PLAY IN BAD WEATHER

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 142, 19 June 1922, Page 4

PLAY IN BAD WEATHER

MARIST DEFEAT 'VARSITY

PETONE RUN OVER BERHAMPORE.

Marisfc 11, 'Varsity 3. Petone 21, Berhampore 6. Poneke 10, Athletic 3. Oriental 9, Selwyn 5. Old Boys 11, Wellington 8.

The weather again proved bad for football on Saturday, the southerly blowing up keen and bleak with a squall of rain during the later afternoon. Attendances suffered thereby, which was regrettable, as the net proceeds of the gates are to go to charity, including the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial; Fund for the New Zealand blind. Among those present at Athletic Park was ihe_ Governor-General, who watched the Mai'ist-University game with interest. It was pa day out for Marist, and they deserved their substantial win of 11 points to 3. Petone easily defeated Berhampore at Petone by 21 to 6. Poneke had a much smaller margin—10 to 6—over Athletic at the I Basin. Oriental defeated Selwyn 9-5 in a colourless game, and Old Boys just scraped home from Wellington by 11 to ] 8. The result of the day's play leaves Poneke and Petone at the top of the list with 13 points each, and 'Varsity, Marist, and Berhampore with 10 points. Oriental and Athletic have each 8 points, Old Boys 6, Selwyn 2, and Wellington 0. TRIUMPH FOR MARIST. The Marist team, which has shown consistent improvement ever since it entered senior football at the beginning cf last season, richly justified the hopes of its supporters by soundly thrashing 'Varsity by 11, points to 3 at Athletic Park on Saturday. There was not the least doubt about the result; it was not a case of luck or fluke. Three times Marist crossed the 'Varsity line to score tries, and no try was scored against them, 'Varsity's sole score being a j highly popular goal from a mark by Jackson, the idol of the small boysomething he has never done before, and, perhaps, may never do again. Marist won through their chief virtue of quick and sure tackling, which completely upset the nimble skill of the 'Varsity backs, and by a tenacity in attack which, backs and forwards combining powerfully, would not be denied. For once, too, Marist got a fair share of the ball in the scrum, though it did not always come out cleanly behind. The two wing, men, Mahoney and Creed, outshone their -vis-a-vis, Jackson and Mal&oy, and similarly M'Cleary, behind' the scrum, showed more resource than his antagonist, Trapski, who filled a like position for 'Varsity. It must be confessed at the same time that 'Varsity were disappointing. They gave the impression of a team that was stale, that lacked sting in attack and doggedness in defence. The game, on account of the' brisk southerly blowing, was played in twenty-minute spells, and 'Varsity, with the wind with them in the first twenty, ■ did not wake up to their advantage till it was too late. Marist did better when their turn came, but still failed to score, and at half-time there was nothing to either name on the board. ' 'Varsity opened the ball in the third twenty through Jackson's goal from his mark, but M'Cleary equalised with a wellearned try. Mahoney added another from a fine solo effort, and Murphy converted. 'Varsity could do nothing, and the final twenty minutes was all against them. Creed completed the Marist total of 11 points with another j try at the corner. The match was watched by a fair number of spectators, among whom on the stand were His Excellency the Governor-General and the Hons. D. H. Guthrie and J. G^ Coates, Cabinet Ministers.,

The teams were:— Marisfc.—Murphy, Creed, Tancved, Mahoney, Carmody, Markham, M'Cleary, Connop, M'Rae, Boyce, Hopkins, P: Sullivan, Troy, Crotty, B. Sullivan. 'Varsity.—Mackay, Jackson, Aitken, Malfroy, Murray, Siddells, Trapski, Smith, Burnsj Pope, Thomas, M'Rae, Bryden, Dighton, Scott. Both teams were rather slow in getting going, and it was late in the spell before any glimpse of 'Varsity passing play was seen. Attacking, Aitlten opened up a movement, which was well supported, but the Marist tackling was so good that success was far away still when Trapski knocked on. Scott started another manoeuvre, but Malfroy missed when the L*ll reached his way. Though the Dark Greens threw the ball about well, they made little headway, and could claim no tangible result for their wind advantage at the end of the spell. Marist, on the turn-about, attacked with rather more vigour. Connop had a shot from a good'mark in a good position, but failed. 'Varsity were compelled to force hastily in the face of determined forward rushes. A counter-attack initiated by Trapski stopped at Siddells. Jackson tried a sprint after a long kick, but got the worst of a collision with Murphy, Marist's burly full. Smith, who was playing a fine wing game, gave 'Varsity another chance with an opening, but again Siddells was at fault. Next time he did rather bettor in a passing bout from Trapski, but he gave Aitken a poor chance witli his\ delivery oh the way to the wing. Murphy then, on Marist retaliating, marked, but his kick was charged down. Mahoney was conspicuous in swift following up, which bustled Mackay, and Creed also tested the 'Varsity full. In a sudden raid by 'Varsity Malfroy came close to scoring, but nothing came of it, and the score was nil at half-time.

