WEEK-END RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 222, 14 June 1920, Page 6

WEEK-END RUGBY

GREAT GAME AT THE PARK

SELWYN'S MAGNIFICENT EFFORT

Athletic 14; Soiwyn 6. polono, 17; Oriental, 13. 'Varsity, 12; Berhamporo, 5, Poncko 24; Wellington. 0.

Another interesting series of football matches was played on Saturday, lending further colour to the belief that the season Rugby has widergono a strong recovery in Wellington. The Etar attraction was staged at the Athletic Park, in tho presence of a big concourse, between Selwyn and Athletic. It proved to bo a great game in every. Eense of the word, and had Selwyn not played against tho sun their opponents would probably have gone under. Poneke. as was cxpectd, had a runaway victory from Wellington, but at Petone tho suburbanites only managed to secure a four-point win against |priental. 'Varsity defeated Berhampore lifter a strenuous struirisle, their success being due to the good kicking gu tho part of K. Scott and Biddell's fine defence. ATHLETIC V. SELWYN. At the Park, Athletic met Selwyn. and an excellent game was tho result. Indeed, tho second spell was tho most interesting exhibition staged this season in club football. Tho turf was very heavy and tho ball greasy, so naturally sustained back play was out of tho question. In any cbbo tielwyn, know-in* well where their strength fay, continued to mako tho struggle a forward one. Although Athletic won by a margin of eight points the result hung in the balance until practically the last twenty minutes or so. Throughout tho first spell, and the during tho flrst half of the second, Athletic wero hard pressed, Selwyn. despito the absence of the two Shearers through sickness, putting up a magnificent fight. Selwyn faced the sun at the kick-off, but nothing daunted, they immediately and strongly challenged their opponents, and easily held their own, their tackling being splendid. Occasionally the Athletic backs turned the tables on their opponents, but their efforts scarcely amounted' to more than a flash in the pan,' for. thanks mainly to Murphy at full, Selwyn were strong on defence us well as on the attack. Tho first incident of note was whva a good centre by Peart put Selwyn in a good position, and a penalty being shortly afterwards awarded them Murphy essayed to goal, but without success. Before very long Murphy had another unsuccessful shot from an awkward angle. A serieß of short-range staccato marks by Roberts of a style peculiarly his own. extricated Athletic from 'dangerous situations. . When the' siego wa» finally raised the Athletic backs delivered three sharp attacks, and each lime they petered out when Adams—the last man to handle—obtained possession. He adopted his old outting-in tactics, but the gl-ound was too slippery, and Murphy with his deadly, low tackle was too handy. Just beforo tho half-time bell squnded, Selwyn were vigorously attacking the Athletic citadel. Several real, old-time, mauls took place olobo np to the Athletic line, and from one of these Burko emerged with the leather and touched down. Ifurphy failed with the kick, the ball bein; heavy, and tho sun, very glaring. Selwyn, 3; Athletio, 0., ! ■ ,

Early in the second half Selwyn had to force dwvri, Athletic for the flrst time having pulled off a really dangerous attack. Adams, Roberts, and Byrne by turn figured in several promising sallies, which were held up near the line. Onco an opening .was lost through Byrne hanging 011 too long-a growing habit of his. When Athletic did equalise it was a fairly long-range, ponalty-goal by Roberts that did the trick.' ■ Athletic maintained the presßiire and a try came.their way. M'Vay -started the attack, and Adams, the last man to receive, sailed in near the corner. Hugh failed with the kick. Selwyn made an electric recovery, tho forwards, headed by Smith, carrying tho leather far down the field. It proved a persistent attack. A penalty was awarded Selwyn in neutral ground well back from Athletic's twenty-five, and a tremendous outburst of cheering announced the fact that Murphy had- landed a poal. It was. a magnificent kick, considering tho stato of the ball and the ground. This equalised matters, but the day was far spent, and -Selwyn were thoroughly tired. They had "done their dash," being beaten by timo rather than by tjieir onnoneiits. The heavy odds against them in the first, spell had proved In the long run their do'B'.fall. A few stinging attacks by the Athletio backs and two tries were regis- 1 tered. T\ first M'Cabc scored, and tho second, which Adams annexed, was converted by Hugh. Shortly afterwards came the call of time. Athletic, 14; Selwyn, 6.

