UNIVERSITY DEFEAT WELLINGTON.

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

UNIVERSITY DEFEAT WELLINGTON.

In retaining their lead in the senior championship, 'Varsity registered a good win over Wellington at Karori Park on Saturday. Although 'Varsity had Avon their previous tour games, it was expected that they would experience move opposition from Wellington, especially as four of their players," Scents, Walpole, Burns, and O'liegaij, were absent, playing in the Test match at Dunedin against the Sydney University team. Mackenzie was also absent injured, but capable substitutes were found for all, and a very good game resulted, in which 'Varsity held a slight advantage right through, and finally ran out the winners by 11 points to 3. Wellington had two new forwards in. Mathieson and D. Maxwell, both of whom represented Southland last season, and were making their first appearance in Wellington. This was the-first senior Eugby match that has been played at Karori for many years. The ground is rather rough, and the whole area has a distinct slo7>e towards one corner,".which was very sloppy. The teams were:—

Varsity : Sutherl.-ind;. Malfroy, Marks, A. Jackson; Kelis, Love; Hart; Joll,

Childa, Hislop, Martin-Smith (captain), Pope, M'William, Baldwin, Wiren. Wellington : Jarvie; Morgan, Corliss, Rhodes j Johnson (captain), Cunningham; Christie; Lindsay; W. Francis, Cleland, Theyors,-Joyce,-Voice, Mathieson, Maxwell. • ' . '•

'Varsity kicked off in a slight drizzle and with the wind in their favour, and their backs immediately got going, Malfroy being finally tackled by Joyce. Wellington were having the better of matters, but could not get over, and after Johnson had failed to score from a penalty, 'Varsity had their turn and only just failed from several excellent passing rushes, Malfroy especially making some good runs. The 'Varsity backs, notably Love, Kells, and Marks, were opening up tho game and passing in fine style, and were giving their wings plenty ot chances, though Jackson was finding difficulty in gathering the ball. Kells failed with an easy penalty kick, and but for Johnson, 'Varsity must have scored from a mull by Jarvie. Play was proving very even, however, with good attacks by both sets of backs being'nullified by sound defence. At last, in one rush, Wellington carried play to tho opposing line, where Johnson was nearly over under tho posts, but Christie received the ball and sent out a long pass to Morgan, who dived over in fine style in the corner. Johnson failed to.convert. 3-0. _ Wellington almost scored again straight from the kick-off, a good opening by Morgan being spoilt, but then 'Varsity broke away, and from a scrum in midfield tho ball came, out to Marks, who clapped on speed to cross close to tho corner, with Jackson in attendance.' Wells failed with the kick, and half-time came with the scores 3-aIl."

The weather had now cleared up, and a period of even play marked the resumption of the game, with some exciting rushes. Both teams were going all out, and were fairly evenly matched both back and forward, but with a slight superiority to 'Varsity at centre threequarter, and in their strong kicking. Finally a rush downfield resulted in Marks receiving to send a good pass to Jackson, who ran round for a good try. Love's kick-was charged down. 6-3. Wellington tried attack again, but 'Varsity soon reasserted themselves, and were nearly over on several occasions, and just before time was called they added • five more points to their score, Marks gathering from a crossfield kick, after Jack"son had been pushed into touch at the corner, to run right through tho Wellington team and score under the posts, converting the try himelf; making the final score 'Varsity 11, Wellington 3. Mr. A. E. Brown was referee.