HANDSOME WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 100, 1 May 1939, Page 15

HANDSOME WIN

WELLINGTON GO WELL

To be defeated in the first game 9f the championship series, at Athletic Park, by Wellington by 32 points to 10 was a severe setback, for Poneke. Still, there was.no doubting Welling' 'ton's superiority, for the further the game progressed the. more marked it became.

With, the wind from the south at their backs Poneke were able to finish the first spell only one point down. Wellington, however, had made by far the better impression and in'the second half they proceeded to demonstrate it in a very profitable way for themselves with some fine try-scoring efforts, backed up by effective goalkicking by J. M. Taylor, the New Zea-. land representative full-back who since last season' has. transferred to Wellington from Otagb.

Though Wellington won by so clearcut a margin it was a bright game, containing much incident and providing entertaining; football. Wellington, to such an extent did they dominate the situation in the second spell, were of course responsible for almost all the bright touches. They turned on a brand of football which served not only to confirm the good opinions formed of the side t>n paper and in the prechamploiiship- mjfiche^ but also they did; much to stimulate early-season enthusiasm and the hope which all patrons of the game share of seeing a good deal of the bright, open type of game in the matches to come.

Poneke can usually be depended upon to field at least a capable pack. They have the material there again this season, but against Wellington the Poneke pack did not give the performT ance of which it should be capable. Poneke did not .appeal as being nearly so well equipped in the backs, and to this may be attributed in large measure the team's failure. Wellington, on' the other hand, had behind a lively, hard-working, and well-directed pack of backs who combined very well indeed. Individually and collectively the-Wellington backs played splendidly, and on attack they were given added thrust more than once by Taylor coming up to join in. Taylor made an outstanding debut in local club football in. this game, doing a fine job of work.

In the first spell Ullrich scored an unconverted try for Wellington and a try which Taylor converters For Poneke Crisp landed a fine fiei^ goal, and also dropped another goal' from a penalty kick. There was a great burst of scoring early in the second spell, Wellington putting on 13 points irt quick time—a try each by Fulton and Paterson both converted by" Taylor, and a penalty goal by Taylor. In this period Poneke's tally .was also added to by a try by Frain, but this was the end of the Poneke scoring. Paterson (who made a fine solo effort from the Wellington twenty-five), Fulton, and Ullrich added a try each for Wellington, one being converted by Taylor. Wellington 32, Poneke 10. The referee was Mr. H. B. Simmons.