RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 230, 23 June 1919, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S MATCHES A SURPRISE AT THE PARK PETONB BEATEN BY UNIVERSITY There was a surprise for football enthusiasts on Saturday, when University defeated l'etone by 11 points to 9. The Ijanie was ployed on No. 1 ground, Athletic Park, and attracted a, good deal of attention. As n result of the heavy rain of the morning, and tho previous afternoon and ovening, the ground was very heavy, and l'etone were lit a disadvantage because they could not get their speedy, backs into action properly. Had the ground bosn dry it is perfectly safe to assert that the Blue.? would have won, but not 'by a very big margin perhaps. University played a groat game, oiid Jackson, on? of the five-eighths, was almost'a whole team himself. AVherever the fight was thickest there he'.wns to be found. In nil the heavy work \w was present, and when University were in a dangerous position lie was invariably at hand to help ; Iheni out of their predicament. Right from the kiek-ofl' the pace was made a "cracker." The Petone.backs found considerable difficulty in keeping their feet owing to the slippprinets of tho ground, and ninny ;v good-movement was spoiled on this account. University forwards took cluivro soon :ifter the commencement, and pl:iy wns carried to the vicinity of the Petone line. The Bines soon got clear, and the banks got going in a dangerous, rush, which was neatly stopped by Jackson. At this stage, Corner wan doing good work i'or Petone, and it was not his fault that the Bhies did ' not register several tries. First blood was drawn for Petone.by Ambler, who kicked a paiinlty goal. Petone, 3; University, nil. In the ensuing play the Green backs broko away in a.strong rush, and Jackson and Barker did some nice passing before the- latter wns collared low. The Greens maintained the pressure for some time, and Petono had U hafd time in trying to keep them out .of harm's way. A pretty piece of'passing was indulged in by Jackson, Gillespie, and Barker, which carried the play to the vicinity of the Petone goal-line. Just near the.corner, Gillespie transferred the bill to Barker, but the latter missed it, and Petone secured nnd forced down. Erom the kick-out the Petone forwards rushed down field, and a series of fierce tussles took place between the corner (lag and the goal-posts. University tried hard to avert a score going against them, but without avail, for AV. Thomas pickI ed up the ball from the ruck nnd fell across the line, with it. The try was well deserved, and Thoinns wa9 applauded. Ambler failed to convert. Pelotie, fi; University, nil. A few seconds later another scrajnble. occurred, ..near the. University' goal-posts, and in the jnidst of. this Ambler grabbed the ball from an opponent, who was lying on tho ground, nnd touched down. Nicliolls look the kick, which struck Ihe posts. Petone, 0; University, nil. Tilings were now looking black for University, but they refused to be cast down. 'J'he piny became very open, and both 6ides were throwing the ball about freely. University got the ball from a scrum in the Petone 25, and Jackson broke awny, but lie failed;.to get across the line. The Greens shortly afterwards, had Iheir perseverance rewarded, for. Scott, tho nippy ,half, -dodged in cleverly from the back of a scrum nnd scored an excellent try,. which he converted himself. Putone, 0; University, 5. The interest of the crowd now /'became very much intensified, and it was evident that their support was pledged to University. A.great attempt was Inado by. Corner to break away, but ho was beautifully tackled by Scott. Petono were kept on the defensive until Parrnnt got clear, and kicked, to touch. The throw-in resulted in favour of the Blues, who swerved down-field and compelled the Greens to force. Halif-tiiuo sounded before there was any'-further , score'. '■• ' Soon, after the resumption, Petone wero penalised for an infringement, and Scott kicked a penalty goal for University, making the score: Petiine, 9; University, 8. Tho closeness of the totals added zest to the game, which became