GOOD CLUB RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 209, 1 June 1936, Page 11

GOOD CLUB RUGBY

Some Bright Displays In

Bad Conditions

EASTBOURNE BEATEN

Wellington College Old Boys Again in Form PETONE’S FIRST WIN Again revealing admirable fitness and combination, Wellington College Old Boye beat Eastbourne by 13 points to 0 in the main match of the Wellington Rugby Union's competitions on Saturday. On a slippery ground with a greasy ball the two teams gave quite a good exhibition, some of the handling being highly creditable in the circumstances. Athletic beat Wellington 10-8 in the curtain-raiser match at Athletic Para, and Poneke won 11-3 from Marist Brothers’ Old Boya at Petone. Wellington College Old Boys. Eastbourne and Poneke now lead m the competition with four wins each, Athletic being a point behind. Petone won its first game of the season, beating Hutt 3-0 at Hutt for the Mcßain Memorial Shield. A cold wind, accompanied at times oy driving rain, made conditions unsuitable for bright, open play, but several of the teams rose above these handicaps and gave creditable displays. The championship table now reads:

Old Boys Better AU Round. Highly-intensive backing-up _ of the hacks by the forwards gave Wellington College Old Boys their win over Eastbourne in an attractive game, considering the conditions, at Athletic Park. The Eastbourne forwards and backs worked most of the time as separate divisions, but Old Boys maintained close and consistent co-operation, so that the backs were always up to carry on a movement when the forwards were stopped and the forwards fanned out across field to support the backs when the ball was sent infield or to restart a movement when a pass went astray. The Old Boys forwards were more disciplined in their work, generally heeling smartly from rucks, whereas the Eastbourne forwards tried to boot the ahead through a forest of legs. The Eastbourne forwards were also inclined to kick too hard when dribbling with the goal line in sight, defending backs being given time to clear or force no fewer than eight times in the second half through the ball being kicked so far ahead that it was out of the control of those following it. The übiquitous white forwards were shrewdly led by J. R. Lamason and had tireless hunters in .1. R.Souness, M. Wright and L. C. Bydder. J. Dellabarca scored another spectacular try for Eastbourne, but spent most of the day on the fringe of the rucks, and more earnest work was done by N. Dellabarca, F. Berry and C. Waite. The Old Boys backs were given a good start in every attack by the smart running and clean handling of B. S. Sadler and H. Baldwin, but in the three-quarter line the taking and giving of passes was not always certain, though the speed possessed there always made passing nishcs menacing, both JI. Binning and N. Burns scoring tries. J Plank and J. Fleming, the Eastbourne five-eighths, worked hard to overcome the disadvantage at which they were placed by the elowness with unicn the ball was given them by E. Foley, and D. Plank was speedy and elusive at centre once taking full advantage of indifferent tackling to score a dandy try. W. Crisp was off his game at full-back. I he teams were:— , Old Boys: R. Masters; N. Burns, M. Binning, R. Wright; A. K. Hill, H. Baldwin; B. S. Sadler; J. R- Souness, x\. Amies, J. Hewitt, J. R. Lamason, C. LClaridge, J. Reynolds, M. Wright, L. G. *Bydder. Claridge went off hurt, bein o re placed by V. Morris. n Eastbourne: W. Crisp; J. M allin o , I. Plank, N. McMillan; J. Fleming, J. Plank; E. Foley; C. Wane, J. De abarca, J. Robinson, F. Clark, N. Dellabarca, J. A. Robertson, J. Berry, M. Griffiths. Athletic Wins in .Nick of Time. Though the backs sadly missed E. W. Tindill, out of the niatcu through a le g injury, Athletic contrived to beat Wellington in the nick of tune after being behind from before half-time. Once acain, however. Athletic capitalised on th.- value of field goals, D. Mclntyre kicking one just after he had kicked a penalty in the first halt. Jo fill linddls place, T. McCauley was brought mto fiveeighth from centrc-three-quarter, and R. Forbes played as centre. In the torwards M. Cooper was rested through an injury to his leg, M . Baker playing instead. The only Wellington change was in the front row, F. Stevens replacing W. Edwards, who was emergency. Led by G. Wells. K. Guy, and L. Edwards, the Athletic pack played its usual solid game, keep.ng well up with the ball and worrying the Wellington backs by quick breaking up. At the back of the scrum G. Wales got through a tremendous amount of useful work, his tast following up troubling the opposing defences time and again, and his discerning defence be.ng invaluable to Athletic. xi noticeable feature of the game was the speed with which the ball came out to Athletic’s half-back; F. Mollier s hooking was very good. Wells was the best forward on the ground. Wellington’s forwards hunted well and broke up many Athletic back movements before they could be started. W. G. McLean, F. H. F. Smith, and I- J- Climo went very well, but R. J. Coupland, at the back of the scrum, was not as effective as usual, since he had to spend much of his time watching Wales. The back lines were fairly evenly matched, though Wellington’s played better together and their attacking movements were generally more threatening, though bad handling at the centre spoiled manv of them, L. Edwards often running over his passes. But he did much sound work in defence, and gave needed thrust to some of the rushes. Th tackling of both sides was particularly good. Athletic won, bur. it might be said that Wellington was unlucky to lose. The teams W Athletic: D. Mclntyre; D. Thomson, R Forbes, S. Dickey; R. Karsten, T. Mt* Cauley; K. Mack; W. Baker, F. Mollier K. Watson, G. Wells, G. Wales, F. Bowling. L. Edwards, K. Guy Wellington: W. L. Cresswell; D. I<. Paterson, L. Edwards. E. F. Ullrich; 11. H Trapp. R- C. Veitch ; A. K. Richardson ; R. J. Coupland, W. G. McLean, C. I Carlyon, F. H. F. Smith, 8. Neal, I. J. Climo, F. Stevens, R. Dimes. Poneko Too Good for Marist Brolheis Old Boys. Unfavourable conditions induced a drabness in the play of both teams at 1 ctone, but Poneke deserved its win by 11 points (two tries, one converted, and a penalty goal), to three points (one try). In the loose the Marist Brothers Old Boys forwards did good work, sweeping down-field time and again with the ball at their feet. In the scrums they were outplayed. Refusing to push, they were themselves pushed all over the place. Their backs were greatly inferior in handling to the Poneke hacks. The Poneke backs gave several exhibitions of fine handling in the second half, and were extremely unlucky not to score on two or three occasions. There was a tendency also for too many Marist players to attempt to go for the ball instead of leaving it to one player. Thus

