CITY (31) v. NEWTON (0).

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1008, 1 July 1909, Page 12

CITY (31) v. NEWTON (0).

City had the advantage of the wind in the first half, and it was not long after the kick-off before Estall secured a mark in a good position. R. Magee had the shot at goal and succeeded in sending the ball over the crossbar: City 3, Newton 0. The city backs commenced throwing the ball about in good style, and a passing run by Hanley, Tobin and Estall resulted in the last-named player scoring City’s first try. R. Magee made a successful shot at goal: City 8, Newton 0. Some fast work followed, and Skillen snapping up the ball smartly, passed to Tobin, who crossed the line and scored. R. Magee’s attempt at goal proved fruitless: City 11, Newton 0- The city backs were displaying excellent form, and a passing run in which half-a-dozen players handled the ball enabled Lindsay to go within an ace of scoring. This effort, however, was rewarded shortly after, Lindsay marking in a good position, and Magee kicking a goal: City 14, Newton 0. Williams was the next try-getter for City, and R. Magee was successful in adding the major points, half-time being sounded with the score: City 19, Newton 0. With the conditions in their favour Newton started off well, but it was not long before Williams registered his second try for the red and blacks. R. Magee made a fruitless attempt at goal: City 22, Newton 0. Soon after Estall scored two tries in quick succession, and taking both kicks himself he failed to add the major points in either case: City 28, Newton 0. The last try of the match was scored by Skillen, who raced over and obtained the red and blacks’ final score, the whistle going with City victorious by 31 points to nil.

Williams played a sterling game for City, and on Saturday’s form has a big claim for Auckland representative honours. Herring proved a veritable grafter among the forwards, and was associated with the bulk of the rushes. R. Magee was in excellent form at five eighths, and gave a good all-round exhibition. Skillen showed much cleverness in the rear division, and made the most of the opportunities that came his way. For Newton, Callaghan and Todd

played willing forward games, the latter particularly being responsible for some serviceable graft. Of the backs, Far rant, at half, have a good account of himself, while Linkhorn, who took the fullback position, got in some useful defensive work.

PONSONBY (61) v. NORTH SHORE (0).

This match was played at Devonport and resulted in a runaway victory for the blue and blacks. North Shore had the advantage of the wind in- the first spell, but this did not stop the onslaught of the Ponsonby men, who scored rapidly from the start. Murray registered the first try for the blue and blacks, getting over from a passing run. O’Leary was successful .with the kick: Ponsonby 5, North ’Shore 0. From a scrum the ball travelled from Webb to Bater, and on to Murray, the last-named scoring his second try. O’Leary was again successful with the kick at goal: Ponsonby 10, North Shore 0. Clarke was the next to get over the green and whites’ line, but O’Leary failed with the attempt at goal: Ponsonby 13, North Shore 0. Soon after Elliott got across and registered Ponsonby’s fourth try. O’Leary’s kick at goal again proved fruitless: Ponsonby 16, North Shore 0. A few minutes later Clark scored his second try for the blue and blacks, but Hall failed to add the major points: Ponsonby 19, North Shore 0. The next try was obtained by O’Leary, who followed up a long kick of Webb’s, from which he scored. Elliott was entrusted with the kick and landed a good goal, the spell ending: Ponsonby 24. North Shore 0-

Play had hardly commenced before Bater was over for the blue and blacks, and Cunningham piloted the ball over the crossbar from a difficult angle. Following this tries were obtained in succession by O’Leary, Bater, Murray, Elliott, Sellars, Morse, Nicholson, and Francis, while four of them were converted by Webb, Blakey, Hall and Cunningham respectively. The final score was: Ponsonby 61, North Shore 0.

This match requires little comment. Every man Jack of the Ponsonby team showed up prominently at times, and the majority of them managed to notch points for their side. The Shore team were outplayed in all departments of the game, but nevertheless some of the green and whites put up a great defence. Warbrick and Neighbour grafted hard in the forwards, while Woodward and Miller were the pick of the backs.