WELLINGTON v. PONEKE.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 69, 19 September 1887, Page 2

WELLINGTON v. PONEKE.

Considerable interest was taken in the contest between the first fifteens of the Wellington and Poneke Clubs, which took place at Newtown on Saturday after the costume match. The general opinion was that the Ponekes would prove victorious, and this anticipation was realised, the Wellingtons being defeated by one point (a try) to love. The Poneke team included Bennett and G. Beck, both second fifteen forwards, who took the places of Ellison and M'lntyre, these being unable to play. The Wellingtons kicked off at 4.13 o'clock, and Gage made a rather poor return. After some play in neutral territory, F. Dixon obtained a mark for the Ponekes near the Wellington's line. Nicholls (captain) took the kick, but it was not a success, although the Wellingtons were forced down. The ball having been kicked out, Gage returned it. Snow received it, and instead of kicking he started to run, the result being that he was thrown into touch before he had firo vird-. A scrimmage was inniea np'ii- Wellington "s 25 fhjr. and the '"..!) v\< .. -ii i; .l u.li iuij tuo %i.l. Just i -isiJc tli-" 1 '.\ ilLui^tou tei-rltori' jiuii- got a mark for the Ponekes and took the lack himself, Morrah (full-back) touching down in

self-dofenco. Soon after tho kick out tho Poaekes invaded tho enomy's quarters, but were unable to score Play being onoo more in tho middle of tho field, Taiaroa socurod the ball and looked like scoring. After running about 20 yards, and having only two Poneka backs to pass, ho fell and lost his chance. Loose scrimmaging noar tho Poneko 25 line ensued, and thon tho leather waß workod down to the other end of the ground. The ball was kicked along tho earth towards Morrah, who allowed it to go through his logs. Muir followed up smartly, but was unablo to reach tho leather in time to provent it from going under the ropes, where it became dead. A few moments subsequently a good kiok by Gage forced down the Wellingtons for tho fourth time. Storoy and Mnir ran tho ball from thoir 25 to within 20 yards of the Wellington 25 lino, and a kiok along tho ground by Williams sont it further up the field. Sim made a mark on tho 25 lino, And tho ball was placed for Gago, who made an unsuccessful attompt at goal. Aftor somo play in noutral territory Bennett ran insido Wellington's quarters, but tho ball was Boon outeide again, and tho spoil then oddod, the Ponekes having had tho best of the play. The same team had also the boat of the seoond term, tho loather boing within the Wellington 25's for tho groator part of tho timo. Soon aftor tho ball had been sot in motion, Gogo obtained a mark outside tho Wellington 25's, and from it L. Dixon nearly kicked a goal. Tho Wellingtons woro forced down as tho result of tho Tuck. Soon after this tho Ponokes got inßido tho Wellington territory, but tho backs of tho opposing toam woro not to bo denied, and tho leather was once inoro outside the 25 lino. Mborhouso received a pass in front of tho Wellington goal, and took a pot at goal, tho ball falling low. Morrah made a good return. Outside the 25's, L. Dixon passed to Bishop twioo, but on both occasions the ball was called book. On the same oooasion, Bishop would havo touchod down in the comer had not tho Wellington umpire's stick boen hold up, tho reason givon ior tho oall-baok being that Dixon had thrown>on, a decision whjtah gave groat dissatisfaotion. The Ponekos,nowevor,Boored soon after this. Gage got the boll, and wob grassod by Morrah, but gotting on his pins again ho ran in and touohod down near tho goal post. Moorhouso took the kiok, a vory easy one, but the attompt was futile. No further scoring took plaoe, although tho Wellingtons workod gallantly to avert a dofeat. Messrs. J. M. King and T. S. Ronaldaon wero tho umpires, and Mr. C. A. Knapp acted as roforeo.