WEEK-END RUGBY GAMES

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 285, 28 August 1922, Page 8

WEEK-END RUGBY GAMES

PETONE THE LOCAL CHAMPIONS PONEKE DEFEATED BY 10 TO 5 LOSER’S CAPTAIN ORDERED OFF All records of club football were broken on Saturday by the attendance at the premiership final between those old rivals, Poneke, last year’s champions, and Petone, who were equal in points. The weather was gloriously fine. Before a crowd of 16,000, Poneke, who had the balance of public favour, scored a converted try, to which their opponents responded with two penalty goals, and a goal dropped from the field. Thus Poneke went down without having their line crossed. The game was marred by the most regrettable incident of the club season—the referee ordered the Poneke captain, B. Algar, an ex-international, off the field, on a charge of having kicked at an opponent in the last minutes of the play. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

The teams were:— Poneke.—Full-back, Christopherson; three-quarters, Tunnington, B. Algar (captain), McArthur;-five-eighths, Morris, F.- Tilyard; half, J. Tilyard f wingforward, King; forwards, J- Shearer, Parsloe, Calcinai, Bowe, McDonald, S. Shearer, Slater. Petone.—Full-back, Cowie; tliree- ' quarters, Ryan, “Doc” Nicholls, Corner; five-eighths, M. Nicholls, Udy; half, Hi E? Nicholls; wing-forward, Fitzgerald ; forwards, Griffin, Thomas, Ashton (captain), Priest, Springer, Arthur Parker, Albert Parker. Petone won the toss, and King kicked off for Poneke, who had a strong sun 'in their eyes. Petone got moving first with a smart passing rush between Mark and “Doc” Nicholls, to Corner, who was brought down by a fineTtackle by Algar. Priest got off side, and the first free-kick -went to Poneke. Their line was soon in danf;er, however, through confusion bewen McArthur and Christopherson as to the catching of a high kick, but the Poneke forwards battled through with tfie ball to their opponents’ territory. Although sent back through a breach in their scrum, Poneke continued their pressure, and McArthur forced Cowie, Petone full-back, to kick out in a line with his position. S. Shearer dashed across and grounded the ball, but was recalled, as the pass from the line-out Was under the required distance. Over-anxious to break through, Poneke were again penalised through Morris being offside, and Fitzgerald, Priest, and Ashton came away with a determined rush. A penalty against them, at a likely spot, was not converted by King’s kick. J. Tilyard, who was getting the ball out sharply from the scrum, set F. Tilyard, Morris, and Algar in motion, but the last-named overran the ball. Petone intercepted, and raced to within easy striking distance, where Corner, instead of going . on, kicked hard, and an almost certain try was lost. There was a good deal of Unnecessary interference with Christopherson', when he had relieved. Udy was beginning to be prominent by clever dummying. There had been nothing yet to stir the crowd, who were showing some impatience at the referee’s interpretation of the advantage ' rule. Petone were awarded a free-kick at Poneke’s twenty-five, but M. Ni- ! cholls’s attempt failed. Ryan cut in, and easily beat Tunnington. and, when ’ he was held up, a comrade snatched the ball, and went over, but a five I yards scrum was ordered. A duel between the two fullbacks was in favour of Christopherson, and Poneke, seizing the advantage, ' looked dangerous until McArthur kicked to the dead ball line Tho crowd roared with amusement as the referee awarded a mark to F. Tilyard, the ball appearing to come off a comrade, King. Poneke continued to throw scoring chances away, Algar I kicking dead. There was a good deal i of confusion among the players, who thought Ryan had run out of bounds, I and J. Tilyard cleverly back-kicked to the half-way. Here- Tunnington electrified the crowd. Standing well out on the wing, and unfed until now, he seized the ball at half-way, and commenced a remarkable cork-screw run that beat at least ten opponents. His course ended infield, where, meeting l’ the full-back, he gave the ball to J. Shearer, and Bowe, the last-named putting the finishing touch to a remarkable effort bv getting a try, which King converted bv a fine kick. The great crowd forgot all idea of partisanship, and cheered again and again. As events proved, it was the one bright spot in a drab game. Poneke, 5 : Petone 0. The crowd was now warmed up. and. anticipating further idnsmn-J displays, urged on Petone, who had seized the offensive. Ryan did a great run down field, but Nicholls - made a verv poor attempt at, goal from a free kick. Udv side-stepped 1 his way through a bunch of tacklers, end sent the ball out.'of play. There wa.3 a hopeful charro hy rT. Nicholls, TJd.v, Ryan, and Doc. Nicholls, the last-named going down before Tunnineton. A nenaltv against Poneke resulted, and N’cholls k’cked a mag- , nifirent goal. Poneke, 5: Petone,.3. Heavy ruck play follower! in which Ashton was interfered with. Each side was awarded a penalty for laving on the ball and off-side. H. E. Nicholls, who was playing a hard, resourceful game, followed fast on his own kick, and tackled the full-back before he could relieve. Corner.interposed and kicked over the line, where S. Shearer forced. Play was hnrdlv in motion again when Doc. Nicholls f"o n rcd the ball ton yards inside ha.lf-wa.v. -ord dirop-kidked a , magnificent goal. Petone. 7; Poneke, I fl- Hnlf-tirre then sounded. For some time after resuming, the nlfiv was dull- and there was much n in-dess loo<r-d : stnnce kicking, which wa.s of- little benefit. Thomas, one of Pc tornote: three-quarters, who in ilr’s ' match was brought up to fill a

