RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 282, 25 August 1919, Page 7

RUGBY

SATURDAY'S MATCHES PETONE DEFEAT'ATHLETIC PONEKE LEADING FOR CHAMPIONSHIP. As Athletic suffered defeat at the hands of Petono on Saturday, and as Poneke were victorious in tho- match ngainst Selwyn, the Wellington Rugby Union's senior cup competition . has reached a most interesting stage, for Poheko are again in tho lead for the championship, being one.point-ahead of AthJ.ctio. Owing to the representative jiroi.Tauuno tliero will be lio more cup fixinres until September 27, when the prm■..■«.pal games will bo Petone'v. Poneko and •iithletio v. Selwyn. Athletic will nave to ; - play their beat 'to beat Selwyn, and all sorts of things may happen in the Petono-Poneko'niatoh, so it impossible Vforeoast wlint'. the ultimate result will , It wa6. not until the closing stages Mat' Satiirdhy's S«me bshfeen Petono Athle'io beoame •.interesting. Hot Rreator part it was a fi(fht betwpen ifhf 5, fonvards of either side. • AthlSuO backs iiad the ball on more occasions than their oppoiSnta, but Petone were the bettor', team 'of the two,- and they deserved their vldttry. ' The match- was closely oontested oil the' way, through, and Petono. won by only, one point, the final-6Core being: Petono, 1 fi; Athletic, 5. PET.O NE (0) T V?ATH LET IC (5). 1 Petone. kicked. off, and Athletic were loon penalW for -offside .play by Cunbiiißh'ani. A . scrum on the line was tol-. lowed, by a-rush on the part of the Petone bax'fcs. 'and E. Nicholls had a shot fet pottiiig a goal, but without 'success. Ambler afterwards : took' a .penalty kick, hud mifjsed by -only a small margin. Anbther" attempt byVAmbler, was charged 'down, apii then- Athletic swarmed up fielfi.: 1. Roberts was'held up; and play \vas-; asain removed .to the . Athletic twenty-five. ■ Chestennan ' put in a'last t'u'i %»long 'the .'lino, but. he was caught •r 'ilSllr.awl pdslied oirtjof. bounds. The .jiif'riot'.bMiig thrown in;straight on the ,- TI ' r '''jt, a scrum took'.placo near half- " '"'lint neither side gained aiiy direct V u tage. Cliostiirinan missed ' a ' paßs cii(. B.' Boberts, 'and Petone- got posses- • Tho Athletic forwards' tcok charge "<ieftw*r(le, : aid Iheyikept Petone defendHk Jilii'd. ' Ambler"forced for'.Petone, ■'Wi&Vuptiiv'|o_;Scru'ni ; ,on;the. line, and ' ' M. play ithere were eome : bo«ts s 'bn'!the.pwt of the baoks. Ghesterman very .nearH i 'skhoin6' l on. tho.,corner, but the prespiito 'tQlievcd by Nicliolls fuiuline .with.; a well-judged Kick. Jldaus,picked up rather- neatly, and a took, placo between E. EobertS, ; L. Eoborts, and M'Cabe. The latter Sassod to Ghesterman, who oyßrraii the ball. ARoin the. Athletic backs ; got goW. bnt.Heley's failuro to take,too ball spoiled' tha whole manoeuvre. Petone cot alliorertheVAthletic side; and swarmed, down ;in':,a.' heap. Heloy ■ picked up, olid 6aile'd'for' the .-line,' but the .fact (that, he'was:, offside when he got the ball (was noticed by the' referee, and this, put (father.a dift'erenticomplexion'on things. iPe'toiie, we're not. long on the offensive, however. 1 and -, Athletic soon found themfeelvos in(front of tho Petone line. GrifIfin tcok a penalty kick, which missed by only a .foot or two. -Hill then caught. ihe ball from a difficult angle, and ran 'from in iront of his own goal right into (tho Athletic twenty-five. The play bejcame a little more open for a while, and ysbarno led a rush up field. Petone, jliowevor, saved tho situation, and. threw (back'the'• assault. The Athletic backs J.ianced the ball about a good deal, and 'Griffin, put in a good lino kick. The succeeding play was not at all of an attractive character, the one interesting fea(turo being a fino line kick by uriliin. (After the throw-in, Heloy cross-kicked to (L. Roberts. E. Nicholls tried to interjcept, but ho was not smart enough, and IL. lioberte received, running on and (wring behind the j>osts. E. Roberts ndded tho major..points. Athletic, 5; Petono, 0. ..Half-time sounded, .a few., 'minutes,later,. ,'. ... ~ j Petono assumed' the offensive at the '.opening of the second spell, and Comer, 'bail bad luck in