LEADERS DEFEATED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10955, 18 July 1921, Page 6

LEADERS DEFEATED

f.THIETIG’S SURPRISE DEFEAT OF PETONE

BRILLIANT FOOTBALL IN MUD AND RAIN

WELLINGTON REP. TEAM NOT CHOSEN

- Saturday's matches, played In violent wind and rain, furnished the biggest surprise of the season so far, in the senior Rugby competition, through the unexpected defeat of Petone, the leaders in the competition, by Athletic, in a fast and open contest in the mud and rain at Athletic Park. Petone’s lead of Poneke has now been reduced to two points, and Oriental, through their win on Saturday, replace fer third place Berhampore, who were defeated b£ Poneke. Contrary to anticipations, the Icam'to represent Wellington against the Springboks was not picked at the week-end, and will not be made known till to-night.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST

The following table shows the position of the teams taking part in the Rugby senior championship games:—

ATHLETIC'S SURPRISE WIH

NARROW VICTORY OYKR PET'ONE. BRILLT.ANT OAHR ON WET GROUND. A fierce northerly* blew with, almost the force of a cyclone across Athletio Park\ on Saturday ulteriivoa, carrying with it equally showers, that reduced tho ground to a siush-bed very quicker. The Paris was of tho match between Petoue, were leading iD the senior grudo competition, and* Athletio. Supporters of both sides brave<A the elements, and the attendance numbered quite four thousand—a creditable illustration oi the interest in the local championship contests, with the counter attraction of the Wellington Racing Club's meeting at 4 Trentham. where no rain > tell. Both Sides igere short of a prominent player. Ranji Wilson, of Athletic, was . still on the injured,list, and Hamilton, one of Petone** three-quarters, was standing dowA, through au injury incurred during the week, THE TEAMS. 'The teams were : Petone—Pull-back. Riddell; three-quar-ters, Thomas, Kyaa (captain), Fitzgerald; five-eighths, Cornet, hi. Nicholis; half, H. B- Nicholis.; wing forward, Ashton; forwards, Wylie, Pole, Ix>ve» Price, NankiveU, Albert Parker Arthur Parker. Athletic—FuU-back, Bfcook; three-quhr-ters. Bullard, McCabe. Hhughton; five- * eighths, Sutton, Roberts veaptain): half, Bail; wing-forward, Ryan; forwards, Guy, Christie, Bruce, Duncan. Parsloe. Macaulay, Bopnuda. Referee, Mr J. S. King. PETONE SCORES QUICKLY. With tho consent c i. the captains of the t«o teams, tho game was played east ami nest, off No. 1 ground, where they would he ukoly to suiter least effect from the wind, and have tho prospect of better “going" than on the main ploying area. Play opened with Petone attacking, and, after an unsuccessful rush by Sy*n ami Thomas, tbe suburbanites broke away from an opening cleverly made from the loose by Mark Nicholis. He ran well, and passeiF to Corner, who sent on to Fitzgerald, who scored the easiest of tries, although, tackled by Roberts on the line, scarcely two minutes after the kick-off Mark Nicholis failed at aoal with a sodden ball; Petone. 3; Athletic, 0. ATHLETIC EVEN TIP SCORES. Another attack of a nondescript character, by Petone, failed through. H. Ntcholls not taking the ball, and Brook relieved with wane, long kick. Rain feltin a blinding 6hower as Bullard got AthItio out of difficulties by centring, and play shifted to Petone’e goal-front, where Athletio werb sent back through Bruce being penalised for off-side. Clever tactics m attack by Roberta succeeded twice I in taking play into Petone territory. On! each occasion he anticipated Petone 8 centring for defence, and kicked for the line, in the direction from whists, tho ball came out. These mnusual tactics succeeded, for presently, from loose play near Petone's twenty-fire. Roberts secur-' ed and broke through, passing toiChristie. who scored in a fair position, with" King very_handy for a pass. The dead weight of the ball was against kicking, and Parsloo failed to add v the extra points; Athletic, 3; Petone, 3. SUPPOBTHR3 FAVOUR ATHLETIC The scores were now even, and Athletic’s supporters made their presence felt. Two determined attacks by Petone were sent back by good kicks bv Hall and Brook. < Roberts atul Bullard gained fifty yards by a rush, dribbling in preference to picking up the greasy bail. Rain was stili falling, but in less gusty showers, and the drenched barrackers urged Athletic on. Petone got the ball well from a scrum, and in the jush that followed the ball was kicked over the full-back's head, and, right on the line. Hall marked in the nick of time, with the blue lorwarda swarming on to him. Petone repeated their pressure, and Athletic were hard at it, defending their line, but gradually pushed their way to the centre of the field. Lqvo and Ashton dribbled the ball bock again, both showing good pace, but Sutton beat them In a smart sprint after the bail, and forced. Ryan downed Haughton as he kicked to relieve, and Petone. attacking consistently. nmde Roberts force again. , There was a period of quiet play, during Which Sutton and Brook relieved t : r side by strong kicking. Thert Ath--1-' j<; shook themselves loose from the defensive, tactics that Petoie had forced on them. They commenced to attack in return, and the suburbanites got plenty • >f ehanece to show their tackliqg and defence, in which Ryan was very prominent. Riddell. In a risky "speculator,’’ saved bis line from Athletic’s forwards, and Petone took plav down the field, a nng kick ending in the ball being forced by Bullard. FULL-BACK IS BRILLIANT TRY. Brook, who had been giving a fine exhibition at full-back, relieving his side frequently in the face of Petone’s attacks. now electrified the spectators. He had waited for the ball to roll behind his lino, and had gently patted it down, forcing It, as Corner slid along for a great distance in the oluah, in the effort to score a try. Brook then kicked down field from its own twenty-five, and followed up very fast. Ryan and Thomas were ready to take the ball, but the latter, who went for it, mulled badly Brook swooped down on it, and, before Petone. or tho spectators were quite aware what mas happening, dashed straight acrosa the line, and scored a try. to the accompaniment of sustained rheers. The enthusiasm that Brook's un othodox effort had aroused was renewed as Roberts kicked a fine goal, placing

