The Rugby Game

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Rugby Game

by Hooker

With a splendidly contested club competition now reaching to a climax, interest has quickened in the coming representative engagements, with pride of place, of course, being occupied by the Ranfurly Shield challenge match next Saturday between Otago and Southland. The following Wednesday, Otago will engage Bush Districts at Carisbrook, the return game with Southland will be played at Carisbrook on August 5, and after the Manawatu game on August 12 the Otago team will embark on one of the most ambitious northern tours in its history, seven games being played between August 1 9 and September 9, the fixtures comprising Wellington, North Auckland, Auckland, Wanganui, Taranaki, Canterbury, and South Canterbury. With the material available, Otago should be able to despatch a strong side for the tour —one capable of worthily upholding the province’s prestige in the north.

OTAGO REPRESENTATIVE GAMES July 29.—v. Southland, at Invercargill (Ranfurly Shield challenge).. August 2.—v. Bush Union, at Dunedin, August 5. v. Southland, at Dunedin. August 16.—v. Manawatu, at Dunedin. August 19.—v. Wellington, at Wellington. August 23.—v. North Auckland, at Whangarei. August 26.—v, Auckland, at Auckland. August 30.—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. September 2.—v. Taranaki, in Taranaki. September 6. —v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. September 9.—v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. OTHER FIXTURES August s.—Otago v. Southland Primary Schools representative match, at Dunedin. August 29 and 31.—Kohn Shield competition (New Zealand tramways tournament), at Dunedin. September 16. Payne Trophy match, at Dunedin. September 23.—North Island v. South Island, at Wellington. INTERSCHOOL MATCHES August 2.—John M’Glashan College v, St. Kevin’s College, at Oamaru. August 8 (approximate).—Otago Boys’ High School v. Timaru Boys’ High School, at Dunedin. August 19.—Otago Boys’ High School v. Christchurch Boys’ High School, at Dunedin. SOUTHERN'S BEST DISPLAY OUTSTANDING GAMS BY D. TREVATHAN The meeting between the coleaders in the competition, Southern and Kaikorai, resulted in a very interesting game, with Southern turning on their best display of the season and showing a definite superiority throughout, especially in the first spell, last year’s premiers winning by 16 points to 6.

Southern forwards, playing with exceptional fire and dash, dominated the game before the interval, Kaikorai being in Southern’s twenty-five only two or three times during the spell. They gave a grand exhibition of concerted team work, their close packing in set scrums and rucks enabling them to get a big share of the ball. They brought their backs into attacking movements cleverly following loose rushes by the forwards, and it was only bad handling on the part of the Southern backs which stopped them from scoring several tries. The Kaikorai forwards had themselves to blame for the way they were quelled by the Southern pack throughout the game, as the Hill team had three forwards who persistently came round the scrum ahead of the ball and were of no assistance to their side. This enabled the Southern forwards, who were packing very closely, to dominate the four or five forwards who were working, and consequently the Kaikorai backs were starved. This is a useless type of forward play against Southern when the latter are on their game. The tackling and rush-stopping of the Southern forwards was high class, and special mention must be made of Neiper in this department. The Southern skipper played one of his best games, and showed his value as a loose forward who can handle like a back and tackle surely.

The best forward on the ground was George M'Donald, who again turned on an outstanding performance, leading the Southern forwards in fine style, breaking through from line-outs and doing some fine dribbling. For consistency, M'Donald had no superior in Otago last year, and this fine stamp of front-ranker stands out as one of the province’s leading claimants for All Black selection next year. When he first represented Otago in 1934 he was barely 18 years of age, and he played

Notesjxnd Comments

for the South Island the same year. He has not been available for many appearances outside of interprovincial football since then, but had he been a candidate last year he must have had a great show of making the tour of Australia with the New Zealand team.

