Hutt Finish With Dash Against Marist.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 23 July 1934, Page 11

Hutt Finish With Dash Against Marist.

WELLINGTON RUGBY. (Special to the '* Star. ’) WELLINGTON, July 23. Rain early in the afternoon made the grounds greasy for Saturday’s Rugby in Wellington, but contrary to expectations some excellent displays of football were witnessed in the senior championship. ITutt and Wellington College Old Boys both won and maintained their lead. The defeat of Marist left Poneke in third place, three points behind Old Boys. None of the remaining teams have any chance, but there is still a good deal of interest in the fight to keep off the bottom of the ladder, a doubtful honour at present held by Eastbourne.

Hutt beat Marist at Athletic Park by 14 ■ points to 7: Wellington beat University by 14 points to 10. Poneke showed-excellent form in defeating St. Patrick’s College Old Boys by 19 points to nil; Petone beat Athletic by 12 points to 5, and Old Boys beat Eastbourne by 16 points to 6. Ilutt made a strenuous game with Marist and were down 7 points to 5 at half-time. Hutt had the advantage of the wind in the second spell, but Marist defended strenuously and it was not until the last ten minutes that Hutt clinched the game. The only points were a converted try and a drop-kicked goal. Lilburne and Barry, two of this year’s All Blacks, both played fine Rugby. Lilburne dropkicked a great goal. High-class Rugby.

At Newton Park, Poneke, who have been showing poor form in recent matches, recovered their touch and played rather brilliant football in beating St. Patrick’s College Old Boys Although the ball was wet and greasy, three passing movements saw the ball go right out to the wings to score, while another movement went from the half to the centre to score. Ward, the Poneke centre threequarter, played brilliant Rugby at centre three-quarter and all day long he cut deep into opposition territory. He scored one try himself after a brilliant burst, and he made openings for two others, one of which he could have scored himself. Jack Griffiths, the Poneke captain, and one of the new All Blacks for the trip to Australia, was also in good form for Poneke. There were no outstanding features in any of the remaining games.