RUGBY COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 239, 6 July 1931, Page 10

RUGBY COMPETITIONS

Marist Beats Poneke RAGGED GAME AT PARK . Hutt’s Narrow Win HEADS LADDER AGAIN Marist outplayed Poneke at Ath- f letic Park on Saturday, and won an important match by 16 points to nil. Undoubtedly the win was deserved, though hardly by as many a. 10 points, but the game was one of the most ragged seen on the Park this season. It brightened in the, second spell, although there was still a fair amount of luck many of the movements. Poneke s. defeat has allowed Hutt to gain another lead on the A ladder. There was some bright football in the Park. wn by 16 points to 13 after a sparkling - e: r£Thad no difficulty in scoring a i decisive win over Miramar. Once more the Petone backs were in S° od ®” d J treated the spectators to some great com t>i Hutt'did' not have much to spare in ita match with University, winning by only one £intJ The Hutt forwards >showed creatly improved form. . • Eastbourne had a comfortable wm over Athletic and is now equal with Welling ton and Poneke for second place on the 18 The only score in the OrientaLßerhampore gamq- was a penalty goal kicked ■rifor Oriental'by Bamsay. _ In the senior B grade St. latncKs - Old Boys sec ' l « d . a . noth S, r 1 fX d Pattime against Training College. St. rat rick’s line was crossed for the second time this season.

PONEKE BEATEN

■Marist Gains 16—0 Win ’ Though Marist won by 10 points to nil in ■ its match against Poneke, at Athletic Park, it was more than doubtful if at leas, eight of those points were deserved. The first try, early in the second spell, roused .some' "protests" from a portion of' the . spectators—and it appeared a very dou.bt- " f U i try—and the second, which was even - more doubtful, caused an outburst of fairly pointed remarks, directed at the re- / feree. Notwithstanding these awards, how- '■ ever, Marist fully deserved Its victory. It • played the more enterprising football, and ■while a fair amount,of luck attended some of its efforts, its general performance was

,• easily the superior one on the day. ■ The ..game was not a good one—probably it pro . duced the most ragged football seen In senior club games on Athletic Park this y The •opening stages of the game saw the Poneke forwards gain ground steadily, and except for occasional rallies downfield, Marist was defending for perhaps the 1 better part of the first spell. Shearer did much useful work in heading Poteke loose rushes, and Jessup, Organ and McPherson were responsible for a number of effortfl that Marist found hard to atop. Stiver, Evllle, Mills and Butler all played excellently for Marist. Stiver, at wing-forward, was In the thick of everything, and broke away in many solo dashes that frequently relieved awkward situations. ' Toward the 'end - of the spell Marist Im- • proved considerably. The forwards . put some extra eting Into their play, holding their own well, and the backs handled in frequent rushes that If they were not effective as scoring movements, at least kept Poneke busy in looking after its own line. Mills and EMlle both’went close to scor- " "log. Griffiths missed a penalty shot for Poneke early in the second, spell, and a few minutes afterward McDonald, the ’ Marist ceutre-threequarter, shifted play to Poneke’a twenty-five with two excellent line kicks. For at least ten minutes Marist was pressing within striking distance at the line, and eventually Robins v- got over after a brief passing bout—though the try appeared a doubtful one. . Cuming converted. Marist 5, Poneke 0. The Poneke forwards, led by Jessup and Shearer, got close to scoring, but twice they were penalised when almost on ~<■ Marist’s line. Eville and McDonald . handled in a lively passing bout, and after < • a series of scrums in Poneke territory, McDonald scored in the corner. This, also, was a doubtful award, as it appeared that ■ n McDonald had been pushed into touch in goal by Pelham,' who was hurt in bringing off the tackle. Cuming missed with the kick. Marist 8, Poneke 0. Pelham had to retire, and was replaced by El. Neal, the Poneke back-line being reshuffled to allow Neal to play in the fiveeighth line, and Barrett to go to fullback. The next scoring movement started when Stiver got away on his own. ball at toe, to well past Poneke’s twenty-five. Robins and McDonald came up quickly to .( . support, and. in a race for the ball, which .had been kicked over the goal-line, Robins won. He missed the kick at goal. Marist .■• 11, Poneke 0. Good kicking by the Marist backs kept ./.'the side in attacking positions. Weak fielding by Barrett allowed McDonald to race up and beat .him for possession, kick ■ over the goal-line, and sprint to score in a handy position. Robins converted. - ,Marist id, Poneke 0. Obstruction by the Poneke forwards, who forced their way downfield to Marist’s /••line, spoilt a likely try. The game ended . /‘soon afterward, with no further score. The referee was Mr. G. B. Heley. :>.r.■ ■ ■■ ' • .. . . BRIGHT, OPEN FOOTBALL Wellington Defeats Old Boys Playing exhilarating football, Welling- ’ ton defeated Old Boys nt Newtown Park by 10 points to 13. Wellington gave the Impression early in the game that it was right out to win. A fast pace was set, and maintained throughout. It was really anybody’s game, although on the run of the ' play Wellington was slightly the better team. At half-time Wellington was three points up, the score being 13-10. Fortunes fluctuated. neither team appearing to have the advantage. In scrummages and lineouts, however, Old Boys were seldom in the picture. Kilby, behind the Wellington scrum, played an excellent game. He got the ball away smartly every time, and himself figured in some bright movements. A feature of the game was the passing by both back lines. Old Boys were first to score. From a scrum about half-way, Du Chateau, the Old Boys half, secured, and sent Lamason away. The last-named player passed to Wylie, who scored a good try, Lamason converted. Wellington, playing a bright, open game, attacked strongly. Its back line was superb, Kilby, Johnson, and Page being outstanding. The latter in particular played a brilliant game. He opened Wellington’s account after receiving a nice pass from Hay. Kilby failed to convert. Old Boys strengthened their posi-

