BRIGHT RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 197, 18 May 1936, Page 11

BRIGHT RUGBY

Interesting Games In Saturday’s Series EASTBOURNE’S ESCAPE Athletic and Johnsonville Maintain Records TWO CLOSE GAMES An exciting match between Eastbourne and Marist at Eastbourne, resulting in a one-point win for the leading team, provided the outstanding feature of club Rugby in Wellington on Saturday, Eastbourne, wholly through a long lead, gained in the first half, with the wind, won 13-12. •Better eonibinatiou and greater enterprise gave Athletic a good win over Hutt at Athletic Park before a crowded stand but rather thinly-populated bank, the final score being 15-3. Poneke and Wellington lm<J a dose and hard match at Petone, Poneke winning 5-3. Old Boys, maintaining their improvement, downed Petone 12-6 at Petone. Second division matches were notable for the meeting of two of the leading reams, Johnsonville beating St. Patrick's Old Boys, 8-0, at Johnsonville. Athletic and University drew, 8-S, in the curtainraiser at Athletic Park. Miramar and Oriental also drew, 6-6, at the polo ground. Pirates, the team which used io be Berhampore, won 16-6 from United, the new club formed from Melrose-Sel-wyn. Eastbourne Lucky to Win. Scorers of four tries to Eastbourne’s three, Marist were yet the losers by one point, Eastbourne winning by 13 points to 12. Marist owed their defeat to most inept place-kicking. Eastbourne, on the other hand, converted two out of three tries. Botji teams secured the points when playing with the wind, Eastbourne in tiie first half ami Marist in the second. Eastbourne did not have V. Crisp at full-back, nor F. Berry in the frontrow. these players being injured. The game was a brilliant and exciting one. Neither team had a passenger. Marist were unrecognisable from the display of the previous Saturday, J he tackling of every man in both teams was hard, low, and deadly, without any semblance of rough play. Marist. packing three-four-one. got the hall 'trom . the majority of rhe serums against Eastbourne's three-two-three. The forwards of both teams played as forwards, always endeavouring to be on their opponents and making it possible for the backs to engage in passing rushes. The game was fast and spectacular, with Eastbourne backs handling the ball a shade more eleanly than Marists. many of the latter's most promising movements' breaking down from knoeks-un. Nearly all the tries came from, or were made possible by, passing rushes. .1. 1' leming, Eastbourne full-back in the second hall, gave a faultless display, ami Eastbourne owed much to him. Apart from a period in I he lir.-t halt ot the second spell when Marists were definitely superior, the teams were evenly matched, both in attack and defence. Blay shifted from one end of the ground to the other with great rapidity. Eastbourne came nearer to scoring against the wind than did Marist. In the last quarter of an hour the excitement among the spectators was intense as Eastbourne realised that the safest policy was not defence, but attack. The teams were: Eastbourne: N. McMillan; It. Common, D. Blank, J. Mailing; J. Ileming, ,1. Blank ; E. Boley; J. Robinson, A. Robertson, Al. Griffiths, C. M aite, I. Clark, J. Guiniven. J. Dellabarca, N. Avery. Marist: Ericsson: Gini. Spillane, J. Quinn; Langdon. E. McGreevy: N. Quinn; Keegan. Ottoway, Bluteh, O’Donoghue. McLean. Ropata. Leahy, L. McGreevy. Athletic in Good Borm. Speedy and .spirited work by both backs and forwards gave Athletic a wellearned win over Hutt. Athletic had a very fit and very last puck ol forwards, shading Hutt in almost every department except line-out play, where they hud nothing to counter the effectiveness of E. Barry, the former All Black, and Al. \v. Devine, the Manawatu and AV airarapa representative. The Hutt forwards laboured earnestly but individualisticly. The Athletic pack on the other hand, worked unitedly, led most of the time by the toiling G. M ells. L. Edwards. K. Guy, and J. Wyeth, especially the last-named, were enthusiastic hunters in the loose, and G. M ales played an effective roving game from the back of the scrum, revealing gre.at pace and good hands as well as a ready sense of quick appreciation of possibilities, lor be was generally on hand when a try looked likely. Tim steadiness and generalship of E. W. Tindili at first five-eighth gave a touch of menace to each Athletic back hiovq. He r-Gt through considerable work, most' of it very well indeed, and potted his usual field goal. IL Karsten, at second five-eighth, was a more than ordinarily useful partner, and T. McCauley made one great cut through the centre in paving the way for the first try. The Hutt combination was not happy, nor were the backs very- successful when they were given the ball, though A. Hansen, at centre, was dangerous through his pace and swerve when his handling began to improve as the game went on. The Hutt backs, however, had to. contend with quicker spoiling than their, opponents. Bor liveliness and attractiveness it was the best'game on the park this season. The teams were: — Athletic: D. Mclntyre; D. Thomson, T. MeCaulev. S. Dickey ; It. Karsten, E. ML Tindili: K. Mack; G. M'ales. F. Bowling, L. Edwards, K. Guy, G. Wells, M. Cooper, B. Mollier, J. Wyeth, Hutt: ML E. Jarman; R. Nees, A. Hansen, Clarke: E. .1. Mandcr, E. Sargisson; E. T. Kilmister; A. J. AVilson, E. Barry, A. Roberls, M. ML Devine, J. C. Saulbrey, D. J. Bolter. E. .1. Francis, O. Jaggers. Poneke n Little Lucky. Really hard forward play punctuated by some bright back movements marked the match between Poneke and Welling at Hutt. AVellington showed a greater combination and was a little unlucky to lose. Both teams adopted the three-four-one scrum, and the ball did not come out cleanly. M’ellington started off well, but iu the middle of the spell Poneke forced the pace, J. L. showing up to best advantage, getting through a lot of work. The M’ellington baekridid not get as many chanced an their opponent#*, but put their opportunities to better purpose. Poneke might have got. further bad the backs not played so close in, and had S. Greenbank went them away more smartly, the policy of standing shallow giving them too little room in which to work. There was no ocore at half-time. The pace was made hotter in the second half the Wellington forwards, headed by R. ,T. Coupland, F. H. Bracer-Smith and ML G. McLean, making a good impression in loose rushes. Bor the greater part of the spell M’ellington hammered away at the Poneke line, and only good defence kept them out. The pick of the Poneke pack was R. Ongley, It. I*. Hull and. V. Calcinai. 11. If. 'Trapp, al; second fiveeighth, made some forceful runs for Av Islington, and L. IT. Edwards, the Parana u representative, played another wolid game <»n the wing. AV. L. Crceswcll wars very rafe in defence at full-back, and bin long line kick« aided his «idc a Jot* r l'he run which brought AVeJlingtuu its onlv try was .q fine individualist effort on ihc par of Edwards. The teams were:— Poneke: J. Potior; A. Culley, A. Dpchurch, B. Hill; — Beew, J- K Orif-

