RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 83, 4 October 1930, Page 22

RUGBY

; , «y "OhopkicK" FINE RESULTS

f WELLINGTON'S RECORD

S'IRST FIFTEEN -UNBEATEN

£or tho number of representative Snatches which were played this season the record put up by'the local representatives was one of the best, if not the best, in tho history of tho game in Wellington. The "A" team maintained it's; fine ruii of success with a ■win over ; Taranaki in the final match of tho season, and the "B" team, beaten only by a point in one game, improved its record with'a." fine win over Manawhenua.' . The' first fifteen certainly had its work cut out in defeating Taranaki, but, its performance was quite good'for a team.which has been "in work" for a longer period than usual. Towards tho end of the season the players have been; showing signs of being stale, but they (the "A"" grade representatives) have succeeded in finishing np with an unbeaten record, though one of their games was drawn.. The "B" representatives were -'unfortunate in suffering a last-minute defeat by Marlborough after a passage across Cook Strait which was by no means smooth; otherwise they gave an excellent account of themselves, and in their displays, it was evident that Wellington has no need for concern as to where to . find tho players in the near future to take the places of those who will be 'dropping out of the first fifteen. During the past 'four years Wellington has been showing asteady advance, and its record over that period is exceedingly good. One of the finest performances of'the season was that against the British team; it was a splendid example of a team working thoroughly to a plan. Other performances have also been good, but on occasions the form, of the players has dropped away, though, not to tho.extent of losing a match ao far as the principal games ■were concerned. Wellington lias done splendidly;; as the following list of results shows: — ■.; , "A" Team. June 3.—v. Great Britain, at Wellington, won, 12-8. July 2.—v. Taranaki, at Hawera; won, 16-14.-'-: '■' - Angnst 23.—v. Auckland, at .Wellington; won 16-15. , ■ August 30.—v. Otago, .at Duuedin; won, IS-8. ■■'■■■..■ September.3.—:v. Southland, at Inyarcargill; wan 12-3. i September 6. —v. Canterbury, at Ohristehurch; won, 11-3. September 13.—v. Hawkes Bay.) at Wellington; drawn, 6-6.-September. 20.—v. Wairarapa y at Wellington; won, 42-19. : September 27. —v. Taranaki, at won 11-4. Summary: Played, 9.; won, 8; lost, 0; drawn, 1; points for, 140; points gainst, 80. "B" Team. September 13. —v. Marlborough, at Blenheim; Jost, 11-12. September 17.—v. Golden BayMotueka, at Motueka; won, 31-0. September 20.—v. Nelson, at Nelson; won, 21-13. September '27.— vi Manawacnuo, at Palmer»ton North; won, 19-6. ,- Sumßiary: Played, 4; won, 3; lost, ij points''for, 82; points against, 31. The "Wellington ,-junior, third, and fotirth grade representatives^ were xxnbeaten. Earlier Records. In the 1893 and 1893 seasons the Wellington representatives were unheatem., but only four matches were played in each season. The playing of four representative matches in those days was regarded as a big programme, and, in view of the number of matches played nowadays, the following noto (in the recently-compiled official record of Sngby in Wellington) is of interest: — "Wellington had a big programme in , 1894, playing seven matches and. winning six.'' The loss in that season was -igainst Taranaki, who were considered to have the strongest team in New Zealand about that time. It was in 1896 that Taranaki again prevented Wellington from going through the season with an unbeaten record in representative matches. Sine matches were played (including one with Queensland) and all were won with the exception of that against Taranaki and a draw game pith Otago1. The representative games in the 1897 season (seven -wins, two losses) ware nbtable for three things, given by Mr. A JP. Wiren, in 3iis history of tho game, r$ follows;—(1) The first defeat of ."Wellington on its own ground by ,a sisj£&j? union representative team for a period of twenty years, Auckland wining by 11 points to 4—it was Wallace's i&rsfc game, and he kicked a goal from | mark; (2) the first win by Wellington Taranaki; and (3) the- winning gfew the first time of all three matches jsiayed on the southern tour. The' only Aetestt sustained in eleven representaf&ra matcnes in 1900 was by AuekJaad. An interesting point about Wellington's representative games in 1905 tva.3 that four of the twelve1 matches were drawn. The number of engagements with other unions went np to sixteen in 1908 (including . four "B". jnatehes). A good record was put up 3a ISO 9, when Auckland gave- Wellington its only defeat. ' yarfety of Matches. It was in 1910 that, Wellington's «»A" representatives carried out their engagements without defeat, except by • a New Zealand representative team. U'he "B" representatives, however, were beaten by Marlborongh, as was tho ease in the season jnst concluded. The programme in 1910 was a varied one, including matches with the New Zealand, American University, and JMaori teams. Two or three losses were the rule in jeaeb season nntil 1915, when only four matches wer& played and one of these •was lost. It was Wairarapa's turn in 1918 to stop Wellington's, run of successes in interprovineial matches, but an 1919 five challenges for the Ean-•Eni-ly ShieH -were defended successfully, ■while 5n other matches there were only two losses. Big Progranane. An exceptionaUy heavy.-programme at representative matches was carried out in 1920. Eleven Ranfurly Shie-ld matches were played and won before Southland beat Wellington at Invercaiv gill. In the same season there were ■ thirteen other representative games, making a total of twenty-five, of which seventeen were won. The playing record in 1921 was good, the "A" representatives being beaten only by South. Africa and Auckland and the •'B" representatives winning four of five games. Defeats were a little more numerous in euoßequent seasons, and there was n *ad run of losses in 1526, although, enrionsly enongk, the only two wins by Wellington in the principal matches ■wers over tho Nc-w Zealand and the Maori representative teams. ZiastXcur Years. In 1927 Wellington started to come Into its own again. !All representative toaines wcro won with tho exception of those with Auckland and Wairarapa, {Sere were again only two defeats an Taranaki and Wairarapa, Of fSSfertcsa seatclm! jdayetL lasfc yeax ten

