THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 37, 12 August 1918, Page 4

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

PONEKE DEFEAT PETONE.

Quite contrary to the genera! expectation, Poneke met and defeated Petone at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, in what it was presumed would be the final championship match of the season. Had Petone won they would have secured the championship, but now the teams are level in the possession of points, and the result of the competition is still undecided. Viewed from the spectacular standpoint, Saturday's game was a. trifle disappointing. Play was mostly confined to the forwards, and the backs rarely got going in anything like sustained efforts. The match was fairly evenly contested, first one and then the other side holding the upper hand, but ths score perhaps nist about indicates the difference between the two teams on the day. The game was played on the representative field, Poneke k'tcking off against a strong sun. The forwards took cha.rge from the outset, and soon the somewhat heavier Poneke men compelled their opponents to force down. Morris had a shot at goal from a penalty, but was unsuccessful, and W. Thomas took a kick from a mark by Hagan, and only just missed. Poneke's vanguard got clear, but W. Thomas saved the situation and found the line. A little later Petone had to forca down. A break-away by Christopheison resulted in a scrum on the line. The Red and Black hookers got possession, and Pollock sent the ball on to M'Taggart, who easily crossed over and touched down. Morris failed to convert. A little later, when the play became very keen, Dobson got tha ball from the ruck, and scored Poueke's second try. Morris did not convert-.. The Poneke forwards were playing a. great game, and they swept Petone right down tha field. Morris was penalised in play near the Blue line, however, and Petone were thus enabled to recover a good deal of lost ground. The Blues assumed the offensive, and Christopherson sa.yed by kicking into touch. A nice passing rush then took place, in which Nichol£, Comer, and Hamilton participated, but Petone's luck was out. Nicholls, the Petone half, was prominent at this stage, and made several efforts to open up play. Halftime sounded -with* the score: Poneke, 6; Petone, 0. /

In tihe second spell, play,became hardl and "willing." Poneke were .quickly on the defence, and from a scramble in front of their goal Nyhan secured, and scored easily. Thomas failed to convert: Petone were now making the pace very warm, and Ponoke had to force down. The Red and Black forwards gradually got the upper hand, however, and had hard luck in not scoring. Tilyar'd put in some useful work for Poneke. Play -was stopped for a while owing to A. Parker being incapacitated, but he afterwards resumed. A pass, from Tilyard was received by Christopherson, who made a great run on his own and scored a very good try. Marks failed at goal. Poneke, 9; Petone, 3. A. Parker was again hurt, and had to bo taken off the field, suffering from slight concussion. Ponoke "vigorously attacked, and Morris tried to cross over at the corner, but was held up when within an ace of success. Petone obtained possession, and Nicholls sent the ball on to Tancred. From him the ball •went to Hamilton, and passed to W. Thomas, who got across. The try remained unconverted. , There was no further score,- and the game ended with Potone attacking in tho Ponoke twentyfive. Poneke, 9; Petone, 6. Mr. L. Simpson was referee.