Athletic a clear five' points to the good. Athletic, 8; Petone, 3. Petone showed that the sudden turn of events had rattled their nerves, foi ther came away with jrreat force, the ball travelling from M. Nicholis to Corner, and then to the three-quarters, who were only stopped oit Athletic’s line by Brook's kick. Mark Nicholis beinpr robbed of what looked a sure try. Now a thorn in the side of Petone, Brook once again held them up, the hall ‘ going from the ecruni to Corner, right across the field at a great pace before the full-back dashed if! and relieved. The blue forwards were now giving their back division, all .the work thev could /vish for, and the llattei responded. **• AN UNSELFISH CAPTAIN. From, a scrum, both the Nicholis ’handled it, sent it on to Corner, who gave it to Ryan midfield on the twentyfive line. The captain made straight for the line, where Haugtoa at him. Ryan had only apparently to dive for the line, but, with an unselfishness that is characteristic of him, ho passed the ball gently to Fitzgerald, who lost it *ns he was placing it behind the line. Athletio players called '‘hard luck" to the Petone skipper, and the spectators showed their feelings in a wild outburst of cheers as Tom Price ended a great Petone rush, this time among the forwards, and scored in the corner. If. Nicholis failed at goal. Half-time earae with the score : —Athletic. 8: Petone, 6. Resuming after half-time. Athletic lost tbe services of Bullard, who was playing a useful game on the. wing, through an injury to the ankle, Adams took his place. Play went up and down field, and Athletic forced. H. 33. Nicholis distinguished himself in a smart piece of play, opening from the scrum , and bringing play well into Athletic twentyfive. Ryan drew applause by excellent marking of a high kick. The same player figured in a rush with Thomas, the .latter losing the ball'. Petone hacks again got going, but Ryan was well tackled by Adams. Athletic forced following a fine piece of combined work between the two Nicholis, Ryan, and Thomas. ATHT/EOTC MAINTAIN LEAD. Both sides appeared to show the effect of the fast game on the sodden ground, and Athletio were twice penalised for offaide- Thev caused excitement by opening up *nd making determined rushes to Petone's line, where Sutton was temporarily out of action. Plat was now for a time continuouslv in Petone's territorv. Riddell badly mulled taking a long kick, and kicked along tbe ground to the touch-line. Ashton was penalised for off-side, and T 7. Ryan's kick failed to the goal r>oets. Riddell forced, after-Athletic h*d kept plnv on Petone'b line for five minutes. The spectators were excited, nt the prospect of a win by Athletic Roberts e<v tuallv crossed the line, fallowing a short kick hr himself, hut he lost the hall. ANOTHTTP TRY TO ATHTETTC. The next attack was successful. At Petone's twenty-dive line, the ball came out from the scrum fo Hall, who sent a clean pass out'and Roberts went straight towards goal, passing ouicklv to McCabe, to Sutton, who had followed well. He sent it on to Haughton, and the latter dashed across the line and scored in the corner. Tho passing was clean and straight, and Athletic were warmly cheered. Adams missed the goal. Fulltime sounded with, tho score : Athletio 11 Petone * A NARROW MARGIN ORIENTAL REFECT ’VARSITY. A SCRAMBLE INTHB MUD. "A mad scramble’’ describee tbe meeting of the ’Varsity and Oriental teams on Saturday. Tbe heavy Tain during tbe week had softened the ground, until fast going was an impossibility, and the wing three-quarters of each team were forced to play as, “auxiliary forwards." In midfield ahd to -windward of the ground tbe turf was churned* up until it. resembled at eea of mud, in which it ■was practically impossible to find a footing', and the ball became so sodden that it “squelched" whenever a boot was applied to it. Under these conditions good football -was a sheer impossibility, ana the final score gave no indication of the respective merits of tho teams. THE TEAMS Oriental. —Full-back, Heley: threequarters, Rigg, Armstrong, Riggs; fitbeichthe, Griffiths, Maxwell; half Hanson; pack. Brown King, Muir, Moffitt. Parker Scott, Matthews, Gair (wing). 'Varsity.—Full-back, Siddells; threequarters, Jackson, McKay, Dickson; fiveeighths, Hutchison and Aitkon; Trapski; pack. Woodward, McCrae, Martin-Smith, Scott, B. Thomas. Hanson, Smith, Burns (wing). Referee.—Mr H. Leigh. From the kick off 'Varsity were soon in evidence, their forwards having less difficulty -with, the spongy turf than the magpies. and Omental were given a warm five minutes, at tho end of which, till green backs go( going. Tho ball travelled the length, of tho field and back to Hutchison, who kicked high and. left the forwards to finish off the attack. Heley obtained, however, and found the line far down field, a magnificent kick. From the tinc-out Moffitt secured, and tho heavy Oriental pack got some way on. -which, it was impossible to stop on such au insecure foothold; but the ball bounded ahead of the pack over the green line, and Hutchison forced. Ffom a free kick, shortly afterwards Gair found touch ‘inches away from tho College goal-line, awl after a forward tussle Trapski forced. Aitken made a magnificent kick from tho drop-out, gaining much territory; but a green man had been in front, and a scrum was ordered.