imt' scoring. The ball 'rebounded from a kick, and Griffin'forc]od.. Athletic changed the venue, but tho jpotone backs returned to tho Blue and ©lack twenty-five. M'Cabe got possession (and set off down field, but his pass to jCliesterman was not a success, and Pejtono got the better of the play. From a Bcnim at half-way Petone' got the ball, ttnd "Doc" Nicholls sent it on to Corner, (■who in turn transferred to E. Nicholls. taho last-named passed to Shanahan, who {■was collared by Chesterman. A few. seclends later tho Petone backs again took [part in a similar rush, and by a beautiIful piece of side-stepping "Doc" Nicholls 'eluded all 'opposition,'scoring a. very fine itrv. Ambler failed with the kick. Athletic, 5; Petone, 3. Petone now had com[plcto charge of affairs, and tliey narrowply missed a second score. They got the [ball from a scvuin five yards from the lino, but E. Roberts. dashed in in the jiick of timo and kicked tho ball down field. This gave Athletic a respite, and •a run by Helcy further assisted them. By Imcans of lino kicks Petone onco more Ifound themselves in Athletic territory, kut Heley picked up and put in a good >un. Ho had M'Cabe and Adams for part'jiers, and they made things warm, but mo score resulted. Tho Petone forwards 'kept Athletic very busy for some time, and tho suburban backs had bad luck ■in not getting across after an exciting rush.. 35. Nicholls tried to pot a goal, but the ball went outside the posts. Petone kept up the pressure and when near the corner Ambler passed to J.- Shanahan, ■who dodged through and scored a most popular try. Ambler took the kick, but •juissed. Petone, 6; Athletic, 5. The piny now became most interesting, and with ■visions of tlie championship falling from their grasp, Athletic put their best efforts 'into, tho play. Holey sot clear from tho nick nnd made for the Petone lino from half-way, but he was brought down.' A shot at goal was missed by ,t. Roberts, and two runs by Heley and Chesterman were brought to nought, A ?cimn took place on tho • Petono line, hut Potono got the ball and they carried piay up field into the Athletic twenty-five. Tho contest was desperately keen, but ' there was no further score before the whislio sounded "timo." Mr. A. E. Neilson was referee. .

PONEKE (12) V. SELWYN (3). The early game on the Athletic Park ■was the match Poneke v. Sehvyn. Ihs former were victorious Uy 12 points to 3, nt'ter a contest which was not of an uninteresting description. Selwyn lacked off against the breeze, and the game immediately tcok on a lively character. Peart made a dashing run down the line, but. was collared just beyond halfway by J. Tilyard. The Greens attacked strongly, but they did not gain very much ground, and they were gradually forced back to their own end. Poneke forwards, who were playing a groat game, wero largely responsible for the retrogrnde movement on the part of the Greens. Selwyn managed to work their way towards halfway, where they were penalised. Christopherson essayed the kick at goal, but his attempt was not judged' accurately. The Poneke backs then, got going. Algar starting the movement. Ho transferred to P. Tilyard. who was beautifully collared by A. Wogan before he had gone-more than a few yards over the lmlfway line. Poneko were defending hard, when .T. Tilvnrd put. in a great line-kick, which rave the Beds a great deal of .ground. Poneke managed to keep possession of the ball, and came close to scoring, but they were held up on the line and the Green forwards came away in a great rush. The T?ed vanguard swarmed round, and the attack was reliolled. Once more the J'eds got going in a passin? rush, but Christopherson dropped the ball, and the Greens returned to the Tied half. Then the Poneke backs sot possession, and the ball travelled amongst the whole of _ the backs, with the exception of Christopherson. and after a groat run "M'Artbur touched down. Christopherson failed with the kick. Poneke, 3; Selwyn, 0. A few minute? afterwards Poneke got the ball from a scrum, and the backs pavtieinated in an rush,. which ended in Algar scoring ft great try. _ Christopherpon 'ircfiin tin 4 no luck with Hip kick. .J'onefc". f/: Feltvyn. 0. Srlv/yn inn'lf* sev'orai attempts to the fled defiance. excellent efforts mwlo by Marshall and Peart, to set through, but ; without success. was lustru•*nonm in staving oJT troublo on Bioro