Summary.

for the four years, 1927 to 1930 inclusive, Wellington's'record, therefore, is its follows: — Played. Won. Drawn. Lost. "A" team 38 30 1 V ' "S" team *9 8 ' 0 1 Totals 47 1 S Mr. J. -N. Millard became Wellington's sole selector in 1927, and he, lias every reason to be proud of the record which his teams have put up. during the past four years. H6 has taken a very keen interest in his work, and is to bo congratulated upon a very fine achievement. The players -themselves are also deserving of great praise, as also aro those keen enthusiasts, notably Messrs. "Billy" Wallace, "Sid" Murray, and "Jim" Taylor, who have done so much in fitting the players for their games. Players' Appearances. All told, thirty-one players took part in Wellington's A class representative games this season, but four of tho players—S. H. Cave, L. M. Johnson, W. Peck, and 3?. S. Bamson—appeared only in the match with the British team, ana four others —B. Broderiek, J. E. Coman, C. A. Eushbrook, and E. G. Emerson—played for the A team only in. tho match.against Taranaki at Hawera. H. E. Pollock also had only one game (against Otago), although he filled a vacancy during the second spell of tho match with Taranaki last Saturday. In tho main, therefore, Wellington's nino principal games were fulfilled by twenty-two players, but others also did good work towards the team-building which has had such excellent results. Early in the season the training in view of the match with the British team was taken very keenly by far more than the number required for the team, and that had a lot to do with Wellington's success, not only against tho British side but against provincial teams. Credit is due to those players who helped the A grade representatives in training operations during the season. Quite a number of them were placed in the B team, but there were some who did not gain tho honour of representing Wellington in inter-pro-vincial games. • . Four players took part in all nine games—Coulstoii, Jossup, M'Lean, and M'Pherson. Two, Ball and Barry, played in eight, Ball missing the game against Britain, nn^r Barry the Taranaki match played at Hawera. . Three, Mackay, Oliver, and Diedrich, played in seven. Mackay missed the matches against Taranaki (at Hawera) and Otago; Oliver Taranaki (at Hawcra) and Auckland; and Diedrich Britain and Taranaki (Hawera). Two, Heazlewood and Page, played in six, Heazlewood playing in all games except the last three, and Page missing tho games against Britain, Southland, and Canterbury. ' Cooke, Foley, Kilby, Price, and Keid played in five games. Cooke missed the games against Britain (when he was not eligible to represent Wellington), Taranaki (at Hawcra), Canterbury, and Hawkes Bay;. Foley missed those against Britain, Auckland, Southland, ;md Wairarapa; Kilby missed the match at'-Hawera and tho last three games; Price missed, the games against Britain, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, and Taranaki (at Wellington); and Reid missed the games against Britain, Otago, Wairarapa, and Taranaki (at Wellington). .Mcbolls and Porter played in four games. Barrett, Berry, Fell, and Julian played in three games. Pollock played in two, and Broderick, Cave, Coman, Emerson, Johnson, Peek, Ramson, and Eushbrook played in one game only. Eight players receive representative caps—Barrett, Ball, Berry, Cooke, Fell, Oliver, Page, and Price. Pollock has not yet played sufficient A games to be awarded his cap. The remaining twentytwo players are entitled to have their caps dated for 1930. In the B representative games eleven players took part in all games—Clarke, Coinan, Hill, Killeen,'- Mollier, JSTeal, Ottawav. .Robins, ftkilton, Ward, and Wood. Blacker, Ohestcrman, and Roberts played in three games. Broderick, M'Donald, and Wylie played in, two, and. Bntler, Kenny, and Spence played in one game. Honours Board. In the list; of senior players who represented Wellington this season, the teams which they played against are indicated in the following manner:— Br., Britain; Tk. (H-), Taranaki, at Hawera; A., Auckland; 0., Otago; S., Southland; C, Canterbury; H. 8., Hawkes Bay; W., Wairarapa; Tk. (Wn.), Taranaki at Wellington; Mbh., Marlborough;' Gr.-M., Golden BayMotueka; N., Nelson; M.-H., Mana-watu-Horowhenna. The following is the list:—• A Representatives. X Ball (Hutt)—Tk. (H.), A., 0., 8.; 0., H. 8., W., Tk. (Wn.). ■E. Barry (Marist)—*Br., A., 0., S.,C, H. 8., W., Tk. (Wri.). W. J. Barrett (Poueke—H.B., W., Tk. (Wn.). K. Berry (Athletic)—Tk. (H.), 0., Tk.(Wn.). ■»'■■..-■> E. Broderiek (Marist—Tk. (H.). S. H. Cave (Oriental)—Br. J. E.-Coman (Petone)—Tk.(H.). A. E. Cooke (Hutt)—A., -0., S., W., Tk^Wn.)1. :'■•.; E. Coulston (Petone)—Br., Tk.(IL), A., 0.,.5., C, H. 8., W. Tk.(Wn.).

E. E. Diederich (University)—A., 0., S., C, H. 8., W., Tk.(Wn.). E. G. Emerson (Old Boys)—Tk.(H.) E. Foley (Eastbourne)—Tk.(H.), 0., C, H. 8., Tk.(Wn.). W. E. Tell (Pctone)—O, W., Tk. (Wa.)L. K. •' Heazlewood (Athletic) —Br., Tk.(H.), A., 0., S., C. E. Jessup (Poneke)—Br., Tk.(H.), A., 0., 8., C, H. 8., W., Tk.(Wn.). Ij. M. Johnson (Wellington)—Br. H. J. Julian , (Poneke)—H.B., \V. Tk.(Wn.). ■■:■.■•• j OP. D. Kilby (Wellington)—Br., A., 0., S., G. ' H. F. M'Lean (Wellington)—Br., j Tk.(H.), A., 0.,-S., 0., H. 8., W., Tic. (Wn.). A. C. M'Phovson (Old Boys)—Br., Tk.(H.), A., 0., S v C, H. 8., V/., Tk. I (Wn.). I J. D. Maekay (University)—Br., A., S., C, H. 8., W., Tk.(Wn.). M. P. Nicliolls (Petone)—Br., A., S., 0. D. J. Oliver (Wellington)—Br., 0., S., C, H.B.J W., Tk.(Wn.). J. B. Page (Wellington)—Tk.(H.), A., 0., H. 8., W., Tk.(Wn.). W. Peck (Hutt)—Br. 0. G-. Porter (Athletic) —Br., A., H. 8., Tk. (Wn.). O. Price (Eastbourne)—Tk. (H.), 0., s., c, w. ■.'•"■ .TJ1. S. Bamso'n (University)—Br. E. Eeid. (Petone)—Tk. (H.), A., S., C, H.B. C. A. Eushbrook (OUI Boys)—Tk. (H.). 11. E. Pollock (Petone)— O. ; Tk. (Wn.). 23 Eepreeentatives. IS. Blae&ej (University)—Mbh., X.,.

