Saturday's Sport

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 9

Saturday's Sport

NORTHERN RUGBY TEAM’S VICTORY New Zealand League Team Beats New South Wales England Wins All Soccer- Matches Pirates Well Ahead

RUGBY INTERISLAND MATCH NORTH WINS, 16-5. [Special to the ‘Star.’] It was raining heavily when the match started, and the ground was sloppy. There was a largo attendance. The North played against the wind, and Steel put the South on the attack. Nepia forced. South were penalised, and Dailey returned the ball to the North twentyfive. Scrambling play occurred about midfield, with honors about even. Then Nepia secured, and, following up, caught M‘Gregor in possession in the South’s twenty-five. South cleared, and a line-out followed close to the North lino. Porter got o/f-sido and Steel missed the penalty kick, North forcing. North were penalised in front of goal, hut Reed missed an easy kick. It was mostly forward play to this stage, the attempts by the backs to open up play breaking down, owing to the greasy state of the ball. Reed kicked into the centre, and Gerard carried on, but Nepia saved brilliantly, and Dailey, Stewart, and Bell came in a passing rush which ended in a scrum on the North’s line. Steel secured a clearing kick, and passed to Bell, who knocked on a difficult ball. On the North's lino a stray pass by Dailey let the North through to South's twenty-five. Off-side play by North saw Steel find the line 40yds off. From the line-out Dailey sent to M'Gfegor, who short kicked, North forcing. Stewart immediately dribbled through to the corner, and was pushed out. A further penalty saw Steel miss an casy goal. Reed, 8011, M'Grcgor, and Robilliard showed out in the first passing bout, but. the latter was well collared by Falwasser. A further penalty against North was missed by Dailey. Play ranged up and down, with the forward honors to the South. 1 Nepia kicked hard, and caught Reed in possession, and the nest incident was a beautiful lino kick by Steel. A free kick to the South resulted in Richardson narrowly failing to goal. M. Brownlie then broke through, and Dailey made a good save. Dailey put the South on attack with a short punt, and the North was hard pressed. Masters broke through from the scrum and scored, and Richardson goaled. South 5 North 0 Following the kick-off North broke through in a scrambling rush, in which the forwards and backs took part, and Cooke scored. Nepia goaled. South 5 North 5 At half-time the rain was still falling.

Brownlie, who was playing finely, broke from the ruck and passed to Porter, who ran to touch. Mill opened a movement from a lineont, all the bavks to Collier handling. The 'Wanganui boy made a good dash, but was brought down near the line. After this the South attacked strongly, and then the North. Time was shortly afterwards called. North 16 South ... ■ 5 Rain fell almost throughout the game. The forwards put up a good light, and the North were superior. In the second spell the North backs handled the greasy ball bettor.

POSITION OF TEAMS. The following table shows the relative positions of tho teams engaged in the senior grade competition:—

KATORKA [ BEAT ’VARSITY A. “The best game of the season” was probably the verdict of the majority of the spectators who witnessed the Kaikorai-’Yarsity A match at Tahuna, won by Kaikorai by 15 points to 9. On the play of iho day the hill team well deserved their victory. Their forwards dominated the opposing pack throughout the game, and their backs, who played their best game this season, threw the ball about freely. The play of the Kaikorai backs, indeed, was surprising, but was due m a large measure to the tactics oi Swift. University, _in both back and forward divisions, seemed listless but even at the top of their form it is doubtful if they could have overcome the vigor of tho Kaikorai movements. I As usual the students made an eleventhhour attempt to catch up on their opponents, but, though they got through once nr twice, Kaikorai did not “ let up,” and still had attack in them at tho end. The first incident to cause any excitement was a break-away by Webb (’Varsity wing), who ran in towards the centre, and bent throe or four players before throwing to Morete. This player, however, was pulled down. Kaikorai forwards sot up an attack ■ which ended in a passing rush by the j backs, Fountain getting over at tho ! corner after taking a pass from Lning, i who had made a good opening. Cal- ! lender’s kick missed. Kaikorai 11, University A 0. Kaikorai bad made most of the attack so far, and their backs were getting a larger share than their opponents of the hall from the scrum. Several _ free-kicks retrieved ’Varsity when Kaikorai were right within .striking distance. Swift (half-back) was getting the ball out to Kaikorai backs in good stylo, and they were giving it a “go.” _ Webb forced for ’Varsity after a Kaikorai passing rush had nearly got over. Len Williams broke away with tho ball in his arms, and started_ a rush which threatened ’Varsity s lino. Webb saved by running in towards tho centre, fielding smartly, and sending a kick to the line. So far the game was all in Kaikorai’s favor.

