SATURDAY’S SPORT

Evening Star, Issue 21821, 10 September 1934, Page 4

SATURDAY’S SPORT

Another Otago Rugby Victory Auckland Takes Ranfurly Shield N.Z: Wins Hockey Test Anglican Cross Country Champions

Ml NARROW WIN FOR OTAGO WELLIMBTBH RALLY 180 LATE _ Otago had a close call in preserving ita splendid record in interprovincial matches this season, defeating Wellington, which attempted to repeat past history in snatching a last-minute victory from the Blues, by 6 points to 5, on a heayy ground at Carisbrook. Halfway through the second spell , Otago appeared' ;to have a, secure grip on the match, hut the Wellington backs sprung a surprise, after their earlier inability to get into action, by initiating, passing movements, which, under the conditions, _ were brilliant ; and with a shade of finish they would have resulted in scores. Until the last twenty minutes of the game Otago were the masters. The Blue pack used its weight to greater advantage, and bad enjoyed almost a monopoly of possession, but the greasy ball and ground militated against the backs displaying the ability shown in the Southland match. The manner in which the Wellington backs worked in the final stages of the game was an eyeopener, but' Otago stiu deserved their narrow win; the home team being the more impressive for the greater part of the game. The Otago pack showed a definite superiority, Here, Gibson, Parkhill, and Niven (until he was injured) being promient, although there were no passengers in the vanguard. Simon, at half, gave another of his fine, dogged performances, and Silver, the full-back, outshone the Wellington fullback, always being sure in his handling of a very difficut ball. The Otago backs worked well without-at any stage' having an opportunity to swing into action as a line, and the Wellington backs left their combined play till too late a stage. Good handling was really out of the question, and mistakes were pardonable; yet the Wellington line indicated, in the final rallies, that they would have been a highy penetrative combination on a dry ground. This was the last, interprovincial game for Otago, although 'a match with the Maori team is to be played next Saturday. Otago has beaten every province which it has_ played, except Southland, at Invercargill, the tables being turned in the return fixture in Dunedin. The 1934 season has been a proud one for Otago Rugby. From the start Otago’s forwards quickly took charge, hooking repeatedly, but play was mostly on the side line, the backs finding no room in which to get moving. For the first ten minutes Wellington were on defence, and a fast breakaway from a scrum by Parkhill nearly resulted in a try, the Wellington full-back touching down in time. On Wellington’s first excursion into Otago territory, Silver fielded with certainty, and his later fielding was also clean. Wellington were in difficulties till Upchurch snapped up when Cfeswell failed to stop a loose Blue rush headed by Parkhill and Hore. Otago were not in danger till M’Neill went through with the Ball at his toe to within ten yards of the line, where a scrum infringement gave Otago relief. Neither set of backs had been given a chance to swing into action, the struggle being confined to the forwards. The Blues continued to hook the ball from the scrum,* and at last Simon opened out across, but Smith was smothered when Procter was handy. The winger, however, carried through from the loose, and the ball went out at the corner flag. It was the, first incident to raise a thrill. The Black forwards retrieved the tight situation, yet Otago hammered away, and from a line out, Arnold dived through to open the severing. Silver’s kick was a good one, just turning outside. The score was merited, as Otago had made all the attack. Wellington hooked from the next serum, and the visiting backs looked like having their first movement, but the ball did not go past the first five-eighths. Quickly, Otago gained ground. However, Creswell was playing more confidently now, and sent i the invaders back with judicious linekicking. The visiting pack was showing to more advantage, breaking up quickly, and making a slow yet steady advance to Otago’s quarter. The dis*play by Silver was one of confidence, and his handling of the greasy ball was admirable. A fine line kick by Silver took Otago to Wellington’s twenty-five, where a scrum infringement gave Silver an opportunity of increasing Otago’s lead, but his effort was a poor, one. The spell was almost devoid of incident. The forwards dominated the game, with Otago having definitely the better of the play. In the second spell Martin replaced Arnold. The first rush was again Otago’s, and from a scrum Niven whipped but and snapped up. He was held on the line, and a knock-on gave Wellington relief. Niven’s rush _ was determined, and he narrowly missed scoring what would have been a wellmerited opportunist’s try. A minute later Niven retired, and Murphy came on. The powerful rucking by Otago’s forwards was inspiring, and from a break up M’Skimraing and Smith took play to the Blacks’ line. Wellington infringed, and from 10yds in Silver scored a penalty goal. The game was taking ita toll, and Leahy was replaced by Butler in the Wellington back row. A dash down the line by Dunne and a heavy forward thrust had Wellington in difficulties, but the visiting forwards _ held on grimly till relief was obtained. The Wellington full-back was not as certain as his vis-a-vis. The Otago forwards were pushing the opposition pack back yards in the scrums, while the home backs made every effort to brighten up . the game. Certain handling was,, however, almost an impossibility, and the back movements were brief. Otago were taking all the honours, but the game took a turn when Lilburne broke through. He punted and followed up fast. Dunne went , across and interfered with his full- ■ - .• ■ ” '...V