dropped catches were many, and the Poneke forwards were not slow to take advantage of this failing. Territorially Poneke had the better oi the game. This, indeed, was the result of better combined play. Not only was the passing of the backs better, but the centre-kicking of the Poneke backs wa s b<!tter judged and enabled them to maintain the attack. One of I’oneke’s tries was what has come to be known as a “Jap try.’ lhe scrum was pushed over the Marist line am. the Poneke players in the scrum fell on it. The tackling of both teams, under the conditions, was fairly good. Both Imoh packed three-four-one serums. Th'! teams were:-— .... . " Poneke: W. Barrett; L. Martyn. LReece, R. Hill; J Vartan, J. Griffiths; J Potier; H. Kershbcrg, G. Ongley, 1Crichton, F. Kean, C. Pringle, V. Calcinai, E. O’Brien, A. Culley. . Marist: G. Hewson; P. Stiver, G. MeGreevy, L. McGrcevy; W. Langdon, M. Spillane; N. Quinn; J. Meadows. FDonoghue, R. McLean, J. Quirker, 1. Leahy, P. Keegan, J. Elliot, F. Blatch. retono Just Get Home. Hard-fought from start to finish, the game at Hutt, in which Petone defeated its old rival Hutt by three points to ml, provided fast, rugged lootmill. The Mcßain Memorial Shield, which is played tor annually between these two learns m the lirst round, was at stakej and as a result of its win Petone retains tiie trophy. The teams were so evenly matched mat tue score might quite easily have iieen the reverse. ’.though a greasy bail made handling diliicint, ooth sets-of backs moved into action whenever opportunity offered. As usual, the nutt baeus Wc.e ineffective on attack, while sond on deience. There was, However, a uouc-eaine improvement in ilie offensive play oi tne inside backs, but strangely enough the three-quarter line was not as lorceiul as usual. \V. E. Jarman showed a return to his best torm, naudiiug the hall well both tu the air and on the ground, and gaining much ground with bis accurate kicking. He was every bit as good as 11. R. Pollock, tue opposing tull-back, who played very close ut>. Although this policy allowed Pollock to enter into the back movements as an extra five-eighth, there were several occasions when it would have been infinitely better bad he been further back, and good fortune smiled on the side more than once when he was caught out of position. As a chain tue Petone backs were more effective than Hutt, but even so lacked a useful measure of thrust. Both packs turned on a great display of tight scrummaging with the three-four-one formation. In the loose, too, the forwards hunted together like tigers. M. W. Devine played an outstanding game for Hutt, his line-out work being a feature. He was well supported by E. Cotilstou aud E. Barry. The Petone pack was headed by A. Lambourn, B. Abrim and J. Clayton. The teams were:— Hutt: W. E. Jarman; G. Phillips, A. Hausen, G?Nees; E. Manders, E. Sargisson; G. Zane; J. Foster, D. J. Potter, C. Saulbrey, E. Barry, E. Coulston, A. Roberts, M. W. Devine, I. Mclntosh. Petone: H. R. Pollock; N. McGurk, C. Hudson, G. Thomas; A. Edwards, N. Edwards; C. O’Halloran; J, Clayton, A. Lambourn, W. Sundgren, M. Mitchell, I. Carter, M. Palmer, B. Abrim, R. Cleland. THE SECOND DIVISION Two Men Ordered Off Johnsonville’s line for the first time this season on Saturday, but the team maintained its lead in the second division of the senior grade by beating Oriental 15-<>. St. Patricks College Old Boys downed Athletic 10-3, moving into second position, two points behind Johnsonv.lle. Miramar beat United, and University won from. Pirates, lhe table of points is;— Matches Points

