THE RUGBY TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 212, 4 June 1929, Page 13

THE RUGBY TRIAL

BETTER MATERIAL THAN EXPECTED CLOSE AND EXCITING GAME AT ATHLETIC PARK SCRUMMAGING THE WEAKNESS f ' •' Some 15,000 spectators ringed Athletic Park yesterday afternoon to see the available Rugby strength of the Dominion contend for places-in the New i Zealand team which is to tour Australia during the next few weeks.

Though only ten members of the All Black combinations which toured Great Britain in 1924 and South Africa in 1928 were seen in action, much proxnising material was offering. Though anything like combination could not be looked for among players drawn from all parts of the Dominion, not a little Individual brilliance was in evidence, and material was on hand to shake down Into quite a respectable playing force after the team have had a few games together.;. A noticeable weakness was the scrummaging, which was the worst which has been seen in a New Zealand trial match. Many times the scrums, after going down, buckled like a concertina, and the players went sprawling on the turf. It was freely admitted yesterday that the South African who declared that the New Zealanders did not know how to form a scrummage was correct, and that radical steps will have to be taken to put things right In this department of New Zealand Rugby before the British team ■_ arrives next season. The teams took the field at 2.45 constituted as under: — " PROBABLES (BLACK). Full-back: G. Nepla (East Coast). Three-quarters: C, A, Rushbrook (Wellington), W. H. Carlson (Wanganui), J. H. Geddes (Southland). Five-eighths: R. Gundy (Wairarana), C. Oliver (Canterbury). - Half-b.ack: W. C. Dally (Canterbury). Wing forward: R. McEwan (South-* land). : v . Hookers: B. Palmer (Auckland), K. Reid (Walrarapa). Lock: 0. Sonntag (Otago). Side of scrum: A. Kivell (Taranaki), W. Reside (Walrarapa).

POSSIBLES (WHITE). Full-back: L. Heazelwood (Wellington). , Three-quarters: M. Anderson (Waikato), C. Stringfellow (Walrarapa), H. Waterman (North Auckland). Five-eighths: H. Lilburne (Canterbury), L. Hook (Auckland). Half-back: E. T. a Leys (Wellington). Wing-forward: a G- Porter (Wellington). Hookers: R. Soutar (Otago), A. Cottrell (Canterbury). Lock: E. R. Steere (Hawke’s Bay). Side of scrum: R. G. McWilliams (Auckland), W. Rika (North Auckland). ' Back row: F. Freitas (West Coast), A. Mahoney (Bush District). W. C. Dailey .led the Probables, while C. G. Porter-captained the Possibles. The Whites had the advantage of a light northerly breeze and the sun behind them in the first spell, and early assumed the advantage. The Blacks hooked smartly from the first set scrum, but Oliver' dropped Gundy’s pass. The Black forwards, with Kivell, McEwan, and Palmer prominent, got on a hammering footrush, but Heazelwood saved In resolute style. From play about the quarter mark, .indecision by the Probable backs as to who was to take a kick, allowed Steere to come up fast, and beat Nepla in a dive for the ball. Heazelwood goaled with a fine kick, and the Possibles were 5 points up. The Whites kept up the pressure, and it was dot long before passing between Waterman, Cottrell, and Porter enabled Porter to go over for a try in a handy position, which Heazelwood Just failed to Improve. The Probables then rallied, and swept play to the White line, where a fierce fight raged until the Possible forwards cleared In determined fashion. Nepla ran his backs Into position, and Geddes lost a chance when he did not reverse-pass to Nepla instead of running into touch. Porter made a strong thrust ’ which was held up by solid * defence by Dailey. McWilliams, Rika, and Souter were seen in some pretty footwork, which was well checked by Anderson. Heazelwood went close with a penalty shot, and then the White team came at the line with snappy passing, in which both forwards and backs joined. Dailey, who was playing a very heady game behind ■ the Probables’ pack, set his backs in motion, but Cundy hung on a trifle too long and was smothered in possession.

