Hutt Win Again in Wellington.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20298, 7 May 1934, Page 11

Hutt Win Again in Wellington.

TOO GOOD ALL ROUND. (Special to the “ Star.**) WELLINGTON, May 7 The third series of games in the Wellington Rugby Union's senior championship was played on Saturday under adverse weather conditions. Solid rain for two days left the grounds waterlogged, while a cold southerly and light rain during play did not make conditions favourable for good football. By defeating Wellington comfortably, Hutt were left the only unbeaten side, and they now lead for the championship with a tally of six points from Poneke, Wellington Coliege Old Boys, Marist and Petone, all with four points. Hutt beat Wellington by 14 points to 6, Wellington College Old Boys were comfortable winners over Petone by 16 points to 7; Marist defeated Eastbourne by 14 points to 11; and Poneke went down to Athletic by 10 points to nil. All weathers come the same to Wellington College Old Boys, and their definite plan of attack with the forwards was too much for Petone at Athletic Park. Old Boys won the toss and played with the southerly weather conditions, and at half-time they led by 16 points to 4. In the second spell Petone attacked, but, with the exception of three points, they were unable to pierce the defence to any account. Once again the Old Boys pack, so ably coached by the All Black of former days, Alec M’Donald, was able to make play. They lost the ball in practically | every scrum, but their continuous following up upset Petone time and again. M’Neile, who played one game for Wellington as an emergency and came on half-way through the match against Hawke’s Bay, was again the outstanding forward on the ground. Perfect Co-ordination. Hutt were not affected by the conditions when they met Wellington, and they always held the upper hand to win in convincing manner. Back and forward, Hutt co-ordinated perfectly, and they gave further proof of their decided prospects of winning this year’s championship. The Wellington’ forwards. without Hugh M’Lean, were not the force they were last season, and a great deal more work was thrown on the shoulders of Kilby and Page. In what little he had to do, Minns impressed. Poneke played like a disorganised side against Athletic, and were never in the hunt with the more virile opposition. Athletie put on ten points in the first speil with the wind and rain behind them, and in the second spell they were unlucky not to notch another couple of tries. On the day it was hard to recognise Poneke as a side trained in the well-known traditional methods of the formerly powerful club. Marist and Eastbourne both plav a similar type of Rugby, and had the weather been fine a brilliant game would have resulted. As it was, play was quite the brightest of the day on the sandy Eastbourne ground, and Marist came out with an advantage of three points only. This year. Marist have the best side they have fielded for some vears. and they intend making a bold bid for champfcnshjp honours Their only loss this season has been Hutt. the leading side. St Patrick’s College Old Bovs and Victoria College University are the onlv unbeaten sides in the second division of the senior A grade, while Jack Shearer s Poneke team heads the senior B grade.