PETONE BEAT TRENTHAM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 248, 8 July 1918, Page 8

PETONE BEAT TRENTHAM

A CLOSE FINISH

On Saturday the principal malch in (he cluunpioiiship competition was plared at Patoiie. The contest was l)etw*een uentliam and Pi-tone, and liad the day beon fine the attendance would have boon large. The weather, however, was had, and (ho ground was heavy and wet. 14 was generally considered that Trentham would win, bill; Pelone had a strong following. The fliiburbnn fifteen played a hard gn'me from start to hnish,' ftnd were rewarded in the end with a narrow victory. Tilts camp team's chief weakness was that it uoutnineil "passengers"; there were men in the team who (on Saturday's piay) could hardly be culled footballers. It is extraordinary that such a weak team should bo put in tho held to represent a camp which is so strong in Hug-by players; ' and, ufter the trouble of the union in rearranging the competition to admit the camp team, it is disuppointing. It is hoped that in Tutiirc the soldier .(earn will be represontativo of the c.iinp. Tliere waa a strong wind blowing during the match. Trentbnm had the advantage of this in the lirst spell, but scored only five points, so that al half-time Pctone's cliaiico looked good. For nearly half tho spell Potone were unable to make much progress, lint from tneu on they over-ran thuir opponents. Only two tries were obtained, but they were, sufficient to win tho match, much lo tho satisfaction of the Biibiiroan enthusiasts.

Taking advantage of the high wind which they were to have as an ally for tho first half of tho match, Tren'tham rushed piny into the Petone twentv-five rnimediniely tho game commenced. There play remained for some time, but tho Petone defence lvas stubborn and effective. "With about twenty minutes of play gone, Pelone commenced a vigorous offensive, by which they worked play from their own goal-line (o half-way Here a useful run by Nicholls gained jjround, and then Arthur Parker led a forward rush, which carried the leather to within a dozen yards'of the Trentham line. The whistle interrupted play, nnd Petone were awarded a free-kick near the poets. Easy as the kick seemed, B. .1 nomas found the greiwy, leaden bal too much for him. and Ihe shot flew wide. Irontham rallied, and by means of long line-kicks got within striking distance of the Petone goal-line. A' passing rush iraa initiated, and E. Roberts made a clevor opening, but nothing came of this particular attack. However, from looso play immediately aftorwwds Packer secured the ball, and, evading three or'four of tho Petone backs, • scored under (lie posts. B. Eoberts converted. Tren:ham, 5; Petone, 0. . Before half-time I etoiic attacked, and crossed tho Tren.hnm line, but no try was awarded. When the spell was taken Treutham still had their five points lead. Petone opened.well in (heeecond spell, jut Jrentlmm soon had thein back at uilf-way, and for some time afterwards :ne suburban team played rather imliferently. They used the side line shrewdly, and eventually got Trontham well , down towards the last defences.-. With Petone in a good position. Hamilton inenectunlly attempted to pot a goal, aud Irontham wore released from their difficulties for the moment. Taylor (formerly of 'the New Zealand team which toured California) was penalised, and Petone had a shot nt goal from a good position, but the ball struck rno of the camp team. Petone were now completely overrunning the soldiers, and Irom a fine forward rush Arthur Parker scored in a good position. Nicholls roiss«l the goal. Trentham, 5; Petone, 3. letone were soon again,in mi excellent position, which was temporarily lost. through-Hamilton again atempting to pot a goal. Petone carried the ball over the line onco more, but the referee, ruled that Trcnthnni had forced. The Petiine forwards rushed the ball over (ho Trentham lino again. Two of the camp team attempted to force the ball, but missed it, and A. Thomas, following up fast, secured it just buforo it reached dead ground, and scored. This put Petone a point ahead, and there was much excitement among the spectators.. The kick at goal was a failure. There was no further score, and Petone left the field winners by one point. The victory was due largely .to the splendid work of tho Petone forwards. The final scores were: Petone .- • (i ' Trentluim 5 Mr. O. Clelancl was referee. -