REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 17764, 12 September 1921, Page 3

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

OTAGO ON TOUR. BEATEN BY CANTERBURY. ISpecul to thb 1 Star.’] ’ CHRISTCHURCH;, September 10. The Canterbury-Otago final score (19-14) probably represented the difference in merit between the two teams on the day. It was a very interesting match to watch, and was on the whole a splendid exhibition of Rugby, streets ahead of the display in the test match against the Welshmen the previous Saturday. The Otago' men made more mistakes than their opponents, and were weak in scrum work. Their defence taken'all through was solid. Had it not been so some of the Canterbury backs’ attacking movements would have ended across Otago’s line instead of being smothered. Play was always open and bright, and mnay limes drew rounds of applause from the spectators. THE PLAY. Otago kicked off with the sun in their faces at 3.7 p.ra., and play opened on the Canterbury side of halfway. The Otago forwards had the best of the first exchanges, particularly in the loose. Good line-kicking removed play to halfway, where Henry fielded the ball, and after a smart ran got in a long kick, resulting in Otago being forced. Shortly afterwards Otago were .again forced. The Canterbury backs got in motion, but Mullins was well stopped by Hawke when he was looking dangerous. Play hovered for some time in Otago territory, Canterbury showing to better advantage in all departments of the game. A fierce Canterbury forward rush had Otago in temporary trouble, but Watson effected a splendid save by collaring Wilson, the Canterbury wing three-quarter, when a score looked imminent, and Owles cleverly found the lino at centre. The Canterbury ’ forwards looked like breaking through to the line, but Stewart, by bringing down Mullins, frustrated the dangerous onslaught. Otago were penned in their twenty-five lor some time, till Sonntag and Davidson headed a great forward rash, and removed play to the other end of the field, from wiwre Carnegie and Cummings rushed the ball back, and Otago were forced. As a result of Cummings’s kick Otago continued to be penned on their fine, and eventually Ellis crossed from a forward scramble. Henry failed with: the kick Canterbury .., 5 Otago 0 On resuming, Ward put in a fine run. and passed to Stewart, from whom it went on to Owles, who lost the ball. Then Watson had an unsuccessful shot a few seconds afterwards. M'Naughton started an Otago passing movement, and when tackled trnnsferered to Stewart, whose pace was irresistible, and he got across and ran behind the posts. Watson failed to convert.

Otago ‘ 5 Canterbury ... 3 Otago were now putting more “ginger ” into it, and having a good deal the best of play, but the Canterbury forwards now and then broke through, Campbell in particular being very prominent at this stage. But the defence of the Otago backs was sound, and the home team made little impression. Davidson led a forward rush, removing play to the, Canterbury twentyfive, bat a long kick was, fumbled by Watson, and in a flash play was on the Otago line, where, after, being forced, Otago lost the ball in a scrum and E. Cummings scored to the left of the posts, Campbell kicking a good goal. Canterbury 8 Otago o A few moments afterward Evans crosskicked to Henry, who easily ran across, and Campbell converted. Canterbury 15 Otago 3 A magnificent run by Ward from near the line ended in his being collared by Mullins in the Canterbury twenty-five, and a hot attack was made on the home line. M'Naughton gave a long pass to Stewart, who after a dodgy, .clever run scored. Harley failed with' the kick. Canterbury ... 13 Otago 6 Half-time was immediately sounded. Taken on the whole Canterbury had the best of the first spell, their backs being much nippier than Otago’s. Otago’s forwards, however, broke away better from the scrum, but they frequently overran the ball. So far clean, crisp football had been shown, without any particularly outstanding feature. The factors that told against Otago were that the Canterbury forwards had the better control of the scrum and the ball, and consequently were able to feed their backs much better and with more surety than the Southerners. The Otago tackling was rather patchy, sound at times, and occasionally very weak. —Second Spell.— • On resumption the Otago forwards by loose rushes worked play to the Canterbury twenty-five, where eventually Owles made" an opening, passed to Harley, who sent it on to Stewart, ond the latter scored after a dodgy run. Harley failed with the kick. Canterbury ... 13 Otago 9 After a spell of uninteresting play near the centre, a loose Canterbury forward rush had the Otago line in danger, but Watson relieved with a "long kick to halfway. A fine run by .Ward was stopped bv Mullins in the Canterbury twenty-five. The nest incident was a great bxeak-away by the Canterbury forwards, led by Ellis. They took the ball to the Otago line, where Mullins secured and crossed, but was called back for an. off-side pass. The ball travelled up and down the field for soma time, honors being fairly even. At one stage Stewart missed a good opportunity to score by badly fumbling the ball. Breaking away from the centre, the Otago backs carried the ball to home territory, but the defence was sound, and the attack was soon smothered. Both teams were now keeping play verv open, and the spetcators were kept keenly interested by the way the ball was thrown about on both sides. About five yards from halfway. Henry essayed a kick from a penalty, and landed a magnificent goal. Canterbury 16 Otago ... 9 Play was' stopped for'a few minutes owing to Carnegie being laid out by a kick on the head. Eesnmine, Canterbury started a fierce onslaught, which ended in Mullins cleverly beating all opposition and scoring near the corner flag. Campbell failed with the shot at goal. Canterbury 19 Otago 9 Otago retaliated with a sweeping rush, and Wilson finally passed to Ward, who scored. Owles kicked a goal. Final: Canterbury ... ... 19 Otago 14