back. M’Neill joined Lilburne, and a clear kick across the Hue was followed by the fast forward, who scored behind the posts, giving Fuller an easy conversion.

With twenty-five minutes to go Otago held only a slight lead —6 to 6—and it was endangered when Lilburne secured when travelling at top, and passed infield, the rush going to Otago’s line, stern defence holding up the attackers. It was the best piece of back work so far in the game._ Robins was injured, and Nees to,ok his place, making Wellington’s third call on the emergencies. Then Otago took another turn at attack, the forwards working strenuously till Sadler, the Wellington half-back, relieved with a splendid kick from the back of a scrum. A fast breakaway gave Wellington a chance, a remote one, but the ball went behind when Otago were safe; The Black pack were playing with greater dash, and penetrated with loose rushes, while the backs were, working with more cohesion.

Hammering away, Wellington gained ground, and, for the first tiine in the match, the visiting hacks showed combination, a thrilling passing movement going out through all the backs to the right wing, where, when soundly marked, a pass infield to Upchurch went astray. The bout was crisp and fast, but Otago were not seriously endangered. The visiting backs were outclassing Otago at this stage. _ Fuller intercepted a pass from Smith to Dunne, and from the next scrum Lilburne kicked across field. Silver reached it in time, but before he could get his'kick in he was carried over his own line.

