HAMILTON GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1926, Page 12

HAMILTON GAMES.

THE NEW CLUBS. Tbe 1926 season was opened on the Hamilton Rugby Park last Saturday. There was a great crowd present, and spectators were rewarded by witnessing some fine games. Prior to kicking off, Mr. Fred Hawke. the president, welcomed the new clubs which had been formed since last season, especially Huntly, Horotiu and Whitiora, calling attention to the fact that it was the tirst time for some years that a Huntly Hugby team had played in Hamilton.

The senior games were City v. Frankton, and Huntly v. Whitiora. The first match was won by City with a score of 19 to nil. In the first half the play was very even, but towards the end Frankton seemed to tire. The Frnnkton forwards were better than the City pack, both in the open and scrum work, but the latter's back division outclassed their lighter opponents, and this was the deciding factor. For. the winners, Mac Johnston, CSemmett and Schultz, especially the latter (playing half back), and for Frankton, Bayly, Snodgrass and Hooper stood out most prominent. Mr. W. Bryden refereed. Great interest was shown in the meeting of the two new ciubs, Huntly and Whitiora. The play at times was fast and bright, aud once these two teams get into their paces, both will have to be reckoned with. Huntly won by 14 to 6. Pnki was not fed as well as he might have been, but what he got to do he did well and cleanly. Timing, in the front Hue., was a tower of strength, while Mitchell, Robinson and Smith were prominent of the Whitioras. Mr. J. Uerrick was referee.

The best game of the afternoon was in the junior grade between Old Boys and Marist Old Boys, both sides throwing the ball about in good style. Tackling was keen and clean, also there was an absence of unnecessary kicking. The former won on the call of time by 11 to 8. Results were :—

Seniors.—City 19, beat Fr. nkton 0; Huntly 14, beat Whitiora 6; Old Boys 27, beat United 8 (at Whatawhata.) Juniors, etc. —Horotiu 6, drew with Gordontou C ; City 8. beat Huntly 6; Old Boys 11, beat Marist Old Boys 8; High School 38, beat Te Kowhai 0; Old Boys 52, beat High School 3 ; Technical Old Boys 8, beat Frankton 0. THE ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT. STOITAGES IN RUGBY. A correspondent signing himself "A Devoted Follower .of • Eugby," writes : — "While sympathising with lour fine players who were rendered hors-de-combat in the Grammar-Ponsonby match last Saturday at Eden Park, the writer and many others deplored the loss of time Involved, particularly ln the falling light. The match was concluded in semi-darkness. An old international renowned player sitting beside mc said, 'In my time, when a player was injured he was borne by his mates outside the touchline and cared for by those whose duty it was to extend such care, snd we resumed the game.' There is much to commend this suggestion. Fully twenty minutes were spent in tending the disabled players, during which time the game was suspended last Saturday. Surely the injured jmay be cared for outside the boundary hne. The idle players and the referee and linesmen could in no way assist, other than bearing the injured out of bounds. Why not, therefore, go on with the game? The management committee would be well advised to remedy this matter. Laudable efforts were successfully made to open up and brighten the game, but such unnecessary delays as those of last Saturday tend to nullify every such effort."