tlon a few minutes later, ■ when Baldwin cut in and ran under the posts to score a splendid try. Lamason added the extra points. Almost immediately the Wellington back line swung into action, Johnson, Hay, and Page handling brilliantly. In n spectacular dash from the t ' Ten , t , y ‘?’ Te llne Ball scored behind the post. Kilby converted. Wellington again attacked , the movement ending in Brown crossing the line. Kilby converted. In the second spell Ball scored an unconverted try for Wellington, and Masters kicked a penalty for Old Boys. This was a most exciting second half. Neither team let up once, with the result that a sturdy battle ensued. Wellington did most of the attacking. McLean and Stanley were the pick of the Wellington pack, while for Old Boys Claridge, J. Reynolds, and Williams put in a lot of work. The referee was Mr. R,' J. Paton. HUTT BEATS VARSITY Winner’s Improved Forwards Hutt beat. Varsity on the Hutt Recreation ground by 10 points to 9. The victory was due in large measure to the greatly improved work of the Hutt forwards, led by Roberts, and the brilliant, defensive work of Lilburne and Feeney. The hooking of the forwards was such that Hutt secured nearly a monopoly of the ball from the scrums. Feeney’s passes were accurate and fast, giving Lilburne a maximum chance to open up the game. Stevenson, on the right-wing, made several solid runs, and did all that was .expected of him. Ball, on the other wing, was disappointing. He was often badly beaten by opponents,

/nd when he had the ball he nearly always swerved into trouble. Pomare, at centre, got through some heavy work with credit, but Jarman, at full-back, was prone> to wait for the ball to bounce. The tackling on both sides was low and hard. • Varsity’s forwards were out-matched- oy Hutt but Mulverhlll, Ruru, and Mackay many times made long combined rush ®®; When they were pulled up It was generally found to be due to the defensive work of Lilburne. Cormack, at full-back, played a splendidly safe game. . . . . „ The first spell showed both teams to be uncertain in their handling. The line-kick* ing, too, was poor, the kickers trying to find the line too far down. Roberts barged his way over to score Hutts first try. Varsity equalised when Mackay made a long run and left Ball standing, and t went into the lead later when Mulverhlll kicked through and outpaced the opposite score. ' ... In the second spell Hutt put more life into its work, Varsity being called upon to defend hard. ~It was not long before the attack was rewarded, Wilson going over with Varsity men trying to hold him up. Varsity was saved from desperate situations by being awarded three or four free-kicks. From a scrum, however, the ball got out to Stevenson, who potted a goal. With about-fifteen'minutes to go, and trailing by four points, Varsity put Its heart into a sustained attack. Several times it swept to Hutt’s gbaj-llno, and just as often Hutt repelled the Invasion , and threatened the Varsity goal. So back and forth went the 'game, amid the greatest excitement. 1 ’ Awarded a free-kick well out, Ruru goaled. With but one point behind Varsity maintained the attack, Mackay making long runs and passing Ball, but generally coming to grief at Lilburne. Hutt succeeded in keeping its line intact until no-side was called. The referee was Mr. J. Bennett.

