RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9791, 15 October 1917, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PETONE V, OLD BOYS FINAL GAME OF SEASON. Tho Eugby football season was brought to a close on Saturday, the Huai game being played between Betbne, the winners, of the cnampiionahup', and Old Boys. The match was practically a challenge ono between the players. Old Boys had beaten Be tone and had in turn been beaten by University, and in the deciding game for tho season’s honours, the suburban team easily accounted for the ’Varsity team. The heavy rain of the early morninghad not softened the ground and the warm sun turned the surface into cement. There was an excellent covering of grass, consequently the players did not suffer from, abrasions of the skin. From a close observer’s point of view it was abundantly apparent that despite the inroads that had been made amongst the various clubs by their members rushing to the call of duty to take part in the more sterner game of war, the youth of New Zealand were fully qualified. to uphold the prowess of their elder brothers in the football arena. As a whole the members of each team that took part in the contest on Saturday showed great promise. As long as the Dominion is able to produce such worthy sons there is no’ fear of ths popular winter sport lacking interest and support. There was a fair attendance considering'that the summer games are now claiming attention, and had the public anticipated that the play was going to bo as fast and open as it proved to be the attendance would have been, greater. A warm sun tempered by a cool breeze from the south made the conditions for tho onlookers ideal, but it was a little too hot for the players’ comfort. Petone lacked off and from the outset of play the game became fast, so much so in fact that it was fully expected that the players, .especially the forwards, would crack up long before the final bell wont. There certainly was a slowing down noticeable, but the vigour and interest were maintained until the finish. It was a fine "windingup” match. _ The opening stages were confined f» give-and-take kicking with a few forward rushes ip break the monotony. Concerted action on *%/■ part of the Old Boy’s forwards gave the Whites a distinct advantage. Hislop snapped up tho ball from a scrum and running strongly reached ths corner flag before he was thrown into touch. Pe-t-one (Blues) were asked to display their qualifies in. defending their line. The forwards rose to the occasion, cleared their goal-liue. and a subsequent mark bv Nicbolls removed tho danger. The ball went out at half-way from where Hislop was presently seen sprinting along at a great pace. A bad pass spoiled a probable -score, and after tho Blues had cleared their lino a strong attack was set up. which ended in the Whites being forced down. The pace was a "cracker”: up and down the field the ball travelled, first one side and then the other attacking. The first combined back attack was made by Petone. In the Whites’ twenty-five Nicbolls got the rear division moving. The 'hall was entrusted to Coles and after it had passed through the hands of Corner and Hamilton, A. Thomas scored in a good position. Ooles had no difficulty in kicking a goul. Undismayed Old Boys attacked with vim, but were unable to break down the_ defence. Petone returned the compliment and after forcing Old Boys down were attacking when Porter intercepted a pass. After putting in a dashing run bo passed to Hislop, and the latter cot over at the corner. Marris failed with the kick at goal from a difficult angle. Pefone 6. Old Boys 3. Shortly afterwards Marris kicked at goal from a mark with no result. The Whites were having the. best of the game at this stage. Petone were bemmed down to their and a mark enabled Porter to kick at gpal, tho ball falling short, Cheered on by the spectators on the bark the Whites put in a great dash. McKenzie made a nice opening, and Conder, throwing bis weight against the opposition, scored. No goal resulted for Marns s kick. Old Bovs 6. Peteno 3. In the second, half of the game the Blues had the sun at their backs, and from the word "go” there was hardly a let-up. Coles got a-wny nicely, passed to Hamilton, who in turn handed the ball to A. Thomas, and a try was obtained. Ambler made a good, though unsuccessful, kick at gool. Petone 8, Old Boys 6. Almost immediately after-

wards W. Thomas struggled over from a scrum near the corner. Ambler s kick missed, the mark. Petone 11, Old Boys 6. A determined rally by Aho Whites looked promising. It was started by Porter, and carried on by Brooker, the latter being held up a yard from the coveted line. Old Boys lacked the necessary finishing touches, and on on© occasion Hislop, after making a splendid run, passed to Conder. Tho latter had no opposition, but he missed the pass, and an easy try was lost. A similar opportunity was thrown away bv A. Thomas, who missed a pass by Coles five vards from the Whites goalline. Petone’s nest score was the outcome of a pass from Corner to A. Thomas. The latter when in difficulties dropped the ball, dribbled it over tho line and scored. Ambler goaled. Pctone 16, Old Boys 6. The Blues final score was the outcome of an opening mode by Bowers. Corner and Hamilton each gained ground, and A. uomas, who was the . last to receive the ball, crossed tho line. Ambler failed to add the major points with the kioki The game ended in favour of Petono by 19 points to 6. Mr A. C. Kitto refereed.

