RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 265, 5 August 1929, Page 6

RUGBY

MANAWATU COMPETITIONS ATHLETIC’S SURPRISE WIN Palmerston North, August 3. The Manawatu Rugby Council’s club championships were advanced a stage today under playing conditions that were, except for the sun, all that could be desired. At the Palmerston North showgrounds. Athletic surprised many by defeating Feilding by 23 points to 9, while at Feilding Kia Toa accounted for Pending Old Boys by 24 points to 5. and at Woodville Old Boys defeated Woodville by 20 points to 6. In the junior division the leading teams, Kia Toa and Old Boys, suffered defeat at the hands of Feilding and Jlassey College A respectively, but the ladder positions remain unaltered. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior.—Athletic 23, Feilding 9; Old Boys 20, Woodville 6; Kia Toa 24, Feilding Old Boys 5. Junior.—Massey College A 11, Old Boys 8: Feilding 8, Kia Toa A 0; High School 19, Feilding Old Boys 8; Kia Toa B 28, United Valley 3. West End Old Boys won by default from Massey College B. Third Grade. —Feilding ELS. 15, Kia, Toa 6; St. Patrick’s 14, Bunnythorpe 9; Old Boys A won by default from Old Boys B. Fourth Grade. —High School 9, Kia Toa 9. . , „ Fifth Grade.—Gordon 22, Technical 0; Kia Ora 29, Phoenix 0. Sixth Grade.—Technical 6, Gordon 0; Kia Ora 13, Phoenix 0; Albion 25, Primary Schools 0. Midgets.—Woodville 11, Russell Street 3Te Kawau Sub-Union. —Test trial: West 20, East 14. Third grade: Hui Mai 17, Rongotea 3. Oroua Sub-Union. —Senior: Apiti 14, Kimbolton 5; Rangiwahia 27, Waituna 8. The annual match between Rangitikei junior and Oroua juniors resulted in a win for Rangitikei by 26 points to 4. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER. Points Ch.

OLD BOYS BEAT WOODVILLE. Woodville were early aggressive against Old Boys, and they drew first blood when Hayes punted the ball over the line and scored. His kick failed. The home forwards, battling hard, sorely tested the Old Boys’ defence, which, however, proved to be equal to the task imposed upon it. Old Boys drove Woodville to neutral territory, aud Akuira handed the ball to Page, who completed well. Akuira’s kick was disallowed. Woodville assumed supremacy for a short period, but Old Boys gradually worked their way downfield, and Nield fed Collins from a line-out, the latter scoring an easy try, which Akuira failed to convert. Woodville bustled Old Boys without success, and were in turn the defending team. Fletcher cut through the defence and transferred the ball to Collins at the right moment for a pretty try. Fletcher’s kick was not successful. Old Boys, 9; Woodville, 3. Woodville played hard after the resumption, only to encounter strong opposition. Old Boys took a turn at attacking, and the ball went along the line of backs to Collins, who went over for his third try. Akuira failed to add the extra points. Woodville were eventually successful in adding to their account, Hutchison kicking a goal from a penalty awarded agaiust Old Boys for off-side play. Woodville were very close to scoring not long after when Redwood broke away, and McKenzie carried on, only to . lose the ball when over the line. From play in midfield Akuira fed Collins, the Old Boys winger bagging a fourth try under the posts. Pacey converted. In the latter stages of the game Akuira also scored for Old Boys, but failed to convert, the final score being: Old Boys, .20; Woodville, 6. Jlr. E. W. Low refereed. ATHLETIC BEAT FEILDING. Making use of every opportunity that was offering, Athletic this afternoon accounted for Feilding by 23 points fb 9 at the show grounds. .The Feilding' backs were decidedly off colour, and could do nothing right. Athletic, .on the other hand, played a brilliant opportunist game, and some of their tries were good to watch. Very weak defence on the part of their opponents made their task much lighter. Feilding, with the sun behind them, were early in Athletic’s quarter, and after the defenders had been lucky to avert a score Cuff crossed on the right wing after B. Darragh and H. Darragh had handled. Thornes failed to convert. Play had scarcely been resumed when Kells kicked the ball from under Thomas close to the line, and went on to equalise the score. Beard’s kick failed. Feilding worried Athletic, but lack of finish prevented them from scoring. A breakaway by McKenzie quickly transferred play to Fellding’s line, and Cope secured to score. Beard failed to convert. Athletic had the better of the play, and their efforts were again rewarded when Burgess sent R. Ormond off on the blind side. The attack was carried on by his supports, and R. Ormond received the ball again to score in the corner. L. Ormond failed with the kick. Athletic, 9; Feilding. 3. In stopping a strong Feilding rush, Fearnley was injured and was carried off. After the interval Robb took Fearnley’s place in the Athletic ranks. Kells secured the ball, kicked down-field, followed up, and robbed Thomas of the ball, to score in the corner. Beard failed to convert. Feilding replied with a forward attack, but Robb broke through in possession and kicked when cornered. H. Darragh beat Cope to the ball, and took it over the line to force down. From the ensuing five yards scrum the Athletic backs handled, to Robb, who ent in nicely to score close to the posts. R. Ormond’s kick was disallowed. Feilding worked their way down to Athletic's quarter, where C. Hight found the uprights with a penalty goal. Feilding backs were given the ball aud looked dangerous when Robb took the ball from R. Darragh and dashed down-field, with R. Ormond and Cope, both of whom handled, the last-named sprinting over unopposed to score between the posts. R. Ormond had no difficulty in converting and raising Athletic's score to 20. Feilding added to their account when C. Hight kicked a goal front a penalty awarded against Athletic for holding thp ball too long. Athletic returned to the attack and a passing bout on the right wing was capped by R. Ormond, who scored in the corner. Kells failed to convert. Athletic. 23; Feilding, 9. Jlr. H. Hands was referee. KIA TOA BEAT FEILDING OLD BOYS. Kia Toa had it all its own way in the game with Feilding Old Boys at Feilding. The- weather was perfect and the ground in splendid order. Playing with the sun behind them in the first spell, Kia Toa were not vastly superior, and only succeeded in putting on one unconverted try. In the second however, they got all over the lighter opponents and raffled on the tries in fast time. The weight of the Kia Toa forwards was the telling feature, this resulting in many openings for the backs. Conrad was the outstanding forward, and Mullins the mainstay of the backs. Wasley was again in fine form, and hardly made a mistake. Penney played a good game, but. Heise was not a strong connecting link. On the Feilding side, Wells, Baxter, and Campbell were the best of the forwards, and Cochrane the pick of the backs. Walden was better than Gleeson, but he could not hold the advantage. In the first spell Gleeson scored from an open charge, Mullins failing to convert. Kia Toa put plenty of energy into the second spell. From a fast back evolution Thompson received from Strange to score under the posts, and Mullins converted. Very soon afterwards a passing run allowed Gleeson to cut across and score under the posts, and Mullins converted. Strange next added an unconverted try. Old Boys scored, Cochrane sending Pawson and Dewe away, for Dewe to get over. McLeod converted. Kia Toa, 16: Old Boys, 5. Thompson and Boldt added tries for Kia Toa, Mullins converting Thompson’s, and the game ended: Kia Toa, 24; Feilding Old Boys, 5. Mr. F. S.- Hewlth controlled the game.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ MATCHES TOWN BEATS COUNTRY. Palmerston North, August 3.. In the primary school game, Town v. Country, which was played to-day as a trial for the annual primary schools' Rugby tournament, Town succeeded iu defeating Country, 13 points to 6. The Town forwards maintained the ascendency practically right throughout the game, but the

