PONEKE DOWN AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 219, 12 June 1933, Page 11

PONEKE DOWN AGAIN

Wellington Improved OLD BOYS IN THE LEAD Bright Senior Rugby Games FIRST ROUND COMPLETED The first round of the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior competition was concluded on Saturday in perfect weather. In view of the new scheme now governing the competition promotions from senior B to second division senior A and from the latter grade to first division will be made this week. The outstanding event of Saturday’s play was Vt elJington’s defeat of Poneke by five to nil in a bright game at Athletic Park. Oriental, joint leaders, in the second division, suffered their first defeat of the season, going down to Johnsonville in a very closely contested game. Wellington’s win was probably more surprising to Poneke than it was to the victors, who were quietly confident that their improving pack would give full scope to their backs. rhe first spell, in which the only points of the game were scored, was wholly in favour of Wellington, who gave a bright exhibition of open football. The Poneke forwards played a much better game in the second spell, 1 which Kilby endeavoured to tighten play up as much as possible as Page was rendered almost incapable through an arm iniury. Poneke backs were always threatening, but failed to overthrow Wellington’s good defence. College Old Boys retained their lead In the competition by defeating Athletic 11-8 in a rather dull game at i\ewtown Park. Old Boys led 3-0 at halftime, but were all out to hold off a stern forward assault from Athletic in the closing stages. Weakness tn the backs cost Athletic a good chance of beating the leaders. With the aid of two potted goals and a penalty Eastbourne defeated Petone at Petone by 1 6 to 12. The visitors led 7-3 at half-time, and midway through the second spell Petone drew to within two points of their opponents, but a converted try by Eastbourne put the issue beyond doubt.. Marist did not maintain their winning form when they met Hutt .nt Lower. Hutt. The home team, playing the open passing game, were always on top with a comfortable margin of points in their favour, winning by 17 to 9. Marist’s score comprised three penalty goals by Hepburn. RESULTS AT A GLANCE FIRST DIVISION. Wellington .. 5 Poneke 0 Well. Col. 0.8. 11 Athletic .... » Eastbourne .. 16 Petone 12 Hutt 17 Marist ..... J SECOND DIVISION. University .. 26 Melrose-Selwyn 9 Johnsonville .11 Oriental ... < St. Pat’s 0.8. 11 Berhampore .. 4 Upper Hutt . 13 Miramar .... b v ■ — BRIGHT BACK PLAY Kilby’s Cleverness Holds Wellington Together Wellington were allowed ail manner of liberties by the Poneke forwards in the first spell of their match at Athletic lain particularly in the line-outs, wheie they reached a very high staudaid. Better line-out. work has not been seen °n the Park for years, and from it the Welbn„ ton backs made much entertaining play. The opening spell was all m favour of Wellington, who launched rush attei lush wich carried them deep into loneke territory, but an inclination by all the backs to pass too soon before they had properly drawn their men deprived them of several good scoring opportunties. On one occasion early in the game Page made a open'ng from which he could liav ?A, c °mA himself, but was supported on the left flank by three unmarked men, and m Wellington’s effort to make very about the try, the last man to handle the ball dropped it. Poneke were only twice in the Wellington 25 in this spell, and on neither occasion did they look like scoi ing tries, though Neal went very close to coaling with two of several penalty kicks. The second spell was almost as wholly iu favour of Poneke as the first was m favour of Wellington. Poneke forwards who had no doubt received some pointed advice from their coach, began to dominate the game, and their backs moved off m line so often that it seemed merely a matter of time before they would get over. However, Wellington answered every demand in the matter of defence, and preserved their unbroken line, this being the first time this season that Poneke have failed to score. Wellington were very unfortunate that Page received a severe injury to his elbow in the first spell, and in the second was of very little use to the side in an attacking capacity, while his defence also was impaired. Consequently Kilby wisely endeavoured to play an individual game behind the scrum, and tightened up the pJay on every pSle occasion. Wellington withstood many hot assaults on their line, and m the closing stages managed to work Poneke back into neutral territory, where tau game ended. . Both teams A n splendid passing movements by the backs, the game being one of the brightest of the eeadon. The teams were Poneke: Barrett; Ball, Chesterman, Payne; Griffiths. Neal; Julian; Dickson, Crichton, Ross, Mclvor,. McPherson. Stone, : Creswell; Pryde, . D L a S ! l’ I tt Qmith• Blvth, Page? Kilby: Rathgen, McLean, Fell, Thornton, Howatsoa, Bobeon. Kingston, R. S. Smith. Poneke had the sun behind them, but the wind in their faces in the first spell. Wellington began at a great pace, and often ten minutes of persistent attacking Kilby opened up the movement, whicn Page carried on only to see Smith on the wing knock-on the ball when he was practically over the line. Any one ot four men could have scored, but Poneke luckily escaped. Splendid work by the Wellington inside backs saw Thornton and Pryde both within an ace of scoring, but no points were earned until 28 minutes had elapsed, when Kilby secured from n scrum, and scored by the posts while poneke were anticipating attack. Diack goaled. A brilliant break bv Chesterman put Poneke on the attack for the first time in the game, but Diacic Hived the situation for Wellington. Full-backs and centres on both sides, changed places during the second spell. Jt was not long before Poneke commenced to win the bail from scrums and lineouts, and Julian sent hisi backs away regularly. Page was penalised for obstruction, but Neal’s goal hick was useless through a man getting in front. A fine run by Barrett, carried on by the Ponese backs, looked hopeful till Neal dropped a pasls when Wellington were all out of position. Wellington temporarily took up the attack and Kilby and Thornton a mos. drew blood. A magnificent run by ail the Poneke backs ended with Chesterman kicking a little too hard, and Kilby, who raced in to save, was lucky to escape a penalty for obstruction. The Poneke backs were going so well that a try seemed inevitable, Jul'an and Ball both being floored right on the line in quick succe.* .ion. Wellington, however, withstood •very challenge, and were themselves launching an attack in the closing few minutes. Jlr. D. Paris was referee.