It was an anxious moment for Otago, who soon turned defence into attack. And just as quickly the home supporters were on their toes when Lilburne opened play. Langdon made the neatest move of the day by cutting in rapidly and dashing for the corner. He passed out to Upchurch, who dropped the ball when a try was almost certain, as Fuller was outside him. In a most exciting rally, in which Simon was outstanding, Otago worked out of the difficulty. Wellington are notorious, in their matches against Otago, for staging last-minute efforts, and they worked with heroic energy to snatch the game—but Otago held them- out. —i " ( ■ " i THE TEAMS. The teams lined out as follow —Otago.— R. Silver, A. Procter, H. Smith, W. Dunne, , R. M’Skimming, R. Arnold, H. Simon,’ J. Hore, W. Lucy, G. M’Donald, F. Vorrath, W. Gibson, A. Parkhill, L. Niven, R. Allan. —Wellington.—^ Creswell, Robins, Upchurch, Fuller, Lilburne, Langdon, Sadler, Donnelly, Coulston, Hull, Wells, Roberts, Reid, M’Neill, Stevenson. THE PLAY. FIRST SPELL. Otago, playing from the Workshops end, had a slight advantage from a diagonal wind, and Wellington kicked off, a scrum being called on the halfway line. The Wellington forwards kicked through too hard, and Silver found touch. For a time the" forwards fought it out in line-outs, and then Hore led a minor Blue invasion which ended in the All Black slithering out of touch. The first piece of open play came when Dunne followed up fast in a backing-up movement started by the Blue forwards, the ball going near the Wellington twenty-five. Pressure was relieved with a good line kick by Upchurch. So far the play, as was* only to he expected .under the conditions, had been ragged, the backs finding the leather too slippery to handle with any degree of precision. Simon at length tried to send Arnold away on the blind side, but the ball went astray, and it was not until Parkhill broke away through the forwards that the home side looked dangerous. Cresswell forced just before Parkhill got up to the line in following a rolling ball. The Blues later got the ball from a scrum near halfway, Simon passing to Arnold, who apparently tried to crosskick. The ball, however, shot away too far behind, and Upchurch, coming through fast, caused Otago some anxiety till Silver fielded safely and found touch well down. A few minutes later Silver again won applause for a similar effort, but the Wellington forwards gradually began to assert themselves, and solid work by Coulston and Hull took play to within Otago’s twent.-- five, Robins coming up fast into a good position to take a pass which could easily have led to a score. Silver again saved. The Otago forwards rallied. Allan, Hore, and Parkhill being mainly instrumental in gaining fully 60yds before Upchurch picked up smartly and kicked out near the twenty-five flag. Sadler then distinguished himself by working the blind cleverly and passing to Robins, who, however, was stopped by Procter. A free kick to Wellington, following an infringement in the line-out, saw Lilburne find touch nea^ - Otago’s twenty-five. M’Ncill later gaining further ground with a dribbling rush. M’Neill again became dangerous in solo work, but an over-bard kick allowed the Blues to save. From a scrum near halfway Otago staged the first passing rush of the day, tho ball going from Simon to Arnold, to M’Skimming, to Smith, who was smothered. However, in the loose play which ensued Procter dashed up fast and bustled the opposition, the