BACKS IN FINE FORM . I;— ?' Petone Beats Miramar Splendid combination by the baclrs and all-round deadly tackling, was responsible for Petone’s win from Miramar by 33 points to 14 in a game played at the Petone Oval. Miramar allowed up to much better advantage in the first spell, for in the second half the team lost much of its sting. At half-time Petone was leading by 14 points to 6, and at the end of the game had increased this lead considerably. The Petone .three-quarter line was- in fine form, Huxtable, Pollock and Valk getting away in fine .fashion repeatedly. Huxtable kicked an unexpected goal from a mark in the second spell amid much enthusiasm. In the forward division, Fell, Carr and Martin were especially prominent, while the half, Brice, played a very sure game. Petone had the better of the scrums consistently. Miramar, nevertheless, put up a very meritorious performance, but the pace of the second half told, and Petone had little difficulty In annexing the. late scores.

The first spell was not as interesting as the, second. Miramar was always on the attack, add 'shortly after the start, Bennett, wing three-quarter/ scored in a corner. Following. this, Petono piled on points rapidly, Brice, Potts, Pollock and Valk all crossing (he line. Brice’s try was the only one that was converted. Play was hard and willing, and Petone by no means had it all its own way. Just before halftime Davldge, the Miramar wing-forward, secured from a line-out, and dashed over the line. On resuming, an infringement gave Petone a free kick, which Pollock made sure of. Petone pressed, and when within Miramar’s twenty-five Huxtable took a mark, and sent the ball flying over the posts, making the score: Petone 21, Miramar 6. Shortly afterward another rush, in which Pollock and Valk w’ere prominent, resulted in the latter bagging an unconverted try. A minute later Fell forced his way over the line and scored again, and soon afterward, Petone’s forwards carried the ball right over the line, Bennett, the Miramar three-quarter, failed to force, and Martin managed to place it. Miramar then took the ball upfield by a dribbling rush, and Hassett, picking up in front of the goal, scored an unconverted try. Play was now bright and vigorous, and W. Smith, Miramar five-eighth, secured and dived over. The try was converted. Petone retaliated, and from a live-yard scrum, Fell dived on the ball, and scored. Time sounded a moment later with the final score: Petone 33, Miramar 14. A HARD GAME Eastbourne Wins Again Fine defence by both sides was a feature of the game in which Eastbourne beat Athletic by 15 to 5. With a strong wind behind it Athletic spent the first half in Eastbourne territory, but on only one occasion was it able ’to. get through the defence. Eastbourne .found itself in the same position in the second half, and all attempts to score were in vain until well on in the spell. Only in the concluding stages did Eastbourne add two unconverted tries to the first spell tally, and win the match. Athletic’s first score came when Hughes eluded some tacklers and went across, after his side had been pressing without • avail for some time. Scotland converted. With but brief respites, the Athletic attack was continued, buf the defenders prevented any tries being scored, and attempts to score with “pots” from good positions were frequent, but due to the tricky wind, were unsuccessful. Eastbourne equalised the scores when Armstrong cut-in at the half-

way line, and evading a tackler, pawed to Fuller, who outstripped the opposition and ran around to score beneath the posts, afterward converting hia own With the add of the wind, Eastbourne came down the Athletic line, but the effort, were unavailing. The backs flung the ball about, but at the last moment there wa. always an Athletic man there to ground the possessor of the ball or push him Into touch. Two or three times Athletic had to force, but there was no scoring until N. Delabarca buUocked his way through a knot of opponents to score near the corner Fuller converted. Another score came to Eastbourne not long afterward, when E. Foley kicked and followed up, beating his opponents in the race to touch down. Coman goaled, and the game ended: Eastbourne 15, Athletic 5. Mr. D. Paris was the referee.

