RUGBY GLEANINGS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 188, 6 May 1940, Page 3

RUGBY GLEANINGS

Thompson’s Last Game For Wellington FINE SPORTING RECORD The meeting of Poneke and Johnsonville will be tbe main senior Rugby attraction at Athletic Park next Saturday. Johnsonville are unbeaten and Poneke are improving. The clash between two powerful packs should invest this game with keen interest. The full draw is: Poneke v. Johnsonville, Athletic Park, 3 p.m.: Marist Bros. 0.8. v. St. Patrick’s College 0.8., Ath* letic Park. 1.30 p.m.; Hutt v. I etone, Hutt (Mcßain Shield match) ; College Old Boys v. Eastbourne, Eastbourne; Wellington v. Oriental and Athletic v. University, grounds to be arranged.

Last Match. , When the whistle sounded for full time in the Wellington-Marist Brothers 0.8. match at Athletic Park on Saturday, A. Thompson, the Wellington live-eighth, was chaired off the field by his team mates and he also received rounds of applause from the spectators. It was his last game as he leaves this week for Sydney, where he is taking up a business appointment. It was a fitting finale, Thompson giving a brilliant display. He scored almost halt his team’s 20 points—a try, a conversion of a try and a potted goal. Twenty years of age, Thompson, who is a son of Mr. J. Thompson, president of the 'Wellington Football Club, and a promincut member of the junior advisory committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, has had a splendid sporting career. He played for Clyde Quay School at both cricket and football, .and was a primary schools’ representative. At Wellington College he was in the first cricket eleven and the first football fifteen, aud on leaving further distinguished himself at both branches of sport, becoming a Wellington Rugby representative and a senior cricketer of considerable possibilities. He has also excelled as a boxer and tennis player. The good wishes of all will go with him in his new sphere of activities.

Spectacular Try. The most spectacular try in the Wel-lington-Marist Brothers 0.8. game was that scored by J. Gillespie, who secured the ball after a Wellington passing rush had broken down, raced to Taylor and kicked over his head, and in a long sprint outpaced Veitch to dive on the ball under the Wellington posts. Gillespie has a flair for the spectacular, but his opportunities were limited on Saturday. .

Promising Forward. The Athletic club believes it has a worthy successor to Wales, who is now in Egypt, in a senior second division forward, Jacobs, who played a grand loose game against Onslow on Saturday, Like Wales, Jacobs came to Athletic from Technical College Old Boys, and looks like making the senior team in the near future.

Smart Appearance. The smart appearance of the Marist Brothers 0.8. senior team was the subject of comment at Athletic Park. Doubling out on to the field led by the energetic J. Gillespie, one of the most enthusiastic players in the game, they created a favourable impression. The team’s main weakness this season is the lack of an experienced hooker, Ingpcn, last year's captain, having secured a transfer, aud the comparatively inexperienced inside backs have so far had little chance to develop confidence and understanding on attack.

Turning Out Again. It is reported that W. Tricklebank intends turning out again for University. He was a line umpire on Saturday. If he can recapture his form of a season or two ago, he should greatly strengthen the backline.

Even Forwards. As was the case last season, the Wellington pack is a very even one and there is intelligent understanding in its play. The scrum is not heavy but. is compact, and Kirschbcrg is again hooking successfully. A newcomer in Childs shaped well on Saturday in the back row. Two others who are new to the seniors, Dalton and Illingworth, accredited themselves well, Dalton doing excellent service in the lineouts. Loss to Johnsonville.

G. Burns, who expects to be entering Burnham Camp shortly, was the outstanding back on the ground for Johusonville against Petone on .Saturday. His covering up on defence, his perfect handling and fine football sense will mean a severe loss to Johnsonville, as the whole back play centres round him. Helping His Club. After a season or two coaching in lower grades, D. Plank has come out of retirement to assist Eastbourne, whose seniors have lost many good players in recent years. Plank showed that he still retains some of the form that enabled him to gaiu representative honours for Wellington. Good Forwards.

Among the forwards who caught the eye at Athletic Park on Saturday were McKenzie (Marist, Bros. O.B.) and Yentiiian (College Old Boys). Both are tall and use their height well in lineouts.

For the First Time. Johnsonville secured its first victory over Petone since entering senior ranks when they wore successful at: Petone on Saturday, 'flic progress of the suburban side has been steady, mid they have now during the period they have been in senior ranks beaten every senior teain. Provided they can keep this year’s side together, Johnsonville should be strong contenders for the championship.