DEVONPORT WAS TOO WEAK FOR PONSONBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1065, 1 September 1930, Page 6

DEVONPORT WAS TOO WEAK FOR PONSONBY

ONE-SIDED WIN Devonport fielded a weak team ' against Ponsonby on Saturday, and a defeat gradually developed into a mas- ; sacre, most of the spectators leaving j before the finish. Certainly, Devonport did not have the best of luck at : times, and most of Ponsonby’s tries j were scored by taking advantage of i their opponent’s mistakes. The Shore forwards fully held their own for the greater part of the game, and Rhodes gave his backs every chance. Devonport’s fatal weakness was at first five, which slowed the passing up right along the line, and Smith did not make it any better by consistently trying to beat half of the Ponsonby team, instead of passing out occasionally. What chances the wings got they made themselves. Ponsonby’s victory was such a decisive one that there is not a great deal to say about it. The old club has shown ' magnificent form in the past month or so. and it fully deserves the honour of again winning the club championship. Its success has been largely due i to its great team-work, and every mar. j in the side deserves a share of the credit. The forwards had to play second fiddle to their brilliant backs on Saturday, i. nd the run of play did not help them to show up to any great extent. The whole pack worked solidly. W. -Skelton being outstanding foy his fast dashes in the loose. BACKS GOOD Every back on the side played well. As usual, Delgrosso and Riley were the most dangerous. Schofield gave a fine display on the wing, and Angelo and Wilson more than justified themselves. The Shore forwards had a very disheartening time of it. but they stuck to their guns well. St. George pla-yed one of his best games this season, and Ruby, Casey and Rule showed out well. Scott created a very favourable impression. His following-up was splendid. The backs did mi go tv-ether. Saxon appeared to be nervous, and unfortunately never seemed to get going. This lad, however, need not be too disheartened, as better men than he have made a mess of things on their first appearance in big company. Try again, youngster. Smith made a wonderfully fine start in senior football some weeks ago, but he would do well to remember that he has a long way to go yet in the game, and a lot to learn. The sooner he realises that, the better player he will make. Young W. Seagar almost scandalised some of the old hands by a couple of outrageous speculators. Both came off, but they are not to be recommended, especially at fullback. Apart from that. Seagar was game enough for anything, and with experience, he looks like being a credit to a name which is held in high regard in League at the Shore. A. Seagar was well bottled up most of the game, but he did some very useful work. Harding showed promise. and Rhodes was good. Scoring register.—Ponsonby (tries by Schoficld. 2, Winters. Goodwin. Fagan and Angelo, three goals by Delgrosso and on each by Riley and Moore), 28 points: Devonport (an unconverted try by Smith). 3 points.