LOCAL SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 148, 25 June 1938, Page 23

LOCAL SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

VERY INTERESTING COMPETITION

The second round began today with three teams in first place, each with twelve points—Poneke, St. Patrick's College Old Boys, and Eastbourne. As the top teams of the second division at the end of the first round, St Patrick's College, Old Boys and Eastbourne have gone into the first divi•ion, taking with them their 12 championship points. The performances of these two teams in the first division will be watched with interest, but unfortunately for Eastbourne their captain, Fleming, who has been playing well at full-back, injured his back last Saturday, and it. was thought during the week that he was likely,to be out for at least two Saturdays. Of the teams which constituted tb* first division in the first round Poneke not surprisingly finished at the top, A strong, pack hag helped Poneke immeasurably and there was perhaps no better, demonstration of the strength of the Poneke forwards than in the

match against Athletic on the King's Birthday. In that match the Poneke forwards rose to great heights, notably in the latter stages o; the game when some of the best footrushes turned on in a club game at Athletic Park for a considerable time* were seen. The backs as a scoring combination have not been very impressive, fthough Hoskin has given good service at half-back and Griffiths, at first five-eighth, has proved as reliable at ever on defence. Although on attack his play has not been so distinguished, nevertheless he has always displayed great keenness. As the general factotum of the side Poneke hav# little to complain about his service!.'

NO TEAM UNTIEATEN. Rather* feature of the first A division Championship table is that every team,; including .Poneke, have .been beaten. Poneke'suffered one loss, against Wellington, whose backs in that game offset the strength of the Poneke forwards. Wellington , have shown that Poneke are not invincible and Marist Brothers' Old BOys, always likely to be a surprise packet, very nearly lowered Poneke's colours again-last Saturday. It will not be surprising if Poneke suffer snore than one defeat in the second'round, but, if they retain the slashing form they have produced thus far, their forwards' are going to continue to be a stumbling block to the ambitions of the other teams. Athletic have not been consistent They have produced some good football, only to fall away in some games unaccountably. The fast, loose type of game suits the Athletic forwards best, but against a pack which prefers a less open game and rather more solidity .they have not shaped quite as welL, Athletic have a good set of, attacking backs; with Tindill and Jones as the key men, and they have shown in a number of the games the danger theyusaniibe.--'-;:■ ".■■■■ -■:. ..->■■ ...

. Wellington .are doing quite well this season, having a pretty fair all-round team, though their greatest strength lies in their backs. Petone have made a good showing, playing some attractive football. The majority of the Petone players are young but they have shown evidence of being well of having the right idea. The Petone forwards played very well against* Athletic on Saturday when Lambourn demonstrated that he has lost none of his ability ag a hooker. The season so far has not been a good one for Wellington College Old Boys. They have had an unexpectedly lean time in the matter of win& but if recent performances may be taken as a guide, their tide of illfortune appears now to have turned, it may be just a coincidence, .but the decision; of Jack Lamason to come out of retirement to lend a hand once again has resulted In-Old Boys being successful in the two games in which he had appeared at the time of writing. There are others, however, who regard Old Boys' success lately since the return of Lamason as being something more than a coincidence; they declare that his presence and leadership of the forwards have had a great psychological and practical effect. Jack Lamason is an old player as Rugby Players go in New Zealand., He has had his detractors in the past and is v p rK eT 7 rbo Perhaps always, will have, but the fact remains that he is astute, a good leader, and a player who has given Old Boys wonderful" service in the past. Old Boys played very well indeed in defeating Wellington last Saturday and the success achieved in this game, more in keeping with the make-up of the side, suggests the possibility of Old Boys winning perhaps more games than they will lose in the second round.

There appears to be every prospect of the second round being equally as interesting, at least, as the first round and of the games to come providing «ome entertaining football. There is this about it; that no team to date has proved to be unbeatable.

[The. Wellington Rugby Union's senior A first division championship competition this season has every appearance of ranking with the best on record. Up to the present, at any rate, it has been full of interest, and the fact that each Saturday, almost without exception, the surprise element has been present invests the games to come with more than usual interest.

to have an important bearing on the selection of Australia's team for the first Test against New Zealand's representatives.

The New South Wales first fifteen was the only undefeated team in the series of matches played. A feature of the game was the showing made by Victoria, which the New South Wales first fifteen found a more difficult proposition than . Queensland. Victoria this season is reported to have some splendid forwards, who are expected to receive consideration in the selection of the Test sides.

The "Sydney Referee," commenting on the matches, states that though they revealed some good players in the outside centre position, there was not one of them as good as Cyril Towers. Reference is made to the subsequent inclusion of Towers as a reserve in the first N.S.W. side, which, it is suggested, means that Towers is not to be reckoned out of the running for the N.S.W. State side to meet New Zealand in the first match of the tour at Sydney on July 16. The "Referee" writer includes Towers in the following side, which he considers would be the best New South Wales could field:—

Full-back, Rankin; three-quarters, Kelaher, Towers, Miller, Moran; fiveeighth, Richards; half-back, Gibbons; break-aways, Windon and R. Kelly; lock, Hodgson; second row, E. Hutchinson and F. Hutchinson; first row, Ramsay, Cerutti; rake, Stone.

In addition to Towers, it will be noted that this team includes a number of other players who are well known to New Zealanders. "This

team," the writer continues, "bearing [in mind the fact that the players have worked up combination and understanding with each other before, should be very easily moulded into a smooth machine, similar to the N.S.W. side which beat the Springboks last year.

"When the Australian side is chosen I It is, certain to have some representatives from Queensland and Victoria included in it, but it will not surprise if it turns out that this N.S.W. side is a better team than the Australian team. This is a peculiar situation, but none' the less it is a fact, for the N.S.W. side has the advantage of more highly developed team-work, the value of which Is apparent to all." j