TEAMS EVENLY MATCHED. WINNERS SEIZED THEIR CHANCES. [Special to the ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, September 12. The ‘ Press ’ says :—Neither team was ftt full strength, though Canterbury had more of its best side away than Otago, and the. general opinion was that Otago would win. However, the Canterbury forwajds, who appear to have the habit of coming to light when needed, played a game “out of the box,” while the backs also showed better combination than in the previous match, with the result that the Red-and-Blacks left the field 5 points to the good. The game was a very evenlycontested one, and there was- little to choose between the two teams.' A draw would just about have represented the actual play; but Canterbury won because they took more advantage of the opportunities that canto their way.

SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR. AGAINST NELSoiuMARLBOROUGH. NELSON, September 10. lire game between the Africans and a Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay combined team was .played at Nelson on Saturday. The weather was fine and the ground in excellent condition. During the first spell play was fairly event, with flashes of brilliancy on both .sides. Fitzgerald, for the home side, converted a penalty with a nice kick. A few minutes later De Kock, accepting and cutting in smartly, touched down, but Morkel failed to increase. The score was 5 points all at half-time. In the second spell the South Africans gave a magnificent display, throwing the ball about with great abandon. Vercoe, ns full-back for the combined team, saved his side time and time again. Michau, accepting cleanly, dashed over. 1 lis try was unconverted. Africa 6, Combined Team 3. De Kock’s first try was the result of a very tricky piece of play. From a feinting pass he dashed over, completely surprising the local backs. The tackling of the local side was not up to representative form in the first spell, but considerable improvement was effected in the second half. Vercoe’s exhibition at fullback was a very pleasing feature of the game, tackling and kicking with certainty. A brilliant passing rush, in which Morkel, Strauss, and "Do Kock participated, ended in the last-named cutting in cleverly and passing out to Zeller, who scored between the posts. Merkel converted. Africa 11, Combined 3. The South African backs were now getting into better working order, brilliant play becoming more frequent. Michauds kicking was smartly followed up by Strauss and Dc Kock, who touched down. Morkel adding the major points. Africa 16, Combined 3. Meyer, breaking away, made a nice run, but was finely tackled. Securing the ball from a loose scram, the ball was passed out to Meyer, who scored in the corner. Morkel converted from a difficult angle. Africa , 21, Combined 5. The Nelson forwards nut in some fine work. They took the ball up the field, but the South Africans’ defence was very safe, Morkel saving by a long kick. The South Africans were now putting in some beautiful passing work, which ended in Strauss securing a brilliant try. Morkel converted, and the game ended :

