RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 19326, 12 August 1926, Page 11

RUGBY

OTAGO V. VINCEMAHIOTOTO VISITORS BEATEH BY 20 TO 9 Ou a ground which was very heavy after tho recent rains and frosts, a metropolitan team at Carisbrook yesterday defeated a combined VinccntManiototo team by 20 points to 9. Conditions underfoot and the greasy hall militated against concerted play, but there was plenty of incident in the game to make it interesting for the attendance of about a thousand spectator's. Considering tho conditions, tho game was fairly fast, and the pace was kept up till tho final whistle.

The game was mostly confined to tho forwards, and those of tho country team contested every inch of ground with the local ygnguard. The visitors had plenty of dash in their play, but lacked method, numerous promising opportunities being thrown away by crude tactics. The Otago pack was better in tho scrums and linc-outs, but at times did not play well together. Otago backs had plenty of the ball, but generally found it too heavy to handle with effect. There wore, however, one or two bright passing rushes carried out in good style. One or two of the visitors’ backs handled the ball well, hut they had no combination at all. The home team found Leyden, tho visitors 1 centre and an ex-Alhambra man, a dangerous player. Ho constantly turned defence into attack by breaking through passing movements, and, if some of the other backs had had the pace to support him, Ids side would have scored more points. The full-back handled tho wet ball well, but was a little slow in his movements, and would have often done better by running up further before kicking. Donnelly was the pick of the forwards, showing good control of tho ball, but other members of tho panic overran the ball. One of the best Otago backs was R. Callander (the Alhambra player), who came on as five-eighth during the game. Bathgate was good in defence, but in attack bo throw out many bad passes. Robinson was off his game, though once or twice ho showed his true form in making openings. Morgan did not get many chances on the wing, but when he did bo made the most of them. R. Callander (Kaikorai) played a really pood game at wing three-quarter, much hotter than he did us live-eighth early in tho game. A brilliant display could not have been expected from the hacks in tho circumstances, but they wore not afraid to open up the game when they got a chance. The Otago forwards were disappointing, seeming to la civ cohesion and dash." Gillick and Lewis were the pick of the pack on the day’s play. The teams were:— COMBINED VINCENT-MANTOTOTO Full-back. —G. Millar (Ranfurly). Three-quarters.—A. Nicholson (Poolburn), J. I/oyden (Gimmcrburn), J. Hannay (Alexandra). Five-eighths.—A. Ottrey (Heript), L. Niven (Poollhirn). Half-back.—D. Clark (Tarras). Forwards.— Sutherland (Cromwell), N. Clark (GimnVcrburn), Parker (Miller’s Flat), D. Campt/01l (Tarras), J. Donnelly (Matakauui), R. 801 l (Tarras) , A. Marslin (Tarris, wing forward) . OTAGO. Full-back.—Hcazlowood (11.10). Three-quarters. H. D. Morgan (12.6), C. 0. Robinson (11.7), XL Walker (12.10). Five- eights. Bathgate (11.6), R. Callander (12.6). Half-back.—E. M’Lcan (11-6). Forwards.—H. Gillick (1,1.10), A. Glengarry (11.10), T. Butler (13.0), C. Sonntag (14.4), E. Standring (12.0), Hicks (12.3), J. Maher (12.7), C. Lewis (12.10, wing forward). THE PLAY. Otago made all the attack in the opening stages, but the visitors successfuU repelled the invaders, whose handling was ragged. Repeated attempts were inrulo by tbo Otago backs, but it was not till after a quarter of an hour’s play that the first score came. M'Lcan. got the ball away smartly from a scrum, and it went out to Robinson, who raced away with Walker in. support. Robinson heat several opponents and yent over to score. Hcazlcwood’s kick failed. Otago Vinccnt-Maniototo 0 Through misftelding by the Otago backs tho visitors’ forwards rushed play to the other end and had the local side in trouble. Hannay made an unsuccessful attempt to goal a free kick. Otago returned to tho other end, and a passing rush from a scrum was finished by Walker going over for a good try. Hcazlewood’s kick missed. Otago -• 6 Vinceut-Maniototo ... ... 0 Another loose rush by the visitors’forwards, led by Marslin and Donnelly, thrust deeply into Otago territory, and Hcazlewood "failing to stem the onset, tho ball went over the lino, and m the raco for It Marslin scored at the corner. Hannay converted with a splendid kick. , Otago - 6 Vinccnt-Maniototo 5 Except for spasmodic bursts by tho country forwards, Otago continued to deliver tho bulk of the attack and the backs began to show up better. A bright passing rush, in which Robinson drew the defence cleverly and made an opening, ended in Morgan going over at the corner am] running round behind the posts. Hcazlewood converted. Otago ... II Vinccnt-Maniototo ... 5

