CURTAIN-RAISERS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 39, 15 August 1921, Page 4

CURTAIN-RAISERS

Prior to the senior fixture at the Park,, two intorestmg early game 3 were played,> the junior representatives of "Wiunwapa and Wellington meeting on No. 1 ground, ami tlie Petone and Wellington College A fifth-class teams deciding tha championship final on No. . 2 ground. Both games gave patrons an' opportunity of seeing tha class of football played in other grades, and, while the- junior re. preseritatives were playing > their first gamo together, their showing was aufflciently good to indicate that, by their promotion, aenior footba.ll will not de. teriorate. The fifth-class ■ boys showed a high standai-d of play, and it was notable that in this match there were three younger brothers of players who were that day ; representing New Zealand' against South Africa—tho NichoUs brothers ; one played for Petone and; the other for College, and both members of the same family aa H. E, and Mark NiehoHs, and Donald, a brother of the New Zealand wing forward. WELLINGTON v. ■ WAIRARAPA JUNIORS. ' The teams in the junior representative match were as follow :—Watrarapa : Full-back, Sage; three-quarters, Hu. tana, Burch, Livingstone; five-eighths, Neighbours, Judy; half, Burt ; N wingforward, Wickens; forwards, M'Kenzie, Skeet, Knowles, Duff, Eriokson, Reid 1, Baaibnry. Wellington : Fult-back, Wright; three-quarters, Hicks, Bedell, Marris; five-eighths, Hutchison, Gibaon (captain); half, Prater; wing-forwardi, Patching; forwards,* Bryan,' Flawcett, Bond, Pope, Griffin, Pole, Scott.

In the opening stages of the first spell the Wellington backs threw thee ball about in good stylo, but the visiting forwards were equally prominent in rushes. Splendid tackling and strong kicking were also features of Wairarapa's play. As the game progressed! tlw Wairairapa backs commenced to assist their forwards, and numerous rushes were made to Wellington's line. Several tries were lost through, slight infringements. Wellington, although playing wfel!, were not so frequently dangerous. The visitors were at length rewardedl, an open bout of pfevy, in which Burch was the. leading light,. endIng in Neighbours getting across. Tha kick ■ failed. 3-0. Soon afterward'a Buroh showed cleverness by suddenly ! changing play from the touch-lime to in-field, where faulty handling lost art almost oertain try. There was no further scovo at half-time. Early in tha second spell Hutchison out in nicely, a.nd in a 'scramble which ensued in front of Wairarapa's goal, Wellington were awarded a free-kick. Gibson gooiled. 3—3. From then on Wairarapa hadi much the bast of-matters, but it wasnot until near the end of the gam€ that they managed to score. Burch obtained a try,; which Hutana converted,' and! soon afterwards G. Knowles crossed', thel line, the kick this time failing. 11-3. Wellington mada a determined reply, and a passing bout was finished off by Marris scoring. The try was not converted, and tho game ended 1: Waira-rapa 11, Wellington 6. Mr. R. Herron was the referee. f FIFTH-OLASS FINAL. Petone and. Wellington College having gone through the A and B (school) grades without a defeat, met to decide the championship. In Potone- the College boys had a solid proposition, as the suburban team's line, had not been crossed during the season. The gamo hadi not been in progress for long when ■Petono assumed, the lead, Nioholls kicking a penalty goal. Following this, however, College set about to terminate Petone's "scoring record, and by sound, defence, as well as aggressive tactics,, they succeeded in evening up play. Neither side had any distinct ad"vantags for a long period, although Petone went very close to a score on on« occasion, bright play in a line-out saving College. At length., when n Petone forward rush penetrated.' the College twenty-five, the ball was sent out wide. Nicholls w;vs alert, and, picking up smartly, he ran across to place Petone six points ahead. The attempt to canvert was unsuccessful. A series of line kicks placed the College boys in a good position. From loose play, the backs received the leather, and a splendid movement resulted in dimming registering the first try of the season against Petone. The kick at goal faile3. 6-3. Half-time sounded shortly afterwards. Keenness marked the play of the second spell. Goodman norrow]y missed a try for College, and Petone followed 'by a determined attack on the opposing line. Nicholls also made a strong effort later\ on, but it was whan Burt (College) potted a fine goal from a mark that the game became more exciting. With the scores even, both teams exerted a!! energy. _ Petona secured the advantage, a free-kick enabling Nicholla to place' a nice goal. 9-6. . This was the final score, and Petone won the championship. Mr. Wilkinson was the referee.