RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1914, Page 14

RUGBY

(By "Drop-kick.") TWO OLD RIVALS MEET. ' It was but meet that the best game on Saturday was that which was brought out between those ancient rivals, Petone and Poneke. It gave the lie direct to any indictment which might be levelled against the Union game, to the effect that it ie out of date in some respects and is incapable of as many attractions as in the day^ of old. Poneke came out on top by virtue of their superior back play, their combination being a distinct advance on that of their opponents. The Poneke forwards also stood up very well $o the heavy suburban pack, and al.though beaten on more than one occasion, they managed on the whole to afford ample protection to their half, ;Spillsme, who was on the top of his form. * Nunn, Petone's half, had a day off, not being conspicuous either on the ,attack or in defence. Petone being pitted against a firstclass rif teen it was a proper test for the suburban promoted' juniors. Tn this connection it was noticeable that Bolton was hardly up to senior concert pitch. He is, however, a lad with considerable promise, I "and what he seems to lack most is confidence. Wynyard, on the other hand, proved his mettle, -^and put up a sterling light. Dennehy displayed improved form on his showing at Petone the previous week. His opening try for Petone was, a brilliant piece of- work, notwithstanding the fact that Walker, full-back for Poneke, should have collared him. The Petone three-quarter's bearing throughout the whole game was admirable, and but for the fact that he was so well marked he would Tiave scored on more than one occasion. Joe Ryan made a welcome reappearance after having been laid aside with an injured h'mb, his low sweeping punts frequently standing his fifteen in good stead. Jim Ryan was at once the idol of the suburban barrackers, and the opposition supporters also had a very warm corner in their hearts for Petone's strong man. G. Parker's line-kicking judgment was more than once at fault on Saturday, but he went, down to rushes in good style. Dent was easily the best forward on the field. He used his weighD to the best advantage, besides which he more than once ( proved himself a "heady" player. Lindsay made a very creditable fhst appearance , in the competition this season. ' j ( Tilyard was a host in himself on the side of Poneke, and the way he marshalled , his backs was a treat to watch. His team hung together well, and their attacks had plenty of sting and dash in them. Practically all the red-and-black backs gave a good account of themselves, Edwards and. Fisher in particular. The weak point in the game, as applied to both teams, was the bad scrum work, which was lamentably poor. ; - • | Fbneke must be /very short of placekickers; otherwise 'they are very foolish to give all the kicks to Walker. UNIVERSITY'S OAME STRUGGLE. Those enthusiasts who predicted that. Athletic would walk all over University at Petone last Saturday must have had their eyes opened. It must be admitted without qualification that the champions of last year had the better team of the two in the field, but, this fact riot* withstanding, University put up a fight which indicated that they, will probably make a better allowing this season than they have done for some time past. The match proved that as a team they have possibilities, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds as far as they are concerned. They are under a distinct disadvantage as compared with other teams, inasmuch as it is more difficult for them to hold their own men together, and with the steady influx of new men who have hitherto been untried in their ranks they are at a distinct disadvantage. Although they only scored three points last. Saturday as against their opponents' eleven, the game wa3 far more evenly contested than the figures indicate.^ More than once they had Athletic thinking very seriously, and it was only bad luck that prevented them from getting behind the goalposts more than once. Their forwards, taken all round, proved a likely lot, but they were overshadowed by the Athletic vanguard, with such brawny and toed men as " Ranji " Wilson and J. Cunningham. Their backs are an attractive lot, and when .they gain by experience the combination which they at present lack to a certain extent, they will be able to give a good account of themselves. On more than one occasion they missed opportunities through passing wildly, and atlhough they were able at times to carry the struggle into the enemy's country they just lacked the finish to tur^i the advantage gained into a tangible score. .'All things considered, however, their performance was a distinctly creditable one, and makes one ponder whether the Athletic men are going to mike such a clean sweep of their matches as .they did last year. The first spell provided a very even contest. For the most part ifc consisted of excellent loose work, in which the honours were equally divided. Turn and turn about the teams took part, in the attack, and for the first half hour no score had eventuated. Then, just as it was looking .as though the second- half would be commenced with a clean, sheet, Athletic tightened the pressure, and. the übiquitous Roberts,, passing quickly from behind the, scrum to Healey, enabled the latter k>' scramble over just, as the whistle sounded. ', • In the' first part of the second half the University men held their' own fairly well, but were unable to stay as well as the, more seasoned Athletic men, and the last two. scores against- them were recorded shortly,, after each other. But this, defect is one which is likely, to be remedied as 'the season wears on. There was never really a dull moment throughout, and the followers of the game who journeyed out into the suburbs have no reason to regret their enterprise. The Athletic basks, although they worked well .on the attack, showed a tendency at times to a. weakness in their defence, Jackson and EVison, in the three-quarter line, always appeared to be in the thickest of the fray, and did not miss many chances. Sim Wilson ami Robinson, as five-eighths, were also noticeable- right through, the former especially playing his usual progressive and aggressive game. To' Roberts, of course, must go pride of place, for he has the marvellous faculty of apparently being everywhere at once. Several times he pulled his team out of difficulties with his quick get-away and his sound kicking, ttie ball, under his pilotship always seeming to find touch in the right place. "B*nii" Wijaon, Pafeonx