A Pretty Try. The Blacks then opened their scoring account. Passing between Waterman. Oliver and Dailey ended in the Probables’ skipper crossing the line to "Tun round right behind the posts. Nepia’s attempt at goal hit an upright and rebounded Into the field of play. The scrum work waa anything but good. Each time the packs went down the Black scrum would eollapse like a child’s house of cards, and the big fellows would go sprawling on the turf. A spell of hot play in midfield witnessed some very hard tackling, in which McWilliams was injured and had to retire, Snow (Nelson) taking his place. Nepia was applauded for a mighty punt which gained fully 40 yards of ground. Fast play followed, but faulty handling was apparent and lost chances to both sides. Nepia made a strong run and sent out a long pass to Rushorook, who dropped the leather with an" open field in front of him. Lilburne, who was playing a finished game at first five-eighths for the Possibles, broke away and made a strong run, which sent Hook over between the posts. Heazelwood easily goaled. Lilburne again _ made a beautiful opening, which let Stringfellow away, and the Wairarapa centre, swerving and dummying, went through to score a pretty try. Heazelwood goaled with a splendid kick, and the Whites led by 18 points to 3. Changes in Second Spell. The selectors tried out some new players in the second spell. On the Probables’ side, B. Trotter (Mackenzie Country) replaced Rushbrook at wing-three-quarter, and Max and Coulston took the places of Bird and Palmer in the forwards. On the other side, D. Johnston (Taranaki) replaced Lilburne at five-eighths, C. John : son (Southland) took Leys’ place at half, and O. Batchelor (Southland), E. Marslin (Otago), E. R. Thomas (Poverty Bay), replaced Steere, Freitas, and Palmer in the forwards. Fierce Tackling. The opening of the second spell was marked by some very effective tackling. Each player was downed hs soon as he received the ball, and the field was strewn with prostrate forms. Nepia did a cool

bit of work when he shook off Waterman behind the Black goal-line, and kicked out at the quarter-mark. Porter started a passing movement in midfield, but Trotter intercepted, and streaked at great pace for the goal-line. Oliver missed a beautiful chance to score by stumbling just as he took the pass. However, the white forwards were in strong support, and Couiston scored close to the posts. Cundy made a weak attempt to goal. Heazelwood was a trifle too cool when he ran back beyond the quarter-mark to get in his kick. The ball rebounded from a burly black forward, and a White player got off-side, which enabled Nepia to land a good penalty goal. The Blacks were now taking a hand at the scoring. Dailey was nearly over from a scrum, and a little later Kivell hopped over the line, for Nepia to kick another goal. With the scores reading 18 to 14 in the Whites’ favour, interest flared up higher than ever. Souter here retired with an injury, and was replaced by Palmer. Fast and exciting play followed, the standard being a great improvement on that of the first spell. Heazelwood, who was playing an excellent game at fullback for the Possibles, intercepted a pass in his own twenty-five, and made a sensational run to the Black line, where Nepia held him up. The Whites, however, kept hammering away, and eventually Thomas crossed for a try, which Heazelwood failed to improve. Somethink like national Rugby was then seen. Dailey sent out a long pass, which let Oliver away, and the Canterbury fiveeighths raced away to score in the corner. Nepia goaled with a sensational kick, and the Possibles’ lead was reduced to two points. Sonntag, the burly Otago lock, twice showed up with strong thrusts from line-outs. C. Johnson, the diminutive Soutblander, dodged round a scrum, and dashed away upfield. From a scrum at centre, the ball shot out to Dailey, and he let Trotter away down the line. The Mackenzie Country man, after a fast dash, sent the ball back to Dailey, and the 1924 All Black went over with a great dive for his second try, which Nepia just failed to improve. This put the Blacks ahead for the first time in the game, Nepia pleased the crowd with some big punts to the line. A hammering footrush by the White forwards took play to the Black line, where Nepia held them up. From a five-yards’ scrum, Johnson let Waterman over on the blind side, Heazelwood failed at goal, and a hard and rugged if not altogether brilliant game, ended with the board reading:

Possibles 24 Probables 22 Mr. J. Moffitt acted as referee.

HOW THE PLAYERS SHAPED GOOD INDIVIDUALISTS Supporters of the game yesterday, viewing form by the standard of play shown in the 1924 trials, were not favourably impressed with the showing made. The first thing that struck one was the absence of such giants as the Brownlie brothers, Stewart, Alley, Hazlett, Finlayson, Harvey, and Masters. Still, there .were some solid forwards in action yesterday, though they appeared little fellows compared with the New Zealand standard of 1924 and 1928. Players of the stamp of White, Irvine, and Swain were also conspicuous by their absence.