than one occasion, his trickiness proving too much for his opponents to combat. At length Sclwyn set up a hot assault, and they pushed the licds all before them until they got near the line, when Poneko were penalised. S. Shearer took the kick, but the hall failed to reach the posts. Half-time sounded within a few minutes.;\ After resumption, Algar and Christopherson got going in a splendid rush, the latter player being brought down just as ho was about to go over at the. corner. Solwyn were then penalised, and a fino goal was kicked by Christopherson. I'olioke. 9; Sclwyri, 0. Marshall had an unsuccessful shot at goal for Selwyn, who tried hard to obtain a score. Their efforts were soon rewarded, however, for Tvromey was given (ho chanco of a freekick. which lie safely placed between the uprights. Poneke," !); Sclwyn, 3. The game was very keenly contested in tho closing stagos, and when Poneko wero penalised Twomey had the hardest of bad Inck in his kick striking the posts. For some timo Ponoko wero on tho defensive until J." Tilyavd broko loose and made a. groat ran for the best part of the length of tho field. By degrees the Greona worked their way right on to tho Poneke line. Tho ball was centred and Algal' picked up. He made a great run dowJi field, bat when near the Sclwyn lino was overtaken by Peart and pulled down. Tho Ponoko backs then got psssossion, and a short passing rush saw Christcphorson push his way through tho ruck and' touch down. ,T. Tilyard took the kick, which was charged down. Poneke, 12; Sehvyn, 3. The game closed without fthy further score, tho last incident of note being a dashing run b> Al?ar. Mr. 11. Patau was referee. UNIVERSITY .9 v. ORIENTAL 8. Plaj/ijig at Duppo Street in the presence of a few spectators the University fifteen managed to defeat Oriental by nine points to oight. The ga.mo wan . plaved in four . twenty-minuto spells. Oriental, who seem to be improving evory Saturday, scored first. This reverse awakened the University team, but when half-time sounded Oriental were in the lead bv eitflit points (tries by Austin and Ponlter, one of which was converted by Green) to three (a penalty; goal by Scott). In the second halt, "lough Oriental were attacking most, of ho time University scored two tries, Barker being responsible for both. Dunns the last twenty minutes Jackson was injured and had to retire. Mr. H. Stagpoolo was referee. HUTT (6) v. WELLINGTON (0). There was a fair .sprinkling of spectators at the Hutt Itccmition Ground on Saturday to witness this match, iho play was disappointing' on both sides, although tho Hutt team, which was raised to tho senior grade only last week, managed to do all the scoring. Hutt wero without (several of their best players and their absence made a considerable difference to tho team. During the first spell Ilazlewood, after interrupting a pass, made a brilliant run with the ball and stored near the corner. Griorson attempted, to convert, but the kick just failed. During tho second spell Hazelwood, turaitt scored and the attempt at ■ goal again failed. Hutt, G; Wellington, 0 Wellington livened up and tnokec like scoring, but nothing eventuated, and when; the whistle sounded the scoro stood: Hutt. 0; Wellington, 0. Mr. Trogear controlled the game. HOW THE TEAMS STAND. After Saturday's matches the following is the position of tho teams:— it . i . ' • Team - & § £ 1. J! I ■ E Poneke 11 9 Athletic ... H It \ l'l '« > j Oriental .... H I } v> ■! Wellington M ■■ 1 1 ■ Points Scored. . 'Team. . : ,?<"•. Against.. " Poneke »'• ' 2JB ™ Athletic Petono .. r 2-j) -.- I Selwyn ...v..—- 151 : ■■S*™* ••■ -■ • 1 n ; .11 Hutt 97 i Oriental ol Wellington to " UJ Fifth Class. Sehvyn (13) defeated Petono (6). ' In tho fifth class competition; Hutt fe.ited Porima (at Ivelburn to nil. Sergeant-Major J. &. King was referee. Fourth Class.. Petone defeated by 12 points " 3. Petone now play Oriental for tne championship.

