RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 9

RUGBY

SATURDAY'S GAMES

ATHLETICS THIRD DEFEAT

' PONEKE,-'VARSITY, AND MARIST

UNBEATEN.

Poneks 0 Athletic '.. 0 lierhampore .... a Old Boys 3 "Varsity 11 Wellington 3 Marist 3 Oriental 3 Hutt .: 9 Selwyn 0 l'etone, a bye. The progress of the local competitions was not affected to any extent by the bad weather at the end of last week, the conditions on Saturday afternoon necessitating only a few postponements of lower grade games. F,or the greater part of the afternoon the weather was not unkind to football, and, though a southerly with a keen bite was in evidence, most people who followed the Rugby games found enough in the play for Teal warmth of enthusiasm. ' The senior games were keenly contested, and the results generally were such as to leave the championship still very open. ■ Athletic, however, were unable to repeat their notable success over Petono, and for the third time this season they had lo accept defeat, this time at the hands ot' Poneke. This game was staged at Athletic Park, and it made a very acceptable offering to patrons. The play ■was strenuous throughout, with both | sets of forwards battling vigorously all the way and receiving good assistance from the backs., Poneke's form was superior to that of their opponents, and the win by six points was well deserved. Petone had a bye, but enthusiasts at Petone were provided with a senior game in the meeting of Old Boys and Bcrhampore. Here, again, play was keen, but Berhampore were just a little too solid for Old Boys. Marist and Oriental had a tough tussle at Wakefield Park. The teams were evenly matched, and at the end honours were easy. The draw was Marist's third of the season. 'Varsity met strong opposition ffom Wellington at Karon Park, but succeeded in .retaining their unbeaten record. Hutt's first win was > obtained; over Selwyn at the Hutt Recreation Ground.

To date 'Varsity, Poneke, and Marist are unbeaten. Poneke, However, have dropped a point through a drawn game, while Marist have registered only three points in three of their games in which they have finished up with the same score as the opposing teams. The championship points are as follow:—'Varsity 10, Berhampore 8, Poneke 7, Petone 6, J.lavist 5, Athletic 4, Oriental 3, -Hutfc 3, Wellington 2, Old Boys 2, Selwyn 0. Poneke, Petone, Marist, Old Boys, and Selwyn have each had a bye.

PONEKE BEAT ATHLETIC.

Rightly starred as the principal event on Saturday's Rugby card, the contest between Athletic and Poneke drew a crowd of about 6000 to Athletic Park. The weather was wintry, but of its unpleasant touch the spectators were soon lrced by what the players produced in their battle for victory. The encounter ■was stirring, and in this respect on a par with the previous games on the Park this season, but, while there was cause for excitement, the superiority of one side gradually became so pronounced as to leave little doubt about the final issue.' The superior side was Poneke) and all through the game the. Red and Blacks, as fit as'";they;could:''be,.'indicated & no uncertain manner that their form of other days is well maintained. Poneke's forwards, with sound backing' from the rearguard, 'played the gamo .best- suited to the conditions, and their control of the ball in loose rushes—and these were the best means to success on tho day— was an object lesson. All that they put into the game was necessary, as Athletic presented the toughest of opposition, and just what this amounted to was indicated ,in the'fact that not until the final stages did Poneke make a successful pen etration. Poneke, however, were leaders throughout the 'second spell,' a penalty goal going to their account shortly before half-.time. Spectacular play was out of the question, but numerous efforts of the upen order were made, though they did not go far. The defensive play on both sides was splendid. Tho teams were:—

Poneke: Gilbert ; Hickcy, Algar, H. Tilyard; Gibson,. F. Tilyard; Hall; Jessup; S. Shearer,'B. Wilson, J. Shearer, lope, Smith, Slater, .Walsh. • Athletic: Cookson; Sutton, M'Dougall, Malmanche; Gibson,. Svenson; Warwick; Porter; Osbome, Adam, Webb, Park, Duncan, Spencer, M'Keniaii. Poneke won the toss and elected to play against the wind. The reason was apparent when the game was. under way, a stout resistance being shown to Athletics advances. Of these" there were many, but whether by -forwards or backs, or a combination of both, all efforts were smothered. On occasions theball was sent too far, and that made Poneke's work easier. Athletic were not on_ their own as aggressors. There were times when Poneke were dangerous. In one Poneke advance Athletic wers very lucky to get out with a forcedown, and almost immediately , afterwards Poneke had a similar stroke of good fortune, when two players were in doubt about taking tho ball. Warwick dashed through, but was just beaten to tha leather by Algar. There were other events to keep interest alive but no scoring took place until just on the call of half-time. For Wringing hi their own twenty-five Athletic were penalised, and S. Shearer landed a "ood goal. 3-o.'

In having to /ace tlio southcrlv in (ho second spell, and being three" points down, Athletic had the harder part. Porieke's strength had not been affected by the strenuous first spell, and they set out to make the most of the "oin" with the. wind. Forcing the pace, "they gave Athletic no end of trouble but time-after time tha Blues cleared'their ™- Finding their advances always held up, Poneke tried other means—attempts to goal—but these met with no success. It was clear that Poneke had the upper hand, but Athletic battled away gamely, but not infrequently they made enough headway to obtain re"-liei-from danger. The play was always strenuous, and there were some casualties. Gibson (Athletic) was compelled to retire, aud Boyd came on. ■ P. Tilyard (Poneke) retired for a while! and Hall (Poneke) had to bo replaced, Gibbs coming on as wiujj, and 11. Tilyaid going to half. Poneke's rushes finally sue seeded, •B. Wilson gclUm.' .a try. S. Shea-rev's kick from a difficult ausfle was unsuccessful. There was little of note m the brief period before the final whistle, the gamo cudiuc;: Ponekc G. Athletic 0.

Mr. ,T. Moffitt. controlled the «jmc efficients.