MARIST DRAW LEVEL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 278, 21 August 1944, Page 6

MARIST DRAW LEVEL

Army Beaten In Rugby Championship Game

With the four leading teams in the Wellington Rugby Union’s Jubilee Cup competition appearing at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, another large crowd assembled, and were rewarded by seeing some stirring piny, which resulted iu making the championship prospects even more interesting than previously. Marist Brothers’ Old Boys drew level with Army by soundly beating that fifteen 12-6, and Athletic drew with Poneke-Oricntal, 1-J-all. This places Army and Marist in the lead, with 20 points eiich, with Poneke-Oriental 19. and Athletic 18. From present appearances, .it would seem that September 2 will be the only day available for the final and deciding games for the championship, and there should be a record crowd present to see the outcome. Marist Brothers’ Old Boys, who only lost one game in the second round, maintained their fine team work by decisively outplaying Army in the late game at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon. Though Army had the advantage of a helpful southerly wind in tbe first spell, they failed to harness it to advantage, and it was the Marist forwards who called the tune. Packing solidly in the scrums, Shannon, their hooker, gave Edwards, the half-back, a liberal supply of the ball, and Norton and Fowler combined nicely on the five-eighths line to start bright passing movements, which, however, were met by solid tackling. It was a hard-fought game, in which superior team-work deservedly triumphed. With Milton Thomas back as liveeighths after some years’ absence, Athletic showed improved form to hold PonekeOriental to a draw. Though Athletic bad the wind with them in the first spell, the combined team showed their usual thrust in the rucks, and their forwards hooked the ball from almost every sernm. The Atlieltic forwards were better in the second spell than they had done with the wind behind them, and there was great enthusiasm among the crowd as play fluctuated in exciting fashion, a stubbornly-contested game ending in a draw, 15-aIL Petone maintained the improved form thev have been showing of late by outplaying Wellington 29-8 at Petone. A fast and open game on the Hutt Recreation Ground saw Hutt beat Wellington College Old Boys 17-11. In the Hardham Cup competition, Eastbourne, in a special benefit match at Eastbourne. beat Navy 12-6. This was Navy’s second defeat this season. Johnsonville improved their position by outplaying University 17-6 at Johnsonville, scoring five tries to the students’ one. An exciting game at Maidstone Park saw Upper Hutt narowiy defeat Air Force

12-9. Scatonn (Array) went well to beat No. 2 Port Depot 32-3, and Athletic B showed improved form to outplay Miramar 27-3. Following arc the details:— Jubilee Cup.

Marist Brothers' Old Boys 12 (tries by McKone and Aspell, one of which was converted bv Stanawny, and a field goal by Norton) beat Army 6 ((two penalty goals by Morrison). Athletic 15 (two tris by Jamieson mid three penalty goals by Thomas) drew with Poneke-Oriental 15 (a try by Raßwlings, which was converted by Vaughan, who also potted a goal, and kicked two penalty g °Hutt 17 (tries by Bayliss, Miino, Arnold,' Perrett and Hare, one of which was converted by L. Bligh) beat Wellington College Old Boys 11 (tries by Howard two and Elliott, one of which was converted by Alexander). „ Petone 29 (tries by Whelan, Robinson, Freeman, Jonassen, and White, two of which were converted by Clay, who also kicked a penalty goal and two field goals) beat Wellington 8 (tries by Pinkham and Stevens, one of which was converted by Stevens). ITardliam Cup. Eastbourne 12 (a try by Bailey, which was converted by N. Dellabarca, who also kicked a penalty goal, and afield goal by Hancock) beat Navy 6 (tries by Jailray and Marshall). Johnsonville 17 (tries by Mather two, •Tames, Powell, and Knight, one of which was converted by Mcßride) beat University 6 (a try by Loveriug and a penalty goal by Te Punga). Seatonn 32 (tries by Bowse, Dallow, Ruthven, Anderson. Ilickling, Cody, and Mabbott, four of which were converted by Grace, who also kicked a penalty goal) beat No. 2 Port Depot 3 (a penalty goal by Rowe). _ Upper Hutt 12 beat Air Force 9. Hutt B won by default from Training College. Athletic B 27 (tries by Withers two. Gerardin two, Quin, and Ensor, three or which were converted by Todd, who also kicked a penalty goal) beat Miramar 3 (a try by Taylor). Lower Grade Results.

With one more series of matches to bo played in all the lower grades, interest In Saturday’s games was keenest in the junior and fourth grades. In the junior grade Onslow and Mangaroa won their games and remain the joint leaders. Hutt clinched their grip on the third grade championship (first division) by defeating the runners-up, Marist Bros. 0.8. In the third second division, Porlrua, who have played one game extra, are four points ahead of Eastbourne. By beating Athletic 11-8. Petone A hav e taken the lead in the fourth grade, one point ahead of Hutt, with Athletic next. Petone and Hutt are assured of success in the fifth first and second divisions.