant kicks gave Mincham plenty of opportunities and he certainly made the best of them.

But while Mincliam enjoyed much limelight by his fine performances, one of the finest backs on the field was Lee, custodian for Richmond. He gave a splendid display and made the best of every opportunity to run his backs into line, while both his kicking and fielding were superb. The Shore back movements were a treat to witness, and veteran Laing, who again turned out, proved a good general, although he was at times a little slow. Smith was another who made a good showing, while Rhodes, behind the scrum, played well and it was difficult to realise why he was penalised so much. St. George, Js’orris, McCarthy, Rule, Ruby and Casey, the members of the Shore pack, were a battling lot. although they certainly met opposition in Lennie, Jones, Clark and company.