RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11874, 7 July 1924, Page 10

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

THE LUCK TURNS MARIBT WIN FROM PONEKE POT BEINGS THE VICTORY. x This year Rugby has entered the silly eoaeon. The four thousand spectators at Athletic Park on Saturday saw Marist end an unlucky spell with a decidedly fortunate win from Poneke, marking the second occasion this season when the red and black team has fallen to kicking. Marist'e scores were a penalty goal and a* potted goal to a converted try, and the pot was as lucky a four as has ever been registered on the historic Park. THE TEAMS. Following were the teams: — Poneke (red and black). Full-back, AVright; three-quarters, Jessup, Turner, Algar; five-eighths, J. Shearer, F. Tilyard; half, H. Tilyard; forwards, Slater, Ifennody, Fisher,. Booker, Smith, S. Shearer, Walsh, Calcinoi (wing). Marist (green and write). —Full-back, Sidet; three-quarters, Basset, Carmody, Coniiop; five-eighths, Mahoney, Murphy; half, Mv.Cleary; forwards, Moßae, Hall, Tcnncred, CVSullivan, Bowman, Griffen, McKee, Holz (wing). Referee. —Mr J. S. King. MARIST BEAD OFF.

Marist faced a strong sun when the luck of the toss wont against them. The first exchanges left matters as they had begun. Then F. Tilyard was caught with the ball after a line-out, and his pass going askew Mahoney shot npon the* leather and kicked it along the ground towards the red line. The green forwards followed and Wright tried to stop (hem -with a speculator, which was hopeless. Dosset pioked u<p the ball and went towards the oorner flag; but was brought down short. H. Tilyard emerged with the boll from the. forward struggle whioh ensued, and though he made way in risky circumstances, a Poneke man infringed and the chance given Murphy found (him easily equal to goaling. Marist - 1 3 Poneke 0 PONEKE NOT DANGEROUS.

Marist continued to hustle their opponents, O’Sullivan cnce making an unlucky knock-on after Algar had failed to reach tonch with a kick. The greens pushed Up to the opposing goal, r.qd only good work toy J. Shearer, Turner and Smith carried the team out of trouble. Mahoney then hung on after a tackle and Turner essayed a shot from well out, but the ball was caught by the leaping forwards. Poneke pushed on, tout were never danerous. Finally, after Marist had tried to bluff the referee andl been penalised, the red. back-lino -went away, but the rush broke down, and the 1 speedy Do6set, with a good sprint, made much* ground. MARI ST’S MISSED SCORE. Then came a lucky save. A kick was charged down and Wrigtot mulled as the ball shot back to him. Three big Marist forwards were on the latter with nobody between them and the goal-line, .but the elusive ball worked across field towards the posts, a momentary delay ensued, and Wright arrived to thread his way through the attacking ranks and found the line.

Poneke had all they wanted in the next few minutes, never having the luck of the bounce. Finally H. Tilyard was slung over the line by a tackier and the force down let the reds out and ultimately up to the opposition quarter. From a 'line out H. Tilyard and F. Tilyard handled and Shearer drew tho opposing second five-eighths and centre, to let Turner through. , SHEARER MAKES THE RUN. Good tackling quelled the movement, but from the ensuing scramble Marist were penalised and S. Shearer dropped the ball funder the posts. Poneke now held the advantage and H. Tilyard worked the blind to gain ground. This move was ended when Algar. was tackled, but Murphy missed the ball entirely as he awung a hefty boot and a lino' out took place in the green twenty-five. From the throw-in S. Shearer received, slipped through the Marist ranks, leaving half his jereey behind him and passed to Slater, who dived over. S. Shearer’s kick, hit the upright andl glanced on the right side for Poneke. Poneke S Marist ’ 3 FLUCTUATING FORTUNES.

