SATURDAY’S RUGBY GAMES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 194, 12 May 1924, Page 8

SATURDAY’S RUGBY GAMES

« -— PETONE HARD PRESSED BY SELWYN BERHAMPORE OUTPLAY MARIST EASY WINS FOR ATHLETIC, ORIENTAL, AND PONEKE Variable weather prevailed for the continuation of club matches on Saturday afternoon. Play commenced at 3 o’clock in brilliant sunshine, but shortly before the first spell ended a southerly storm came up. The feature of the play in the senior competition was the spirited fight put up by Selwyn against Petone, in which last year’s champions had to play all they knew to ultimately win by the narrow margin of 4 points. Berhampore scored a meritorious win over Marist at Athletic Park. Athletic, Oriental, and Poneke had runaway victories over Wellington, Old Boys, and 'Varsity respectively. Play was fast until the sudden change in the weather prevented accurate handling of the ball. RESULTS AT A GLANCE Berhampore 9, Marist 3. Oriental 18, Old Boys 0. Poneke 18, ’Varsity 0. Athletic 20, Wellington 0. Petone 9, Selwyn 5,

BERHAMPORE DEFEAT MARIST Brilliant sunshine from a cloudless sky streamed down upon Athletic Park when Berhampore and Marist filed on to the field at 3 o’clock. The 3500 spectators settled down to see some fast and open play, and they were by no means disappointed for the greater part of the first spell. The first incident of note was an attacking movement by the Marist rearguard. McCleary shot the ball out to Murphy, who travelled straight and handed on to Mahoney. A promising movement was spoilt through Dorset -failing to take tlie pass. Murphy had a scoring chance from a penalty, but he unwisely made the attempt too close io the enemy, and the kick was charged down. Berhampore, with Duncan, Pope and Hume prominent, came at the line with a determined rush, but Sidet cleared to midfield with a powerful kick. A pass from McCleary to Murphy was smartly intercepted by Howard, and Berhampore again bore down on the lino, the defenders being lucky to save by forcing. Play continued fast, and the Berhampore backs got going with some bright passing, Charles, Lang, Howard, Humbley and Matheson all handled the leather, but selfishness robbed the effort of success. Lang and Murphy in turn had shots at goal, but they wore pointless. Humbley, who was playing a good game at centre threequarter for Berhampore, stopped a rush with a clean pick-up and kick. Berhampore maintained the pressure, and nt last were rewarded. A fast rush saw Charles score by a brilliant dash, and Lang kicked a good goal. Here a dramatic change in the weather set in. Heavily-charged clouds came up from the south, and hundreds of the spectators on the western bank sought shelter from a blinding downpour, which almost hid the contending forces in the arena from view. A high wind was now helping Marist. They worked up within striking distance, and from a. scrum Ills Green vanguard gave McCleary the ball. He shot it out to Murphy, who made a good opening, and passed back to McCleary, who dashed over close to the posts. Murphy failed with an easy kick. The teams crossed over with the board showing: Berhampore, 5; Marist, 3. With a strong wind behind them, Berhampore forced the pace in the second spell, but the passing of the backs was wild, and they could, not round off any of their open movements. Marist were defending stubbornly, and soon took a hand at attacking. Lang, who was playing well at inside five-eighths for Berhampore, stopped two hot rushes in rapid succession. Walters was also conspicuous for sound defensive work. Berhampore worked into an attacking position, and Humbley had a fruitless pot at goal. With . McArtney, L. Brown, and Gnnnion in the van, Berhampore bore down on the Green line, where some hot work was seen. In attempting to clear, a Marist back kicked out to Walters, and the Berhampore full-back coolly potted a good goal, the wind deflecting the leather fairly between the centre of the uprights. On resuming, a stirring Marist rush took play three-quarters of the length of the ground, and Berhampore were lucky to save by forcing. The ball was now very slippery, and the battle went on in heavy rain and a high wind. Though there were many charges and counter-charges, neither side could add to their points, and a hard and willing match ended with the scores reading: Berhampore 9 Marist 3 Mr. T. A. Fletcher controlled the game, but was a trifle slow in interpreting the advantage rule. ORIENTAL EASILY DEFEAT OLD BOYS Oriental met Old Boys on Wakefield Park. While the ball was dry Old Boys gave their opponents a very even go, but in the second spell superior weight forward told its tala, and Oriental won comfortably in the finish by six tries to nil. No goals were kicked. Oriental lost the tees, and played against a bright sun. Malcolm was early responsible for placing them on the defensive, and' then Moffitt started a forward passing rush which was pulled up bv a penalty rigid on the Old Boys’ line. Very even exchanges followed for some time, both sets of forwards playing good footbaiF, but th backs (jfj each team were lacking in cohesion and finish. Underhill made a good run up the field, and' his tackler, playing the ball on the ground, Malcolm made n great shot which was not far out. Oriental returned with forward work, and near the line Pringle picked up and although wef.'l collared, used his might and height to ground the ball over the line for a fine try. King failed to convert. Just before half-time the change in the weather made the ground and ball very greasy. Under these conditions the superior weight of rhe Oriental pack gradually wore down Old Boys, and throughout the sec-raid spell the winneat? forwards, splendidly led by Moffitt and ubminated play. Pringle secured another try, and tries were also scored by Juno. Park, Watts, and Barr. At least two of these tries should liir.ve been ■prorenteH by Old Bovs Tn ora case speculating for the dead ball instead of forcing down presented a. 'rv to Oriental, and in a second case Old Boys were rather unfortunate.