SECOND SPELL. South kicked off, and the opening play was round halfway. Irvine worked the lino-out, and it went through to Richardson. M. Broivnlic broke away from the ruck. North heeled and Mill sent it to Langlands, on to Cooke, who cut in and jinked his way through prettily, heating Harris, hut Steel got him. Gerard headed a. South rush to the twenty-five. Dailey worked the blind side and passed to Peed, on to Point hard, who was collared by Falwnsser. JM. Brownlie broke through on hi? own, but Reed (Nelson), who was playing a fine game, humped Brownlie our. North rushed and Walters scored. Nepia goaled with a fine kick. North ... 10 South 5 Cooke returned the kick-off, and a icrum ensued. Irvine broke through, but the half-back Dailey, who was playing a great game on defence, saved well, sending it through. Cooke dribbled through, gaining 40yds. Cooke was the best back on the ground, being prominent all the time. Gerard headed a South rush, but Blake sent it back. Dailey broke through. A loose North rush, with Irvinfc loading, was checked by Harris. C. Brownlie endeavored to force his way through, but was held up, and Steele cleared. Richardson and Gerard broke away again from the scrum. Then from a pass to Cooke Blake sent it on to Falwassor, who dashed sent it on to Falwasser, and coming round again dashed over. The kick failed. North Id South 5 The ball was very greasy, and it was almost impossible to handle it. Harris made a fatal mistake, mulling badly after Langlands had kicked through. Langlands picked up, scoring a gift try. Rorter failed. North 16 South 6 The North hacks attempted passing, but it broke down. Bell and Gerard dribbled through. / 801 l picked up from the ruck, and made an opening to Reed, to Robilliard, who missed a bad pass. Knox attempted to get over, and M'Gregor dribbled over, but was obstructed. Nepia retired with an injury to his knee. Cooke went to' full-back, and Porter left the scrum to the first lino. Reed fielded,- and made a good opening, going through well, to Bell. He passed high to Steel, who missed. M.

Kaikorai’s supporters raised a cheer a minute later when Len Williams gathered the ball in his arms and scored. Several ’Varsity men tried tn stop Jujuhut, with his parent weight, combined with speed, he swept them from Ins path. Findlay failed to convert Kaikorai 6, University 0. Only a few miuntes later Lning scored another try for Kaikorai. Varsity forwards found that they could not stand up to the fierce rushes of the Kaikorai forwards, who fairly r.an through them. Kaikorai backs showed some more passing, but it broke down. Laing (centre), however, dribbled through the scramble and over the line, after beating two or three students, and scored. Findlay’s kick failed. Kaikorai 9, University 0. The game continued largely in favor ol Kaikorai. Once or twice ’Varsity backs attempted to make capital out of the mistakes of Kaikorai hacks in passing, hut they could not get far. Once ’Varsity penetrated right to the line, but Kaikorai forwards" soon had the ball out of the danger zone, and were attacking again. A free kick to Kaikorai, _bnt Findlay missed the attempt. Kaikorai continued to press, and danger was averted .only by a ’Varsity back kicking out of "bounds. From-a scrum Swift set the backs in, motion, and Fountain went over to the delight of Kaikorai supporters. Tho lino umpire on the opposite side, however, had had his flag up for some time. Kaikorai kept at it, however, and from a passing rush a minute later Callander scored a good try at the corner after some good play by the other backs. Callander failed to convert. Kaikorai 12, University 0. Kaikorai forwards again were masters of the situation, the ’Varsity van-

guard appearing lifeless. Kaikorai backs came into action, but the effort bi'oke down. _ Webb scooped up the ball, and, amid great excitement, ran from one end of , the field to the other. Ho passed the Kaikorai fullback (Johnston), but another Kaikorai man came back and caught him. It was not long before Kaikorai forwards were again attacking. Stevenson (’Varsity full-back) got down in good stylo to Williams and stopped him. Williams injured himself and went off to tho plaudits of the crowd, who recognised the groat game he had been playing. For tho first time in the spell ’Varsity set up a really formidable attack, and Webb was sent away to the corner after a nice opening made by Aitken. He was brought down within indies of the line. Stevenson fielded a Kaikorai kick, and ran past about half a dozen opponents before sending the ball out to start another passing rush. It was brought up near the line, and half-time was called a minute later with the score : Kaikorai 32 University 0

