THE RUGBY GAME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 265, 29 July 1918, Page 8

THE RUGBY GAME

SATURDAY'S MATCHES TRENT HAM A (22), PETONE(7) Kecoilectitms of the football days before the war were revived at tho Athletic Park on Saturday, when there was an assemblage of over Iwo thousand spectators to witness tho afternoon's football. Not sinc : ' the outbreak of war has there been such a crowd iu atteudauco at an inter-elub match «t the Park. The chiof interest centred in the match between Trcnthiim A and Petone, in which the soldier team woro victorious, winning by a margin of 15 points. Opinions nitty vary a.s to the merits of the play, but there is no doubt that the contest provided a keen topic of debnte, and on tho whole most people eeemed satisfied with tlio exhibition. Tho play throughout was willing and strenuous. There were several mishaps, but these were duo to the hard characteristics of the game, and were in tho nature of accidents. The soldier team, being heavier, and in better meltle, wero naturally at an advantage over their lighter opponents, who for the most part were mere youths. When Arthur Parker bad to leave tho field, Petone Inst, the mainstay of their combination, raid had not a man remaining (>n the ground who was over twenlyono veais of age. Parker was playing easily the host fonvard game of any man in the match, and liis services were sreatly missed. Taking all tho adverse circun'islaiiecs inio consideration, Pelono played, u very keen, spirited eamo, slicking" it out 'to the finish, although all the odds wero against them, and they deserve great praise for the very tino exhibition which they put up. During the courso of the match they lost two players by accident. Poolo having a jawbone broken and Thomas receiving a slight concussion.

From the commencement bolh sides entered into the spirit of the game with great keenness, and after some little time had elapsed, E. Roberts had a shot at kicking a penalty goal lor Trentham, but missed. The iirst try for tho winners came, from a very smart bit of bnrk plav, the ball passing from Gibbons to .Nfillikin, to Davidson, to Packer, who touched down. Davidson failed with the kick. Trenlham A, 3; Petone, 0. Play continued for somo tinio near (ho Petone twenty-five, but the Blues saved themselves from danger by frequently finding tho line. At Inst tho Blues wero able to forco an opening, and got away nicely, but tho ugly-looking situation was relieved by Packer, who stopped the. rush in good style. Tho soldiers then took a hand at' attacking, and it was as a result of some keen plnv at this stage that Petone lost tho services of their redoubtable forward Arthur Parker, who was ordered ofl by' tho referee. Trentham wore now '"having" things their own way, and feeling amongst uio spectators was tense. Line-out tactics wero ipdulgod in for a while, and some subsequent Potono onslaughts were brought to nought by means el good tackling. No further score had been obtained when tho first spell onded. Just after the resumption tho Trentham backs cleared, and a rush, in which Cowie, Davidson, and Millikin participated, ended iu (he latter crossing tho line. A second or so later the soldiers again got over, iHHikin being tho successful man, the bnll having previously passed from Taylor to Roberts, Taylor took the kick, and placed (ho ball between the uprights. Petono next invaded the Trentham twenty-five, and a brief bout of pertinacious play on the part of the Blues enabled tiism to penetrate the Trentham defensive system, a try being obtained by W. Parker. Trentham gained tho upper hand again, however, and E. Itobcrls, creating -«n opening, sent tho leather on to Millikin, who in turn passed to Packer, who scored. Though tho cba-Tices wero now well against Petono, they did not relax their efforts, but set up a hot attack. The ball came out of a scrum in tho Trentha.m twenty-fire, Nicholls obtained possession, and potted a neat goal, making the score; Trentham A. H; Petone, 7. Tho superior weight of the soldier team was telling, however, and it wts evident that tho decision must go in favour of tho soldiers. From the ruck in front of the Potono goal Davidson got tho ball, and bounded over the line. He converted, the try himself. Shortly afterwards, and just prior to the finish, thero came the closing try of the game, Davidson making a groat run, nnd touching down nt the corner. Thu match closed with tho score: Trentham A, 22; Petono, 7. Mr. 11. Fordyce was referee.

COLLEGE (18) V. UNIVERSITY (13). Tho match on No. 2 ground at Athletic Park, between Wellington College and University, was decidedly interesting, both sides manifesting a high degree of keenness. The Collegians were successful, winning Hie game by 18 points to 13. For the winners tries were scored by Davidson (2). Bramwell, and Ward. Three tries were converted by Nicholls. Scott and Aitken obtained tries for University, to both of which Morion added the major points. Morton also kicked a penalty goal. Air. Ned Perry had charge .of the whistle.

ATHLETIC, 6; TFIENTHAM B, 3. I'lioro was no score in fhe first f.pell of the watch between Athletic and Trentham B. Jn tiio second spoil Guy and Skolton scored tries for Athletic, and Brooke ticked a penalty goal for Trentham B. Mr. 6, E. Bradley was referee.

ORIENTAL, 27; WELLINGTON, 15 Oriontal dofeated Wellington by 27 to 15. The Oriental score was mado up of tries by Griffiths (2), Bell, Devine, and T'idings, two converted tries by Jones, who also potted a goal and kicked a penalty goal. For Wellington Savident, I'ower. and M'Hendry scored tries, while Valentine kicked two penalty goals. Mr. 11. Summerhayos was referee.