RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 21824, 13 September 1934, Page 14

RUGBY

WELLINGTON WIN SOUTHLAND BEATEN BY 6 POINTS [Per United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, September 12. Ability to finish off successfully the attacking movements was the chief factor which gave the Wellington team victory over Southland by 18 points to 12 in n fast, open game before, a largo crowd. The weather was lino and the ground slightly heavy. The Wellington backs were a more effective combination, and were well supported by the forwards, who held Southland throughout, winning the majority of the scrums. The home inside backs failed badly, overdoing their kicking and attempting too much solo work. Wellington’s carl}' attacks were repulsed by the Southland forwards, who broke through from a line out after eleven minutes’ play for Metcalfe to score wide out. No goal was kicked. The visitors retaliated immediately, Langdon cutting through from a scrum, but his pass wont astray. Wellington was winning the scrums, and a bright bout of passing took play to the Southland line, where Sadler snapped up a scrum and dived across. Lilburne converted.

Shortly afterwards Donnelly and Hull led a Wellington forward rush, the latter finishing off with a try close in, and Lilburne again converted. Southland had a turn on attack and kept the visitors in their own territory. A Wellington forward was penalised for off-side play, and Wosnoy kicked a good goal. Wellington continued to win the scrums, and Langdon and Lilburne were frequently finding gaps in the defence. Just before half-time Langdon made a brilliant opening, and Sadler, following up fast, scored bis second _ try. The half-time score was: Wellington 13, Southland 6. Southland attacked on resumption, and after twelve minutes’ play Mitchell scored a great try after a short passing rush. Cresswell retired hurt and was replaced by Upchurch. Southland was now r securing from the scrums, but the movements broke down continually at the five-eighths. The game was hard and even now, with Son ( bland showing an improvement. The Wellington forwards still had plenty of life, and established themselves in the Southland twenty-five. Finally the backs handled for Lilburne to accept an inpass and score behind the posts. Lilburne converted. The final hell had gone when Mitchell made a splendid opening for Henderson, who scored the last try of the game. No goal was kicked. The final score was:— Wellington ... 18 Southland ... ... , 12 THE MAORI TEAM SOUTH CANTERBURY BEATEN (Ter United Press Association.]

TJMAIUJ, September 12. The New Zealand Maori team opened its tour against South Canterbury, winning by 2d points to 16. The first spell was evenly contested, and towards the close the visiting forwards seemed to lack condition. Their looks belied them, however, as in the second half of the game they gave a great display. Gaining confidence and combination as the game the Maoris treated the public to a fine exhibition, and after another game should be a hard proposition. The forwards have weight and pace, and the backs are a speedy lot and lose no chance of opening up the game. The home forwards had a hard battle to hold their heavier opponents, and though South Canterbury had easily the better of the scrums the hacks were unable to make use of their opportunities. Play in the first half was mediocre and gave no indication of the sparkling football which was to come later. At the interval the score was 3 all, but in tlie second half the visitors put on 20 points and the home side 13. The scoring fluctuated in a manner which delighted the crowd, and it was not till the last ten minutes that the Maoris gained the upper hand. In the closing stages they were always dangerous, the backs staging brilliant movements. Smith, the Hawke’s Bay crack wing three-quarter, was well marked by Morrison and got no chances, but Hohapata, on the opposite wing, gave an outstanding display, scoring three fine tries. Tangitu, M'Douald, and H. Harrison also scored, Hemi kicking a penalty goal and converting one try. For the home side Giddings, Adkins, Seaton, and Strang scored, Gaffaney converting two. WANGANUI BEATS MARLBOROUGH fPer United Press Association.] BLENHEIM, September 12. Wanganui defeated Marlborough by 20 points to 8. The play was of a poor standard in the first spell, but in the second Wanganui took the lead, and raced to victory with a fast, open display. TARANAKI BEATS WAIKATO [Per United Press Association.] HAMILTON, September 12. In a representative match Taranaki heat Waikato by 19 points to 11. WAIRARAPA BEATS MANAWATU [Per United Press Association,] MASTERTON, September 12. The Wairarapa representatives scored a convincing win over Manawatu in a fast game to-day by _2l points to S. The two packs were fairly evenly' matched, but the Wairarapa rearguard shaded its opponents. The half-time score was 8 all. The scorers for Wairarapa were Stringfellow, Howard, Nunn, Booth, and Fitzgerald, the last-named converting throe tries. For the visitors, Eade and Crawford scored tries, one being converted by Finlay,.

IN MEMORY OF JACK RURU PRESENTATION OF GOLD CUP [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 12. Notification that a gold cup in memory of the late Jack Ruru, the well-known Maori footballer, had been presented for annual competition among the Maori players, was received by the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-nigbt. The trophy, which was presented by Mr Rum’s father, Mr Henarc Rum, and his cousin. Mr H. R. H. Bnlnoavis, of Wellington, is to be known as the “ Jack Rum Memorial Cup,” and the donors expressed the wish that the cup should bo played for in conjunction with the annual match for the Prince of Wales Cup between Maori representative teams. OTAGO V. MAORIS The attraction at Cafisbrook on Saturday will be the match between Otago and the Maori team, which defeated South Canterbury yesterday and showed brilliant form in the second spell. The Maoris exploit the open passing game, which shows Rugby at its best, and if the ground is firm on Saturday the play should be highly spectacular. As a curtainraiser the third grade match between Alhambra and High School is expected to provide an interesting game. The Artillery Band will be in attendance, and official guides will be on sale as usual. The Maori team will arrive this evening, and will stay at the Provincial Hotel.