P. Brodcrick (Marist) —Mbh., N. J. Butler (Marist)—M.-H. G. Chestorman (Eastbourne) —Mbh., N., G.-M. L. G. Clarke (Eastbourne) —Mbh., g.-m., n., m.-h. J. E. Coman (Pctone)—Mbh., G.-M., n., M.-ir. j. Hill. (Oriental)—Mbh., G.-M., 2\ T., M.-H. A. -Kenny (Jolmsonville) —G.-M. B. A. Killeen (Hutt)—Mbh., G.-M., N., M.-H. A. M'Donald (Marist)—ls., M.-Jl". F. Mollier (Bcrhampore)—Mbh., G.-M., 25V, M.-H. ■•-..■ E. Neal (Poneke)—Mbh., G.-M., X., M.-H. . ■ J. 11. Ottaway (Marist)—Mbh., G.-M., JST., M.-H. G. P. Boberts (Hutt)—Mbh., G.-M.; N., M.-H. C. E. Kobius (Marist)—Mbh., G.-M., N., M.-H. B. Skilton (Hutt)—Mbh., G.-M., N., M.-H. • G. Spence (Petono) —Mbh. P. Ward (Athletic)—Mbh., G.-M., JN T., M.-H. E. Wood (Hutt)—Mbh., G.-M., N., M.-H. I. Wylie (Old Boys)—G.-M., M.-H. Scorer.s of Points. . The scoring register of the "A" representative team reveals an interesting point in that the three-quarter line did # most of the scoring. Thirty-two tries were scored by Wellington ■in the nine representative games, and of these twenty-four were registered by the three-quarters. A further point of interest is that the two principal wingthreequarters, Mackay and Oliver, each scored eight tries. Four "potted" goals were included in Wellington's account, and there were also four penalty goals, while eleven tries were converted. The record of scorers is of interest, but in studying it sight-must not be lost of the fact that tho actual scorer was generally assisted by other membera of the team ia reaching the objective. The list is as follows:— Maokay, 8 tries, 1 conversion, 26 points; Oliver, 8 tries, 24; Heazelwooct, 2 2)on alties, 1 potted goal, 7 conversions, 24; Cooke, 2 tries, 2 penalties, 3 conversions, 18; Ball, 5 tries, 15; Meholls/ 2 potted goals, 8; M'Pherson, 2 tries, 6; Broderiek, 2 tries, 6; Porter, 1 potted goal, 4; Kushbrook, 1 try, 3; M'Lean, 1 try, 3; Julian, 1 try, 3; Price, X try, 3; Barry, 1 try, 3. The following were the. scorers for the B team: — Coman, 3 tries, 4 conversions, 17 points; Neal, 3 tries, 4 conversions, 17; Robins, .5 tries, 15; Ward, 3 tries, .0; Killeen, 2 tries, 6; Ottaway, 2 tries, C; Hill, 1 try, 3; M'Donald, 1 try, 3; Broderiek, 1 try, 3; Wylie, 1 try, 3. Stick to N.Z. Formation! Some impressions of the British Rugby team, formed through seeing the team'in each of its games in Wellington, are given by E. T. Smith, an Otago representative in 189G, in a letter toil Dunedin Eugby football writer. "Bobby" Smith, who is in Levin, writes: '■ "They the British . team) played delightful football in the three matches I saw—against Wellington, the Maoris, and tho fourth Test. In the first place I think that we have the most scientific method of placing the field, both for defence-and attack. Our scrum, seven against eight, held the Englishmen with ease. The Wellington forwards getting all over the British at the finish, and so were . the Maoris, till the condition petered out. The greatest weakness I noticed with, the British team was the half-back. They gave him too much to do. They had him on the run all the time, putting tho ball in the serum, and having to run back when his side hooked it, to give it to his backs. This told the other side who had hooked the ball. If Wellington got the ball the half-back played wing-forward. On the other hand, as soon as he started to run behind his own pack the Wellington backs moved right on to ■ the British backs, and as soon as they got the ball from their half they were