THE RUGBY GAME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2577, 27 September 1915, Page 2

THE RUGBY GAME

CITY FINAL

CLOSE WIN FOR ATHLETIC

The final for the city Rugby championship was. decided on Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, when Athletic defeated Petone, and thereby retained the honour which they have held for several years. The match was closely contested from start to finish, and the issue was in doubt till the end. No final could have been more exciting, nor more strenuously fought. Play was fast in the extreme, and the terrific pace called for the best of condition, particularly on _ the part of the forwards. Athletic Ijokcd to be in such condition that ono got tlio "impression that to win Petono would have to register one of the finest performances ever made in a cup final. Nevertheless, Petono should have won. Athletic's great quality of making a minimum of mistakes sccured _ them tho victory. Also, they had a little luck. Petone "commenccd slowly and uncertainly, and Athletic stacked vigorously in tho opening stages of the game. Petono averted trouble on several occasions by forcing, but at length Athletic got t'iroiigh. J. Cunninghame started a loose, passing rush in the Petono twenty-five, and tho third man to handle the ball (Evensen) broke down a feeble attempt to stop him, and score in a splendid position. Ho converted the try. ' Athletic, 5; Petono, 0. Petono grndual} l improved in their play, and half-way through the spell they sot up a series of strenuous attacks Oil tile Athletic line. Athletic were penalised, and James Ryan took a long shot at gaol. The ball landed on the bar, and bounced over. Athletic, 5; Petone, 3. Thus stood the score at half-time.

Tho second spell was almost wholly l'etcne. Their forwards played a wonderful game. Following up a kick, E. Ryan beat Heley for the ball, and mado for the Athletic line with it. He was within a few yards of it when ho slowed down -to a standstill, and was overtaken. He reached tho line,-and was held up. A scrum resulted. Petone hooked the ball out, and Nicholls (their half slip-, ped through four Athletic mdn and scored one of the most brilliant tries notched by a half-back for many :i day: It was simple, but brilliant, for all that. J. Ryan, did not goal. Petone, 6; Athletic, 5. Petone sustained their strenuous attack for a consider-' able time, and tho first relief Athletic got was from ■- a' fiue sprint down the side-lino by Church. Succceding on this came a mixed passing rush by the •Athletic forwards . and back. Barry streaked • down tho side-lino with tho team in support. He passed to A. Wilson, who got within half-a-dozen yards of the Potono line, and handed the ball to Church. The full-back was .beaten. A try for Atlilotic seemed inevitable, when, like a streak of lightning, J. Ryan unexpectedly hurled himself into tho breach, and with a magnificent tackle swept Church and i!-o bail right off the field of play. Petono got out of their tight corner, and their forwards .drove Athletic into Jio latter" s twenty-five. Hero Nicliolls passed out to Nunn, who transferred to J. llyan, and on it went to E. Ryan. 'Jho winger had little room to manoeuvre in, and, though ho galloped across 'i" r e line, he was bumped into teucli-in-goai just as lie was about the oall. Petone held their one-'poiiit lead till ivith'n ten minutes of the end. By then tho Atretic forwards were coming en again. A scrum was formed close to tho Petono line, and M'Vay whipped t'>e leather out on the blind side to Church. E. Ryan had left Church unmarked, and the Athletic man ran in unopposed. Evensen failed in his attempt to convert tho try, and t'he final, score tvas: Athletic, 8; Petone, 6. Mr. L. Simpson was referee. .

SIXTH-CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP. Petono and Poneke flayed off for the sixth-class championship, and droiv —3 points each. Grinsted scored a try for Petone, and Wright a try for Poneke. Mr. "\V. J. Meredith was referee.