LEADERS’ NARROW WIN Athletic Backs Fail to Grasp Chances Slightly shading their opponents in speed and cohesion, Wellington College Old Bovs defeated Athletic by 11 points to 8. The game, which was played at Newtown Park, was more or less colourless, although there were several sparkling individual efforts. In the closing stages Athletic forwards played a dominant part, and had their backs been able to combine, particularly in the fiveeighths, it would probably have altered the result of the game

Wellington College Old Boys: Masters-, Hollis, Dustin, A. Wright; Baldwin, Atkins; B. S. Sadler; Lamason, Bydder, J. Reynolds. J. Reynolds. Blakeley, Darroch. Meadows, N. Grenfell. , „ Athletic: Scotland; A. Campbell, Upchurch, Prichard; Hazelwood, Bnglts.i; Tindill; J. Campbell, Mollier, Watson, Jolly, Boyd. Lamberg, Gustofsen, Logan. Athletic forwards played a good bustling game and were always up with the ball, with the result that their opponents lapsed into frequent mistakes. Masters s handling was very unsafe and several times he nearly let his team into serious trouble. His kicking, however, was accurate and well-judged. The first score came about five minutes before half-time, when Atkins touched down after several of the backs had handled. There was no conversion. . . . . j The second spell was characterised mainly by eagerness on the part of Athletic forwards and by bad handling by Old Boys’ backs. Tindill defended particularly well and grasped every opportunity that came his way. Play Kenerally was ragged and toward the end Old Boys were' very careless and showed a marked desire for the game to finish. Early in the spell Masters kicked a penalty from well out near half-way. Old Boys’ last trv was the result of a splendid run by Hollis, who went over at the corner after receiving from Bydder. Masters converted with a brilliant kick. Athletic forwards were going great guns in the last quarter of an hour’s play and scored from a melee on the line, the scorer being F. Adam, who had replaced Boyd, who was injured. Hazelwood converted. Shortly before time was called Hazelwood kicked a penalty, and the game ended: Old Boys 11, Athletic 8. Mr. D. Calcinai was referee. ALWAYS ON TOP Hutt Backs Too Clever for Marist Bright football, with plenty of incident, was seen at Hutt Recreation Ground when Hutt defeated Marist after a hard and interesting game by 17 points to 0. Hutt backs, with accurate passing and plenty of speed, were responsible for much of their team’s success. The forwards of both sides were.fairly evenly matched. Spencer, the Hutt half, played a fine game, and kept his backs well supplied with the ball, Feeney,, Nees and Ball responding splendidly at times. Hutt: Lilburne: Nees. Killeen. E. Ball. Stevenson, Feeney: Spencer; Foster, Coulston. Bradley. Peek Hooker Saulbrey, Dalton. Wilson ... Marist: Hepburn; L. McGrcevy. E. McGreevy. Eville: Robins. Langdon; Frost; Keegan, Getaway, Gill. Blatch, Buller, McHardy. George, Stiver. ■ The first blood was drawn not long after the kick-off, when Feeney whipped up the ball and dashed over to secure an unconverted try. Within a minute Marist had also secured three points when Hepburn kicked a penalty. After a little indifferent play, Hutt broke away nicely in a passing movement started by Killeen, hut Peck spoiled any chance of a score by a forward pass. Hutt kept on battling away, and a score came when Ball'made a brilliant run down the line, dodging the opposing winger, MeGreevy, | cleverly, passing in-field to Killeen, who scored between the posts. Nees missed, an easy kick. From a scrum the ball was kicked into Feeney's hands at midfield. He shot it across to Nees, who ran right down the