RUGBY FINAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 1, 23 September 1918, Page 7

RUGBY FINAL

PONEKE THE CHAMPIONS

PETONE DEFEATED

TWO PLAYERS ORDERED OFF

The Rugby championship of Wellington was'decided at Athletic Park on Saturday. The honours of the season go to Poneke. who defeated Petone by 39 points to 6. There was a big crowd present, and the proceeds of the match nre to be devoted to certain patriotic purposes. The Mine was played in » high wind, which, favoured Petone in the first spell and Poneke in the second. Petono made poor \iso of the great advantage the wind gave them in the opening half, and they actually changed over three points down. In the second spell Poneke beat the suburban players in. all departments, and the result was in sight long before the end. In I heir turn with, the wind Petone ruined many opportunities through off-side play. Time after time Petone were penalised when- attacking strongly. But, after waking all allowances for Petone, .Poneke must be credited with being by far the better team on the day. Poneke had the equal of a. representative hack division, and they had good forwards. Petone also had good forwards, tut their backs were very poor.. Holey was the best back Petone had. ' Nicliolls occasionally did something bright, but ho was outplayed by Pollock, who was behind the Poneke scrum. Tancred was the mainstay of the Petono fifteen. He played a splendid game, and goi through an enormous amount of work. "With the crowd tho hern of the Poneke side ,-was .Marks, the speedy oack-ianker. Ho played an excellent game throughout, arid his tries were among the sensations of the matciK His second try was one of the prettiest and cleverest pieces of individual work seen on tho park. Bearing down ■ on 'the Petono line, he looked to nave little chance of eluding ther three <pponcnts who awaited him (for Petono collaring is always deadly), but his feint to transfer the leather was so well done that the whole three swims out to tackle'the next'man and hit ■Marks to stroll in alone and touch down alongside the posts. Malin, who played, such a sterling ,game on the-pre-vious Saturday, did even better on this occasion, and can safely be .hailed as easily the best full-back seen out this year. JJ Tilyard displayed much of his old-time cleverness, and the .opening lie made during the passing rush from which Christopnerson scored was brilliant. Morris played ono of his host games. When he does, not monopolise the ball he takes a lot of beating. Pollock,'the plucky half-back, did nothing showy,- but his work was of great service to his side. There appeared to be general regret when he was ordered off the "field, for he had suffered much provocation and had been badly knocked about. Amidst applause some of the spectators "chaired" him off the field. Tho Poneke forwards played much hetter than they did a week before, and the best of them was Marks. With M'Taggart, who also'ha.s a lot of pace, he set a good example in quick following up., and his work throughout was particularly good. Tho game, which lacked brightness, was "hard" throughout. The degree of "hardness" siw as the match progressed, and .there was much rough play. It was late in the second spell, when Haßan (tho Petone wing-forward) and. Pollock (the Poneke half) wcro ordered. offi After 'this incident tho game was more willing than ever, and somo of the crowd took strong exception to Petone's play. The game opened with closo line play. Petono, having tho advantage of the" strong 'wind, endeavoured ; to work .down the field by means of kicks into touch, and Poneke had little option but to use the line as ii means of defonce. | Poneke were driven right hack to their line, and Hagan got over, .but ho was called back for offside play. Petone continued to press, but Malin got Ponoke out of one or two tight .corners by excellent full-back pla>\ While defending hard, Malin was penalised for obstruction, and from the kick Nicliolls landed a goal. Petone, 3: Poneke, Qfo Poneke went'right through from, the* kick-off, and took the ball over tho line, but Potone forced. Shortly after this Heley (whom Potone. had temporarily moved up to five-oighths) broke through and mado an excellent opening, hut he was stopped, and J. Tilyard accounted for the three-quarter who was hacking him up. Again the Petono banks came away, hut again they were accounted for. Morris cleverly slipped through the Petone backs null gave- his team a'chant* of scoring, hut when cojng well they were pcnal'ised. ■ F. Tilvard also got-away very, cleverly for Poneke, hut nothing'camo of his'effort. Petono forwards swept all before them to tho Poneke line, and a score looked likely till Morris saved

brilliantly, and with a well-judged kick found tho lino at halfway. Krom a, line-out Harks secured and kicked hard up;field. 'Following up fast, ho secured again and scored a fine try. Cliristonhei'son mado a good but unsuccessful attempt to convert. Petone, 3; Poneke, 3. Poneko worked back again to the Petone lino, and Pollook whipped' round the blind sido of a scrum and scored. At half-time the tally stood— Poneko, C; Petone, 3. .Poneke were not long in setting up a vigorous attack when they took' the field in the second spell, with the wind behind them. From loose play in tho Petono twenty-five Harks hroko away with the ball in his possession. He had several men to beat, but, feinting beautifully; ho scored an exceptionally clever try near the posts. Morris converted. Poneke, 11; Potone, 3. Tho pme was not much older before the Poneke forwards came again and King battled his way over. Morris failed .to goal. Poneke, 14; Petone, 3. Poneke continued to use the line well, and their forwards worked hard to keep play in the' Petone twenty-five. Petone drove them back a. while, but J. Tilyard broke through, and, beating a number of the opposition, centred well. M'Taggarfc followed up fast and Petone just saved. About 40 yards out Pollock got the. ball away to Morris. Straight ou to V. Tilyard it went, and •from him to J. Tilynrd, who completely deceived a couple of tho opjiosition and transferred to Christopherson, who galloped in at the corner. Morris kicked a wonderful goal. .Poneke, 19; Petone, 3. Petfliie. well beaten, made a big effort to turn the tide. • In a period of Petono ascendancy tho Blues were awarded a penalty kick, and Nicliolls landed a splendid goal. There was no other score, so the game- ended—Poneke. 19; Petone, 6. Mr. h. Simpson was referee;

MARIST OLD BOYS MEET. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, September 22. ■Wellington Marist Old, Boys tried conclusions with the local Jlarist Old Boys to-day, and wero defeated by 26 points to 6. Wanganui were the superior team, but Wellington lost several excellent opportunities. A number of openings were mado in the second spell, when they were playing with the wind in their favour, but somehow tho backs were, unablo to press homo tho advantage. Wangamii were good both in. attack and defence. Tries wcro obtained, by Carroll, Corliss, Somers (3), and Corrop. Somers converted two tries and also potted a goal from tho field. For Wellington a try was secured by M'Leary, and a goal from a mark was kicked hy Boyle.

By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. Masterton. September 22. Itetl Stars defeated Dalefield by 21 points to 7.

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