backs plaved very disjointedly. The first spell ended 6—o in Country’s favour, but after the change-over the Town team showed better form. The following have been selected to represent the primary schools ol Palmerston North and district in the trial game with Feilding on Saturday, which will be the • last before the selection of the primary school team to represent Manawatu: Lullback. lIHI (Terrace End); three-quarters, Wright (Rongotea), ITehir (Taikorca), Jones (nokowhitu); live-eights, Evans (Terrace End), Hehir (Taikorca); halfback, Arnott (Rongotea); wing-forward, Ward (Terrace End); front row, Robbie (Hokowhitu), Mureh (Terrace End); lock, Weddell (Longburn); supports, Pye (Central), Tweedale (Central); back row, McLean (Rongotea), W. Weddell (Longburn); emergencies, backs, Creighton (llokowhitii), Lang (Terrace End); forwards, Rossiter (College Street), Richardson (Terrace End). REDMAN CUP SEMI-FINAL OLD BOYS BEAT GREYTOWN Masterton, August 3. Old Boys defeated Greytown in the semifinal for the Redman Cup competition this afternoon, thus earning their right to meet Galdstone in the final in three weeks’ time. There 'were no other senior competition matches in the Wairarapa, .though the Gladstone and Carterton and Masterton and Tinui teams indulged in friendly games, more with the idea of keeping fit than of demonstrating any superiority. Weather conditions were ideal, and a fair crowd gathered at Memorial Park to seo the Old Boys—Greytown match. However, the game was of an uninteresting nature, as both teams had several of the star players away. The final score of 16 points to 13 is a fair indication of the respective merits of the two teams. Early in the game Old Boys were seen in a promising attack, which was repelled by the Greytown forwards breaking away from their twenty-five in a loose rush. A penalty was awarded them in a difficult posi: tlon, and Fuller narrowly missed with the kick, after which play swung up and down-field until at length Yates kicked a penalty for Old Boys. The Old Boys forwards had the better df the scrums and line-outs, with the result that frequently the back line swung into action. Several good movements were spoilt by solid defensive work, but at length B. Donald dived over from a scrummage on the Greytown line. Yates failed with the kick. The visitors now took a hand at attacking, and for a time the Old Boys defence had all it could do to keep, the line intact, until at length Sutcliffe relieved. Soon after, however, Fuller kicked a good penalty, making the score: Old Boys, 6; Greytown, 3. This was the half-time scojre. In the second spell play brightened up, and both back lines threw the ball about to advantage. A spectacular piece of play was seen when Sutcliffe secured near Greytown’s twenty-five and “potted” a beautiful field goal. Greytown’s reply came with a series of forward movements, all of which gained ground and ended in Leppien scoring well out for Fuller to convert with a beautiful kick. At this stage Sutcliffe had to retire, hurt, and Tocker, a junior, replaced him. He marked *is first appearance in senior Rugby by scorihg a smart try, which Roach failed to convert. Soon after Roach kicked a good penalty, and thus put Old Boys a further three points, up, and the last score of the day'caia,'? when J. Donald sent Rewi away for a good score, Fuller converting. Old Boys, 16; Greytown. 13. Jlr. H. J. McKenzie refereed. WAIRARAPA SHIELD TEAM Mr . E. McKenzie, sole selector, has chosen twenty-three players to assemble at the Carterton ground at 3 p.m. on Thursday for training, in view of the Ranfurly Shield match against Auckland on Saturday. The final selection of the team, will not be made until definite information as to the condition of the four players— Stringfellow, Cundy, Reside, and Reid—who toured Australia with the All Blacks, is known, as It is understood that some of these players are suffering from leg Injuries.

