RUGBY FINAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 276, 16 August 1920, Page 6

RUGBY FINAL

PETONE WIN THE CUP PONEKE STRUGGLE HARD TO RETAIN HONOURS The curtain was rung down on the Eenior ltugby. competition on Saturday afternoon, when Petone defeated Poneko by 12 points to 3. The Swineon Challenge Cup, which was annexed by Poneke last year, thus goes to the suburbanites, along with Jlossrs. Clark and Morris's gift of a miniature gold ball with ring attachment to each player in tho winning team. On account of the plethora of repesentative games one round was cut out of the competition, and Saturday's final was robbed of much of its interest on account of the absence of J. Tilyard and Algar from the ranks of Poneke. Assuming all other things to bo equal on Saturday the odds in the matter of weather conditions were in favour of Poneke. The Athletic Park was generously seasoned with mud and water, and after a few minutes' play it was churned into a quagmire. This militated against tho chances of the fleet suburbanite back division, and confined activities for the greater part of tho timo to among tho forwards. A fresli southerly swept tho field of play, and there were intermittent showers of rain throughout the afternoon. This did not damp the enthusiasm of the 3000 spectators present, and they were frequently workod up to high pitches of excitement. Poneke played with the wind against them in the llrst half, and at half-time I'etono had kicked a penalty-goal, while their opponents had scored an unconverted try. Play continued to be of an even character until the closing stages of the game, when Petone, tffio wero then leading by 9 points to 3, commenced to run all over the Eed-and-Blacks. A big factor in l'ctone's success was the great game played by Jim Ryan, the veteran full-back. He was practically the only player on the ground who consistently fielded the groasy ball. Timo and again he cxtricated his side from tight corners. From start to finish it\was a very willing go. At the outset Petone made the most of tho wind, and were continuously aggressive until thev opened a scoring account. M. Nicholls did the trick by virture of a penalty-goal. Poneke then asserted themselves, and Troy, Oalcinal, and Baker, who wero tho pick of their forwards, wero associated in several dangerous rushes. Through ofl-side play and obstruction Petone were awarded a series of free-kicks and from one of these juat under halfway M. Nicholls had a shot at goal—a splendid" kick, which Just missed. Followed a period of uninteresting play which was brightened up considerably when Ohristopherson, who was the strong prop in the Poneke backs, touched down in a good position after receiving a difficult pass. Malin failed to add the major points. Shortly afterwards Ohristopherson nearly repeated his performance, being pushed out near the corner. The remainder of the spell was given ovor to a series of fruitless attacks on tho part ot the suburban fifteen.

. In the second half Poneke, who had hitherto been getting all over Petone in tho loose, appeared to tire slightly, and Petone gradually bore them down by judiciously playing the line by means of a series of short-range kicks. The result waß a try—Petone punted over their opponents' line, and before Malin could receive the ball Ashion dashed in, wrenched it away, and touched down. M. Nicholls'" kick went just under the bar. About this time Poneko lost Slater, who was carried of! the field on account of an injury to his ribs. A long period of rough-and-tumble football then ensued. Nobody but J'im R'ySft could pick tho riall up, ''speculating" being indulged in by one and all. With a few minutes to go Petone forced the pace, and secured two unconverted tries l in quick succession, the game ending 12—3. Both tries were secured from forward rushes, first Price and then Hamilton getting ovel 1 . Mr. Simpson was, referee.

/WELLINGTON V. BEMIAMPORK A match was to have been played at Duppa Strpet between Wellington and Berhiifnpore, hut when the teams arrived at tho Park thev decided that the ground was not, In a fit condition to play on and tho game was abandoned. INTER-'VAItSITY HATCH. Teams representing the AucMand and Victoria College Universities met at Newtown Park on Saturday. The same was marred by the state of the field of play. In the first' spell tho visitors established a lead of three points, the result of an unconverted try. Nicol equalised matters for the home fifteen in the second hair, and there was no further score, tho match ending three all. Mr. Kitto was tho referee; REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS. Teams to represent Wellington In coming Uujby matches have been selected as Wellington v. All Blacks, at Athletic I'arlc, on WednesdayMalin, Barker, livm. 4i*ken. Corner. Nieholls (2), Standen, Fitzgerald, Hughes, Wilson, Harkness, Price. Shearer, Calcinai. Emergency hackß: Sullivan, F. Tilyard. Emergency forwards: Pearce, dc Clifton. To tour Nelson and Marlborough, lrom August 21 to 28Brooks. E. Christopherpop Hughes. Hamilton, F. Tilyard, Scott, C. Tilyard, Parker, Parker, Ashton, Troy, Osborne, Ryan, Pearce, do Clifton. Emergencies: Peacock. Power (forwards), Wogan, Howard (backs). 'To tour Hawko's Bay, Manawatu. and Horowhenua, from August 21 to 28:—Capper, Thomas, M'Oabe, Griffiths, Sullivan, Jacltßon, Earle, Gilchrist, Scott, Francis, Brown, Emmerson, Hutchison, Calcinai, Frffp. Emergencies: Smith. M'Cauley (forwards), Walters (first), Gillespie (backs).

ALL BLACKS V, WELLINGTON. The All Blacks will return from Australia to-morrow after a succession of victories, and will plav the local representatives at Athletic Park on the following day. During the whole of their tour the New Zealand representatives do not once appear to have been extended, and Wednesday's match should be their real test. Wellington is at present supreme in tho Rugby code, and thiß same should decide whether or not tho local team are tho champions of Australasia. hatcheThmhere MARLBOROUGH. WIN SEDDON SHIELD. By Telegraph—Press Aaaociation. Westport, August 14. The Seddon Shield match, played at Weatnort to-dav> between Bullor (holders) and Marlborough (challengers) waß won by Marlborough after a strefluouß came by 21 points to 13. The Marlborough pack was rather better than the Buller, but otherwise there was not a great deal to pick and »'.hoosc between the teams. For Marlborough, Phillips, Gleeson (3), and Connolley scored tries, King converting ono and kicking a penalty goal. For Buller, Friend, O'Neill, and Paine scored tries, Oasey converting two. WAIRARAPA (9) Y. TARANAKI (3). By Telegraph—Press Association. Carterton, August 14. Taranaki met Wairarapa at Carterton tn-day, and were defeated by 9 points to 3. Tho ground was fairly soft after heavy rain. The game opened briskly. Wairarapa rushed the ball up to the Taranaki line, and from a scrum Irvine (half) passed to Carson, who scored at the corner. Tho try was not converted. Wairarapa were again pressing Taranaki when Groubo (Wairarapa) made a blind pass, which was accented by a Taranaki man, and nassed to Wilkinson, who nut in a great run. He was tackled in the corner, but fell over the line. Wairarapa again pressed, and from a free kick Groube goaled. In the second spell the Wairarapa forwards opened with great vim, -but Taranaki beat them back, making things particularly warm. The ball came from the ruck near the Taranaki line and was marked, Groube kicking a goal. From this on Taranaki were continually on the attack. Four forces occurred in quick succession, and two shots at i»oal failed. When timo wa3 called, however, no further score had been registered. Anderson, tho Taranaki full-back, retired hurt, but not seriously.

DUNEDIN GAMES. Br TelccraDh—Press Association.' Dunedin, August 14. Alliambra defeated Kaikorai by 8 nointi to 6, and University defeated Pirates by' 23 to 8. Alhatnbra is thus practically assured of winning the senior competition by ono point from University. Sclwyn fifth-class defeated St. Patrick's College by default.