ATHLETIC ON TOP

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 194, 15 May 1944, Page 6

ATHLETIC ON TOP

Poneke-Oriental Decisively Beaten

RUGBY IN WELLINGTON

Glorious weather and the attraction pt seeing the two unbeaten teams in the Wellington Rugby Union’s Jubilee Cup competition, Poneke-Oriental and Athletic, dispute the issue, attracted a gate of £lB5 at Athletic Park ou Saturday afternoon. The grandstand was well tilled, and it was like old times to see a goodly sprinkling of spectators ou the western bank. The fact that Athletic were without three of their star inside backs—McMorrau ami Thomas, laid aside by injuries, and James, who has joined the Fleet Air Arm —led many people to fear for the black and blue colours, but worthy substitutes were found for the - five-eighths’ line in Gerardin, brought in from wing-three-quarter, and Churchward, a' promoted player from the fifth grade, who filled the second position with distinct credit. By a finished display of team work, Athletic dominated the play almost throughout, and won convincingly by 15 points to three. For once the PouekeOrieutal forwards found themselves up against a pack who were just as determined and thrustful as themselves, and some gruelling rucking duels were seen. Tile Athletic pack, however, were able to give their backs a liberal supply of the ball, and Tindlll, who was a tower of strength to his side at half-back, both on attack and defence, got the ball out smartly to his backs, who handled surely, and travelled at pace. They were neat passing movements which led to the tries by Vanstone and Roberts. In all, Athletic scored four tries to a solitary try by the combined team. Poneke-Oriental had bad luck early in the game in that Vaughan, their cleverest five-eighth, had to leave the field with a broken finger, and so hard was the going that Hart and Farrell had also to retire with injuries, the latter suffering a touch of concussion shortly before the game ended. Poneke-Oriental would have scored some points had V. Calcinai had his place-kicking boots on, as be failed to put over several penalty shots. On the other hand, Vanstone failed to convert any of the four tries Athletic scored, and had to be content with one penalty goal, j Army maintained the promising form they Have been showing by beating Mar--Ist Brothers’ Old Boys at Kilblrnle Recreation Ground by three goals from tries to a penalty goal by Marist. The Army forwards moved fast, and did some effective short passing. Morrison, the Army captain, again showed what a sure placekiek he is by converting the three tries scored by Cochrane, Green and Rooney. It is reported that Army will be further strengthened next week by the presence of M. N. Paewai, who has been transferred from Auckland to Wellington. Petonc had to work hard to beat Wellington on the Petone Recreation Ground, 9-6. The Wellington forwards got the ball from the scrums, but the backs had not enough determination to penetrate the solid defence. Wellington led 3-0 in the first spell, but Petone took the lead in the second spell when Waters put over two penalty goals. Abbott, the Petone wing-threequarter, settled the issue when he made a sensational run of halt the length of the field, in which he fended off three tacklers, before crossing the line for a try.

A fast game on the Hutt Recreation Ground saw Wellington College Old Boys outplay Hutt, 11-6. The only score in the first spell was a penalty goal put over for Old Boys by Alexander. Both teams scored two tries in the second spell, 4>ut Alexander managed to convert one for Old Boys. It was a sensational try which Register scored tor Old Boys toward the end of the game, when he intercepted a pass in his own twenty-five, and raced away to ground the ball over the line at the other end of the field.

In the Hardjiani Cup igarues, Seatoun went well to beat Johnsonville at Athletic Park. 14-6. Grigg’s pace at wing-three-quarter' had much to do with the win, as he raced over for two tries. Johnsonville led at half-time 6-0, but the Seatoun team carfle with a rattle after the change-over. University maintained the improved form they have been showing by beating Training College at Kelburn Park, 19-6. Lewis was prominent for the students, as he scored two tries and converted two. Nav-y showed good team work in beating Athletic B 22-13 at Prince of Wales Park. The winners scored six tries, three of which wentito the credit of Maira. Athletic B crossed the line three times, two of the tries being converted by Jorgensen.

