Petone Victorious

The Varsity-Petone game in now past history, and Petone's 14-8 win has been lost to posterity in the annals of the Rugby Union; but all who were fortunate enough to see this memorable game at the Park, on Queen's Birthday, will carry for some time the memory of a game which for excitement and a scintillating exhibition of Rugby has seldom been equalled in the history of Wellington club Rugby. The final score was a true indication of the respective merits of the two teams, and no one had occasion to grouse about the result. Varsity, club champions for three years, were beaten by a better team in the . . "village" combination.

At the interval. Varsity seemed to have a fair chance of winning, but in the second spell the heavy Petone forwards gave their game, but lighter, opponents no quarter and went on to clinch the game by gaining enough ball from forward play to give their formidable backllne the scoring opportunities which spelt Varsity's doom. However, the student side were by no means belittled by their conquerors, but gave their best display this season. Their defence and cover-defence left little to be desired, while on attack every opportunity offered was seized with open hands and the Petone line was never, an impossible goal.

Jarden Outstanding

The outstanding Varsity back was once again Ron Jarden, who was always seeking scoring opportunities and whose defence confounded those sceptics who are forever criticising this facet of the winger's play. Several times he showed great anticipation in crossing the paddock to tackle Petone players who looked almost certain to score. Is this the play of a man who in said to be lamentably weak on defence? Mike Watson came on to play when Ryan was injured, and played a game right out of the box, scoring one brilliant try and engineering another. Surely, here is the player required to fill Fitzgerald's position at second five until such time as the All Black is fit enough to take his place in the line-up once more. In the forwards, Clark and Nepia were right on the job. Ivan Stuart again led his pack well, and Preston Thomas and Blathwayt, both light men, worked admirably in the locking positions.

Massey Overwhelmed

In the annual game against Massey College played at Palmerston North recently, Victoria had little trouble in defeating the local side, 27-9. Ron Jarden was in great fettle, scoring five tries and converting two to notch 19 of his team's points. The other scorers were the Clarks, Bill and Tony, who each scored a try, Tony also converting one. The Massay rearguard made little or no progress against Victoria's speedy backline, while the visiting pack had the rare experience of monopolising the supply of ball. Outstanding in the Victoria forwards were Bill Clark and Bill Nepia, while Terry Ryan, "standing in for the injured Fitzgerald, made a favourable impression at centre.