FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 200, 13 May 1918, Page 9

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S RUGBY MATCHES FINE PLAY BY UNIVERSITY There was a good attendance at Athletic lark on Saturday to witness the senior Rugby matohes. The chief game was that between University and Old ijoys. it was mi cxcollent exposition of hugby-opon, fast, and free of tie •etrenuousuees" which sometimes ohnractenses the meetings .of heavier to&md. University ivp'u easily on points, but, .though they were distinctly the superior teaiii, they did not havo by any meana a walk-ovor. Ny JBoys oponod the scoring, Morns kicking n penalty goal. University $ first try was secured by Barker,' w.tiq wound up a-sensational run from l n 'j .own twenty-five, by touching, down nehiud tho opposite goal. Only a player with exceptional pace could have scored such a try, and Barker ,is the cut of a top-notchor. Morton converted tho try, and at half-time the score stood: University, 5; Old Boys, 3. Early in the second spell Morton (University) brdke away at half-way, and, making an excellent opening, passed to Aitkeu, who scored between tno .posts. Morton failpd to convert. University, 8; Old Boys, 3. University's next try was the result of a brilliant passing run. The haif-back got the ball away to Aitken, who made an excellent opuning, and passed out to the wing. This player should liavo scored, but he has a bad habit of hesitating and bearing away from the opposition, instead of running straight. However, Poison, the halfback, got round on the outeido of him in time to take a pass, and streak across the line. The • try was not converted, university, 11; Old Boys, 3. Later, Scott, who plays a fine game nt centra three-quarter, provided the next chancb for- University to add to their score After a useful run into the Old Boye' twenty-five, he flashed the ball out to Barker, who took it with one hand while travelling at top speed, and, completely outpacing the opposition, scored behind the posts. Morton goaled. Univeraitv. Iβ; Old Boys, 3. Old Boys had on several occasions after this to retreat to the last ditch, but, largoly owing to the good defensive work of Porter, they escaped without a further score against them. Old Boys were attacking ill the final stages, but their attacks were unsystematic, and proved fruitless,. except that Harris kicked a goal from a mark. The game thus ondod in favour of University by 16 points to 6. Mr. D. Kit to was referee.

PONEKE AND ATHLETIC. . Oh the.other ground at Athletic Park Joiieke beat Athletic by 6 points to 3. JJaly and Troy scored tries for Poneke ni the first spell,' and toward the end of the second spell Bucknell scored for Athletic. _ There was a fair number of casualizes during the gnmo, e-ad three men. were carried off the field.

PETONE V. ORIENTAL, Playing on the , suburban ground, Oriental wore soundly, defeated by Petone to the soore of 28 points to nil. Never theless, Oriental put up a good fight considering tho odds against them in the matter of backs, and in the forwards they held their own well. The Petone backs., however, who show promise of developing considerable brilliancy before the season is very far advnuced, jwore too much for their opponents, and once they got hold ot' the ball Oriental had to hang out tbo "5.0.5." signal. The first try was scored by A. Thomas, ■ and Nicholis converted. Corner registered the next, and Nicholis again scored a goal. .A. Thomas then scored his second try, which was unconverted,'. and- the . first half,ended: Pelone, 13 ;■ Oriental, nil. After resumption, Wally Thomas, with great dash, got ovor near,the corner from a pags from Hagcn. •■ Nicholis failed with the kick. —16—0. W.. Thomas next initiated n passing rush, and Albert Parker, tho last man to receive, burst ovor tho line near the comer. Tho try was unconverted.— ID—fl. Prom a dribbling' rush Scott notched the nest-try, which was unconverted.—22—o. Another forward .rush started by Albert Parker ended in Dickens, picking up near tho lino and scoring. The major points wore not added i —25-0. The last try of (he day was a j brilliant piece of work. From Nicholis I the ball went to Green, and cutting-in | with a fiuo run, Hamilton secured, and j eventually transferred to A. Thomas, i who did the necessary. The try was uu-1 eqnverted,-28-0. Mr. Bert Tregonr carried the whistle. ' i

JUNIOR MATCHES. ;.- Third Class. Oriental' (1C), Selw.vn (G). Mr. H. M'Girr was the referee. St. Patrick's College (19) Iwat Wellington B (nil). Fifth Class." St..Patrick's College. (12) beat Hull (5), Sixth Class. St. Patrick's College-B (25) beatPetunc (ml). ;