fiths; S. Greenbank; R. Ongley. T. Crichton, R. It. Hull. C. Pringle, V. Calcinai, E. O'Brien, M. Cheeseman. M’ellington: ML L. Cresewell; E. F. Ullrich, J. A. Kelly, L. IL Edwards; It. IL Trapp, Ji. U. Veitch; B. ML Hislop, I. J. Climo, ML A. Edwards, 11. J. Dmw, ML G. McLean, I. Carlyou, — Gal>way, I'L 11. Eraser-Smith, It. J. Coupland. J. Vartan, the former Hawke’s Bay full-back and L. Martyn, the West Coast and South Canterbury wing three-quar-ter, were libs'-ent from the Poneke team through injuries. i Old Boys’ Finish beats Petone. More finish iu their al tacks and better following up gave College Old Boys the match against Petone. In the first halt Old Boys held a slight advantage, but in the second half, especially toward the end, they bad to resist attack after attack. anil sometimes only mistakes by.the Petone players saved tjieir line. With ten minutes to go Old Boys led 9-6, and it seemed that Petone must score at any moment, but by chasing a clearing kick A. K. HUI was able to bustle the Petone fullback and score the try which placed llie result beyond doubt, though Petone guie the large crowd a grandstand finish. If Petone bad played right through the game with the liveliness (Jiey showed toward the end Old Boys would have found victory much more difficult to obtain. But t'he lighter Old Boys’ pack was able to hold the heavier Petone forwards to even terms for a long time, and for most of the first half C. O'Halloran was content to kick for the line whenever he got the ball. A. Amies. J. Souncss, J. KLamason and AL Wright worried tholetone backs whenever they got the ball, and the Old Boys backs tackled feari'or Old Boys, both AL Binning ami N. Burns, young players, did much excellent defensive mid offensive work. letone's try was the result of the best piece of straight running in the match. C. Hudson went right through the .Old Boys’ defences with admirable thrust. The teams were : — College Old Boys: R. Masters; N. Burns, AL Binning. A. K. Hill; G. Reynolds, If. Baldwin; B. S. Sadler; J. Soilness, J. It. Lamason, A. Amies: C. Claridge. J. Hewitt; L. C. Bydder, M. M’riglit, dl. Harper. Petone: A. E. Edwards: C. McGurk, C. Hudson. R. Cleland; E. Spence, 11. KPollock: U. O'Halloran; J. Clayton. A. Lambournc, ML Sundgren ! J. Carter, .1. Martin, M. Palmer; It. A brim. I'. Ashton.

