SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1924, Page 11

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

PETONE'S DEFEAT OF PONEKE

HUTT SCORE THEIR FIRST WIN,

Petone 19, Poneke 3. Athletic 12, Berhampore 6, Oriental 19, Wellington 12. Marißt 9, 'Varsity 8. Hutt 11, Selwyn 0. . Old Boys, a bye.

Following a squally morning, the weather conditions on Saturday afternoon were a slight improvement iigon those which had been experienced for previous club matches, and another series of Rugby games was decided without interference. The play, however,. was affected to some extent by a strong southerly, which had a very keen bite. Tile big event in the senior competition was the meeting of Petone and Poneke at I'etone, but interest was not so great as in the past, and the game was disappointing. Petone won by 16 points—a. margin. which was not a true reflection of tno trend of play. The game" was 'over-willing, and ,as a result there were a number of casualties, three players having to be assisted from the iield— Bennett (Poneke), Dickens (Petone), and J. Shearer (Poneke). Shearer received his injury in the firial stages' of the game, when he was playing among the backs, in place .of Bennett. Other players received hard knock*. The AtbieticBerhampore match did not come up to expectations, although a good, hard tussle kept the crowd interested. Athletic gained the,, verdict. Oriental further improved their championship position by stalling off a strong challenge from Wellington, while Marist gained a last-miniute victory over 'Varsity. A pleasing feature of the day's results was the win gained by Hutt—their first since they joined the senior ranks last sea- . son. Selwyn, of course, could have done with the points, but in a hard game the result went to the better team. Championship points are now as follow:—Petone 11, Athletic 10. Oriental 10, Berhampore 8, Marist 8, Poneke 7, Old Boys 4, Wellington 4, 'Varsity 4, Hutt 2, Selwyn 2.

Details of Saturday's game% are as follow:— '•

ATHLETIC DEFEAT BEREAMPORE. ' Playing on Athletic Park, Athletic' seniors defeated Berhampore by 12 points to 6. The game throughout was fast and interesting, with Athletic easily the better team on the day's play. Berhampore put up a stout resistance all .the way, but their work fell far below the stan-dard-of that of the Athletic men, whose victory was both, popular and' well-de-served.

Facing, a strong southerly wind, Berhampore kicked off, and immediately b&gan to force the play and Athletic were obliged to force down. For a few minutes both sets of forwards disputed possession in neutral territory, but finally Gibson secured and short-punted.'' The^ wind took the ball further than, it had been intended to go, but Gibson tore down-, field, secured on. the first bounce, and was away again'before he could be collared by any of his pursuers. He passed for safety!s sake, but the man to whom he transferred was quickly grassed. Duncan headed a: strong counter movermeiit.by the'Berhamppro forwards,. but Warwick held up''the advanced A series of attacks by. Athletic followed, but without success.. Gibson' failed with another penalty kick, and Spencer secured and went very close. to scoring, Carey made a good run, and after a short passing rush, Gibson scored near the right comer flag. Oookson converted with a fine kick. Athletic 5, Berhampore 0. Athletic continued to force,. and a few mmates before the interval, Swain scored near the' left corner. No further points came as the result of the kick, and whbn the spell ■ ended, the scores were ■ Athletic 8, Berhampore 0. With £he wind m their favour, Berhamporo opened the second spell very determinedly and Athletic saved the situation by forcing Lewis was.held up on the line by the Athletic forwards, and Porter cleared without much difficulty. ' Carey was very conspicuous in a. rush ,by. the Athletic forwards, and securing 'neatly "he showed great judgment by drop-kicldnc a fine goal from the fiejd. . Athletic 12, Berhampore 0..' Dufty took the ball iiicely, and sprinted speedily up the field, but his lack rebounded off Duncan Por-ter-tried, to- "bullock" across the line, but he was held up by the opposing forSrt f>a"£ i'. Pop\ cleared- AtM*tic played the. bal on the ground, and Lang kicked a good penalty goal. Athletic 12, Berhampore-3. Deere made an unsuccessful attempt to place-kidc a goal rom half-way Lang broke away, and fending strongly,' crossed- the line for Berhampore. The kick failed.. Athletic w-Vl * ?T Ye 6- The- *«>>>". ended without further score on either side , Mr. Q. Bradley was referee.