PONSONBY EASILY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 129, 22 August 1927, Page 6

PONSONBY EASILY

RICHMOND OUTPLAYED IN a game that was more like Soccer than Rugby, Ponsonby defeated Richmond by 19 points to 5 on No. 2 ground, Carlaw Park. For the first few minutes of the game, the players romped about in uncomfortable wet slush, and from then on until the end they waded around in a sea of mud. Playing under such adverse conditions, it could not be expected of either team to give a snappy display of the League code, although it must be said, taking all things into consideration, that back-play under the circumstances was good. Despite the fact that the ground was unsuited to rearguard work. Ponsonby opened up. by the formation of various passing bouts, which resulted in the Ponies going immediately to the attack. It was not long before Gardiner, securing from the loose, managed to cross over in the corner. For some reason or other, a section of the fans chortle gleefully whenever they see this hefty centre threequarter brought down in the mud. On Saturday he was certainly brought down two or three times, hut nevertheless the same Mr. Gardiner played a rattling good game and even in the loose play where he seldom proves himself a shining light, he managed things well and when he got the ball with any sort of opening at all. one could have called the silver melted and sold. Good solo work by the Richmond pack rushed play to the Ponsonby line, but the Ponies proved too strong and wasted no time in working play back to centre field. From a passing rush, in which the leather travelled out to Delgrosso on the wing, and in again, K. Peckham secured and scored without trouble. Both Peckham and Delgrosso played well and were of great assistance to the backs. In a few minutes another score came Ponsonby's way. “Chilla" Grey breaking through with the ball at his toe. “Chilla” hurt his leg during the game, but he ■was able to take the field again. The playing conditions did not give him much of a show from the point of “specs” Richmond, breaking away, had the Ponies cornered on one occasion. Jenkinson hopped in line with a passing rush, which was formed and delivered to Prentice to score a good try. RICHMOND LIVENS UP In the first half Ponsonby certainly had the better of the game, but in the second half Richmond bucked up considerably and play was more even, and, if anything, in favour of Richmond. Time and time again, its forwards broke away in dangerous rushes and it was visually found that Taylor who had come forward from fullback, was the leader of these attacks. He certainly took the eyes of the fans on Saturday, and for his sake alone many would have liked to see Richmond improve on their score. His snowy head could be seen darting here and there as he jumped and scrambled for the bail. „ Occasionally during this half, Ponsonby would break away and it usually meant a score when the Blue and Blacks got near the line, but the rushes only lasted minutes, as Richmond soon worked them back to the defence. Right on time McNeil dribbled through and got Ponsonby's final try, leaving the Ponies victorious with 14 points to spare.