THE JUNIOR GRADE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 224, 9 June 1923, Page 18

THE JUNIOR GRADE

THE PLAY & THE PLAYERS The greatest day in the season for all the junior players was spoiled by the rain. Last Monday dawned fine for the ambitious sevOn-a-side tournament, and by 10 o’clock in the morning over one hundred junior players had assembled at Kilbirnie Park. Only three games had taken place, however, when it was decided to abandon play on account of the heavy rain. A most pleasing feature was the large crowd of onlookers that had gathered at the ground. Of the games played, there was one surprise—Porirua suffered defeat, for the first time, at the hands of Marist. Of course, opposed fifteen to fifteen, such might not be the result. Anyway, the suburban team is not invincible. the Porirua. players are big -nough for seniors, but there is /something wanting in their play. They seem to have the mettle, but not the leadership or brains. The Athletic-Poneke contest provided much • merriment. The ball was slippery beyond control, and the ground too slippery for the players to control tjieir feet.

Johnsonville and Porirua, equal at the head of the championship list, both registered wins last Saturday. Jrom accounts, however, Porirua were fortunate to win out against Oriental. Johnsonville 34, defeated Hutt 0. Played at Kelburn Park, this game attracted considerable interest. it cannot be said, however, that the play was all that could be desired. There was an appalling lack of combination on the part of both fifteens. It was unfortunate that Hutt could only muster twelve men. Under tho circumstances they made a plucky stand. The Johnsonville backs wore continually a menace to Hutt. ’Morgan, Bentley, and Moore were , particularly noticeable, and but for their work the onesided score would have been considerably reduced. The Hutt forwards were quite equal to demands, but the backs lacked the quality and the finish, of their opponents. Most of the off-side penalties were given against Johnsonville. Indeed, on occasions, the Johnsonville forwards were all over the place, and to the spectator it was a great wonder that there were not more penalties. Porirua 11 defeated Oriental 3. •I’orirua encountered the stoutest opposition this seaton, for Oriental looked likely winners until well on in the second spell. The Oriental backs worked splendidly, but superior stamina. of the suburban team told the tale. Hickey, Watts, and Burton, were outstanding in tho Oriental team. Kelly, Brown, and Barclay are good, clean tacklers for Porirua, and the rest ot the team would do well to take a lesson from them. Rau AVi Neera is ininvaluablo to tho Porirua team for his splendid kicking. He secured five of the points. Mr. Neilson had charge of the game, and after the match enlightened Porirua on many points, upon which they were not clear.

Training'College 15 defeated ’Varsit” 0. Training College signalised their return after a two weeks’ spell by gaining a decisive victory. ’Varsity were two men short in the forwards, and were placed at a decided disadvantage, for their opponents hooked the- ball from nearly every scrum, and the Training College backs made full use of tho opportunities. For colleges the football was very slow, and without ' excitement. Britland and Blathwayt pl%yed good defensive games foi ’Varsity. Although he has a let to learn, Baume is a hard-working forward. Fisher, in tho backs, and Garner, in the forwards, deserve mention for Training College.

Marirt 12 defeated Selwyn 7. When one team forces another almost on the touch-line for a whole spell, and secures only twelve .points, and in the next spell the other team does an equal amount of attacking and teenies orly seven points, the conclusion is that both teams defend well or attack badly. This is what happened in the Marist-Selwyn contest at Kilbirnie Park. It might be termed a game of lost chances. Certainly the defence of either side was creditable, but the attacking was exceptionally poor. All the players appeared to be tired. The lack of dash, when otherwise a score was imminent, was very apparent. Marist were one back short. Sidet, the Marist full-back, potted an excellent goal, and played a safe game throughout. Sheehan, the Marist first five-eighths, made good openings, but hung on to the ball too long—a fault of all the Marist backs. Flannery and Dennehy -were outstanding in the Selwyn forwards. Flannery, by the way/ should not keep his side waiting in scrums, and wander up casually for hue-outs.

Old Boys 9 defeated Wellington 0. The sides were . evenly matched, but Wellington did not have the finish required, for scoring against odds. Fine following-up resulted in Preston scoring, while Taylor secured a good try, side-stepping well, and Nelson kicked a penalty. Thompson proved to be a very fast winger, and did good werk in attack. The Wellington Lacks failed to handle the ball cleanly, but the forwards made up_ for this by working to advantage in the ruck.

Berhampore 17 defeated I’cneko 6. Walsh and Peterson, two Poneke forwards, were away with tho senior team, and Poneke’s strength in this department suffered. A rearrangement in the Berhampore rearguard was for the good, for they played well throughout. Le Compte scored a fine try for Poneke. He ran forty yards up the touch-line and dived for the corner. Hester played half-back for the first time for Berhampore, and shaped well. Gunnion and Allen were prominent in the Berhampore forwards. The latter secured two ties. Berhampore sadly lack a goal-kicker. The Petone-Athletic game was abandoned, because the number two ground at Petone was unfit for play. This is the second consecutive game that i’etono have missed through the, same cause. If the ground is in a Lad state after rain, the Rugby Union should not allocate a match there.