The Rugby Game

Evening Star, Issue 23639, 27 July 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Rugby Game

All Black In Fine Form. A. A. Parkhill led the Pirates pack splendidly on Saturday, the 1937-38 All Black playing right up to his best form, Parkhill first played for Otago in 1934, and has represented the province 33 times since then. Hailing from the Eastern Districts, he has had most of his football with the Pirates Club, He was a South Island representative in 1935-37-38-39, and his allround display on Saturday showed that he is playing as well as ever. He revelled in the tight work and frequently bobbed up to head strong loose rushes to the line, several of which were nearly fruitful.

Numbering of Players. Once again exception has to be taken to the lack of care given by clubs to the numbering of their players. For the benefit of patrons who pay for admission to grounds, and also for their ‘ Rugby Guides,’ players are given ntntbors, and it is up to them to play their part and assist the union by seeing that they take the field correctly numbered. In outside grounds more particularly, it seems at times to be as much the practice as the exception for many of the players to take the field either incorrectly numbered or without numbers at all. Clubs owe the public a duty in this respect, and they should see to it that their players are properly numbered.

In Camp at Burnham. Some time ago it was announced that George Gregg, the promising young Alexandra forward who toured with the Otago team last season, was overseas with the Second Echelon. Actually, the writer was a little ahead of things, for he has since been informed that Gregg is nt present in Burnham Camp as a member of the Third Echelon.

Dunedin Full-back Impressive. Although he has not made many appearances in competition games this year, E. W. Black, the former South Canterbury player, turned on an excellent game for Dunedin against Southern at full-back last Saturday. Black took part in the All Black trial games some five years ago, and he showed a lot of obility in the centre threeSter berth. More recently he has the last line of defence very capably. His taking of the ball on Saturday and his kicking extricated Dunedin from many dangerous positions.

Ex-All Black Joins Up. Former Athletic Club senior Rugby captain Jock Wells has enlisted (says an exchange). A Wellington and New Zealand representative forward, Wells,, who in business life is a bank officer, fell out of serious Rugby when he was transferred from Wellington three seasons ago. He played one or two games in Bulla and elsewhere, but the last two years he has devoted to coaching. He was mentor of the Taihape Old Boys side last season, and this year, back in Wellington, he has been keeping an eye on nis old club’s senior second division team. Wells played for New Zealand in 1936 against the visiting Australians, and for Wellington for several years. A vigorous footballer of considerable pace, Wells, in condition, would still have any amount of Rugby in him, and no doubt, if the opportunity offers in the future, he will engage in Army football.

Valuable Utility Men. There are plenty of utility men in Rugby at the present time, and two well-known backs showed that they were equally good in the front line on Saturday. Perhaps one of the most versatile players in the competition is B. Wilkins, who last season was in the running as Otago’s full-back and actually filled the last line in the game against Bush Districts. This year he has been playing either at centre or five-eighth, and has been

solidity itself. On Saturday, the exigency of the position made it necessary for him to take A. Cursey’s place at the side of the scrum in the second spell, during which he was one of the best forwards on the ground. He was up with every rush and infused much dash into his play. In the game against Varsity B, Zingari’s W. De Bazin, who usually plays at full-back or centre, filled a place at the back of the scrum and showed that he was capable of holding his own in that department.

Pirates Hold Varsity to a Draw, There was no lack of lively incident in the game between Varsity A and Pirates, and with so much movement a certain amount of mishandling was pardonable. This was more apparent with Pirates than with Varsity, but any deficiency shown by the Blacks in this direction was compensated by the excellent ball control of their forwards, whose fierce rucking and dash in the loose enabled them to reply so effectively to the attacks launched by the more finished and resourceful Varsity backs as to break level in a 3-all draw, territorial honours lying with Pirates.