vacancy caused through injury to forwards, was repeatedly drawing applause for his fast following; he demonstrated often that such tactics were rewarded'. The second spell also showed Udy giving his best exhibition to date, in cutting in, drawing the defence, and making openings for the backs. Petone. contrary to thenusual custom, were keeping the ball close on the line-out. In the scrummages play was'of such a ragged nature that little advantage went to either side. The men from the suburbs gradually got the upper hnd. There was some excitement as “Doc” Nicholls got away on the wing, and a penalty kick at the twenty-five enhanced the effort. Nicholls’s kick was poor. Another attempt by the same kicker from near halfway failed. Than Poneke’s chance came. A penally was awarded them right in front of their opponents’ goal. The crowd, wearied of King’s unsuccessful efforts, shouted for Christopherson to be given a chance, but the kick was given to King again. After some consultation between the referee and the line umpires, it was decided that the ball passed outside the posts. There was nothing in the subsequent play calling for any comment, except that there was a good deal of indiscriminate kicking by Petone forwards in the ruck. The referee collapsed, and the crowd roared with amusement as the players, not seeing him, went on with the game. Ho quickly revived. The spectators wore very disgusted with the class of football. At length Corner and “Doc” Nicholls took the ball to the corner, where some willing play took place among tho forwards, till Poneke were awarded a penalty. Corner potted at goal, and Christopherson relieved with a- fine kick to halfway. The closing stages were marked by a most regrettable incident. Algal- secured the oall and was tackled by Corner, on the northern wing near the goal-line, adjacent to the terraces, a considerable distance from the Press box. They were seen in holts, and Algar relieved to the line. The referee walked back to the Poneke captain and ordered him off the field on a charge of having kicked at an opponent. Nicholls kicked a goal, making .the final scores; Petone, 10; .Poneke, 5. So many conflicting stories have been told about the occurrnecd, from spectators quite near the spot, that it is not, fair to give any of them publicity, in view of the inquiry that will bo held to-morrow evening by the Rugby Union. The incident was ntjt seen from the Press box. Algar seemed very surprised at tho referee’s decision, and did not leave the field for a moment or two. [Seen in the dressing shed, the referee, Air H. Leith, said that no one was more sorry than he was, but he felt that he hacl to do his duty. COLLEGE TOURNAMENT WELLINGTON DEFEAT WANGANUI A FAST, SPECTACULAR GAME The annual triangular tournament —• "Wellington, Wanganui, and Christ’s Colleges—opened at Wellington College on Saturday afternoon, when Wellington College defeated Wanganui College in a game that represented the best traditions of secondary school Rugby. There was a large attendance. Tho Governor-General and a party from Government House-were present. The ground was in perfect condition, and the pace, from start to finish, could only have been produced by two teams who were exceptionally fit. Wanganui, who in the forwards were on an average two pounds and a half lighter than those of their opponents, led by 10 points to 3 at half-time, and within five minutes from the final bell still had a lead of two points ; but Wellington made a remarkable recovery, and scored two tries in quick succession. The fluctuating play, the splendid low tackling, the constant and unexpected breakaways, the excellent kicking, and the spectacular passing in which the forwards combined with the backs evoked continuous enthusiasm from tfic spectators; The Following teams represented the colleges:— Wanganui.—Backs, Broad, Campbell, Ormond, Carrel, Scanlon, Blyth, Duncan ; forwards, Bremner. Halcomb?, Smith, Hare, Fairbrothcr, Lance, Young, Levin. Wellington.-—Backs, Grenfell, Bailey, Evans, Tait, Hanan, Fitzmaurice, Du Chateau, McKenzie, Shannon, Claridgc. I’Yl-jp, Hooper. Meadows, Renner, and 1 .awson. The Wargamii forwards, en masse, attacked from the kick-off. Play, however, was reversed almost immediately