The most disappointing feature of the trial was the crude display made of scrummaging. The Black forwards appeared to apply no weight just as the ball went in, with the result that the scrum collapsed immediately. There was an improvement, certainly, in the second spell, but it was still very far from national scrummaging form. Steere (Hawke’s Bay), Kivell (Taranaki), Sonntag (Otago), and Rika (North Auckland) were all well up to New Zealand standard.

Porter placed a very .heady game, as rover for the'Possibles. He was a thorn in Dailey’s side throughout the afternoon, and was never far from the leather. It was noticeable that the three 1924 All Blacks, Porter, Nepia, and Dailey, played throughout with the greatest coolness. It was no new experience to them to find themselves in tight corners, and their very coolness frequently proved their salvation yesterday.

Two first-class full-backs were seen in Nepia and Heazelwood, and it would be difficult to choose between them on the Heazelwood wade a couple of mistakes when he failed to field rolling balls, and both led to tries. Nepia never looked like failing to take a high kick, but he, too, made mistakes at times. Both men kicked powerfully, and with full distance and excellent direction, and both did some good place-kicking. Nepia was stronger on defence, and more than once stemmed fierce attacks singlehanded. - '

Coming to the backs, Lilburne was the outstanding player on the day. He took his passes very cleanly while on the move, and travelled fast and straight. L. Hook (Auckland) shaped well in the unaccustomed role of five-eighths. He, too, has pace, and should work in well with Lilburne.

C. Oliver (Canterbury) at last gave the Wellington public a taste of his real quality as an inside back. He amazed everyone by the pace he got up when he scored his try, and he showed that he knew how to cut in.

Geddes, the Southland winger, impressed favourably as a man who would be likely to score often if given room to manoeuvre in. He is a track runner, and showed his paces several times yesterday. B. Trotter, the Mackenzie Country .represenative, is another dashing wing three-quarters, who should develop with more experience in big matches. He had a hand in two of the tries which were scored by the Probables yesterday. Cundy, without being brilliant, played a solid game at first five-eighths for the Probables.

Of the two centres, Stringfellow (Wairarapa) shaded Carlson (Wanganui). The former can travel fast, and showed this when he overtook Trotter yesterday, and brought him down with a great dive a few yards from the goal-line. W. C. Dailey once again showed that he is one of the cleverest half-backs this country has ever produced. He revels in hard work, and will wriggle from beneath a swarm of giant forwards to dodge over the line for a try. The tour to Britain in 1924 completed Dailey’s Rugby education, and there is no one in the world to-day who could leach him anything about half-back play. Two tries came his way yesterday, and he deserved them both.

Leys did not show to advantage behind the Possibles pack in the first spell. He was still handicapped by an injured knee, and should not really have taken the field. Johnson, of Southland, who filled the position in the second spell, is a regular little box of tricks, and is very nippy. H. Waterman, the North Auckland winger, is a useful type of player, who does his part both on attack and defence. Too much of the passing yesterday was of the long order. This is a relic of antiquity, and if indulged in when Smith and Macpherson are wandering around New Zealand playing fields next year will bring the Britishers many tries. Lilburne showed how to pass yesterday; his transfers came hip-high like a shot out of a gun. There was little chance of intercepting his transfers. Because the players engaged in yesterday’s trial were not all All Blacks, many people were afraid that the New Zealand team will be in for a bad time in Sydney this month. Though they may get a thrashing from the Waratahs in the early games, a match or two together should work wonders. There is quite good material on hand; it only requires a chance to acquire something like combination.

AUCKLAND pEAT WAIKATO. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, June 3. The Auckland representatives defeated Waikato by 25 points to 17. Play in the first half was even, the Waikato backs handling well. The Auckland forwards were solid and had the best of the scrums. The Auckland backs combined better. In the second half the Waikato’s defence weakened. Abbott, on the right wing, was the most prominent scorer for the winners.

TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA 1 TWENTY-FOUR MEN SELECTED The six selectors met after the trial match yesterday, and chose the following players to make the tour of Australia this month: — Full-back: G. Nepia (East Coast). Wing-three-quarters: B. Grenside (Hawke’s Bay), H. Waterman (North Auckland), J. H. Geddes (Southland). Centre-three-quarters: S. R. Carleton (Canterbury), 0. Stringfellow (Wairarapa). Five-eighths: H. Lilburne (Canterbury), R. Cundy (Wairapara), C. Oliver (Canterbury), L. Hook (Auckland). Half-back: W. C. Dailey (Canterbury). Wing-forward: C. G. Porter (Wellington). Hookers: B. Palmer (Auckland), A. Cottrell (Canterbury), R. Souter (Otago), K. Reid (Walrarapa). Locks: E. R- Steere (Hawke’s Bay), 0. Sonntag (Otago). Forwards: R. G. McWilliams (Auckland), A. Kivell (Taranaki), W. Rika (North Auckland), W. Reside (Wairarapa), A. Mahoney (Bush District), E. M. Snow (Nelson). One half-back has still to be selected to bring the playing strength up to 25. ’VARSITY TEST MATCH THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM The sole selector (Mr. J. N. Millard) has chosen the following team to represent New Zealand against Australia in the second University Test match, to be played at Athletic Park to-morrow afternoon:—

Full-back: Bush (Auckland). Three-quarters: Loveridge (Canterbury), Carter (Auckland), Mackay (Wellington). Five-eighths: Mackenzie (Wellington), Hawkes (Canterbury). Half-back: Leys (Wellington). Wing-forward: Jolly (Otago)/ Hookers: Hindenach and Douglas (Otago). Lock: Blacker (Wellington). Side of scrum: Henley (Otago), Edgar (Wellington). Back row: Deiderich (Wellington), Perkins (Canterbury).

WIN FOR WELLINGTON CANTERBURY OUTPLAYED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Cliristchurch, June 3. In an inter-provincial Rugby match Wellington beat Canterbury by 23 points to 16. The weather was dull, and there were .pounter-attractions which accounted for the attendance being only moderate. Neither side fielded its best team, the idea being to try out some of the younger players with a view to discovering how they were likely to develop also. Representatives of both provinces were playing in the All Black trial at Wellington. Canterbury were a few points in the lead at the end of the first spell, but very soon after the opening of the second spell it was apparent Wellington were more likely to win. Within five minutes they scored a penalty goal, and converted a try, which put them four points ahead. Thereafter Wellington never lost the lead. Play was fast throughout, and the players stood the fierce pace remarkably well. The Wellington forwards dominated the local pack, scrums and line-outs, but the Red and Blacks fought gamely. The first score of the game resulted from the ■ Canterbury forwards following np fast a good piece of forward play. ' , The best of the visitors’ pack were Sly, Shearer, and Cullimore, who used every opportunity to open up the game from the line-out The Canterbury forwards who stood, out were Suckling and Manchester, while Scrimshaw did much good work, as wing-forward. Johnson was the brains of the visitors’ attack, and without him Wellington could not have won. Next to Johnson the best back on the field was Hart, the speedy Canterbury wing threequarter, who scored a couple of brilliant tries. Wylie, his vis-a-vis, had no chance with him when Hart had any room to work. Pelham gave a good display at five-eighths with Johnson. Page was reliable behind the Canterbury pack, and Julian, the Wellington half, after an indifferent opening, showed pluck and inwas instrumental in making the first Canterbury score. He broke away from halfway, took the ball near the line, a short punt bounced off the Wellington full-back, and Brown ran up and scored nn pjiqv trv. Roberts converted. Canterbury 7 5, Wellington nil. For Wellington Shearer kicked a fine goal from a difficult angle. Canterbury 5, Wellington 3. At this stage of the gams the pace was very fast, and the spectators cheered as the complexion of the changed rapidly. After an attack by Wellington backs had broken down, the Canterbury backs ran away witn the ball, and finally Hart set off at a -speed for the line. No Wellington back could get a hand on him, and he scor in a good position. Canterbury, 10; Wellington, 3. Wellington’s turn came next. Sly went away near the Canterbury twenty-five, and the movement swung out, then in again, McPherson scoring in a good position. Shearer failed to convert. Canterbury, 10; Wellington, 6. Brown had hard luck when in a fine Canterbury rush he got over, but lost the ball. Canterbury were defending at halftime, with the scores unchanged. Early in the second spell Pelham kicked a penalty goal for Wellington. Canterbury, 10; Wellington, 9. Wellington came back at once, and Pelham was over in a trice, and converted his own try. Wellington had a lead of 14 to 10. A scrum near the visitors’ line gave Canterbury the advantage, and Norrie, the last to handle, scored a simple try. Roberts failed with the kick. Wellington, 14: Canterbury, 13. Johnson soon put Wellington on the attack again, and at a scrum he whipped the ball to Peterson, who knocked oyer the corner flag in scoring. Shearer’s kick failed. Wellington, 17; Canterbury, 13. Johnson made another opening on the Canterbury twenty-five, and Pelham, next in order, cut out two men before passing to Peterson, who had a clear run in. Shearer missed the kick. Wellington, 20; Canterbury, 13. The next try also was Johnson’s, who beat the whole Canterbury team, thrusting and swerving his way to the line, and scored a wonderful try. Shearer missed again. Wellington, 23; Canterbury, 13. The home side attacked hard after this series of reverses, and presently Hart set off. He emerged from two determined tackles to score wide out. The kick at goal missed. Wellington, 23; Canterbury, 16. Canterbury were attacking for most of the remaining time, but there was no further score.

