KEEN CLASHES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 102, 4 May 1925, Page 9

KEEN CLASHES

WELLINGTON BEAT ATHLETIC

DRAWN GAME BETWEEN MARIST AND PONEKE.

Poneke 0 Marist r Wellington ...... c Athletic" 1.'.".".'."".', a £ ct°ue IS Oriental 0 Berhainpore .... 30 Selwyn 0 S Hutt 3 Old Boys, a bye. , The vagaries of the weather played a big part in \ the Rugby football competitions on Saturday afternoon, when the second series of matches iv the senior ami junior competitions was decided, and a start made with competitions in other grades. The senior games provided a very interesting round, and there was not a little surprise in some oE the results. For these the weather was, no doubt, partly responsible,, as teams which had to face the northerly wind in the first spell were met with a southerly and heavy rain in the second haif of the game. At the same time, the teams which made the surprise showings indicated by their play that they were able to make good use of the advantages in the : matter of conditions, and this helped them to the success which was gained. At Athletic Park there was.a large following for the Ponekc-Marist game, and those who saw it out were treated to a stirring encounter, in which strenuous play on the part of the forwards kept the pace solid right through -I he first spell ended three all, and when,Marist took the lead early in the second spell excitement was aroused the climax coming when, in the last minute or two, Poneke succeeded in drawing level with their opponents. There was just as much excitement in the Athletic- ! Wellington game at Lyall Bay, as Wei- | lington, in the latter stages of the game stoutly defended a supreme effort by Athletic to avert defeat. And Wellington with a sturdy vanguard, indicated tiiat they were capable of turning defence into attack. Wellington won with three points to spare. At the Hutt Recreation Ground, University succeeded in getting home from the local team by a margm of fire points, after a keenlycontested game. Petone won comfortably from Oriental, and Berhampore had an easy victory over.Selwyn. Points for the championship have been registered as follow : Petone 4, BarhahiPore_4 .University 4, Poneke 3, Marist 2, Wellington 2. Hutt 1, Athletic 0, Oriental 0, Old Roys 0/ Selwyn 0. MARIST DRAW WITH PONEKE'. To the keen contests which have been provided by Poneke arid Marist in previous seasons another addition was made at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon when- a surprise showing from Marist made the game closer than was anticipated. AVhile the weather remained fair some four thousand spectators were treated to a fairly even encounter with the prospect of an interestmg finish. About halfway- through the game, however, the pleasure of on- i lookers was disturbed by hcavv rain 1 and many left the players to their orrteal It was such more to Poneke than to Marist, as the wind changed round to give Marist, who had won the tos* the advantage in both spells.. The dis-turbing-influence did not deprive the players of their keenness; indeed it neemed > give, them new vigour, and' this .was used to the full in a stirrin" and- exciting second spell. For most oi the spell Manst held a. three-point cad, but, near the end, -Poneke got Jioine to make a draw of a game that was strenuously contested throughout Luck played a big part, as it not infrequently does when the going is heavy ."id the leather slippery. Both sides shared in the fortunes of the game, good and bad,.and an the case of tries/about which there appeared to be some doubt —though not in the referee's mind—both shared alike. Loose play was the main order, and the typo of many of the forward, rushes was such as to compensate tor the absence of attractive back The teams were as follow : Marist : Murphy, Griffin, Cummuigs, loley, Mahoney Ward, Tqobill, Holtz M Rae, Hall, Fisher, Bell.- M'Hardy Bowman, M'Kee. ■ ■ ■ Poneke : Gilbert, Algar, Gibson, Hiccf J> rrilS rd ' Jessu P. Hall, Calcinai, v w!, L- IUX?'- J- Shearer > Smith h. Wilson, S. Shearer, Walsh. In the early stages, while the teams were settling down, there was a good deal of loose play, and much punting On one occasion, when Algar was beaten by the bounce of the ball, Foley was gvien a royal chance to open Marist's account, but he did not use it. On both sides a solid defence was set up against the loose forward rushes, which were becoming more solid. A change from this order came when Ward beat Hickey for the ball, and was assisted by Foley, M'Kee, and Mahoney in a likely -rush, but another good 'opening was finally thrown away. To this Poneke, led by Walsh "nd J. Shearer, replied with a determined advance upon the Marist line. ■• There the finishing touches were found to be at fault; but after Marist had made a couple of dashes, to compel Poneke to force, another counter-attack by Poneke, in which Slater and Calcinai were conspicuous, caused the Marist defence to crumple. Jnst as the final effort to score was being made a player was obstructed. Then a defender made an attempt to force, but it was not to the referee's satisfaction, and when L Wilson followed through and touched down a try was awarded. The. position was easy for a goal, and Calcinai directed the leather accurately. The referee how-icv-cr ruled tht the kicker had placed the ball on the ground, and so Poneke lost two points. 3—o. Marist were quick to retaliate, only to find the oi> position capable of further advances, but near the end of the spell matters wera evened up when Tohill worked the blind side from a scrum in Poneke territory His pass landed at Griffin's feet, and the Via II was kicked across Poneke's line. .1 here was a race for it, and Griffin, using a, long dive,' won. There was no «>aversion, the spell ending—three all. Poneke'a luck was out when thov came on for the second spell. The wind had dropped, and then it freshened 'from the touth, to make them face it again, this Ume with driving rain as well. Under these conditions bright play was out of the question, and kick-and-rush tactics came into the picture more'than ever. Poneke rushes were turned, and Marist, going forward in loose formation met success. Gilbert found the leather too greasy, and his attempt to touch down did not succeed. Marist came through, Toohill falling on the ball to be awarded- a try, which was not converted. 6—3. The effect or this was not only toY stir Poneke, but also to I spur Marist,on, but in powers of penetration the Red and Blacks held an advantage, and they went forward against rain and wind in such vigorous fashion as to make Marist do their best on deience, and they did it well, thoueb Poneke's attacks were also made Jess effective through inability to hold the j leather. Poneke maintained a solid • pressure, but with it all they coald iot j

break through. Hall and Gibson were also unsuccessful with shots at goal. At length Marist made a long drive, only to find the Poneke forwards gather round the ball to engage in a typical loose rush. From this it seemed that they must score, but in a scramble to fal! on the leather as it passed between the posts Marist succeeded with a forcedown. It was shortly afterwards that Marist looked like putting the issue beyond doubt, when, from a rush to the Poneke line, a dive was made near the corner flag for a try.: In a stirring encounter Poneke saved their line, though Walsh had to retiro owing to an injury. And then, in the closing stages, Poneke made one of their characteristic finishing efforts to pull the game out olthe fire. The ball was sent to Marist territory, and on over tho line. H. Tilyard, who had replaced Hickey earlier in the spell, outpaced the opposition, but just failed to touch down. From a scrum, however, the ball was passed out, and good handling saw H. Tilyard cross near the corner. The kick failed, but the try had saved defeat for Poneke. In the" short bout of play which followed, Carmody played in place of Toohill, who was 'injured. The_ game ended.: Marist, 6; Poneke, 6. Mr. G. Bradley was the referee.. :