ORIENTAL opens tee score. Tho ’Varsity pack walked over the leather and then broke down all opposition with the bail a<- toe. lluteinson secured and kicked across to Jackson, who made a bright sprint down the line. •Var.ity peroisied -in the attack, and for eoiiio uiiu u.tk’.s tue bail Vas pac/ced round ia tho Oriental twenty-five. Then, by a succession ot paintuily-drawn-uut scrums, i tho in as pies worked up towards the students' goal line. In the green twentyfive a scrum was followed by a forward.' 1 ! scramble, in wliiolL the ball was dribbled over tuo lino near tlio posts. Griffiths just beat Hutchison for the leather. Armstrong failed to lift the sodden ball over the bar. Oriental 3. 'Varsity 0 'VARSITY FORCES THE PACE. 'Varsity took charge on the kick-off, and made the pace a cracker. The green* were now doinj' their best to open up the plav and {heir superiority over the Oriental‘rearguard left little 'doubt that o:i a hard field the score would quickly have mounted in their favour. Aitken, whose every movemeut was watched with careful attention by Griffiths and Max* well, was instrumental in starting several passing bouts, which caused Oriental »erious alarm. During one y rush Hutcluson attempted to pot a goal, but th-e ball refused to ‘rise, and Heley, Who played an. admirable game throughout, secured and found the line down'field. From the throw-in Oriental sought to smother the ‘ball, and carried it up to the green line, where half-time saved the students from a tight corner. The teams changed straight round, and play was resumed. From the kick-off, Siddells secured, and turned himself into an auxiliary three-quarter, starting a rush which, inches off the Oriental line, was brought to nothing by Hutchison passing’ wildly when tackled by the magpie full-back. Two more back rushes followed, and on both occasions the 'Varsity first lost a certain score by bad passing after the opposition had been eluded. Three free kicks in rapid succession relieved Oriental, causing much comment bv the crowd,, a s they were given for no obvioas reason; but the greens were not to be denied, and B. Thomas marked neatly in the magpie twenty-five and kicked a splendid goal. Oriental 3, 'Varsity 3. A PENALTY TRY. Half the second spell had now passed iu desperate forward battle in the Oriental territory, Moffitt, with great generalship preferring to make a forward game of it. Then a bright by King, and Man son kicked the ball over the students' line. McKay, forced, but the referee rule* that an Oriental man had been obstructed, and awarded a_ penalty try. A.t this considerable criticism and hostile comment was (heard. The kick was charged down. Oriental 6, 'Varsity 3. . The rest of the game was a series of scrambles, all -in 'Varsity's favour. Dtirihg one rush Woodward, for the green®*appeared to cross the line and touch down, after which the ball, was touched down .again by Heley, the Oriental fullback. The referee refused to grant the students' unanimous appeal for a try, and ruled a force-down. Time followed shortly, the final scores being:— Oriental 6 'Varsity 3 * BURLESQUE FOOTBALL PONEKE DEFEAT BERHAMPORE. Rugby football is recognised as being tho most favoured winter spor,t in New Zealand. The game is played in ail descriptions of weather, but the conditions at KUbimie on Saturday afternoon were certainly the most unpleasant that have bteetr" experienced this season. Heavy rain squalls were in evidence; j the groun<l wits muddy, foothold treacherous/ and, in fact, *lu attempt to play in such weather was* to make a burlesque of the game. After play -had been in progress a few minute® the players dripped liquid mud; tihe ball became an elusive object and defied the players to pick it up; back play was out of the question, and an amusing—from a spectators' point of, view—exhibition