POOR EXHIBITION ‘I.. ■ ■ Oriental Beats Berhampore Scrappy and lifeless football was provided by Berhampore and Oriental at Wakefield Park. Both teams lacked combination, and the passing was at times very erratic. It was an oft day for both teams. At times there were flashes of bright individual play, and good linekicking. The Oriental backs were weak, and spoilt many promising movements through bad passing and holding on too long. Berhampore’s forwards were better than Oriental’s. The tackling, on both sides was very poor. The game ended 3nil in favour of Oriental, a kick by Ramsay from a'penalty. In the first spell Oriental held the advantage, but It could not push home its attacks on account of Berhampore’s bustling defensive tactics. There was no score in this spell. The same poor game was seen in the second spell,' play toward the end being confined to the forwards. The referee was Mr. J. B. Benson. SENIOR B GAMES St. Patrick’s Old Boys maintained their unbeaten record for the season by winning vet another match, this time against Training College. The score was 14-3. Training College’s points coming from a try by McConchie. This was the second match of the eleven played in which the St.' Patrick’s Old Boys’ line was crossed. Once again it was the backs that carried the dav for St. Patrick’s. The Hutt-Oriental match resulted tn a draw, S-all . Hutt’s failure- to win ' .has allowed St. Patrick’s Old Boys to.draw five points ahead on the ladder. ' The game was a peculiar one in- that all Oriental's points came from field goals, kicked by Ellice and Coxan.' Hutt, on; the other hand, secured Its points In tries, Nees scoring two and Todd converting one of them. On the'day’s play Hutt had thb better of it, and was perhaps a little unlucky in not’winning. Porirua scored a narrow win over Upper Hutt in a maltch played on Kelburn Park. Porirua's victory has enabled it to draw level with University and Training .College on the championship ladder. For Porirua Winiera scored a try and Rene kicked two, goals. Avery found the posts twice for Upper Hutt with good kicks. Wellington College Old Boys won against University by 17 points to 11, after a fairly 'even game. By half-time each side had secured a converted try, and the score rose gradually to 8-all, and 11-all. Then Old Boys scored two more tries, which gave them a comfortable lead for that stage of the game, and Varsity was unable to draw level again, ; Selwyn won 5-3 from Melrose in a hardfought, even game, and Johnsonville came out six points to the good In Its match with Onslow.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS Hutt Valley Beats Wairarapa The strong northerly wind made accurate passing very difficult In the match Hutt Valley High School against Wairarapa High School, played on the Hutt Valley High School ground. Hutt won by nine points to nil, ail scored In the first half. i In the first spell Hutt played with the wind. Superior passing among the Hutt backs,-, aided by bad tackling, uncertain handling of the ball, and a lack of combination on the other side, allowed the former team to gain Its points. Turner and Evans scored tries, and Craig kicked a penalty goal. •. . Hutt showed greatly improved form In the second spell, The team played with, more combination, and was sound in defence. Wairarapa, still uncertain in Its handling of the ball, was unable to gain ground with passing rushes, or to put the finishing touches to the solid work of Its forwards. LOWER GRADE RESULTS • Following are lower’grade results:— Junior. Miramar 3, Old Boys 3. Poneke 6, Wellington A 3. Berhampore 7, Johnsonville 3. Marist 18, Upper Hutt 0. University 17. Hutt 13. Technical 0.8. 25. Porirua 5. Third. Hutt : 9, Upper Hutt 0. . i Poneke 37, Onslow 0. Wellington A 12. St. Pat’s 0.8. 0. .Wellington B 20, Miramar B 0. Miramar A 21, Institute 3. Petone B 5, Miramar B 0. Old Boys 8. Marist 6. Selwyn 8. Berhampore 3. Athletic 11. Oriental 9. Intermediate. Wellington 12. St. Pat’s 0.8. 11. Hutt 19, Petone 6. Moera 8, Talta 0., Fourth. Oriental 14,-Marist 3; Old Boys A 0. Wellington A 3. . St. Pat’s 0.8. 6. Onslow 0. Miramar A 24. Old Boys B 0. Petone B 15. Miramar B 0. Hutt 31, Wellington C 0. Old Boys 12, Wellington A 3. Petone A 45. Wellington B 0. Filth. Miramar 17, Berhampore 0. Onslow 15, Karori 0. Hutt 51, Seatoun 9. There was some uncertainty as to what the final score actually was in-the HuttSeatoun match. Scorers for Hutt were:— Bell, six tries: McGrath, two tries-.'Winnie. Lowe, Claridge, Mclntyre, and Carter, one try each; Bell converted four tries and Winnie two. Sixth. Miramar 19, Selwyn 0. Melrose 30. Petone 0. Seventh. Kaiwarra 6. Hutt 5. Wellington 8, Onslow 9. Eastbourne 8. Selwyn 0. IN THE PROVINCES Hastings: 8, Hastings (leaders) 6; Hastings Old Boys 12, Marist 8; Nap let Old Boys 29, Tama-tea, 8: 'technical Old Boys 27, Celtic 0. . ... . Central Hawke's Bay.—beniors . Hlfen . School Old Boys 10, Ongaonga 9; lakapau 6, Waipukurau 5; Te Aute.College 6, Waipawa 3. Juniors: High School Old Boys 14, Tikokino 0; Te Ante College «>, WaiPl Wanganui: Kalerau 19, Pirates 0; Technical Old Boys 9, Old Boys 8; Katana 10, Marist 3. . tn. Wairarapa: Carterton 21, Gladstone 12, Old Boys 14, Masterton 3; Dalefleld 10, Red Star 6. IN OTHER CENTRES Auckland: University 10, Grammar 3; Marist 18, Pousonby 8; Manukau 0, Trainin** College 3; Technical Old Boys 9, College Rifles 6; Grafton 14, City 0. . Dunedin: Southern 3. Varsity A 0; Katkorai i). Alhambra 7; Zingari 9, Pirates o; Union 12, Dunedin 3; Taieri 5, Varsity B 0. Christchurch: Merlvale made sure of the Rugbv championship by defeating Christchurch by S points to 4. Other results are: 61,1 Boys 22, Athletic 3: Sydenham 6. Linwood 3; Albion 14, Varsity 9. ■ Taranaki: Celtic 14. Old Boys 3; Inglewood 0. Stratford 0; Star 5, Tukapa 3; Kaponga 20, Eitham 0; Patea 28, Walmatd 15; Opunake 7. Hawera 3; Okalawa 16, Athletic 6. WIN FOR MARLBOROUGH Tackling Spoils Nelson’s Efforts By Telegraph—Press Association. Blenheim, July 4. In a fast open game, not distinguished for Its brilliancy, but full of Interest Marlborough Rugby representatives de- , feated Nelson by 12 points to 6. The deadly ]

