PONSONBY V. GRAFTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 694, 25 June 1903, Page 7

PONSONBY V. GRAFTON.

Ponsonby and Grafton met on No. 1 ground. Mr Katterns had charge of the game as referee. Grafton won the toss, and Ponsonby kicked off. Loose play followed, the blue and blacks pressing their oponents down the line. A passing run by Kiernan, McKenzie, McGregor and King took the leather into Ponsonby e 25. King looked very like scoring before being collared by ' Useher. Soon after lonsonby was penalised, and Huddlestone had a shot at goal,' and the ball striking the upright bounced into play, lhe Gratton badks then put in a neat passing run. McKenzie kicking out near 1 onsonby s 25 flag. ‘ Huddlestone had another unsuccessful shot at goal, from .a penalty , and Ponsonby again forced. A few minutes later Kiernan marked, and Luckie again failed to score. Laing picked up the leather from the loose play that followed, and passed to 1). McGregor, who transferred to McKenzie, and Robinson in his z turn receiving the ball dashed down the field, and fell on the leather before he was over the line. Following the kick-ofi Ponsonby rallied, and with a sweeping rush carried the leather into their opponents territory. From a scrpm near the line Lendrum got possession, and dashed over the line, scoring the first try for Ponsonby. Francis failed to convert. (Ponsonby 3, Grafton 0). A succession oi rushes by the Ponsonbyites kept the leather in Grafton 25. Kiernan then relieved by a free kick. Soon after McKenzie marked and punted over to Lendrum, who sprinted up the field , and •sent the ball out into Gafton . 25. Grafton then forced. A few minutes later the bell rang, terminating the,first spell. . ■ From the kick-off it was to be seen that Geafton was ,making a more determined attack. With a forward rush they sent the ball out into Ponsonby 25. Give and take , play then followed. Soon after Leh- ' drum made a line run, and. kicked the leather over the Grafton line, where Matheson relieved by kicking the ball over the dead-ball line. The Blue and Blacks headed by Doran, then dribbled into Grafton 25. A succession of free kicks enabled Grafton to transfer the leather into safer quarters. Soon after Kiernan picked up and ran right through the Ponsonby backs, Scoring for Grafton. Cullen failed to register a goal. (Grafton 3, Ponsonby 3). For the next few minutes Grafton kept the ball in their opponents territory. Polson then relieved by forcing. A passing run by Kiernan, McKen'zie, and King took the play into Ponsonby 25.,, Not long after I). McGregor dashed over the line and grounded the ball between the posts. King took the kick and landed a neat goal. (Grafton «, Ponsonby 3). Time was called soon after with* no addition t o the score.