NEWTON AGAIN!

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 57, 30 May 1927, Page 10

NEWTON AGAIN!

City Beaten in Fiery League Clash at Car Saw Park PONSONBY DOWNS MARIST rE nine thousand Rugby League fans who attended Carlaw Park on Saturday were treated to two smashingly fast and furious League games. The Newton-City game was sensational from beginning to end, and a goodly proportion of the enthusiasts seated comfortably in the stand gradually wandered off to gaze at the tussle on No. 2 ground which ended with such unexpected results. On the main arena, Ponsonby carried too many guns for Marist, their backs showing better combination than the greens. PREMIERSHIP TABLE GREAT HURDLERS

POSITION OF TEAMS

The League competition is at present in a very interesting stage, three teams being in the lead in the competition. The position of all teams are as follow:

NEWTON SHOWS ’EM!

CITY FORWARDS FAIL Given its fir§t match at Carlaw Park on Saturday, Newton came to light with such eclat, that it is doubtful if any ground but No. 1 will satisfy its supporters for the rest of the season. It was no touch-and-go victory, but a win by nearly twice the points scored by the doughty City thirteen with its representative rearguard. What was wrong with the black-and-reds? At the start it seemed that the game was going to be a one-sided affair with City wingers flitting across the line on the slightest provocation. But Newton pulled itself together and turning a fumbling defence into a clever offensive made the second half the closest thing to a walk-over. City forwards were the weak link. The team was not up to full strength, Bass and F. Townsend being out of action with injuries collected in the previous match. It must be confessed also that one or two of the emergencies called on did not look fit men when they came on and in the second half they showed a decided disinclination to be up with the leather. A study in contrast was the tactics of Newton’s van.' They raked the ball in 80 per cent of the scrum to that wily youngster Mclntyre, who shot it away cleanly to his backs like a veteran. In the loose they were led by Clark, the best forward on the ground, whose crashing attack was responsible for most of the points notched by Newton. A bulky fellow, Clark has a fair turn of speed and a much more valuable asset still — football brains. DUFTY’S ACCURACY

It is quite possible that without Dufty’s cool-headed accuracy in line kicking-, Newton might have gone down. One cannot estimate the value to a team of a man who can find the unguarded place in the field with a kick which turns a tough defensive position into a jumping off place for an

easy try. Tie did this time after time, besides putting- a greasy ball well and truly between the four times out of eight. One might as well try to inconvenience a rhinoceros with a pop gun as bustle this burly three-quarter, and he is a shrewd tactician. He scored two tries and four goals—l 4 points out of 32. All the red-and-white backs •were on their game. The half, McIntyre, knows his business and though he became a marked man and consequently often felt the softness of the mud, he always came up smiling. Toughness is evidently one of his virtues. Irvine replaced Herewini on th.e wing, the Maori being nominally the full back, but he was always up in the fight, putting in brilliant runs and handling cleanly. The five-eighths, McLeod and Morman and the other winger, Little, proved that they were the opposite of passengers. No sooner was the ball in play than City pressed dangerously near the line. The vigour of the attack may be judged from the fact that three force downs were necessary in the first five minutes. The reds-and-blacks were not to be denied, Wetherill making one of his old moves and handing to Brown at the right moment. The winger appreciated the chance, and dashed for the corner. It was a good try and so was the next one, the result of the understanding between Brown and Davidson. Both kicks failed, City being without the services of a competent goal kicker. In ten minutes Newton had six points up against them and the supporters began to look glum. Momentary relief was given by the forwards, Clark going up to score after a dribbling rush, but the red-and-blacks came strongly and Brown seemed to have no difficulty in showing his heels to the backs before he dived over. Then Newton showed up; the backs got going and in a few minutes the score was even at nine all. REVERSAL OF FORM

Though City took the lead 14—9 afteron obstruction try had been awarded, its day was done. From the point when Newton came level there was a strange reversal of form. Just before the spell Little made an opening with a fine sprint and Morman made no mis--take. Dufty kicked the goal and the score was 14 all. Paxton had hurt his thigh and Ferrall had replaced him at full back. After a while Wetherill took the position. Just why this was done is hard to understand, as the bright five-eight was lost at the most important period.

“Newton will never last, training will tell,” said the City supporters, but they waited in vain for the come back of the team which is renowned for its last-minute victories. Try after try was notched by the red-and-whites, City’s rearguard making frantic efforts to stop the onslaught, Perry was found wanting and Wade developed the fault of running cross-field. When the score was 27 —14, City fans had a faint hope raised by the try of Ferrall’s, Brown and Davidson having done the spadework. But the “late run” did not come off and Newton increased its lead by five points added by Dufty on his own accord.

Mr. A. Rae controlled the game most satisfactorily, his award of the penalty try after Wade had been held back when he was dribbling the ball, being accepted without protest.

