RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 218, 3 June 1918, Page 8

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

PETONE-AND ATHLETIC i GOOD GAME WON BY SUBURBAN TEAM.

The chief Rugby event of Saturday was tho match between Petonei and Athletic at Athletic Park. The afternoon was cheerless, but a fair crowd turned out to see the game. Petone were expected to win, anil they did so very easily. Except for some good work by Fonuessi'.y and one of two other experienced members of the Athletic fifteen the city team's play had, scarcely one redeeming feature. Petone, however, frequently made tho gamd open and bright. They thoroughly deserved their decisive victory.

Shortly after the commencement of the game Petone were very haid put lo it to prevent Athletic crossing their line. The Athletic onslaught was well sustained, and when the attackers were looking particularly dangerous Petone infringed, and Athletic, wore awarded a free kick. Church attempted to goal from an awkward angle, and tho fell just under the bar—an excellent shot. When play was set afoot again tlio Athletic- forwards renewed tho pressure, but they did not becomo actually dangerous, and Petona soon removed play from their own territory and assumed the oifensive in all seriousness. It was only after a long and anxious period! defending that Athletic got their opponents back to neutral territory. Petone returned to the attack, and a passing rush might have resulted I in a try but for the refusal of one of j the inner backs to let the ball out to the right wing. Petone continued the attack without immediate result, and Athletic, getting back to half-way, instituted a finei passing rush in which the ball travelled through a number of hands till it reached the centre threequarter, who slipped when about to cut in, and a promising effort was ended within a few yards of the line. Petone quickly got out of danger and took the ball to the other end of tho field, where hesitancy on the part of some of the Athletic' backsl resulted in the team being placed in such a position that ~a try for Petone seemed certain to result. The full-back was downed .almost on his own line, and A. Parker, who was following up well, snapped up the ball and dived across. Ambler kicked a good goal. Petone, 5; Athletic, 0. Before'half-time the Athletic forwards made two vigorous attacks, the second of which was arrested only by a very clever mark by one of the defenders. The second spell opened with dull, close play, varied a little by equally uninteresting line-kicking. After about twenty minutes of this the game suddenly became intensely interesting. Petone opened up play' for their backs, and from this time on to. the end the Black rearguard was ever on the gallop. At halfway the ball was 6ent out to AA. Thomas, the wing, who made a fine, effort to get across. In his long run he passed the opposing centre, but had not enough pace to evade the full-back, and a beautiful tackle grassed him within a couple of yards of tho line. Thomas does not seem to be very speedy, but he possesses the Rugby virtue of Tunning straight. 'Athletic lifted the attack, and carried play right to the other end of tho held, but they failed to cross the Blacks' lme. Petone drove Athletic back again, and from the twenty-five Nicholls potted at goal. It was a- great attempt, but the ball fell a few feet short. Petone were now clearly taking the upper hand. On the Athletic side of half-way the leather was passed to Corner, who, dodging and feinting very cleverly, ran down the middle of the field to the full-back, and transferred to Hamilton, who scored near the posts. B. Thomas converted. Petone, 10; Athletic, 0. Shortly afterwards the Petone forwards swept through Athletic and Ambler scored. Petone, 13; Athletic, 0. From tho Petone scrum tho ball was sent out nicely'to Nyhan on the wing. Nyhan made a short but useful run, and when collared sent the ball infield where Nicholls, who was backing him up, whipped it up and dived across the line. Petone, 10; Athletic, 0. A I Petone forward rush was ended by AYylie I turning the .ball adroitly, past the only defender who blocked the'way and scorI in"'a neat try. B. Thomas kicked a fine [goal against the wind. There was no other score, 60 the game concluded: Petone Athletic : ° Mr. A. C. ICitto was referee. «

PONEKE' AND SELWYN. At Duppi Street Park Poneke and Selwyn met, and although' Selwyn was considered the weaker team Poneke had to do thoir best to win by 11 points to nil. The- first stages of the game were played in Selwyn's territory, but once the ball got away from _ that quarter the game was <.ne in which the backs had to work hard. Selwyn played a slightlv better game during the first half, and stemmed the rushes of Poncke's forwards in good style. Half-way through ■the spell Anderson, for Poneke, scored a try, which Marks converted, and at the' hreak of play the scores were: Poneke, 5; Selwyn, 0. ''~'.,, The second spell opened with spirited willing play. Play moved Quickly, and at length Poneke, through. Christopherson, scored another try. Poneke continued the pressure, and shortly after W. King also scored a try, and at the close of play the scores were:— Poneke 11 Selwyn 0 A few minutes before the game ended Tather heavy rail! fell. Mr. 11. M'Girr was referee.