was witnessed. For a fall and glisside for a yard on his face was of common occurrence, *and a mud scramble ensued for upwards of eighty minutes which would have obliterated, the achievements in the mud of the London urchins in the days of Dickens. Berhampore and Poneke met <m No. 1 ground, the team® being ae follow Berhampore. —• Full-back, Halliwedl j three-quarters, Stick Gray, and Matthewson> five-eighths, Walters and' Howard; half, Fuller; forwards, Moore (wing), Standen, McHeron, Lucas, Spearman, Bell, Scott, and Mai in. Poneke. —Full-back, Malm; three-quar-ters, McArthur, D. Algal*, and Tunniqetbn; five-eighths, F. Tilyard and B. Algar; haAtf, Ohrietopherson; forwards, King (wing),* Hughe#, S. D. Shearer, Baker, J. Suearer. Slater, Untnvorth, and Brooker. A stipng wind was blowing, and ib. was raining when the ball was kicked off. Play had only been in progress lor a minute when a penalty kick was awarded Berhampore. An attack was sec up from tho kick, but a ''specula-* tor*' by King eavedi the situation for Poneke. Infringements 'became painfully frequent. Poneke offended most, but Berhampore was not far behind them in thde xespeot. A forward dash. by Berhampore resulted in Poneke being forced down. Attempts were made by Poneke backs to open the game up, but the conditions were such that the task proved an impossible one. Forward ‘'mushes" continued, wi/th an occasional kicsk into (touch. Berhampore ‘had slightly the best of the argument; Fuller kicked at goal from a good position from a mark, but the soaked ball only went a few yards. Standcn headed a rush’, /which reached Poneke's goal-line, where Berhampore were award-' ed a penalty kick, and Walters "dropped" a goal. Berhampore 3, Ponyfce When the ball wae set in motion again McArthur delighted the spectators with a fine dribble. After covering three-parts of the ground, Gray arrived on the scene and managed v +o get his ’boot on to the bounding ball. It jvent to B. Algar, who made frantic efforts 'to gather it in. but the ball won. King hit-I a shot at goal from a penalty kick, wdfthout result, and the spell ended in favour of Berhampore. A NARROW VICTORY. > The eecond half of the game opened with a forward rush by Bernampore, and when striking distance was reached McArthur shot the ball into touch. The rods now showed to better advantage, breaking away from a scrum and the forwards charging ahead. Berhampore backs dived, at the ball in order to stop the rush, and arose covered with liquid mud, to find the ball still sliding away merrily. At last its progress was ar-» rested, but immediately afterwards* an infringement took place in of the Berhampore goal, and King piloted the oval over the bar Bemampore 3, * Poneke 3. , The game continued with first one ana® and then the other attacking, until Hughes dribbled over Berhampore'® line at the conclusion of the Poneke rush, and scored. Tho kick at goal by King failed, and the game ended thus; Poneke Berhampore 8 Mr H. Brooker was the referee. A DRAWN GAME WELLINGTON v. SELWYN. .Selwyn and Wellington, met at Kiltiirnij on Saturday, and »a each team had difficulty in eecurinß tho requisite n>urn-b-*r of players, there was a slight delay iii starting. The teame were:— Se 1 ivy n.—Ftuli-back. Galvin; tlireefiuartcrs. MeCJuade, Webber, and . - McLov live-eighths, Wogan and Lmley; half. Eastgate; forwards. Bramley (wing), Desmond. De Clifton, Cunnold, Peacock, Recvort. Watson, and Goa. Wellington.—Full-back, Wdkcs ; threequarters. M. Smith, CunUffe, and Wright; five-eighths. C. Prater ana I tamos; half, Houston; forwards I arsons (wing). Francis, Whyborne, Clark. Perry, Tull, Cooper, and Webb. . Wellington played with the wind in tbe first spell and commenced \otk a concerted forward movement, reared Sclwyn on the defensive Tho bi.cks on each side lutudled tike ball fair-