RICHMOND IN THE MUD

The Richmond-Athletic match played on Grey Lynn park on Saturday was a very even and closely-contested game and was in the balance up to the last few minutes of the game. Ten min - utes before the final whistle the score was 5-2 in favour of Richmond, when a misunderstanding between Yardley and Lucas as to who would take a high ball resulted in neither taking in and a Richmond player, Stewart, following fast, recovered the ball and scored one of those gift tries in a good position. The try, being converted, put the game beyond doubt. The main features of the game were the wet and slippery nature of the ground. The inability of Athletic’s hooker to get the ball from the scrums. Richmond’s fine handling of a wet and greasy ball, and the fine tackling of the Athletic backs.

For Richmond Hanlon, at fullback, played his usual solid game, handling well. Of the threequarter line Jenkinson was perhaps the best. Parkes and Prentice, at five-eighths, were a tower of strength to their side. Both played good football. Davis, at half, played well and was greatly assisted by his hooker getting the ball from the scrums.

Of the forwards Campbell, the hooker, did well, but had very little opposition. Carrol and Telford were good in the open. For Athletic Longville, at fullback, did very well, and is improving each Saturday. Of the threequarters Christmas, at centre, played a good game, being very noticeable in defence. Dudson, on the wing, is improving, but is inclined to get out of his place too much. Stevenson and Angelo, at five-eighths, are a useful pair, and will be seen to better advantage when the team procures a hooker. Both are inclined to swallow the dummy a little too easy. Lucas, at half, played well and is a coming half who will be seen in bigger football later on. Of the forwards Avery and Courtney were easily the best of a willing pack, the latter having his first game this season and showed up well.

Mr. Rogers, who refereed the game in place of Mr. Taylor, who was originally appointed, gave general satisfaction, following the game closely and missing very little.

PONSONBY BACKS

BEAT TYKES’ FORWARDS On Saturday, at Carlaw Park No. 1, before an attendance of over 8,000, Ponsonby fought out a hard and fast game against Marists and left the field, having put the Tykes down by a score of 18-10. During the early stages of the game Ponsonby encountered a vigorous attack from their opponents, but they succeeded in relieving the position by the formation of a passing rush, which had not Gardiner spoiled by fumbling and allowing the ball to roll into the loose, may have proved very exciting. For some time after this incident play remained in centre-field with Ponsonby making full use of their rearguard. However, Marists were not to be fooled, for they also started to throw the ball round, with the result that when Crewther secured it from the scrum on one occasion, he delivered to Brisbane who managed, after a great

dash, to cross the line. Brisbane proved himself the daddy of the Marist team on Saturday. He made some great runs and was always there at the right time. Then becoming perhaps a little aggressive Ponsonby made a great attack, the whole team playing with great dash and vim, but the Tykes’ line of defence could not be broken for some time until Peckham obtained the ball and after a short sprint passed hard to Ward, who scored without trouble. Shortly after, Marists came out with some beautiful passing bouts which looked dangerous from the beginning. King securing from the loose made a great run up the line and passed in to Hansen, who darted across the field to Keenan. But Keenan was jammed in by the opposing forwards and wisely delivered to Johnson, who scored. King converted. The next alteration to the score came when Grey took the ball well and was successful at a drop at the posts. Up till now, and the half-time bell would soon sound, very little had been seen of the hefty back, Gardiner. However, Ponsonby were at last successful in making use of him when the backs formed another charge. Gardiner received from Riley while running hard and after a good run passed out to Peckham. Hull was then coming up in a good position and taking the ball from Peckham he scrambled over the line as the bell sounded. The second half of the game was fast and furious and in a short time Delgrosso, who throughout, was playing a brilliant game evened up the score from a free-kick, 10 all. Gardiner came into the limelight a little more often, but being well marked he did not cause much excitement. For over 20 minutes, although the game remained fast and full of dash, there were no scores. Then the big incident of the match came. Gardiner, securing the ball, passed out to Usher, who made a wonder run and delivered to Peckham, to score. Gardiner converted. Within three minutes Ponsonby had the ball again in its possession, and

the leather passed rapidly through the hands of Peckham, Gardiner, Hutt and Fagan. Fagan scored and the game ended: Ponsonby 18, Marist 10.

Senior B

ELLERSLIE v. NORTHCOTE The two suburban thirteens fought a fast, solid game at the Domain, Ellerslie winning by six points to nil. Grogan and Williams scored unconverted tries for the winners. Mr. W. Mincham was the referee.

Ponsonby P. .. 3 W. 2 Pts. Cn. L. D. For Ag. Pts. — 1 40 29 5 Richmond . . . . . . 4 2 1 1 48 33 5 Newton . . 2 — 1 50 30 5 Marist . . .. 2 2 — 45 49 4 1 2 1 53 83 3 Devonport 1 2—74 38 2 Athletic .. .. — 3—13 77 0