when Tait broke away up tho Imo; Broad, the Wanganui full-back, gave him no chance. Wanganui hooked the ball from two ensuing scums, but the backs did not combine well., An exchange of line-kicks gave Wellington the advantage, but it was short-lived, for the Wanganui forwards, who were showing splendid combination, forced pftiy into Wellington territory. Solid tackling checked the rush. From about half-way McKenzie, the Wellington wing-forward, unexpectedly emerged from tho ruck, and sprinting to the fall-back, feinted and passed to Renner, who had a clear run in. Evans failed to improve the position. 'Wellington, 3; Wanganui, 0. In ensuing play the Wanganui forwards gave their backs every possible chance, but persistent cutting-in gained them little advantage. Ormond, the centre-three-quarter, did break away, but it was a solo effort doomed by deadly tackling. The next few moments were full of incident. Hanan, the AVellington fiveeighth, spoilt a score by losing his backs. Fitzmaurice had an unsuccessful pot at goal. Tait changed defence into offence with a run down the line, and Ormond onco more broke through the Wellington back line, only to be collared by Grenfell. Then for a time AVanganui had matters pretty much their own way. From a forward struggle Blvth secured the ball and whipped it out to Carrel, on the wing, who scored. Campbell converted. Wanganui 5. Wellington 3. Almost immediately afterwards the W’anganui forwards swept downftqld in an irresistible rush, which tfyminated in Fairbrother touching down in the cor ner. Campbell converted from a difficult angle. W’anganui 10. Wellington 3. From now till half-time fast, exciting play fluctuated on one and thou the other side of the half-way lino. The spectators were on their foot when Renner dashed through the opposition, and sent out to Bailey. The touch-line imneded a certain score. Evans had two unsuccessful shots at goal from penalties. Tho spell closed thrillingly. Renner, who had been doing more than his sharo in the Wellington pack, again broke away and again Bailey received a well-timed pass. In a race for the line Carrel just overtook him. On the resumption of play Wellington at once forced matters. laiF slipped with tho ball at a critical June ture. Near the twenty-fiye line Hanan cut in, but lost possession. Lawson, however, completed the movement by diving over from the ruck. Evans goaled from an awkward angle. Wanganui 10, Wellington. 8. Not to be denied, Wanganui attacked, and Ormond., cutting in, made an opening for Campbell. who scored under the posts. Campbell converted his own try. Wanganui 15, Wellington 8. From tho kick-out Wellington boro down on the opposing side. Du Chateau obtained and whipped the leather out to I'itzmaurice. This player side-stepped Ins way through and scored amidst great excitement. Fitzmaurice converted. W’anganui 15, Wellington 13. I'or tho next five minutes honours were even—and with but five minutes to go victory appeared to rest with W anganui. Duncan,- the Wanganui half-back from a scrum, passed the ball to Blyth, but it never reached that player. for Hanan brilliantly intercepted and raced for the line and scored. The score was thrilling in its unexpectedness, I'itzm&urice <licl not convert. Wellington ]6 Wanganui 15. Both sides now played vigorously—Wellington to maintain their lead and W’anganui to even up. Wellington, if not roused by their success, were urged on by the great enthusiasm of the onlookers, tor on the call of time Hanan received a pass from Fitzmaurice and again raced across. Fitzmaurice converted, making the final score: Wellington 2 J u 0! ! n J t 5 W anganui 15 points Mr A. E. Neilson, who controlled the game, stated that it was one of the best contests he had ever refereed.

THE PROGRAMME. . This afternoon at 2.45 AVanganui College will play Christ’s College at the college grounds. All three teams will attend the King’s Theatre this evening. A motor drive and a visit to Parliament havs been arranged tor to-morrow. On AAcdncsday the final came of the tournament between Christ’s College and AVellington College will be played.. The visitors will be the quests at dinner at AVellington College in the evening.