faster and more interesting than ever. University sot up a hot/attack,-and some creditable following-up was done by Gillespie and Barker. The latter, however, put too mncli force into a kick when lie iras in a striking position, and the ball went into touch. A melee followed dose to the Petono line, and Martin-Smith got 4own to it in fmo style, snapping up tho ball and scoring a good.try. Scott failed to add the liinjor points. University, 11; Petone, 9. The enthusiasm of tho crowd now that Petone had dropped back from leading position was exhibited plainly, ond the Greens received heaps of advice to "stick to it," and so forth. Potono essayed to forge ahead, and very nearly succeeded in doing so, but Russell found the line. They Continued to keep pegging away, however, and Nicholls made an unsuccessful attempt at potting n goali Barker, afterwards picked up well, and made'for the line, but he was tackled before he could get very far. The/p'.ay now became somewhat close, but Love, the 'big l'etone,forward, soon opened it up by a little bit of dribbling,- and Corner got possession and cleared. Gillespin intercepted him, however, and .brought him down. Petone several times fiubsec|uontly came near to socring, but University played determinedly and safoly, and the gamo closed without, there being any further score on either side. Mr. it. Patoii was referee. PONEKE (0) V. SELWYN (0). The match played on No. 2 gi;ound, Athletic Park, between Poneke and Selwyn was a, very lively affair. The gainq ended in <i draw, neither side scorin; any points, but the contest was in i,o way uninteresting. On the other hand, it was brimful of exciting incidents. Chrislophcrson, the Poueke speedy threequarter, got in Gonio good rune,' hut Le did not have his usual success: During tho first spell, I'oneko were penalised for an infringement, and AVognn, the Solwyn wing-forward, had a , shot at goal from hear half-way. His attempt was a beautiful one, excellently judged, and with perfect, direction, but.be had tho hardest of luck, in that the ball struck tho cross-bar right in the middle. The fact that the northerly gale was blowing across tho ground and did n6t assist him added merit to AVoxaiiV.iine kick.'Shortly before half-time, Poneke got in n great rush, and very nearly struck home, but "Snowy" Morris was brought down and Seiwyn managed to obtain a brief respite. Once more the lied and Blacks surged down on the Green and Black line, and Seiwyn had to forcedown I The second spell wns just as wiliiugly fought out as tho first, and both sides had narrow escapes. Poneke were attacking hard when Peart suddenly got the ball at his loe and dribbled on his own right up-field to near the Poneke line. He came close to scoring, but ihc Poneke vanguard swarmed around him, and the ball was lost to the Greens. AVogan made another attempt at kiclcin;, , a penally for. Seiwyn, but without success. Soon after the Seiwyn backs got going in a dangerous rush, which would very likely have alfected the result of ilia game had not At'iyny, Ihe centre-tliree-qu'arler. kicked, too hard, giving Ponoko au opportunity of saving the situation Iwfore the Green forwards could come up. Right up tili the time tho whistle blow both sides gave a vigorous exhibition, and the verdict of (he spectators Was thai , , they had had their money'/-, worth. Mr. l'\ Samuels was referee. ORIENTAL (3) V. WELLINGTON (3). The Oriental-Wellington match, which look pliii-o on Duppa Street Park, and which resulted in a draw, tho scores being thro.') points ench, proved a most uninteresting Kami , , devoid i)f all skill and combination. The gruiiml was very heavy, and conditions generally at their worst, Inn. neither team displayed any suggestion of serious (raining. It was practically a scramble all (he way through, wilh no open work. During the' first spull Porter, who was (|iiite tho liick of tho Wellington team, kicked a very difficult penalty goal. The game progressed till well into second spell, when Pappj took a penalty kick, and mado the scores even. Mr. AA'. K. Tapliu controlled the game.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

Matches. Points.

