PONEKE v. WELLINGTON.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 143, 18 June 1923, Page 10

PONEKE v. WELLINGTON.

Over three thousand spectators watched, the game'at the Athletic Park between Poneke and Wellington, which was not as good an exposition of Rugby as one customarily sees upon the ground. Welington more than'Tield up tfieir> end during the first spell, continually pressing their redoubtable -opponents, but after the change-over the Poneke forwards literally ran through them.

The teams were :—

Poneke.—Wright,; Tunnington, H. Tilyard, D. Algar; Christopherson, J. Tilyard ; Hall; Calcinai; Kennedy, Slater, Booker, J. Shearer, Kogers, S. Shearer, Tynan.

Wellington.—Brook; Scott, Prater, Bickard; Johnston, M'Gregor, Hughes; Jems; Ambler, Herd, Cooper, Whyborn, Joyce, Butcher, Hepburn.

Wellington kicked off, playing against the sun, and entered Poneke's twentyfive, where they were awarded a penalty, Ambler opening the score three minutes after the commencement of the game with an excellent kick. Wellington 3, Poneke 0." Tackling well and following up boldly, the Yellow forwards surprised the crowd by again pressing their opponents, who 1 eventually relieved with a free-kick. Poneke exerted their weight in a scrum on the half-way line, and were penalised for an obstruction. Immediately afterwards they were awarded a penalty, and Christopherson's kick fell only inches short of the bar. A break by Tunnington was frustrated, and from a half-way scrum Frater, Rickard, M'Gregor, Ambler, and Hepburn careered away, the Poneke backs massing on the back line and so stemming the tide. The lied and IVlaek backs, who thus far had not been conspicuous, principally on account of faulty handling on tho part of the inside men, now got into action, and Tunuington looked like running over. Kicking lightly ho ' attempted to regain possession, but Brook gathered in, and found the line neatly. Another effort by the fast Poneke winger to turn his pace to advantage was spoilt by his holding on to the ball too long till he was tackled and smothered with the ball in his arms. Ambler, was shortly afterwards entrusted .-with . another shot at the sticks from just within the half-way line, but kicked poorly. Riekard made a brilliant catch in left field while moving fast and was promptly collared, and from the resulting line-out Ambler almost scored, Poneke forcing down. . The game was not developing as promisingly as it had .opened, neither side displaying much combination. While the ball had been kept fairly well in hand in the early stages, the game was becoming much looser. Tunnington and Calcinai had been performing below their customary form, but they participated in a commendable piece of work shortly before half-time. Calcinai made a bold 'dash through Wellington's defence and was tackled by Hughes. Tunnington, following up fast, continued the good work and attempted to jump over in the corner, but: was thrown out. Rickard saved nicely in the line-out with a well-judged kick. Just before the bell rang Poneke were awarded a penalty kick for off-side play, and Chnstopherson was unsuccessful: • • ,

Poneke went early into the fray on the resumption and the backs and forwards showed better combination than had characterised their efforts in the first spell. The ball went out to Tunnington on the wing, and though lie used Ms pace he could not hold the ball and was promptly relieved of it. Johnston showed his worth as a five-eighth by carrying the ball ahead of. him in the face of the Red forwards, but Poneke maintained the pace .they had set. ::nd were soon threatening.-again the Wellington's twenty-five. While this excitement was at its height Wright attempted to drop

a. goal. As a result of another. . onslaught J. Tilyard crossed. Brook went down witb him. and tho referee ordered

a five-yard scrum. Swinging tho ball across to the other aide of the goal posts. Poneke got their bricks away and Tumn.'iglon v. reul over in a characteristic co'rkmrew run. H*> was tackled, but succeeded in touching down. AVright's kick was good. Poneke 5, Wellington 3. At this stage Hughes jvent off with

an injury and Hill took his place. Wellington held play in their opponents' territory for a spell, and the game was of an open order until J. Shearer broke clear, and, after releasing to attendants, received again to run in and score-. Wright's kick failed. Poneke 8, Wellington 3. Still pressing, Poneke again threatened, and D. Alpar, receiving from Hall, made a diagonal run, scoring in the corner. S. Shearer converted. Poneke 13, Wellington 3. The fast Vctics adopted by Poneke proved the undoing of Wellington, who were nnaliln to stem the tide of forwards directed against them. A few minutes befora time Calcinai was seen charging down upon Brook. The Wellington full-back fumbled, and the ball rolled between his legs to be dribbled onwards by the charging forward, who had no difficulty in scoring. Shearer this time narrowiy missed with the kick. Poneke 16, Wellington 3. After a period of loose play in midfield four Poneke players, shot away practically unopposed, having run clean through the Wellington ranks, and after a couple, oi exchanges Tvnan scored, for S. Shearer to convert. In the closing stages the referee stopped the game to caution tho Poneke forwards, who had become somewhat fractious. There was no further score. Mr. E. T. Bailey controlled the game.