Lovden made a break-away when the Otago backs were attempting more passing, and after a run of about 20yds kicked when threatened by the Otago full-back. Walker got back in tune to save. Bathgate was prominent in a good cut-in which took play near tho visitors’ lino, but a visiting forward cut off the passing and cleared. Heazdewood, who had injured his shoulder in stopping a rush, went off. Walker went to the full-back position, Callander shifted from five-eighth to wing, and his brother (Callander, of Alhambra) camo on as five-eighth. Niven, of tho Vinccnt-Maniototo team, went off injured a lew minutes later. Leyden started a movement which ■won him applause. He ran from his own twenty-live, kicked, and followed up. Walker failed to field the ball, and Leyden came up quickly to regain possession and pot a good goaL Osago Vincent-Maniototo 9 Tho, visitors’ forwards began to show more "dash and had the homo team in trouble several times. Otago backs bad a number of good chances when fed from the scrums, but the inside backs handled the ball badly and sent out bad passes. Leyden once or twice turned defence into attack off the mistakes of the Otago backs, but, was caught in time. There was no further score before half-time, which was called with the scores:— dtago ••• Vinccnt-Maniototo ... Even play between the forwards marked the opening stages of the second spoil. Otago getting the ball from most of the scrums, the backs had a number of chances. There were several passing bouts from one side to tho other,"but still tho handling was uncertain. Morgan nearly got over after some passing started by Butler, being pulled down right on the lino. The visitors eventually cleared to halfway. Leyden gob his side, out of trouble when Otago forwards made an assault, and Ottrey and he carried play to past

halfway. Otago forwards began to play bettor together, and a rush led by SomV tag and Gdlick penetrated deeply. ■After a few scrambles near the line the ball was handled by the backs and came out to Morgan, who jinked over at the corner. Butler’s kick wont a trifle wide. ' •Otago Vincent-Maniototo —.— 9 In the loose the visitors’ forwards were still dangerous, though they had obviously tired. A rush was stopped by kicks by the Otago backs, and then the home side attacked, Morgan gaining ground with a strong run to past halfway. Callander (wing) ran over after the ball, but it unluckily went out of bounds. The visitors’ forwards showed they had not lost all their dash, and a brisk rush endangered the Otago line, Hannay made an unsuccessful attempt to goal a free kick for off-side play by Otago, and Hayes missed with a kick from a mark. Otago forwards took a turn at attacking, and a rush headed by Gillick and Lewis pierced the defence. The ball went to the line, and Leyden failing to stop it, Lewis went over to score. Callander (Alhambra) went short with the kick. Otago „ 17 Viuceut-Maniototo 9 Another sortie by the Otago vanguard had the visitors in trouble, and Callander (Kaikorai) was almost over, the defenders forcing. Cor a spell the country team attacked, but Otago became aggressive again. Callander (Alhambra) sent Morgan, away with the ball, and the wing made a strong run before passing in again to Callander, who scored. The kick by Callander missed, and time was called a minute later with the scores:— Otago ... 20 Vincent-Maniototo 9 Mj J. Sutherland was referee. WAIRARAPA BEATS WELLING TON

Wellington and Wairarapa mot yesterday at Carterton in perfect football weather. There was no wind and no ground advantage, 'Wellington at once attacked, but Wairarapa turned the tables and hemmed Wellington in, making them accept a force and a touch-down in goal in quick succession. 'Wairarapa drew first blood from a scrum, Hart sending to Jury; to Gundy, who cut in under tho bar. Cundy converted. Wairarapa 5, Wellington 0.