HAWKE’S BAY v. WAIRARAPA

HARD AND FAST STRUGGLE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Napier, June 3. In a hard and at times very fast game, characterised by frequent stoppages through injuries to players, Hawke’s Bay defeated Wairarapa at Napier this afternoon by 9 points to 3. The match was played on a springy turf, and witnessed by over 6000 spectators. The victors’ team was an exceedingly youthful one, fit and full of and almost from the start showed to advantage against the heavier but slower Wairarapa fifteen. Though it was by no means faultless Rugby, it was open and interesting to watch. Hawke’s Bay held the advantage for fully two-thirds of the time, and except for an occasional rally on Wairarapa’s part, most of the attractive back work was done by the winners. Cooke was the most outstanding figure in the visitors’ rearguard, but very sel-

dom was he allowed to operate. _ He was quite overshadowed by Ruru, a young le Aute College back - playing on the Hawke’s Bay wing for the first time Ruru was always spectacular and _ often brilliant. His popularity was shared by Jimmy Mill, who was as . trl . cky 15 “® e I e n r f and South. The home back line was vastly superior, and the forwards, if beaten iu the tight, outshone the opposition pack in the loose. , The Shield-holders display, despite the fact that they had several good men absent at the All Black trials, was not impressive. Over-eagerness on the part of both sides was responsible for a succession of scrums in the first fifteen minutes of the game, when no less than liali-a-dozen hold-ups occurred through injuries to players. _ . The Hawke’s Bay full-back and a Wairarapa forward had to retire. The visittors’ forwards held the upper hand at the beginning, but the Bay’s faster pack combined with the nippy backs in a ‘series of dangerous movements, that had the Wairarapa line in jeopardy for a considerable period. The Bay forwards stormed the Green liue, and the backs swung into action with consistent regularity, only stern tackling saving the score. The emergencies were called on again when another Wairarapa man was taken off with an injured ankle, and at the same time Mill and Keeble (Hawke’s Bay) had to receive medical attention. After this stoppage Wairarapa launched a back attack, which the Bay rearguard speedily squashed, and the home forwards cleared their territory. Ruru delighted the crowd when he ran clean through the opposition, to be collared within a few yards of the line. He repeated the movement a few minutes later in a manner that classed him as the best back on the ground. Cooke and his backs were kept very quiet, being quite overshadowed by the home rearguard.. Hawke’s Bay were beating the opposition in every department. The .spell ended scoreless, with Waijarapa endeavouring to pierce the defence, with solo efforts mainly on the part of Cooke. Hawke's Bay renewed the offensive role on resumption, but Wairarapa momentarily turned the tables, and were within an ace of scoring on two occasions. Shock tactics by the Bay forwards, and snappy movements by the backs, with Mill and Ruru conspicuous, drove the visitors within their own twenty-five, where they had a hard struggle to keep the line intact. Only a lack of finish to well-judged movements stopped the home rearguard from notching points by means of good forward work. Wairarapa cleared their territory, and worked to halfway, when Cooke sent a long kick out near the inner. The subsequent scrum near the line saw the ball go out to J. Donald, who made the extra man in the backs, and enabled A. W. Jury to go over well out, after the whole back line had handled the ball. It was a splendid movement. Irvine’s kick failed. A few minutes later, when the Bay had Wairarapa pinned down, Keeble paralysed the opposition when, he picked up in the loose, and dropped an excellent field goal. Hawke’s Bay 4, Wairarapa 3. Play became fast and vigorous, seesawing rapidly. Lively play in midfield left Cooke (Wairarapa) and 1 Setford (Hawke’s Bay) prostrate, while South, accompanied by Ruru, cut clean through the opposition, only to get out a yard from the scoring line.' Play was held up for three minutes till the injured men were able to resume. Hawke’s Bay increased the lead when Keeble snatched the ball up in a scramble near the line, and dived through to touch down just outside the post. Mill converted. Hawke’s Bay 9, Wairarapa 3. The.visitors from then on held the advantage. but were unable to break down the Bay’s deadly defence. The closing stages found the Bay backs repeatedly threatening the Green line. The game ended without any further score.

