RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 122, 24 May 1920, Page 4

RUGBY

THE GAMES ON SATURDAY

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Athletic 23, Petono 5.

Poneko 16, Borhampore 0. Selwyn 30, Wollitigton 0.

Beautiful weaiher and grounds in excellent condition favoured the Rugby fixtures on Saturday. Only three senior championship games were played, University being away at Auckland for a match with the University College team there, who beat them by 19 to 9. The inter-club gajnes here were all easily won with big margins. Athletic surprised people by defeating Petone by 23 to 5 after a- fine game to watch. Poneke ■beat Berljampore comfortably by 16 to nil, and Selwyn had no tarable in winning the game with Wellington at Pe-t-one by 30 to nil. ATHLETIC 23, BEAT PETONE 5. Athletic; succeeded in surprising the general public, if not their own enthusiastic supporters, by the form they showed against, Petone at Athletiu Pa-rK on Saturday. Tiley were hardly favourites, in the betting sense, when the game started, but by half-time they had definitely and concretely'established their superiority by 9 points to nil. It was expected that the heavy brigade of the Athletic forwards would prove too much for the much lighter pack of Petone, •but against that wera the Petone backs, with a reputation for cleverness and speed. Neither side had yet made its appearance on the testing-ground of the Park, and the interest was all the greater. The actual play found Petone still tricky behind the scrum, but not effective enough to .score. On the other hand, Athletic came out as a fine homogeneous team, good forward and back alike, and the Petone men were outplayed in c.very department of the game. The three tries scored by Athletic in the first half were all well earned,, and the Blues were unlucky riot to add a lew more points. Two sources of strength in the backs were conspicuous—E. Roberts at half in wonderful resource in opening- up tho game and furnishing opportunities to his colleagues, who backed him up splendidly ;'and Thompson at full,, with a sound and snre defence and a safe, powerful kick to touch. Athletic forwards were up to the standard of their best days, and "Ranji" Wilson, Paton, Ryan, and Osborne were in great fettle in tho scrum and the loose. Of the losers, it is sufficient to say they did not shine. The game opened with Athletic attacking from the south end. For some fifteen minutes there was not much in favour of either sidte. Then out of a lively vally on the Petone side of midfield the Blue forwards broke away with ball at toe, and from the rush the ball worked out to M'C'abe on the wing with, a short pass, and the Athletic threequarter ,%ored near the corner flag. First blood. Adams made a good but unsuccessful attempt with the kick. Athletic 3, JPetone 0. Athletic continued to press, and" after Byrne had vainly essayed a pot at goal, he made up foivit by another try close to the corner flag. Adams, failed with a difficult kick. Athletic 6, Petone 0. The Blues were out after points now. E. Roberts made a fine solus run, and, though he was brought up short, the attack was ultimately carried through—Byrne and Poolo to Blackmore, who "topped off a beautiful effort with a neat try. Adams made a good attempt, but again failed ■with ■ the kick. Athletic 9, "Petone 0. The game had been hard ■ and willing, and M'Ca'oe had to retire with a severe kick on the head, and "Kruger" Parker, of' Petone, was discovered to have broken a rib. Poole also had sustained injuries, and the three players did no-o reappear at half-time. Parker was replaced by Price, and the two Athletic casualties by Forsyth and Brookes. Up to half-time. Petone had not eiact : ly taken their reverses lying down, but in the second spall tbey were hopelessly beaten. E. Roberts Icicked a goal from his .own mark, n.nd brought the score to Athletic 12. Petone 0. Byrns, with' a. fine individual effort, notched another try, which Roberts nicely converted. Athletic 17. Petone 0. Forsyth - finished what Byrne had begun, and added still another try, which, Roberts failed to convert from an eas-y position in front of tho seal. Athletic 20, Pet ens 0. Then■Brookes made a- good' run down the line, and passed out to Roberts, who once more scored. Adams failing, "with the kick. Athletic 23. Petone 0. Just, before time . Petone rallied desperately, and ■Smith scored, a solitary try, which M. Nlcholls converted with an excellent ■kick. Athletic 23. Petone 5. This was the finish of a- great gams for. the ."spectators, the.bell going for time shortly afterwards. Mr. T. H. Jones controlled the game ■admirably. . • PONEKE AND EEBHAMPOEE. Little in the way of attractive football ■wnfe provided by the meeting of Poneke and Berhampore at Duppa-atreet, though the Red-and-Blacks found in their opponents a harder proposition than expected. Of forward work there was a good deal, the Light Blues possessing much more strength in this 'department' than in tho back division.' By keeping play confined to the forwards, Berhampore made matters fairly strenuous for Poneke, whose backs were not seen,to such advantage as is usual, and the result,. 16 to nil in favour of last year's champions, was not so decisive as was anticipated. ' The vigour of the Berhampore forwards was- quickly demonstrated by a bright rush after tho .commencement; but little support coming from the backs. Poneke became, aggressive. Several efforts were made to cross the Blues' line without success, arid again Berhampore advanced. Pressure was relieved by J. Tilyard and his brother, the half-back, subsequent play hovering about halfway. Eventually, Poiieke;s backs opened out, only to be stopped near the line. A scrum followed, and from this J. Tilyard dived qver with the leather. E. King converted. Poneke 5, Berhampore nil. The remainder of the spell saw the Blue forwards striving hard to wipe off the deficiency, but when chances were obtained the required, nss-istance from the backs ;Wns not forthcoming. On many, occasions, when 'the ball should have been passed it was kicked into such a position as to enable the Poneke backs to break away. Attacks made by Poneke were also without material result. Hickling (Berhampore) retired injured during the spell, and was replaced by Hayes. Strenuous play by Berhampore gavu the Blues an advantage after resumption. Morrison had an unsuccessful attempt to goal, and Poneke forced down twice in quick succession. From then on.. Ponewe did much better, and tries were obtained by Elliott, King, and M'Arthnr, one being converted by King. Troy and Conder wore injured during the spell, but after receiving attention they played on. For Poneke, Sinter. Troy, Baker, and Elliott were the most noticeable forwards, and best work in the back division was done by J. Tilyard, M'Arthur.' and Malm.- Of t.ip Berhampore pack, Walters (a. very sound player).. W. Malm.. Spearman, and Whitemd were always prominent, ami 'Mritheson am) Gray, both go'-.d tacklers, vrpj-e the bc?t of the'backs. ' Mr. J. King was the referee.

SELWYN (30) v. WELLINGTON (0)

Much as was expected, Selwyn gained an easy victory over Wellington at Petone. Wejlitig'ton. had their bright moments, with rallies that seemed to promise better things, but the Greens woresup'erior all round, and managed to run up » solid score of 30 points to their opponents' nil. Selwyn opened the score •with , a penalty- goal placed by S. Shearer. Then. Wog;ui from a, forward rush added a try, which Shearer failed to convert. Selwyn 6, Wellington 0. The second spell was all. in favour of Selwyn. S. Shearer, following up fast, scored a try and added the major points with his kick, bringing tho score to 11. A good passing rush ended in Flack running round and. scoring between the posts. S. Shearer converted.% Sehvyn 16, Wellington 0. Flack added another try a moment later. The third spell— the gamo being played in quarters— •was more even, and Selwyn had to defend for the most part. In the last quarter Selwyn romped away, and added 11 move points, Peart, Peacock, and "Wogan all notching tries, one of which •Shearer converted. The game ended SelWyn 30. Wellington 0. Mr. G. (Bradley was referee.