Les Niven played up to his best form, and besides doing excellent work on the line-outs, showed football brains in his control of the ball in set and loose scrums. He looks to be assured of a place in the Otago team. 11. Holley, who has played quite a few games in Southern’s first fifteen over the last few years, gave what was probably his best display in senior football. He shone in line-out play and put plenty of sting into hi.s efforts in the loose.’ C. Quaid, R. Edwards, and S. Scorgie were ’a very solid front-row, Quaid showing more than a glimpse of his real form.

Although a five-eighth by choice, Stan Robert is Southern’s half-back by necessity, and he has shown improvement behind the scrum with every game. On Saturday he played outstandingly, giving 1). Trevathan excellent service from the scrum, and his defence and penetrating runs on the open side of the scrummage showed that he has now gained a good knowledge of half-back play. If he continues to show this improvement he should prove a worthy successor to Harry Simon. Again the outstanding back on the field, Dave Trevathan showed the football that must place him right in the front line for the South African tour if real ability and football brains are to be recognised in the final selection. To the casual spectator, the value of Trevathan’s wo sir may not be so evident as it is to the keen football judge who is able to appreciate the workmanlike way in which Trevathan does everything he has to, and his effectiveness is perhaps sometimes lost sight of in favour of a more showy . but less sound player.

It will be a long time before Otago is likely to be fortunate enough to have another player of his. calibre with all . his match-win-ning attributes. It is a great pity that some of the northern Rugby critics could not see Trevathan doing his job in the same'sterling way Saturday after Saturday, for if they did they would probably be in a position to class him among the first selections for the South African tour. A man of his football ability and outstanding sporting qualities deserves the highest honours of New Zealand Rugby, and Otago supporters will hope he will

get his just due this season. Trevathan attempted several pots from extremely difficult angles in the early part of the game, and when he actually got into a position where he had a reasonable chance he took two beautiful field goals. T. Trevathan played quite a fair game till he went off, though his handling of the greasy ball was not too certain.

On every occasion that Churchill has played at centre he has been caught too frequently in possession of the ball. He is inclined to get up too quickly on attack and does not give himself enough room to take and give his pass, particularly when the other side is standing fairly close up. Being a long strider, he has to move a few yards with the ball before being properly balanced, and as a result he has to cheek himself on coming to a man. W, A. “Tony” Mack, on the wing, made several determined runs, although his handling was a bit uncertain. Probably because lie has lacked opportunities in concerted attack this season, he did not run with such finesse as he showed last season. Nevertheless, he will be a valuable man in the rep. fixtures, and one fine feature of his play on Saturday was his covering up. Several times he crossed from one flank to the other.

Foley played a serviceable game on the other wing, ami M’Ledd, at fullback. did not make many mistakes, though Kaikorai gave him plentv of room to work in as a rule, his kicking lacking a little in power. L. H. Aitken was easily the best of the Kaikorai forwards, and this fine young packman stood out in all departments, his line-out play being particularly good. Aitken is completing his first season of senior football, and on his form throughout should stand a good chance of gaining a place in the Otago team for the northern tour. Bruce Barnes showed out in the loose, but with his weight and strength would he of more service to Kaikorai if he concentrated more on the tight play. Ibbotson made several good bursts, and Leatham was another who came

through the nicks, but Hay's attempts to harass Robert and Trevatban were futile, and be would have been better employed otherwise. Dave Murray, who represented Otago in eight games in 1937, has played sound football this year, and he was the most resourceful of the Kaikorai backs on attack and defence. Chapman, at first live-eighth, made one or two sharp runs, but was inclined to lose touch with his supports. Scott, the Kaikorai half-back, did not see much of the ball, and consequently had to do a lot of rush-stop-ping, which he did wellWiti Manning, at centre, made a proper job of taking Churchill, hut lack of opportunity restricted his efforts on attack. Manning has been displaying good football in recent games. L. C. Morrison played a serviceable game on the wing, and Cox, at fullback, again shaped promisingly. He has a powerful boot, but is a little slow in moving to the ball. TAIER! SHOW IMPROVEMENT GAVIN MURRAY STRENGTHENS BACKLIHE Taieri and University B, the two bottom teams, provided bright and open football when they met at the University Oval, and, winning 21-6, the plainsmen turned the tables on the Light Blues, who won, 19-12, when the teams met in the first round. On occasions Taieri have shaped as a team with possibilities, but the loss of Gavin Murray through injury made a big difference to the back line.

