END OF FIRST ROUND

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 150, 25 June 1921, Page 9

END OF FIRST ROUND

PONEKE RETAIN THE LEAD

(By "Drop-kick.")

The completion of the first round of the senior competition points to a return to the usual experience of the past few seasons—that the contest for the final supremacy will be fought out between Poneke and Petone. The Red and Blacks have managed to win all their games, though in some cases they were hard pressed, and in one instance (last Saturday) they were exceedingly lucky. Petone have fallen: only' to Poneke, but Berhampore and Oriental have been less fortunate, each having, through three losses, a margin of six points behind the championship leaders. These two teams, Berhampore in particular, should be in a more handy position to Poneke, in fact, on form throughout the season and on last Saturday's showing, the Light Blues deserve to be in the fighting line with Poneke and Petone. However, the championship as yet is practically" only half over, arid while the two leading teams at this stage appear to ha-vs everything in their favour for the final clash, the improvement of other iteams ( must not be overlooked. Some of the I wins, by Poneke and Petone: have been so close that it 'is quite within the bounds of possibility that the improvement arid experience gained by other teams will surprise the leaders in the second round, and cause a more interesting development in the aspect of the championship. ' Marist have made a splendid start in the senior ranks, and are improving; Wellington are, playing better; and 'Varsity, with the team properly organised, are expected to be a hard proposition. It is ; quite possible, therefore, that before the final . championship matches come up for decision Poneke and Petone may not have such a break as exists at present on the other teams.- • ■ .. The position of the teams at the end of the first round is? as follows :— f

' Points. Ch. P. W. L. D. For. Agit. Pta; Poneto 8 8 - - 92 28 16 Petone ... 8 7 1 - 138 55 14 Berhampore 8 5 3-87 50 10 Oriental ;..... 8 5 .3 - 101 86 10 Marist 8. 3 4 1 51 58 7 Athletio 8 3 4 1 77 • 87 7 3elwyn , 8 2 5 1 58 96 5 'Vaxsity /..... 8 1 7 - 73 106 2 Wellington .. 8—7 1 32 143- 1