TORRID GAME

NZ Truth, Issue 1192, 4 October 1928, Page 16

TORRID GAME

Varsity Beat Ponies For Cup (From "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Rep.) As anticipated, the Auckland Rugby final proved a most "attrac* . tive game. Varsity won a clearcut issue over Ponsonby, the former champions, by 14 points to eight. BOTH sides had their , supporters keyed up to the highest pitch ".of enthusiasm.. Even wheii the winners took the lead the Ponsonby enthusiasts still hoped-for the -usual .-last-minute/ success, but thought the .team battled out to the final whistle:. they were : unable to^bring their -••forces: together: sufficiently to pull the game out of: the Are. ■ ' 'X '1 1 : J-1 Thrust and clearance .followed Jr.: ; quick succession. -First Ponsonby.; would swarm down on the, blue, fine, then Varsity would so'refy^try' ( the opposition by dazzling passing.'- •. So it went .on through e.ach of, the four quarters. In the second session Minns got through to score behind' the posts for an easy conversion. j'.At halftime the score was unchanged. -v.. The third 'session 'saw Charles, go over for Berridge to convert and a few minutes teter, Berridge. put Ponies -.in the lead 'with a good penalty. goal.;> In the last' and tprrid quarter, Var-, sity put on' two tries andputthe championship beyond the hopes' of Pohsonby.' It: "was : a fitting -finish to a memorable match. Minns was the hero, but should, not have been considered so. His ■ two tries Were certainly great efforts and worthy of a good player, but his defence was as weak as '. "'water. ■. : ' ■■, ;,: • Goodwin played soundly, though under, difficulties. He made some fine scoring efforts, but was still a bit weak 'on defence. :,i Jenkin showed very much improved form and materially helped m the victory. • Carter played right up to his reputation and was classy m his work. Keane showed all his old. dash and it was the fast followingup and smothering of the Ponsonby backs m the early stages of movements that prevented them from scoring. -.; Cammick, for Ponsonby, was as game as always. There is not much of him, but that little is good. He. stopped, some pretty hefty rushes. .'Hook was as versatile as ever, but a little weak m. his tackling. „ "Shorty". McManus was the inspiration of his side. Rarely has he played better than on Saturday and it was necessary to keep a very ' * clear eye on him. Len. Righton has. lost none of his keenness' and-was ever m the picture. His cross run when he tackled Minns was a big surprise. > Bert. Palmer gave his backs plenty o£ opportunities with his good heeling frpxriTthe #orßm_ .