Dickinson came on as full-back for Kaikorai in the second half, and was accorded au ovation from tho crowd. The first movement of interest was a rush by Kaikorai forwards, which ended unsuccessfully. ’Varsity replied with some passing, and Hamm (wing) was brought down not far from the corner. Hanan broke away a minute later, and when tackled threw the ball inwards, Moretc, who, as usual, was following the hall closely, just missing it. Callander cut in' on a ’Varsity passing movement, and was caught by Stevenson. Webb again distinguished himself by forcing- for ’Varsity after a vigorous Kaikorai rush over the line. Kaikorai were still the chief attackers, though ’Varsity made a sortie occasionally. Many Kaikorai assaults were brought up by good defensive work by Aitken (’Varsity five-eighth). Avho was a tower of strength in defence. Slaughter (wing) made a good breakaway, and centred, but fumbline by the forwards nullified tho effort.

“ Kuocks-on ” spoilt several efforts,of the ’Varsity backs, who could not pass with their usual crispness and speed. Dickson missed a free kick, tho first he has missed in club matches this season.

Dickinson failed to field a kick, and in the scramble which followed Ledingliam opened ’Varsity's account by throwing himself over. Ledingham failed to convert. Kaikorai 12, University 3. ’Varsity forwards wero now doing better, and a rush threatened Kaikorai territory. A ’Varsity back, however, kicked too hard, and Kaikorai forced. Kaikorai again attacked, and the backs came into play. Twice Fountain made good runs, and then Slaughter, on the

other wing, was pulled down not far from the line. Keeping up the pressure, however. Kaikorai had the students in trouble, and Laing took a pass and went over to score bis second try. Dickinson’s kick missed. Kaikorai 15, 15, University 3. ’Varsity made strenuous efforts to got going, but the defence of the opposition was too strong. Kaikorai continued to deliver the bulk of the attack, and Fountain was all but over at the corner. A 'Varsity forward effort tested the defence, and Hanan picked up near the line and wont over to score. Stevenson’s kick missed. Kaikorai 15, University (1. The students opened another attack, and from a scrum M'Lcan got the ball out to Mitchell, who “dummied” well and scored. Stevenson failed to convert. There was no further score, and the game ended: Kaikorai 15 University 9 Mr \V. Connor was referee. PIRATES v. ALHAMBRA. On Tahnna No. 2 ground—which was in good condition, all tilings considered —Pirates won a straggling, uninspiring game against Alhambra by'G to 0. The Reds’ team was disorganised b- absences through sickness and injury, Wyllie, Polwarth, Harvey, and M‘Millan of the published fifteen not turning out. Dodds, M'Dougal), M’Dermott, and G. Spence replaced thorn. A fair crowd watched this game in spite of the more interesting tussle next door. For the winners Robinson and Walker were about the pick of the backs and Mallooh and Brugh of the forwards. M.'Dougall, Dodd, W. Knox, and Gillick wero Alhambra’s best.

Pirates kicked against the wind in j the first spell, and it was early evident I that there was to be no flashy play. I Any attempts at passing rushes were I immediately discouraged by tho oppos- [ ing forwards. Play "rambled .on in a ; ragged style, though the players were j keen enough. Tho first approach to 1 a thrill was when Robinson (who had been playing well) got off-side, and a j good long kick by Callander was taken |at the posts. A flash by Coates and Dodds, and there were premature shouts for an Alhambra score. Morgan reI taliatcd, and twice he tried to gallop 1 through, but the tackling was too deadly. Bods were awarded a free kick, and took it behind their line. The kick was blocked, and Milne, getting hold, crushed over for a try. The kick for goal failed. 3-0. I Free kicks wore plentiful, minor offences by both sides being of constant occurrence. Shouts from next door announcing scores by Kaikorai should have gingered up the Pirates, but didn’t. Only temporarily, anyway. First Morgan and then Wise tried to pierce the linos, but both were being well and truly watched. Just before . tho interval Robinson hit the ton of ! one of the uprights with a good kick. Punch M'Dougall degree! from the rc- ■ bound. The score at half-time was 3-0.

