RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 91, 18 April 1921, Page 4

RUGBY

SEASON OPENED

SENIOR SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNEY

t WON BY BERHAMPORE.

The return of Rugby was greeted by a record opening-of-the-season gathering at the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, when the Wellington Rugby Union provided over 3600 spectators with an afternoon of good sport in the form of a senior and a fifth-class seven-a-side tournament. Main interest centred in the senior competition, in which sixteen teams participated. The various games provided an excellent try-out for playore, and the form displayed indicates that football this year will be of a high order. BeThainpore, who appeared in senior football for the first time last season; brought off a surprise by defeating Petone A in the final, and the young team's win" was popularly received. Right through the competition they played vigorously, and in the final there was no doubt about their superiority. Of Petone, it must be said that they played best in their first matcb (against Wellington), in whioh the first try wne somewhat sensational. After the kick-off the ball was thrown about by the suburban players in great style, and it did not touch the ground until a try was scored. The Oriental team made a good show, and Mariafc Brothers, the new senior team, also did well. All members of th«^winning team; were in splendid form,, but the work of W. Malm stood out aa one of the features of the afternoon. Results are as follow :— FIRST ROUND. Berhampore 3 (a. try by Howard) v. Petone B 0. Beforee : Mr. G. Bradley. Marist B 3 (a try by V. Marshall) v. Selwyn 80. Referee : Mr. A. C. Kitto. Poneke A 13 v. 'Varsity B 0. Tries" were scored by M'Arthur, B. Algar, and Tunnington, two being converted by Malm. Rsferee : Mr. H. Booker. Poneke B 9 v. Selwyn A 5. The winners' scorei was made up of tries by Christopherson and King, one being converted by King, and a point for a force down. For Solwyn, De Clifton scored a try, which M'Brearty converted. Referee : Mr. J. Moffitt. - Petone A 15 (two tries by E. Ryan and one by H. E. Nicholls, all converted by M. Nicholls) v. Wellington 0. Referee ; Mr. J. S. King. Oriental 6 (tries by Riggs and Smith) v. Hutt 0. Referee : Mr. A. E. Niel■son. Marist A 10 (tries by Troy and White, both converted by Murphy) v. 'Varsity A 4.(a try by Trapsky and a force-down). Referee : Mr. W. Lennon. Athletic 8 (tries by Ryan and O«----borne, one being converted by Brooks) v. Petone O 0. Referee : Mr. J. HaySEOOND ROUND. Berhampore 13 v. Marist B 0. Howard scored two tries and Gibson one, and Gibson and Walters each converted a try. Referee : Mr. L. Simpson.! Poneke B 10 v. Poneke AB. For the winners, Baker and Booker scored tries, both being converted by King, and for the losers Tynan and Tunnington obtained tries, Malm converting one. Reforee : Mr. A. Watson. Petone A 11 (tries by M. Nicholls and Wylie^ both converted by M. Nicholls, and a force-down) v. Oriental 8 (two tries by Biggs, one converted by Bernie). Referee : Mr. A. 0. Kitto. Marist A 3 (a try by Connopp) v. Athletio 0. Referee : Mr. 3. Moffitt. , SEMI-FINAL. Berhampore defeated Poneke B by 6 points to 3, after a very keen contest. D. Mathie&on and J. Hiokling each scored a try for the winners, and Booker obtained a try -for Poneke. Referee: Mr. G. Bradley. Petone A accounted for Marist A by 9 points to 5. Marist, the new senior team, played well throughout the competition, but in Petono A they found an experienced set of good players. For the winners, Thomas and M. Nicholls each scored a try, and M. Nicholls converted, one, while there was also a point for a force-down. Mahoney scored a try for M.-irist, and Murphy converted. Mr. J. S. King refereed. BERHAMPORE DEFEAT PETONE A. . Petone A and Berhampore being left to contest the final, it was generally expected that last year's champions would account for their young opponents, but the play told a different tale, BerhaJnpore gaining a well-deserved win by a good margin of points The teams, were :—Berhampore : W. Malm, Walters, Howard, Gibson, J. Hickling, D. Mathieson, and Glennie. Petone : E. Ryan, M. Nioholls, H. E. Nicholls, E. Fitzgerald, Bond, Wylie, and W. Thomas. From the start, it was apparent that Berhampore meant to extend Petone, and within a Bhort period Petone were compelled to force. Following a bout of play in midfield, Howard misjudged a pass, and this gave Pelone an opening for an almost certain try. E. Ryan broke away with two others in attendance, and there was only one man to evade. The one man, however, proved a, stumbling block, and, play was returned to neutral territory. At length Walters took the ball through a scramble, a-nd W. Malm gathered in the leather and raced for the line. He scored behind the posta, and Gibson converted. s—o. The teams then, changed round, and, amid much enthusiasm, Berhampore renewed their pressure. Petone found temporary relief in a forcedown, following whioh Berhainpore, mainly through good work by Malm and Walters,, made matters very busy for Petone. Several attempts at passing were eventually rewarded by Hickling getting across in good style. The kick failed. B^-0. With this further reverse, Petojie displayed more vigour, and for a time they kept play dangerously near Berhampore's line. Their passing, however, was somewhat erratic, and the defence sound. H. E. Nicholls was prominent in numerous efforts to score. Finally, after Walters, Malm, and Howard had effected "saves," Mathieson, secured and sent Hickling away downfield, but just near the lin« lie was overtaken by Thomas. Berhampore were trying hard to cross the line again, when the bell terminated one of the most interesffng seven-a-side competitions played on the Park. The final score was : Berhampore, 8; Petone A, 0. Mr. A. E. Nielson was the referee.