ATHLETIC LEAD

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 228, 23 June 1941, Page 3

ATHLETIC LEAD

Wellington Senior Rugby ' Championship SOME EXCITING GAMES Athletic maintained its position ufe leaders in the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior first division championship by beating Hutt in the main game at Athletic Park on Saturday, The ordering off of two Athletic players in the second spell caused a sensation, but in served also to rouse Athletic to a great effort and resulted in a sweeping victory. The day’s biggest surprise was the defeat of Wellington by Johnsonville. Results were: Athletic 22, Hutt 6; Johnsonville 13, Wellington 12; Army 9 f Poneke 6; Petone 0, Marist Bros, 0.8. 5; College Old Boys 26, Oriental 11: University 11. St. Patrick’s College 0.8. 6; Air Force 8, Eastbourne 6.

’Two games short. Great Finish.— Athletic staged a grandstand finish to romp all over Hutt in the concluding stages of a sensational game at Athletic Park. The scores were 6-6 with half the second spell gone, when two Athletic forwards. Cooper and Mollier, were ordered off for questioning a. decision by the referee. The incident galvanized Athletic into frenzied action, and in a short space of time they had put the issue beyond doubt, backs and forwards combining in devastating rushes which found big gaps in the defence. The form of the winners during this period was well up to the besi championship standard. Hutt appeared to be adversely affected by the ordering off of two opponents, and were very listless thereafter. For the winners, Scott, Thurston, Thomas and Badland scored tries. Thomas converted two and kicked two penalty goals. Cassidy scored a try for Hutt and also, kicked a penalty goal. Referee, Mr. H. B. Simmons.

Johnsonville Forwards.— -J ohusouv file owed their surprise win over Wellington to the devastating loose rushes of their forwards in the second spell. Wellington led 9-0 at the interval, and .12-5 halfway through the second spell. With Mcßride, A. Kennv and Gemmell prominent, the Johnsonville forwards then took charge, and the side managed to gain a one-point lead and stave off a desperate last-minute effort by their opponents to pull the game out ot the fire. M. Kenny, as forward, and later full-back, als- played no small part in Johnsonville's win. A. Kenny, Halliwell and Meßride scored for Johnsonvile, M. Kenny converting two tries. Brown (2) and Lawrence scored for Wellington, and Taylor kicked a penalty goal. Referee, Mr. A. C. Swan. Second Win. — Air Force gained their second win of the season by beating Eastbourne on the latter’s ground. The play was often exciting, with the home team making desperate but unsuccessful efforts in the concluding stages to reverse the result. The outstanding players were Martin (Eastbourne) and Peatsou (Air Force), both of whom made some spectacular runs. For Air Force, Pearson and Taylor scored, Pearson converting one try. Martin scored for Eastbourne, and Della ba reg kicked a penalty goal. Referee. Mr. B. . .-itnews.

Another For University.— Better handling by the backs and good place-kicking by Greig, the full-back, enabled University to beat St. Patrick’s College ( lid Boys by 11 points to 6at Kelburn Park. The forwards were well matched in. scrums, line-outs, and rucks, but penalties were frequent for infringements . for obstruction, putting the ball unfairly into the scrum, and not playing the ball with the foot after tackles. The University backs handled better in the passing movements, and it was a neat piece of concerted work which let McLeod through for a try under the posts for Greig to coavert in the first spell. In their keenness to open up play, the St. Patrick’s backs threw the ball about, recklessly, and often parted with possession to the oposition For University, McLeod scored a try, whieb Greig converted, and Greig landed two penalty goals; for St. Patrick's, Paino scored a try. which Ranstield failed to im prove, and Dance kicked a penalty goal. Referee, Mr. A. R. Morris. Old Boys in Form.— ln a game in which they never looked like being beaten, College Old Boys beat Oriental 26-11, at Anderson Park, after leading 12-3 al halftime': The game was fast and open for the most part, and keenly contested among the forwards I’he superior speed, combination and thrust of the Old Boys backs enabled them to turn most of their oportuuities to account. Vaughan, second five-eighth, ami Pocknail, centre, were outstanding. For Old Boys Barnett, Amies, Pocknall, Vaughan, Hodson, and Wright scored tries, Amies converting one. Armour kicked two penalty goals. For Oriental, Shirley and Foote scored tries, Dreaver converting one and kieking a penalty goal. Referee, Air. E. G. Mildenhall.

Army’s Narrow Win.—Though having a formidable team on paper, Army did not beat Poueke, who included in their team some fourth grade players, as decisively as had been expected. Five minutes before the end of the game the scores were even. The match was played at the Hutt Recreation Ground, which was heavy at the beginning and was made worse by showers during the game. Play became a scrappy forward game. Army sometimes making the mistake of trying to pick up the ball when they got near the line and spoiling their team’s attacks. On the other hand, the Poueke forwards “played soccer” with success. The try which gave Army the game in the last few minutes was the result.'of a magnificent rush in which every forward handled. Army’s points consisted of a try by Williams and penalty goals by Smith and Finlay. For Poneke Cleverley scored and V. Caleinai kicked a penalty goal. Referee. Mr. J. Hepburn. One-Point. Margin.—Petone had a hard struggle to beat Marist Bros. 0.8. at Petone, and only superior forward play in the wet conditions of the second spell gave them victory 6-5. The Marist backs, though given few opportunities, shaped well, the half-back, Blake, and first fiveeighth, Norton, making good play by wellplaced kicks behind the opposing defence. Haines, White and Ashton were prominent for Petone. Fox, at full back was the most reliable Marist player. For Petone Hudson and Ashton scored. Blake scored for Marist Bros.. Stanawny con wrtinr. Referee. Mr. R. Wilson.

Championship Points CH. w P L For Ag Pcs Athletic ........... s 0 1 167 61 16 G 0 1 156 40 12 AVellington »•••♦*• 6 0 3 119 92 12 Hutt 1. 2 110 87 11 Petone y 1 •i 06 68 11 Johnsonville D 0 3 60 66 10 Marist Bros. O.B. .. 4 1 4 S3 50 9 8 College Old Boys .. 4 0 5 OS 87 4 0 61 90 8 Eastbourne 3 1 4 9S ST 0 h 56 6 St. Pat’s Coll. O.B. •*> 0 7 69 l Air Force 0 6 68 1.1.2 Poneke 2 0 * 53 123 4