line to .score iu the corner. Lilburne converted from a difficult position. Half-time sounded a little later with the score: Hutt 11, Marist 3. Shortly after resuming, Nees broke away well, but after a fine run along the line was pushed out by Hepburn. From the line-out the ball shot across the field to Ball, the Hutt winger, who scored a pretty try which was not converted. Hutt continued with the attack, and a furious struggle ensued in Marist’s twenty-five. From a scrum in front of the posts, Spencer sent the ball to 11U backs, Feeney snapping up the leather to dummy his way neatly over the lino. The closing stages did not provide much interest. and Marist managed to prevent Hutt from scoring again. Marist added six further points to their score with two penalty goals, kicked by Hepburn. Mr. J. A. Wilson was referee. HANDY FIELD GOALS Eastbourne beat Petone in Fast Game Back play with plenty of bright passing movements gave the spectators all the excitement they wanted when Eastbourne defeated Petone by lb points to 12 at the Petone Recreation Ground. Petone had the advantage of scoring three times to Eastbourne’s once, although the Bay team made up the leeway with potted goals. Eastbourne.— Dingle; Molesworth, Foley. Fuller; Plank, Fleming; Coman; J. Dellabarea. Butterworth, Robertson, Spence, Sleep. Gibbons. N. Dellabarca, Lamb. Petone— Whitley; May, Peterson, Huxtable; McGurk. J. Lambourne; O’Halloran; Seiwood, Lambourne. Sundgren, Martin, Reid, Beban, Carr, Whittington. Petone kicked off into the sun, and, a pass was intercepted by Fuller, who gained about 40 yards before being collared by Whitley not far from the line. Petone cleared, and a penalty at half-way gave Fuller a kick, which went wide. Combined back play which gradually merged into a forward rush brought Petone to the opposition line, where May picked up and dived over. Seiwood’s kick hit the cross-bar and bounced back. Eastbourne lost a certain try when Plank Cut in and passed to Foley, who travelled up the field but was unable to do anything through lack of support. Petone forwards now broke through, headed by Carr anil Huxtable gathered in but was grounded and injured. Valk replaced him. Faulty handling by Dingle put play in a dangerous position for the visitors, but they cleared to the other end, where a penalty allowed Fuller to even the points. Fuller broke away, but again lack of support spoiled the movement. Eastbourne continued the attack, and Dingle fielded the ball and potted a goal. Half-time sounded with the score: Eastbourne 7, Petone 3.

Petone were soon hammering at the Eastbourne line, but Molesworth, with a . snappy run, reversed the position. A penalty kick to Petone fell into Coman s hands, and he drop-kicked a goal. Petone were not slow in replying, and gained a penalty in a handy position, from which Seiwood kicked a goal. Immediately after play resumed a fast passing movement among the Petone hacks and forwards sent Whittington over for a try, winch Seiwood failed to convert. Open play under the Petone goal gave the home team an anxious time, but the ball travelled over the dead line. Petone took a turn at attacking, and Whitley attempted a pot, but the ball failed to rise. A bright movement in which Carr and Lambourne were prominent nearly sent Intone over, but Fuller replied by crossing the Petone line, only to lose possession. From play on the Petone line J. Dellaharca intercepted a pass and kicked through, and Molesworth, who was following tin fast, picked up and scored under the posts. Fuller converted. Petone made n desperate attempt to recover, and Reid gathered in and dived over. M hitley’s kick went astray. i Mr. A. De Clifton was the referee.