ft was anticipatod that Pirates would shako things up with the wind, but the drab, scrambling play continued. Saunders, on the wing, made two or three attempts to got through, nnd then, when Wise did likewise for his aide, tackled the All Black determinedly After many attempts Pirates at Inst scored again, Malloch making an ononing, which ended in Morgan over at the cornel 1 . Walker missed the kick. Alhambra kept at it, but there was no further score, and the game ended: Pirates 6 Alhambra 0 Mr A. E. Eckhold was referee. ZING AIM v. DUNEDIN. In a game in which tho forwards wore largely predominant, Zingarl had the advantage most of tho time. Dunedin won tho toss, and tho opening stages were chiefly characterised by an even exchange of kicking. Shiel made an opening that looked good for Dunedin, hut quick collaring tactics negatived any chances the Bines had. Subsequent play saw Zingari attacking hotly. Dunedin made a determined response, hut the odds were unfavorable, and, following a neat passing bout, Procter got over. Heazehvood ‘failed to convert, and the score was: Zingari 3, Dunedin 0. . v Even play followed until, penalised for off-side' play, Zingari hud a free kick awarded against them. This was successfully manoeuvred by Collins, the score being thus equalised—3 all. Zingari revenged this loss soon afterwards when, following a lino-out, they were awarded a free-kick, executed neatly by Heazlcwood, who thus put Zingari in the lead with 6 points against Dunedin’s 3. Play until the sounding of the whistle for half-time was of a desultory order. Dunedin took the offensive when play resumed, but the (Zingari forwards quickly turned the tables. Some nice passing bouts followed, and might have proved fruitful hut for tho flurried state of the tri-colored vanguard. Overexcitement got them into trouble, and n. free-kick was awarded Dunedin, which, however, Collins failed to capitalise. (With Zingari on the defensive.

loose play resulted, and this, synchronising with a monotonous succession of useless free kicks, robbed the game of much of its interest for a few minutes. Zingari’s backs retrieved the situation, handling the ball well. Dunedin’s perilous situation was relieved by a timely force-down. Dunedin tEen_ defended nervously, and one of their players made the mistake of handling the ball in the scrum, for which Zingan was awarded a free kick. This was taken by Hcazlewood, who, just before the conclusion of the game, cleared the goal, giving Ziugari tho load with the scores: Zingari 9 Dunedin 3 The referee was Mr J. Higginsou. SEDDON SHIELD Marlborough 15 Duller ...' 3 AUCKLAND BEATS THAMES , Auckland ... Thames ... HARDING SHIELD Whangaroi ... ... ... 11 Northern Wairoa 6 WELLINGTON V. SOUTHLAND The ’Wellington team to play Southland will be chosen from the following ; _Backs—Walters, Svcnson, Johnson, Bedell, Hickey. E. Tilynrd, Love (University), M. Nicholls, Warwick; forwards—B. Wilson, Shearer (2), Alartin Smith, Sly, Young (Solwyn), Porter, Thomas, OTlcgan, Mathcson (Wellington), Duncan (Athletic). IN OTHER CENTRES. CHRISTCHURCH. Old Boys 25, Linwoocl 3. Alerivale 19, ’Varsity C. WELLINGTON. Old Boys 28, Poneko 14. Petone 29, ’Varsity 0. Athletic 21, Berbampore 4. Wellington 33, Selwyn 0. HAWKE’S BAY. Marists Old Boys 8, Havelock North Hastings 8, High School Old Boys 5. Pirates 28, M.A.C. 3. WAIRARAPA. Red Stars 17, Masterton 11. Carterton 3, Feathorston 3. Greytown 31, Martinborough 6.

RESULT.? OP PREVIOUS MATCHES. Oak 1 . Played at Won by Scores. 1897 —Wellington North 16-3 1902—Wellington South 20-14 1903—Auckland South 12-5 1801—mineclin Drawn 3-3 1905 —Wellington North 26-0 1906—Wellington North 9-5 1907—Christchurch North 12-0 1908 —Wellington North 12-5 1909—Wellington South 19-11 1010—Christchurch South 14-10 1911—Wellington North 19-9 1912—Napier North 12-8 1913—Christchurch .South 25-0 1911—Wellington South 8-0 1919—Wellington North 28-11 1920—Wellington North 12-3 1921—Christchurch North 28-13 1922—Auckland South 9-8 1923—Wellington Drawn 6-6 1924—Wellington North 39-8

Team. ri ■V a 5 Os fcb <5 Os to o r* m w s £ Q Os Ps E Pirates 12 12 0 0 227 62 24 University A 12 10 2 0 207 90 20 Kaikorai ... 12 8 3 1 182 83 17 Zingari 12 6 5 1 99 100 13 Alhambra ... 12 ;i 4 5 65 65 11 Southern ... n 6 5 0 145 115 12 Dunedin 12 4 (3 2 84 139 10 Taieri Rovers 10 1 7 2 89 96 4 University 1! 10 1 S 1 79 189 3 Union 11 0 11 0 37 275 0