‘A brief spell of Marist pressure and Poneke worked back Then Turner let the. ball shoot over his shoulder as the red backs linked up and Carmody .pounced on the leather, dribbled past Wright and was ipulled up by Algar In sterling fashion ia the Poneke twenty-five. F. Tilyard hegan the move which sent Marist back, the five-eighth, Algar, Booker and J. Shearer workjng. together, and the dash failing when the last named tried to trick a tackier. Good combination, with J. Shearer and Calcinai prominent, kept the reds aggressive, S.' Shearer making a good attempt at goal from a penalty against O’Sullivan. but half-time came with the score unchanged. GREENS TROUBLESOME!.

Rushes went either way when the second spell opened, Holz beginning a backline movement by Marist; Coleinai, F. Tilyard andl Jessup making way for Poneke. Then a bunch of Marist forwards took the ball downfield at toe, only to be finally checked by a penalty. Next “ brilliant midfield run ty Connop ended with Dosset dashing for the line, but he was_ grassed. l just short. Violent but epadomic efforts toy the Marist men saw them holding a territorial advantage and ended in a series of scrummages on the red line. Once, receiving, from Murphy. Connop made a rush which almost took him oyer, but a scrum was ordered and from it the ball travelled to a Marist back, who made an unsuccessful attempt to pot. . 1 PONEKE DRIVEN BACK. S. Shearer initiated the move toi Marist territory which then began, and here also potting was rife. Poneke was driven back, F. Tilyard being caught in possession, and a penalty and a shrewd linekick by Murphy saw play 1 riqht nn tho red line, Murphy, Holz and Doeset’movod together, hut the wing was thrown into touch at the flag. , The Poneke forwards gained ground, and, Sidet mulling, their backs got going. F. Tilyard. J. Shearer andl H. Tilyard again handled, but a likely movement . failed and 1 Marist were shortly knocking at the red portal again. Twice Wright made a good save, then Murphy made an unsuccessful shot from a penalty.

SOME GOOD WORK. Following a cross-kick McKee and Mahoney Jed a dangerous Marist dash ; which banked up beneath tho posts, H. ! Tilyard relieving. Murhy, Holz, and 'Carmody were in. the next move, but Poneke had a card up their sleeve. H. Tilyard sent his backs away in a love- ! *7 ru yb> F. Tilyard coming round outi side Turner to ■ take the centre’s pass, ,and hand on to Jessup. ' The winger shot the pall in at once, and Tilvard just itiled to hold it. Immediately Marist swept back in an all oonquerirug rush. A knock-on at the wrong moment checking tlia dash. THE WINNING GOAL. Before the goal the melee continued, and eventually the ball swur-/; through several bands to Mahoney. The passing had not been direct and t-'-.e Poneke for. wards momentarily failed to get him. Only momentarily, but it cost them the match. For the Marist man potted, the ball went true, but fell short, hit the cross-bar flat as it dropped and went spinning over. Marist were ahead. Marist 7 Poneke : 5 PLAYING SAFE Marist’s. game was to ploy safe and they did it. The next few minutes before the bell saw no important movement, but two placers from opposing teams held a sparring 'bout, The provocation Isy with tho Marist mnn, (hough his opponent struok first. The referee wisely took no drastic action, but read the teams a lecture and full-time came almost at once. (