ball being kicked out near the corner flag. The Blacks managed to case the pressure, but Wells got off-side, giving Silver a penalty kick, which went fairly close. Then a scrum was formed near the line, and Arnold, securing the leather from Simon, cut through and flung himself over past several tacklers. Silver failed with the kick. Otago ... , '3 Wellington 0 The Otago forwards now seemed to have the situation well in hand and were giving the backs a liberal share of the ball. A punt that went astray and landed over the line was forced, and Lilburne found touch. Otago got tho ball from a scrum on the halfway line, but Simon’s pass was wild, and Silver just saved an awkward situation before M’Neill was on him. Securing the ball in a passing bout, M’Skimming short punted and Robins failed to field cleanly, the position being retrieved just before Procter, looking eager for work, galloped up. For the first time play travelled across to Fuller’s wing, but this player, finding himself jammed, kicked too hard, and Silver forced. M’Skimming broke into passing by Langdon and Lilburne, but the attack met with stem defence, and Wellington retaliated when Upchurch intercepted an Otago pass, the ball going out near halfway. The Black forwards, with Wells in the van, tried hard to smash through, but Lucy headed a counter-thrust that gained 30yds. Gradually, however, tho Wellington forwards worked play back to Otago’s twenty-five, Silver once more coming to the rescue. On the grand stand side Simon fed Dunne, but the winger could not pass. Fuller, and a little’ later Silver came up and set M’Skimming going, the ball going to Smith, to Procter, who found touch near the Blacks’ twenty-five. Otago were attacking when the whistle blew for half-time, the score being:— Otago ... ... ... ... ... 3 Wellington ... ... ... .... 0 SECOND SPELL. The teams returned to the field in a steady and depressing drizzle. Martin came on in place of Arnold as first fiive-eighth. Otago opened the offensive, and the Blue forwards swept down through the Wellington twenty-five, Langdon stopping a dangerous rush. From a-scrum syds out from the lino Niven tried to bullock his way over, ■ but was pushed back. Then Simon sent all his backs off, but Dunne quite pardonably mishandled, and the movement broke down. A free kick took Wellington out of their own territory for the first time. Niven stopped a knock here and had to go off, Murphy replacing him. Smith and M’Skimming broke up a Wellington back attack and staged a brilliant rush on their own that had Wellington in trouble on their line. Here the visitors were penalised, and Silver kicked an excellent goal from a bad angle. Otago ... ... ... 6 Wellington ... 0 Leahy was the next casualty and also had to go off, Butler coming on. Dunne put Otago on the offensive again with a kick down the line, and a moment later fielded the storm and streaked off in a run that saw the Otago forwards concentrating on tho Wellington line again. Here Langdon saved with a good kick, but the relief was short-lived, for Otago were back on the job almost immediately. Both sides were finding the greasy ball extremely difficult to handle, and clean concerted play was out of the question. The Otago forwards were showing clear superiority here and pushing the Wellington pack back yards in several scrums. The forwards slithered about in the mud, and the backs constantly knocked on in attempting to take their passes. ■ Otago had had easily the best of the twenty minutes’ play so far, but then Jl/ilburne led a successful excursion into Otago territory. The All Black made a brilliant run through the Otago defence and kicked short, and M’'Neill, racing up at top speed, jumped for the ball over the line and got there first. Fuller added the major points from a handy position. Otago ... ... 6 Wellington ... ... 5 Wellington now livened up considerably and began to show more thrust and initiative. Lilburne distinguished v himself in several sorties to the Otago line, and in a melee here Robins, the Wellington winger, was injured. Nees replaced him. Simon managed to relieve the pressure on the Blue line, and a moment later'Otago had turned defence into attack with a forward rush for which Smith paved the way. Then, from the twenty-five, Simon dived round from behind a line out and his forwards carried him almost to the Wellington line. But the defence was sound, and could not be pierced. Play was sweeping up and down the field, and in another moment Otago had to concede a force-down. Wellington then had Otago penned in their own twentyfive and from a scrum Sadler sent Lilburne, Langdon, Upchurch, and Fuller off, the winger being pulled down just in time. Wellington were dominating the game now, but the exchanges were fast and exciting. Another drop-out from the twenty-five made the situation easier for Otago, and they followed up the advantage with a loose rush through to the Wellington twent3 7 -five, where a clearing kick by Creswell was smothered. Otago were pressing hard now, but Creswell took a mark this time and cleared out of immediate danger. From here Lilburne and ■ Langdon made a groat bid for the Otago line, the latter cutting in brilliantly to pass to Upchurch, who fumbled and nullified whai seemed to be a “ moral.” There was high excitement in the last minute as Wellington launched attack after attack through the Otago twenty-five, but the final whistle sounded without their getting over tho line, Nees being pushed into touch as he streaked down over the twenty-five. Final score:—

Otago 6 Wellington , 5 Mr L. E. Macassey was again an admirable referee. THIRD GRADE. Pirates A 9, Kaikorai 3. Dunedin 6, High School 0. Alhambra 15, Union 0. Dunedin 6, High School 0.

RAMFURLY SHIELD AUCKLAND ANNEXES TROPHY [Per United Press Association.] NAPIER, September 8. There was glorious weather for the Hawke’s liay-Auckland Shield match, and the crowd was estimated at nine thousand. The match marked the jubilee celebrations of the Bay Union, the game being preceded by a parade of ox-Bay representatives since the early ’eighties. Bay, playing in bjack uniform, kicked off, early play being confined to the Bay half. Vartan was caught badly in possession, and matters looked dangerous for Bay, who were defending hard for some minutes. Then Corner secured from the scrum, and sent Hedge and Caughey away, the latter scoring. Heazlewood goaled. A mark by Bush stopped a Bay rush. Auckland were having much the better of the game at this stage. Lequesne put Bay on attack with a good liue kick, and from the scrum Steer got over, but the referee ruled a free kick, the challengers clearing. Auckland almost scored a moment later, a knock-on spoiling a certain chance; but from a scrum Hedge Went through in a flash, Heazlewood converting. A dropped pass by Evans lost a great chance for Bay, but from a line-out Steere made a" great run, and passed to Reid, who scored near the posts. Evans missed.

