LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 270, 11 August 1919, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S COMPETITIONS. Tho third round of matches was comSenced on Saturday in fine weather, hut .e ground was. very heavy after the re-', cent rain. Tho principal game w/is that between Athletic and Petone A at Petone. There was a good attendance of spec-] tatora, and thoy were rewarded by seeing the game of tho season. Petono were the heavier team, and taking tho garno on tho wholo they were unfortunate to lose. There was great excitement at the finish. With only seven minutes to go Petone wore leading by lfl points to 7, and victory for them looked certain, but Athletio made a great rally, and added two tries, one being converted. The last try was gained just as timo was about to be called. Both sides played the back game, and in consequonce play was vory fast throughout, despite tho heavy going, the ground in one corner being ankle-deep in mud. The form displayod b.v a good number of the players makes the task of selecting the representative team a very difficult one, and it will surprise many if the personnel of the original team is not considerably altered, Whitley in particular establishing his claim for inclusion in the back division. Suburbs met Petone 13 at Nowtown Park, and had no difficulty in defeating them. Tho result of Saturday's games leaves Athletio four points in the lead for the championship, and they should be returned the winners.

ATHLETIC (IS) V. PETONE A (IS). Petone had tlie advantage of the wind in the first spoil, and immediately set up a strong attack. Childs got over the line, but the referee was not in a position to see the score. Keeping up the pressure Athletic were hard pressed. Whitloy (who played a fine game) picked up in .the loose and scored, the kick failing. Athletic rushed play to Petone's line, but hard kicking spoilt a good opening; shortly afterwaids Bradley kicked a penalty-goal. Past and open play followed .until a strong, Joosfs rush by Petone let Puketapu across. Ashton failed to convert. Keeping ,up the pressure Petone gave the Athletic defence a lively time, A fine out in bj Whitley lot him away on his own, 'but Wilson caught him just as he reached the line, and the Athletic forwards cleared. Petone had slightly the better of some fast play mitil half-time was called. The start of tho second spell was sensational. Athletic kicked off, and misunderstanding botweon the full-back and tho centre three-quarter gave Athiotic a free-kick, Bradley .making no mistake with the shot at goal. Petone fi, Athletic i. Athletic maintained tho pressure, and a fine cut in and run Bradley let him over, Morris failing to convert. , 7—6. These reverses' roused Petone, and tho play again became fast and' strenuous. After a lot of give-and-take play, Whitley kicked a penaltygoal, and shortly ufterwards scored a try, which Pindlayson (an ex-Neiv Zealand representative who was making his reappearance) converted. Petone 13, Athletic 7. With only seven minutes to go and 6 points to'the bad, Athletic made strenuous efforts, and from a forward rush Murphy scored, Bradley converting. Prom a scrum at halfjvay Pollock secured and passed to Morris, who tricked three Petone backs and passed to Bradley, wlio raced over right on call of time. The final score read:— Athletic 15. Petone 13. Mr. C. Murphy was referee. Juniors. Athletic defeated Petone by G pointa (two tries) to nil. Mr. Evans was refereo.

AUCKLAND (38) V. HAWKE'S BAY (13). ft* Telceranh—Pr n cs *sie<:iDlinn Auckland, August 10. Tho League match for the Northern Union Challenge Cup, Auckland and Hnwke's Bay, plnyed yesterday, was won by Auckland by 38 to 13. Tho visitors' I-ack more than held their own, but the backs wero outclassed especially in the open work. Scorers for Auckland were: Haddon (3), lies (2), Davidson, Dufty, and M'Gregor. Dufty converted seven tries. Eor Ilawke's Bay, .Tackson, Atwood, and M'Carthy scored, Jackson and M'Carthy converting one each. TOURING RUGBY LEAGUE. Olcc. August 10, 11.5 p.m.) Sydney, August 10. . The Rugby League team is booked to sail for New Zealand this ■ week if a steamer olt'ers.