The players chosen are the following:— L. Roach, F. Fuller. A. V. Jury, W. Yates, .Randall Booth, C. Stringfellow. R. Cundy, T. CorkhUl. A. E. Cooke, J. Mill, I. Hart, J. Donald, Le Quesne, L. Olliver, J. Walker, .W. Irvine. K. Fairbrother, K. Reid, I. Harvey, W. Reside. M. Willoughby, S. Willoughby, N. McGregor. WANGANUI CHAMPIONSHIPS BRIGHTER FOOTBALL Wanganui, August 3. The weather conditions to-day were all that could be desired for football, a/T the attendance was considerably augmented as a result. The two games were not brilliant, but were a decided improvement on the exhibitions that the public has been accus-. tomed to seeing. Pirates were very lucky to draw with Technical College. Kaierau, with their usual characteristic finish, managed to pull their game out of the fire in the last five minutes, to walk off thp field victors over Old Boys. PIRATES AND TECHNICAL OLD BOYS DRAW. Pirates and Technical Old Boys took the field for the opening gainb on Spriggens Park, and from the kick-off Technical commenced to attack, and had Pirates worried, an immediate force saving. Reid transferred play to Pirate territory, where White and Ward carried on, but White was temporarily laid out and the movement broke down. From the resulting scrum Technical heeled and Derbyshire worked the blind side to let Tilley away to score a clever try. The scorer converted his own try. The second spell opened with plenty of vigour, and again Pirates were early in trouble, Technical bein? right over their line, but the ball was kicked into touch-in-geal. Pirates took a turn at attack. James received and shook off a would-be tackler, and passed to McMillan, who returned the ball to James again for the latter to dive over. Kilby took the kick and missed, but one line umpire signalled a goal, and the referee allowed it, much to the amazement of the crowd and Pirates themselves. Pirates did the best to score, and were liav»ig the best of matters in the last stages, although time was called witii Technical attacking. The final score was: Technical Old Boys, 5; Pirates, 5. KAIERAU DEFEAT OLD BOYS.

Old Boys won the toss and Kaierau faced the sun. There was not much to be enthusiastic about in the opening stages, the play mainly being confined to the forwards, with Kaierau in the ascendancy, keeping the ball tight aud awaj’ from the speedy Old Boys backs. Witii solid forward rushes led by Lockett -and Ross, Kaierau were all bnt over on two occasions in succession, but Martin was playing an exceptional game for the Light Blues at full-back, and saved splendidly on both occasions. The Old Boys backs now began to exert themselves, and Fletcher opened up the play for Carlson nicely, but the Kaierau defence was solid, and soon the tables were reversed and Kaierau quickly gained the offensive. They were again nearly over twice, but Fletclier and Jlartin, with Herculean efforts, stopped the rushes. Taking play up-field, Old Boys got within striking distance and Howard shot across. The kick failed. Old Beys got their backs moving again, and in a nice movement Carlson scored, but failed to-convert. Lively play in tire second spell was pleasing the public. The Kaierau pack was giving no quarter, and Old Boys were mainly on the defensive until Carlson, Fletcher, and Ball gave some sparkling play, and Kaierau were fortunate to keep them out. An infringement gave Kaierau their opportunity, and Byres opened their account, with a penalty kick. Kaierau were now easily having the best of the game, their forwards predominating the play. Their opponents were tiring, and Kaierau were quick to grasp the opportunities that came their way. As the result of heavy forward play, Brookie scored for Simpson to convert, putting Kaierau in the lead. The best movement of the day saw Ball receive, punt high, and beat Darby, but. the ball rolled out. at the corner and the bell rang. It was bad luck for Old Boys. The final score was: Kaierau, S; Old Boys, 6.

Old Boys .. P. 12 W. 8 D. L. F. 179 A. 115 Pts 17 1 3 Kia Toa .. 12 7 1 4 162 92 15 Feilding .. 12 7 1 4 133 105 15 Feilding Old Boys 12 5 p 123 155 12 Athletic .. 12 3 105 169 8 Woodville . 12 1 3 s 66 132 Q