RUGBY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 243, 11 July 1938, Page 15

RUGBY LEAGUE

Knock-out Competition Begins

With the Wellington Rugby League’s first grade premiership competition concluded and won by Petone, the knockout competition began on Saturday. In this competition teams defeated in the opening matches cannot enter the semilinalc? or the final. They continue to play, however, aw in the ordinary method of competition. Ar? a result of last Saturdays games Petone, St. George and Centra] enter the semi-finals. St. George v. Newtown.

The ground at Newtown Park was in a very heavy and muddy condition. The general play, however, exceeded expectations and tsome bright football was witnessed. in the circumstances the handling of both sides was remarkably good, and the ball travelled from man to man in concerted movements. The St. George men have developed their play along swift passing and intensive backing-up lines, and, with a monopoly of the ball from e’ct scrummages, they gave the Newtown defenders a busy time. It would be difficult to name any St. George back as an outstanding 'player because they all play with such tine team spirit, devoid of selfishness*. It would be not unfair, however, to say that in Eadie, a strong and elusive runner, St. George has a winger of marked possibilities. His method of propping and stepping out of a tackle makes him an ideal man to finish off try-getting movements. The Newtown backs defended wit a great spirit. It was their best all-round display to date. Furnell, formerly fullback for the widely reputed Richmond Rovers club in* Auckland, appeared in the Newtown back line and played an outstanding game. His handling ora greasy and heavy ball, his speed oft the mark and his clever footwork were excellent. Furnell played in the New land Rugby League trials and Provided J.-Hemi with serious rivalry for the tailback position in the Kiwis. Drew, scrumhalf, Holmes and Restieaux were other Newtown backs to impress. Beaten tor the ball in the scrums, the forwards had greater success in the rucks. McCormack and Rierson were two Newtown forwards who battled solidly throughout the game. The score of 31 points to 10 in favour of St. George is not really a true indication of the merit and run of play ? half-time St. George led 26-0, but in the second half were actually outpointed by Newtown 10-5. .. . Scorers for St. George were Mulholland (2), Eadie (2), Simons, Mustchin and Mailman, tries; O’Connor kicked five goals. For Newtown McCormack scored a try and Furnell was awarded an obstruction try and also kicked two goals.

The teams were:— St. George: Spencer. Eadie, Mailman, Mulholland, Cook, O’Connor; Robertson, Swanberg, Simons, Karam, Carrol, Moisley, Mustchin. Newtown: Churchward, Beaton, Holmes, Furnell, Drew, Bell, Restieaux, McCormack, Hammie, Bradley. Rierson, Brown, Bradley. Randwick v. Fctone. When Randwick held Petone to five points in the opening stages, their supporters were confident ot final victory. But they reckoned without the pace and the superb combination of the Petone backs, the bustling tactics of the forwards, and the brilliantly sound game at full-back played by Perkinson, who never made a mistake. , The game was fast and willing, and there were times when .tempers became not a little frayed. Petone had just won the club’s championship and bad been given hard matches by Randwick. Ibis was a knock-out competition and both teams were right, out to win. In .the first half Randwick, not fielding altogether their usual team, and minus their crack full-back Thomas, played right on top of the Petone team, bustling them into faulty passing and wild kicking. But they could not ni“int“ l “ the pace and Goman, getting the ball from the scrums in the second half with monotonous regularity, fed his backs w ®9-. The passing of those backs was, on the whole good, and every man made ground before handing on to his next man. They were aided in their runs by a tendency on the part of some of the Randwick players to tackle round the neck rather than round the legs. Ail outstanding player on the 1 etone side was Holland, who showed commendable determination both in running and in tackling. One of his tries was an astounding piece of brilliance. Lie secuied right on the sideline in hie own twentyfive ran to halfway and kicked long; then, racing hard after the ball, he secured from two opponents and went on to score. He narrowly missed several other tries. The veteran Pilcher was a hard battier in the forwards and thoroughly deserved his two tries. . The match finished with Petone victors bv 29 points to 8. Petone’s pointe were made up of tries by Holland (2), Coman (2), Pilcher (2), Kreyl (1). Coman kicked a penalty goal and converted three tries. Randwick's points oume from tries by Litoffi and Brown, Clark converting one try.

The teams were : — „ I’etone: Perkinson, Holland, Patrick, White, O’Connor, Scorringe, Coman, Nixon, Pilcher, Deveny, Seiwood, O’Brien, Kreyl. , _ n , , Randwick: Clark, Brown, Bell, \Lulloch, Daly, Lovett, Perrett, Beas ey, Berry, Killea, Eastwood, Litoll, Andera<>Referee: Mr. J. R. Kennerley. Reserve Grade. In the reserve grade championship final played at the Winter Showground bt. George 13 defeated Newtown 5. Eastern. Suburbs 8 defeated Central 0. Miramar B 2 defeated St. George B 0. KIWIS’ RETURN Match At Auckland The New Zealand Rugby League football team will arrive in Auckland this morning by the Aorangi and will be wel corned home bj' members of the New Zealand and Auckland Rugby League. The Kiwis created a splendid impression in Australia and were an extremely popular team both on and off the field. Private information received from Mr. Ji A. Redwood, manager of the Kiwte and president of the New Zealand Rugby League council, in that the boys acted wonderfully throughout the tour and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. All, however. are looking forward to their return to New Zealand. There has been some agitation in Auckland for the Kiwis to play a match before they break up a<-> the Auckland public wish to see them in action. The New Zealand Rugby League council cabled this information to the Kiwis, who have replied agreeing to a match being arranged. On Saturday next the Kiwis will play Auckland at Carlaw Park.

IN OTHER CENTRES By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland. — Marist 14, Mount. Albert 8; Newton 13, City 9;. Richmond 18, North Shore 5; Ponsonby Papakura 6. Christchurch. — Sydenham 17, Rakaia 13;'Linwood 17, Waimairi 6; Hornby 12. Addington 8.

The touring team’s record is:— v. New South Wales .. Lost 12-25 v. New South Wales .. Won 37-1S v. Counttv Centre .. Won 23-2 . . 1 iOS't 11-31 v. Toowoomba .... .. Won 12-11 .. Lost 12-21 v. Country Centre . .. Won 26-15 v. Newcastle .. Won 30-16 v. Sydney .. Drawn 19-19