However, Murray made a reappearance on Saturday, and was largely responsible for the good showing of the Taieri team, his resourceful and clever play at centre three-auarter giving confidence to the forwards and providing the openings for the speedy wingers, S. M’Cartney and J. Grant, that they have lacked in many recent games. He made some strong runs, and saved his forwards time and again.

M'Cartney scored a couple of good tries, duo to Viis superior pace, but be should endeavour to beat his man with a swerve or sidestep. The tall, long-striding Taien winger, ,T. Grant, made some strong runs, and scored one bustling try, while on one occasion he made a break from one twenty-five to the other, and then centred. With a royal chance, however three Taieri men each waited for the other to get to the ball, and an almost certain try was lost. Behind the Taieri pack, A. MCunn played a serviceable'game, and, though a little slow, sent out good, dean passes. E Lindsay, at first five-eighth, also played soundly, but the mainstay on attack was undoubtedly Murray. Although he was not bustled and was given plenty of room to work in, the Taieri full-back, B. Wilkins, played a good game, and several times came up to join in passing movements with the backs. He was much more im, pressive that lorpy, the Varsity fullhack, whose kicking was weak Wilkins converted three tries and landed a penalty goal. The Taieri forwards worked hard, J. Barron again being outstanding in all departments of play. He is playing the best football of his career this season. The ex-Wellington player j. McK. Toms, a front-ranker, lent good support and played with a lot of fire and dash. , , , „ In the Varsity B pack. Anderson plaved a solid game, and Chandler made some good bursts into the open Logan and M'Kee were another good Although the B’s had a fair supply of hall, especially in the earlier stages, their half-back," Watson was slower than usual with his service, and was caught several times with the ball. Broughton, at first five-eighth, played a useful game, and has a lot of football in him. The other backs did not shape very impressively. UNION DO IT AGAIN FAST SAKE WITH VARSITY A Union repeated their first round win over University A, the margin being 11-5, and again the Light Blues introduced little variation into their play, a feature which has cost them victory on more than one occasion this season. Early in proceedings, Varsity had a feast of ball from the scrums, and half-back Laurie Simpson gave his inside men plenty of opportunities. But running into solid tackling, they did not get far, and made little effort to change their plan of attack. The wind was extremely troublesome, and playing against it in the first spell. Union were content to stave off Varsity's attack. Their tactics succeeded, and after a scoreless first spell they established a lead which Varsity could not wrest from them. Each side scored a try. Union’s other eight points coming from Bon Silver’s hoot—two penalties and a goal from a try. The game was played at a fast clip throughout, and there were some lively exchanges, hut referee George Lewis kept the game under firm control.

The Union pack once again played an aggressive and bustling game, and they were splendidly led bv F. H. Vorrath who was in the thick of the tight stuff all day and held his men together well. D. Slyfield was again the übiquitous loose forward, and Union's only try was 99 per cent, his as he was almost on the line when he gave the ball to Jenkins to score. The latter is a light front-ranker, but plays with plenty of dash, follows up well, and is good dribbler. ,T. Walker and V. Newall were also prominent in a hardworking park. At half-back for Union, Samson played soundly, and the best back was Don M'Skimming. at first five-eighth. The cx-CHngo ren. is placing as well as ever be did, and bis quirkne's from the mark, his eve for nil opening in the defence, and his resourcefulness in all phases of play make him the sheetanchor of the side. Tunnel Warner went off with an ininved shoulder, and D. Saul had few chances. Kasilv the outstanding University forward was N. H. Irwin who gave a first-rate display Fox Wall also showing out. The latter’s hocking was a feature of the game. Simpson did everything right behind the Varsity scrum, and the wav he stood up to the vigorous Union pack left no doubts as to his defensive qualities. Trevor Bcrghan shone more on defence than on attack, and his saving work was first-class. Tn the inside position. R. 81. - ''llv placed nnite a fair irmee but tlio Varsity backs as a wbo’c did not show a great deal of finish