tackling of the home side, and the superiority of their forwards In the open play, completely nullified the efforts of the Nelson backs. For the winners tries were scored by Woolley and Botham, while Diack kicked two penalty goals. For Nelson, tries were scored by Watson and Boyce, • BARRY CUP ' Retained by Wairoa By Telegraph—Press Association.' Wairoa, July 4. Wairoa retained the Barry Cup in the first challenge match of the season, played here to-day uuder perfect conditions, defeating Poverty Bay by 14 points to 7. SECONDARY SCHOOL GAME St. Patrick’s v. New Plymouth By Telegraph—Press Association. Hawera, July 4. In the annual secondary schools game, St. Patrick's College, 6 points (two tries), defeated New Plymouth High School, 3 points. TAXI MEN AT PLAY Before a good attendance at Hutt Park yesterday afternoon. Green Cabs defeated Grey Cabs by 9 points to 3. thereby retaining the "Hot Dog” Challenge Cup, presented by Mr. J. Leunox. For Greens tries were scored by Messrs. Dawson, Marshall, and Nickless, while Thomas secured a try for Greys. The referee was Mr. A. Ward.

TRIAL MATCH . North v. South The following are the Manawatu North and South teams for the return match at Feilding next Wednesday : — North. Full-back, S. Bramwell (F. 0.8. threequarters, L. Moffatt (T.G.), W. Gimblett (T.K.), N. Bramwell (F. 0.8. five-eighths, T. Scott (T.K.), J. Dewe (F. 0.8. half, Fuller (T.K.); forwards, C. Hight (F.), J. Martin (O.), G. Millard (T.K.); K. Fitzgerald (F.), A. Hodge (O.), 5. Amadio (F. 0.8. Emergencies: M. Moffatt Q’.K.), F. Elliott (F.), K. Shapleskl (F. 0.8. L. Beard (T.K.), Brock (F.), McAsey ,(F.). South. Full-back, Fearnley (U.), wit? threequarters, Griffen (K.T.), Strane,. (K.T.); centre, first spell, Fletcher (0.11), secon-1 spell, Tremowan (O.B.); five-eighths, Kobb (U.), C. Le Quesne (M.C.); half-back, Metcalfe (M.C.); wing-forward, J. Le Quesne (M.C.); hookers, Henry (O.B.), Nesbit (U.); lock, Yendell (U.); suppoits, Findlay (K.T.), McKenzie (K.T.); hack row, Williams (K.T.), Cossill (M.C.). Emergencies.—Forwards. Dalzell (U.), Youle (O.B.); back, Bradley (0.8,)..