FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9719, 23 July 1917, Page 8

FOOTBALL

RUGBY MATCHES PETONE v. OLD BOYS. As an exposition of Rugby football, this game, which was played at Potone, was lull of merit. The ground was not in the best condition for fast play. The surface was wet, and consequently a little on the greasy side: but ou the other hand there was practically no wind to interfere with, the flight of the ball. 1 here was little to choose between tho teams so far as physique was concerned. the advantage, if any, being in favour of Old Boys, who had two or three ‘ hefty" lads among tho forwards, in the earlier stages of tho game Old Boys were more successful than their opponents in obtaining the ball in the scrums, but bto Petone boys had more nippiness. One particularly noticeable feature respecting, the suburbs team, and one that is unusual with them, was the fact, that the forwards failed repeatedly to smother an opponent’s kick as smartly as has been in evidence in other games in which they have taken partColes, for Petone. played a splendid game, especially when on the defensive. On several occasions he got his team out of trouble by smart work and judicious kicking. For Old Boys, the half back _ played an excellent game, and Mania at full back proved very- safe, never failing to take a catch. Petone had the better of the argument when the game was viewed as a whole, and the'tries gained by each side wore more in the nature of what may be termed luck than absolute merit. A good deal of scrum and touch-line play, without any material advantage to either team/, marked the. earlier stages of the play. At about midfield 'Nieholls got the ball nicely . away from' a scrum to Coles, who made use of his pace, and when in difficulties passed to W. Cowie, who in turn passed it out to Corner. The latter, after making headway, handed it info the keeping of Thomas, who was thrown into touch at the corner. From the throw-in the ball travelled across the field among the Petone backs, and Hamilton on the wing, essayed a "pot’’ at. goal, with the result that Old Boys wero forced down. Old Boys (white) rallied and pursued Petone for a while, the position being altered bv good .defensive play by Coles. A short passing rush by Petone (blue) placed their opponents’ line in danger, the whites, being again forced down through a kick by Thomas- After another attack Old Boys broke away with a forward rush, the blues being called upon to exert their energy to prevent a eoore. During the ? regress of a scrum the hall came into he hands of Nieholls. The ’’Chip’ got cleanly away, and the spectators were certain a trv was going to be notched. Nieholls was overhauled before he could cross the coveted line, however, and putting their weight behind the .resultant scrum, play was removed to the centre of tie ground. Immediately afterwards Petone made another concerted effor -. and the forwards wore carrying all before them when an opponent, in order to gain support, deliberately threw the ball forward into touch. A free kick was awarded, but Cowie was not successful. Increasing their dash, the Petone forwards made things lively when play was again in progress, but only another force-down resulted-. The blues were kicking too hard at this and other stages of the game and ample time was given the Old Boys’ backs to return the ball well down the field. The Old Boys turn came to attack, and one or _ two determined efforts were made by individuals to , cross Petone s line. From a fierce struggle the ball w6nt T ,oT er J Petone were forced down. Just before half-time was sounded the blues invaded the whites' territory, the ball being carried over the line by an Old Boys' player and scrummed uve yards out, from where the whites gained relief bv a kick to touch. > , The second half of the game opened with an attack by Petone. Some solid scrum work followed, through which Old Boys gained ground, but a sprint by Thomas more than ©Qualified matters. He kicked over the heads of the oppos-* ihfc three-quarter lino, and Morris saved by marking. The kick sent the ball out near the half-way post from where Petone broke away; but their chance to eoore was nullified by too hard a kick which forced Old Boys down. The next feature of the play woe an opening made by Porter. Attempts to grab him round the neck proved futile, career was unchecked until Hamilton onset him in good style* Petone were hard pressed defending relief coming through a smart kick well down the field bo touch by Coles. Karris had a lack at goal from a free-kick, and shortly afterwards Porter mad© a good run for the Old Bovs. The game was becoming faster as time went on- Mania was aj> tempting to return a kick when the ball rebounded off Thomas, and Hamilton, who had followed up .fast with. Thomas, had no difficulty in scoring a try. Cowie .missed the cross bar with the kick at goal. Petone 3, Old Boys 0. Por a time after this Petone had the best-or tho game, and Nieholls had a drop-kick from the field, the ball jnst missing the uprights. From the kick out Old Boys swooned down the field. Petone returned’ the compliment, which was repeated bv tho whites, and this time Petone were forced down. Coles made a serviceable sprint for Petone, and when within five vards of the goal-line passed to Cowie. Tho pass was not a good one, the ball going into touch and a score lost thereby. Then came Old Boys turn. Beaching Petone twenty-five a short passing rush took place among the hacks. The ball was dropped, and a, kick sent it hurtling over the line. A Petone olayer dived for it and missed, and McKenzie scored. Marris registered the major points, the game ending in favour of Old Boys by S points to 3. Mr £■. Perry was the referee.

OTHER MATCHES. Two very interesting and bright Rugby (jaraes were played at th§ Athletic V-avk on Saturday. The ground was heavy, vet the games were comparatively fast. The Wellington College-Poneko game attracted most attention. After a fine open tussle College defeated their opponents bv 17 ' points to' 6. Athletic drew with Oriental, the scores , being 3 all. WELLINGTON COLLEGE v. PONEKE. The meeting between Wellington College and Poneke produced a good all round game. College showed their superiority. and secured five tries to their opponents one try and one penalty goal. Bcott. who did good service for his side, made two trie® and converted one of them. J. Pope, Nicol, and Vial were the other scorers for College. Christopher(on kicked a penalty goal for Poneke, and Ward scored the only try. ATHLETIC v. ORIENTAL. Tho tussle between Athletic and Oriental made a very even game. When the final whistle blew tbe scores were even a solitary try having been scored bv each team. Rule was the scorer for Athletic, and Caddick for Oriental. WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. Tho following players have been selected to represent Wellington against Wairarapa at Carterton on Saturday nest, July 28th:— Morton (University), McCabe (Athletic), Jackson (University), W. Thomas (Petone). Coles (Petone), Porter (Old Bovs). Hanson (Old Boys), Hislop (Old Boys), Scott (Old Boys), Pole (Petone). Caddick (Oriental), Bond (Petone). Desmond (Poneke). Black (Poneke). Baker (Poneke); Emergencies: Corner (Petone). Sherwick (Poneke). Poulter (Oriental). Slater (Poneke), Scott (Petone). The team will meet at the Oriental Gymnasium on Thursday, at S p.m.