GAMES AT THE PARK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10289, 26 May 1919, Page 6

GAMES AT THE PARK

PONEKE TOO CLEVER TOE SELWYN

Saturday's weather was excellent for football, and a largo crowd flocked to Athletic Park in expectation of some interesting sport. The chief attraction was the same between Selwyn aud Poneke, played on No. 1 ground. On the previous Saturday Selwyn defeated Oriental comfortably, and supporters of the "Greens" were confident that their proteges would cause Poneke to thiuk very nam. Their eonnueueo was not: misplaced, as far as llio first spell was concerned, but tho second hail told a sorry tale for Selwyn. Tho latter were purely out-generalled in tnis spell, and could not stand up against the meteoric rushes which characterised tha Poneke backs. Oriental narrowly defeated Wellington on No. 2 ground. PONEKE v. SELWYN.

'The odds were heavy that Poneke would prevail fairly easy in spite of tho improved form of Selwyn. The first half nas.au eye-opener to Poneke supporters, andftho willing manner in which Selwyn attacked men- older adversaries was a credit iO this young team. Their defence was also very solid, and it was while they were defending that thenopportunity came to score. "With practically a clear field in front of him Peart snatched up the ball and made olf in. tho. direction of the goal tine. Peart's pace was too much for the thin defence of Poneke. and he succeedod in touching down right tinder the goal posts. The kick at goal looked very easy, but a Poneke man rushed out and stopped tha ball. The spell ended in favour of Selwyn by three points to nil. In the second spell Poneke had all the best of matters, 'and it was only a Question as to how many they would score. Very early in the spell Calcanai opened Poneke's scoring account, and Algar followed this up by scoring two tries in fairly quick succession. Calcinai, Christopherson and Troy added tries, and two of these were converted by Morris and Christopherson. Before the call of timo'Malin potted a very fine goal for Poneke, and the game ended in a victory for the "Reds" by 26 points to 3. Mr G. E. Bradley was the referee. ORIENTAL DEFEAT WELLINGTON.

On No. 2 ground Oriental defeated Wellington by eleven points to nine. At the conclusion of the first spell tho score stood at six all, tho scorers of tries being Packer and Patterson for Wellington, and Gair and Devine for Oriental. In the second half Watts scored for Oriental and Papps converted, and Brookes secured a try for Wellington, i'nroughout the game was of a very even character.

JVIr.R. Fordyco controlled the game. PETONE v. UNIVERSITY.

It -was anticipated that the game between Petone and 'Varsity would be Saturday's star fixture. fho teams were oveualLy matched in regard to weight, and an open last .came was looked lor. These hones 'were realised and those people who were present ou the Petone oval witnessed an exhibition of Rugby football that was a credit, to each team. At times the plav on each side rose to brilliancy and although the best combination won the margin of points does not give an indication as to how the same was played or the relative prowess of the individual players. Petone kicked off and it was evident from the outset that the "bankers" were going to get their full share of excitement. 'Varsity forwards, moving in unison, dashed away i -ivith "Si' dribbling rush which 'reached Petone's goal-line before it was .hold up. Hero an infringement took place and Scott drew first blood for 'Varsity by kicking a goal. The greens continued to plav with considerable vim and for a timo Potone was called upon to display their,, best defensive tactics,. The local team'had not cot into its Stride and the backs handled the ball badly. A long kick forced 'Varsity down and immediately afterwards Barker made a great run along 'he linn. A score soemed a certainty when J. Shanahan appeared on the scene and shouldered the sprinter into touch. The pace hecame faster and the same a particularly open one. A smart run by Corner, which was improved upon by Love, placed the greens in difficulty, and from a scrum Bowers reached the goal-line, and shortly afterwards he dived across. Ambler was not successful with the kick. 'Varsity. 3, Petone 3. Tho ball was rushed up and do-n-n tho field and first one side and then tho other was defending. Pope secured the ball, kicked, followed up fast and Hill at full-back for the blues slipped •when catching it. He was quicky smothered, but Corner came to the rescue in the nick of time and found the touch line with a kick. The Petone 'backs put in some good work. B. Thomas had a kick at goal from a mark by Corner, without result and a passing rush in.j which Green, Corner and W- Thomas.l took part caused 'Varsity to seek relief bv forcing down. Ambler made a jj o<)C l attempt to kick a coal from a mark, tho ball striking a goal post, and when Pope, Aitken and Gordon were associated in a passing rush J. Shanahan intercepted a pass and turned a 'Varsity attack into defence. Presently Gillespio was seen bounding along -with the ball at _ too. Ho picked it up 6inartiv when within striking distance and was well collared by Corner. A promising passing bout between Green. Oorner and .1. Shanahan was -spoiled bv tho last named knocking on. and Scott neutralised tho play by a kick. I£. Shanahan secured, Ixiosted the.i ball well up the field, and tho I'etone forwards were in full "cry." Crisp, the green's last defence, miskieked the return ! and ICruger" Parker was over. B. Thomas missed a difficult kick at goal. Petone 6, 'Varsity 3. Green was showing some of his old time smartness 'behind the scrum and sent the backs away time after time, but the defence was sound. Parker 1 got over from a line-out, but a scrum was ordered as the ball was not thrown straight from touch. It was healed out to Green, who made an opening for Corner, who scored. Ambler failed with the kick. Petone 9, 'Varsity 3.