The Pirates pack turned in a fine allround display, and though Varsity commanded the bigger share of possession from the set scrums, this was not •so pronounced in the second spell, when the Blacks showed that they were able not only to stay Varsity’s pace, but to quicken the tempo a little. Indeed, in the last two minutes of the

Notesjind Comments

by Hooker

game the Pirates forwards made a desperate onslaught which nearly gave them a win at the call of time. While Parkhill, as mentioned, was outstanding in the Pirates pack ho bod excellent support in the tight work from J. W. Clulee, but a fault, displayed by the latter was a tendency to kick too hard after the Blacks had obtained possession on the line-outs and wero going through en masse. One of the most improved members of the van is the youthful Ken. Morgan, whoso covering saved his side on more than one occasion. T. Lanauze showed pace in the open, but was just a little prone to skirt the tight work. W. Kaler was often in the picture. After taking the game from the sideline all the season, Pat. Ongley, who represented Otago m a couple of games last year, made a reappearance at the base of the Pirates scrum and played a. most serviceable game. Ongley soon settled down, but if he has one habit which has little to recommend it it is that of using the overhead pass. W. R. Campbell had a big job on bis hands in coping with Trevor Berghan at the top of his form, and the Pirates first five got through a lot of work. Although his handling was a little uncertain, he made several sharp breaks on the short side and could always bo relied upon in the saving work. With the Pirates second fiveeighth too individualistic and often failing to link up, Willis Perriam was deprived of opportunities in concerted attack, but the centre was alwaj-s looking for work, and made some nice openings, while his backing up in attack and defence was first rate. A. 11. Duff and J. W. Green bad several good duels on the wing. The most improved feature of Duff’s play in recent games hqs been his tackling. He tackled very resolutely on Saturday, and on one occasion dived at Green to bring him down within a couple of feet of the line.

T. R. Webster frequently won plaudits for the confident display he gave at full-back. His positional play was always excellent, and his fielding and kicking were features of the game. Time after time he drove the Light Blues

back with kicks that ate up the ground. There is no doubt that Webster promises to make a name for himself in the game.

llecent games have not revealed the Varsity pack in the form shown earlier, though they are still a force to be reckoned with. Still, their packing in tho loose scrums on Saturday was not impressive, and enabled Pirates to break through repeatedly. V. L. Smith, however, set all tho others a fine example, _ and he was one of the most outstanding forwards on the field. His line-out work was of a high order, and his effectiveness in this department frequently enabled the Varsty backs to come away in passing. Right on time he saved the game for Varsity, getting _ back quickly when Pirates were swarming to the line. Gathering smartly, Smith ran through a crush of players, enabling Peterson to clear. Smith is one of the best all-round packmen in tho senior competition at the .present time. The rush-stopping of ,W. Murphy was first rate, and there was no more honest worker in the pack. P. 18. Fox showed dash, but some of the others lacked their usual sting. C. N. D. Taylor again impressed with_ his fast anti clever raking, the Varsity hacks having their best opportunities from the set scrums, only solid tackling preventing them from culminating successfully.

Trevor Berghan was the best back on the ground, and directed the attack in masterly style. Throughout the season he has revealed the form that made him such a success with the 1938 All Blacks, and his quick thinking and resourceful play were features of Saturday’s game. A quick change of direction after Simpson gave him

possession following a scrum enabled the Varsity first five-eighth to slice the defence to shreds before sending on to Green for a splendid try. He nearly repeated the performance a moment later, showing great penetrative ability throughout and also exploiting the crosskick effectively. In defence he was first class.

L. H. Simpson gave one of his best displays this season at half-back. His service to Berghan was fast and well directed, his play was varied cleverly with judicious use of the blind side and sharp bursts from the scrum, and hia rush-stopping was fine, as it invariably is. Of the others, J. W. Green was the most impressive, making several very spectacular runs. Jones was closely marked by Perriam, and T. Kawo made no serious mistakes, though his nonchalance will get him into trouble one of these days.

Southern’s Team Work Tells. Southern overwhelmed Dunedin at Tahuna Park by seven unconverted tries to 0, and at no stage of the game was the issue seriously disputed by Dunedin. From the start Southern backs and forwards worked well together, and within a few minutes Churchill make a good break to send Paris racing across. Southern continued to give the ball an airing, and the handling of the backs showed considerable improvement over that of recent games.