ST. PAT’S TOO GOOD Berhampore’s Spoiling Tactics Kept Score Down At Wakefield Park St. Pat’s College Old Boys defeated Berhampore by 11 points to 4, after a fast game. St. Pat’s were generally superior. Berhampore forwards pursued spoiling tactics with commendable consistency, particularly in the second spell. 1' roin most scrums the ball was hooked cleanly to Hart, who set the St. Pats backs going. Many of these passing rushes, however, did not succeed, owing to the wingers being consistently crowded on the side lines, thus falling easy prey to the solid tackling of their opponents. Berhampoies passing was erratic, and their handling of the ball was inferior to St. rats. J. McCarthy, a forward, and perhaps the best player on the ground, scored the first try for St. Pat’s. A quick sensing of the position and a burst ot speed that would have done credit to a fast back, enabled him to shoot straight through the centre of the defence to score near the posts. McGuinness converted. St. Pat s were definitely on top, and it was only the desperate defence of the Berhampore team as a whole that kept the line intact But desperate defences often mean breaches of the rules, and from a penalty McGuinness goaled. In the second spell Berhampore forwards resolved to keep the game to themselves. For long periods they swarmed all over St. Pat’s, and were unfortunate not to score. They upset St. Pat s passing bv bustling tastics. ! rom one such assault McFarland intercepted and ran nearlv the length of the field. But he was not fast enough. A few moments later he again secured possession and went over near the corner, with two Berhampore plavers hanging to him. One disputed the referee’s decision, and was ordered off. The other accompanied him, apparently as a vote of sympathy. From then to the end the honours were with Berhampore. and Jackman potted a goal. Berhampore maintained the hot pressure, but were unable to add to their total. Mr. H. Pilcher was referee. GREENBANK’S DAY Takes Major Part in Upper Hutt’s Win Splendid pfay by Greenbank was largely responsible for Upper xJ alt’s defeat oi Miramar at Kelburn Park, lhe Miramar torwarus gave the victors many anxious moments, and there was good individual work by the Miramar backs, but smart aceptance of opportunities when in good positions gave Upper Hutt sufficient points to win by 13 to 6. Wellington combined nicely with Greenbank throughout the game, and this pair were responsible for Upper Hutts first score, the former putting his side m an attacking position, and from a scrum Greenbank gathered the ball and scored. Avery goaled, . Miramar’s reply was a well-placed kick by Thomson, which found a "-ap, and Bramwell snapped the ball un, passed along to Johnson, who scored. The kick failed. Wyeth narrowly missed scoring for Upper Hutt, but Avery compensated for this bad luck a few moments later by goali'ng from a penalty, the half-time score being S-3 in Upper Hutt’s favour. . A dazzling run by Thomson resulted-m a splendid try for Miramar, bringing them to within two points of their opponente, but the übiquitous Greenbank again figured in the picture when he followed closely on the heels of a forward rush and gathered up the .ball when in a good position to dive across for another try, which Avptv converted. Mr. H. Anslow was referee. A COMFORTABLE WIN University Score Well Against Melrose University had little difficulty in beating Melrose-Selwyn at Prince of Wales Park. The game was a ragged one, with, occasional flashes of bright play. Soon after the start, University were penalised for offside play, and Hedges kicked the goal. Melrose-Selwyn were penalised while defending against a University forward attack, Ruru squaring the scores from a difficult position. Melrose-Selwyn took the aggressive, and beating the University backs, allowed Hunter to score. The kick failed. The University backs then attempted to get going, but without success, until a movement let Dickinson over in the corner. Cormack missed with the kick. Melrose-Selwyn had the students defending for some time, and eventually Cole scored an unconverted try, the first spell ending Melrose-Selwyn 9, University 6. . In the second session the. University forwards carried play well into opposition territory, and Feltham scored, Ruru converting. From then on University bad the better of the game, although MelroseSelwyn were handicapped for a time by the loss of two injured players. Feltham scored his second try soon afterward. Ruru, who had been playing a splendid game, then passed on to Feltham. who crossed the line again. He went down the sideline again soon afterward, passing infield to Diederich. who sent Reid across for another try. Before the final whistle blew Dixon and Diederich each scored tries. Mr. J. S. King was referee.

Results of lower grade Rugby games played in Wellington on Saturday will be found on Page 6.

