RUGBY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10283, 19 May 1919, Page 3

RUGBY

V. fiT/T-PHS

HAED GAME AT ATHLETIC PARE,

Saturday’s exhibition of Rugby at Athletic Park provided some excellent, lessons for students of the national game. The announcement that Athletic were to be pitted against Poneke, last year’s champions, naturally aroused more than the usual interest, and it was anticipated that something out ordinary would eventuate. There was a particularly large crowd, the ground uas in good; order, and everybody appealed to be impregnated with a feeling of healthy . rivalrv. What was the result. Both teams played fast, nerve-tingang football, but. as an exhibition of scieuu.ic Rugbv the game will not bear close scrutiny. Poneke have always been regarded as a ‘team which plays an open game and their back play has always been attractive. Athletic have not in recent years produced many notable backs, but in tte forward section they have jnst-y earned much fame. So on Saturday it was really a case of forwards v., backs, with the almost inevitable result. That result was that instead of the spectators witnessing an open game, with thrilling •back play and spectacular rushes, taey had, to be content with a close, hard contest, particularly in the first spell. viouslv from the point of view of victory, Athletic adopted the tactics wnich suited them, and the manner in which they kept the ball away from the smart Poneke backs speaks volumes for the pack. But Rugby is Rugby after all, and there is nothing the public appreciates more than good back work. Let the forwards carry out the ofiensive proper, but let the backs put on the finishing touches which contribute so much towards the success ot a team. There can be no dou,bt that the only way to make people appreciate football is to give them football. Coaches might well take this into consideration i f only to keep out other forms of sport that tend to creep in and weaken our Rugby forces. THE GAME.

As far as the game itself is concerned it, must readily he admitted that the lie was entertained and even thrilled. The game started off rather inauspioiously, hut the players soon warmed up to tho business. Athletic, pressing per nuv dium of their forwards. Poneke, however, defended* tenaciously, and plaj travelled from end to end. The hacks were getting few chances, which was a pitv, for on both sides they promised well. The Ponete _ rearguard gave glimpse of good combination, but they seldom got far. Severe pressure by the Atheltio forwards saw the scene changed again, and for quite a few minutes it looked as if Athletic would press ever the lino in spite of Ponoke’s solid ttetence. .There was little further incident, and the spell ended without any score. During the spell Poneke were several times penalised; but Athletic failed with the kicks at goal. The most ■ notable player for Athletic was “Teddy” Roberts, who held the team _ together with remarkable success. Bilderbech was 'ery safe at full-back. Prom the start of the second half excitement was at fever heat, the large crowd roaring mightily as the teams swept up and down the field. Athletic backs were getting, few opportunities, but the forwards kept, up a heavy pressure. Per the most part Poneke had the best of matters, and the crowd was thrilled as the backs set off on their- characteristic lushes. There was tremendous excitement when daring a rush Algar (Poneke) attempted to pot a goal. The crowd seemed to be under the impression Hat Algar had succeeded, but the decision was “no goal.” Poneke continued to r. ress with great vim and determination, out although they got very near on several occasions “no side” was called without any score. It was a hard, willing game, but it was not brilliant football. SELWYN DEFEATS ORIENTAL. On No. 2 ground Selwyn defeated Oriental comfortably ' after a fair game. Peart scored carlv in the game for Sclwyn, but Wogan failed with the kick '• • goal. Oriental then toot up the attics, and Selwyn were penalised. Rapps wade, no mistake with tho kick. Selwyn had the bettor of matters for the most part, and the spell- ended in their favour by 12 to 3. The additional tries were obtained by Kohika, Peart, and Geary. In the second half Wogan scored again for Selwyn and Papps kicked a penalty goal, ami Kingston scored a try for Oriental. Tho game thus ended in favour of Selwyn by 15 to 9. PETONE T. OLD BOYS. This game, which was s<t down for decision on the Pcioue oval, was abandoned on account of Old Boys being unable to place a senior team in the field. Perhaps there is not another club in , New Zealand that has suffered to the same extent ns Old Boys have in the loss of members through the war. Their ranks have haen sadly depleted, Itieir sacrifices have been great, but their honour has been greater. , THIRD GRADE. , ODD BOYSPvTPETONE. Playing at Peto'ue Old Boys defeated tho local team bv 17 points to v. The game was full of interest, being . fast turoughout, with creditable passing rushes bv the backs on each side. Okt Bovs had the heavier forwards and showed the better combination. The success wa? mainly due to the vanguard, who wore {qo good for, .their opponents in the loose and serum 'may. Cing-wid-den. Loe, Preston and J. Stephensen obtained tries for the winners, ono of which was converted bv Mansfield, who also kicked a penalty goal. Ryan, Reid and Smith scored for Petono. . None of (he trios were converted. Mr O. Cleland was tho referee. JUNIOR, Wellington College (17) v. ’Varsity (6). Unfit (32) v. Poneke (3). THIRD GRADE. Oriental (11) v. Hutt (8). Johnsoilvillo (U) v. Selwyn (6). Athletic (11) v. Berhampore (0). Railway Battalion (10) v. ’Varsity (0). FOURTH GRADE. Wellington College (12) v. Oriental (3). Selwyn (16) v. Scots College (3). Hutt (17) v. Marist Old Boys. (11). Mascot (19) v. Banks College (0). Oriental A. (31) v. AAthlelic (s)* FIFTH GRADE. Selwyn (10) v. Wellington College A. (31. , , Petono (121 v. Wellington College B. (3). Poncko (18) v. Berhampore (9). Athletic (91 v. Oriental (3). SIXTH GRADE. Technical High School (9) v. Scots College (5). Wellington College A. (18) v. Petone (0).