Luoni, and Cunninghame carried the brunt of a good deal of the forward work. Little, the University half-back, played an excellent game, and was seldom if ever guilty of misjudgment. He kicked with precision and accuracy, and was one of the mainstays of his side. Fair and Ea6t (the wing three-quarters), Prussing (five-eighth), and Sim (half) worked hard, and in the forward ranks Beard, Bennett, and Robinson came more than once under notice for tho manner in which they busied themselves in dribbling and loose work. AN UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR. Although the season is still young, it has been marred by a most unfortunate accident, which struck down' Dave Boyd — one of Petone's brightest and most popular boy** — leaving him lying in a private hospital in a very serious .condition. He has already undergone two operations. The Petone Club has decided to bear tho expenses connected with tho accident, and permission has been granted by the ltugby Union for the club to play a benefit match at Petone on Saturday, 9th May. The proceeds of the match will go towards the payment of Boyd'fi medical expensee. It k to be hoped that all "sports" in Wellington who can make it convenient to attend will help a good cause by patronising the match. MELROSE REMINISCENCES. Thus an old-time Melrose player in reminiscent mood : — The Melrose Club did not start the season in an inspiriting manner, but, judging by reports . from their training gymnasium, they are j likely to give a. good account of themselves before the season is well through. Time was when the fever of training set in fully six weeks before the opening game, but of late years this enthusiasm has waned. Why, it is hard to say. The Melrose Club has- a number., of young fellows who give promise of great development, especially as they have as coach, "Col." Campbell, one of the younger of the Campbell family of footballers. Years ago before Harxy M'lntyre, Harry Roberts, "Bill" Thomas, 'and "Dunedin" Tattersall joined the Meirose, "Jack," the eldest son of tbe Campbell family, was strenously teaching the young idea the art of football. His club was a peculiar one ; husky forwards were plentiful, and he firmly impressed upon them that each man must mark an opponent right throughout the game, jump for the ball on a linß-out, and never pick up m a crowd. If the forward, waa not always "on the ball" there was, no time for him in the team. The Melrose back* were always an undersized quantity compared with the other team?, and consequently not considered "an attacking set " His advice hammered into these plucky players was— "Pass with two hands, never' with- owe, and never above shoulder-height" — and as for allowing an opponent to "feint;'pass," that meant a wholesome ',tongue-thrash-ing. The standing command was, "When a man has the ball pull him dowruIt sa.Ves a lot of regrets." Another foot-i ball crime, according to the old Mehxwe captain, was for each back not' to keep in position- An outside wing threequarter who came in to help an inside three-quarter got all that w»s going in the way of powerful language. "Stand close to your man; let the others do the. same. The forwards will settle anything that is on the loose," and a* for • player takmg a drop kick—unless with the intention of shooting, at goal !— I can only l-emember it being done • once. "Teddy" Baker was the culprit. It was against the Rivals.. The baJl failed to rise high enough for the forwards to get under it. During the interval "Teddy" heard about the matter. He told- us a few weeks afterwards that he ■ was ashamed to look 4 real football player }n the face for a few days ; Ec felt like A'; criminal caught in. the act,, so strong did the eldest son of the Campbell clan soak it into him. In those days a run out to Petone and back on off-nights .was'just a pleasant pastime. They had a ground to practice on ; it was on the side of a hill. The teams were picked and eight players on the uphiJl played twenty-two on the downhill side. Goals did not count for the uphill side. The gymnasium waa » two-storied place, 65ft long by 25ft wide. ' It muf in this place that tactics were taught and a player's faults dissected and discussed. The season has scarcely begun, and it is up to the present Melrose members to show ua their mettle.