PONEKE STILL UNBEATEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10597, 24 May 1920, Page 7

PONEKE STILL UNBEATEN

BERHAMPORE FORWARDS PLAY, WELL. It was generally expected that the meeting of last year’s champions (Poneke) and tho now team in the senior competition (Borluimpore) would be something in the nature of a quick-scoring process on the part’ of the red md blacks. Such, however, was not tho case, and in the first spell Fonoke only managed to score five points, and this tally was little more than doubled in (tho second ffialf. Played) at Duppa street, the match did not provide overmuch attractive football, hut it served to show that Berhampore, with an improved back division, may be capable of bringing about a surprise at any time. In forward work they showed to better advantage than the Poneke pack, and on several occasions good scoring chances made possible by the vigorous forwards were thrown away by the backs. rt was noticeable that the blues’ half-back, instead of feeding his own men, repeatedly kicked the ball • into the hands of tho Poneke backs, who were thus enabled to quickly turn defence into attack. Walters, Berhampore forwards, was the best forward on the field, being always prominent, and ho -was ably supported by W. Malin. Spearman and Whiterod also did well. Gray and Matheson played well in the hack division, their splendid tackling being a feature of the game, and Howard worked hard. Of the Poneke forwards, Troy, Baker, Elliott, and Slater wore most, prominent, and tho backs all did well at times, though there was a good deal of faulty handling of the ball, and sometimes an inclination on the part of one or two to be selfish. J. Tilyard, McArthur, and Malin (full-back) wore the pick. BERHAMPORE WILLING-

A strenuous Berhampore rush follow©d tho kick-off, but an opening "’as spoilt by the ball being carried across the field instead of towards the goal. After this the reels maintained a Pressure, but several attempts to cross the opposing lino failed. Whiterod was next seen heading a blue advance, which, was stemmed before it became dangerous, and a vigorous return by the Poneke forwards was spoilt by off-side play. Berhamporo resumed the aggressive, J. Tilyard and C. Tilyard (the half-back) each bringing about relief. From a bout of play in neutral territory Poneke backs broke away, but were held up on the Hue. A scrum ensued, and from this J. Tilyard received the leather and dived over. E. King (who was playing in the three-quarter line) converted. s—o. Mote determination was shown by Berhampore, Howard getting away nicely. Poneke were penalised/ in stemming this rush, but Morrison’s lattempt to goal was unsuccessful. Good work by. the blue forwards was not supported by the backs, thus spoiling several good advances. One bright Poneke attack . was stopped by (a good mart, and thereafter the advantage v was chiefly Ijeld by tho Berhampore van-. - A mark by McArthur saved in one instance, and another likely score was prevented by a good speculative kick by Malin (fullback) Just before half-time IHofciing (Berhampore) retired ini ured, and his place was taken-by Hayes. Scores at half-time:— Poneke <e 5 points. Berhampore 0 petints. Berhampore commenced the second spell vigorously,- off-side play subsequently stopping their pressure for a brief period. Another chance to score was provided by Walters marking. Morrison, however, failed with the kick. Poneke forced twice in quick succession, and then set out for the opposing line with more determination, causing Berhamporo some anxiety near the line. A force-down brought temporary relief to the blues, but it was not long bolero Slater and Troy headed another bright rush, which ended in Elliott scoring in a good position. . E. King made no mistake with the kick. 10—0. Ensuing play was marked by a series of scrums and forward scrambles in Poneko’s favour, E. King eventually adding another try. His sick failed. 13— 0. Further open play by tho reds followed, until- a neat interception by Gray gained much headway for Berhampore. Efforts to score wore stopped by FMalin, and shortly afterwards some muddling by the blues enabled McArthur to score easily. The try was not converted. 16—0. For a brief spell tho blues rallied, but only to find Foneke’s defence sound. Until the close of the game play was of a more or less ragged nature, mostly in Bernampore's half. During this, Troy (Poneke) and Gender (Berhampore) suffered injuries, but after receiving attention they resumed. There was no further score when the final whistle sounded, with the result Poneke 16 Berhampore 0 Mr J. King was the referee. SELWYN WINS EASILY BEAT WELLINGTON BY 30 POINTS - TO NIL.

The weather at Petone on Saturday afternoon was extremely cold. There was a strong westerly wind blowing, but it remained fine except for a light shower. The greater attraction at Athletic Park no doubt accounted, for the sparse attendance of the public, and those persons who were present contented themselves with watching the Selwyn-Wel-lington match from sheltered positions away from the biting wind. LACK OP COMBINED PLAY. The game, from tho view of an exposition of Rugby might bo described as "mossy." The -ball was continually being kicked into touch, and the wind made passing a difficult matter. There wore flashes of good forward work, and on. a few occasions the Selwyn. books indulged in passing movements, but tbo game was far below senior standard. Concerted action was practically absent. A player would make an opening, the necessary support would ' not be forthcoming, and the movement proved'resultless. Then another individual effort would suddenly make its appearance only to receive a similar fate, and so the game rambled on to a conclusion. Tho forwards did get together at times, especially the Selwyn pack, and when a rush was instituted a try was usually obtained. Wellington mad© several good rallies, and nad the opportunities Ihat presented themselves been made full use of. trice would have resulted. The game was played in four spells of twenty minutes each, and Mr G. Bradley was the referee. SELWYN JUMPS AHEAD. Wellington opened with the wind in. its favour The first few moments of play were of a decidedly struggling nature. Tho Wellington team had been changed considerably from the previous week, and tho majority of the players had not handled a ball for several seasons. duo to being on active service. The Selwyn forwards, , with the Shearer brothers, Wo’gan, and De Clifford in the van, got to work early, and during a rush a Wellington player offended against tho rules, and S. Shearer placed a goal. Selwyn 3, Wellington 0. A passing bout, which was initiated hv Claridge, and in which Cooper and O’Sullivan took part, lot of ground for Wellington. Selwyn was called upon to defend their goal line, which was cleared in fine style by the forwarder. TJarle, L. Li ml ley, Flack, and Gordon were associated in a passing rush, and the Wellington line was endangered,, the situation being saved by the Yellow' and Blacks forcing down. Prom tho kick out Wellington obtained possession of the ball which was tossed about by the backs, and te, bardvkick by Alloy forced the greens (Selwyn) down. Hi slop was pro-