UNBEATEN TEAMS. The lion, secretary of the W.R.F.U. has forwarded for publication the following, list of unbeaten teams :— Senior—Athletic, Poneke. Junior.—Hull. Third-Athletic. Fourth-Oriental A, Mascot. Fifth;-None. Athletic (leading on ("hampionship noints), Wellington College S and St. Patrick's .College have a loss and a draw apiece; while Selwyn (n loss ■and two draws), Oriental (two losses), Wellington College A (two losses), and IVtone (two losses) are level for nvvaml .place.' Sixth.—Wellington College A. WELLINGTON V. TARANAKI. REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. On Wednesday, .Tul.v % tho Wellington representnlivns "will piny Tnranaki, at Hawera. . the • Wellington Icimi has beei) cho-pii as follows:—Full-back, Malm (Poneke);. three-rinnrlera, M'Arthur (Poneke); Algar (Poneko), (.'. H. Thomas .(Pelone;; live-eighths, Corner (Petoue), Jackson (liniversUy.).; half, E. Roberts (Athletic); forwards, Guir (wing, Orientnl), Bruce (Selwyn), Albert Parker (Petone), T. Beard (thiivsrsity), Paton (Athletic), W. Ryan (Athletic), Eberhardt (Orientul), Love-(Petone). Emergencies. — Hack: .-.. T. J.ilyartl Poneke; forward, Troy (Poneke). The above 17 men, with Mr. A. .1. Griffiths as ■malinger, leave by the New Plymouth express on 'J'uesday.'July 1, retiiriiinj,' to ■Wellington oil the Thursday. The team will assemble at; . the Oriental Club s gymnasium on Thursday next, when the following players are requested to attend as additional r-mergencies:—Backs: M'Cabfl (Athletic), Hamilton (Pctone), Porta- (Wellington); hooker: Elliott (Poneke), who goes in the teem. before Iroy if -Bruce or Parker is i.ot available; forward: W. Thomas' .Tetania). MAORI PIONEER TEAM. ' ■'■■ POVERTY BAY DEFEATED' By Teleirraph—Preen Anaoclation. • Gisborne, June 21. The Maori Pioneer team concluded the ■ New Zealand tour with a match against Poverty Kay. The first spell was fairly oven, but tiio. second was noticeable for frequent brilliant passing rushe?. The gome- resulted in a win for the Pioneers by 21 to 12. For the visitors, tries were scored--by Gardiner, Wilkinson, Teimipii, Auhnna,' and Reke. Three were converted by Jacobs,- who.-also kickwl a penalty. Miller (2)'. Sniiler, and Dovery scored tries for Poverty Bay. LAWS OF THE GAME UNCOMPROMISING ATTITUDE OF ■ ENGLISH UNION. London, .Tune 17. Tho "Athletic News" says the attitude, of the Kni'lish Rugby Union regarding the alteration to the laws of the game or tho rules of professionalism is unbending and uncompromising, and has the support of other British unions, '"here will be no change to suit tho New Zealand or any other union.—Aus.-N.Z. '.'able Assn. ' [The written reply of •.the English Union to tlie requests of the New Zealand Uir.on' for information as to tho result which would follow an adoption of alterations to the game is still being eagerly awaited in football circles in tho Dominion/ The cabled reply read at the Inst meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Union was Quito sufficiently definite to indicate that-the attitude of the parent body is, as described'in the above message, unbending Rii'i'uncompromising. New Zealand's attitude, at present, in regard to men who havo played the Northern Union cod:, popularly identified with professionalism, is that such players aro at. liberty at any time to resume the playing- of Rugby, providing that they have not, for playing League, li£on reported- io_ and dealt with by the New Zealand Union."] : ALL BLACKS LEAVE FOR ' SOUTH AFRICA . (Rec. Juno 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 20. The Ml Blacks have departed ou their tour of South Africa. From there they will go to Sydney.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

t I % i s "I s.s Athletic .... G 3' 0 1 112 1G H Poneke 7 4 0 3 130 11 11 •l'otone 7 4 2 1 111 58 !) University . 7 3 » 1 80 9!) 7 Solwyn ."..... 7 2 3 2 « 75 G Oricntn) ....7 1 ■> 1 *J 151 ;) Wellington 7 0 11 1 21 110 I 52G 528