RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 7, 4 October 1920, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PONEKE V. PETONE

THE CUP WINNERS DEFEATED

END OF LOCAL SEASON

Petone, who won the senior Ifugby championship this yew, were defeated in a special challenge match by l'onebe, by 12 points to i), at tho Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, the (fame being tho last local contest ol" the seasonWhen t)ic iinnl was played between the two teams, B. Algar and J. Tilyard, of JPoneke, were absent" in Australia with the Kew N Zealatid team, and Poneko bupporters have contended that had thcsf> two men been present Petone would have been beaten. HeiiC9 arose tho challenge, mid Pcnelce are no doubt satisfied that they have now proved themselves tho equals of Petorio. But some Petoue "ban-ackers" ore saying that last Saturdaj's match was no criterion of the merits 'of tlu« two teams, for the suburban side was minus a couple of its tstrongesfc players in J. Ryan and T. Price! In the case of such formidable rivals as Petons and Poneke, the absenco of one or two favourite players from either side piust make a considerable difference, but as tho championship filial has been fought and won there is not much to be gained from discussing the. circumstances further. Last Saturday's match was witnessed by about GflOO spectators, and among those ' present were liis Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Viscount Jellicoe) and Lady Jellicoe and family. The proceeds c{ the match are to be' devoted to the injured players' fund and the gymnasium funds of the senior clubs of the citv. From a spectacular point of view the game was interesting on the whole, but many of tho players gave evidence of "stateness" and the contest was not quite as keen as might have been expected a few wieeks back. If anything, Ponoke were slightly heavier than their opi»nent« in tho forwards, and the backs were also very good, particularly D. Algar, who played a fine game. Riddell, the Petone full-back, "was weak, and gave away one certain try to Poneke by kicking the-ball into play instead of to the lino. _ One the day, Poneko were the superior side. The ground was awnewhat heavy.

fallowing wore the teams i— Petone: Pull-back, Riddell; threequarters, Thomas, Ryan, Hamilton; fiveeighths, Corner, M. Nicholls; half, H. E. Nicholls; wing forward, Fitzgerald; forwards, Love, Dickens. Thomas, Smith, Park.js. Parker, Pole. . I'oneke: Full-back, Malin; three-quar-ters, Cliristopherso.'i, J. Tilyard, D. Algar; five-eighths, B. Algar P. Tilyard; half. C. Tilyard; wing forward, Galcanai; forwards, Taylor, Power, Bowie, baker, Troy, Hughes, King. Petone kicked off against the wind and immediately attacked. Poneke then took charge and invaded Blue territory, and a good, deal of play on the line-out followed. Malin had a kick at goal, but missed, and at this 6tago rain commenced to fall. Petone forced the pace and play became more open, Poneke meanwhile being forced back, into their own twenty-five. Here B. Algar made an opening and changed the venue to half-way. Parker picked up and transferred to Fitzgerald, who kicked .downfield. Tho Bluo ■ forwards followed up .fast, and Potone were presently awarded a penalty for Hughes getting offside. M. Nicholls had a shot and placed the bail between the uprights with a beautiful attempt. Petone, 3; Poneke, 0, In the ensuing play C. Tilyard obtained possession and pasaed to his brother Fred. J. Tilyard was lying handy, but he ran forward too hard and missed tho pass that was sent to hiin. The Poneke backs kept on attacking and, at close quarters, J. Tilyard essayed a pot, but the ball went too high, and Petone forced. A few minutes later Bowie got the ball from tho side of the serum ne<u - half-way and passed to D. Algar, who ran up tho line and touched down in good stylo at tho corner. Malin failed to goal. Petone, 3; Poneke, 3. Soon after this,' 1). Algar scored again as the result of a mistake made by lliddeli, who, when Poneke were attacking in the Petone twenty-five, instead of kicking to touch, punted tho toll into the hands of Calcanai. Tho latter transferred to C. Tilyard, "who whipped the leather on to D, Algar, who tan in at tho comer. Malin did not convert. Poneke, 0; Petone, 3. There was no further score before lialf-timo, although during the remainder of the spell the play was vory open and somo pretty Hashes of back work were witnessed on either side. ■ 1 '

Poneke sought refuge in a force after the interval, and Petono gave a shtirp taste of their dash. The Red and Blacks were placed on the defensive, and Fitzgerald scoral from a line-out near the corner. M. Nicholls had no luck with the kick. Poneke, G; Petone, G. Up and down play followed until J. Tilyard secured possession in the Pefcono twenty-five, and. running through the wholo of the Petone team, scored a brilliant try. D. Aigar's kick at goal missed. Poneke, 9; Petone. G. Troy went off suffering from the eifocts of a hurt received in the first spell and Brooker took his place. Poneke now did n very liberal share of the attacking and there was some good back work. The Eed and Blacks' final try eanio from a rush in which all the backs participated except D. Algar, Christophersoib scoring at the corner. The kick at eoal was taken by Cbrwtopherson himself, but he did not. convert. The closing stages of the gamo were very willing and exciting, and shortly before time M. Nicholls kicked a penalty gon,l for Petone, malting Che final score: Poneke, 12; Petone, 9. Mr. L. Simpson was referee. BERHAMPGfiE CLUB'S SMOKE CONCERT. The Berhampm'o Hugby Football Club held its annual smoke concert in Duetin's room on Saturday. Mr. R. T. Bailey presided over a largo attendanco. Mr. buiiey, in proposing tho toast of the club, congratulated the club on its numerical strength and outlined the progress of the teams. The club was formed in 1913, Ire enid, with a third and fourth grade team. During 1916-17-18 it did not' enter any team owing to 3a out of a total of 42 active members being, engaged on war service. In 1919, thero wore four teams in the competition and tho club was runner-up in the junior championship,

Mr. C. Euesell responded. A number of ' other toasts wero honoured during the evening. Mr. Bailey presented two medals to fifth-class players for best back and forward ' play, J. Brewer (back) 1 imd P. Charles (forward) being the recipients. Mr. C. Russell was presented with a travelling companion and fountain-pen ill recognition of his services to the club anfl football in general. Mr. Pointon proposed tho toast of "Kindred Sport." aiul Mr. M'Kpnzio replied, urging upon members the necessity of keeping/fit and avoiding *all practices which would tend to make them unfit.