Miramar had its first win of the season by beating No. 2 Port Depot 9-6 on the Polo Ground, all the scoring coming from penalty goals. A closely contested game on Strand Park saw, Eastbourne beat Upper Hutt 14-11. Clifrord scored eight of Eastbourne’s points, as he converted a try and kicked two penalty goals. Air Forcq also registered their first win of the season by beating Hutt B 7-3 on the Hutt Recreation Ground. Parker scored all the points for Air Force by potting a goal and landing a penalty goal. Allison! scored a try for Hutt B. ' Jubilee Cup.

Athletic 15 (tries by Vanstone, Tindlll. Roberts and Guineven, and a penalty goal by Vanstone), beat Poneke-Oriental 3 (a try by Rawlings). Army 15 (tries by Cochrane, Green and Rooney, all of which were converted by Morrison), beat Marist Brothers’ Old Boys 3 (a penalty goal by Barnao). ■Wellington College Old' Boys 11 (tries by -Mason and Register, one of which was converted by Alexander, who also kicked a penalty goal), beat Hutt 6 (tries by Millard and Perrett). Petone 9 (a try by Abbott and two penalty goals by Waters), beat Wellington 3 (a penalty goal by Morton). Hardham Cup. Seatoun 14 (tries by Grigg two and MiJclenhalL One of which was converted by Gracd. and a penalty goal by Hlckling), beat/Johnsonville 6 (a try, by -Masterton and n penalty goal bv Powell). * University 19 (tries by Lewis two, Barraclough. Ryder and Henderson', two of which were converted by Lewis), beat Training College 6 (tries bv Wilson and Fox). Navy 22 (tries by Maira three, Beard, Topi and Wright, two of which: were converted by Jaffray), beat Athletic B 13 (tries by Roberts. Knapp and Jones, two .of Which were converted by Jorgensen). Miramar 9 (two penalty goals by Taylor and one by McKnight). beat No. 2 Port Depot 6 (a try by Luxton and a penalty goal by Davidson). Air Force 7 (a field goal and a penalty goal bv Parker), beat Hutt B 3 (a try by Allison). Eastbourne 14 ■-(tries. By Fisher and Dellabarca. one of which was converted by Clifford, who, also kicked two penalty goals),. bent Upper Hutt 11. (tries by Edwards and Stott, one of which was converted. by Hammond, who also landed a penalty goal). , Lower Grade Results. Junior. —OnslMv 'l3. Navy 3; Onslow (Army) 6, Athletic 3: W.C.0.8. 6, Army 5; Wellington 37, Oriental 10; Mangaroa <J. .Marist 3: Petone 14. Varsity 0; Taita 8, Seatoun 3: Karpri 8, St. Patrick's 0.8. 3. , Third I. —Marist 14. Petone 6; Wellington 12. Oriental llj-Hutt 16. Petone A 5; Athletic 20. Seatoun 0; St. Patrick’s College 14, University 9. . Third I.—Upper Hutt 11. Plimmerton 3; Porirua 9, Air Force 3; Miramar 14, Wellington B 11: Johnsonville (!. Petope 6; St. Patrick’s 0.8. 15. Onslow 3; Eastbourne 43, L'nlversity 3: Taita 15, Wellington A.T.C. 0. Fourth.—Petone B 16. Oriental Ilf Miramar ff. St. Patrick’s 0.8. 3; Athletic 6, Training College 6: Seatoun 14, W.C.0.8. 0; Wellington 14. Marist 0: Hutt 42, Porirua 10; Onslow 11. Eastbourne 9: Poneke 3. Upper Hutt 0. Fifth I. —Petone 30, Miramar 0; Athletic 8, Marist 0: Hutt 12. Wellington 3. Fifth II. —Petone 52. Athletic 0: Onslow 6, Johnsonville,.": Hutt I). Poneke 0.