A CLEAR CUT ADVANTAGE

NZ Truth, Issue 1232, 11 July 1929, Page 16

A CLEAR CUT ADVANTAGE

Honors Look Easy For Varsity

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) Under ideal conditions the Wellington senior competition was advanced another step on Saturday • when, owing to Poneke going under to Athletic and Varsity's victory over Eastbourne, the students have now the commanding lead of four points over their nearest opponents, Athletic and Old Boys. KEEN und interested spectators at tho Poneke — Athletic, match ."t Athletic Park were officers and men of the German cruiser, Emdcn. Athletic defeated Poneke by 13 to nine m a game that was interesting, though at no stage spectacular. Apart from the actual difference m points Athletic deserved victory if for no other reason than that they were far from being at full strength. With Porter away m Sydney and I-leasslewootl and Svenson looking on, it

can be seen Poneke had a distinct, advantage. Territorially Poneke appeared to have the best of things, but they made what turned out to .be a fatal mistake m keeping the game close. It was only when Athletic shot to Hie lead that made an al tempi to seriously use their rear division. Athletic forwards played a man for man game, sticking strenuously to the tune set by the

red-and-blaclc vanguard. bo far -is loneke was concerned Julian, the half-bacK, did his part well in' sending the ball out to his five-eighths, but the latter were contented to. play the- kick and follow-on game, apparently forgetting that m Whot and Kclgar they had two fast wingers who were frothing for something to do. Jack Shearer, who is ever ready to take advantage of an opening, played one or 1 his best games. He scored two tries, one orwhich was actually a trick on unsuspecting Athletic. Poneke were attacking near Athletic posts when the red-and-blacks were awarded a free kick. Shearer made pretence to place the ball, but, instead, he kicked and followed on to score a.n easy try. The stunt was a good one which would have meant five points had Shearer been equal to converting. Barrett was not as safe as usual m the full-back position for Poneke. His fielding was never sure and he has the faulty habit of waiting for the ball to bounce. , . , Keenan made a. better showing for Athletic m this position, but on a couple of occasions he displayed an inclination to give more attention to the man than to the ball. Geoff. Kicholls does not make the ideal five-eighths. Given to the habit of running into the thick of the opposition, he spoils many a good opening. Shearer, Wilson and Sly were mainly responsible for all the trouble that came to Athletic backs. Perrson, McNaught, and Webber were the best of Athletic forwards. Webber is a fine stamp of forward and is always on the job. McNaught also kept battling away, but he is inclined to make matters just a bit too personal. Pelham, Huxtable and Morgan played good defensive football. Old Boys had to go some to defeat Oriental on Newtown Park. To within the last few minutes, the score was six to five m 'Old Boys' favor and then the issue was put beyond doubt when Jack Lamason added another three points from a penalty. A feature of this game was a return to form by Rushbrook. The All Black gave glimpses of the play that won him his place m the team to South Africa last season. Oriental could do with some strengthening m the backs. It was their weakness amongst the backs that made all tho difference between victory and defeat for Oriental. Berhampore made no 7-ace of it against Marist, winning by 22 to 7. The victory lor the hilliles was revenge for defeat suffered at the hands of Marist m the first round. ■£> Better forward work and good dec fenslve play by the backs accounted for the superiority of Berhampore. They were on the field not only to win, but to properly do the job.

id forward division mie and, m fact, he

The best of a sol was undoubtedly Gler outclassed other forwards on the • ground. Glennie proved what a dangerous man he is by the manner m which he shot across Marist's line to score two tries. Hooper, the Berhampore half, improves with each outing. Next season he should be m the front rank of .half-backs. .

Petone maintained their, position on the ladder by accounting for Wellington out at Petone, the score being 3 9 to 6. The f though not of a vc

standard of football, cry high order, was

even and interesting m the first spell. "Wellington gave promise of making the issue close until they "changed over and from then on Petone gained the mastery. Elyy continues to be one of the best scoring wing three-ciuarters m Wellington. He gives it a determined go whenever the ball comes his way. Lance Johnson ha"d to produce his best defensive tactics to prevent the Petone men from totalling a bigger number of points. Fell was an outstanding forward for Petone. He is fast' for a big man.