ATHLETIC WIN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue LXXXIV, 23 September 1912, Page 4

ATHLETIC WIN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

PETONE TEAM DEFEATED. Extra fit by dint of honest training, favoured by the ground, and thanks to their hard, fast pack, the Athletic fifteen downed Petone after a ding-dong battle at Athletic Park on Saturday, and thus secured the senior championship for the second year in succession. The ground cut up sadly at an early stage, but despite the slides and the slush both teams put up ' an attractive all-round display. The first spell ended with the scores even — 3 all-^though Petone, op the play, deserved better. It was all Athletic the second spell, and here again, though they soon led (6 — 3) the light blues should have had a larger margin. Splendidly dogged defence play by the suburban backs materially assisted to keep the score against them low, and M'Kenzie may be singled out in this connection. He was a hon in defence. In attack the Petone rearguard was nippier and more sparkling, their efforts being sprinkled witff rattling fine passing rushes. But that Athletic pack— it was out to win, and it achieved victory well. Some of the line-kicking was very good, but a lot broke the hearts of the forwards. On the play, Athletic merited the win which leaves them at the top of the tree. Petone scored first, Arrowemith going round the ruck and falling on the ball. M'Farlane'a kick was a failure. Osborn, with Wileon and Levick near by, scored the try that evened the numbers. Right at the outset of the second epell, ft. Paton, coming out. of a tumbled heap of forwards, gave a pass to H. Roberta, who slid quietly over in the corner. Evenson'e kick was a failure, and the score as it then stood was the final resuit :— ATHLETIC „, ... „, 6 PETONE „< 3 ¦Mr. A. Neileen was referee.