UNRELIABLE ’VARSITY BEATEN BY~WELLINGTON AMBLER SCORES 16 POINTS. The unreliable 'Varsity fifteen were matched to meet Wellington at Kilbirnie on Saturday. The game drew only a small crowd, but those who were present were rewarded witn a fairly bright game, even if the standard of play was nut up to the requirements of the New Zealand 1 enthusiast. '’Varsity, who were generally expected to win comfortably, were soundly -beaten. The first spell was fairly even, but at no stage of the second spell did the greens have a hope of victory. Ambler was file hero of the match, scoring 16 points. Both sides played keenly in the first spell. The forward work was good, and there was no end of fine tackling. Ambler, who had .t wonderful day’s goalkicking, began well. He took a penalty shot from half-way, and the ball hit me bar. Some time later Wellington opened their account. Parsons scoring and Ambler goaling. It was not long before ’Varsity drew level through a try by Joll, which O’Regan converted. Before the end of the spell Whyborn finished off a Wellington attack by beating Blatliwyat and getting across. The scores at half-time werei—Wellington 8, ’Varsity 5. Wellington completely ran over Varsity in the second spell, adding twentyfour points to their score, while ’Varsity added five Ambler kicked a penalty goal, and a very little time afterwards scored a good try, which he converted. Wellington maintained a warm attack on ’Varsity line, and eventually Parsons was rewarded, with a try, which Ambler converted. Back again to the attack as soon as the ball was in motion, went Wellington, and after a while Parsons forced his way across and scored. Once again Ambler goaled. The Wellington backs were throwing the hall about smartly, and from one of these ’ rearguard attacks Glennie showed the greens a clean pair of heels. Ambler kicked the sixth goal he had scored during the afternoon. Shortly before the call of time ’Varsity attacked, and McKenzie scored. Mackay converted, and the game ended Wellington •••• 31 ’Varsity 10 PETONE DEFEAT OLD BOYS LATTER LEAD IN FIRST SPELL. PETONE’S FORWARDS SUPERIOR. Old Boys journeyed to Petone on Saturday and made a valiant effort to defeat the championship leaders. They more than held their own in the first spell, and part of , the second,' but then the suburban team took charge and in the end the team with the better combination and physioal fitness, won the game. Petone kicked off, and for a time play hovered round neutral territory. Then Old Boys’ forwards with a loose dribbling rush carried the ball into Petone’s twenty-five. There a great battle ensued. A free kick gave Malcolm a chance, and he landed a good goal within a few minutes of the. commencement of the game. Old Boys 3, Petone 0. 1 From the kick-off there was a series of forward scrambles, and both sets of backs failed to make much ground, with their attempts at passing. A fine’ movement by the Old Boys’ backs saw Faber away, and he heat several men and went on to score a brilliant try. / Malcolm converted. Old Boys 8, Petone 0. Old Boys were now putting plenty of dash into their work, but the Petone defence was good, and the spell ended without further score. SECOND HALF. Petone attacked strongly from the kickoff, and their forwards were displaying more dash than in the first spell. A loose rush was temporarily checked by Old Bovs, who defended well, but from a scramble near the line Thomas picked op and dived over. "Doc” Nicholls failed with .the kick. Old'Boys 8, Petone 3. Old Boys made a spurt after the kick out,. but Petone drove them back again, and a 'penalty in a good position saw H. E. Nicholls goal. Old Boys 8, Petone 6. Once again the Petone forwards got to work after a spell of up and down play, and a passing . rush amongst the suburban vanguard ended in Thomas scoring after a good run. H. E. Nicholls’s kick hit the post. Petone 9, Old Boys 8. Petone now had the upper hand, and their next try came from a brilliant Siece of work by King. He secured from le loose near half-way, and showing exceptional speed, dashed through the opposition to score a splendid try. H. B. Nicholls goaled. Petone 14, Old Boys 8 A few minutes before time the Petone forwards again swept all before them, and Thomas finished off the movement by scoring. H. Ef. . Nicholls failed with the kick, the -final score being:

Petone 17 Old Boys g During the game Underhill and Faber were injured. AN EXCITING GAME SUBURBAN TEAM LEAD IN FIRST HALF. An interesting and exciting game was to be witnessed on Hutt Recreation last Saturday, when the Hutt team met Oriental. The game was well played by both sides, Hutt 'being in better condition than their opponents. Power, of the suburban team, distinguished himself on several occasions, as did MlCay and Grierson. Of the other team players of outstanding merit were Poulten and Trewell. King played his usual game. THE TEAMS. The teams lined out as under: Hutt. —Power, Burt, McKay, R. Hickling, Fisher, Benge, Boyce, Fawcett, Carton, Silva, Sullivan, Grierson, Hur--1011, -Mclntcoh. Oriental.—King, Ewans, Trewell, Hichens, Bumo, Smith. (Chambers, Chant, Pouiten, Hepburn, Pringle, Simmons. Watte, Moth, Hall. Keferee.—lt. N. Wilkinson. THE PLAY. Hutt began well and soon had their opponents on the defence. A penalty gave .McKay a chance andl he landed a nice goal. Huti 3, Oriental 0. This

was followed toy more attacking by the Hutt team, and from an infringement toy Oriental McKay added another three points' to their total. Hutt 6, Oriental 0.