The second half of tho game oppned with a fast forward rush by the greens which was countered bv. a .similar effort bv Petone. Scott en veil Htc position. Green anil .!.« Shanahan changed places in the Pctnno rear division and during an attack bv the bines Green sent the ball fo Corner, who in turn Kent it on to Hamilton. The latter streaked for the line and grounded the ball "between the troal posts. B. Thomas kicked a goal from tho trv. Potone 14. 'Varsity 3. The strnsfflo continued with exhilernting vim. Corner. Hamilton and Shnnnhan were sailing awav with only Barker to oppose them, but the "Varsity sprintei proved canal to the occasion and tackled each man In turn. It was n fine piece of work, onlv made possible by Corner's failure to run risht into him before passins. A 'Var«i(.v forward rush followed then a spectacular effort by 'VaTsity. Pope made n.n opsninj? foi Scott, who showed event speed. JTp side-stepped in r.n approved Tnnnner. and although his r«i!<s to Barker was a bad on« the ball was secured and ar. easy try was obtained. Tho effort was Kreeted with applan?-. %<:c.t\ m<\A* n, irifkhi'i* with tho kick. Petone U. University 8. Petonn from now fo the conclusion of (he ■rnnic with the exception of some briprht flashes bv the crreom. had the r»est of tho nrtrnment. A. dorlTV run by Corner enabled Hamilton to secure a try which was converted bv B. Thomas, and another item of prettv hack plnv in which Shnnnhan. Green. Corner. W. Thomas and Hamilton took part, ended in Ha mil. ton scoring nprain. B. Thomas failed with tho kick. Potone 22, -"Varsity 8. Another dash bv 'Vnrsitv saw Aitken over (he line. Tint +lic Rcore wss not enhanced bv Scott's kick. Petone's next '(•••v was the outcome of a fast sprint by lTnmiKnn. Then-Green made an opening for Ambler to score, and th.o blues' last

try was *he rcsu'.t cf a passing bout between Hill. W. Thomas and B. Thomas. The last named scored. None 0 f the tries wero converted. Just befoit, the whistle sounded "no side" Barker and Gordon were associated in a passing rush and the former grounded the ball over tho line. Beard missed the goal with the kick and a clean, bright, and interesting game ended, Petone 31, "University 14. Mr O. Cleland was the referee.