Mr. H. T. Bailey gavo every satisfaction with the whistle. PETONE V. ORIENTAL, An interesting contest was witnessed by a large numbor of spectators when Petono met and defeated Oriental on tho Petono ground. The issue was seldom in doubt, Petone having on practically every occasion tho better of matters. Oriental's score consisted of two tries, each of which was converted, and a penalty goal. Had Petono maintained* the high standard of' tackling with which they commenced operations, Oriental would never have scored those, two tries. Play was confined mostly to the forward department, and some very exciting tussles resulted; The Petond paok—always prominent among whom were Price. Fitzgerald, and the brothers Parker-more than held the Oriental van in the loose, and on practically every occasion obtained the ball from the scrums. Oriental's best forwards were Moffitt and Gilchrist. The pick of the Petone rearguard were "Ginger" Nicholls, whoso exposition of the half-back game was excellent, and the brothers Ryan. Roberts and Griffiths showed to tho most advantage of

the Oriental back division. The feature of the day was the exhibition of kickiug of "Jimmy" Ryan.

In the oponing stages Petone, playing against the sun, forced matters. Some give-and-tako play followed until it-break-away movement by the Blue forwards made things appear rather uncomfortable for Oriental. An infringement spoiled a possible score. Another Blue forward attack was nullified by the Oriental fullback, Capper, who brought oft a good save. For off-side play by Oriental Petono were awarded a free kick, and, as Ryan'failed to kick over the "mark," a scrum was ordered. The ball was not

"hooked," but carried a distance along the field by the Blue forwards, and Nicholls. picking up from the loose, fooled the opposition and passed to Smith, who crossed tho lino and touched down. E. Ryan had no luck with the kick. From the kick-out Arthur Parker marked, and J. Ryan drop-kicked a great goal. Up-and-down-field play was the order for somo time. Two chances to open up a scoring account , were loßt to Oriental through off-side play. Oriental pressed hard in Petone territory .andthe position was saved--by a great run by Smith, Ashton, and P.arker, who carried play right up to tho Oriental goal-line, where Green, who secured from the. ruck, had

hard luck jn not scoring. Luter Petone began once more to assert their superior-

ity. ABhton and "Kruger" Parker broke away with Nicholls and Hamilton close at hand. The last-montioned player obtained possession, and a pretty passing movement up the line between Nicholls and Hamilton rcßnlted in the lattor scoring near tho corner. J. Ryan did not convert. It was now Oriental's turn to score, and after a period of even play a sorum was formed in tho Blue twentyfive. Hanson Becurcd and transferred to Roberts, from whom the-4eathor wont to Griffiths, and tho last-named.'eluding tho opposition, finished tho effort by touching down (ilmost urfder tho posts. Capper added the major points. Petone, 9: Oriental, 5. Hamilton unsuccessfully essayed to kick a goal from the field. Oriental looked very much like scoring again when Hecly broke away, but he wns.grassed in time by Ryan, and Nicholls saved the position by a "speculator." Tho Whites attacked again, and. Petono wort compelled to force down. From tho kickout Roberts received and passed to Hanson, who transferred to Griffiths, and tho latter registered Oriental's second try. Again Capper added the major points. Oriental, 10; Petone, 9. The spell ended a few minutes '

