PETONE DEFEAT ATHLETIC.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1924, Page 4

PETONE DEFEAT ATHLETIC.

A spirited effort: by ! Athletic to break Petone's run of success and just as much determination on the part of the championship leaders to improve then' position accounted for a stirring contest between the two teams at Athletic Park. To about four thousand spectators the game provided much warmth of enthusiasm, and its pace was so hot that tho contestants themselves had all the opportunities they- needed fo/ keeping warmed up to their work. From start io finish the game was strenuous, with the issue in, doubt until the closing stages and. the players always doing their best to achieve "the desired result. A sticky turf and a rather heavy ball were handicaps, but so well div the players perform that the game was the best of the club matches seen on the Park this season. For a good afternoon's sport it was very satisfying, but it would have satisfied more if there had not been a tendency in tho hard play to infringe the rules of fair play. There were cases of illegal1 tactics, certainly not to. any great extent, and tho sooner the players responsible cut them out the better the football will be for all. That matter covered, the' rest tha.t can bo said of the gamo is that it was hard and keen, with thu forwards engaging in many strenuous tussles and strong rushes, and the backs accomplishing a lot of work, much of it attractive, in tho open. Both teams were at good strength, Athletic having the services of the All Blacks, Porter and Svenson, and Petone having Mark Nicholls (Wellington's other All Black representative) and Corner as full-back. Atliletic won the toss and played with the sun at their backs, giving Petone the advantage of a light southerly. The game opened up with a lively bout. It was just a sample of what took place throughout the game. For quite a time Petone were the main aggressors, the backs .combining well and using the centre kick without succeeding in penetrating the defence. A change came when Porter, Svenson, and G. Gibson broke away. The latter kicked towards the Petone line; there was a rush for tho ball and Fitzgerald just managed to boat G. Gibson and Porter. Following a period of even play, Petone lost a golden chance to score. H. E: Nicholls, who was feeding bis backs well, sent M. Nicholls and Graham away! with "Doc" Nicholls in support. A try looked to be certain when the last-named dropped a pass from Graham. Other efforts by cither side wero also fruitless, the spell ending without score. With the sun down and a fair breeze in their favour, Athletic had bright, prospects when the second spoil commenceii. and the game turned decidedly their way \yhen a brilliant, passing bout resulted in »_ try. Warwick paved tho v.ay splendidly by dummying past a couple of opponents before transferring lo Porter. The leather was Ilien well handled by G. .Gibson, Carey, and Sveuson, tho last-named scoring. Cooksoti failed to convert, 3-0. Willing p]ay folJowed, and ut length (he gamo took another turn, when If. E. Nicholls sent the Petone backs awny. M. Nicholls, Graham, and "Doc." Nicholls handled in turn, and Ihen Cornaga was left to cover a gond deal of ground. This ho did, and staving off a weak effort to ntop Mm ho registered ;i good try. M. Nicholk; failed to convert. 3-3. Subsequent proceedings were keen and very interesting. It was anybody's game until in tho final stages Petono found a couple of openings for the registration of two more tries. When a passing bout broko down near the line, Graham was on hand and scored near the corner. There was no conversion. 6-3. Then from a line-out near half-way King broke through, and a heady kick past the full-back enabled him to show his pace—^it was too good for Brook, and a fino try was scored by King. M. Nicliolls converted splendidly. 11-3. Athletic wero nofc finished. Their endeavours to break tho defence were, however, of no avail, but Cookson succeeded in landing a penalty goal, making the final score • Petone 11, Athletic 6. •Mr. J. Moffitt was an efficient referee.