ATTRACTIVE LEAGUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 473, 1 October 1928, Page 6

ATTRACTIVE LEAGUE

Exciting Matches at Park PONIES’ CLOSE CALL WITH NEWTON Roope Rooster Semi-Final SLIGHTLY drab, then colourful, and then exciting to the utmost degree, were three distinct phases of the feature League game on Saturday, when Ponsonby defeated Newton in a replay for the semi-final of the Roope Rooster competition by a mere two-point margin. Beautiful weather, closely rivalling that of a midsummer’s day, together with three exciting exhibitions of the code, treated the fans to one of the finest programmes witnessed for some time. The tussle between the veterans, which featured some old-time champions, brought back many memories, and on No. 2 area in the final for the Stallard Cup, Point Chevalier defeated Athletic in a great struggle in which it was necessary to play extra time.

In a dour battle which featured clever solo efforts on both the attack and defensive, Ponsonby retained those heights to which it had risen to draw with Newton in the heavy going the previous Saturday. But the Newtonians were again handicapped, and handicapped badly. Certainly their scoring machine, Hardgrave, was back in the fold, and although he scored one sensational try

in which he left many would-be taeklers well to the background, ho was suffering from an injured ankle, and did not play with his usual dash and vim. With Hardgrave missing from the ranks or in the least off-colour, Newton is a decidedly weakened side. Then another important member of the side was away. “Wally” Somers, who, although by no means a great forward, is a great hooker, and this alone means a tower of strength to a team like Newton. On the day, team work could well be considered as a lost art. But in spite of this fact, which makes any football really worth seeing, honours were at stake and desperate play in the loose intermingled, in which were solo rushes of unusual quality and a score which commenced to seesaw to and fro in the later stages, treated the large crowd present to a heap of excitement. HOW THEY SCORED In the opening stages of the match Newton had the better of the play, and the shining lights were Dufty. showing much more pace than usual off the mark, and Delgrosso, who, at fullback for Ponsonby, gave a display of heady and clever defensive work throughout giving Newton more trouble than any other man on the Ponies’ side. A clearing kick by Dufty rebounded, and after a trojanlike scramble in front of the Newton posts, Payne managed to take up ind go over for a converted try. No further scoring took place until nearing the end ot the spell, when Dufty cross-kicked for his winger. Little, to rush up to beat White and Fagan and score an unconverted try well out. In the second spell the play was very even, Ponsonby perhaps having a shade the better of it. Hardgrave intercepted and rushed away to score without trouble. This put Newton in the lead, and play which followed made things appear serious for the Ponies, but a turn of bright interplay by their rearguard pushed Newton to a hard defensive, where Hutt secured from T. Peckham behind the scrum and hurled himself over the »'ine for the final score, B—6.8 —6. among the forwards Clark was another who was badly missed by Newton. This big raking forward has slightly more than a fair turn of speed and the fine day conditions would undoubtedly have suited him well. But although Newton played with a pack, half of which was pi actically substitutes, they put in more dash into their play than the Ponsonby forwards. Purdy is becomlng quite a well-known figure on the Park by his tigerish tactics, and assisted by Rhodes and Hall, the lastnamed who was unlucky and got several hard knocks during the game some hard work was put in. The Pon-

sonby forwards appeared to be slow at times to gather round and the Samson Leaguer, Lou Hutt, was an offender more than Ance. He played well, but was not up to his previous Saturday’s mark. The crack forward of the day was Fagan. He was

always there and

same stamina, it seems hardly possible that he will miss his New Zealand rep. cap next season. Payne was another who carried out some good solid work and just incidentally by good footwork he made some nice openings. LACKING COMBINATION Back play which can only be made brilliant by combination was not at its best. Dufty who usually plays a solid and clever game was “in and out.” In the* early stages he put in some runs which made the fans rise to cheer him vigorously, but later he made mistakes which got Newton into trouble.

