RUGBY LEAGUE.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18451, 5 October 1931, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE.

HAMILTON’S GOOD WIN. DEFEAT OF PONSONBY. HIGH SCORING GAME. After a bright, interesting exhibition Hamilton registered a comfortable win over Ponsonby at League headquarters, Hinemoa Park, on Saturday afternoon. The teams were— Hamilton —S. Muir; Griffiths, Astle, Hvnes; Welch, Cotter, Trotter; Stubbinss, O’Halloran, Paget, Robertson, Tristram, Dent. Ponsonby Waerea; Drew, L. Riley, P. Skelton; Pike, Delgrosso; Orams; Fagan, McLeay, Stevens, Gardiner, Lunn, W. Skelton. Hamilton were first to attack, their forwards taking play to Ponsonby’s twenty-five, but Waerea pulled them up. The full back ran his men into position for a passing rush. Hamilton returned and gained the first points within a few minutes, when Griffiths received in ‘the twenty-five and zigzagged his way through to score between the posts. S. Muir goaleji. Hamilton 5 Ponsonbjy 0 Welch nearly increased the tallies after a great sprint down the lint. He kicked over Waerea’s head and beat the full back to the ball. However, he was ruled offside, and play returned to mid-field. The Aucklanders looked dangerous when their backs took play down to,. Hamilton’s line. S. Muir relieved the tension with a good kick. Astle followed up fast and picked up, with no one in front. He missed a golden opportunity by going into touch. _ The Ponsonby rearguard were making the pace lively and were bustling Hamilton. Good kicking brought play -down to Ponsonby’s twenty-five. The home team worked close to the goal-line, and after scrambling play near the line Griffiths went across to score his second try'. The kick failed. Hamilton 8 Ponsonby 0 Skelton and Delgrosso brought play up for Ponsonby after the drop-out. From a scrum in the home twenty-five Orams sent the ball out smartly to Skelton, to Gardiner, but the lastnamed missed the pass. Hamilton got clear of danger when Welch went right through, with Trotter in support. Trotter fumbled and the ball went Into touch. Hamilton continued to be aggressive. Griffiths, after a short run, sent on to Cotter, who went across for an easy try. Muir’s successful kick was a good one. Hamilton 13 Ponsonby • 0 | The margin of attack continued to be with Hamilton, and their tallies, were Increased within a few minutes by Astle. He received the ball in the open field and went across to score. The try was converted. Hamilton 18 Ponsonby • 0 Hamilton were keeping the visiting backs well bottled up, and the home forwards were more than holding their own. Bright, Open Work. Play continued .to be bright and open, both sets of backs throwing the ball about. The score increased when Hynes and Astle paired in a fast movement down the line. Astle proved too fast for several would-be .tacklers and scored. Cotter kicked a goal. Hamilton ... 23 Ponsonby 0 Half time was called with Ponsonby attacking. Play had been in progress only a few minutes in the second spell when Hamilton scored again. The ball was sent to Griffiths at half way, and he out-stripped the opposition, running around the visiting custodian to score a good try wide out. Hamilton t 26 Ponsonby 0 Ponsonby’s first try came when Delgrosso went across from a melee on the line. The kick missed. Ponsonby 3 Hamilton 26 After the drop-out Gardiner made a strong run, but was well lowered by Cotter. Hamilton’s tallies were added to when Welch dummied his way to the twenty-five and handed on to Griffiths. The speedy winger had a clear run in. Stubbings’ kick went wide. Hamilton - 29 Ponsonby 3 Good following up enabled McLeay to score a good try for the visitors. The kick failed. Ponsonby 8 Hamilton 29 Play continued to see-saw, Ponsonby now taking a large share of the attacking. They made a good attempt to score when Waerea ran the backs into position, Gardiner making a strong run down field, but was well grassed. The Hamilton rearguard started another movement, Welch topping it off by cutting in nicely. The kick was a poor one. Hamilton ' 32 Ponsonby 8 On resuming the home forwards dribbled the ball down through the opposition’s twenty-five, but Astle kicked too hard. Cotter was responsible for the next try. After intercepting brilliantly lie ran half the field to score. Griffiths failed with the kick. Hamilton 3o Ponsonby • • 8 ..Ponsonby set up a promising rush, which Hamilton frustrated with bustling tactics. Drew fielded a clearing kick, and after cutting in prettily scored in a good position. Skelton had no difficulty with the kick. Ponsonby It Hamilton 35

During tight work near the line Delgrosso added to Ponsonby’s total with a clever try. The goal shot failed. Time was called, leaving the final scores— Hamilton 35 Ponsonby ■ 14 Mr N. Taylor was referee.

MARATHON MEET RICHMOND. NARROW MARGIN FOR FORMER. The curtain-raiser provided a fast and open game between a Richmond third-grade team and Marathon. The home team gained the verdict by a narrow margin. The game opened with a neat passing rush by Richmond and play was brought down to Marathon’s twenty-five. A free kick helped Richmond,'and Marathon’s lino was threatened. Sims took his team out of danger by intercepting and making a smart dash up-field. Marathon brought play lo the visitors’ twenty-five and were nearly across, when' Webb worked the blind side. A free was awarded Marathon in a favourable position, but Perry’s shot went wide. Marathon continued to attack, making progress with smart -‘—'-sc lmutsu Richmond ware .ISCk-

ling exceptionally well, however, and keeping t'he home team at a safe distance. Marathon drew first blood when they received a free _ right in front of the posts. Milicich made sure of the kick. Maralthon .... 2 Richmond 0 The home team had the best of matters until half time. After the interval a long kick put Marathon in a scoring position. A splinded line-finder by Bushell sent Marathon back and play was' in the home twenty-five. Richmond were nearly across, but Childs took play into neutral territory with a good dribbling movement. For the next few minutes Marathon confined play to Richmond’s twenty-five. McDonald nearly scored after a sprmt down the line, but was pushed into touch at the corner flag. Richmond were seen in some crisp passing rushes, but the home team were effectively checking them. The Marathon pack kept bustling Richmond with fine dribbling work and the visitors were busy defending. Richmond attempted to goal from a free in mid-field. A fine kick just dropped short. The game ended with the score showing—• Maraf)hon 2 Richmond 0 Mr L. Muir was referee.

GAME AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Saturday., In the champion of champions game Devonport 25 beat Marist C. DRAFFIN CUP. HUNTLY BEATS NGARUAWAHIA. In the Draffln Cup match at Huntly I-luritly 14 beat Ngaruawahla 7. Juniors —Waiterimu 8 beat Huntly A 0; Huntly B 9 beat Maoris 3. GAME AT TAUPIRI. TAUPIRI, Sunday. The Auckland Rugby League’s midweek competition representatives travelled to Taupiri on Saturday to play the Taupiri senior team, a splen-didly-fought game ending in a win for the visitors by 24 points to 12. LINWOOD DEFEATS WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Linwood Club, Christchurch, defeated the Wellington League football representatives to-day by 23 points to 19. ADD LEAGUE.