RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 254, 22 July 1919, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

UNIVERSITY V. PONEKE

A DRAWN GAME

There was nil attendanco of about four thousand spectators' nt Athletic Park yesterday afternoon to see-the nialfch "University v. Poneke. Tho game was played north and south,-but-it was spoilt to some extent, by the northerly wind and the sodden ground. Nevertheless, the game was very fast. University had the support of the spectators. This put them in good heart, ami the whole team played really good- football, Jackson, jn particular, standing out above the rest. The wliolo of the Poneke team, except in one instance, played solidly right throughout. The- game was very clean, and the only-mishap was when Beard, the University, lock, had to retire with an-injured kriee. The light at the end became very-, bad. .

University kicked off with the wind at their backs. . Poneke soon became aggressive, and a passing rush- was indulged in. but.-over-anxiousness spoilt a promising opportunity. Jackson soon began to make himself prominent, and was with the_ ball all the time. Ponek» worked their way down en to University's line,, but offside play "avo the Greens. relief. Poneke kept up the pressure,- and while in University's twenty-five the ball was kicked up field, was mulled by Malm* and Barker, who followed up fast, got possession. He was well collared, by P. Tilyard. but Gillespie picked up. and crossed Poneke's line.. Jackson failed to convert. •University 3 Poneke 0 University now'assumed the offensive, and forced Poneke to defend' their line. An infringement gave Jackson, a chance to score, .but the kiqk was unsuccessful. Good kicking bv P. Tilyard brought Poneke into tho Greens' twenty-five, but Jackson,-with a well-judged kick, sent play back to midfield, where it continued for somo time.' Poneke once again returned to the University twenty-five, where Malin had an unsuccessful penajty kick. .From a scrum the ..University banks started a passing bout. When the ball came to Barker he missed his pass, but Raining possession lie set off for. tho line, which he reached after\ a great sprint,. Jackson failed willi the kick. University , .' C Poneke 0 Shortly afterwards, offside-play by Poneke gave Scott an opportunity, but the ball hit tho-upright' and bounded back into play. TJie spell ended with Poneke still on .the defensive. ' In the second half Poneke tried to onen up' the game, end a rush, with M'Arthur. Alyar, and J. Tilyard in the van. ended with the lastnamed narrowly missing a score. 1 M'Arthur next attempted to pot a goal. In a scrimmage T. •Beard, of the University team, received a knock on the knee, and he had -to go' oil', his place being taken by Tracey. Poneke's. first score came next, when from a mark by Algar, Malin kicked' a good. goal. • University fi Poneke :.. : ~ 3 In the following play the ball was kicked across to Lusk, the University winger, who, after running the length of the field, transferred lo Barker, the latter touching down amidst great ap-. plause. Scott's kick failed. University 9 Poneke 3 ■ After play was in mid-field for a time the Poneke pack took the ball to University's twenty-five, rnd from a. mark Malin landed another good goal. ■ University !>. i : Poneke - ; : G FrOm the kick-out Poneke again returned to ■ the Greens' line, and from a serum near, the line Troy got. across. Malin failed with the kick. University 9. . , Poneke 9 Excitement was now running high, and with,'fifteen min.utes, to go, Poneke's chance - looked ;.go.od, biifc. the University team werd defending well. Offside play gavo Malin ..another chance to score, but the kick was not.successful. The - Poneke backs again got going, but J. Tilvard lost a sure; try by being selfish. Algar next took a. mark in a good position, but the ball was charged down. Tho last tew minutes of the game, saw the plav transfer to midfield, where, it remained until tho' no-side bell rang. The hnal scor'o was: University - 9. Poneke ' .....' 9 Mr. A. Neilson was referee. CURTAIN-RAISER. WELLINGTON COLLEGE, S;HI)TT, 3. Tho.curtain-raiser was the Wellington College—llutt Junior match. Tho Colleze team were successful] by 5. points (a converted try) to 3 (a penalty goal).