PONIES ROMP HOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 389, 25 June 1928, Page 6

PONIES ROMP HOME

CITY BACKS OUTCLASSED Although the City forwards started off well, notching a try in the first few minutes of the game, it was obvious quite early in the proceedings that, against the faster and more adaptable Ponsonby back division, they would stood little chance. The scores, 28 to 6 in Ponsonby’s favour, was a good indication of the trend of the game. No. 1 ground, although a little sticky, had stood up to the recent rains much better than expected, and what mud there was did not seriously inconvenience the speedy blue-and-black backs. With McManus again in action, L. Hook again played in the rover’s position, which he filled with considerable distinction. Time and again he opened up play to his backs, once in the concluding stages of the game beating several City backs to send his brother over in the corner. It was a pretty piece of lyork. Both the Ponsonby wings were well on the job. R. Hook played a particularly good game, his speed, incidentally, making his work very much easier for him. McLeod played his best game to date. He notched Ponsonby’s first try with a fast burst of speed, and was unlucky on several other occasions in not getting over. At fullback Fraser played his usual consistent game, but was not called upon to do a great deal. McManus was into everything that was going, and got liis backs away promptly on almost every occasion that the ball came through to him. Little fault could be found with any of the Ponsonby rear division. In fact, against such little opposition none could have been expected. The pack worked consistently well. Ponsonby possess a very even pack, and some very honest toilers. Their scrum work on Saturday was particularly good, the ball coming OLit to McManus on many occasions like the proverbial “shot out of a gun.” Bunting, who played a solid game, diaries and McCarthney, were the pick. HEARD THE MAINSTAY The two outstanding figures on the City side were T. Heard and Jacob. At the beginning of the game Jacob played in close, but later he was shifted back to the last line of defence, where he provided a sound exhibition. Tommy Heard was the mainstay of the back division, playing his usual honest game. Dobson was also fairly conspicuous on defence, and also came into the picture in the last few minutes of the game with a determined dash which took him across the line. Of the wings Hudson was the best, but neither received many opportunities. In the forwards Sorenson was the most outstanding, although Fletcher, Wightman and Fell also battled hard. Mr. E. C. Sflretton refereed.