MITCHELL REAPPEARS ALHAMBRA HOLD PIRATES Main interest in the AlhambraPirates game last Saturday centred on the reappearance of N. A. Mitchell, and the Alhambra centre showed keen anticipation and his usual flair for discovering openings in the defence. With the whole back line moving nicely into action, Alhambra were able to lead by 16-5 at the interval, in spite of the fact that Pirates were dominating possession from the scrums, but when a rearrangement was effected in the Pirates backs in the second spell the Blacks played much more effectively, and with a fine recovery, were able to break even in a bright and spectacular game, 16all.

Mitchell, when in possession, takes a power of stopping, and he made several fine runs, though hq was closely watched. Had he had support ou a couple of occasions, Alhambra would have scored two more tries.

On the day, however, the best back on the ground was L, Casey, at the base of the Alhambra scrum. He made good openings, varied his play smartly, and did a lot of rush-stopping. Two tries came his way, and Fox, the first five-eighth, also played very soundly, showing penetration and scoring two tries.

Although Pirates packed the better scrum, the ’Bamas shone in line-out play and in the loose, and once again L. *O. Naylor stood out for his allround play, another solid forward being J. Lament.

Special mention should be made of Tom Graham, the Pirates hooker, who, given plenty of weight in the scrums, raked the ball with monotonous regularity, and also showed out in other departments of forward play. A. G. Beadle worked hard in tight and loose, and in the open especially played with plenty of dash. He made one run of about 30 yards with the Alhambra backs out of position, but was overtaken from behind about two yards from the line. Hennessey played well in the loose, and for all-round play A. A. Parkhill was again the best packman.

P. A. Ongley played well behind the Pirates pack, his passes being clean and well directed, ana when threatened he dived low on the ground, getting the ball away very cleverly.

Willis Perriam showed adaptability when he moved in to the first fiveeighth position, and exploiting wind and line frequently drove the ’Bamas back with ground-gaining kicks which placed his side in position for the attacks which led to scoring movements. In the first spell, N. Bathgate played in the inside five’s" berth, but he showed little penetration, and there was more edge to the attack when Perriam moved in. W. Campbell, at second five-eighth, ran strongly, and on one occasion cut out a man before sending the ball on to pave the way for n try. Tom Webster, at full-back, played a very sound game. This young ■player has a safe pair of hands and though he did not get great length, his kicking was well-judged. His vis-a-vis, Broadfoot. the Alhambra custodian, also fielded well, but a lot of his kicks were misjudged. FORWARDS PAVE THE WAY DUNEDIN TURN TABLES ON ZIKfiARI Dunedin’s heavy front-line artillery paved the way for a 20-f) win against Zingari-Ricluhond, these teams having played a 3-all draw in the first round. Tho Dark Blue pack, playing a vigorous, bustling game, gradually wore the Colours down, and with their speedy wing, J. P. Scanlan, getting more opportunities than in some recent games, this promising player scored a couple of good tries

Scanlan has a deceptive swerve, and with his pace he is a dangerous scoring man. He stands out as one of the most promising wingers in the competition.