It was thought that 'Varsity might wake up and piln on tlie points ■when once again tho wind came thejr way after the resumption. But it was Marist who attacked, and Creed, with a welljudged follow-up kick, put li!s side in train for scoring. A penalty followed, and Aitken relieved. The Marist forwards were only stopped in a return, rush by Thomas, who fell on tho hall. The next thing was a splendid passing rush by Marist right from half-way. From M'Cleary tho ball traversed the line with fine precision, and it was Tancred's difficult pass to Mahoney that brought the bout to a close. Then 'Varsity, aided by a Kick of Aitken's, took the initiative, and a dangerous rush which looked like proving successful had it gone to the wing, was spoilt by Siddells, who tried hard to bullock thrc»'.gh in front of goal. The ball was forced. Jackson marked the kick out, and his perfect kick was so unexpected that the goal was greeted with both laughter and applause. 'Varsity 3, Marist 0. The lead was not for long. Troy iniliated a dribbling rush, and Msrist got 'Varsity well down in the south-western corner. Here, after some vigorous work on both sides, M'Cleary skilfully tufhed the blind side of the scrum and scored a fine try. Murphy could make nothing of a kick from near the touch-line. 3-3. Their success inspired Marist to further efforts, and soon Mahoney, fielding a kick to touch, beat his man and scored by the corner. This time Murphy steered the ball U> the right place. Marist 8, 'Varsity 3. The final spell wag ail to Maristv In

a series of attacks Crotty distinguished himself with a fine run down the line, being thrown out at the corner flag. Carmody made a fine but unsuccessful pot at goal. Finally, as a sequel to an insistent onslaught on the 'Varsity line, Creed got over at the corner. Murphy failed with the kick. The game ended, in a handsome win for Marisfc with the scores: Marist 11, 'Varsity 3. Mr. Moffit was referee.

PONEKE WIN BY GOAL-KICKING.

The victory of Poneke over Athletic at Basin Reserve or Saturday was no easy one. What gave them the win was a more reliable set of backs and more success in the kicking. The teams were:—

Poneke: —Christopherson; D. Algar, M'Arthur, Tunnington; B. Algar, F Tilyard; J. Tilyard; King, S. Shearer, Calcinai, J. Shearer, M'Donald (replaced by Booker in the second spell), Kennedy, Parsloe, and Slater. Athletic: —Brook; Bullai'd, Gibson, M'Cabe; Sutton, Elvey; Brnnsell j M'Carlie, Osborne, Swain, Ryan, Duncan, Goodall, Osborne, and Swain.

