THE LEAGUE GAME.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1759, 26 May 1913, Page 7

THE LEAGUE GAME.

NEWTOWN V. HUTT. There was a fairly large attendance at Newtown Park to witness the battle between the Newtown and Hutt teams. The c suburban team was placed at a disadvantage 1 at tho opening of the game ( through only being able to muster nine members, as against Newtown's full team (13). Among those unavoidably absent ( from the. Hutt team were Buckland and . Waka, whose services were sadly missed, j Later on, two more players turned up, but t even that accession left the suburbanites two inen short. Under such circumstances the game could hardly bo anything but one-sided, and consequently lacking in spectacular interest. Newtown no mistake about taking full advantage of their opponents' weakness, and the ehd of ] the first ten minutes' play saw them with a lead of ten points. Newtown's first try was the result of a smart bit'of passing work, initiated by Russell who, getting the ball from tho scrum, sent it out to Strickland, who had a clear run in. Tho ' try was converted •by tho scorer. Newtown attacked briskly after the kick-off. and "from a .dribbling rush Strickland picked up the ball, and onco more showed his agility by breaking through Hutt's indifferent defence and landing a second try which was converted by GeoTge. O.nco moro. tlie. play invaded tho Hutt territory, and as the result of a nice bit of well-judged passing. Strickland scored once moro—achieving the 'hat trick. Tho major points were added by Campbell. Sullivan was, the next Newtown man to pot over th-o lino with tlv© ball, th&nk9 to an opening made by Benson, an activo and brainy forward. Murdoch converted. Tho fifth try was scored by Campbell and was converted by Spencor. By this time Hutt wero fairly , demoralised, and it was rarely that the play was_allowcd to enter Newtown's twenty-five, M Guiro and Russell also scored for Newtown before the half-time whistle sounded. Strengthened by the addition of two men, the second spell was not nearly so onc-&Kled. Newtown slacked off considerably and as the result of looseness following on their overpowering score in tho first Gpell. Hutt took the aggressive on several occasion?, one of which ended in Anderson scoring a try (unconverted), and another resulted in M'Orath kicking a penalty goal. Trios were secured for Newtown in tills spell by Murdoch, Strickland, Spencdr, Russell, and M'Guire. The final were: Newtown, 19 points; Hutt, 5 points. . PETONE AND ATHLETIC, The Petorte-Athletic fixture at Lower Hutt 'was one of tho fastest games witnessed in League football in Wellington einc; the new game's inception, and from' start to finish bright passing bouts wero the rule. The individual play of Whitley (Petone) was remarkably raod, and Kelly, Bradley, and Ryan (Athletic) irorq 11^,

great form. About 200 spectators were present. , Athlotic set up a hot attack on opening. They obtained the ball from the scrum, tho leather going to Davidson, who dived over under the posts. Bradley converted. s—o. Pctom, led by I'raser and Shardlow, brcko away in a junvincing rush, but Kelly snapped up, aud put in a high kick, and Wilson - raced down, and, smothering the Petone full-back, scored. Bradley's attempt at goal went wide. B—o. Petone opened up the game nt this juncture, and Finlaysoa ran half the length of the field, and passed at the right time to Probestel, if ho had a clear ran in. Whitley converted. B—s. The pace increased, and some brilliant passages ensued. From a penalty, Barber put his 6ide in a good position, but Bradley snapped rap a kick from Finlayson's toe, and raced for the line. Ho'was grassed by Probestel just in time. Athletic seemed from tho resultant sornm, ond after a fine passing rush between Bradley, Kelly, Wilson, and Ryan, the last-named got over at the corner. 11—5. Petone assumed the aggressive, and Finlayson was prominent in a sensational run. A dangerous passing rush by Petone was checked bv Bradley, who cleared with a fine kick. In Athletio's twenty-five Miller started some more passing, tne ball travelling to Barber, who potted a beautiful goal. 11—7. Interesting even play followed till halftime. , Play after the interval became very fast, tho Petono forwards attacking stronglv, and when in a good position Barber eluded the defence, and got in cleverly. Whitley converted. 12—7. Bradley set his backs in motion, and carried play well dov.;u the field. Petone raced back with a .counter-attack, ana when- in a, good position were awarded a penalty, which Whitley converted. 14—11. Immediately after Petone attacked with judgment, and Whitley side-stepped prettily and got over. Ho added tho major points, and brought the total to Petouc, 19: Athletic, 11. From this stage to nosid? Athletic had nil the advantage, but could not pierce the defence of P«tone. Mr. Brice rofereed. < The junior match between the newlyformed City Club and Petone ended in a draw, both sides scoring 11 points.

IN OTHER CENTRES. (By Telegraph.—Preps Association.) Auckland, Kay 25. The. North Shoro Albions beat Ponsonby United, by 17 to J. City Hovers beat Newton Rangers by 8 points to 0. Manukau Rovers beat Eden Ramblers by 18 to 0.