Dunedin now occupy fifth place equal with Alhambra, m the competition, and recent games indicate that no side can talte them lightly. They were without their regular halt, Frampton, oti Saturday, and although Marshall, who substituted, did not vary his play greatly he got the ball away fairly well, and the five-eighths, Spillane and M'Phail, were a solid and effective pair. K. Black played soundly in the centre position. In the Dunedin pack Collett, Treacy, M'Cartney, and Skimier were a good quartet

Laurie Pollock, the rugged Zingari front-ranker, was the outstanding forward on the ground. He is a finished forward, and a worker all the way. He was good on the line-out and in the tight, and his tackling was first class. He was given good support by A. Tyrie and D. Wilson. A. H. Rapson, at first five-eighth, was the best Zingari back, and W. Mason, who was outside him, also playgd well. Alf. Mason, at half-back, shaped well in face of the persistent Dunedin forward rushes, but J. Campbell, at full-back, was not particularly impressive.

SUB-UNIONS TRIAL PROMISING COUNTRY PLAYERS Considering that the teams had not played togetner before, the NorthernSouthern Sub-unions game at Palmerston was quite a good one, and on the day the northern side thoroughly deserved their 9-0 win, being definitely the superior team, especially in the backs. The northern inside combination—■ Annan (half-back), J. Kearney (first five-eighth), and Gunn second fiveeighth)—were outstanding, while W. Becker, the tall centre, showed good form, despite an ankle injury. But for the good tackling of the southern backs the margin might have been greater, and whatever their deficiencies on attack the southern players were solid tacklers to a man.

The physique of the forwards on each side is worthy of comment, there being some splendid stamps of packmen, notably Greig, of Vincent, a 19-year-old player, standing 6ft 2m and Weighing 15st, Jolly (also in the northern pack), and Willocke (southern). They were three splendid forwards in the making, and gained - selection for the Country against the Town. All being young—2l and under—they should go a long way if willing to learn. Of course, apart from these youngsters, there was the Otago representative of last year, W. M'Lelland, who showed himself to be in tip-top condition, his tackling being deadly. M'Lelland and G. Spittle (southern) were probably the outstanding forwards in the game, and Spittle’s hooking was a feature. SOUTHLAND SUB-UNIONS BEATEN TOWN TEAM'S HANDSOME WIN

Says the ‘ Southland Daily News ’; — “ Town played good football to defeat Country by the handsome margin of 26-6. They were superior, both back and forward, and, although the Country team put up a stout resistance and looked a likely combination on many

occasions, they did not have the finish necessary to bring their movements to a successful conclusion, and wore unable to cross the Town line, securing their six points by means of two penalty coals. The day was ideal for football, and both teams threw the ball about in fine style, despite a fairly heavy ground. There was one of the largest crowds of the season present, many country supporters travelling in to see their 'team in action. The Sub-nnion team will meet Otago Sub-union fifteen next week at Invercargill. Country started attacking at the start and held their own for the greater part of the first half. There was not a great deal between the two packs, although Town won the majorty of serums, rucks, and line-outs, R. H. Ward was particularly prominent and played a wonderful game from start to finish, leading his Country pack in magnificent fashion. He gave Saxton no rest when the latter was behind the scrum, and his general work evoked nothing hut admiration D. Forde and H. Herron were two other Country forwards who impressed in a hard-working pack.

“ There is little to say about the Town forwards except that each one did his job well. They packed a good scrum and rucked well, while in the loose they were fast and vigorous. Graham, S. Purdue, and V. George were especially prominent. In the first half the Country forwards conceded little, but in the second spell Town usually dominated the play.

“ The backs on both sides played well, and Country showed that they will be hard to beat when they meet the Otago Sub-unions. Town, however, were too good, and on occasions their precision in picking up was a delight to watch. Doth the half-back, Saxton, and Purdue made mistakes, but their general work was good, both on attack and defence. In the second half Saxton gave a good display at first five-eighth. Grace played an excellent game, and gave the men outside him all the chances he could. He was always on hand to revive broken-down movements, and appeared to have lost his old fault of hanging on to the ball. Outside him, in the first spell, Sutherland did some good work and made several good breaks, although he was beaten once or twice by his opposite. Wesney was as sound as ever, and on one wing Mahouy played a good game, brightened by several particularly bright, runs. Calvert did not get many chances and was solid, though never brilliant. Fleming did not get a great deal of work to do at full-back, but he was sound, and his kicking was accurate. On the wing in the second half he took part in a numberof rushes, and showed ability in everything he did. Egan, the Country full-back, did not fail, but very often his long-range kicks failed to find the