Africa 2o Combined ... ■ 5 In regard to the complaint by Mr Bennett, manager of the -Springboks, as to the time at which the Nelson match was set down to start, it is stated that Uie Nelson Rugby Union informed the New Zealand Rugby Union that the game was to'start at"2!45. As no reply was received, it was understood that the Rugby Union In I accepted the time. Regarding the accommodation, or the lack of it, at the Masonic Hotel, the Nelson Rugby Union states that the accommodation, was cancelled by the New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr H. Atmoro, 'member for Nelson, despatched the folowing telegram to the general manag-*-' of the Union Steam Ship Company at Wellington:—“Manager of the Springboks has complained that no berthing accommodation is available for return trip. Can you do anything in the matter? Please wire me.” He received the following reply;—“No application made to this office for berths return trip. We naturally assumed Rugby Union officials your end would be arranging accommodation with passenger clerk when booking for Nelson. Advised Coombes (secretary' of New Zealand Rugby Union) wire Nelson for berths return trip.” SOUTHLAND LOSE THE SHIELD. HEAVY SCORING SECOND SPELL. In the presence of 1 about 9,000 spectators, including the Governor-General, Wellington met Southland at Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday in tho match for the Ranfurly Shield. Wellington kicked off against the sun, and in less than five minutes after play opened Diack scored for Southland from an opening made by Cockroft, Pidells (Wellington full-back) having slipped when about to force. Agnew converted. ■ Southland ' 5‘ Wellington ’ 0

Southland kept up strong pressure until the Wellington forwards carried play to the Southland line, where Wright forced. The bright sun was causing Wellington some trouble. Bell broke away on the line-out, but crossed into touch. Wellington were gradually pressed back into their own twenty-five, where I. Brown had _an unsuccessful pot from the field. Owing to the wind carrying a high kick backward, the Wellington defence was left unexpectedly open, but H. E. Nicholls was equal to the occasion, and punted down the field. After another unsuccessful pot by G. Brown, Wellington penetrated into their opponents’ territory. Play presently returned to the Wellington twenty-five, where an opportunity of clearing was lost through Markham fumbling the ball. Play livened up when W. Evan made a strong run up the line into Southland’s territory. D. Algar passed to Wright, but'the visitors resumed their attack, and Diack was held up at the corner on two successive occasions. Southland were having the best of the play when Strang and Cockroft were doing good work in the forward division. After a prolonged period of play in which Southland kept the home side defending, H. E. Nicholls set his backs hi action at halfway, and a passing rush between Hutchison. M. Nicholls, and Markham ended in the latter scoring. King failed with the shot at goal. Southland 5 f Wellington ... 3 Two minutes later King scored after D. Algar had opened up play. Wellington 6 Southland 5 This advantage livened Wellington up, and there was some bright work on the part of the Nicholls brothers and Jackeon. Just before half-time Wellington, having been pushed back by the opposing forwards, Lopdell intercepted a short pass by “Ginger” Nicholls. and dashed over. Lopdell took the kick himself, but missed. Southland 8 Wellington 6 When the second spell opened Oilmour replaced H. Brown, the Southland centre three-quarter, the last-named going to fill the place of I. Brown, who retired. Siddels took the ball well to the Southland twenty-five. Mark Nicholls then had a penalty kick just inside halfway, and the ball sailed between the posts beautifully. Wellington 9 Southland 8

From a scrum inside halfway, H. E. Nicholls sent the ball to M. Nicholls, who transferred to Hutchison, but the latter dropped, and Gilmour dived in, gaining much ground for his side by a lino kick. Southland were very dangerous, ■ but Wellington found relief in a force. . Ryan and King were partners .in a fast forward rush,, but the ball went out. Play now became fast and interesting. J. Shearer followed up a short kick, but was beaten by H. Brown, who forced. Shortly afterwards M. Nicbolls kicked a penalty goal from midway between the twenty-five line and halfway, making the score Wellington 12 Southland 8 Wellington came close to scoring from a rush initiated by S. Shearer, but Markham was upended just before reaching Southland’s line. A few minutes later a smart passing rush took place in front of the Southland goal, ending in Hutchison cutting in and scoring under the posts. M. Nicholls converted. Wellington, 17 Southland 8 The next Wellington score came from a goal kick by Hutchison' from a mark, making the score: Wellington 20 Southland 8 At this stage King, the Wellington rover, went pit, and Gair replaced him. Shortly before time Gair scored from the ruck, and M., Nicholls converted. Wellington ... ... 25 Southland ... ... 8

