GOOD FLUTTER

NZ Truth, Issue 1174, 31 May 1928, Page 14

GOOD FLUTTER

Magpies Meet More Tough Birds

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) Some stirring Rugby was witnessed last Saturday. . Oriental . were sorely tried by Poneke and the Magpies just managed by one point to retain their undefeated record. THE issue was always m doubt m the rare old tussle which Poneke and Oriental provided before 6,000 spectators at Athletic Park. ' Poneke lost by one point, but on the call of time they looked like pulling the game out of the fire. To gain victory, they required a converted try, and enthusiasm was high when Wilson shot over near the unrights; Jack Shearer was entrusted with] the responsible task of giving victory or defeat to his side. The task proved too momentous for 'the Poneke captain "and he failed badly. . FIGHT OF THEIR LIFE . Oriental had to fight as never before and they came through the ordeal with colors still on the top of the mast. They fully deserved the victory for their play was always what could be expected of a good team. Poneke were m no way disgraced-, m fact on the day, there was not even the one point difference between themselves and Ories. Both sides have the satisfaction of knowing they pleased the spectators. Spalding, Orie's. full-back, had a busy time; but he was equal to it all. Time and again -he saved brilliantly when scores looked imminent. The defence of Chambers, Walker, Packnatz, McNichol, Davies and Tullock was extremely sound, and when m attack, McNichol, Chambers and Walker were always troublesome. It would be hardly the correct thing to single out forwards on either side. It is seldom that one sees two such evenly matched packs. As the pace was a cracker all the time, it says much for attention to training that both sides saw the ■ : game through without a .serious let up. Tilyard, Turner, and Elliott faced j the opposition confidently, the only weakness being an inclination to run across field. ■ . The next match to creat interest was the meeting Varsity and Marist. The latter landed a victory by 6 to 3 after a game which showed them to be a team which is capable of bringing about the surprise that makes Rugby the great game it is. " ■ : Marist took the field V reorganized fifteen, for the first time this season, being at. their full strength. A couple of outstanding junior players took the places of men who, m previous games, had been playing indifferently. These newcomers, m Bourke (half) and Keary (wing-for-ward) fully justified the confidence of the selector. Marist now have a splendid combination, and if there is one team with an outstanding chance of lowering Orie's colors it is the wearers of the green and white jerseys. THE HARD MR. McHARDY Marist forwards excelled themselves against Varsity. They were kept well m hand by McHardy, who by the way, played his best game to date this season. . ■ : : '•■■-'' The Marist captain was ably assisted by Butler, McDonald, E. Barry, Dennehy and Keary. Bourke proved that with a little more senior experience he will make the half this club required. The back line worked well. Fitzgerald drew the defence and then set Broderick and Co. away. Broderick again proved that he is one of the best scoring men m Wellington arid , that he 'must find a place m rep. games if he retains present form. The selector was seen taking notes at this particular match. "Truth" feels that Butler, McHardy and Bro- J derick were pencilled in.' Graham and G. Barry justified themselves as wingers. Cuming was' at his best as full-back. Varsity, always a popular side, endeavored strenuously to feed their fleety backs. ' . . . i MacKenzie, Williams and Brown stood out prominently m the back division, but the Marist forwards . generally spoilt any 'attempts to open up the game. Noble- Adams gave just an, ordinary display as full-back. Fumbling frequently, he was lucky his side got off so easily. Varsity pack stood up to the game with' credit. ' The best of the vanguard were Grant, Childs, Diedrich. •- .'• „..'■■ O'Regan spoilt " his play by - incessantly going for the man instead of the ball. ' „ Cormack had several attempts at goal, but he was off color. Berhampore and Wellington battled out a 17 point draw on the Kilbirnie Reserve. As could be expected m such an evenly contested game, there popped up a fair amount of hard stuff. Honors were even m this respect and it is to the ereclit of referee Scott that tempers were not allowed to boil over. There was an element of doubt as to whether m the dying moments of the game, Dixon (Berhampore), scored, or McLean (Wellington), forced down. They both dived for the ball together and the referee decided m favor of the defending .'team. Athletic proved to be too showy for Petone, eventually accounting- for the Villagers to the tune of 14 to 3. Old Boys raced over Eastbourne by 25 to 3. . The latter team will not go far if they continue to be afraid of mixing it and doing some hard tackling. v Accepting the "dummy" is a fault that must be remedied.