line. His handling was good. “N. Stewart, the Country second five-eighth, was the best of the Country backs, and the standard of play was greatly above that of most Sub-union players. His handling was good, he had a good turn of speed, and showed a ready appreciation of any gap in the defence. In this way he several times beat Sutherland. M'Lennan was a sound little half-back, and gave his outside men plenty of ball, while Calder, Gibb, and Currie also played well.” GO-BY FOR RANFURLY SHIELD In 1937 it was the Springboks; last year the South island tour and its accompanying Ranfurly Shield challenge gave the Hawke’s Bay Rugby public something to bite on (says the Napier ‘ Telegraph ’). , ~ , This year there are no such highlights, and we will have to be satisfied with next month’s tour, the Canterbury match on August 19 and the Wellington fixture in September. T know it’s common knowledge that Hawke s Bay with a full book for 1939—the fixture list is such as to cram the club programme up a bit—was not anxious about a Ranfurly Shield match this vear. and the union has accordingly let the matter slide. But with Hawke’s Rav Rugbv at its present high level, I am definitely of the view that a special challenge would not have been out of place, always providing the list of fixtures could have been satisfactorily ndiusted. And so the highlight for the present is the August (aunt. With two full teams in the field tn-dav. Selector Norman M'Ken7,ie had a further opportunity of castinn an all-encompassing eve over likely talent for the nartv of 20 or so that will he required. A good side should he the result. OTAGO RUGBY CAPTAIN PASSES The death of Mr D. K. Torrance during the week removed one of Otago’s famous players of the ’Bo’s and ’9o’s, and one who throughout his life maintained his interest in the game. His great knowledge of the game, his ability as a player and as a coach, and

his outstanding qualities as a sportsman made “ Davie ” Torrance a man who was respected wherever Rugby footballers gathered'. He was the solid rather than brilliant type of packman, the kind of forward who was one of the bulwarks of any team.. One of the little band who helped to found the Kaikorai Club, he was a member of the first team to wear the blue and black, and actually began his football career as a full-back, though it was not long before be found his proper place in the pack. He was in the Kaikorai senior fifteen when it entered first f grafie Rugby in 1885, and he played with the

hill club until 1896, captaining the team when it won the championship in 1888 and again in 1893. Known as a grand type of packman, Mr Torrance andl his brother Jim were among the fine players who helped to make Kaikorai forward play famous, and in 1889 “ Davie ”, Torrance captained Otago. The previous year he played against Stoddart’s English team. After giving up the game he made a name for himself as a referee; he served four years on the 'Management Committee of the Otago Rugby Union, was an Otago selector for four years, and) even after he had retired from the railways he was to be found coaching the Union Club. His old comrades of Kaikorai and Otago teams will mourn the passing of a fine footballer and one who did much to carry through the years the traditions of Otago Rugby. POPULAR WELLINGTON OFFICIAL It is doubtful if there is a betterknown man in Dominion sporting circles than A. C. (“ Dolph ”) Kitto, who was assistant manager of the New Zealand! team at the Empire Games last year. According to the ‘ Sports Post ’ he is best known in Wellington and also nationally as the man who through good years and lean has been foremost among the track and field leaders, but he has had a long association with the Rugby game, first as a player and then as an official. He was at one time a member of. the old St. James Club in Wellington, which was the club with which All Black “ Teddy ” Roberts started his football career before going to Athletic, and nowadays ‘‘Dolph” is a member of the New .Zealand Rugby Union executive and in addition has been intimately associated with the Wellington Rugby Referees’ Association for a long time. It is nearly 30 years since he became a referee, and he has not had enough yet. Although he has given up senior refereeing, as a member of the Appointment Committee he still takes some of the lower grade games on Saturday in between running an eye over the exhibitions given by some of the other members of the Referees’ Association. RANFURLY SHIELD GAME Next Saturday’s Ranfurly Shield challenge between Otago and Southland will be the eighty-eighth game between the two provinces. Otago has won 43, Southland 38, and six have been drawn. The first Ranfurly Shield game between Otago and Southland was played at , Invercargill in 1921. when Southland, defending the trophy, won by 10 points to 8, being deprived of the shield shortly afterwards by Wellington when Southland took it on tour with them. When Southland next won the Ranfurly Shield Otago challenged in 1930, and the game at Invercargill was won by the defenders by 37 points to 5, Southland also winning the return game (not a shield match) at Dunedin bv 17 points to 11. After Otago won the shield from Canterbury in 1935. it made its first defence of the shield against Southland at Dunedin in 1936. Otago winning by 16 points to 3. Otago’s onlv reverse that year was suffered at Invercirgill in the return game, Southland winning by 9 points to 6.

