COMFORTABLE WIN

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12194, 20 July 1925, Page 10

COMFORTABLE WIN

PETONE DEFEAT OLD BOYS UNSCIENTIFIC AND RAGGED. After the snap victory which Old Boys scored over Petone the other week it was expected that their meeting at Petone would produce a more even contest than that of a 15 point margin, but the suburban fifteen on their own ground formed a harder proposition than the Oljd Boys had prepared for. From the initial whistle the game was ragged, and science was singularly lacking. It had the redeeming qualification of being fast, however, and a thrill now and again served to rouse the crowd from its nonchalance. The first spell was devoted so much to the success of Petone that the match threatened to become a burlesque, and on every occasion that a clear space was available, the player with the ball would essay at potting a goal. Speculation was rife, and after a few points to credit had been piled up, wild kicks to touch were frequent. Old Boys played well as individuals, but of combination there was none. Every time an organised movement was instituted, it invariably failed through lack of sufficient application to carry it to fruition. In tho second spell Old Boy® fought doggedly for a chance to cross the line, and on occasions got to within scoring distance—failing always in the necessary polish to complete their advance Their only try was the result of sheer tenacity in battling through the formidable defence of the opposing rearguard, though in the face of frequent attacks their strenuous defensive tactics wore worthy of better results. In a measure they had had luck, although it must be at once pointed out that PetSuo held l the field throughout. The game had not “long been in motion whet, Mark Nicholis had an opportunity to kick a goal from an easy position. He was well off form, however, and this and subsequent efforts were not up to his usual standard. ONLY BRIGHT PLAY The only really bright piece of play occurred early, when Rodger, Petone’s half, effected a clever dummy and cuv in, transferring smartly to King, who in tur/i gave the ball to Corner in a handy position for him to plant on the profitable side of the line. Nicholls’s best v kick of the day added the points required. 5-0. Old Boys dost innumerable opportunities through forward passing when things appeared promising, and left an opening for Nicholis to get some way on. He essayed to pot, hesitated, and instead passed to Fitzgerald, who .flew over on the corner. 8-0. This was followed very soon afterwards by a pitifully easy try by Corner, who grabbed the leather from the ruck, and planted it in the right place. 11-0. Bedell endeavoured to infuse a little organisation into Old Boys, but the best they couldi do was to gain a temporary advantage in ground. Fitzgeram added to his. average by potting a beautiful _ goal from the field. Pausing coolly a little short of half-way he sent the ball soaring nicely, between the post?, and increased the Petone total to. 15. Malcolm and J. Lamason were doing some good kicking for Old Boys, but a slight misjudgment in direction defeated them on every occasion. Mansfield, Bedell, and Grenfell put in some trojan tackling work, particularly in the second spell, during which Old Boys obtained their only score. Before the spell ended Thomas broke through with a run, and looked a sure winner, passing to Love and Jowett, the latter Being grassed on the line. It was well inte the second half when Hurn culminated a very nice piece of reinforced passing, and bullocked his way over, Malcolm missing the bar with his kick. Altho-gh Petone could not cross the line, Nicholis kicked a penalty goal towards the ' closing stages, which brought the score np to 18-3. Tho last few minutes were exciting in a measure, characterised by Old Boys taking in hand the forlorn task of staving off the Petone forces and crossing the line in the distance. Mr J. King refereed.

JUNIOR. Training College 26, Old Boys 14. Eastbourne 20. Marist A 7. ' Hutt 9. Petone 3. Training College 26, Old! Boys 14. Johnsonviile 12. Selwyn 6. Hutt 9. Petone 3. Oriental 5, ’Varsity A 3. INTERMEDIATE. Upper Hutt 17, Athletic 13. Stroud (2), B. and A. Benge scored for the winners. Wellington A 12, Kaiwarra 3. Old Boys 13, Hutt 0. Berhampore 22, Petone 6. Marist 11, Taita 3. THIRD GRADE. Technical College 24, Old Boye 14. The losers played one man short. Old Boys B 16, Wellington College 14. Eastbourne 18, Teoh. College B 0. Upper Hutt 3, Berhampore 3. Connolly scored for Upper Hutt. Marist 9, Melrose 3. Dade and Edmonds scored 1 for Marist. Wellington 9. Old Boys A 0. Karori 11. Johnsonviile 3. mutt 13, Selwyn 6. Athletio 6, Petone 6. FOURTH. Kaiwarra 26, Berhampore —. Kaiwarra 16, Oriental 11. Selwyn 3, Old Boys 0. Wellington B 15, Upper Hutt 3. Petone 34, Hutt 3. FIFTH. Athletic 19. Marist 0. Wellington College A 11, Poneke 6. Oriental 0. Petone A 0. This was a curtain-raiser at Athletic Park. Oriental had the best of tho game and were unlucky not to score on several occasions. Old Bovs 13, Melrose 6. The winner* played with two men short. Tries were scored by Bick, Hawker, and Montgomery, two being converted by Grant and Hawker. Melrose’s score consisted cf two penalty goals. Johnsonviile 33. Petone B 3. Wellesley College 8, Hutt 5. SIXTH. Wellington College A 33, Athletic 0. Selwyn 13, Taita 6. Wilkinson; Fitter, .Tare each scored a try for Selwyn, Wellington converted two. Selwyn played with 14 men. Hutt beat Wellington. Melrose 8, Old Boys 5. SEVENTH. Selwyn A 33. Selwyn B 0. Eastbourne 14, Wellington 13. Selwyn A 27, Selwyn B 0. Tech. College A 48, Wellington College O nil. St. Patrick’s 19, Petone 3. IN THE MANAWATU Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N.. July 18. Senior results:—Kia Toa 11, Feilding 6; Old Boys 39, Western United 6. Junior:—Jackevtown 10, Old Bovs 0; Kia Toa 10. School 3. Feilding is leading a great competition, with Western United second. PLAY AT CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTCHURCH, July 18. Rugby results:—Old Boys 15, Meriviile 3; Albion 11. Limvnod G: Christchurch 33, North Canterbury 14.