Johnsonville Still Ahead. Flaying Oriental at the Kilbirnie Reserve, Johnsonville maintained its unbeaten record, but Oriental managed to cross the Johnsonville line on one occasion, the first try to be recorded agaiust Johnsonville this season. Considering the effect of the strong southerly which blew downfield, the game was a good one, with both sides str.viug hard. For some peculiar reason, Oriental on winning the toss elected to face the wind, but Johnsonville, despite the obvious superiority in the backs, who had a good share of the ball, failed to take advantage of the conditions. The handling was good, but very sound defence by the opposition saw each man well marked. By half-time the score was 10 to O, but Johnsonville had scored only one try. Territorially, the game had been very even, with the Oriental forwards going very well indeed, following up quickly and keeping play tight. , On the change-over, the Johnsonville pack became the dominating factor, some great dribbling and fast following up making Johnsonville the more dangerous Oriental missed the services of A. Wilkinson and It. Dawson, both injured, and played N. McCann, a back 'iu the serum. Johnsonville played without H. Trenchard and L. Chaney; G. C. Moore aud J. Lee were also not available. Johnsonville, however, fielded a useful newcomer in Wiese, a Marlborough representative of last season. J. Burns was Johnsonville's best back, with F. Kelly and M. Kenny also playing well. H. Fulford was Oriental’s outstanding player, with 11. Syddall sound. In the packs all worked well, J. Hall, a good loose forward, A. Kenny, and Bowler for Johnsonv.lle and W. Humpllerson, J. Baynes, and F. Sullivan for Oriental being the best. Both sides packed three-three-two. The teams were: Johnsonville: M. Kenny; F. Kelly, W. Welsh, Wiese; G. Burns, J. Hallewell; J. Burns; K. Behrant, C. Nossitter, A. Kenny (captain), D. Grant D. Bowler, IL Hunter, A. Craig, J. Hall. Oriental: D. Turnbull; H. Fulford, B. Hale, J. Wood; H. Syddall (captain). N. Murdoch; K. Webster; S. Revell S. Sinclair, F. Sullivan, J. Baynes, McCann. B. Rankin, W. Humpherson, S. Searle. SI. Patrick’s Combination Wins Game. Athletic met a better all-round team in St. Patrick's Old Boys at Prince of Wales Park. Both packs started hard football with the ex-collegians obtaining most oi the ball. G. Marshall the half, opened the game up, but at times his passing wa.v wild. J. F. Parker, the Athletic full back, handled superbly, but failed to take advantage of a strong wind and exploit the high punt. T. Trott, E. Cleverly, and D. Pope used their weight tn the Athletic pack, while L. Archibald ana J. Smith were prominent in the line-outs. Athletic missed R. Pelham (poisoned knee), and W. Baker and R. Forbes, for wards, promoted to the first division. J. McDermott was very strong o n defence for St. Patrick’s, and I’. O Connor, the centre, good in attack. Once, receiving at half-way, aud going “flat out, nt scored brilliantly under the posts. The second half was in favour of St. P.'.trick’s. G. Stott was not sending the leather on, and A. Badland, a very power ful Athletic three-quarter, was starved. W. Hart, J. McCarthy, and E. Wright made some slashing foot rushes for St Patrick's, and S. Johns continually hooked the ball. The forwards kept together but their packing could have been more solid.

