FAST AND STIRRING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 26, 31 July 1944, Page 6

FAST AND STIRRING

JUBILEE CUP MATCHES

Not since pre-war days has enthusiasm for senior championship Rugby in Wellington been so high as was the case on Saturday afternoon, when, in the running for the premiership, the four top teams were engaged at Athletic Park. The crowd was the largest for an inter-club match in the wartime period, and Its expectation of an afternoon of stirring football was fully realised, though the results were well beyond anticipations. Army appeared as the leaders In the competition, and the other three teams at the Park were on level terms only a point behind Army. The outcome of the two games was that Army's lead was increased to two points over Athletic and Poneke-Oriental and to three points over Marist Bros. Old Boys. Play in the opening match, between Athletic and Poneke-Oriental, was fast. and exciting. Forty-four points were scored during the match, and they wero shared equally by the sides, whose performance alone was well worth the visit to the Park. The crowd's appetite having been well whetted, the play in the match between Army and Marist Bros. Old Boys aroused much enthusiasm. It was keen and fast all the way, the open order being interspersed with strenuous and not unspectacular loose play in which there were some dashing rushes. The fact that Army gained an early lead and built upon it did not cause interest to wane. Bather did it fire enthusiasm, but the urge to Marist did not have the response in points, although until late in the game there was the chance of something happening to lend added colour to the closing stages. Army, however, maintained their grip on the match, and, Indeed, strengthened it by the success with which they pressed their tactical operations to the end of a first-class afternoon's football. The win was convincing. Jubilee Cup points now are: Army 19, Athletic and Poneke-Oriental each ,17, Marist Bros. Old Boys 16, Wellington College Old Boys (who won well on Saturday from Hutt) 11 Petone (who beat Wellington) 11, Hutt 7, and Wellington 4. In the Hardham Cup competition University drew with the leaders (Navy), who, however, still have a three-point advantage over the second team (Johnsonville) on the competition ladder. Besults were:— . SENIOR GRADE. Jubilee Cup. Army 23 (tries' by Tucker, Green, and Fitt, field goals by Morrison and Fitt, and two nenaltv goals by Morrison), beat Marist Bros. Old Boys 8 (a try by Barnao, converted by Stanaway, and a penalty goal by Barnao). _ Athletic 22 (tries by Jamieson two, Wales two and Bead, two converted by Jamieson, and a penalty goal by Jamieson), drew with Poneke-Oriental 22 (tries by Lindsay, Calcinal. Hoy, Flrmin, and Hookham, two converted by Vaughan, who also kicked a penalty College Old Boys 19 (tries by Lindsay, Elliott, Howard, and Mason, two converted by Alexander and a penalty goal by Alexander), beat Hutt 12 (tries by E. Bligh, Marsden two, and Hare). Petone 12 (tries by H. Jaeger two. Clay,, and Freeman), beat Wellington 6 (two penalty goals by Crowther). Hardham Cup. Navy 9 (tries by Greatbatch and Martin and a penalty goal, by Lawton), drew with University 9 (tries by.Mataira and Taylor and a penalty goal by Lewis). Upper Hutt 14 (tries by Jones, Arnott, and Hammond, ono converted by Hammond, who also kicked a' penalty goal), beat Training College 8 (tries by Crawford and Sutherland, ono converted by Sutherland). Eastbourne 22 (tries by Girdlestone two, Dellabarca, Hill, and Hutchen, two converted by Dellabarca, who also kicked a penalty goal), beat No. 2 Port Depot 3 (a penalty goal bySeatouV (Army) 15 (tries by Mabbat, Bell, Morrice, and Kilkelly, and a penalty goal by Grigg), beat Miramar 3 (a penalty goal by Talth r ietlc 15 35, beat Hutt B 6. Johnsonville won, by default from Air ForCe# Other Grades. Junior.—Onslow 19, Oriental 7; Base Camp defaulted to Mangaroa; Navy 28, Petone 6; Varsity 24, Athletic 0; Army 8, Wellington 3; St Patrick's Old Boys 6, Onslow (Army) 0; Taita 30, Wellington College Old Boys 0; Marist Bros. 0.8. 9, Seatoun 9. , Third I.—Marist Bros. 0.8. 3, St. Patrick^ College 3: Petone. 14, Oriental 0; Air Force B 19, Athletic 11; Ponelte won by default from Seatoun; Training College 18, Varsity 9; Hutt 12, Wellington College 8; Silverstream defaulted °Third 2.—Johnsonville 9,' Eastbourne 3; St. Patrick's 0.8. 6, Miramar 5; Varsity 3, Wellington A.T.C. 3; Porlrua 5, Wellington B 3; Plimmerton 6, Air Force A 3; Onslow deaFourth Grade.—Fetono A 30, Upper Hutt 6; Athletic 26, Eastbourno 3; St. Patrick's 0.8. 3 Onslow 3; Hutt 23, Seatoun 3; Wellington fi, Oriental 0: Training College 12, Petono B 7 ' ' 'Fifth I.—Petone 20, Porirua 6; Miramar 15, Wellington 3;. Marist 6, Upper Hutt 3; Athletic 3, Hutt 0. . „ • , Fifth 2.—Johnsonville 12, Poneke'O; Onslow 9, Ohiro.Bay 3; Athletic 6, A.T.C. 0; Petone 9, Hutt 9.