Alan Edwards, at first five-eighth, was unselfish and gave his outside men plenty of opportunities, which Bolton, at second five, and Churchill, at centre, frequently turned to good account. Churchill was the oustanding'back on the day, playing probably his best game this season. He used his pace to good effect and gave his wings some excel-lently-judged passes. The utility man of the Southern hacks this season has been S. Robert, and he played a very solid game at half-back, his defence being outstanding, and, although some of_ his passes from the scrum were at times badly directed, he gave a good display, H, Irvine and H. Paris (two promoted juniors) showed distinct promise on the wing, both being very determined runners, though lacking a little in pace and finesse. A point of inexperience was the way that both, in scoring their tries, failed to make that final dive for the line which is so hard to stop. They went across in such an upright position that there was a possibility of their losing the ball, but this is a fault that should be easily rectified. At full-back T. Milburn was sound.

Russell Edwards (who expects to enter camp shortly) was the outstanding Southern forward, playing right up to his best form in all phases of the

play. He was ably backed up by George M'Donald, but all the others played well, with this pair slightly ahead of the others.

The Dunedin team played with little purpose and did not show that spirit and sting which were characteristics of their play earlier in the season. The packing of the forwards was weak, and it appeared as if they had no unity of method in their play, as frequently some of them seemed to be trying to carry the ball on while others endeavoured to heel. L. Marshall was easily the best of tho Dark Blue van and was prominent in both attack and defence. Pat Treacy played a lifeless game, while C. Collett, though useful on the line-out, did not use his weight and strength to fullest advantage. Dunedin’s back line lacked the dash they have shown in some games and were too prone to kick. This applied particularly to D. Hodden and A. Manion, and as a result M. Spillane, at second five-eighth, received limited opportunities, although he looked the most dangerous of the whole line. The three-quarter line had very few opportunities, but the defence of (Reynolds and Dougan was very solid.

Zingari Provide Good Football. Zingari-Richmond have been showing impressive form in the last few weeks, and there is no doubt that the experience of ex-AU Black A. C. Procter has given added zest to the whole back line. Against a Varsity B team, which was without L. Broughton and N. Lino, Zingari turned on good football, Procter scoring two tries in a manner which showed that he has not lost the finish required of a threequarter. His defence was very sound. E. Barabithe, the Zingari centre, could use his speed to greater advantage. On several occasions there were openings in the defence which could have been availed of had he clapped on the pace instead of waiting to see if there were someone in support. Barabitho is one of the paciest three-quar-ters in Dunedin, but he lacks resource, and his tackling in this game was very weak indeed.

A. Mason, at full-hack, played his usual solid game, fielding and kicking well, though he was rarely under pressure. One of the brightest features of the day was a fine run by Mason, w’ho broke out of attempted tackles by half the opposition and, after covering a lot of ground, sent V. Short over for a try. J. Mchalski, W. Mason, and H. Trainer combined excellently, and they were given plenty of ball by the forwards and made the most of their opportunities. Mehalski and Mason each scored a try through fine solo efforts, and the former is now showing something like the form that took him into the rep. team two years ago. The Zingari forwards showed plenty of dash in the loose, and their rucking was fine. Laurie Pollock, who is to enter camp shortly, led the van all day, and was closely supported by R. Douglas, W. Pookson, and V. Short. Pockson was a little more spasmodic than usual on Saturday, giving the impression that he was holding something in reserve. A. Tyrie had a keen duel on the line-outs with F. Little, Varsity B’s best packman, and the latter was able to give the Light Blues more than their share of bail from

this department of play. Little is a good all-round forward, and would be worth his place in any team in the competition. But for the regulations governing the selection of the A team, there would be no doubt of his ability to qualify for a place in that side.