JUNIOR. Wellington College (1-1) v. Berhampore (d). Mutt (21) v. 'Varsity (3). Tetone (11) v. Poneke (0). THIRD GRADE. Wellington (6) v. Oriental (5). Old Boys (16) v. Railway Battalion (8). Athletic (9) v. Johnsonyillo (11). Selwyn (a) v. 'Varsity 'A (3). Berhampore (15) v. Ilutt (G». ' Petone (72) v. 'Varsity B <S). FOURTH GRADE. .■Ranks' College (11) v. Athletic (0). Oriental A (10) v. Berhampore (4). Selwyn (1-1) v. Old Boys (6) Mascot (34) v. Wellington College (0). FIFTH GRADE. ' Wellington College A (17) v. A'hletic (9). Selwyn (6) v. Ilutt (8). Oriental (14) v. Wellington CVUfk'e B (0,. Wellington College, who defeated Berhampore the leaders in the junior championship, on Saturday, will meet Hutt on No. 1 ground at Athletic Kik ntxt Saturday. FOURTH CLASS. Playing at Petone the local team defeated Poneke bv 31 points to nil. FIFTH CLASS. In a fifth-class game Petone beat BerI ham-pore by 8 points to nil. SIXTH CLASS. i The sixtk-olass game played between Poneke and Petone resulted in a win tor Poneke bv 0 points to 3. WAIRARAPA GAMES Special to the "Times." MA'STEatTON. May .24. | Tho Wairarapa itujj'o.V Unions championship matcnes were continued this afternoon in nno weather. in the . senior cnamuionship Red Star and Gladstone mec at JUastertou. A _ good game was witnessed, of wnion Oiadstone nad the best. Ulaostone had betoer bacus, buttwd Stars Had superior forwards. Gladstone snowed mort- generaisnip und on the day's piav was a iar better team. In tne first spell Kennedy kicked a penalty goat for Stars, Alayfietd scored a try for -Uiadstone. and F.. Booth kicked a penalty goal, tne spell ending Gladstone 6, Stars 3. In the second spell Booth scored a try and kicked a goal from a mark tor Ulaastone. The game ended Gladstone 12. Ked Star 3. At 'Carterton tho Featherston Camp senior team defeated Daleheld seniors by j six points to nil. I Junior cUampionship.—Red Star -25, Gladstone nil: Daiefield 20, Carterton |nil - : . MAORI TEAM DEFEATED BY OTAGO. Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 21. The Maori Pioneer iiattahon team met Otago to-day at •Carisbrook in perfect iveathor. There was no wind. • Great. intQiest had been aroused by the match" and about 5000 people wero present. Tne 'Maoris gave a thrilling Jiftka beforo the kick-off. The Maoris attacked strongly,' beating the local team badly on the lineouts, but their passing was erratic. llalf-wa,y through tne first spoil the ball went out from -centre to O Connor, the Otago's wing three-quarter, who made a great dash and passed to Mac- i tereth. who ran round to Wilkenson and scored for Otago. No goal. Tho Maoris again attacked strongly and Rogers was almost over. Then Wilkeifiton made a' big effort along tho line and scored. No goal. Hutchison, the Otago's captain, showed up in a jerkey run to centre and passed to Holmes, wing three-quarters, who -badly beat the Maori full-back, Bdivards, running from half-way and scored a great try. No goal. In the second half tho Maoris continued to break awav from the line-outs, but the .passing always broke down. Auhana and Teurupu showed up in good play bv tho visitors and mulling by Stevenson, Otago's full-back and Holmes, let the Maoris into an attacking position from the scrum in front of the Otago goal. Tho ball went out to tho Maori captain.. Hall, who scored an easy try. No goal. Tho Otago men were commencing to throw the ball about and O'Connor beat several men and scored near the corner. No goal. Shortly after O'Connor was almost over again. A free kick to tho Maoris in a favourable' position was taken bv Hall without result and the game ended in the local team winning 'by 9 points to six. The visitors have a strong forward team and are particularly good in the line-out work, but their backs lack finish in tho passing game.