LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1, 8 September 1917, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The much-discussed ■. Challenge match between City and Bonsonby (last year's and this year's dual champions respectively) eventuated last Saturday before an attendance of 4500 people and resulted in +he best exhibition given to date by any \chibs.

Ponsonby won the toss and kicked off with the wind in their favour on a heavy ground. City rushed play to Ponsonby's 25, but Hardgreaves, with a magnificent kick, found the line in City's territory. Pl&.v then becaftie very even for some minutes when City's forwards by hard work, took play down to the blues' line, where in the melee, Weatherill (a promoted 4th grade player) snapped up the leather and fell over for a try under the posts, Davidson converting, and placing the reds 5 in the lead.

Ponsonhy then took a hand and ■from a breakaway by McClymonit, who transferred to Jones at the right time, this player scored near the posts, Cross equalising the scores with an. easy kick. Everybody 5.

Ponsonby soon after this again pressed, aiid Martin taking a good mark in the rede' 25, enabled Cross, tvbo was kicking well, to land a good goal, placing the blues in the lead by 2 points with everybody satisfied.

City next took a hand and pressed the blues back but were unable to score and the half time whistle went with the totals 7 to 5 against the reds.

On resumption, City, with the wind in their favour, .forced the pace and from a free kick awarded in front of the goal, Davidson equalised the scores again with an easy kick.

Play now became very fast and Davidson following up a loose kick beat two opponents, with his pace and scored near the corner amidst intense enthusiasm by the- red supporters. He took the kick himself but failed. The scoring-board now read 10 to 7, City having the advantage. X

Play now became very even the defence on both sides being superb (Hardgreaves especially giving a fine exhibition at full back for the blues), when from a -mis-kick by Rukatai, Cross gathered up the ball in his own ground and. after it had passed through ten sets of hands, Pooley