CLUB RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 256, 26 July 1937, Page 2

CLUB RUGBY

Second Division Matches ST. PATRICK'S OLD BOYS MOW IN THE LEAD ’ In the second division championship, tlie defeat of i’etone by Wellington. 5-3. leaves St. Patrick's Old Boys one point ahead of the latter team by virtue of a win over Oriental. 12-8. i'oneke beat Pirates, and Athletic beat Miramar, a close game in each case ending 5-3. I’oiuts in the second division are now as follows: Sr. Patrick'* College Old Boys ](•), Wellington 15, I’etone 1-1, Poneke 13, Athletic It), Oriental 8, Miramar G, Pi rates G. St. Patrick’s Old Boys Retain the Lead St. Patrick’* took the advantage of the wind in the first half of their game | with Oriental at Kilbiruie, and remained on attack for the major part of the game. The rearguard showed up in some smart passing rushes, only determined tackling by 11. Davie* and Murdoch preventing tries. P. O’Connor was the mainstay of the St. Patrick * backs, while the forwards were ably led by Todd. Kilkelly, who scored the first try at the end of a good passing rush from halfway, was also impressive. The full-back, feteveiison, w*is rather slow on occasions. A player who showed more than average ability was Geary, first five-eighth, but he appears to lack experience. Xhe part of an uninspiring game was the defensive work on both sides. The Oriental attack was better with the wind in the second half; Wilkinson . and Bartlett among the backs performing -well in the open. Of the forwards, Humpliersou and Kemp toiled hard throughout The teams were: — St. Patrick’s: Stevenson; Toohill, vile, McCashie; P. O'Connor, Geary; Roache; C O'Connor, Thurston, Kilkelly. Robinson, Bowler, Todd, Hogan, Smith. Oriental: Murdoch; Brien, H. Davies, Bartlett; N. Davies, Wilkinson: Hale; Sinclair, Edwards, Leary, Renof, Kemp, Holmes, Huinpherson, Searle. Petone Run Wellington Close Hard rucking play in thick mud characterised the match at the Petone Recreation Ground between Wellington and intone, which was won by AV ellingtou u-3. Wellington’s score came half-way through the first spell when Dixon neatly intercepted a pass and broke away to run from half-way unopposed and score under the posts for Compton to convert. Until almost full time Petone had failed to open their account, but just before the whistle sounded Dugan battled his way over from the ruck. . , ~ The ground was in a heavily soddene condition, and a strong and variable crosswind made punting unreliable. The ball was treacherous to handle, and consequently- it was essentially’ a game for the forwards ; also it was a game in which luck played no small part. There was mostly solid rucking play, with the advantage fairly equally distributed. In spite ,of the conditions, however, both sets of backs endeavoured to open out at times, and they managed to gain a good deal of ground. .... Neither team had much territorial advantage in the first spell. The second saw both teams playing a hard game, and the honours remained even until the latter stages when Petone, who were improving as the game progressed, kept Wellington defending hard. The teams were: — Wellington' R. T. Morgan; H. A. Edie, M. A. Dixon, E. F. Ullrich; P. J. Kane, IT. E. Compton ; A. K. Richardson; J L. Cragg, J. 11. Bracken. R. J. Dimes. A’. E. Bell, R. A. Dalton, J. M. McDonald. C. I. Carlyon, H. E. Taylor. Petone: M. Symonds; P. Dugan, T. Tullock, J. Jones; W. Archer, N. Edwards; J. Greenstreet; O. Burd, A. Anderson, B. Smith, D. Simmonds, R. Roberts, C. Griffin, 11. White, A. Ashton. Poneke and Pirates in Close Game Poneke and Pirates provided an interesting exhibition of Rugby at Wakefield I’ark, the issue being in doubt until the final whistle. A notable absentee from the Pirates team.was B. Love, the brilliant second five-eighth who figured in the All Black trials. From the kick off the game developed into a hard forward struggle, interspersed with some bright movements by both sets of backs. Pirates’ forwards gave a good exhibition against the heavier Poneke pack and on several occasions broke away with the ball at toe. The heavy nature of the ground slowed up some good runs by the backs. The Pirates rearguard especially was handling the greasy ball well. Wyness at full-back for Pirates, until he went off with an injury late in the second spell, gave an excellent display of clean handling and accurate line kicking. The only score in the first spell was a penalty goal to Pirates, Poneke getting a converted try halfway through the second. The teams were :— Pirates: Wyness; Sherwood, Drury, Ogg; Baillie, Maisey: Wilson; Tichbon, Still, Donnelly, Jenner, Burkett, Kofoed, Mcßae. Miller. Poneke: Roberts: Kidd, McKenzie, Calcinai; Ilatchard. Namen; Bracefield; Arnott, Rastall, Sealy, Hoben, McLaughlin, McNeill, Bognuda, Cheeseman. Miramar and Athletic Each Two Men Short Two players were absent from each team when Miramar and Athletic played at Miramar, and this was probably the reason the game lacked the speed that usually characterises Miramar’s play. The Mirnmar side, too, lacked weight in the scrum and did not often obtain the ball. Smith, the full-back, and a newcomer to second division football, proved his worth in Saturday's match, his sure tackling and fine line-kicking being invaluable to his side. Athletic’s game was very sound in spite of the handicap they were under. Their back line was quick to swing into action and, their scrummaging being better than that of their opponents, the backs were given plenty of opportunities. The teams were: — Miramar: I. Smith; J. Alders, A. Taylor, A. Baird; J. Greenall, P. I’hilipson; C. Barrett; C. Clark, A. Horsfiill, W. Grint, J. Hull, H. Elsworthy, D. McLennan. Athletic: J. Buddy; I. J. Smith, V. Lynskey, G. Diacke; L. Seott, G. Mantlew; W. Littler; T. Troy, A. Pope, D. Glengarry, A. Badland, F. Kerrigan, 11. Pelham. SEDDON SHIELD West Coast Beat Marlborough By Telegraph—Press Association. Blenheim. July 24. Winning the majority of the serums in the second spell and thereby countering Marlborough's first spell superiority iu that respect, West Coast won the Seddon Shield from Marlborough, 15-8. It was one of the sternest games iu the long history of the competition for the trophy, the football always maintaining a high standard, especially in the forward department, where the heavier invaders pressed home their advantage iu a torrid struggle. Conditions were ideal after light rain. R. King led the big Coast pack in all the solid work, soundly backed by A. King and Stewart. Behind the scrum Davidson. Hendry and Gilbert were most conspicuous. Gilbert's goal-kicking, though faulty in several instances, was really responsible for the side’s win. He kick- I ed a field goal just after the start and I

clinched victory at the bell with a penalty goal, thus accounting for the difference in points. He also converted a try by Davidson. Stewart scored the other Coast try. Marlborough also registered two tries scored by Kotua aud Macdonald, Kane voiiverting one. Ili|)|‘>olite, Macdonald. Wilson and -M. Woolley were the best of the Marlborough forwards and Kotua, Lane aud O'Rourke were outstanding backs.