PONEKE'S EASY WIN OVER PETONE.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 90, 16 April 1923, Page 10

PONEKE'S EASY WIN OVER PETONE.

There was a beginning-of-season air about the match on Saturday at Petone between the old rivals for championship honours—Poneke and Petone. 'A good crowd went out from town and there were many local enthusiasts at the game, but there was nothing of championship form about the play; it was just first-of-season stuff, and crude at that, if amply vigorous. Both teams lacked several of their veteran stare, and the opportunity was taken, as on the previous Saturday, of trying out juniors and new recruits. No great discoveries were made on either side, unless one can include under that description Wright, Poneke's full-back, who added to the laurels he' won against 'Athletic at the Park the previous Saturday. Christopherson, who played full last season, made a reappearance as centre three-quarter. H. E. "Nicholls, Petone's captain for the season, was unable to take the field through illness. The teams were as follow:—

Poneke—Wright,.. Tunnington, Christopherson, M'Arthur, Juno, F. Tilyard, Baumber, U. P. Calcinai, Booker, Tynam, Kennedy, Rogers, Parsloe, Walsh, Petersen.

Petone—Love, Gardiner, "Doc." Nicholls, W. Thomas, Graham, Corner, Rogers, Albert Parker, Horsfall, Smillie, Love, Griffin, A. Thomas, Dickens, Clar idge. ■ " •

The game opened with a lively rush of Poneke from theij, kick-off, and a series of good line-findings kept Petone busy defending for ' some ■ time. Eventually the blues got away with a sudden foray, of forwards, and Poneke defending, conceded a penalty for off-side tactics on their twenty-five line. Corner took the kick, and a cheer rose from the Petone supporters for a goal, as the line umpire had raised his flag. The referee, however, apparently did not notice this and the goal was disallowed.

Poneke resumed the attack, which was not concerted enough to be successful, in spite of mistakes in the Petone defence.

The reds were nearly over through a blunder of Tuhi Love, the Petone full, but lucky speculators by Corner and Graham got the ball away to safety. Next moment Petone were penalised on the quarter line, and Wright from an awkward angle, with a cross windl, piloted the ball unmistakably between the posts—Poneke 3, Petone 0. Half-time, after much straggling undistinguished play, brought no further change'in the Boore.

Immediately after the resumption, Poneke broke away with a dashing mixed rush of backs and forwards, which developed into a passing bout in which a couple of stray dogs played a minor part, chasing through the clash of players. Tunnington finally got the ball and made a good run over at the corner. Wright failed with the kick. Poneke 6, Petone 0.

Petone were having plenty of the game, but found the defence too good lor a somewhat erratic attack. "Doc" Nicholls had a chance with a good mark close in, but the wind dropped when he took the kick, and the ball, with the allowance, went wide.

Poneke were soon away again, and there was an exciting incident when Baumber picked himself up from a tackle, and finding the ball handy and himself in front of goal, though far out, let drive with a mighty drop kick, which soared high above the posts but in the right alignment. The referee gave a goal, but it ' was a question whether Baumber was not off-side when he picked up the ball. Poneke 10, Petone nil.

The remaining stage of the _game was Betone's. Encouraged by the crowd, the blues showed their metal, and a series of strong rushes tried the Poneke defence hard. W. Thomas was nearly over twice, and the third time the backs were held up by the defence. Dickens got possession and dived over to a well-' deserved try( Corner made a poor attempt with the kick. The game ended 'Boon after with the score: Poneke 10, Petone 3. ■ ' Mr.. A. C. Kitto was referee.