Auckland were repeatedly penalised in the scrum, but despite this they were setting a merry pace, proving very fast compared ( to the Bay team. Near. the line they were particularly dangerous. Bay added to its total by a brilliant cut in by Apsey, who passed to Rolls to score again. Evans missed an easy kick. Soon after Bay were penalised, Heazlewood landing a penalty goal. Bay were now repeatedly attacking, but "just before the interval Corner sent 'Bush over,' Heazlewood goaling. At the interval the score was:— Auckland 18 Hawke’s Bay 6 At the opening of the second spell Bay were awarded three quick penalties, Mataira finally getting over, but no try was allowed and a scrum ordered, from which Smith went through under the posts. Bradley goaled. The Bay forwards were new going great guns, playing desperately to come within striking distance, but they met with stubborn resistance. A penalty at the goal mouth gave Bradley a chance which ho missed. Bay were having all the better of the game, but found it difficult to find a hole in the defence, Auckland making good use of the line. A series of line kicks put Auckland on the offensive, and a penalty gave Heazlewood a chance, but he missed. A determined counter by Bay was marked by Heazlewood. With only ten _ minutes left Bay’s chances of retaining the shield were not bright, particularly when Auckland took play to the defenders’ corner. Bay cleared and made a desperate bid to pull the game out of the fire. Reid was pulled back after crossing. Bay kept up a hot attack, Lequesne adding three points from a mark. With only four minutes left Bay staged a grand-stand finish, but time won and brought the final score:— Auckland ... ... 18 Hawke’s Bay ... ... ... 14

OTHER INTERPROVINGIAL GAMES CANTERBURY BEAT WAIRARAPA fPsj« United Press Association.J CHRISTCHURCH, September 8. There was a good attendance and fine weather for the Wairarapa-Gan-tcrbury game. The former kicked off with the sun in their eyes. Manchester fielded the ball and courted disaster by slinging a long pass infield. The Wairarapa forwards followed up to bustle Mortlock. Canterbury were penalised under the posts and Hemi kicked a goal. Wairarapa 3, Canterbury 0. M'Auliffo was smart on getting the ball away, and the ball flashed along the Canterbury backs. A few yards from the Wairarapa line Rankin secured and smashed over for a bright try. Nolan’s kick failed. Wairarapa 3, Canterbury 3. Trass and Laing led a brilliant Wairarapa forward rush. This time. Nolan put in a wonderful sprint to clear. Manchester led the Canterbury forwards in a rush. The defenders infringed, and Nolan sent the penalty sailing between the posts. Canterbury 6, Wairarapa 3. Canterbury’s next try was a beautiful effort. M'Auliffe and Hooper handled cleanly, and Mortlock left Devine standing with a beautiful cut-in. Oliver raced up and took a clean pass and scored in a handy position. Nolan goaled. Canterbury 11, Wairarapa 3. Himona kicked through a gap and Nolan was penalised for lying on the ball. Hemi goaled again. Canterbury 11, Wairarapa G. From another. penalty Nolan kicked a goal. Mortlock bluffed .three opponents, cutting through to present Hart with a try, Nolan goaled. Wairarapa’s first try came when Flue'ty followed up fast and scored near the posts. The kick failed. Half-time: Canterbury 19 Wairarapa ... 9 Soon after the resumption Wairarapa scored a fine try, the ball whipping along the line of backs to Booth, who sent to Stringfellow, who passed infield to Devine. Stringfellow secured again wide out and scored. Hemi converted. Canterbury 19, Wairarapa 14. Wairarapa were playing with a new lease of life. Himona, with a brilliant run, beat the defence, and Devine scored in a handy position. Himona’s kick missed. Canterbury’s retaliation was equally brilliant. M'Auliffe sent tho backs away. Oliver gave Hart a well-timed pass and the All Black winger ran round Fitzgerald and beat Hemi and Stringfellow, scoring a wonderful try in the corner. The kick failed. Canterbury 22, Wairarapa 17. In a loose rush Oliver picked up and gave Mann a chance on Canterbury’s left wing. Mann swerved inside Booth, boat another would-be tackier, and sent a pass to Sweeney, who- galloped over for a good try. The kick failed. A free kick right on the side line saw Hemi goal again with a splendid kick. Canterbury 25, Wairarapa 20. Later Hart beat his man, to streak down the line. Oliver, outside him, took a pass to race over at the corner. Sweeney’s kick failed. Stringfellow was prominent in Wairarapa rushes. M’Aulitfe lay too long on the hall and Hemi goaled from in front. The game endde : Canterbury _ 28 Wairarapa ... 23