Play on the adjoining ground came in close proximity to the Liugby ground s touch in goal line, ami the referee there blew his whistle, which Old Boys mistook for their own. They stopped playing, and an Oriental forward ran over unopposed. Only once did Old boys look like scoring, Malcolm making a fair kick from a penalty. Mr. D. J. Guiney was referee. 'VARSITY SOUNDLY DEFEATED A greatly,-improved . Poneke fifteen soundly defeated ’Varsity by 18 points to nil. at Kelbum Park. The bright play of the opening stages provided excitement and, incident in plenty for) the thousand odd spectators, but spectators ami good play melted away with the advent of the rain soon before halftime, The game, continued on a slippery ground, with a greasy ball, in the second half, seemed to accentuate Ponoke’s chances of winning, and almost throughout the' spell the ciallegians were cornered in their own twenty" five. It might be said that they defended reasonably well. The personnel of the Poneke fifteen included some new players of outstanding merit. Of these Bennett who played centrothree-quar-ter. and who last season played for the Palmerston High School and the Manawatu representatives, is a back full of promise. His sound tackling and strong running were excellent. Hickey, who went to Australia with the New Zealand team in 1922, and. who played for Zingari in Dunedin last season, found a place on the wing. He, too, was sound, but has not struck true form. 'Che Shearer brothers in the forwards seem to have lost none of their dash of old. The play of ’Varsity lacked cohesion all through the game. Poneke, who were playing against the sun, onened a scoring account early iu the battle. F. Ti'.yard broke through the opposing defence, only to lose the ball. The forwards were quick not to miss the opportunity, and in the ensuing melee Smith, the lock, dived over. B. Gibson missed the kick. ’Varsity then momentarily turned the tables in the most spectacular rush of the game. Riggs, the winger, broke clean away in his own twenty-five, and ran to past half-way before ho was pulled up by Wright. Adams and O’Regan carried on the attack, but Poneke managed. to rally just in time. After this, Poneke continued to press, and a passing bout saw Bennett cut in cleverly, and touch down. Gibson failed to convert. Again Riggs proved that he is a dangerous man, and broke right away, but again Wright was equal to the occasion. The concerted forward attacks, and cro-y, kicking tactics,. of . Poneke, were proving most effective in tiring ’Varsity. Soon before half-time S. Shearer landed a free-kick, thus bringing the score up to 9—o. In the second spell Poneke continued to have the upper band. The combined forward attacks again and again took play right to the door of the ’Varsity stronghold, and it is to the credit of the collegians khat the total wr/> only doubled before time came. S. Shearer took a penalty-kick in a fairly handy position, end put the leather between the posts. Later a forward scramble near the line saw Jessep get across. Shearer missed this kick, for a time the hopes of ’Varsity supporters wore raised, when t>he team changed, defence into attack, but these attempts were never really dangerous. Soon before time Bennett made a dash tor the line, and scored a fine try. S. Shearer missed the kick. The game closed with the score: Poneke 18, ’Varsity 0 Mr. J. Moffitt, who rate-reed, had on occasion to warn players for hanging on to the ball.