Little had good support from Pearson and J. Gudex, but the weakest feature of the play of the Blue forwards was their loose packing in the rucks, which allowed the Colours to pour through. From the set scrums, however, the backs wero provided with opportunities, duo to tho good raking of Pearson, who is a very promising hooker. M. N, Paewai, at half-back, \vas a bundle of energy and as full of tricks as usual. Ho opened up attacks in his

usual resourceful fashion, but the fastmovxng Zingari inside backs did not give Moore and Mee much room to work in. Although It. IT. Mottram was feeling the effects of influenza, the Varsity winger made some dashes and showed a good dqal of resource, while White got through a gruelling day with credit. KAIKORAI UPSET UNION. In a game which was remarkable for the few penalty kicks awarded, Kaikorai caused a surprise by defeating Union by 7 points to 4. Play was mostly confined to the forwards, both packs battling hard; but both back divisions were not afraid to try the passing game. These back attacks, however, invariably broke down, either through mishandling or through failure to run straight. Union forwards did not seem the same pack that played so well against Varsity A the previous week. F. H. Vorrath was an outstanding exception, full of dash and vigour, and playing as well as,he has ever done. Among the others there was not the same cohesion as in other games. From the set scrums, however, Union secured by far the greater share of the ball. TKe outstanding back on the field was I. Murdoch, the Union first five-eighth, a young player of rare promise. The way in which he took his passes, many of which were far too low and difficult to handle, was meritorious indeed. When he

did kick in place of handing on the ball, he nearly always found a hole,” instead of obligingly booting the ball into an opponent’s arms.

Samson played a solid defensive game behind the Union pack, but his passing from the scrum was erratic. When Harvey (second five-eighth) went off injured in the first spell Fleming moved in to his position, Werner became centre, and M'Kay came on as winger. For a while the Union backs had a real feast of the ball, but, as mentioned before, gained little ground with their passing. Silver was, as usual, a reliable full-back.

Kaikorai forwards played one of their best games of the year, and proved the equal of the strong Union pack in rucking and in the loose. Undoubtedly they have the material and the weight for better displays than they gave in previous games, and the win against Union should hearten them considerably. Duncan, Barnes, and the two Aitkens wore in the van in most encounters, but all did well.

The defence of the Kaikorai backs was sound, and they used the line with pood judgment in repelling attacks. Particularly good fielding and kicking were shown by Cox, the full-hack, whose strong and accurate kicking wore of great value to his side. It*was pleasing indeed to see this player’s return to form. D. Murray turned out again on the wing, and though he got few good chances, showed He has lost little of his dash. He was brought down only inches short of the line on one occasion. The tackling of the inside men. Calder, Spiers, and Manning, was very effective. In concerted passing movements, however, the Kaikorai backs were not dangerous, though some fine individual dashes were made. Taieri Retrieve Position. Facing a 9-ipoint deficit shortly after half-time, Taieri made a great recovery in the match with Alhambra, and. retrieving the position, the plainsmen emerged winners by 18 points to 14. When B. Wilkins came into the pack he certainly infused new life into the forwards, and he and A. Morris led the van in great style. R. Barnes was another hard worker, and his line-out play was very fine indeed. Another factor in Taieri’s win was W. Johnstone, who was a reserve, but came on at second fiveeighth to give edge to the attack,

proving something like the equal of E. Hely, his vis-a-vis, when it came to penetration. Hely, who is a strong and clever runner, was frequently slipping through gaps

in the defence in the first spell, but when he came up against Johnstone the complexion of the game changed considerably.

Taiori had to make their play from lino-outs and rucks, ns Alhambra got nine-tenths of the ball from tho scrum, but the Taieri defence was sound except during a period in the first half when the Alhambra backs wero able to penetrate frequently. S, Whitson played a good game behind the scrum, but was frequently smothered under battling forwards. When the ball did come his way he got it away well. Of tho three-quarter line, Gavin Murray played one of his best games, often straightening up the attack. Ho was excellent on attack, covering up in fine stylo. Ho also repelled numerous attacks by accurate and well-judged linekicking. S. M’Cartucy scored two tries and was always hard to check when under way.