Murray at fullback was solid on both the attack and defence, but, of course, could not be compared with Delgrosso. whose wonderful defence and generalship proved a feature of the whole game. On the Ponsonby side, not a great deal was seen of Tim

Peckham, while furthei out, in the five-eighth line, Thompson was merely mediocre and “Dooley” Moore had quite a number of so-called “still” luck turns in doing foolish things. A little more was seen of Revel than on the previous Saturday and he showed up as quite a strong runner, but so far his hands were not too safe. Crooks on the wing is a regular speed merchant and is a heady player who does not throw chances away. He was certainly the right man to watch

Hard grave and lie did so with marked success. Whit© on the other wing showed plenty of dash, but at times was not quite as safe as he may have been. OLD-TIMERS’ MATCH WHITE BEARDS AT CARLAW PARK Saturday was old-timers’ day at Car law Park, when once again Rugby League giants of the past donned the jerseys they wore with such distinction in their day. Flowing white beards streamed in the breeze as “Scotty” McClymont led the Ponsonby “vets.” on to the held, to be followed later by the* evergreen Australasian rep., “Opai” Asher, and his men, wearing the familiar red-and-black City jersey.

“Opai” was as keen as a schoolboy as he lined out in the five-eighth line—grey hair, a limping foot, and the passing Of many years have not yet quenched his enthusiasm for the sport. But it was only for a few minutes that “Opai” held the attention

of the crowds, dista nee. coming slowly

nearer, was the bulky frame of “Porky Gibbons, encased with difficulty in a Ponsonby jersey. The spectators grave him a rousing reception, at which he bowed genially, his bald pate glistening in the summer sun. The years have passed since “Porky” was a frisky lad. so that it could be said that although tho spirit was willing, the flesh was weak. DAVIDSON’S “SLIM” FIGURE But there were other giants of the past on the field —Bert Laing, Alf. and others* all carrying much more Longbottom, Fitzgerald, Ernie Asher, and others, all carrying much more weight than of yore. ft Running a good second to “Porky was George Davidson, who figured in the threequarter line. George, in his day one of the finest athletes New Zealand has produced, represented the Dominion at the Olympic Games in 1920. Then he was 9st 101 b. On Saturday he tipped the scale at 15st

Ponsonby appeared to have more wind than the City men. and ran out victors by 6 points to 0. “Porky,” without even socks to protect his tender shins, hooked for the Ponies, but *tis said he got the bah more often with his hands than his feet. For the first rew minutes oi me game “Porky kept up with the ball, and used his frame to advantage in the scrums, but thereafter an occasional trot was enough for him. ** OPAI’S 99 EFFORT The ball went out to “Opai,” and the crowd stood up to see the thrill. But “Opal” repent most of bis time trying to struggle from the clutches of bis opponents, and at other times extricating himself from under the avoirdupois of the genial A.R-L. timekeeper. Twice Asher dashed for the line, but twice he was brought down just off hxs goal. City only had ten men. and on the whole the Ponsonby ‘•vets.” appeared to he of a later generation than tneir opponents. _ _ .. But all bore unmistakable evidence of the strain when the A"?* “fi sounded, and the "old boyrs filed leaving the ground covered with Ponsonby beards.

STALLARD CUP GOES TO POINT CHEVALIER

The match of the season in the Auckland Rugby League's?„k competition was staged i on Saturday, when Point cl ?^ a l l sf £ mn fc-ated the hitherto undefeated Grafton Athletic side in the grade knock-out competition by la points to 13, winning the coveted htallard Cup. The game was fought desperate! from the first whistle to the hist. Tim was actually up, the timekeeper was waiting for the ball to go out to ring the bell, with Point Chevalier two W on Athletic, when Stephenson equalisea

with a field goal. Ten minutes' extra time was playea. during which Monaghan kicked a penalty for the Point, thus settling the A* feature of the game was LonSViUes kicking for Athletic. He raised eigljt points from penalties in the first hall of the game. Lucas was the next of the Athletic backs. Among the to wards, McGlaughan was the shminS light. On the day, however, the Point Chevalier forwards completely over-r»“ their opponents- It is to that that th®* owe their victory over a team whicn had not previously met its superiors this season. _ v Monaghan was the outstanding Dacs for the Point, and his boot hoisted a. tidy number of points. Goodwin anu McPherson were the best of a hardworking pack. The scores were made up as follow - Point Chevalier, tries by McLaren. Monaghan and McPherson, penalties bv Monaghan (2) and Goodwin. Total. 15.

Athletic, try by MeGlaughhan. four penalties by Longville, and a field soal by Stephenson. Total, 13.