LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Observer, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 4, 29 September 1917, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

The A.R.L. put on another benefit match on Saturday, to supply comforts to O. Dunning, J. Neal, J. Arneil (Ponsonby), and 0. Gallott (City), returned soldiers who have been more or Jess totally incapacitated whilst fighting in France. There was an attendance of fully 5,000 people and the match, City v. Ponsonby, was interesting although not as scientific as Avas expected.

The League are to be congratulated on their efforts towards charity, as practically all their profits have ibeen given to charitable objects during the currency of the war.

City put up a surprise, winning by 16 points to 6, after having all the best of the game. There are some people Avho will argue that had Cross not had to leave the field through an injury sustained through colliding Avith Cadman, one of his own clubmates, thereby gashing, his eye and breaking his nose, early in the ganie, the blues Avould have won hilt the writer .thinks that the fault was with the placing of the backs as one can hardly understand a selector

breaking up the combination of Walsh, half, Cross, five-eighths, and McClymont, five-eighths, by placing Maddison between them at first five-eighths. Maddison is a stranger to the team, only having played once and then as wing threequarter,' for Ponsonby, consequently he would not understand the methods, etc., of these players and it is an understood fact that Ponsonby have won their matches by the superior combined play of their half and fiveeighths, as nearly all their scoring movements have started with these three men who understand each other like a book, they having been, together for the last three seasons. Ponsonby attacked from the kick off but City soon found their feet and removed play to half-way. From a kick up field, Davidson folloAved up fast and getting his boot into the ball kicked it over the line and easily outstridting Martin, scored near the line. His kick at goal failed. The play now became more even, both sides taking turns at attacking, but Ponsonby missed the serA'ices of Cross, who had to retire his place being taken by Montgomery; Ponsonby's hacks now reading Walsh, half, McClymont and Maddison, five-eighths, Martin, centre-three-quarter, Rae, left Aving, Montgomery, right wing, Hardgreaves, full-back. City's forwards carried the ball to Ponsonby's 25, where, from a loose passing rush Francis secured and fell over for another try in a good position, Wetotherell com r ert.ing an easy one. Soon after this, City, Avho were at this stage having easily the best of it, carried play aigain to Ponsonby's line through their forwards where Francis again scored, the kick at goal failing; the scores reading, City 11 points, Ponsonby, nil. Ponsonby now took a. hand and play travelled down to City's territory but their defence was very solid and Pononby failed to score and a lucky kick brought play back to be again transferred to the reds' 25, Ponsonby being unlucky, as when they looked like scoring, the ball Avent out of bounds, the bell ringing end of first half with the blues in a good scoring position. On resumption of play, City again attacked and kept the blues busy for some time Avhen ultimately Hogan got the ball from another loose passing rush started by Weatherall and scored in a good position the referee missing a lot of obstruction Avhich, by the AA r ay, they have missed a lot of during the season, 3 of City's men running right across Pooley as he was going to stop Hogan. Davidson added the extra points and City Avere 16 in the lead, a surprise to everybody. Ponsonby now showed up to more advantage and from a nice passing run. the ball came out to Rae Avho scored' near the line, the kick failing, but they had opened their scoring account and soon after this again from a sorum in the red's ground Walsh whipped it out quickly again and Rae scored another try almost in the same position the kick again failing. The bell for time up Avent and City had Avon the rubber by 16 points to 6 by superior play on the day. Hardgreaves, McClymont, Walsh, and R'ae Avere the best of the blue backs , Walsh being the best man: on the ground, he is a tiger for Avork and is good on both defence and attack, in .fact is the best half seen out for some seasons. Clairke, Pooley and Cadman Avere the pick of the forwards, Avith Lowry also coming in for special mention. Cadman Avould, perhaps, be of still more use to his side if his play was not quite so wild, Tie also has a tendency to break from the scrums too early giving his opponents too many free''kicks for off-side play. Paid. Mitchell, Davidson and WeiatheraN were the best backs for City. Weatherall especially playing a nice game. He is light but very heady and has a wice little side-step « which beats bis opponents repeatedly

Hogan, at half, Avas also good but gave Ponsonby five free-kicks during the day for wrongfully placing the ball in the scrum' This should be remedied otherwise he may get his side into trouble. Rukatai, Francis, Sheehsin and Reid were the pick of the forwards, Francis playing a very fine game. He has been improving each match during the season and noAV is amongst the best vanguard men playing. This is the fifth time these teams have met each team having two wins to its credit and the interest in the match Avas very great but nobody thought that City Avould l have wen the final for the rubber so easily, especially on a fine hard day as City are considered to be wet day players Avhich, to our idea, is a fallacy as their best exhibitions have alAvays been put up on a dry day whilst often in Avet weather they have been beaten by very inferior teams. Next week a unique football exhibition will be given in the Domain Railway, winners of the Rugby Union Competitions have joined the League game and Avill meet Ponsonby, the League Champions, under Northern Union Rules. The match will be interesting as there are a number of people who consider the Union players are superior to the League. So quite a crowd is expected to attend the test.