SECOND DIVISION Johnsonville M in a Hard Game.

At Johnsonville, where the home team engaged St. Patrick's College Old Boys, both teams being unbeaten, Johnsonville had the initial slight advantage of the cross-field wind, and this aided H. Trenchant to place a good penalty goal, the only score in the first half. 111 the second Trenchard scored a try which J. Burns converted.

The game was fast and exciting throughout, ami play was generally very even. Right through the first halt, however, Johnsonville always looked most dangerous, till the last ten minutes, when St. Patrick's tried desperately to score. In the second half, although Johnsonville was the more frequently dangerous, the St. Patrick's backs were going better. Asa whole the St. Patrick’s backs handled eleanly. but Jacked penetration, mid, faced with fast-breaking forwards and a sound defence, they were seldom really dangerous. P. O Connor was ths best.' There is no doubt they missed J Black, who had suffered a family bereavemeat. K. O'Connor allowed himself t*> be bustled at full-back, and he also missed with four penalty kicks in the second spell, all fmm near halfway. Mervvn Kenny was back at ftill-btick for Johnsonville, and his powerful boot was a big aid Io his side. J. Burns (halfl was the best back on the field, whether mt attack or defence, and E. Chauey showed that he can still be very effective. The Johnsonville forwards have seldom played better. East in the loosm they yet fought hard in the tight. A Kenny, in great form this year, Trenchard and A. Behrant were the best. The St. 1. atrick’s forwards included too many shiners and were beaten bv a stronger pack. A. Adlum was the hardest worker, with G. Havdon also good. The teams w<w ( ' : Johnsonville: M. Kenny: F. Kelly, E. Chaney, ML Welsh; J. Hallewell. G. Burns; J. Burns; A. Behrant, H. Iren chard (captain), A. Kenny, D. Grant, U. Kossiter, J. Lee. A. Craig, H. Hall. St. Patrick's Ohl Boys: K. O'Connor; .1 M'areham, P. O'Connor (captain), JTwohill; P. Darning, J. McDermott; <., Marshall; E. Todd, J. McCarthy. (<. Cleary, I. Smith. G. Haydon. A. Adlum, S. Johns, K. Hogan. Little Combined Play. in the drawn match between University and Athletic, at Athletic Park, neither team combined well, but the students seemed to have the better of things in the forthe Varsity full-back, was iiot sure of himself, making mistakes, and on more than one occasion getting ins team into trouble by failing to gather the ball whet) being charged down by the opposing forwards. ~ , , Parker, the Athletic full-back, on the other band, was steady on defence, and always reliable with hi.s line-kicking. Rae ■it the base of the Varsity scrum, was sound, making one or two nice runs, and was quick in getting his backs awaj. O’Regan, on the wing, was fast; he has a nice swerving run and is a hard man to stop. In the forwards, Eade was always a hard worker, being very useful nt th? Athletic have a very clever half-back m Martlew, he sent his backs away tune and again with perfect passes, and when he elected to make a ’solo run it was alwajs to effect. Troy, in the forwards, was a toiler doing plenty of work, and was rewarded with a good try. The two t scored bv University were the result ot "ood work by Trickebank, who made open-Fn-s on bis opponents’ twenty-five and parsing in-field. Athletic’s points were gained by smart work on the part ol Pelham and Troy, Pelham making the opening for one try, while Tv°y s tr -» came from fast following-up. Lite teams "‘unbwsity; Trieklebank: O'Regan. M'ild Mules; Steele. Simin: Par: M i son. Burke, Gibbous. Russell. Blacker, Eade, Desborougb, McGill. Athletic: Parker; I orbes. I elham, I<>l- - Stott, M’nlshaw; Martlew: Porter. Cleverly, Troy, Boyd, Smith. Christophers. Pope, Elworthy. M’ell-nuitchetl Teams. Miramar and Oriental were well matched? and a draw fairly represented them strength. Both teams fielded strong forward .packs, who generally made most of the play. Miramar, getting most of the ball from line-outs and scrums, made more play to the backs, but these moves were offset by the quick and hard spoiling of Oriental. , , , „ Miramar, however, scored one ry by a movement which sent the ball along the whole line from half to wing without mistake. and the other try came from a back movement, both being scored by JxiHu. Oriental scored fi’oin forward rusiiC:, both tries being secured by Searle, a good loose forward. Jnmes was outstanding in the Miramar pack, several times breaking through the ruck< with the ball at toe. Hale showed considerable pace in several runs bv the Oriental backs. M irainar packed a three-two-three serum and Athletic the three-four-one. The teams we re:—■ Mirnmar: Batchelor; Grcenall. Baird, Aldous; Dawson, Simonsen: Buck, Young, 'Troy, James. Rlnkewell, M atson, Weinberg. J. H. Codyre, Cook'. Oriental: Turnbull; Eullfoi'd. Hale, M’oods; Siddells, Wilkinson; M’ebster; Revell, Huinperson. Rankinc, Baines, Sullivan, Dawson, Sinclair, Searle. Hard Forward Play. Forward play monopolised the game between Pirates and United at Wakefield Park. Pinites had the more rugged forwards. the front row being mainly responsible for keeping United on the defence. The backs also combined very well, particularly Masters and McKenzie, being fed nicely from the scrum by Thorbnrn. Mcßae and Mason were two fast