PETONE DEEATFS MOTUEKA

In a return match Petone met and defeated a representative team of the Huia Chib, Motueka, on the Petone Oval yesterday morning. Both teams were much depleted in their ranks, Petone only fielding a few senior players. A fast pace was maintained throughout, Petone’s win being mainly due to their superior fitness.

The teams lined out as follow:— Motueka (green and white): Everett; W. Talbott, Lunn, G. Talbot; Clarke, C. Bisley; Fry; Redwood; Cooke, A. Bisley ; Campbell, Starnes, Austin; Goodman and Robinson.

Petone: Fleet; Ward, Byrne, Staples; Pollock; Coman ; Flux; Horne; Sharpe, Lambourne; Martin, Spence, Carr; Clark,, and Baker. Play commenced at a fast elip, Petone forcing their way upfield with spectacular play. The backs were soon in motion, Pollock snapping up, and sending on to Spence, who passed to Byrne, who raced through to score. Pollock converted. Petone, owing to over-erfgerness, were penalised, and G. Talbot/ found the uprights with a splendid kick. Talbot added a further three points when he put a penalty-kick over from halfway. Halftime sounded with both of the teams fighting hard, C. Bisley being conspicuous in many manoeuvres. Fast, 'open play characterised the opening of the second spell, the Petone backs showing more cohesion.

The next score came when Hill and Spence were seen in a fine dual passing rush, the latter eventually going over for a pretty try. Pollock failed to improve. Motueka were now infusing more dash into their play, and C. Bisley, snapping up in the loose, raced through the opposition to score a great try. The kieE at goal failed. The visitors attained a further lead when G. Talbot again fopnd the uprights with a penalty-kick. A long period of vigorous play followed, the Petone rnen gradually wearing their opponents down. Spurred on by this reversion in scores, Petone came back, and from a pretty piece of passing, in which the back line participated, Staples raced over to score. Pollock missed badly. Petone were now conspicuously in the picture, the forwards and backs showing much spirit and tact. Coman, securing in the open, booted up-field, and following up hard, regained possession, and was over in a flash. He converted his own try. A long period of spectacular and ragged play followed, Petone being unfortunate in not scoring several times. The harrying tactics of the village forwards caused the visitors to assume irregular positions in the field, and Martin securing, raced over to score the final try. His own attemnt at goal failed. Time was called a few minutes later, the scores reading: Petone 19, Motueka 12. Mr. G. Williams was the referee.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ RUGBY

HUTT VALLEY RESULTS. Senior. —Eastern Hutt 16, defeated Upper Hutt 6. Waiwhetu 6, defeated Petone West 3. For the winners Coe and Wilson scored tries, whilst Boswell scored for Petone. Upper Hutt 9 points (Pickrang 3 tries) defeated Hutt Central o points. Bell scored a fine try for the losers. Junior. —Eastern Hutt won from upper Hutt by default. Petone West (a try by Whittington) defeated Waiwhetu by 3 points to nil, Hutt Central defeated Upper Hutt by 18 points to nil. IntermeditUe. —Silverstream defeated Trentham by 3 points to nil. Epuni 27 points, defeated Taita 0. Teal played an outstanding game for the boys from the hamlet. Petone Convent created a surprise by defeating the strong Boulcott team by 6 points to 3, after a stirring contest, in which McGee for the losers, and O’Leary for Petone showed brilliant all-round form, Petone Convent defeated Wilford by 11 points to 3. and are now favourites for the Samuel Cup, which they won last year. CITY RESULTS. The light-weights, Ngaio team, overwhelmed the heavier Clyde Quay senior fifteen by 26 points to nil, at Nairnville Park. . . Jamieson scored two brilliant tries, and Seton forged over for a third. Venn, in addition to scoring twice, as a result of openings made by Thomas, converted four tries and kicked a nenalty goal. Ngaio II played a pointless draw with Terraco IL

