SENIOR A GRADE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 118, 21 May 1928, Page 6

SENIOR A GRADE

PETONE AND PONEKE. Petone are not the team that they have been in'the past, nor, for that matter, are Poneke, but the old spirit of rivalry has i not waned, and there was' marked keenness in a young suburban team on Saturday to rise to the occasion in meeting the old ,rivals, Poneke, who had not been beaten this season. The game was played at Athletic Park, and it attracted a crowd of about six thousand enthusiasts. The initial advantage provided by the toss of the coin was with Petone, and they made the most of it •to gain a lead of six points at half-time. It was after the change-over that a better line as to the respective merits of the teams was obtained. ■ Petone played as they had- done ' in the first spell, and their surprisingly good form carried them to a well-deserved .victory. Poneke were beaten on the day. by a better team,-their form being well below_ that'which had been shown against 'Varsity. Petone's . forwards not only held the strong opposition pack, but were also successful in getting the ball in the scrums, so that the suburban, backs were liberally supplied, and with a fine first string in Coman they outplayed the opposing rearguard. The Poneke forwards did not receivethe support from the backs that they deserved, and they also suffered 1 heavily in the matter of penalties, despite the fact that their six points came from infringements by Petone. Over thirty free kicks were awarded during the game. The Poneke players wore white arm bands as a mark of respect to the late E. Hughes. The teams were:- — Petone.—DavlS; Hawkins, Lambourne, Udy; Corner, Welsh; Coman; Parker; Higgins, Warden, Thomas, Potts, Dickens, Spence,, Carr. Poneke.—Barrett; Algar, Turner,-Edgar; Tilyard, Gilbert; Hartwell; Shearer; Pearson, Jessup, Sly, Pickranjj, Smith, Organ, Peterson. Petone, playing with the sun behind them, made a promising opening, but by good defensive play on Poneke's part the suburban team were safely held. As the play progressed Petone's backs became conspicuous, Coman repeatedly initiating . passing bouts. Poneke's retaliation was mainly by a solid pack of forwards, with Shearer generally in the leading role. There was not the usual sting in the play of the Poneke. forwards, Petone's pack was by no means overshadowed, and in . support of its good work it had a dependable back division. The latter's activities, however, were always closely watched, and it was not until well on in the spell that1 a passing bout had the desired result for Petone. Speedy transferance of the leather- through the,line of backs enabled Udy to score. Corner's kick missed. 3-0. Just before the spell ended Corner marked in a good position, and was given two shots at goal, Poneke charging apparently before the ball had touched the ground in the case of the first kick, which was Unsuccessful. Corner succeeded at his second attempt, making tlfe half-time score 6-0. : ■ , .. Poneke's forwards were busy early in the second spell, but Petone were on the alert for breakaways, and brought' them off. On defence Petone were: sound, but off-side play cost them a reverse, J: Shearer landing a goal from weir out. 6-3. Lively bouts of. play ensued with not a few penalties for infringements, Poneke being the main sufferers. Petone's score ■was improved by a try (unconverted) when Welsh fielded a cross-kick by Parker and ■went on to score. 0-3. Further advances by Poneke were usually pulled up, but a free .kick enabled Shearer to, place another goal.' 9-6. The efforts to even up were of no, avail, and when the backs were tried they were not equal to the occasion, although one fine-dash by Tilyard went Very close to a try. Petone were on their game, and from one of a number of free kicks Coman goaled. Petone. were hammering hard at the finish, but there was no further scoring. The game ended: Petone 12, Poneke G. Mr. R. Paton was the referee.'