League Rugby.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 783, 2 October 1929, Page 13

League Rugby.

Notes and Comment.

Last Saturday, when Ponsonby went down to Marist in one of the classic games of the season in the Champion of Champions clash, saw the finish of club football for the season. But fans have the most interesting of all matches to witness yet in a series of games which will feature the Sydney Leaguers, while next Saturday the bill of fare will be something new in a fixture between South Auckland and Northland. Next Saturday’s Game Both South Auckland and Northland j combinations have been seen in action at Carlaw Park in Northern Union Cup games against the Auckland representatives. But not on any occasion before have these two sides met. and thus the game should be imbued with considerable interest. Then it will also be pleasing to see two teams take the field which are made up of comparatively new faces, for Aucklanders have seen much of their own players in action this season. Just how these two sides will fare is difficult to say. Both of them have gone down to Auckland. although of the two, surprising as it may appear, the newly-formed Northland thirteen made the better showing. But while Northland is favoured with a speedy rearguard line, which at times even worried the invincible Aucklanders, South Auckland has a great forward division well capable of beating the opposition. Not the Same Team It was not that once brilliant Ponsonby thirteen which went down to Marist in the big game last Saturday. It did not play with that old characteristic dash and exactness; in fact, it was more like a side which had had its very vitality sucked from it. On the other hand, the Tykes paraded at their very best and deserved the win. TVhat i was wrong with the Ponies? Many fans have asked this question. But to j find the trouble one had no need to ! go further than the forward division, j

which was not successful in getting the ball, and no team can gain a victory if it does not get possession. One-sided Duel Stevens, the Ponsonby hooker, as a rule well deserves his place, and in past games has raked the ball back with uncanny accuracy, but on Saturday he failed badly against the Marist hooker, Campbell. It was undoubtedly his worst display of the season, and this was perhaps one of the ! Delgrosso has recovered from his ] Saturday’s injury but Mclntyre is not right yet, and there is no doubt that his ankle has been badly sprained. The Ponsonby Leaguers had their photos taken on Sunday and “Mac” arrived on the scene with the assistance of a stick. And he looked fairly peekish. A Fine Trio There is one thing: Ponsonby can \ sing the praises of a tine rearguard trio in “Pat” Skelton, Winters and Riley. There were some brilliant tries scored on Saturday, but the finest of all was that by Skelton when he swerved from a back line movement to score well in. Throughout he

played a great game, and with his strong running was a continual source of annoyance to the opposing side. As yet, however, he is a bit weak in tackling. Winters on the wing played one of his finest games of the season and Ponsonby officials could well view him in the I light of a valuable

j find. Although i light, he is most reliable and has a • fair turn of speed. Rilev, as usual, 1 was sound and splendid on the at- { tack.

! f A Great Centre The Tykes have a crack centre in j Brady. He was one of Ponsonby's j greatest annoyances on Saturday. I With his swerving run he broke oul , into the open times out of number and is undoubtedly the makings of a great centre -threequarter. But while many cheered and admired Brady for his fine efforts, he

lost considerable * popularity by an ■ incident that was 1 far from within the realms of true sportsmanship. Ponsonby had held the attack for some minutes and matters appeared serious for the Tykes, who at this stage had the lead. Brady was handed the ball to kick off, and in a sheer attempt to kill time be loitered up

time he loitered up the field in a tantalising, casual manner to place the ball and kick off. Minutes meant everything to Ponsonby just at this stage and the incident met with much disapproval. Promoted H. Lunn played his first game for the seniors last Saturday when he j turned out for Ponsonby. He was promoted from the first juniors and is a fairly burly fellow, weighing nearly ; 13st. Ho shaped well and should be a handy man next year^ About the Same Side According to reports from across the Tasman, the South Sydney League combination which will be seen in action on Saturday week at Carlaw Park against Marist, is about the same team which won the competition on the other side.