ly well under the circumstances. As the ball became heavy with moUriture and tho players were unable to keep their teefc, it was apparent that tho team having’the greater amount of luck would emerge t.ho~vietors from the muddy fray. .It soon became difficult to distinguish j tlio features of the players, who looked extremely grotesque in their coatings of mud. but the gam© was played in. the best of spirit. After Wellington. had been attacking for a while. Haines seore l for his side. Tull was entrusted with the kick, and made an excellent. attempt, the ball missing the object by a few inches. Wellington 3, Selwyn 0. To kick tho ball -while it was.shooting over the wet ground was really an art, but presently .-Selwyn get up a determined rush, which ended in McQuade crossing near the corner. The kick at goal was ©barged down, and as there was no further score, the game ended in a draw. Scores: — Wellington '3 Selwyn 3 Mr G. Fletcher controlled the game. GAME IN WAIRARAPA WIN AGAINST MANAWATU. INTEiR PROVJ NCIA L MATCH AT MASTERTON. By Telegrhph.—Special to "Times." The Wairarapa. v. Manawatu senior representatives met aU Masterton on Saturday weather. The ground was heavyhigh wind was blowing and rain fell au intervals. The game -was, at' times, interesting, there being flashes of good forward play on both sides, .while the Wairarapa backs handled the greasy ball well and indulged in several very creditable passing bouts. The Manawatu hacks were weak. They played fairly safe sometimes and their kicking was good on Occasions. They broke away several times in very*-creditable j >a ssing rushes. Their work in the second half, however, was generally medioci*e. In the first half the Manawatu forwards played wall and had tho upper handsof the Wairarapa pack, but through the backs letting them down they tired in the second half. Wairarapa kicked off and attacked imr mediately as a result of the Manawatu backs' bad fielding of ('the ball. A free kick relieved Manawatu and Diedrich, Carroll, Harkness and Buckland canle away. Some good work by Desmond, Knowles and -1 3 . Donald saw Wairarapa attack again, but another free kick relieved Manawatu. Then Jewell, Hair, Brambell, McSw'eeney and Glendinning , indulged in. a passing rush, and the ball went out at the side line at halfway. Wairarapa worked the ball* down towards the Manawatu goal, and from a penalty at a distance of about thirty-five yards Torrance landed a beautiful 'goal. Wairarapa 3 ' Manawatu : 0 Diedrich., Bucknall, Carroll and Skinner were then associated in <a good piece of forward play, but Manawatu, headed again by Carroll and Diedrich. came away ae a result of Matson, mulling the bi|ll and a likely score was spoiled by a knock-on. A good kick by Bob Booth relieved the pressure., Manawatu mark* od and Boddy, Diedrich, Skinner, and O'Reilly swept down the field, but. offplay gave Wiairarapa 'a free kick. A good passing rush was spoilt by J. Donald getting off-side. Smith mulled the ball, and Carroll, Diedrich, Harkness, Boddy and Bucknall swept down to the Wairarapa line, but Carson saved. Play centred and J. Donald. Knowles and J. Tames came down the field. Manawatu found relief in a free kick. The wind ' was in Manawatu'a favour and this greatly assisted themi Some good play by J, Donald was followed by a scramble in front of Manawatu's goal, from which. Wairarapa scored. Torrance failed with the kick and the score stood : Wairarapa 6 Mananfeunx. 