representative games AUCKLAND, 42; TARANAKI, 9. Auckland, August 23. The representative Rugby match between Auckland ana Taranaki was played SX in t! «> P Kse " ce ? r in '°° U speUV ' l " tors. The game needs little description, Auckland winning by 42 points to 9. in the first 6pell Taranaki showed some proraise, and at half-time the scores wsru: Auckland, 19; Taranaki, ml. Auckland held the upper hand throughout tliu second spell, although Taranaki succeeded in crossing the home team's line three times. The game ended: Auckland, U\ Taranaki, 9. WANGANUI AND MANAWATU DRAW. < 'By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, August 21. An excellent Rugby match was witncssed P-almewton North Showgrounds on Saturday between Wangaiiui and' Manawatu." The Manawatu forward division was much superior to Wangaiiui and made the most of tho play. game was characterised by f ° ntr ""J rushes with an occasional attack by i{M backs, but the defence work of both teams was sound. The game onded in a draw, both teams scoring C points. l.arroll scored a try, aaid Stewart potted » B-na'tv goal for Xtanawatu, and Head potted two penalty goals for \\wsmm. Manawabu were leading when just before the call of time the latter of two Pjmilty kicks was awarded Wangatuu. Head took tho kick and succeeded m placing tho ball between tho pests but before it reached thero a Manawatu player touched tho toll. The referee,- however, awarded a goal, thus making the game a draw. ' REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS. WELLINGTON V. CANTERBURY. Tho team selected to represent Welling ton in tlio match against Canterbury, at AVellington, on Saturday next, is as follows:-F"ll-back, Chrisp (University), three-quarters, Algar (Poneke), Conic r •(Polnnel, M'Arthur (Poneke); five-eighths, 7 Tilvard (Poneke), L. Roberts (Athlo tic) half, "Boo" Nicholls (Petone); wing forward, Jackson (University); forwarda, II Parker (Mono), Elliott (loneke). Baker (Poneke), Pat on (Athletic), Lynn (Mhletie), Do Clifton .(Selwyn), J. Shearer (Selwvn). Emergencies: forwaids, Uilcimiu ("Poneke), Love (Petone); back, Chesterman (Athletic). WK[.LINGTON _ VrMARLBOROUGH.' The following team has been chosen to plav for Wellington against Marlborougu, at 'Blenheim, on Saturday nextl- u 1back Malin (Poneke); three-quarters, W. Thomas (Petone), M'Cabe (Athletic),. Alike,, (University); ive-nighths, 11 Kaj (Selwvn), F. Tilyard (Poneke); half, C. Tilvard (Poneke); wmsr forward, Green (Oriental); forwards, King iPoncke) S. Shearer (Selwyn),- Brosnan (University), Bberhordt (Oriental), B. Thomas Petone), Troy (Poneke), Sponccr (Atlilctic). Emergencies: Back, Austin (Oriental); forwards, Shanaliau (Petone), Mai tinsmith (University). CHRTSTCHURCII SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. By Tclcsra-ph—fi'esn Association. Christcburcli, August 2.1. Marist Bros, won llie championship, of tho Canterbury liugby Union, defeating • Linwood by 14 points to 8. I N'TElt-COLLEGB .MATCHES. Owing to tho unforeseen cause which has led to the abandonment of Christ's College matches ill tho intercollegiate tournament this week, tho whole of the interest now naturally centres on tho one

remaining match of the three —Wanganui Collegiate School v. Wellington College. This will he played at the Athletic Park at three o'clock to-day, and a great crowd is expected to witness the play. Mr. J. P. Firth (Principal of Wellington College) has specially invited to the match His Excellency the Governor-General, Admiral Lord Jellicoe, officers, and men of 11.M.5. New Zealand, Generals Robin, Richardson, and M'Gavin, the Mayor, Dr. A. K. Newman, Colonel G. F. C. Camp bell, and Dr. M'Evedy. lioth teams are reported to lje in great form. Guy Or mond will captain the Wanganui- side. Captain A. P. R. Crawford will control the game. By Mouraoh.— l'resj A'ssoolatlon. . Christchurch, August 23. The Christ's College first fifteen, who were to have left on Saturday night for Wellington to take part in the annual inter-Collegiate football tournament, did not sail owing to several cases of scarlet fever at the college. AUCKLAND AND NEW PLYMOUTH ■ HIGH SCHOOLS. 3j- Telegraph—Priws Association. Auckland, August 21. i New Plymouth High School defeated Auckland Grammar School at Rugby yesterday by ten points to six. visitors 'are a fino team, although the guino was somewhat of a scrambling one. QUEENSLAND BISATS NEW SOUTH WALES. (Rec. August 24, 5.5 p.m.) Brisbane, August 23. At Rugby, Queensland heat New South Wales by 2o points to Stt.-Press Awn.