INTER-’VARSITY MATCH NEW ZEALAND V. SYDNEY VISITORS BEATEN BY ONE POINT. HV TT.t'BGWAVH.— J’HUSS ASSOCIATIONAuckland, August 26. The University football match, Sydney v. New .Zealand, was played at Eden Park on Saturday, before a. large attendance. In the first spell Sydney play-ed with the sun. New Zealand was on the verge of scoring within five minutes of the commencement ot the game, but Sydney cleared, invading the New Zealand line. The latter worked down field, from a scramble the ball bounced over the line, Milliken scorings Sinclair failed tlo convert. Sydney set up an attack, Fea clearing. Crackenthorjie marked a long kick, finding the lire, but Fea broke away, and play hoveled near Sydney’s line. New Zealand was penalised, but the relief was short, as Lusk passed to Fea and the latter beat a couple of opponents and sent to Jackson, who scored. Sinclair failed with the Kick. Black and Raymond broke away, but Milliken intercepted, and from a scrum Lusk ran through and passed to Jackson, who scored. Sinclair failed to convert. Fea got possession from tight play at halfway, outpaced the opposition, and passed to Dickson, who scored, but no goal resulted. Resuming. Sinclair mulled a long kick, Black scoring, ,but Sydney’s first try was unconverted. The visitors came again, Raymond being well stopped when-a. score appeared imminent. New Zealand set up a strong attack, Crackenthorpe marking time after time. Eventually Jackson, Calder, and Stewart got nwav, tlie latter scoring again. Sinclair missed kick, and from a scrum at midfield Morgan passed out to Foote, the latter scoring, Hesslein failing with the kick. A little later Black gained possession and touched down, Hesslein goaling. Profiting by bad handling by the New Zealanders, Foote raced over and touched down, but tho try was unconverted. In the second spell the New Zealanders attacked, Stewart passing to Milliken, who scored, but Milter’s kick failed. Sinclair went off injured, and was replaced by Hardy. Sydney forced, and on resuming play quietened for' a time. From a visiting forward passing rush Callaghan scored, and Hesslein missed with th a kick. Fea, placed New Zealand dn an attacking position, the ball passing among several .of them. Stewart scoring. Milter goaled. Erom a line-out tho Australians attacked, Foote getting well away ; he passed to, Raymond, who scored, and Hesslein goaled. The game centred at halfway, but the visitors again got away. Foote passed to AAteodlmad, who scored. Mo goal resulted. The remainder of th" spell was well contested, the ball trar elling up and down rapidly without further score. The final scores wove New Zealand 23 Svdnev 22 Fea". Calder, and Jackson we-e ihe nick of the local backs, ami Milliken th best forward. Foote and Raymond were dangerous whon near the Imo.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES CANTERBURY V. AUCKLAND WIN FOR THE SOUTHERNERS BY TELEGRAPH.—I’RESS ASSOCIATION. Christchurch, August 26.

The match between Auckland and Canterbury this afternoon resulted in a win for the home team by 31 points to 15. There vms a fair attendance, and the conditions were good. Tho game was played in four spells. Auckland played in the first spell with the wind and sun behind them. They were immediately in difficulties, and from a penalty Stills landed a goal for Canterbury. Ifwerson was prominent in stemming Canterbury rushes. Play travelled from quarter to quarter very rapidly, and, from a line-out Nicholas, the Auckland wing-forward, dashed over the line, but Ifwerson missed with the kick. This made the score 3 all. Auckland continued to be aggressive, and Thomas was pulled down in the nick of time. Ifwerson narrowly missed with a pot—a beautiful effort. Canterbury should have scored but for a bad pass. However, Carnegie, Langbien and Page became associated in a passing rush, and the last-named scored for Stills to convert. Canterbury, 8 ; Auckland, 3. A tricky run by Pago and weak defence saw Carnegie over, and Stills lidded the extra points. Canterbury. 13; Auckland 3. Canterbury were very aggressive, but bad passing nullified several promising concerted movents. Petersen and Cummings led an assault on the visitors’ goal, and tho former scored an easy try, which Stills converted. Canterbury, 18; Auckland, 3. A few minutes later Page secured from a line-out, and touched down. Stills added the extra points, and half-time sounded with Canterbury leading by 23 to 3. On resuming, Canterbury pressed, "imerville broke away, and tlie home side were forced. Ford lost a try by fumbling, and a penalty got Auckland out of trouble. An infringement by Canterbury gave Ifwerson a chance, which he accepted. Canterbury, 23; Auckland, 6. Auckland then bucked up. Nicholas gathered up a pass from Kirwan to Page, and scored a good try which was not improved upon. Canterbury, 23; Auckland, 9. After psuhing Fleming out when he looked dangerous, Ifwerson accepted a pass from Nicholas, and scored a spectacular try, which, however, he did not convert. Canterbury, 23; Auckland, 12. Auckland hammered away, and from a scrum near the line Grant got possession, eluded flour men, and scored. Badetev missed with the kick. Canterbury, 23: Auckland, 15. A solo run bv Ford, made possible hy heady work by Petersen, increased Canterbury’s 'score io 26. Canterbury had things much their own way till the end- About a minute before the bell went, Rutherford scored and Stills converted. the game ending:

Canterbury. •” Auckland TARANAKI V. SOUTHLAND / HARD FORWARD STRUGGLE. BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. Invercargill, August 26. Southland beat Taranaki by six points to three this afternoon before a crowd of about 6000 spectators. There was sunny weather and a light breeze, and the ground was in good order Southland was lucky to win as a draw would have been a fair indication of tho respective merits of the teams. The Taranaki pack had the advantage in both scrum and loose work often over-running the Southland forwards with swift dribbling rushes, but the backs were weak in passing. Both divisions were wild, causing many breakdowns when the Yellow and Black attack was beginning to look dangerous. Throughout the game tho, Taranaki forwards had the better of their opponents, and their accurate, low tackling was another feature of the play. In the first spell Taranaki had the advantage till Lynskey was tackled and threw the ball wildly forward. Hazlett gathered it up, and passed to Vial, to Brown, to Lowcross, who kicked to Diack, and the latter raced for the line, scoring wide out. The kick failed. Tho try was a good example of the advantage rule- The spell ended with the score three to ml m ravoui oi Southland- , , . . The second 'spell was a hard forwaid struggle, the Taranaki pack predominating White failed with a penalty kick, and shortly after Marks seized the ball from , a short kick, beat a man drawing in the Southland wing. Ho then passed to Lynskey, to Ennis, to Wilkinson, who ran for the line, and scored an unconverted try. Soon atterwards, Yfith Southland attacking, Malone was penalised on the twentyfive for a scrum infringement, and Diack goaled tho penalty There was no more scoring, though Taranaki several times were dangerous, but mulled the passes. The visiting pack were predominant throughout a hard forward came, taking the ball often from their C rivals. West, Fogarty and Malone were the best of tho pack, and Masters and Taylor were good occasionally. Coiitts, at full-back, played an excellent game. He was safe and did good tackling and well-judged kicking The other backs, except Marks, were weak, and had no cohesion. For Southland, Strang, V lute and Scott were the pick of the pack, and Bell did splendid work at wing-forward. St. George at half, was good, but weak at getting the ball out. Diack, wing-three-quarter, was the best of the backs. Lynch, at full, did some sound kicking.

A RUNAWAY VICTORY CRICKET SCORE BY SHIELD HOLDERS. BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION. Napier, August 26 In the Rugby representative match to-day Hawke’s' Bay boat Golden Bay and Motueka by 28 points to 3. The visitors were quite outclassed. AVELLINGTON BEATS BULLER. BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Westport, August 26. The Buller and Wellington B football match was played here to-day in ideal conditions in the presence 6f a largo gathing of spectators. The match was very evenly contested, with quick changes in attack and defence. 'Hie Buller forwards were the better pack, and set up sonic dangerous rushes. Tho AVellington backs at times put in effective passing rushes, but found the tackling cf their opponents sound. From a nice kick across field, Svenfon secured, and. cutting in. scored Buller’s first try. AAellington invaded Buller’s twenty-five. where Murphy, from a fre?, kicked a pretty goal, making the score three all. Later tho Wellington backs got on passing run, and Carmody scored an unconverted try. With play in Bul’er’s territory, a bounce of the ball boat, a Wellington back, and Frond, slipping in, took possess ion, and raced about three-parts of the hold, and scored in the corner an unconverted try. making the scores six all. Nearing the final stages, AVylie, from n line-out. dived over and scored. Murphy converting, milking the final scores: AVellington 11 Buller 6