forwards, following up well and keeping on the ball all day. United had hard luck on several occasions, for some brilliant passing rushes failed to produce scores. The half-back, ML Littler, played n solid game, and the wing three-quarters were dangerous. Both teams played the three-four-one scrum. The teams were :— Pirates: McCarthy; 11. Johnson, Maisey. Spence, McKenzie; .Masters, Thorburn ; Donnelly; Mason. C. Johnson, Miller. Kerrigan, Birkett. McCrae, Love. United: Stevens; Mark - , .Bartlett, Capper: Hedges, Stevenson; A. and ML Littler, Biddle, A. and K. Aloynihan, Still. Hunter, Grainger, Mnrshnient. HOW THEY STAND Two Good Records Eastbourne, being unbeaten, is the leading team of the first division of the senior grade of the M’ellington Rugby Union, one point ahead of Athletic. Wellington College Old Boysand Poneke follow with four points each. 'Hie Athletic team hss a distinctive record, not having had its line crossed in three games. Johnsonville lends in the second <ll vision with 6 points, and also Ims a good record for defensive work, having given away only three points iu three games. Athletic, with five points, leads St. Pat.’s Old Boys by one point. Details of the scoring table are: — First Division.

IN OTHER CENTRES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland.— The third series of matches iu the Auckland Rugby Union’s senior championship was decided in ideal conditions. Ponsonby 22, beat Alarist 0; Manukttu 8, beat Technical 6; Grammar 19. beat Grafton 12; Otahuhu 14, beat Training College 0; University 38, beat College Rifles (I. ‘ ('hi’istcliui'ch.— Alerivale 6. drew wiilt Athletic 6: Sunnyside 8. bent Sydenham 3: Old Boys 17. beat Christchurch 3, Albion 16. bent; Linwood 1(1. Dunedin. — Southern 28. boat Union 3_; University A 10, beat Taieri 3; Pirates .15, beat Zingai'i 6; Alhambra 10. drew with Dunedin U); Kaikorai 15. beat University B o. New Plymouth.— Northern Division: Tiikapa 9, beat, Stratford 3; Clifton 22, beat Inglewood 3; Stratford United Old Boys 17. beat: Star 'll. Son I hern Division: Athletic 11. bent Lltlmm 11; Kttponga 9, bent AVnimatc 0; Oknittwa v. t’ateii, postponed. “N.Z. Sporting Life.” Again <m Saturday night, ‘‘N.Z. Sporting Life” gave a ictal of more results of field games in AVellington and Other centres than any other source, and OVER TWICE as mneb space to original and autlioriliitivc ‘‘l>orting articles. A real eporting paper for sportsmen. National Edition, Thursdays; Results Edition, Saturday nights.—Advt.

.Matches. Points. For. A;;. Ch AV. L. J). Eastbon me <) 0 • 1 . is r. .Athletic 0 1 35 3 5 old Buys .. 1 0 28 4 Poneke ... 1 n .17 1 Hutt 1 • ’ n 19 35 2 Wellington .... :1 •' 0 • 2G 2 I’etone .... 1) ■1. 31. 1. Afarists 0 3 0 n 12 0 Second Division. .Matches. Poiuts. av • 1.. I). PorAg. Ch .1 ohnsonville A th Wb' 3 0 0 31. 3 6 •> o 37 i 0 St. Pat's 0.1 1 0 13 19 4 1'nivorsit v i 1 1 17 11 3 United 1 0 12 -i» — Pirates ... 1 - ! 1 “’7 •17 2 Oriental . . 0 1 n ■23 1 Miramar (1 - 1 IS 13 1