SENIOR RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 284, 26 August 1940, Page 3

SENIOR RUGBY

1940 Honours To Athletic KEEN FINAL Two Teams Level For Hardham Cup Athletic carried off the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior championship for 1940 by beating Wellington on Saturday by 12 points to seven. r lhe winners were the superior team on the day. Conditions were ideal and there was an ■'attendance of between 8000 and 9000 at Athletic Park. Senior championship results were: Athletic 12, Wellington 7. Petone 16, Poneke 3. Johnsonville 13, Eastbourne 6. The Hardham Cup competition is still in a most interesting stage. With one more series of games to be played St. Patrick's College Old Boys and Marist Bros. Old Boys are level. Saturday's results were: St. Pat.’S Coll. 0.8. 17, College Old Boys 8. Marist Bros. 0.8. 14, Oriental u. Hutt 15, University 13. Senior Championship. .

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

Athletic’s Fine Team Work

Giving one of their best displays ot the reason, in which constant backing-up was a feature of their play, Athletic wyn the senior championship by beating Wellington 12-7 iu the principal match at Athletic Park. While the scores indicate a close contest Athletic could definitely be said to have shaded their opponents in most departments of Rugby. In particular did this apply to ball possession. Packing a more powerful and more efficient scrum, as well as having a shade the belter of the lineouts and rucks, Athletic were largely able to dictate •the ruu of the play, aud had Thurston at centre not beeu off colour, it is probable that the backs would have been more successful considering the number of times they were set in action by O’Halloran, who gave a really fine display aud played a big part in his side's victory. . Wellington were compelled to make the most of limited opportunities and their backs showed plenty of enterprise. Ou defence they were most resolute. The first spell was one of the most exciting seen at Athletic Park this season. Wellington registered the first points when an Athletic passing rush broke down at Thurston and Sherratt cleverly scooped up a rolling ball to run half the length of the field and score. The kick missed. Athletic retaliated with a strong raid into the Wellington twenty-five and from a scrum O'Halloran secured and potted a goal. Potting became a craze at this stage, Stevens and Robbie attempting field goals which fell short. Finally Morton cut in during a Wellington passing rush and potted a goal. Athletic had .the better of the remainder of the spell due to the manner in which the forwards controlled the ball and from a scrum O’Halloran made a deep thrust, passing ’to Stott, who re-verse-passed tp Cross, who scored under the posts, Thomas converting to give Athletic a 0-7 lead at half-time. The fast pace of the first spell had its effect in the second, which only on occasions rose to brilliant heights. Athletic increased their lead from a passing rush in which a well-placed punt by Thomas had Hall, the Wellington fullback, in trouble, and Ingpeu was handy when the ball came loose to secure and score. A great Wellington movement threatened danger, but Sherratt miskicked when attempting to punt over Rice’s head, the ball going into touch. Athletic had the better of the remainder of the spell, a pot by O’Halloran missing narrowly. The teams were: Athletic: H. F. Rice; A.. Badland, J. Thurston, L, Pearson; M. Thomas, G. Stott; C. O’Halloran; M. Cooper, F. Mollier, M. lugpen; J. Gunn (captain), L. Bisho]), J. Carrodus, I. Taylor; E. Cross. Wellington: J. Hall; J. Crawley, K. Robbie. J. Sherratt; J. Morton, It. Veitch (captain) ; 11. Egdell; R. Illingworth, 11, Kirschberg, 1). Stevens; W. McLean, L, Dalton, 0. Balfour, J. Coupland; V. Cave. lieferce: Mr. 11. Simmonds. Poneke Outclassed Petone had no difficulty in beating Poneke, 16-3, at the Petone Recreation Ground. Unlike previous clashes between these two rivals, the game was almost entirely devoid of colour. Neither side played good football. Petone, on the day’s showing had the better team, and worked with more combination between backs and forwards. Petone's forwards displayed plenty of dash in the first few minutes of play, and the backs were quick to seize the opportunity offered, Mallett scoring in a corner within five minutes of the start. With an advantage of three points in their favour, Petone launched a series of attacks which would have been successful bad it not been for the sound play of the Poneke full-back, Allen, who later retired because of an injury. Poneke showed improvement after the change-over, but the backs were still weak and failed to make any impression. Their efforts appeared to be half-hearted, and before the second spell had progressed 10 minutes Petone had accumulated more points. From then onward there was no doubt as to which side would win the game. Petone attacked vigorously and their defence was rarely in danger. Ryan, at full-back for Petone, was quick on his feet and very sound. His movements were well executed and be rarely muddled with the ball Perritt, secoml five-eighths for Petone, was always - conspicuous. Mallett was also in good form and compiled 10 of Petone’s 16 points, i Haines, Barton and Mallett scored tries for Petone, Mallett converting two tries and kicking a penalty goal. V. Calcinai kicked a penalty goal for Poneke. Referee: Mr. D. G. Kelly. Johnsonville On Top With little hanging on the result. Johnsonville and Eastbourne played carefree football at Johnsonville with the home team giving the more enterprising display. Forward and back Johnsonville had the edge on their opponents, who missed particularly the services of Sanson, their most successful scorer this season, through injuries. Johnsonville led 8-3 at the interval and 13-0 at full-time. Lyons and Mcßride scored for Johnsonville, M. Kenny converting both fries and also kicking a penalty goal. R. Moses kicked two penally goals for Eastbourne. Referee: Mr. J. Hepburn. HARDHAM CUP GAMES St. Pat.’s Score Freely Scoring freely from the outset and running up 17 points before their opponents opened their account, St. Patrick s College disposed of College Old Boys to maintain their position as joint leaders for the Hardham Cup. , , From the beginning, the St. Patrick s r>ld Boys’ pack, led by Todd, was supremo, and played a. big parr, in their team's vie-

AV 11 D 1 L For Ag Pts 3 181 88 23 Welli ngton ••••••• 10 1 4 209 145 21 Johnsonville 8 8 1 0 6 142 7 130 117 154 16 7 0 130 134 10 1 7 181 148 15 Hurdhnm Cup. St. Pat.’s Coll. O.B. 6 o 7 158 191 14 Marlst Bros. O.B. . 0 o 7 108 14 College Uhl Boys .. Hutt 4 4 4 4 7 120 7 120 .138 134 12 12 3 4 8 114 137 10 Oriental ' 4 o 8 122 173 10