Shortly after resumption Petono woro awarded a free kick, and J. Rynn unsuccessfully attempted to goal. Petono now prossed and kept' Oriental pinned in their own territory. A scrum was formed in front of the Oriental goal, and for an infringement by Petono, Oriental were awarded a free-kick. Hamilton attempted, unsuccessfully, another "pot." Petone had hard luck in not scoring on ecvoral occasions. Obtaining possession of tho leather .from a line-out, Nicholls transferred to Corner, who passed Jo Fitzgerald, from "•horn the ball went to Ryan,, who .mulled. Tho last-mentioned player indulged in u "speculator" and followed up, obtaining possession near tho line and registering a good try. The kick was entrusted to Nicholls and ho made no mistake. A number or forward tussles ensued, and nli» ; r some up-and-down play the Blue pack carried all befoio them into White territory. A scrum resulted in front of the Oriental goal, and Nicholls securing evaded tho opposing forces and scored tho best try of tho day. K. Hyatt did not concert. Play was carried to tho Blue twcnty-flvo. Oriental wore awarded a free-kick and as a "froo charge" had been ordered through the eagerness of "Krugcr" Parker to rush thp kick down,' Capper found no difficulty in gonling. Petono. 17; Oriental, 13. There was no further scora. Mr. Jj, Simpson controlled tho eame.