Wellington were caught napping jnst afterwards, and H. Brown scored by the posts, Agnew converting. Wellington ... 25 Southland 13 Wellington then attacked, and S. Shearer got over at the corner, receiving a- pass from J. Shearer. M. Nicholls missed the goal. Wellington 28 Southland 13 There was no further score. Mr R. MTvenzio (Otago) was referee. ,

AUCKLAND v. TARANAKI. The Auckland-Taranaki match was played at Eden Park, Auckland, in line weather on a hard ground. The attendance was between four and five thousand. ' Auckland kicked off. Taranaki returned to the centre. Play for the first ten minutes was very even, till an Auckland dribbling rush carried the play to the Taranaki twenty-live, where the ball was sent to the backs, and Williams scored after the ball had been handled by almost the whole of the Auckland backs. V. Badelov’s kick failed. On resuming the play wont to the Auckland _ twentyfive and remained at this end till the first change over, when the visitors were pressing the locals hard close to the Auckland goal. Play for five minutes was in the Auckland end, till full-bdck, relieved, by a fine kick to Taranaki’s twenty -five. • From a penalty V. Badeley’s kick compelled' the visitors to force. A passing rush by Auckland ended in Earle being thrown out at the corner. Almost immediately a similar movement, in which Williams. Millikin. Lucas, and Grierson participated, ended in latter scoring under the posts. V. Badeloy’s kick failed. Taranaki worked the ball the full length of the ground, Malone and Cameron being chiefly responsible. By fine forward play the Taranaki forwards dribbled to the line, but a free kick to Auckland relieved them. Play went to the centre, then back to the visitors’ territory, where it remained until half-time with ” the score : Auckland 6, Taranaki 0. In the second spell the visitors earned the play to Auckland’s twenty-five, and had a fine chance to score ; but the handling by the backs was slow, and Lucas cut off play and transferred to the Auckland end, where from a free, kick Hooker placed a penalty goal A long kick by V. Badeley sent the ball beyond halfway, but play speedily returned to Auckland territory, with laianaki attacking, Y. Badeley breaking through the centre, transferred to Millikin, who was well supported by the forwards. He passed to Helander, who scored near the posts. M’Cullough s kick went wide. Auckland 9, Taranaki 5. Taranaki returned to the attack. Lush got a bump when pulling up, and M Lean had to relieve him. Auckland made a_ determined attack, carrying the ball right to the Taranaki line, and looked like scoring, but Millikin dropped a pass which would have given him a try. A free kick to Auckland, and the ball went out at the Taranaki corner. In a Taranaki attack cross-passing by Hicke yand Berg saw the former score. Hookers kick faned. Auckland 9. Taranaki 6. With Taranaki attacking strongly m the Auckland twenty-five a very fine combined passing rush turned the tables, ending in G. Badeley scoring and MUullough converting. Auckland 14, Taranaki 6. Taranaki "backs made several attempts, and Auckland were hard pressed for a short time. Auckland attacking carried play to near the visitors’ goal, where Auckland nearV scofcd twice. Then Williams (Auckland's wing three-quarter) got the ball midway, and after a fine run scored between , the posts. M’Cullough com cried. Auckland 19, Taranaki 6, Taranaki rushed play near the Auckland goal, where Hooker kicked a penalty goal. Final Auckland Taranaki ° LEAGUE. In a match at Auckland for the Thacker Shield, Ponsonby League team beatPfitono by 18 points to 13. The attendance was nearly 7,C00. The game throughout was highly exciting, and kept the large crowds on the side line in a state of great enthusiasm.