The Oriental team, who were not all in the pink of condition, then pnt more dash into their play, and their combination showed a marked improvement. A passing rush from tho scrum gained ground, but chances wore spoilt by too much hanging on to the ba'll. Hutt again secured, but offside play resultod in a free kick for Oriental, which was sent over the bar by King. Hutt 6, Oriental 3.

Fast up-and-down play followed, with the Oriental team showing still greater improvement. McKay, of tho Hutt team, then managed to get the ball and commenced a passing rush, which gained ground. Shortly after another free kick f.aw McKay add another three points to Hutt's total. Hutt -9, Oriental 3. Again Hutt attacked, but were held in check by Oriental. Then the town team commenced a promising rush, which end. ed in Smith scoring. King converted Hutt 9, Oriental 8. The rcoro remained unaltered at half-time. ' During the first spell Fisher was replaced by Evans. Hutt 9 Oriental 8 The second half opened well with Oriental on the attack, and shortly afterwards a free kiok saw King put his team in tho lead. Oriental 11, Hutt 9. Oriental attacked from tho klek-out and kept Hutt in their twenty-five for a good spell. Power relieved' with a good kick, but Oriental again assumed the offdhstvo, and play a,gain was carried on in the vicinity of the Hutt goal. Then Evans finished off a movement' by scoring n good try, which King oonvorted, mnltilf Afc- Oriental ML Hutt 0.

- Hutt made a valiant effort towards the end of the game, but they ©ould not penetrate tho Oriental defence. The whistle blew with the scores Oriental , 16 Hutt 9 ATHLETIC_V, SELWYN A BTRENUOUS CAME MATCH AT WAKEPIELD PARK. Athletic and Scjhvyn met on Wakefield Park. The ground was in good order, and the struggle for supremacy was witnessed by a number of supporters of ieach team. Selwyn was not at full strength, several players .being absent through, injury. As an exhibition of Uugiby the play was not of a high standard. It was a strenuous game, possessing no outstanding features. In tho first spell Athletic played with the sun in their eyes, and soon after tho kick-oft* smart following up ended in B. Gibson scoring. He converted the try. For some time the ball travelled up and down the field through hefty kicks by the backs of each side, until bad fielding on the .part,of one of the Welwyn backs was responsible for Swain securing and registering a try, B. -ribson again converting. Concerted action, in which Warwick, G. Gibson, Cookson, had B. Gibson were associated, saw G. Gibson touch down, but the kick at goal foiled. A forward effort by Selwyn reached a promising stage, when an over-anxious forward kicked too hard, and a force-down resulted. Prom the kiok-out a scrum was formed at midfield, where Warwick sent his backs away and McKernan put in the finishing touches. B Gibson added the major points with the kick, and the score at half-time was Athletic 18, Selwyn 0. THE SECOND HALF. The sun had set behind the hill when the second half of the game was. commenced. Play was mainly confined to the forwards for a while, very little back play of interest being witnessed.. War. wick presently made a long-looked-for change by giving the "dummy" to —e opposing half, by. which means he gave his backs an opportunity of making progress, Malmanche being pushed .into touch near the oorner. Prom the resultant line-out Warwick was given possession, and he sent the balk neatly over the bar, but in ifs progress it touched an opponent. Soon afterwards Malmdnche put in a serviceable sprint, which ended in a score, but no goal resulted from the kick Selwyn now took a turn. at attack, and Hose opened tho greens' scoring account Wognn made no mistake with the kick The blue backs were soon in action again, and fast following up saw Swain cross. Gi- Gibson converted. A rally by Selwyn placed another try to their credit, the scorer being Harrison. It was not converted, and the game ended: Athletic 2# Selwyn * Mr B. T, jßailey was the referee.