Tho Alhambra forwards packed hard and low, and in the tight especially more than held their own. At their head were Troewick, Billsborough, and Mockford, and one of the outstanding features of the game was a fine pioco of well-controlled dribbling by Treewick, who cleverly retained possession for three parts of the field, and finally, after he had taken the ball over the line, Billsborough dived on it to score. Treewick almost repeated the performance a few minutes later. The Alhambra backs wero inclined to run across field, and the most thrust was shown by Hely, who has a lot of football in him. Behind the scrum, L. Casey gave very good service, being full of tricks. B. A. Taylor was sound at centre, more particularly on attack, and A. M'Cartney scored a couple of tries, the way for which was paved by Hely and Taylor. J. Broadfoot, at fullback, was very sound, and very often turned what looked like developing into a defensive position into one of attack.

Lady as Rugby Secretary. Circumstances alter cases, and of exceptional changes brought about by the war there is striking illustration in a case which came to the notice of the Wellington Rugby Union’s Management Committee last week. Mr A. E. Neilson reported that a letter had been received from a club advising that the secretaryship had been changed through the official acting in that capacity going into military service (says the ‘ Sports Post ’). The writer of the letter was the new secretary, and, in a manner which reflected ability for the iob, the newly-appointed official supplied full details as to address, telephone number, etc. That, as a show of efficiency, was pleasing. But judge the surprise of the Rugby Union members when it was revealed that the letter was signed by a lady! So, in having Miss C. Lyall as its secretary the Institute Rugby Football Club can claim to have taken a step unique so far as Rugby football is concerned. Out of Form. •* One of the most disappointing features of the representative Rugby match between Auckland and Waikato recently was the performance of the North Island representative five-eighth Pearman. Playing outside Barlow in the Auckland fifteen, Pearman did not link up well and was too slow off the mark. He is not producing anything approaching the form that won him a place in the North Island team last winter. Mitchell in Another Role. Otago Rugby enthusiasts will recall one game last season in which two of Alhambra’s representative players “ swapped ” places early in the game, each playing his part with considerable success. This was when Ail Black captain N. A. (“ Brushy ”) Mitchell moved from the centre three-quarter berth and took L. 0. Naylor’s place in the pack, the latter moving to the three-quarter line. It was a wet day, and “ Brushy,” who always enjoys his football, revelled in the heavy going. On a recent Saturday, in Timaru, Mitchell was listed among the packmen for Old Boys, but preferred rather a roving commission. He didn’t care particularly for tight work, but contented himself with occasional bursts in the open. But he did one remarkable thing. On his own goal line on one occasion he took the ball and sent back what was described as a scissors pass.

Perriam Joins Up. Among last week’s enlistments was the name of Willis Perriam, who has been one of the outstanding hacks in Otago Rugby during the last three years. When he was barely 20 years of age lie represented Otago in 1938 and last season his play was of such a standard that he played at second fiveeighth for the South Island against the North, and also participated in the All Black trials. He has been easily Pirates’ most outstanding back this year, turning on consistently first-class displays in the centre three-quarter position. If he has the opportunity he should make a name for himself in Army Rugby.

Former Nelson Representative. Associated with Major Fletcher and Corporal C. G. Gibbons in the selection of the Addington Army team in Christchurch is Sergeant-major W. Reid, who will be remembered as a Nelson threequarter of considerable ability a decade or more ago. Reid played for the South Island, and was a very good footballer. The Addington Army team began its career in Christchurch senior Rugby with a win over Athletic. Ex-Otago Representative Coaching in South. L. G. Townsend, former Otago and Southland representative five-eighth, is coaching the Invercargill Club’s second fifteen, according to “ Onlooker,” in the ‘ Southland Times.’ Townsend, Varsity player, represented Otago in 15 games in the 1922-23-24-25-26 seasons, and played for Southland in 1927. He played for both the Western and Eastern Sub-unions in Southland Rugby. With his knowledge of the game and his long experience he should make an ideal coach. The Southland Game. The only rep rcscntative match set down to be played in Dunedin this season is the time-honoured game with Southland next Saturday, and although many familiar faces will be missing, particularly from the Southland side, there is no reason why an enjoyable and interesting match should not be witnessed. The Ranfurly Shield, of course, is not at stake, but the Donald Stuart Shield will be at issue, this trophy perpetuating the memory of the late Donald Stuart, one of Otago’s outstanding Rugby administrators and sportsmen. Southland-Otago games invariably provide keen tussles, and the friendly rivalry that is engendered between the two provinces is something that arouses the greatest enthusiasm. The following of spectators from Invercargill helps to'niake the day the event of the season, and although the crowds as of yore cannot be expected the game will certainly be welcome as an interlude from war-time stress.

