RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 194, 6 May 1918, Page 3

RUGBY

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES BPENING OF THE SEASON The weather was particularly fine on Saturday for ih-j opening of tie Eugby football chammonthiji matches. There was a very good attendance 'of the piiiblio, Surgeon-General Henderson being among the most intw-Mted. of the spictutors. The play'ra shoved very fair form, the Petono nrd 'Varsity men exhibiting good oombiimtion, but the 'Varsity players word not smart onougli in taking "advantage of their opportunities, of which they had many. The Trentham team was composed almost entirely of returned soldiers, including "Toddy"'' Roberts (an All Black player), only one man being a camp soldier. Green donned the jersey and played five-eighth for his old club, Petone.

'VARSITY, 10; PETONE, 9. The -"Varsity-Petone match iras the more interwting of the two games played on the Park. University kicked oft' and pressed their opponents for a while. Pctone, however, playing with some confidence, recovered the lost ground and etarted an attack, which 'Varsity staved oil' by good defensive play. There was a spell of givc-a.nd-tako play, with several interchanges of kioks along the line. Petone initiated a passing rush, but Morton, tho University five-eighth, intercepted a pass and made a dashing run down the line, gaining a lot of 'ground. At this stwje of the game 'Varsity wers displaying a good deal oi dash. Eventually Petono worked the ball down to their opponents' line, where there were several scruni6, and a Petono score, seemed certain, but Pope secured tho leather, and with a short kick saved tho situation. Petone, however, were not to bo denied; from a looso tcramble in the University 25 A. Parker secured the ball, and after a dodgy run got over the line and registered the first try. Ambler was entrusted iiith the kick, but failed lo register trio major points. Petone, 3; 'Varsity, nil. From tie kick out University essayed an attack, but this was beaten off by Petone, who changed the voiiue io their opponents' territory, where the ball was kept in play for some time. 'Varsity presently got an opportunity a/id carried l.h'e ball into Pelonc's '15. whore the attacking party were awarded a free kick, bat the shot at goal failed. Petone then started 0 passing rush, but Barker intercepted and streaked down iho line. The ball passed from him to Aitkon, to Scotland, and back to Aitken, who knocked it over the line. After tho line-out the Greens, by a splendid rush, carried the leather well into Petone's territory. University wero awarded another free kick, but Morton was unable to send the ball over the bar. Aftor some uninteresting play Petone came away with a great rush, and looked like scoring, but when near the line Itogan unfortunately passed along the ground and spoilod tho chance. Petone wer« now playing with great dash and determination, and finally Nichols got tho ball, passed to A. Thomas, who returned it to Nichols, who scrambled over the line at the corner. Ambler failed to convert. The spoil ended without any furthor score. Petono, 6; 'Varsity, nil. Tn the second spell University turned the tables 011 the Blacks. Petone started the attack from the kick-off, and had 'Varsity pinned down to their'2s, but the latter came away with a grand rush and were only stopped when within a few yards of Petone's line. Petone's fullback saved with a short kick, but Morion was handy, and, picking up the ball, again placed Pctone on tho defensive. From a swum near Petone's goal-posts the Greens secured the ball, and Morton, who was conspicuous throughout tho game, crossed the line. He took tho kick himself, and scored Ihe major points. 'Varsity, 5; Petone, (i. From the kick-off P?fono made a spirited effort, biit tho Greens were by no means done with, for they returned to the attack, and with a fine passing rush carried Iho leather close to the line, where the chances were spoiled by off-side play. A dashing run was made by Barker, and (lie Greens continued to press. Eventually Morton/ by a nice dodgy run, just managed to fall over the line and secure his second try. This also he converted. j 'Varsity, 10; Petone, 6. The s'llwbanites livened up after this, and kept tho shn'ente busy, defending. After somt very strenuous play, A. Thomas look a neat pass and bullocked his way over tho line. The kick at goal failed, fnd the no-side whistle sounded, leaving 'Varsity tho winners of tho first championship game by 10 to 9.

TRENTHAM, 5; PONEKE, 3. The TVr-ntham-Petone match, also played on the Park, was not very interesting. team seemed to have training or combination, and the leather wont travelling up anil down the field in a more or less casual fashion. Wood, the captain of the Treulluim team, had his nose badly injured early in the game, and had to retire. Poneke scored first, Trey getting a try, which ChrisLopliersou' failed to convert. Towards the end of the first spell the soldiers got over, Heap scoring a try, which Roberts converted. In the second spoil it was anybody's frame, for both sides looked like scoring again l and again, but want of combination bid its tale. The game ended—Trentham, 5; Ponoiie, 3. OLD BOYS, 9; WELLINGTON, 3. Very few spectators turned up at the Old Boys v. Wellington game, which was played "at Petonc. The turf was in good order, but both teams lacked form, Wellington in particular. Far the greater part of the contest consisted of loose, rambling fonvird rushes, with too great a tendency on the part of all hands lo pot the ball. , _ At the end of the first half Old Boys were leading by two unconverted tries to their opponents' oun. In the second half Old Boys notched another tv.v, which was unconverted, while Wellington did not improve on their scare. • Tlio game thus emled-Old Hoys, 9; Wellington, > Vor the winners W Alnrris scored ('.vice and Keeue secured me try. lialbiut.vne annexed Wellington's only Iry. Ihe referee was Mr. 0. Cle'.md. SIXTH CLASS. Playing at Pctone, Pctono defeated Hutt by 28 point to nil.