0 Nothing daunted, the fine Manawatu forwards came away and Diedrich. O'Reilly, Harkness. Skinner and Carroll carried play to Wairarapa's line, Where the_ ball ; was swung oq£ to' Carroll; who scored a/ fine' try. A goal was kicked and the score was; Wairarapa 8 Manawatu 3 Shortly after thia the Wairarapa backs got into action, and Bob Booth scored. Torrance - failed with an easy kick. Wairarapa 9 * Mqnawatu 5 Give-and-take play followed and Wairarapa, thanks to good play by J. Donald, Desmond, TCnowles and Strachey, set up a vigorous attack, but the Manawatu backs tossed the ball about, breaking away in a dangerous rush. , Bob Booth cleverly intercepted a pass ><and kicked, well down the field, but Swainson, with a greair kick, found the line. Two pieces of bad play by Smith let the Manawatu forwards through, but Carson smartly saved. Carroll, Bucknall, Diedrich land Harness were next prominent in a forward rush. They smothered Matson, but parson smartly saved. . Manwatu lat«r“on forced. Then the forwards swarmed round the Manawatu goal-line and Knowles dived over. Torrance again failed to convert. Wairarapa 12 Manawatu 5 Before the close tfi the spell Wairarapa and Manawatu each scored a try, the score at half-time being: - Wairarapa 17, Manawatu 8. - THE SECOND HALF. The opening of the second epel 1 was noticeable for very . fine work by the Manawatu forwards, especially Carroll, Harkness, Boddy, Diedrich and Skinner, and from one of their onslaughts Buckland scored. No goal resulted. Wairarapa 17, Manawatu 11.. The Wairarapa forwards then took a band and carried play to the Manawatu line. A free kick relieved, and Diedrich, Carroll, Harknese and Skinner swept down to the Wairarapa line. Twice Manawatu. was nearly over. The Wairarapa backs now commenced . to "sling" the hall about, and the eventually came out to Bob Booth. He made a strong run and could have scored, but he unselfishly passed out to Groufbe, who had simply to run across the line. Matson converted. Wairarapa 22, Manawatu 11. The rest of the game was a mere scramble in the mud. B. Booth, R. Booth, and.T. Donald scored tries, for Wairarapa, ‘'one of which Matson converted, and the final ‘score was: Wairarapa J....- 33 Manawaru '. i 11 - IN OTHER CENTRES RESULTS IN AUCKLAND. en.it. rnftpw A**nnr.*Tiosr. AUCKLAND, July 17. Saturday's Rugby results were: Grafton 9, Morisfc Old Boy® 8. - College Rifles 11, University 3. Grammar School 13, Ponsonby 8. Parnell defaulted to North Shore. DUNEDIN. ' DUNEDIN, July 10. Sktfcu-rday's games resulted: —Kaikox*ai 8 Southern nil; Alhambra 10 ■'Varsity A 5; Zingari 6, Union nil; Pirates 14-, 'Varsity B 9; Port Dunedin 8. ON THE~wIiT~COAST. COMBINED TEAM BEATS BULLER. WESTPORT, July 16. A Rugby match, West Coast v. Duller, for the Rundle Oup, was played to-day on Victoria Square, under drenching showers, and on a very slippery field. Jhe gam© ended in a win for the Coast by 9 points to 8/ All the scores were got in scramble© over the line. Ilutt Juniors defeated Berbampor© by 33 points to 3. Hutt Fourth drew with Wellington—3 each. Hutt Fifths defeated Pori-run. by 21 points to 3. In a third grade game Old Boys dc 5 - footed Wellington by 5 points to 3. As a curtain-raiser to tho bifs match, at Athletic Park on Saturday, Petone arid St. Patrick's, tho two leading teams in the third grade, provided some higliclass football, in which l»h© passing among tho backs was a feature. A splendidly contested game resulted in a „v.i oto ry for Pc tone *’by 15 points to 12. In the fifth grade competition© Marist Brother* (13) beat Poton© (15). . *•

P. w. L. D. Points For. Agst. Champ, Pts. ' % Petone 12 10 2 0 212 •' 84 \ 20 Poneke 12 9 3 0 119 58 1° Oriental 8 4 0 134 117 16 Berhampore 12 7 5 0 111 87 14 Athletio 12 7 £ 1 156 118 12 Marlst 11 4 6 1 72 76 9 ‘Varsity 11 3 8 0 91 123 6 Selwyn 11 2 7 2 74 137 6 Wellington .. ..! 11 0 9 2 44 190 2