RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3198, 24 September 1917, Page 8

RUGBY

SEVERAL FINALS PLAYED PETONE WINS SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Several Rugby finals were played at Athletic I J ark on Saturday, afternoon. Tho cliiof mutch was that between Fctono and University for the senior premiership of the season. There was only a fair attendance ol' the public, and Petone appeared to be well'represented. The match did not produce tho close contest that some looked forward to. Petone outclassed University, and won, with great ease by nearly half a century of point 6.. Rarely lias such a big margin separated teams in a cup final in Wellington. The superiority of the Blacks was soon evident, and they wound up the first spell leading by eleven points-to three. In the second spell t'hey attacked almost continuously, and added .% points to their total. The Petono attack was not only well sustained, but was excollently, managed. Tho passing was good, and the backs ran splendidly. University did not play as well as on the previous Saturday, but on this occasion the opposition the Greens encountered was much stronger than Old Boys were capable of showing. There was a high wind blowing, so that line-kicking was important, and in this department University failed and Petono excelled. -The first score of the match fell to Petone, Ambler kicking a penalty-goal. W. Thomas followed this up with a try, and then Aitken scored for University. Petone, 6; University, 3. Before the end of the spell Bond scored for I'otone, and Ambler converted the try. Petone, 11; University, 3. Shortly after the commencement ot the second Corijar crossed University's line, and Ambler goaled. This was followed by several fino passing rushes on tho part of Petone backs, and as a result of one of these, attaoks A. Thomas scored. Ambler converted. Petone, 21 j University, 3. A pretty piece of passing between \V. Thomas and Hamilton, down the side-line, led to another try. Thomas got the ball near tho lyio, and when blocked passed to Hamilton. Hamilton did not wait to be tackled, but sent it back to Thomas. There was still one defender left, and when he was about to tackle Thomas the l'etone winger sent the leather in-field again to Hamilton, ' who ran in unopposed. Petoue, -4; University, 3. Tries by Bond and W. Thomas followed, and one of these wits converted by Ambler. From 'a movement begun by Bowers, Polo scored, and Ambler goaied. Petone, 37; University, 3. Led by Jackson, University made a fine effort to score, but a force resulted. A while later A. Thomas got well a.way on tho right wing, and another tiy for Petone seemed- likely, blithe was beautifully tackled from behind by Jackson. However, before the conclusion Bowers and Coles added tries for Petone, and both were converted by Ambler. Ambler's kicking was worth 17 points to Petone' on the day. The final score iva<|:—Petone, 47; University, 3. \ Mr. JO. Perry was referee. JUNiOR FINALS. SISLWn\ T SECURES FOURTH-GRADE HONOURS. • , Selwyn easily defeated St. John's in tho final for tllo Fourth Grade Championship. The scores were:—Sehvyn, St. John's, 8. Tries for Selwyn wore scorcd -by Trotter/ Parker, Wilson, Reeves, and Carroll. Carroll kicked ;i penalty goal, and Watson converted a try. For St. John's Gunson scored a try, which was converted by Gillespie, who also kicked a penalty-goal. In the Sixth Grade final St. James defea ted Petone by nine poinls to ei.v. Tim Fifth Grado Championship goes to Wellington C'ollego A.