NORTH OTAGO MATCH JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES The Palmerston junior representative team journeyed to Oamaru on Saturday to try conclusions with the North Otago team, and after an evenly-contested game came out winners by 13 points to 12. The match was played at the Show Grounds, before a small attendance of spectators. The visitors had the advantage of the wind in the first half, and finished the spell with a lead of 2 points. North Otago forwards played a rattling good game, but, their backs were not equal to the occasion, and played without combination. Had the local players taken advantage of the wind in-the second spell the score might have been vastly different. For Palmerston, Bell, at full-back, was outstanding, and saved hi's side on several occasions. He handled well, and kicked with judgment. The forwards all plaved well. . Shortly after the commencement or play Budd put North Otago in an attacking position with a good line kick, but the local players did not take advantage of the opportunity presented, and as a result of good forward work by the visitors, play returned to halfway. Palmerston kept up the pressure, and further enhanced their position with a splendid touch-finder. A period of scrambling play followed, until Dempster followed up fast to touch down for a well-earned try. Gaffney missed the kick at goal. Palmerston 3, North Otago 0. _ North Otago attacked, and Hunter broke away, but was unsupported, and a certain try was lost. Dwyer secured from a scrum, and sent his backs away, hut the ball went inn touch. North Otago, however, were at last successful when Palmer touched down following a loose forward rush. Doraji missed with the kick. Falmerston 3, North Otago 3 North Otago continued to attack, and from a passing rush W. Budd scored a good try. Mahoney failed to convert. North Otago 6, Palmerston 3. Just prior to half-time, the visitors rallied, and play went to the North Otago line, where Freeland snapped up and dived over. Bell added the major points. Palmerston 8, North Otago 6. On resuming play centred round, halfway for a. time, neither side being able to break through the defence. However, Sullivan came to and put in a good run before transferring to Cameron, who scored. Bell again converted. Palmerston 13, North Otago 6 " Shortly after Doran kicked a brilliant penalty goal for North Otago from well oiit, thus making the scores: Palmerston 13, North Otago 9. Play now livened up, and several good ‘passing rushes were witnessed. The North Otago forwards started a dribbling rush from halfway, which ended in Palmer scoring in a bandy position. Wallace missed an easy, kick. No-side sounded shortly after, without addition to the scores, and the game ended with the scores: Palmerston 13, North Otago 12. Mr L. Ward was the referee. . After the match the visitors were hospitably entertained at dinner, wheh the customary toast list was honoured. MARLBOROUGH RETAIN SEODOH SHIELD [Per United Press Association.] BLENHEIM, September 8. Superior in practically all departments, Marlborough retained the Sedclou Shield, defeating Nelson by 17-10. It was a gruelling game, played at a fast gait. The Marlborough backs displayed clean handling and spectacular penetration, coupled with sound defence. SOUTH CANTERBURY BEATS ASHBURTON South Canterbury met Ashburton on the latter’s home ground, winning by 19 points to 17. The local forwards had the advantage, while the visitors’ back division was superior. Play generally was open, South Canterbury attacking most of the first half. The Ashburton forwards improved in the second spell.