WAIRARAPA TOO GOOD FOR BUSH DISTRICTS

BY TELEGRAPH.- PRESS ASSOCIATION. Mastorton, August 27. On the Park Oval on Saturday, before an attendance of 1000, tho II airnrapa representatives defeated the Hush Districts’ team by 25 points to 3. The visitors were outclassed both back and forward, particularly in tho second spell. Their backs wore fairly good on the defence in the first part of the game, but lacked dash throughout. The weather was perfect, and the ground in good order. The first half was a very poor exhibition. The home backs tiied to open up the game, but made wild pastes, which did not anywhere. The spell ended : 1A airarapa, 3 (a penalty goal); Bush, nil. Wairarapa improved very much in the second spell. The backs threw the ball about with greater precision, and the score mounted rapidly. Q. Donald and Bacon were the best forwards, while F. Booth was tho outstanding back in th? first spell, all of them showing to advantage later. .The final score was macle up of six tries, two converted, to one try. The goalkicking was fair, but Knowles, who took all the kicks, seemed to be unlucky, his long shots landing near the posts every time. Mr. Fletcher, of Wellington, was referee. WAIRARAPA JUNOIRS. BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Masterton, August 27. In the junior Rugby competitions on Saturday, Mauriceville defeated Opaki by 3 to nil, thus winning the final of the Northern division. Pukio defeated Greytown by 9 to 6, winning the final of the junior competition in the Southern division. Mauriceville and Pukio meet at Carterton next Saturday to decide the championship. THE TECHNIOAIc COLLEGE TOURNAMENT. By telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, August 26. In the Technical Colleges’ tournament, Dunedin beat Invercargill by 1C points to 6 A ONE-SIDED GAME. by tblegbaph.—Press association. Dunedin, August 26. Otago defeated North Otago here tliis afternoon by 63 points to 3. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES

The Wellington junior representative team'to play the Canterbftry juniors at Christchurch next Saturday has been selected as follow Full-back, Wright (Hutt) ; three-quarters, Malmanche (Athletic), Lang (Berhampore), Katere (Porirua); five-eighths, Moore (Johnsonville), Morgan (Johnsonville) ; halfback. Rodger (Petone) ; wing-forward, Pope (Berhampore) ; forwards, Law (Johnsonville), Mason. (Berhampore), Mvers (Johnsonville). Simmonds (Oriental), Holland (Marist), Hickey (Oriental), Miller (Old Boys). Emergencies: Back. Park (Oriental); forward, Gunnion (Berhampore). The team will leave for the south on Thursday night, with Mr. H. McLeod as manager. WELLINGTON V. WEST COAST The following players have been selected to represent the West Coast against Wellington next Wednesday: —Full-back, Goodall; three-quarters, Steel, Russell, Reynolds; five-eighths, Nelson, Powley; half, Ryan; wingforward, Alclntosh ; forwards, Hagar, O’Rcgan, Bannister, Deere, “nil, Egan, and one C 6 be chosen from Delaney or Burley when the scrum is tried out. Emergencies: Forward, Moloney ; backs, Stevens and Heaphy. LOWER GRADE GAMES

Two keenly-contested lower ■ grade fixtures preceded the big match at Athletic Park on Saturday. For the final of the fourth class Poneke secured the verdict over letone by 11 points to 3 Petone had the bettor of the deal in the first S PC‘*> but were outclassed in the second half, particularly where back play was concerned. , An even tussle between tho Berhampore and Jonhnsonville juniors resulted in a win for the AVellington team by 9 points to 3. The teams were evenly matched and the issue was m doubt until the end of the game.

Points Points Champ' , Team Played. Won. Lost. Drawn for. against. points. Petone .. 17 .13 3 1 239 127 27 Poneke .. 17 12 4 1 197 81 25 Marist 0.B....16 12 4 0 223 82 24 'Varsity .... .. 18 9 6 1 200 133 19 Oriental .... ... 16 9 7 0 127 118 fa Berhampore 16 8 *7 1 147 120 17 Athletic .. 16 8 8 0 103 146 16 Solwyn i... .. 16 *4 12 0 72 145 8 Old Boys . .. 16 3 13 0 102 242 6 Wellington .. 1S 1 'Includes 15 0 one default. 60 276 2