For St. Patrick’s J. Wareham was good on the wing except for occasional faulty handling. He uses a powerful fend to advantage. McDermott showed judgment and pace when working the blind side. V. Wilspn. the Athletic half, showed up on defence. Occasional high tackling by some of the St. Patrick's forwards gave Marshall and McDermott extra defence work. K. O'Connor, St. Patrick's full-back, demonstrated his power-

ful kick. J. Twobill. a good three-quarter, got few opportunities. The teams were: — St. Patrick's Old Boys: K. O’Connor; J. Wareham. P. O'Connor, J. Twohdl; J. McDermott.. J. Black; G. Marshall; W. Hart, S. Johns, K Hogan, I. Smith. G. Haydon, E. Wright, E. Todd, J. McCarthy. Athletic: J. F. Parker; Ji. Badland, A. Bradley, J. Pollock; G. Stott, L. Martlew; V. Wilson; W. Elworthy. D. Pope, P. Christophers, E. Cleverly, J. Smith, L. xU-chibald, T. Trott, J. Porter. Ragged Play at Miramar. Miramar beat United, at Miiamar, in a hard-fought but ragged game. The first half was a scramble, but mere were intervals of good football in the second. The ground, although soaked by inteimiitent rain, was fairly firm. Miramar played a three-two-three scrum, United three-four-one. Play opened with a strong attack oy United forwards, who for a quarter of an hour pressed Miramar hard. Baeks on both sides handled badly, ami throughout the game tackling was poor. The Miramar pack, at first lacking cohesion, soon rallied and began to break through the scrums repeatedly with the ball at their feer. The back play was mostly individual efforts. Heavy rain tool; the sting out of both sides. After the interval United tracks combined better. L. Bartlett, J. Capper and J. Stevenson were playing well, and the last-named potted a pretty goal. J. Dawson (Miramar), a quick mover made two good solo runs, one of them right through the pack, each culminating in a try. The Miramar kicking was poor. R. Batchelor (Miramar) made a fine run, scoring in the corner right on time. Toward the close of play L. Stevens (United) and J. H. Codyre (Miramar) were sent >tf the field for fighting. The loss of the latter robbed the Miramar pack of a great deal of its push. The teams were:— Miramar: D. Algar; I’. Aldous, H Baird, R. Batchelor; J. Greenall. J. Daw-

SPORT ON OTHER PAGES. Golf Page 13 Harriers „ 14 Rugby League „ 14 Badminton „ 14 Indoor Bowls 14 Basketball „ 14 Women’s Hockey .... » 1<»

son: R. Simonsen; J. Young, x\. James, J. Minnoek, S. Catchpole, S. Troy, J. Blackwell, J. 11. Codyre, E. Weinberg.