ATHLETIC DEFEAT WELLINGTON

Slippery and heavy as both ground and ball became towards tho end ot too first spell nt Kilbirnie Park, the sfaml ard of football iu the Athletic-AVelbng. ton game was a high one. Equally with last Saturday, Wellingtons chief defects were inferior passing as com pared with their opponents, and an in ability to finish of! a movement. game, however, was fust and interesting, and by no means one-sided. _ Loth sides had their turn in attack, with Wellirm, ton always unlucky. Soon after the kick-off a brilliant rxissing 0 which B. Gibson. G. Gibson and '-yenson engaged, enabled the last-namwl o open Athletic’s scoring account. Cookson failed with the kick. A long sweiwing run bv L. Al. Johnson placed Vrtlington on the attack, and they missed two penalty kicks in quick succession A free-kick relieved the pressure come what, but a run down *he ««I'‘- toe by Morgan, AVellington’s right winger, put Athletic again on the defensive. An Athletic passing rush carried the war into Wellington’s twentr-fiv*. ’ v Lero Cookson had an unsuccessful pot at coal. From a line-out ten yards from Ivollington’a goal, Svonson mode an opening, and passed to Cookson, to >-i'rion, who scored and Cookson go'iled. iho siiell ended: Athletic. 8; AVellington, 0. On resumption, Svenson opened the attack for Athletic by initiating a passing rush, Welmgton just saving by n f 'rcedown. Cookson tailed with a penalty shortly after, but Hie hall '■oming out to Warwick, Athletic’s diminutive halfback, was just able to got over. Frr*

ten’s kick failed- G. Gibson raised Athletic's total to 14 by a good kick a penalty. Fast up and down play followed with the odds always in fa’our of Athletic .until Cookson and Swam scored in quick succession. Neither try was converted, and the game eiceu shortly after with the score: Athletic, 20; Wellington, 0. Mr. It. Mitainson was referee.

NARROW WIN FOR PETONE

Petone and Selwyn were associated in a fast, but uninspiring, display at Petone. The first spell saw Petone in the ascendancy, with their opponents maintaining a spirited cha.lenge, but heavy rain fell in the second half, and the game became anybody’s. From the commencement the home team assumed the offensive, and for the, first twenty minutes Selwyn had a difficult time of it. Frequent passing bouts were engaged in by the Petone rearguard, but their efforts lacked finish, and it fell to Selwyn’s lot to draw first blood. They had been defending well, but their back combination wag poor, and it was through a good ground kick ,by Eastgate that Wogan put hie team in scoring position. Snapping up the .cather, the Selwyn five-eighth cut through the opening the Blue backs neglected to cover, and dashed down the field. With only the fullback to pass, and supported by Jackson on one side and Rose on the other, he transferred to the fast wing-forward, who was over the line in a twinkling. The kick was a gift to Wogan. The reverse had a stimulating effect on Petone, and from the kick-out they opened their scoring account. Graham started a dribbling rush and King, who was following up well, recovered the bull and galloped for the line; he evaded several tacklers and ho dropped over with Eastgate hanging on to his waist. A difficult kicked proved too much for Mark Nicholls. Petone continued an aggressive policy, and shortly before the c-osc of the spell the second score was hoisted. Working the blind side near the line, H. E. Nicholls sent the ball on to his brother Mark, whose risky solo effort was followed by unexpected success. His kick at goal did not increase the score. - A heavy downpour of rain spoiled play in the second spell. The ground became heavy and the ball greasy, a condition which soon had the backs in difficulties. -Selwyn made a spirited fight to equalise matters, and were unlucky on several occasions. For the better part of tlie half they had Petone thinking, but in the dying stages the B-ues asserted their superiority. They hammered away at the Selwyn goal, and a minute before time their efforts were rewarded with another try. Dickens started the movement and passed to “Doc” Nicholls, who transferred to Cox. The winger made for the line and dropped across just before Harrington ranched him. Mark Nicholls had no luck with the kick, and the game ended: Petone. 