downed. Had he been standing behind tho pack andwhipped the ball out from a clean hook, ! the British backs would, have been | moving before the othor backs know wlio had hooked the ball. Sometimes {the British back row men had to hold the, ball till the half-back got there. Thus valuable time was lost. Till the British alter their formation, I cannot see how they are ever going "to boat 'i?err Zealand. The greatest lesson I which the British have taught us is to stick to our present formation." Big Broflts. The balance-sheet of the Bugby Football Union( England) showed an accumulated surplus of £139,261 11s 6d, the revenue account showing a balance of £7689. On the assets side the value of the Twickenham property, less depreciation, was given' as £93,683, while loans ton mortgages to clubs • amount to £44,607. The net profit from the chief matches last season was as follows: Trial match at Northampton, £92 11s 4d; Probables v. Possibles (Gloucester), £284 18s 2d;. England v. The Best (Twickenham), £1384 14s 4d; England v. France (Twickenham), £12,424 16a 9d; England v. Scotland (Twickenham), £12,484 '3s 6d. The cost of the Sir Eowland Hill memorial was £6486. ! A Comparison. I Since Wellington and Canterbury inflicted the first two defeats on the tourling British team, the question has been debated, without a satisfactory answer being reached, as to which is the stronger of the two provinces. Many [factors which had to be taken into consideration made a comparison on the [ two results far from reliable. For instance, the fact that the British teani which met Wellington was admittedly stronger tffan that which opposed Canterbury was set against the more de- | cisivo win. scored by the Southern team. i Eecently Wellington met Canterbury at Christchurch. and, on the day, was indubitably the better side. Further, if the extent to which the ieatris engaged fell below tho full strength of their respective provinces be taken into account more credit, if anything, must be given to Wellington. Wellington was minus the sorvices- of Porter, the side's usual leader, Cooke, and Page, all players, in key positions, while i Canterbury lacked Burrows (hooker) and Hart (wing three-quar-ter). The former had stated that he preferred not to play, as he was not available- for Canterbury's southern tour, and the latter was indisposed on the day of the match. It is interesting to compare the sides which played in the recent game with those which faced the British team. Wellington's team differed in that Bamson, Johnson, Porter, Peck, and Cave were not playing, and on the Canterbury side Carleton, Hart, Dalley, Scrimshaw, Burrows, Alley, and Sorra were replaced by other players. Tho following note is from comment on the Wellington-Otago match: —"Another point to which the union might give attention is to see that fires on the dust heap on the city side of Cnrisiyrook are extinguished on Saturday afternoons. A fire was burning on the heap on Saturday, and the smoke which was blown across the ground ■was moat objectionable*"

were won. This season's results (eleven wins, ono draw, and ono loss) completes a fine- record by Wellington's representatives in all senior matches during the past four years. Tlio record is as follows: —' 1027. Played. Won. Drawn. Lost. "A" learn .... S fi 0 a "B" team ...." 2 0 0 192S. "A" team .... 30 S 0 2 "B" team .... 1 1 0 0 " , . 1323. "A"-, team 11 S 0 3 "B" team 2 2 0 0 1930. "A" team U S 1 (I . "I!" team" .... -1 3 0 ■ 1