PONEKE V. weluncton; The match between Ponoke and Wellington at Kelburn Park proved to tho satisfaction of some that last year's chnmpions aro growing stale. Although they won by a margin of 14 points, tlioy did not play a good game. They were certainly tho superior team, but they lacked the daßh which goes to make up a good team, and they could do well with a little new blood. Prom the start they pressed the Yellows hard, but Wellington relieved temporarily with a free-kick. It was only for a moment, however, and then Slater scored. Malin failed with the kick. From resumption of play, Wellington attacked strongly, and play went to the other end of tho field,) where 1 O'Suliivan scored from a scramble, Ho ' himself converted. Wellington. 5; Poncko, ■ 3. The Iteds now pressed, and after a ' touch forward struggle thoy wore awarded ' a free-kick. Malin took it, and got a 1 splendid line-kick, the ball juet going out 1 a couplo of yards in front of Yellows' 1 line. From tho throw-in, J. Calcaneal • scored, but Malin failed to add the 1 points. A few minutes later Troy scored. Howie failed to convert. Ponelte. 9; Wei- ■ lington, 5. By this Bta;fc> it was evident ■ that the bad Btato of the ground -was mak- ' play difficult. It was very greasy and slippery. J. Tilyard broke away, and the Beds were within an aco of scoring. Only some vnliant work on tho part of a few of thb Yellow defenders saved Wellington. The Iteds again took the offensive at the commencement of the second half, and F. Tilyard scored from a scrum, Malin converting. Sutherland broko away suddenly, and the Yellows had hard luck in not working, play further into' the Iteds' territory.' However, they got over in a few minutes from a muddle. O'Suliivan scoring, and also converting. Poneke. 14; Wellington, 10. Although tho Yellows pressed Poneke from time to time, the Beds had the upper hand during tho rest, of tho gamo, and J, Tilyard scored. Malin converted, A little later a tierfect piece of work by the Red "hookers." and a splendid passing rush, gave Poneke another score. M'Arthur crossing the line. Malin converted. Poneke. 24; Wellington, 10. This proved to bb tho Inst score. Ma'iri tried a running drop-kick, but just failed. For tho Yellows, O'Suliivan puj In tho beßt work, while Malin phyed a fine .tra»? as Iteds' full-back. Mr. R. Evensen refcreed. 'VARSITY V. BERHAMPORE. 'Varsity defeated Berhampore,. but it was only good goal-kicking by R. Scott and the fine defence of. «he/full-back Siddsls that gained them 'success. In Berhampore they found an exceedingly tough set of forwards, who gave the Blues an advantage in play, moro distinct In tho closing stgacs. Laok of scoring a'j'llty appeared to bo Berhampore's chief fault, and the numerous times that they carried the ball to their opponents' line should have brought better success. There -wero no passengers In either team—the game was keenly . contested throughout—but these who did particularly nood work were Matheson (half-back for Berhamporr). who gave an exceptionally fine display. Walters (Berhamporo), a forward of hig'i '.rdor, Riddels ('Varsity's full-backi, and A'tkon and Barker ('Varsity) showed plenty of pace. Early in the first. Bpoll Berhampore missed a good chanco to score and eventually the tables" were turned by Barker opening 'Varsity'? scoring account with 'a good try. which vat not converted. A try 'o Berhampore. obtained by Howard, followed, and Morrison converted. Thereafter tbe only ,pnintt> scored were from .Kicks by R. Scott, who landed three more goals. Towards (he r'ipo Berlwnpori'n forward? had matters tis'r own way. keeping up a vigorous nttsfk, but- thin was of no avail, and the gr"ne enfted:—'Vnr»ifv. \1: Berhampore, 5. Mr. H, Baton was the referee. Junior Championship. Petone, 11; Berhamporo. 3. Thirtl Class. Berhampore. 7; St. Patrick's College, 3. Marist Old Boys, 9; Miramar, 9. Fourth Class. - Berhamporo, 12; Y.M.0.A., 5. Marist Old Boys, 3; Poneke, nil. Fifth Class. Berhampore, 32; Oriental, 0. INTER-INLAND GAME NORTH ISLAND TEAM. Tho selectors have pioked tho following team to represent North Island in the inter-Island match, to bo played at Wellington on June 26:— Full-back; J. O'Brien (Auckland). Three-quarters: V. Wilson (Auckland), B. Algar (Wellington), and N. A. Barker (Wellington). Five-eighths: O. Badeley (Auckland), J. Tilyard (Wellington). ■ Half: E. Roberts (Wellington). Wing-forward; Lucas, (Aucklnd). Forwards: A. Carroll (Mannwatu) and M. Oain (Taranaki), hookers; J. Moffitt (Wellington), lock; West (Taranakij, Jacobs (Horowhcnua), Bollis (Wanganui), . and Hotelier (Auckland). \ Emergencies: Backs, Mapu (Hawke's Bay): forwards, J. Shearer (Wellington), J. Donald (Watrarapa); half-back, 0. Brown (Taranaki). The selectors woro: Messrs. A. J. Griffiths (Wellington). G. W. Nicholson (Auckland), and D. Malone (Taranaki). E'Roberts in not available for the match, but will be ablo to go to Australia if selected for the tour. MATCHES InIhTwAIRARAPA 'By Telegraph.—Speoial Correspondent. Mastorton, Juno 13. In a, very even and cleanly-played match ; at Fcatherston on Saturday, Liberal senior team defeated Red Star by 9to 6: Mr. ' H. M'Konzie was referee. Another senior match was played' at Carterton between Carterton and Glad- : stone, tho former winning by 6 to 3. Mr, E. Freeman was referee. The junior games were as follow:— At Masterton: Gladstone (23) v. Red Star ', (0)* GrcMown (11) v. Masterton (9). At Carterton: DaleftoJd (U) v. Martin- . borough (3). I At Greytown: Pukco (6) v. Carterton (0). j Third grade: Liberal (9) v. Carterton (3); , Greytown (20) v. Masterton District High i School (3). J Following were the gato takings at the | various Masterton £41, Carterton , £27, and Featherston £10. ( visit of French™ to Australia « proposed .! .—, — i Sydney, June 12. I The Rugby Union is negotiating to £ brine a French football team to Australia I in 1922-Press Assn'. , . t

HOROWHENUAJANGITIKEI MATCH By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Marton, June Vi. The representative match,' Horowhenua v. Rangitikei. was fast and exciting. Tn tho first spell no score was made. Then the honours rested with Rangitikei, whoso brilliant passing enabled Payne to score the only try of the match. His kick failed. Horowhenua rallied, and wore awarded a free-kick, with which h. M'Donald. was successful. This made the scoreß even. Jacobß, of Horowhenua, was the most prominent player. Ho saved his team several timos. Tho North Mand selector (Mr. 6. Nicholson) and tho Wanganul selectors) witnessed the game.