minent in an attack for "Wellington, but Houston failed to accept tho pass cleanly, and was collared before ho had gone many yards. Combined action on the part of tho Greens carried play to the other end of tho ground when Wogan picked the bull'up smartly and scored. S. Shearer failed with, tho kick. WELLINGTON’S DEFENCE WEAR. When tho teams changed round the Sclwyn forwards showed considerably more dash, and from a high kick by Earle, S. Shearer was fast following up, and tho weak defence shown by the exposing backs had no difficulty in registering a try. He took the kick himself and was successful. Selwyn 11, Wellington 0.

A. creditable rally by Wellington forwards followed, but it lacked finish, and a counter attack ended in their being forced down. Another spasmotic movement was started for Selwyn by 11. Shearer, who received the ball from a line-out and passed, to Earle. H. Lindley and Flack received the ball in turn, and the latter ran round behind the goal posts without hinderance. S. Shearer was again successful with the kick; Selwyn 16. Wellington 0. Immediately afterwards Flack scored again from a passing movement in which the majority of the/ Selwyn backs took part. Just ■before 'half-time O’Sullivan, for Wellington, made a lone hand effort, and by following up a kick ho missed scoring by the fraction of a second. Murphy saving'by forcing down. SELWYN HARD PRESSED.

Tho third quarter saw Wellington attacking strongly. The forwards were developing combination, but when striking distance was reached tho finishing touches were absent. The backs were eager and willing, but they were continually out of place, and appeared to be foreign to each others play. Selwyn was kept on tho defensive during the greater portion of tho spell, and was successful in preventing their goal line from being crossed. On changing round for the final twenty minutes Selwyn made the pace a merry one. Hislop kicked at goal for Wellington; without result, and then the Selwyn forwards took charge and swept down the field. Earle opened the game up from a scrum, the ball was tossed from tne back to another, and Peart darted across thoiline. An infringement prevented the kick at goal taking place; Selwyn 22, Wellington 0. Another forward charge and Peacock secured a try from which no goal was kicked. Finally a. kick by Hislop was charged dpwn. and Wogan darted over. The game ended with the score— Selwyn 30. Wellington 0. GAMES AT CHRISTCHURCH (Special to the “'Times/') CHRISTCHURCH, May 25. The following are the results of " the senior and junior Rugby football games played bn Saturday:— SENIOR MATCHES. Merivalo 21. Old • Boys 12. Marists 17, ’Varsity 3. Limvood 0, Sydenham 3. , Albion 12, Christchurch 6. . SECOND GRADE. Lyttelton 9, Merivale 0. Technical 11, ’Varsity 0. , North Canterbury 5, Christchurch. 6. Albion 11, Old Boys 0. MARLBOROUGH V. NELSON PEE. PRESS ASSOCIATION. BLENHEIM, May 22. The Rugby interprovincial game results ed in Marlborough scoring 17 points to Nelson’s 3. A quiet game was marred by a high wind. Marlborough held the advantage practically all through, scoring, five tries onlv one of which was converted. * GAMES IN WAIRARAPA (By Telegraph.—Special to- the "Times"). MASTERTON, May 22. The Wairnrapa Rugby Union’s championship matches were continued this afternoon. Rain had made the grounds heavy and this militated, to a largo extent, against good play. Rain also fell at intervals during the play. The senior match between Masterton and Gladstone, played at Masterton, was won bv Masterton by 7 points to nil. At Carterton the Carterton seniors defeated Featherston seniors by 14 points to nil. The junior championship match at Carterton, between Dalefield and Gladstone. was won by Dalefield by 14 points to 3. At Masterton Greytown defeated Red Stars by 15 points to 5. JUNIOR CONTESTS RESULTS IN VARIOUS GRADES. ORIENTAL. BEAT PONEKE BY 11 POINTS TO 6. THIRD GRADE! Y.M.C.A., 9:, Oriental, 6. Miramar defeated Porirua by 8 points to 3. C. Evans and T.. R- Brooks scored 1 tries, and W. Henty converted one of them for Miramar, and Reno scored for Porirua. (Referee, Mr J. Hayden). Selwyn (16) defeated Petone (0) after a well-contested game- Tries were scored for the winners by Whittington (2). Mcßreedy, and Furness, two of which were converted. The match between Johnsonville and Berhampore resulted in the former winning by 16 points to 3. FOURTH GRADE. Miramar was defeated by Poneke by 29 points to nil. (Referee, Mr B, P. Galvin). Oriental 5; St. John's 3. Johnsonville defeated Berhampore by 6 points to 4. FIFTH GRADE. In a fifth-class game, Poneke defeated Selwyn by 15 points to nil. Tries were obtained by Russell, Wales (2), Wales, an'd Davis. Banks College defeated Porirua, hr 13 points to nil. (Referee, Mr C. A. Wandon).