9; Selwyn, 5. Mr. J. S. King was the referee. PRIMARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION The following further matches have been decided; in .the Wellington primary schools’ competition: — In the Senior A Grade Berhampore (o) beat Lyall Bay (3). Avery scored for ,tlie winners, a-ri’.l converted the try, wlfle Kirk crossed the line for the losers. Berhampore (18) beat Newtown (0). In the Junior A Grade Berhampore (6) beat South Wellington 10).. Renuison and Williams scored the tries. FIRST ALL-BLACK TRIAL MATCH AUCKLAND DEFEAT HAWKE’S BAY SUPERIOR BACKS DEFEAT HEAVY FORWARDS By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, May 10. The first All Black trial match between an Auckland combined team and a Hawke’s Bay combined team was played to-day in fine weather, save for a shower or two. The ground wns a little heavy as the result of rain overnight. A few minutes after the start Nepia kicked a penalty from well over the twenty-five. Then Cooke (Auckland) broke away, but the chance of a try was mulled by a forward. The visitors attacked. but a free kick enabled Auckland to retaliate. Cooke and C. Bai’eley led a rush to the line, but by a series of rushes the attackers were gradually worked back until Barclay (Hawke’s Bay) made a good run, but was pushed out of , bounds. A keen struggle took place in the corner until Cooke (Auckland) relieved with a useful line kick. Cuppies, however, led a rush, Mac Lean breaking away .and transferring play to half-way. At this stage V. Badeley received a bad knock nnd retired. Play was transferred to the visitors’ twenty-five when Cupplcs and Al. Brownlie, by good play, carried the ball to their opponents’ twenty-five. Ifwerson went on in place of Badeley amid cheers. Play continued in the Auckland half, Hawke’s Bay gradually gaining ground until, from a ruck on the line, Cupp-es touched down. Nepia failed with the kick. McLean, who received a knock earlier in the game, now retired. Kearey replacing him Auckland started a promising movement, Wright breaking from the scrum and passng to Ifwerson who passed to Kirwan, the last-named being forced out at the twenty, five flag. Another promising Auckland run was stopped by Grenside intercepting a pass. Strenuous play followed, Hawke’s Bay attacked strenuously, but the defence held until the spell ended. On resuming Auckland attacked, Cooke, C. Badeley, and Ifwerson being prominent. Paewai was active in transferring play by a run and intercepting a pass, the Auckland forwards relieving the danger. After a period of neutral play. Mill secured from a scrum and the visitors attacked until Ifwerson and Emmerson got away. Langlands saving by an emergency kick to the line near the corner. Ifwerson failed with a penalty. The visitors looked dangerous for a while, but the best play of the day followed. Ifwerson obtained well in the Hawke’s Bay half, and transferred to Cooke, who sent to Kirwan, who passed to Cooke, the latter scoring under the posts. Ifwerson converted. Auckland continued to attack, with occasional rushes by their opponents. Play was now very strenuous, the ball being carried to and fro. From an Auckland rush that was strenuously opposed, Ifwerson potted a goal. The visitors’ forwards carried play downfield, Cuppies making a run, only to be stopped by Molloy. By line play the ball was transferred to the visitors’ half, where Wright secured, passing to Lucas, who reached the visitors’ full-back and passed to Knight, who scored. Ifwerson failed with the kick. The Auckland backs were now playing well, and shortly after Wright worked the blind side and passed to Kirwan, who repassed to Wright, the latter scoring. Ifwerson’s kick failed. Hawke’s Bay then attacked, Nepia having a fruitless shot from a penalty, but Cooke, by a good line kick, relieved the pressure. M. Brownlie secured, passing to Cuppies, who transferred to Grenside, who scored. Nepia failed to convert. Auckland then made the pace hot, and after Langlands had forced, C. Badeley, Keary.-Ifwerson and Cooke started a movement, the latter scoring an unconverted try. Timo was called with the score 18 points to 9 in Auckland’s favour.