WALLABIES BEATEN Combined Team Wins Hard But Dull Game VISITORS WORN DOWN lßy Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received June 11, 6.30 p.m.). Johannesburg. June 19. A Johannesburg Reef and Country fifteen defeated the Wallabies by 13 points to 6. , The weather was bright and cold, ana there were 20,000 present. The "Wallabies exploited their tactics of previous matches. Play was hard, gruelling and not spectacular. The home team wore down the anabies in the concluding stages. The touiists launched several attacks in an etfort to save the game, but mishandling at critical moments ruined their chances. RESULTS OF THE TOUR. v. Natal —Won 14-3. v. Western Transvaal, won 20-3. v. Combine Country Team, lost 6-13. PROMOTION OF TEAMS Wellington Union to Decide FIRST ROUND COMPLETED Under its new system of grading of senior teams providing for promotions to higher divisions nt the couclusion of the first round the Wellington Rugby Union s management committee. at its weekly meeting to-morrow evening will decide in those cases where clear-cut leads have not been established which teams are entitled to promotion. The first round of the senior competition was completed bn Saturday. In the second division of the senior A grade. St. Patrick’s College Old Boys hold a definite lead with 12 points, and thus earn promotion to the first division. Oriental, who had not lost n game prior to Saturday, were unexpectedly beaten b.v Johnsonville, with the result that these two teams and University are equal second to St. Patrick’s with 10 pointe. The Rugby Union will have to decide which of the trio is to go up to the first division along with St. Patrick’s. The chances of Oriental must be regarded as bright iu view of their record. The new scheme also provides that four of the senior B teams shall he promoted to the second division of the senior A competition. Including last Saturday s results. Poneke lead in this competition with 11 points, the next on the list being Petone and Onslow, with 10, and Wellington and Hutt with nine each. Poneke. Petone. and Ouslow are each assured of promotion, and Wellington’s elevation is subject to the endorsement of the management committee. This rearrangement will leave ten teams in each division of the senior A grade and eight teams iu the senior B. THEIR FIRST DEFEAT Oriental Go Down to Johnsonville Johnsonville have shown before that they have greater confidence when playing on their home ground than elsewhere. This was demonstrated against. Oriental on Saturday, when Johnsonville made a fine recovery after being well behind early in the game, coming out victors by 11 points to 7. Both teams played fast and often brilliantly. It was Oriental's first defeat this season in the second division. Oriental’s wing three-quarter, Baldwin, scored the first try when he followed up on a high kick and fell on the ball in the corner. After extremely hard play Ruru received from a line-out and potted a goal, putting Oriental seven pointe to the good. After an attack by Johnsonville, Chaney ran solo for 25 yards, reaching the line with the use of his tricky swerve. The half-time score remained nt 7 points to 3. Oriental were hard pressed after the resumption, and Chaney scored a try for Johnsonville. Turner’s conversion put Johnsonville one point ahead. Oriental were continually working into dangerouslooking positions, but Johnsonville kept their measure. The last try was by Mason, who finished a brilliant back movement with n great run. Mr. J. Moffitt was referee. IN OTHER CENTRES By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland: Otahuhu (11) beat Manukau (8);; Ponsonby (23) beat Training College (12) ; Varsity (11) beat Grafton (3) ; Grammar (21) beat Technical Old Bovs (12) ; Marist (14) beat College Rifles (9). New Plymouth: Stratford (9) beat Clifton (nil); Old Boys (41) beat Inglewood (11) ; Tukapa (15) beat Celtic (5) ; Okaiawa (9) beat Kaponga (nil) ; Waimate (15) heat Eltham (5); Empire Old Boys (8) beat Hawera (ml); Patea (17) drew with Opunake (17). Wanganui: Kaierau (13) beat Pirates (3); Technical Old Boys (.12) beat Wanganui (4); Marist (14) beat Katana Wairarapa: Greytown (10) beat Red Stars (9) ; Carterton (24) beat Martinborough (S) ; Dalefield (IS) beat Gladstone (11) ; Featherston (11) beat Old Boys (3). Christchurch: Sydenham (19) beat Albion (9) ; Old Boys (19) beat Merivale (11); Varsity (24) bent Linwood (12) ; Christchurch (19) beat Athletic Dunedin: Southern (0) drew with Taieti (0) ; Varsity A (40) beat Zingari (3) ; Pirates (29) beat Dunedin (4) ; Kaikorai (34) beat Varsity B (12) : Union (11) beat Alhambra (8).