Southland had first tilt at the shield again in 1937, and before a record crown officially estimated at 35,000, Southland won by 12 points to 7, also winning the return same at Invercargill bv 14 points to 11. Otago regained the shield at Invercargill last year by a 7-6 margin, but making, the return match at Dunedin a special shield game, lost to Southland by 10 points to 5.

The bipnest score ever reoistered between the two provinces was Otago’s 41-3 victory at Carisbrook in 1931 after Southland had won the Invercaroill name bv 11 ooints to 3- Southland’s ■'■ngest win was the 37-5 tally in 1931. .

No orame in the Dominion is responsible for the in+erest and excitement aroused bv the home-and-awav entries between tl>e two southernmost provinces. and it is safe to say that no two nrovinces ever contend inmore friendlv rivalry than do. Otago. and Southland. Both provinces anticipate fieldinw very strong teams next and with readp^pn^ - wpof,T>pr it is < i stiniftt6 , that close to IO.OftO Otago followers of the game cross the border to witness the shield fix+nrp. wbiVli promises to be one of the highlights of the Rugby year. MOTES Jack Mahoney’s poisoned hand has been giving him further trouble, and he was unable to play for Pirates against Alhambra last Saturday. At the moment it is very doubtful if he will be available for the Ranfurly Shield match with Southland even it he is able to play in the representative games later in the season. M. M‘G. Cooper, Wellington Rugby captain and former Scottish international, who played a fine game against Taranaki the other day, would be an admirable man to take to South Africa (says the ‘Sports Post’). There is not, a more skilful forward playing the game in this country ; certainly no one with Cooper’s headpiece. The Wellington man would be a splendid leader in South Africa, on and off the field. As a Rhodes scholar ho would be a credit to New Zealand at official functions, The only thing that might put Cooper out is his lack of weight. lie barely touches 13st. There was an amusing incident at the beginning of the Rugby game between. Air Force and Linwood in Christchurch recently. Both teams had taken.their positions on the field, and the referee was about to blow his whistle when it was discovered that the main essential was lacking—there was no ball. There was a wait of several minutes while small boys were .hurriedly despatched to the dressing sheds for the ball. The Old Boys fifteen is the only team playing In Gisborne senior grade Rugby without a trio of brothers. The Celtic Club has the M'Kinleys; Marist, the Smilers; and High School Old Boys, the Shorts. A remarkable thing is that in every case the brothers play in the back division. It is ipractically certain that Dr H. G. Owen-Smith, ex-Oxford and England full-back, and South African and Middlesex bowler, will be unavailable for South Africa in the coming Rngbv matches against the New Zealand All Blacks. He is engaged and will shortly be married to a girl he met during his voyage to South Afriea. As he is anxious to establish a practice jn Cape Town, he has decided to forgo international sport in the immediate future. A subsidence in . the centre of the playing field at Nelson Park. Hastings,

was responsible for holding up play in a recent Rugby game. Under the weight of a running forward the surface caved in and revealed a hole fully 18ih deep and of sufficient dimensions to “ swallow ” the ball entirely. Twice last season similar occurrences were recorded at Nelson Park, the subsidences being attributed to _the excessive flooding of the area during the_ several abnormal floods experienced in the first half of last year

