RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 271, 5 August 1918, Page 8

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

PONEKE BEATS UNIVERSITY

A LIFELESS GAME i Saturday's principal Eugby attraction t —Poneke v. U'nivorsity— drew a good crowd lo Athletic Park. The match did not produce a good exhibition ot the game. Neither team put'much energy 1 or Mian into its play until the lasc ' quarter of an hour and the game just dritted placidly along to the end of the time Allotted to it. This v.bsouce of [ dash made tho gamo much less interesting than it should have been, Poneke won with a good margin of points to 6puro but they did not show good form', i and had 'Varsity played well they would have won. '\ arsity wero disorganised • by tho absence of a couple of men who hail been largely depended en. in the past, and the effect on the team's play was bad. For one thing, Saturday's inside backs did not once during the day get the ball out past tho second iiveI'lghlh, and this probably was an exceedingly serious thing for tho side. One to whom Poneke owes something is the full-back. His work was not showy, but , it was consistently good and thoroughly snfe. 'Varsity opened the game facing the sun, and with the wind against them. They attempted passing early in the spell, but though it was rather ineffective it gained some ground, and inside the Poneke twenty-five Nichol secured a mark. Scott took the shot at goal, but ft fine attempt just failed. Shortly afterwards Scott had another shot from a mark and this time kickod an excellent goal. 'Varsity, 3; Poneke, 0. For some littlo time play was even, hut then Poneke went away with a loose rush which carried them almost over the Green's line. From a scramble Morris sent a clean, hard pass out to F. Tilyard at second live-eighth, and tho latter, shockingly tackled, got over. Morris took the kick at goal, and though the ball went outside the post, the major points were awarded. Poneke, 5; 'Varsity, j. Morris secured a mark in front of the 'Varsity goal posts. He took the shot himself and tailed. Poneke kept i up the pressure on tho 'Varsity line, and in n. liltie while J. Elliott got across at tho corner. Atoms made a poor attempt at goal. Poneke, 8; 'Varsity, 3. Poueke now opened out occasionally, and ttied passing, and'from one passing rush Marks got over. The try was converted with a hno kick, and Poneke led by 13 points lo :). 'Varsity began an offensive but J. Elliott intercepted, and set out with. a fairly clear lield, but a long journey ahead. Had tie made a determined eifort to reach the lino he might hove succeeded, but he preierred to look round for support, and nothing came of the run. Immediately afterwards Scott I ('Varsity) had a somewhat similar opportunity, and his run also bore no truit. At half-time tho score stood Poneke, 13; 'Varsity, 3. PoneK'j began the second spell with a passing rush, which broke down within only it few yards of the 'Varsity line. 'Varsity took a long while to get out of their difficulties, but eventually a long line-kick relieved them, and at the same time put them in an excellent position. A loose Poneke rush drove them right hack again, and the Weds looked very dangerous for a while. Another promising Poneke,rush was well stopped by Barker, who, using the wind well, found the line with a big kick. Poneko wero narrowly prevented from scoring from a loose rush which had its beginning in a rather exciting interception. Over-' eagerness lost them a try just afterwards, and then 'Varsity managed to shift play away from their goal-line. From a state of lameness the gamo livened suddenly, and tho crowd welcomed the change. 'Varsity swept down on Ponefc;, but tjso scene quickly changed, and in a twinkling M'Taggart was sprinting up (he side-line toward the 'Varsity goal-Hue. He was slopped before he reached the opposition's twenty-five, but Poneke maintained a lively attack, against which 'Varr.it> brought a very poor defence. Barker was the only 'Varsity back whose tackling was worthy of the name. Morris I got over the lino for Poneke, but a try was not awarded. Tho game ended wild the scores: ' Poneke N University 3 Mr. Tregeur was referee. WELLINGTON V. ATHLETIC. On No. 2 Ground at Athletic Park, Wellington defeated Athletic by 11 points to (i. For WellingUu Davenport, Poland and Savidend scored tries, one of which was converted by Valentine. Thompson aim Latham each scored a Irv for Athletic. PETONE V. TRENTHAM B. The gamo at Petono Kecreution Ground between Petone and Trentham B was not n very brilliaut affair. Both teams were minus several of their leading exponents, and thus handicapped they did not provide anything more than u mediocre display, which was further spoilt by a strong westerly wind. Trenllmni kicked oil', and off-sido play enabled Corner to send the ball well down the field. One of the soldier backs handled it clumsily, and Comer, seizing his opportunity, cut in and secured a try. A. Thomas udded tho major points. Petone, 5; Trentham B, 0. Tho ensuing play was of the up-and-down older, and was practically devoid of interest from a spectaculiu- standpoint. Tho soldiers initiated a desperate charge, and they even reached tho Blue lino, but the Petono defence was solid, and the efforts of the attackers -were negatived. A nice run by Hamilton looked as if the Petone score would be increased, but this -player was held up before ho had penetrated very far into the Yellow Iwnnly-live. Tho Blues then look a turn at attacking, and 'fancied crossed over, but he lost Die ball while in the act of touching down. At half-time (here had been no addition to the score. The second spell was as dull at first, but improved Inwards the conclusion, and was characterised by harder and more energetic play. The Yellows set up a hot offensive, and a strong rush resulted in Ryan scoring at the corner. Brooks took • the kick, but was unsuccessful. Petone. 5; Trentham, 3. The game now became very willing, and the referee, Mr. E. Perry, considered it necessnrv to order two players off tho field-one from each side. Although the incident was not clear to the spectators, Scott, a Petone man, was sent off for having used his feet in a promiscuous manner, and Casey, one of tho Trentham B fifteen, was given his inarching orders on an allegation ot tripping From Urn on high feeling was manifested, and spirited play resulted. A passing rush, in which Corner. Tailored, and Wylie participated, ended in the latter getting over, and the game closed with the score: Petone. S; Trenthiiin B, 3. OTHER MATCHES. Wellington A defeated Athletic by 15 points lo G.