As to the prospects, it is difficult, of course, to assess them, since Southland, from all accounts, will be represented largely by players who are not known in Dunedin, while the Otago selectors at the time of writing (early in the week) had given no clue as to their intentions, no announcement being mode ns to players to take part in training, On the class of Rugby that has been shown here this year, however, Otago should be able to field a team capable of turning on football up to tlio best traditions of recent years and the back line in particular should be a very speedy and effective attacking force. The forwards should be well balanced, as the nucleus of the pack is likely to be formed of players who have had many years of experience. New Territorial Team,

_ Rugby is in full swing as a recreational activity with the Territorial Force encamped at Addington, and the Teritorials showed by their win against Athletic on Saturday that they have some fine talent available (says the ‘ Star-Sun ’), G. Purdue (ex-Southland and former All Black) was a fine leader among the forwards, and was ably supported by Jim Hook (ex-Otago) and Tapley (ex-Southland). Outstanding among the backs were the former Canterbury men, J. C. Pawson and C. M'Phail. Swale, a Dunedin Training College player, did well at first fiveeighth. With training and the development of combination these boys will take some beating. Interested spectators were Major Fletcher (president of the Nelson Rugby Union and one of the selectors), also Captain Briggs and Corporal Macassey (well-known Otago referees).

Army Team in Demand. Since its match with Wellington some weeks ago the Army Rugby team (Trentham-Central District) has been in keen demand; in fact, it could bo kept almost continuously at play. A fortnight ago the team played a match at Napier with the Hawke’s Bay representatives, and a great game resulted in a draw (16-16), as well as in a splendid contribution to patriotic funds. Today the team is to play Manawatu at Palmerston North, ana a week later there > will be a match with Wanganui at Wanganui. Other centres, too, are keen to see this soldier team, the members of which are well-known representatives (says a Wellington writer). Taranaki, for one, is on the lookout for an Army match, and there has been some talk of the Trentham and Burnham (Canterbury) Army teams playing a match at Dunedin if it can be arranged. Then, too, Wellington is keen to see the Army players in action again. The game as an aid to training for Army purposes is recognised as having a decided value, and the games being played by the Army team undoubtedly do good m more ways than one. In the match with Hawke’s Bay the Army team’s captain, D. G. Barton, gave a brilliant performance, and he was well supported by other backs, with J. R. Sherratt giving a real taste of his power and determination as a wing three-quarter. Finlay, as in the match with Wellington, was in great form as leader of the pack, in which Bowman and Lockwood were not as effective as usual through their having been inoculated in camp. Went Like Clockwork. The Army pack was the outstanding feature in the game between Army and Old Boys on the Show Grounds No. ] ground, when Array ran out the winners 12-5 (says the ‘Star-Sun’), Although the, Army backs put in some fine work,’it was the untiring efforts of their forwards that gave them their opportunities. With Metcalfe Gale, Ling, and Fear often in the_ picture the forwards worked like Trojans, following up hard and spoiling the efforts of the Old Boys’ backs time and again. Often the Old Boys’ inside backs were caught with the ball. The Old Boys’ pack held their own in the lineouts, but Army had too much weight in the scrums, and with Saxton and Wesney in the back lino their victory was not surprising. Junior Football. My Ravensbourne correspondent writes; Ravensbourne suffered a further defeat at the hands of Pirates in the third grade game on Saturday. The Blacks were on the ball from start to finish, and their passing was very good. Both teams played bright football, but Ravensbourne could not finish off their movements. Brothers Mark Each Other. Hawke’s Bay Rugbyites will recall Ross Wright, erstwhile Napier Technical Old Boys’ player, who transferred a year or two back to Wellington (says the Napier ‘ Telegraph ’). In a recent match between Poneke and Old Boys, at Wellington, Ross Wright appeared at second five-eighth for Poneke, and Alan Wright—a former All Black—on the left wing for Old Boys. They are brothers. Following the interval Ross Wright changed places with the Poneke right-winger, and the brothers were marking each other. The reason is not stated, but, after a period, during which the brothers kept each other firmly in hand, Alan Wright changed wings. A few years ago, Wellington College Old Boys had three Wright brothers in their fifteen, the fourth playing then as now for Poneke. They are sons of H. R. (“ Bumper ”) Wright, a Wellington Ranfurly Shield lock 35 years ago. He later was skipper of the “ Ail Golds,” who bent England in the test rubber in the Old Country in the 1907-8 season. In United Services Team. Playing in the United Services team, which was beaten by the Auckland Colts by 17 points to 12 last Saturday, was Lcs Naylor, the former Southlander, who represented Otago in nine games last season and who was one of the outstanding players of the northern tour. One of the reserves for the services was Second Lieutenant Duigan, who is a son of New Zealand’s Com-mander-in-Chief, Major-general Sir John Duigan. The ex-Qtago, Auckland, and New Zealand full-back, Ron Bush, was the Services last line of defence.