The game for thtf- greater part was a forward, bullocking one, in which the weight of the visiting forwards told, but in the second half of the second spell Auckland more than held their own, with the result that the backs had greater opportunities, of which they took full advantage. The first spell especially was a forward one, not enlivened by any flashes of concerted back movement. The second half was a great improvement on tho first, and when the local forwards held their own the back*? worn enabled to show their superiority. Conspicuous players wore: —Hawke’s Bay: Nepia, Grensiile, Gemmell. Irvine. Cuppies, Brownlie (2). Auckland: Cooke, Kirwan, AVright, C. Badeley, Lucas, Peters, end Wrighton.

UNINSPIRING RUGBY “AN INDIVIDUALIST'S MEDLEY (BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, May 11. For all the inspiration the All Black selectors got from a review of likely personnel for the coming tour of Great Britain and France, the quintet might have followed the example of their two absent colleagues of Southland and Canterbury and stayed away from Auckland on Saturday in their respective homes in Wellington, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, and the West Coast, for not ono player, with the exception of Ifwerson (who is ineligible) reached a standard that would warrant selection. Half a dozen or so may get another chance in the multicplicity of representative trial matches yet to come. This judgment may sound sweeping, but it is considered one. After “sleeping” on the match, and its medley of impression New Zealand is "down to brass tacks” in> regard to the selection of All Blacks. In that sense ono feels that it is a matter far Hqgixtt that the selector nominated bv the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr. E. McKenzie) did net accede to a request for a plain-spoken expression of opinion on the quality of the play ho witnessed in the first trial match. , L . . , There can be only ono motive assigned to the imUusion of Ifwerson in the team to replace an injured player—that is so that Auckland might be avenged on Hawke’s Bay for previous defeats. It was not sporting tactics; wo will dismiss it at that, and wait and see what the New Zealand Rugby Union say about it. ... .. The only thrills one got fuom the game—with an eye ou international stan' dard—were thrills of regret that Rugby—especially in its weakest link, the play of inside backs—was still in the backwash. ' England having lost the greatest inside back combination of all time in the retirement of Davies and Kershaw has persevered throughout the present season with the same two players in the fir-half and stand-off positions, and they are building them up to a standawl of efficiency that presages a warning ot which New Zealand should take heed. Looking at yestordaj s match from two necessary angles, the batt.e between two provinces and the play of the individvual. critics agree that there was more ot the ono than, of the other. Applying the brass-tack test, which is practical it severe the teams as such had no system to exercise their play, although individualism enlightened and' guided it on occasion. Cohesion, the parent of results was not their primary vocation, and what they knew didi not find expression in what they did. There was, especially with Hawke’s Bay, more Drawn and' muscf.o that talent and strategy in the closing half of the second spell In the only part of the game worth looking at tho Auckland backs ,trt slated thought and theory, crystallised with decisive action, into a definite purpose.. Advere sitv was the trial of their principles, and their path to success. For wiping out their first final deficit of six points they piled on twelve more, iMllowing their opponents but ono more try. Combination was an unknown quantity to either team and confidence was a plant of slow growth. Chance camo to many as individuals, but few turned it to account as Ifwerson did. Mo haven t liullfl much of them yet but wo mav hear more of the Brownlies, Cunpies. Irvine nnd Lomas among the forwards, and ot Mill, Paowai, and Lucas in the backs but their qualities are ai-1 of. the past and tho future-nof of the immediate present. BADELEY RECOVERING. By Telegraph—Press association. Auckland, May 11. V. Badeley, who was injured in the R.u"'by match, and was admitted to hospital suffering from concussion, is now recovering. SECONDARY SCHOOLS V. FLEET TEAM. As a curtain raiser, the game Secondary Schools v. the Fleet wns won bv the former by 14 points to nil. TRIAL MATCH AT WANGANUI WELLINGTON’S NOMINATIONS The following players have been nominated bv the Wellington selectors for the trial match at Wanganui on Friday next between teams representing Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Bush Districts on the ono hand, and Taranaki, 'Wanganui. Manawatu, and King Country on the other: — IT. E. Nicholls (Petone). half-back. M. Nicholls (Petone), five-eighth. N. Svenson (Athletic;, three-quarter. C. Porter (Athletic), wing-forward. E. Pringle (Oriental), forward. A. Thomas (Petone), forward. C. Osborne (Athletic), hooker. C Swain (Athletic), hooker. J,’ Moffitt (Oriental), lock. X?. Walters (Berhampore). full-back. GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES MANAWATU (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Palmerston North, May 11. Old Boys beat Western United by 15 points to'11: Feilding beat Woodville by 23 to 11. In the latter game, Bailey (Feilding), wing three-quarter in next Friday’s trial game at Wanganui, played brilliantly and scored three tries. Following his exhibition for Manawatu against Horowhenua the previous week, ho has improved his chances of getting a further try-out at 'Wellington on May 21. Be was a Manawatu nominee in 1923 for the North Island team. WAIRARAPA By telegraph— Special correspondent. Carterton, May 10. Senior.—Greytown 5, Carterton 3; Gladstone 15. Red Stars 5; Featherston 11, Masterton 11. , r , Junior.—Carterton 15, Martinborough 6; Featherston 25, Tuhirangi 5; Dty River 14, Greytown 13; Opaki 11, Masterton 3. NELSON By telegraph—Special correspondent. Nelson, May 10. Rival 9, Nelson 8; Old Boys G, Waimea 3. CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch, May 10. 01(1 Boys 50, Sydenham 0; Merivale 30, ’Varsity 11; Albion 11. North Canterbury 0;’ Christchurch 10. Linwood G. DUNEDIN Dunedin, May 11. Kaikorai 9, Alhambra 0; University A 25, Taieri 3; Pirates 8, Southern 0: University B 47, Union 0; Dunedin 8, Zingari 3. New Zealand Snorts Service. —H. AL and L. AV. AlcGirr, 38 Willis Street, AVellington, supply everything for football, hockey, boxing, ping-pong, at competitive prices.—Advt.