J. L. Sullivan, Taraiiaki centre three-quarter, in future will be available for mid-week matches played by the,Taranaki representative team. Ho was not available for the recent match against Wellington owing to the restriction imposed by his employers. But last week he played against King Country, and his employers' have announced that he will be given leave for future matches.

Mat Hamilton, who represented Otago at full-back against Canterbury last vear, was an outstanding defection from the northern side in the subunions trial game at Palmerston on Saturday, as he sprained his thumb the previous Saturday. Had he played he would undoubtedly have made the Country side for the match with the Metropolitan team, as he is reported to .be playing the best football in Central Otago. He would have been a strong contender for full-back in the Otago team. Although Wellington has established a clear lead, in the senior competition in the capital city, there have been quite a few upsets there, and: last Saturday the leaders were held to a 6 all draw by Johnsonville, who are now running in second place with Petone and Athletic. Wellington have 21 points, Petone, Johnsonville, and Athletic 16. Poneke,’who' defeated Athletic last Saturday, have 15 and Marist 14.

Running level with Dave Trevathan in his race for the century of points this season was an Invercargill player, Colin M'Kenzie, who kicked two penalty goals for his club'(lnvercargill) and brought hi's tally of points for the season to 102 on the day that Trevabhan passed his century and brought his tally to the same mark. M'Kenzie is a former M'Glashan College second five-eighth, and while at school in Dunedin was a very promising cricketer and a good sprinter. In the game between the Western and Eastern Sub-unions in Southland recently the outstanding forward on the ground was ex-All Black R. H. Ward, who has been the inspiration of both the Riverton and Western Subimion pack this season. He played a big part in at least two of his side’s tries against Eastern, and there were not many forward rushes in which he did not play a prominent part. For the greater part of the game Western had Eastern penned up on the line, fop which the great play of the forwards, led by Ward, was responsible. Prom all accounts Ward is turning on the type of football in the soutli that is going to bring him into the limelight when the All Tllack trials are held.

Frank Forster, the Springbok wrestler, has often wrestled Louis Strachan, . the Springbok forward. Ferdie Bergh is his special chum, and Forster told the ‘ Observer ’ that Bergh hopes .to play against the All Blacks next year and thus set up a new record in his tally of Springbok caps, he and,Gerry Brand being at present equal with 18 each. Tony Harris received a good newspaper appointment soon after returning from the 1937 tour, and is now' sporting editor of a Johannesburg paper. He was previously in the office of one of the mines. The King Country backs were fast and clever, their chief fault being an inclination to Killeen’s dummies (says a Taranaki writer in commenting on. the recent game between Taranaki and King Country). C. A. Grossman was in top form and his tackling was deadly. He was always flashing into the picture, and though he was less penetrative than Killeen, he was able to make his own play in a way the Taranaki five-eighth did not. He has only to maintain his form to get a trip to South Africa. The departure of S. Williams, the Aberavon wing three-quarter, for tha Rugby League, is a big loss to Wales, foi he was regarded as a discovery or the season. He won his first cap for Wales against England at Twickenham through A. Basset having joined the Rugby League. Williams also played againt Scotland and Ireland (says a Scottish writer). Des Garrick, although suffering th« disability of arm injury, turned out for Gordon Club on July 1 1, and played an excellent game. One would hava imagined that he might have been somewhat nervous in view of his comparative newness to grade football, and the consequences resultant from possible injury in view of his selection in the Australian touring team, blit he plaved with composure and displayed the skill which the Australian selectors ajjparaentiy knew he possessed.: Carrick i* expected to be a great success on the other side (says the Sydney ‘ Referee ’).