TARANAKI v. WANGANUI

NORTHERN TEAM WIN A SPARKLING DISPLAY Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, June 3. There were 7000 spectators at the annual Rugby football match between Wanganui and Taranaki at Spriggens Park to-day. The match was played under ideal conditions, and was full of thrills. It was a display of open football such as is seldom seen in Wanganui. The teams were as follow: —

Taranaki: Collins, Hoahaia, Brown, Crawford, Galbraith, Grant, C. Brown, Guy, Walter, Smith, McLean, Ike, Williams, Robinson, Murphy. Wanganui: Thompson, Ball, Tilley, Brown, McLennan, Fletcher, Kilby, Bellis, Pine, Roache, McLean, F. Stewart, Leahy, Ross, Wills. Wanganui won the toss, and played/ with the sun at .their backs. 11. Brown kicked off for Taranaki. A free kick to Wanganui saw Bellis fail to put the leather out, H. Browu receiving. He kicked to Tilley, who gave a cross-kick to E. Brown, who passed to Ball, and the ball went to Tilley and to E. Brown, and they had Taranaki defending, but a forward pass saw a sure try lost. From a free kick Tilley had a long shot, the ball striking the bar and bouncing infield. Roache was injured and had to be carried off, Fromont taking his place. Both packs were fighting hard, but neither could claim superiority in open play. However, the Taranaki pack was securing in most of the scrums and line-outs. Crawford electrified the c»owd with a great dash down the sideline, but Thompson was there to bring off a great tackle. Taranaki were penalised and Bellis took the kick, to find touch at the Taranaki twenty-five. Kilby was next given opportunities by the opposing forwards, who had been watching him closely and pounced on him every time he looked like touching the ball. The Taranaki backs were working nicely, and many of their movements had the blues worried. Ball was giving a fine exhibition on the wing of solid tackling and hard running, but was inclined to move out of position frequently, and through a lapse such as this Taranaki were all but over, and compelled Wanganui to force. Play moved up and down the field quickly, and the spectators were getting full value for their money. A loose scrum saw Kilby secure, dodge the wing-forward, pass to Fletcher, who transferred to McLennan, who ran past Collins before transferring to Ball, who raced across at the corner to score the first try of the match. Tilley had no luck with the kick. Wanganui 3, Taranaki 0. Wanganui set up a hot attack, but Robinson intercepted Fletcher’s pass, cut through a feeble tackle, and put in a great run before being grassed by Thompson. Tilley here secured, and with a nice pass to E. Brown, recovered lost ground. Collins booted downfield to Ball, who set sail for the line, but fell to a deadly tackle by Toahaia, when in full flight. Fletcher, who was playing remarkably well, picked up, but dropped the ball like a flash. Galbraith pounced on it and sent infield to C. Brown. He passed to Grant, who dummied McLennan, raced down the field, and transferred to H. Brown, who passed to Crawford, who was tackled by Tilley, and Crawford raced away to score a brilliant try. Ike failed to convert, and the score board read 3 all. It was not long before Taranaki were again to score with another brilliant rearguard movement. From a scrum in their own twenty-five, Taranaki heeled. _C. Brown transferred quickly to Galbraith, who cut in’between Fletcher and McLennan and ran :to the half-way mark, shot the leather out to Crawford, who capped a brilliant five-eight movement by running half the length of the field to score under the posts for Ike to goal. Taranaki 8, Wanganui 3. The bell Bounded for half-time with the scores unaltered.

