League Notes.

Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 44, 8 July 1916, Page 10

League Notes.

North Shore met and defeated Ponsonby United at Victoria Park on Saturday last after a fairly close game by 12 to 2. The teams cannot be complimented on their display, as it was one of the roughest exhibitions seen on the Park for some time. Three of the players should have at least been cautioned, if not ordered off the field, one case being very glaring. McClymont 'was on the

"round fsice upward*, waiting o get up to play the ball, when Bailey, one of Xortli S'lioi-e forwards,-crtine up and deliberately placing his wen rubbed his head in the mud This hand on his (MoClymont's) face is not football and deserved all the hooting it received. The officials or the League would be well advised to make an example of such methods, as the public do not go down to see n boxing match. The Town Hall is the place where those exhibitions are held. „ _ , Wilson, fullback for Ponsonby, showed very much improved form on his display'against City. He made no mistakes, and was responsible on numerous occasions in breaking up his opponents' attacks. J. Clarke, playing wing threequarter, is the Auckland rep. torward, and considering he was out ot his place played a very fine game. Jones, centre, did a tremendous amount of work, and with Webbe o>< the wing, brought off some good movements. Ponsonby seemed to be wasting Webbe on the wing, as after his game on the previous Saturday at five-eighths it seemed a pity to move him.

McClymont, five-eighths, was the best back on the ground. He seemed to be everywhere, and did his team many useful turns. Bis play was equal' to his previous best, which is all that is wanted.

Martin, five-eighths, was the weak spot in the blue and blacks. His taking was faulty, and he did not seem to be able to handle the wet ball with any degree of accuracy.

Walsh also was riot at his best, and possibly the wet and greasy day hampered him somewhat.

Among the "Ponies' " forwards, Cadman stood out on his own. His footwork was very fine, and his play on the whole was one of the very tew bright spots of the afternoon.

Innes deserves mention, if only for his fast following up. He played his best game this season.

The rest of the forwards were not up to the usual team's standard, and did not seem to relish the gruelling received during the game.

Harrison, full-back for Shore, is a last year's fourth grade player, and acquitted himself very creditably. He has a fault of playing too far'back, which should be remedied, otherwise he will, be letting his team down at some time. Perrctt, wing three-quarter, had little to do, consequently was never conspiciions. Bouvaird was not at his best. He had to retire owing to an injury in the first half, and although coming on again, did not play with his usual dash.

Nicholson, three-quarter, is very fast, and a' good scoring man if given any sort of a chance, but, as a defensive back, is not brilliant. At times he seemed almost at a loss what to do with the ball, and showed very little confidence in himself. He scored a good try at the commencement of the game. J. Paul, five-eighths, should .have been off the ground before halftime. He seems to lose his head every time he is tackled at all hard, which show of temper does not tend to make him popular. . It is a pity, as he is a good player, and as a goal-kicker he is a champion. Perhaps a word of advice from his club officials will do him good.

Boone and Colson were not prominent during the match, owing, I think, to the wet and greasy ball. Walters, T. Paul and Chapman were the best of the black forwards. They played sterling games, especially Walters, who was the best forward on the ground. He has a very bad fault of waiting offside for chances which could be cut out to advantage, otherwise he is undoubtedly the best forward in the League game in this province. The other forwards played hard, but were not up to Shore's best on the day. The management committee would do the public a good turn if they started the play up to time, so as not to necessitate finishing the. game in darkness. On Saturday it was impossible to distinguish anything during the latter 15 minutes.