Promising Young Player Laid Aside. There will be general regret throughout Otago at the news of the serious illness of the highly promising Pirates full-back, Tom Webster, who gave such an outstanding display last Saturday. Young Webster had to be hurried into tbo Chalet Hospital on Wednesday morning for a serious and urgent operation, but latest advices are that this popular footballer’s condition is satisfactory. He will, of course, be out of the Rugby game for the season at least. Rugby followers will join with the writer in wishing the Pirates full-back a speedy recovery’.

School Rubgy Statistics. To Mr Thomson, of Auckland, the Rugby writer of the ‘ Sports Special,’ is indebted for a programme containing some interesting statistics concerning some of tbo time-honoured school contests.

Matches between Christ’s College and Otago Floys’ High School have resulted as follow’s; Christ’s College. 29 wins, 571 points, v. Otago Boys’ High School,

24 wins, 473 points. Drawn 2. (18831939). Christchurch Boys’ High School, 33 wins, 733 points, v. Christ’s College, 27 wins, 613 points. Drawn 6. (18831939) Wellington College, 30 wins, 541 points, v. St. Patrick’s College, ■24 wins, 336 points. Drawn 2. (18841940) Waitaki Boys’ High School, 37 wins, 789 points, v. Timaru Boys’ High School 26 wins, 444 points. Drawn 5. (1884-1939). Moascar Cup, 1928 to 1940 (including the special challenge tournament in 1939)Te Aute, 9 wins, 123 points. Palmerston North Boys’ High School, 6 wins, 160 points. Drawn 1. In the first game, 1939, Te Aute won by 9 points to 6, but lost in the quadrangular tourney in August to Palmerston North, the score being 19-3. Te Aute College regained the cup last June by 16 points to 14. Including the 1939 Moascar Cup tourney in August from 1932 to 1939, Silverstieam has won 31 games, lost 6 drawn 1, and has scored 541 points to 206 - , . From 1936 to 1939, playing in a quadrangular tournament, with Scots College, Hutt Valley High School, and Wairarapa High School, Dannevirke has won all of its eight games, and scored 156 points to 59. In the intercollege tournament from 1929 to 1939, the following table shows the position:—

In the special tournament in 1938 to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Otago Boys’ High School, New Plymouth, in its two games, scored 7C points to 3, beating Southland, 35 to 0, and Otago, 41 to 3.

c a & C3 o Et ci o o ij L. Q IS D. £ Wellington ... 74 7 1 244 206 Xelson ... 10 7 5 236 178 Christ’s ... 6 11 5 202 196 Wanganui ... 7 12 3 181 283