St. James’s Senior Cadets boat Technical College Cadets by 18 points to S. Mr J. Millard was the referee. In the* ‘'house*' game, Mills s Hardware Company v. Odlin's hardware employees, the latter won by 11—0. Mr H. Patou was in charge cf the game. Teams representing St. James s and Wesleyan Bible Classes tried conclusions at Athletic Park on Saturday* The match ended in favour of St. James's by 8 points to ml. Mr H. Brooker was the referee. associTtToTgames CHARITY CUP FINAL. MARIST v. INSTITUTE. . This game was played at Association Park and drew the usual large crowd of football enthusiasts. Manst kicked off with the sun in their faces and it was not long before the forwards were speeding- down the field with the ball at toe. The game proved to be fast ana open from start too finish, and some very fine football was witnessed, especially on the part of the Institute leftwing, who soon showed that he was no novice at the game. Times without number he snapped the bail from a Marist player and raced down the new, beating everyone with bis remarkably clever footwork. But all his efforts were futile. He would take the ball right through and pass to the centreforward, who either spoilt it by gettiUo off-side or by making a had shot. Marist, in their turn, played steady football from start to finish, and this soon bold on 'the Institute team, certainly played a good game, aD “ dK * not lack combination, which is so necessary for a team. Institute mi-ht possiblv have ,won the gamo if the team, instead of trying to take the ball right into the goal, nad taken some long shots at goal. Manst won the game by 4 goals to nil. FIFTH -V GRADE CHARITY CUP FINAL. South Wellington and Marist played in the semi-final of the cup at 1.30 p.m., and the winner (Marist beat South Wellington by 2 goals to 0) played Boys’ Institute in the final at 3.30 p.m. It was rather hard on Marist beiujr called upon to play two games in the one day, and although they were beaten in the final by 1 goal (O 0, yet they were by no means disgraced. Institute, as was to be expected, being the fresher team, had the best of the game. In the first spell with the wind behind them, they_ made matters pretty warm for the Marist defence. and on several occasions it was only bad luck that robbed them of a score. The first half ended with Institute pressing, but there was no score. The second half was much evener. play being characterised by the ball travelling rapidly from end to end. Eventually from a centre by Calvert, who was playing a splendid game. Institute scored a good goal through Stevens. The_ Institute halves were playing a splendid game at this stage, and prevented the Marist forwards from becoming dangerous. From a combined forward rush Institute narrowly missed scoring through McGill. The game ended with the ball in midfield, and Institute winners of the cup bv 1 goal to 0. The Boys’ Institute have just concluded the most successful season in the history of the clnb., No fewer than eight finals were participated in by the various teams, the club winning the Sixth A, Sixth B. Fifth A. and Fifth B Charity Cups, and the Sixth B cham-

pionship, and finishing runner-up in the Third Grade championship and Charity Cup, also , the Pifitb A Grade championship. .. 1 FIFTH B GRADE CHARITY CUP, FINAL. Boys’ Institute and island Bay met in the final of the Charity Cup on Saturday. institute had already (ideated most of the leading teams, and as Island Bay were runners-up in the championship a keen game was anticipated. Institute kicked oft against the wind with a smart run towards tho Bay goal, then play settled down in mid-field for a bit. After 20 minutes’ play from the combined, play of Howith and Hanley, institute succeeded in scoring from a difficult angle through Howith. Island Baysmartened up under this reverse, but they did not keep it up for long, as Institute tsooa transferred play to their opponents' end, where Howith narrowly missed scoring a second goal. Play continned of a give and take nature until half time sounded. Institute X Island Bay 0. In the second spell Institute, with the wind behind them, had matter* pretty well their own way. A few minutes after the restart Bartlett added a second goal, and from then onwards, with the exception of an occasional breakaway by Jeffries (who. came near scoring on one of these raids) it was a question of Institute forwards against the Bay’s defence. The Bay goalkeeper played a sterling game throughout, eartng many splendid shots. Hanley, after many good shots had proved fruitless, scored the Institute's third and last goal. Final score —Institute 3, Island Bay 0. Bovs’ Institute Cadets played and defeated T.M.C.A. Cadets bv 6 goals to 5. Scorers for Institute—Newton 8, Tarrant 1. Pearcy 1, Chote 1. SCHOOLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI* FINAL. PORIRUA v. MAMST (NEWTOWN). Having won their respective divisions, those beams met at the hospital ground, Porirua, on Saturday last to decide who should meet Marist (Thomdon) in the final during the coming week. The ground was in perfect condition, and the weather ideal. Marist won the boss and Porirua kicked off. Tho game was at once most keen and exciting, seme splendid of passing and combinaturn between both sets of forwards being noticeable. Gradually, however, Porirua became aggressive and a splendid shot by Lcckie from fully twenty! yards out struck the crossbar and rebounded into play. Three comers to Porirua in quick succession proved or no avail, Burke and, the Ma-rist goalkeeper defending in fine style. Eventually the ball was transferred to the Porirua’s half, but good defence was, shown by Davis. The game still continued fast and exciting, both teams doing their utmost to score. A few minutes before half-time Porirna missed a splendid opportunity of opening the score, a we-11-plaoed centre from tho right wing being badly mulled by the, inside men, who missed an open, goal.. Half-time was called: Porirua 0, Mnrist 0. On resuming, the home boys were soon attacking, and for a time practically penned the Marist boys in their, own half. The Marist. however defended well, and at length raised the siege to the other end, forcing a corner, which gave them no advantage. Not to be denied, the local lads were soon attacking again, and after a great struggle in the Marist goal-mouth, Dickie opened the scoring for Porirua. Marist made desperate efforts to equalise. but were met by a solid defence, and again Porirua took UP the offen. give that ended in Moki scoring a .second goal for Porirua with a bnluant shot, which gave the Marist goal-keep-er no possible chance. Marist were not disheartened at this second reverse - and tried hard to score, but the local lads were well trained and the continued in their favour. Manst tired considerably towards the end, hut no further scoring, and the wnistle sounded for f’mc with the score: Ponrua 2. Marist (N.) 0. , . For Mari=t, the goal-keener was In excellent form. Burke. _at back, also ulaved a splendid defensive game. The forwards started well, hut slackened oil ocmeidA’ , flWy m kal . For Porirua* Kowie Davis played in first-rate s-tvle and was the Wtbor on the field. Whitehonse. Ea«twwd. and Lcckie also plavcd_ well. Mr H. Yeoman refereed Ponrua now meet ■Marist fThrtrrdon) m the nn&l tor the championshin banner and cun, presented bv the lYelling+nn Football Association ' Th’ <*ame will take plac© at Association Pork, and a first-class game should be witnessed-