Wanganui were severely handicapped by the loss of Roache, the hooker, who had been injured early in the game, and were consequently losing the majority of the scrums, the clever Taranaki backs making capital out of this and causing Wanganui trouble. Taranaki were penalised and Tilley had an ineffective shot at long range and Taranaki forced. From a scrum at half-way C. Brown sent the ball to Galbraith, and it went to H. Brown, who was well tackled by Tilley. Ball secured and dribbled up field. He picked up and sent on to Kilby, who transferred to Tilley, who made a nice run and transferred to Brown, who scored in the corner. The kick failed. Taranaki 8, Wanganui .6. From a scrum at half-way Taranaki broke but Kilby stopped the movement. Taranaki came again at it, and play was dangerous until Thompson kicked into touch. Tilley here had another fruit, less shot at goal. The Wanganui forwards had a turn at attacking and drove the amber and blacks bek to the line, but the ball was cleared. From a scrum Kilby .passed the ball to Fletcher, to Tilley, and to Ball, who put in a fine run and was thrown out at the corner flag. The Taranaki forwards swept all before them and H. Brown secured, passed to Crawford, infield again to Brown and out to Galbraith, who cut In beautifully and passed again to Brown, who raced over under the posts. Ike converted and the score was: Taranaki 13, Wanganui 6. , . . H. Brown startoll a passing rush which was carried on by the Taranaki forwards, who were now having the better of Wanganui, but Brown was injured when stopping a rush, and he had to retire. He had played well and was accorded an ovation. immediately on resumption of play Galbraith potted a splendid field goal. Taranaki 17, Wanganui 6. No substitute being available, Brown reappeared, and immediately took part In a passing rush which ended in larnnaki territory. Taranaki again strongly attacked. and Galbraith, H. Brown, and Hohlai set off, but Hohaia sent out a bad pass to Crawford, and the movement broke down. Brown broke, away with a dribble, and the movement ‘ended with McLean scoring under the posts. Ike goaled. Taranaki, 22; Wanganui. 6. From the kick-off Bellis made a great run. but was unsupported, and was obstructed. Tilley took a free-kick and sent over a beauty. Taranaki, 22; Wanganui, 9. With a few minutes to go. Wanganui drove Taranaki back to their line. Kilby secured and passed to Tilley, who scored. Kilby missed an easy kick. Taranaki. ~2; Wanganui. 12. „ Wanganui swarmed down on the Taranaki line. Ross secured from the loose, passed to Bellis, who handed the ball ou to Pine. After all the' forwards had ha’ndled in a great rush., Tilley scored in tlie most spectacular movement of the day. The scorer kicked a wonderful goal from the side-line, and a great game ended with Taranaki victors by 22 points to 17.

POVERTY BAY V. BAY OF PLENTY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, June 3. Poverty Bay defeated Bay of Plenty this afternoon, in ideal weather, and before a large attendance, by 22 to 18. For the winners tries were scored by Langlands (2), Murland, and Walters. Carrington and Thomas converted one each, and also kicked a penalty each. Howell and Tama scored for Bay of Plenty, Kingi converting one. SOUTHERN MAORIS BEATEN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oamaru, June 3. The South Island Maori team was decisively defeated by North Otago at Oamaru to-day, by 25 points to 11. The visitors, having their- first game, lacked combination, and were beaten in all departments, The game was fast and open, with many brilliant flashes of back play. COUNTRY TEAMS AT PLAY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invercargill, June 3. The annual country day Rugby matches were played to-day, six teams taking part. The playing conditions were a trifle heavy, but some good football was witnessed. The main attraction was a match between the "’own team and Eastern District, the former winning by 33 points to 3. Other results were: Central 17, v. Northern 8; Western 24, v. Southern 3.

A BRIGHT GAME

Bv Telegranh.—Press Association. New Plymouth, June 3. In a B Grade representative Rugby match to-day Taranaki defeated Wanganui by 18 points to 11 in one of the brightest exhibitions seen in Pukekura Park for some years. BUSH TOURNAMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Pahiatua, June 3. Results of the bush seven-a-side tournament are: Senior, won by Hanua; junior, Athletic; third grade and primary schools, Pahiatua District High School. SEVEN-A-SIDE MATCH AT NEYSON. Dominion Special Service. Nelson, June 3. In the seven-a-side Rugby senior final at Nelson, Old Boys A beat Old Boys B. In the junior final Nelson A beat Nelson B. In a representative match, Town v. Country, tha Town team won by 16 point* to &