MATCHES DESCRIBED

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 27, 1 August 1932, Page 13

MATCHES DESCRIBED

EXCITEMENT AT THE PARK

In a game in which the closeness of the scoring, particularly in the second spell, heightened an already .keen interest,-Hutt defeated Poneke'by 15 points to 14 at Athletic Park. There was only a moderate attendance, but it was evident from the outset that Hutt had. the moral support of the majority of the spectators, and this became more pronounced when a. section of the crowd , disagreed with two: of the referee's rulings which resulted in Poneke adding to their score. The demonstration against the official, however, was unjustified, as in the first instance he correctly gave Poneke the choice of a free-kick either from the point, at which one of their men was obstructed after punting downfield, or from the spot where ; the ball landed (within easy kicking distance of the posts), and in the second instance it was a matter of opinion as to whether the ball was properly grounded by the player who was awarded a- try. It is sufficient to say that the referee was in the best position to judge. These were two incidents which served to make excitement rain high, but .there were .manjumore,in, the course of the play which either produced or came near to producing scores and lifted the match out of the ordinary run. Strictly speaking, it was not good Rugby—there were too many mistakes for that—but it was fast and open with many rapid changes of fortune. Hutt owed their win to a fine pack of f or- ' wards, who outplayed the Ponske pack in convincing fashion. After having the advantage of the wind in the first spell, Poneke led by 11 points to 5 at the inter> val, but Hutt quickly made the lead look insecure once they had the wind at their backs. They steadily improved their position until, with about 20 minutes to go, they were in front. Poneke regained the lead for a while, only to be headed off again, and Hutt maintained their slender lead during a torrid final ten minutes.

The opening exchanges saw Poneke doing most of the attacking, though a succession,,.of, infringements checked advances by both sides. Hutt were a man short during the first five minutes, Coulston taking'the field late. Poneke opened the scoring -with a goal from a penalty by E.Neale as'a result of the obstruction incident referred to above. Shortly afterwards .Mincham was awarded a try (which E. Neal failed to convert) after Trenchard had failed to force when the ball had rolled over the Hutt goal line. Poneke had eleven points on when Liddle, in attempting to clear, kicked into-Shearer's arms and he fell over- the line to score near the posts. Mincham converted, A few minutes before the end of. the spell vigorous play by the Hutt forwards 'ended with A. Wilson breaking clear and passing to Saulbrey, who scored -near the posts. Coulston converted, making the half-time score: Poneke 11, Hutt 5.

Hutt .were the aggressors immediately after the resumption, and were awarded two penalty kicks from which ■• Coulston attempted to goal, his second effort, from a handy position, being successful. 11-8. Hutt continued to hammer at the line, and, after repeated attempts by the backs to get through had failed, the forwards heeled from a scrum in front of the posts and Spencer shot the ball straight back between his legs to Killeen, who coolly potted a goal. Hutt 12, Poneke 11. Poneke strove hard to retrieve their.position, and succeeded as the result of a smart piece of work by Griffiths, who made for the ball quickly after a short kick down the touchline, profited from the failure of a Hutt forward to take the ball cleanly,' and scored at the corner. Mincham's kick missed. Poneke' 14, Hutt 12. Hutt were not finished, however, and while they were attacking they were awarded a free-kick, from which Coulston goaled. This proved the final score of the day. the result being: Hutt 15, Poneke U. Mr. D. Paris was the referee.