RUGBY FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 131, 4 June 1932, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PONEKE AND PETONE

HARD-FOUGHT GAME

Local Rugby interest reached its highest point for some time when the unbeaten teams, Poneke- and Petone, met at Athletic Park yesterday afternoon. It was estimated that between fourteen and fifteen thousand people were present, and in this respect, with the amount of enthusiasm shown, there was something of the old-time glory of Petone-Poneke battles about the occasion. However, in performance the teams revealed but little of the polished football which was often a feature of past Poneke-Petone clashes. But the game was not without its thrills, nor was it dull. The teams played with a •will, and between the packs there were some very stern battles for superiority, with the backs constantly busy on a scene of general activity. Poneke. played with more cohesion than, the suburban team, and had rather the better of the match. Tieir efforts, however, were not good enough to bring about victory, and where they failed badly was in place-kicking. Petone were fortunate to leave the field with honours easy so far as the points went—a penalty goal to an unconverted try. All told Poneke had twelve attempts to gain points by place-kicking, but not one kick was successful. It was bad luck for Poneke that they lost the services of one of their place-kickers early in the match. Petone gained the greater share of the ball from scrums and line-outs, though without turning it to much account. The teams were:— Petone: Ryan; Elvy, Peterson, Valk; Huxtable, McGurk; O'Halloran; Lind, Lambourne, Potts, Spence, Martin, Reid, Wilson, Carr. Poueke: Barrett; Mincham, Chestcrman, Parsloe; Griffiths, E. Neal; Julian; Quaid, Crichton, Ross, S. Neal, McPherson, Cower, Stone, Shearer. The play opened briskly, and in the early stages Petone, with the sun and light wind behind them, harassed the Poneke backs. It was not for long, however, as a_ smart cut through by Julian, with E. Neal in support, had the Petone defence badly beaten. It -was a great dash, and Neal was given a clear run in, but fortunately for Petone he was overtaken ■ and brought down before reaching the objective. Poneke kept up; a vigorous attack, with Parsloe proving a- hard man to stop and Shearer also a danger. The backs were, enterprising, and their combined efforts in support of a very energetic pack soon' bore • fruit. A good passing bout was topped off by Chesterman, but E. Weal was unable to convert the try. 3-0. Poneke had some anxious moments during a. subsequent period of play, and, on, a couple of occasions their line was crossed. However, there was no score, McGurk having two opponents clinging to him when he went across only to be recalled for a-serum, and Elvy losing the ball when he barged his way through several opponents in a- determined bid for a try. In the main Poneke were the more dangerous attacking force, and Griffiths was showing tip well-until severely handled by an opponent. Penalties were fairly frequent, and it was during a hot scramble in front of the Poneke citadel that a penalty against the defenders,gave Petone a gift of three points, Huxtable taking the kick. 3-3 A keenly-fought first spell, in which Poneke showed up to' better advantage than Petone, ended without further score. During the spell Mincham retired with an injured ' wrist and was replaced by Edgar. Something more was required of Petone than had been given in the first spell, and'soon after the resumption it was evident, that they had become warmed up to their hardest task of the season.. In the face of their spirited advances Poneke did not flinch, but far from being forced to take up a defensive role, they- exerted pressure such, as to place Petone often in a.position of insecurity. The forwards of both'sides tore into it in great style, while the. backs were kept,in hard work both on; attack:and defence.vTt:was' all- to no end. -Again there were plenty of penalties, with quite a number of attempts at goal, but the place-kickers had an off day. In the. second spell Poneke lost the services of Griffiths, who was; again injured. His place was taken by Payne. The gruelling contest ended: Petone 3, Poneke 3. Mr. R. J. Paton was the referee. MARIST AND ATHLETIC. With both teams opening up the play ■whenever the opportunity offered, and with some attractive handling bouts figuring in the play, the Marist-Athletic match kept the spectators well entertained at Athletic Park yesterday afternoon before the principal game started. Marist played with the dash that they seem to keep for the Park and, except for a brief period in. the second spell, looked the winners all the way. Until the last few minutes the scoring. was close, but Marist then'rattled on'points in quick time and and ran out easy*inners.. The teams were:— Hepburn; Eville, Macdonald, (Humming; Robins, Vangioni j Mills; Stiver, Keegan, Ottaway, Gill, Peters, Russell, Butler, and Ritchie. Athletic: Walshaw; Poulton, Bingham, Todd; Andrews, Scotland; Tindill; Watson, Cooper, Mollier, Jolly, Boyd, Chnstsen, Gustofson, and Adam. Losing the toss, Athletic started with the sun in their faces, and immediately had to cope with a strong Marist forward attack. With play in Athletic territory Hepburn went close with an attempt to pot, and a few minutes later succeeded in putting one over from outside the twentyfive. Still Athletic could not clear play from the danger zone, and an infringement cost them another three points, Hepburn being the kicker. Features of the succeeding play were a brilliant cut through by "Vangioni which nearly gave Marist a try, and a big effort by Stiver to drop-kick a goal from a penalty kick, in- the last few minutes of the spell Athletic made their first really dangerous attack, but were unable to get through Early in the. second spell Tindill, who TO",*- a IF eat game ' potted a B°al f°r Athletic, Marist replying with an unconverted try by Macdonald. who received the ball from Robins. Tindill reduced the. leeway for. Athletic by kicking a penalty goal, and for a. while things were very interesting. Finishing strongly, however, Marist added tries by Macdonald Vangiorii, and Ritchie, Hepburn converter^ i™ 6.? Tue Same ended: Marist 23, Athletic 7. Mr. J. Bennett was the referee.