SIDELIGHTS FROM THE SIDELINE Play and Players KILEY’S SKILL STOOD TO WELLINGTON Hutt Backs Go Well Championship points iu the senior A competition at the conclusion of the first round are as follow :—First Division : College Old Boys, 12; Poneke, 8; Hutt, 8; Eastbourne, 8; Welliugtou, 6; Petone, 6; Marist, 4; Athletic, 4. Second Division: St. Patrick’s Old Boys, 12; Oriental, 10; University, 10; Johnsonville, 10; Miramar, 5; Upper Hutt, 5; MelroseSelwyn, 2; Berhampore, 2. ; » > « How a team can lose points by endeavouring to make too certain of them was demonstrated early in the Wellington--I’oneke game. Page broke through and probably could have scored himself, but as he had Blyth, Diack and Smith in support, and only one man to beat, he.sent the ball along. Blyth and Diack did . the same, and Smith, actually with one foot on the goal-line, and 2unmarked. dropped the ball. Any one of the last three could have scored without difficulty.

Kilby’s try, the only score in the.match, was due to a piece of quick thinking. . A scrum was taken near the Poneke line, and Page moved across in preparation for a blind-side movement. Poneke expected the attack to be delivered on the narrow side, and seemed rather surprised when Kilby, winning the ball from the scrum, shot up the open side and scored by the goal posts.

Page received a very bad knock on an elbow shortly before the interval, and would have only been doing bimse.f justice had he left the field. .Up till that stage he had been playing brilliantly. In the second spell Kilby hardly called on Page at all—a wise policy under the circumstances—and endeavoured to tighten up the game by continual use of the touchline.

Some of the brightest back play of the season was witnessed in the Poneke-Wel-lington match. Frequently .the. bail travelled through the whole chain till the wingers were brought into play, and .almost every movement saw the attacking side floored like ninepins. It was sparkling attack and rugged defence on both sides of the dividing line.

The passive attitude of the Poneke forwards in the first spell was difficult to understand. They allowed the Wellington forwards to get away with the ball from almost every scrum and . lineout without offering anything like solid opposition. Their play in the second spell showed a marked improvement; in fact they had as much the better of the play as Wellington had in the first session.

' Robson and Thornton were two outstanding forwards for Wellington, and McLean played much more in the tight than he usually does. *

Athletic forwards were right, on their game, and played like one man in the last fifteen minutes of their match against Wellington College Old Boys at Newtown Park. B.v adopting bustling tactics they caused Old Boys’ backs to lapse into faulty handling.

* * * Sadler, Atkins, and Dustin were the best of Old Boys’ backs, with Meadows, Lamason. and Bydder shining in the loose. Baldwin was not up to form.

Nees, Hutt wing three-quarter, played an exceptionally fine game against Marist. At times he showed some remarkable bursts of speed, and made at least three dashing runs up the line half the length of the field.

Hutt backs were in tine fettle. The three-quarter line, Nees, Killeen, and Ball,' developed as the game progressed into a deadly scoring unit.. Feeney was in good form, and scored a tine try in the second spell.

* » * J. McCarthy (St. Patrick’s Old Boys) is like the willing horse —he goes all the way. Against Berhampore he got through two men’s work. Not only was he exceptionally fast for a forward, but he used his weight to great advantage, and never flinched the heavy stuff. The try he got was one of those which stamps the man as an enterprising player above the average.

Larsen (Berhampore) showed he possessed pace, and was excellent on defence, but he was not given very much chance. St. Patrick’s paid him the compliment of watching him very closely.

McCauley (Berhampore) was not as quick behind the scrum as Hart (St. Patrick’s), as the ball was hooked more cleanly by St. Patrick’s. Berhampore pack was slower to break up and swarm on to Hart when the opposition had hooked the ball.

Leonard, a promoted junior' player, who played full-back for Berhampore, tackled griiply all day. St. Patrick’s gave him plenty of work, but his defence stood almost every test. His ground fielding was a little uncertain.

Oriental’s contre-threequarter, Ruru, made almost all the openings for his side in their successful first half against Johnsonville. Later he did not get very much of the ball. If it had been otherwise there would probably havebeen a difference in the final result.

In Johnsonville’s keen and efficient back lint? Mason, on the right wing, always shone. The last try, when victory over Orental was definitely clinched, was the result of fast thinking by Masion. who gave the effect of a spirited adagio dance in the centre of a groping circle of arms on the Oriental line. He had to beat about five men at the same time to get through.