RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 112, 13 May 1940, Page 15

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS

KEEN SENIOR GRADE PLAY

ATHLETIC AND WELLINGTON IN FRONT

The series of senior first division championship matches in Wellington Rugby on Saturday afternoon provided a fill of exciting football. In most cases the issue was in the balance until the final whistle, efforts in the concluding stages of the games being of a very stirring order. Johnsonville and Poneke emerged from a keen duel with honours easy, and as Athletic and Wellington were winners, that meant Johnsonville parting company with the championhip field pilots. However, the form all round \Asent to show that the main issue is likely to be open for some time to come.

Wellington, as was the case last year, had a narrow escape against Oriental. With a few minutes to go, the teams were level, and then it was that last year's champions pulled the game out of the fire. Athletic, too, had a hard task, University at one stage leading by seven points. From the barest margin, Athletic finished up four points to the good. Another exciting encounter was that between St. Patrick's College Old Boys and Marist Brothers' Old Boys, the college team •gaining a narrow win. Hutt and Petone, too, had the balance swinging, and withthe win Petone also gained possession of the Mcßain Shield. Wellington College Old Boys were in front all the way against Eastbourne, though only by reason of three tries. - - ■• .