United: L. Stevens; J. Capper, L. Bartlett. G. Gooch, B. Hedges, J. Stevenson ; W. Littkir; -A.. Moynihan, J. Granger, K. Moynihan, J. Holmes, K. Bartlett, S. Biddle, C. Marks, M. Beaton. University in Form. The meeting between University and Pirates at Kelburh Park resulted in a hard game which lacked few bright moments. University won by 13 points to 9. The University forwards had a slight advantage in both line-outs and scrums; there was little to choose between the two sets of backs. G. G. Rae and W. Tricklebank, of University, were easily the best backs on the field. Tricklebank seems to be regaining his form of last season. Pirates have the services of F. Kerrigan', a Manawatu respresentative, in the forwards. He plays a tireless game, and was the most outstanding forward. They also have L. McKenzie, a brother of the x\JI Black; he plays at centre, but was a spectator on Saturday on account of a shoulder injury. Varsity’s back line was weakened by the absence of C. O'Regan, who received injuries last week. S. G. Eade was the pick of the University forwards. The four tries scored during the game all resulted from good manoeuvres by the backs. The first try by University started on the half-way line by Rao, who cut out two or three men and sent infield. The teams were:—

University: W. Tricklebank; J. P. Mules, R. C. Wild, M. O. Ekd.ihl; Reid, P. Simin; G. G. Rae; W. R. Cunliffe, B. G. Jackson, It. It. Burke, W. G. Thurston, E. H. Blacker, L. O. Desborough, G. E. Wilson, S., G. Eade. Pirates: G. Honeyfield; 11. Johnson, W. Knudson, D. Thor.nburn; R. Maisey, A. Masters; Mitchell; C. Johnson, R. Mason. Love, H. Burkett, F. Kerrigan, F. Bognuda, R. Miller, C. Mcßae. CRICKET SCORES The match in which Petone beat Institute by 109 points to nil in the seventh grade competition on Saturday afternoon was played at Kilbirnie. The score at half-time was 56 to nil. A similar score might have been piled up by Johnsonville against Eastbourne in the same grade. Johnsonville was leading by 30 pointe to nil at half-time, when the Eastbourne lads cried enough. IN OTHER CENTRES By Telegraph.—Press xlssociation. Auckland: Ponsonby 27 beat Grammar 20; Marist 5-1 beat North Shore 3; College Rifles 9 beat Manukau 8; Otahuhu 22 beat University 8. Christchurch: Old Boys 17 beat Merivale 3; Sunnyside 16 beat University 0; Linwood 30 beat Sydenham 6; xllbion 24 beat xYtliletie 14.

Dunedin: Pirates 12 beat Varsity x\ 8; Kaikorai 17 beat xVlhambra 6; Southern 41 beat Varsity B 0; Union 22 beat Taieri 14; Zingari 11 beat Dunedin 8.

Matches. Points. w. L. D. For. Ag. Ch. Eastbourne .... 4 1 0 CHj 44 8 Wgtn. College O.B. 4 1 0 oO 41 8 Foneke 4 1 0 56 29 8 3 1 1 52 24 7 Wellington .... 0 47 44 4 1 3 1 39 00 Hutt -••••••••• 1 4 0 • 57 J M.B.O.B 0 r. 0 26 70 0

W. L. D. F. A. Ch. Johnsonville o 0 0 99 9 10 St. Patrick's 0.15... 4 1 0 SG 35 8 Athletic •«••••••••• 1 1 54 49 4 o 2 1 47 62 .) University •••••••• 2 42 41 Pirates ««•••••••••• 1 4 0 41 74 2 United 1 4 0 19 89 2 Oriental 0 4 1 23 G2 1