Wellington livened up, and play hovered at midfield for ten minutes. Thcu Taylor, Sutton, Thomas, Jessop, and Sly made a pretty run, but F. Booth grounded tho latter a few yards off the line. Immediately following O’Regan had a good opportunity to goal from a free kick, but ho missed. Jury, who was playing a great game, made a valiant effort, and after gaining a good position passed to Willougby, hut Grenfell, coming across fast, nullified the effort. Bramwell, with a brilliant run, penetrated the whole of the Wairarapa team to near tho goal, where, from tho ruck, “Ginger” Nicholls picked up and potted a good goaJL Wairarapa 5, Wellington 4. This put heart into Wellington, and play became bright, both sides hand-, ling well. Tho Wellington forwaids forced play to the Wairarapa twentyfive. Thomas picked up skilfully and raced forward, attended by Tyree. A pass to tho latter saw him score midway from tho corner. O’Regan converted. Wellington 9, ’Wairarapa 5. Wairarapa were now defending stonily, hut, a lint attack found Wellington right under tho goal. F. Booth attempted a kick to touch, hut Tait, on tho wing, snapped up ami ran in unopposed halfway from the corner. O’Regan, goalcd. Wellington 14, Wairarapa 5. There was no further score to halftime.

On the resumption of piny Welling ton started with vigor, and gave the impression that they wore about to run over the homo team and put up a cricket score. Tho Wairarapa defence, however, stood up well against the shock tactics, and gradually the sting went out of Wellington’s efforts. Jury, Reid, and Fairbrother brilliantly transferred play to Wellington territory, and only a good intercept by Tait saved a score. Tait, however, attempted to play the ball on the ground. A free kick saw Cundy goal. Wellington 14, Wairarapa 8. Wellington again attempted to force Wairarapa back, hut Parker picked up from the open field and put in a splendid run. Threatened by Tait, ho passed over his head to J. Donald, who in turn was held up by Taylor. He sent out overhead to Fairbrother, who passed across to Churchousc, and tho latter ran in under the bar. Cundy goalod. Wellington 14, Wairarapa ?3. Not liking tho proximity of the scores, Wellington renewed their efforts, and Wairarapa were kept busy on defence. From a ruck near tho goal Parker attempted to handle tho ball, and was penalised. O’Regan kicked an easy goal. Wellington 17, Wairarapa 13. Play remained at midfield for an appreciable spell, and then Candy picked up and ran through tho Wal lington defence determinedly. A yard from the line Taylor (who had been hurt previously) touched the back ol the jersey of Cundy, who, instead of falling, wildly passed tho ball inlo touch in goal. From tho kick-out J Donald secured and shook himself clear of a feeble tackle from three men, and raced for the line, stalling off Taylor. Ho scored at the corner. Cundy' failed with tho kick. Wellington 17, Wairarapa 16. Mark Nicholls here replaced Taylor. Bramwell wont to full-back, and “ Ginger ” Nicholls to half. Donald followed with another good solo effort, but lie was held up on tho lino. After a scrum a general mix-up occurred. The ball roiled to F. Booth and passed through Jury's hands, again to F. Booth, to Randal Booth, who ran in to score a good try in tho corner. Cundy failed with tho kick. Wairarapa 19, Wellington 17. Hart, tho Wairarapa half-hack, was severely hurt in tho head after tackling Bramwell, and was replaced by Fuller. Even play was witnessed for tho next few minutes, and then Fuller secured and passed to Jury, to Cundy, to F. Booth, and R. Booth, tho latter again scoring at the corner. Gundy goalod with a good kick. Final; —■

Wairarnpa Wellington EASTERN DISTRICTS BEAT NORTH OTAGO The Eastern Districts of Southland defeated North Otago at Gore by H points to 3. Shanks, M'Gill, and Sims scored for the winners, N. M’Leod converting one try. T. Direen scored a try for North Otago, The ground was slippery and the game hard and fairly exciting. RAHFURLV SHIELD Lomas and Sheen will not. be f.vrilablo for the Auckland team to play Hawke’s Bay for the Kanfnny Shield Lucas and Knight will, bovo/cr, be able to make the trip. HIGH SCHOOLS' GAMES Tho Wanganui Collegiate dotea ted tho Palmerston' North High School at Wanganui by 13 points to 6. Henley and Ellingharu ,i} .) scored tries i'o ■ the winners, Henley eoimiting two. Eor tho losers Ridglcy kicked two penalty goals. Tho Wanganui , forwards .were The match-winning factor.