MAORI PIONEER TEAM SUCCESSFULLY OPENS TOUR AT NAPIER.Press Association. NAPIER, May 17. The Maori Pioneer Rugby team opened its tour here this afternoon .with a match against Hawke’s Bay in the presence ot about 3000 spectators There was perfect

weather, but the ground was hard. Th* visitors were officially welcomed by th» Mayor (Mr J Vigor Brown). Mr M. Tweedie (president of the Returned Soldiets' Association), Mr W. J. McGrath. {Rugby Union), and Mr Taraniki Te ba (representing the native race), who all paid a tribute to the patriotism of the Maoris and the good work done by them, at Gallipoli and France. Captain Vercoo, D. 5.0., acknowledged thes*/ remarks, on behalf of the Pioneer team. Tho match was played in four minutes spells. It was « fast game and. exciting throughout. The visitors wqro much heavier, but the home side h*4 plentv of pace, the forwards being copedallv fast, and' they invariably smothered'the rllorts ot tue visitors to open up play. The latter gave evidence that once, they again strike true form will b# a hard side to beat.

Early in the first spell Findlay (Hawke's Bay) kicked a fine penalty goal. Play was very even, and the score van unaltered until the last quarter of rn hour when the Pioneers, per medium of Hingston and Jacob, crossed the homo line twice. The latter converted one ot the tries. The game ended ia_a win for the visitors by eight points to three. GAMES AT MASTERTON SOME OOOE FOOTBALL WITNESSED, Special to the “Times." ■MASTER-TON. May 17. The Wairarapa Rugby Union’s chant pionship commenced its fixtures 'hid afternoon in fine weather. For opening games some good football was witnessed, and the contests were generally fast. In the senior championship match at Carterton there was some very good play at times. Stars proved themselves too superior for Dalefield, and ran out winners by seventeen noints to three. In the junior championship Red Star team beat Carterton by eight to nil, and Greytown beat Gladstone bv 20 to 0. AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TEAMS FOE SOUTH AFRICA. Ana. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Renter. LONDON, May 9. The Australian service footballers are io sail by the Arontcs on May 12th, and the New Zealanders are to sail by the Catalonia on May 26th. They will lorn in South Africa, for six weeks. Pil Thomas Mackenzie is to bid farewell tithe team at a ,dinner.