Using the heavy southerly wind, Athletic attacked early. The forwards worked 'effectively—in fact, they were the strength of the team—and, taking the ball to the line, enabled Sutton to score. Gibson missed the kick. 3-0.. A'ter defending their line momentarily, Athletic broke away'again, and, Tunniugton inistimingy the forwards dribbled ahead, to be robbed of i-eward by a timely kick over the dead ball line by B. Algar. M'Cabe, Gibson, and Sutton each had shots at goal unsuccessfully, and finally King brought Telief by sending a free kick into touch well on Athletic line... Athletic gained ground, and Brunsell, from a- mark, had an unsuccessful pot, and then M'Cabe went very near from a penalty kick. Yet another shot by Gibson fell short. Weakness in kicking left Athletic only 3 points in the lead at half time. i Eight at the outset of the second spell Poneke attacked, and D. Algar had a shot at goal without success. Then the ■ball shot through the backs, only to pass over D. Algar's shoulder. A moment later it Trent through to the opposite wing to Tunnington, who, cleverly sidestsppimg,' was all but over. F. Tilyard bullocked through, and Booker, picking up smartly, scored. King missed an easy kick. 3,-3. B. Algar had an unsuccessful pot, followed soon, after by I an excellent drop-kick from the field by King. 7-3. Another shot was taken from a mark by D. Algar %vithout result. Picking up from an Athletic forward attack, Tminington made a fine individual run, full of his characteristic sjdestepping. A penally a moment later Christopherson a chance, which ho took, bringing the total to 10-3. Once again Athletic forwards, following a neat piece of work by Elvey, took charge, and got well inside the opposition 25, where Duncan was foolishly off-side, and gave Poneke the required relief. M'Arthur spoilt a Poneke chance by holding on too long, and Ryan and company took the ball away over the half-way, where, from a line out, F. Tilyai'd secured, and, dummying, gained a great strip of ground befoi-e passing to M'Arthur, who was going strongly for the line *vhen grassed by 'Bullard. The game ended without further score. Mr. G. Bradley was referee. ORIENTAL DEFEAT SELWYN. Play in the Orietital-Selwyn match at Newtown Park was not of a very interesting character. On account of the strong southerly four twenty-minute spells were played. Oriental won by 9'to 5. The teams were:—

Oriental.—Heap; Biggs, Cairo], and Scott; Adams and Griffiths; J. Gilchrist; Gair, Tiiorne, Brown, A. Gilchrist, Scott, King, Matthews, and Pringle. 8 Selwyn.—Harrington; Kershaw, M'Lay, ■and Kent; M'Quad© and Wogan; Bastgate; Patching, Desmond, Hearle, Peacock, Burke, Rose, Mac Donald, and Dotchin.

Riggs wa3 prominent for Oriental in the early part of the game, Ibtifc it was Scott who scored the first try. This came from a forward rash, from which Scott picked the ball up and dodged around the Wind side to score near the corner j flag. Adams did not convert the try. ! Despite the fact that they had the wind against them, .Oriental kept up a steady pressure, relieved just before the end of the first quarter by a spectacular but fruitless passing rush od the part ol Kent, Patching1, and Wogan. With the wind in Itheir favour in the second quarter, Oriental we even more aggressive, and added another three points to their tally, Gilohrist putting the'finishing touch to a forward rush. Adams again failed to convert the try. Selwyn wexe much brighter in the third quarter, and Oriental had many anxious moments. ( From a hot attack Wogan gained possession and scored Selwyn's only try. Harrington, from well out near the side line, kicked a goal, making the score 6-5. The ! final quarter was played mainly in Selwyn territory, but although Oriental attacked steadily only one more try was added to the total. Matthews scored this from another forward rush. The game ended without further score. Mr. A, C. Kitto was referee. PETONE BEAT BERHAMPORE? Amid a strong southerly wind with a lot of "bite" in it, and to the accompaniment ol frequent, showers of rain, Petone were successful by 21 points to 6 against Berhampore on the Petone Recreation Ground. There was a big crowd of spectators, who seemed to toe impervious to the frigidity of tho elements. At the outset Berhampore gave promise of great things, but they quickly fell from grace and'i.flvere soundly beaten. It was Petone's backs who did the trick. Had the game depended on tho Petone forwards, Berhampore would have won. j WELLINGTON'S BEST GAME. Wellington played their best game this season against Old Boys as ■ a curtainraiser to the main match at Athletic Park. In the first spell, Malcolm kicked a. penalty goal for Old Boys. On tho change over, Hughes got over foi Wellington, and Frater converted. Wellington 5, Old Boys 3. Then Jones put Old Boys ahead with a try, which Malcolm failed to convert. Old Boys 6, Wellington 5. Next Clarke scored lor Wellington a fine try at the corner. Frater's kick failed. Wellington 8, Old Boys 6. The game was now far advanced, and the time for the main match due. Just before the bell rang, Faber scored the winning try for Old Boys and Malcolm kicked a very fine goal. Old Boys 11, Wellington B.

Mr. E. Perry was referee.