RUGBY SEASON OPENED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 162, 5 April 1920, Page 6

RUGBY SEASON OPENED

PONEKE (14) DEFEATS PALMER-' STON PIRATES (3). The Rugby football season was opened at the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, when Poneke met and defeated Palmerston Pirates by 14 to 3'. The ground was in excellent- condition, having more the appearance of a .bowling green than a football field. There nasa good attendance of the public, the stands 'being■filled,, with a fair number on tho- outside. A fair breeze blew down the field, and Poneke elected to play with it during the first half. Pram the kick-off Poneke showed themselves to be the stronger team, the backs passing in good style, while the forwards, though apparently not,quite up to the Manawatu men in the first half, were equal lo them when against' the wind.. Immediately on opening .Poneke attacked and a good line kick • carried play close to the visitors' corner flag. Prom the throw' in the ball was carried to the other side of the field. Prom a scrum Poneke broke away, but Pirates', fullback made a good 6ave just on tho l.ne. Poneke continued'to attack, and from a loose rush Troy got away .and scored almost under the posts. P. Malm converted Poneke, 5; Pirates, 0. Poneke so far had had the best of things, but after half an hour's play Pirates' brightened up and almost scored, Malin (fullback)' making a timely . save. Again Pirates,came 1 and again Malin was on the spot, and the visitors missed their chance. Poneke then got away again, mil after two- unsuccessful attempts Troy got over. The kick .missed. Poneke, 8; Pirates, 0. Pirates made a brilliant break after the kick-off and looked like scoring, when a free kick, was given against Peteranna a few .minutes after half-time sounded. .. On resuming Pirates set. the pace and were awarded a penalty kick, which missed, llolh sides seemed .to . have, improved, : and Pirates made another, attempt to get through, but the rush was stopped and Algar led Poneke 'back to Pirates' territory and kicked to line. Prom the throw in Poneke settled down to a good, fast passing rush from which Troy took a beautifuLpass and cut in behind the posts. Malm's kick niissed. Pirates made a similar attempt and reached Poncke's posts, where they werd stopped and sent back to tho twentyfive. Nothing daunted they came again, and after a few rapid exchanges the ball was kicked'over Poneke's line. It bounced through the back's hands and Peteranna camo down on it and scored. Tno try'was not converted. Play went again to Poneke's twenty-five line, from whero the home team set out to dr.ibbjo tho ball to their opponents' end. This was stopped bv H. Malin (forwnrd),getting off-side, Shortly after this H. Malin got away and, making a good run, scored hear tho corner flag. The kick failed and time sounded with the 'score Poneke 14, Pirates 3. Mr. E. Perry was referee. MATCHES IN CHRISTCHTOCH ; .Br Teletr«.Dh-Pre»B Christchurch, April 4, The'football season opened in.Christchurch yesterday, when four of the city clubs engaged visiting teams in annual rratches, Linwood 2!) beat Union (Ditnedin> 21; Wellington 14 beat Christchur'ch 3; Alhambrn (Dunedin) heat Merivalo 16; ChristchuTch Old/Boys 15 beat Timaru Old Boyß 8. PETONE DEFEAT BULLER. . ' Westport, April 3. A football match between Petone and Bullcr, played at, Victoria Square to-day, was won by the visitors by 14 points to 8. It was the first game of the season here, and/both teams showed lack of training- Buller wero rather stronger than the visitors in the forwards, but the Pehmo backs were dangerous when they got going. For Petone, tries we're' scored by Ryan. Griffin, Porckens and Parunnt, Nicholls converting one try. M'lntyre scored-for. Bullcr. Schadick converted, also kicking a.penalty goal. KAIERAU DEFEAT ORIENTAL.' Wanganui, April 3. A Rugby football match between the Oriental (Wellington) and Kaierau teams was plaved' here to-day in fine weather, the home side winning by 17 points lo three after a fast, open game. | ' Of tho visitors, the first to score was J. Clark, who got a try as the' result of a forward rush. Wilson scored for Kaierau shortly afterwards, and Alabaster placed a penalty Roal. Kaierau led at half-time by 6ix points to three. In tho second half, the Kaierau backs handled the ball well, and tries v. ere added byßichdale. Daincs and Lynch, Alabaster converting one. .