SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 127, 3 June 1929, Page 3

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

ATHLETIC AND PONEKE LEAD

WELLINGTON BEAT OLD

BOYS

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior A Grade. Poneko 29 Marist 18 Athletic 16 Eastbourne S Petone 27 Berhampore ... 6 University , 5 Oriental 5 Wellington « Old Boys .... 3 Senior B Grade. Oriental 14 Forlrua 0 Johnsouvllle .. 17 Wellington .... 0 Hu.tt :. 22 Melrose 0 Training College 9 Selwyn « University .... 22 Old Boys 3 Local Rugby football competitions -were continued on Saturday afternoon in excellent weather, and contests in • the senior A grade resulted in some changes on the championship ladder. Wellington sprung a surprise by defeating Old Boys at Newtown Park by (i points to 3, while Oriental succeeded in drawing with a muchweakened University team. Wellington scored their points against Old Boys in the first spell, but the latter were unable to score more than once in the second spell, their play not being up to usual standard. Even so, Wellington gave a good account of themselves and deserved their win. University, of course, were handicapped by having several of their players away for the Test at Christchurch and another (Ramson) in Australia. Their performance was well below that usually given by them,' and with more finish Oriental would have been more successful than in running last year's champions to a draw. The game at Athletic Park, Poneke v. Marist, was well out of the ordinary. Poneke ran all over the opposition in the first spell, and then for a period of the second spell Marist completely turned the tables. In the end, however, Poneke won comfortably, although they had to score heavily to do so. Neal (Poneke) and Brbderick (Marist) unfortunately met with injuries in this game, which will keep them out of action for some time. Athletic and Eastbourne provided a keen contest at Eastbourne, and the game was not easily won by the former. Berhampore were outplayed by Petone on the latter's ground. The results of the games on Saturday leave Athletic and Poneke on level terms in the lead for the championship, with University a point behind them. The championship points are: Athletic 10, Poneke 10, University 9, Old Boys 8, Petone 8, Marist 4, Wellington 4, Oriental 3, Berhampore 2, Eastbourne 2.