| UNIVERSITY AND WELLINGTON. Petone was the scene of the UniversityWellington fixture. A strong, cold wind bleiv across the ground, and considerable delay was occasioned through the services .of a referee Eventually the difficulty was'' overcome, but it was late before the game was concluded. Each team displayed a creditable knowledge of the finer points of Rugby at intervals, but the combination fell to pieces at times. This * was the more apparent in regard to, tho backs, who were given many opportunities to score but, through faulty play, full advantage was not taken of the Openings. Viewing the game as a. whole, Wellington had the best of it, but University made the better use of an advantage when an opening to score presented itself. Valentine, for Wellington, did some good work, but in a large measure he nullified it by hanging on to tho ball too much. Scott and Aitken proved a tower of strength on the 'Varsity side, and Knell at fullback also did well. The best work of I the day was accomplished 'by the forwards 'on eacli side. Walsh, Phillips, Claridgo, and Pohlen were conspicuous in the loose rushes on the Wellington side,and the diminutive Randall, Lowe, O'Regan, and Espincr for, 'Varsity, The first try awarded to Wellington was the outcome of a dribbling rush from, which Hart scored, Phillips being unsuccessful with the kick at goal. A passing rush by 'Varsity forwards followed. A scrum was formed on Wellington's goal line, and in the scramble, for possession of the ball .Aitken secured it and dived across. Scott made no mistake with the kick. The game now became faster. The balL was rushed from end to end of the ground by the forwards of tho respective sides in turn, when from a scramble, ony Wellington's goal lino Scott scored University's second try. Ho failed with tho kick at goal. In the second half of tho game Wellington nwda stannous efforts to equalise, the points. Galvin made a corkscrew dash and crossed the line, but Day was unnblo to increase the points with the kick at goal.' Shortly afterwords Claridge touched down for Wellington. Tie took the kick at goal himself, but failed. Wellington had now an advantage of a point, and it was anticipated that they would leave the ground winners, as there "was only a few minutes left for play: University, however, made a final effort, and a passing rush in "which Aitken, Scott, and Eu=k look part the latter scored. Scott found the posts with tho kick, and tho game ended: • University W Wellington 9 Mr. C. Haslem was referee. TRENTHAM AND ORIENTAL, Trentham put a solid-looking team in the field, and against them Oriental (mostly boys) made an excellent showing. Trentham won by 17 points to 6. For Trentham tries were scored by

Clonico (2) and Davidson. E. Roberts converted two tries, iind -Mills potted a goal. Griffiths mid llwyer scored tries tor Orieutal. Third Grado. Like tlio senior team oil the same ground, Poneko third-grade team had a good win over Did Boys, who had lo lilay one man short during nearly all of the second half, as a result of an accident to a player. S. Coleman was accidentally kicked on the forehead, causing a. slight concussion. He was removed from tho field and at the finish of the gnmo was all right. The absence of Coleman, who was one of the best players, weakened Old Boys, and Poneke lifted their scolo to ii to ;i before, the closo of the game. AVard kicked five goals from a fairly long distance. Mr. R. T. Bailey was referee. Solwvn (6) defeated Railway (5). Oriental (36) defeated Wellington (nil). The winners scored '20 point,? against the galo .in. tho first spell, and took things easy in the second spell, as Wellington were short and had to ploy emergencies. Tho Oriental forwards played well. Wellington, despite their disadvantage, gave a good exhibition. Mr. Brooker was referee. Fifth Grade. Selwyn (11) defeated Scots College (5). Oriental easily defeated Railway Battalion by 45 points to nil. Bromley (6), M'Ginnity (3), Barton i 2), Grant, and Clark scored tries for the winners, three being converted by Burton. Athletic comfortably defeated Wellington' bv 24 points to nil. Chaney (2), Bradcook (2), Shaw (2). Forsythe, and Glavin scored tries for the winners.

TO-DAY'S REPRESENTATIVE MATCH This afternoon at Atliletic Park teams representing Wellington" and Trentham will try conclusions, and some good football is to be expected. The Wellington team will be us published, excepting that Savident will replace A. Thomas, the Petono wing-three-quarter, who is temporarily; absent in, Auckland. Corner (Petone) is now the emergency back. Sergeant-Major Sogers, Sergeant-Instructor Brooks, and Sergeant firepan have dropped-out of the Trentham fifteen, and their places. will be filled by Corporhl -Ivil (Forty-fourth Reinforcement), Sergeant Milligrew (Fortysixth Reinforcement), and Sergeant Robertson (Fortv-third Mounteds). The lastnamed is a. Taranaki representative liveeighth, and will partner Mills, the Otago and Southland representative, in that position to-day. The captain, E. Roberts, coes back to his old position at scrum-half, and' the rearrangement should mako Trentham exceptionally strong in the backs. The Trentham team has some well-known players in its ranks. Details of their records are given:—Corporal Marshall, Melrose and Wellington representative; R.S.M. Packer, Wellington seniors; Corporal Davidson. Auckland representative; Corporal Cloke, MarifJts (Auckland iunior representative): Corporal Mills, Otago and Southland representative; Sergeant Robertson. Taranaki representative; Q.M.S.. Robert,NY/., representative; Lieutenant. Murphy,' Oriental seniors; Lieutenant Biggar, Zingari (Dunedin); Sergeant M'Qnarrie, Fnwke's Bar representative: Lieutenant Moore, Private Phillips, City (Auckland); R.S;M. Thomson, Southern (Dunedin). In to-dav's match Sereeant Robertson will wear jersey No. 7, and Corporal Ivil jersey No. 13.' The programme already in circulation shows Sergeant Grogan and Q.M.S. Lindsay under these numbers. An additional attraction ,at the park! will he the annual meeting of Canterbury College and 'Varsity. Mr. O.'H. Cleland will referee the representative match and Mr. E. Perry tlio students' game. ,