SCHOOL RUGBY.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 98, 23 August 1933, Page 5

SCHOOL RUGBY.

NORTHERN ROLLER MILLS SHIELD. SEVEN TEAMS COMPETING. FINAL ON FRIDAY. K The Northern Roller Mills Shield competition, the big annual event among Auckland Provincial Primary Schools' Rugby teams opened yester- ~ day, when games were played at Pukekohe and Waiuku. . The seven competing teams, South Auckland (holders), Auckland North, Central and South, Waipa, Hamilton and Thames Valley, assembled at Pukekohe on Monday and billetnig arrangements were quickly carried out. The lads from South Auckland, Auckland South, Hamilton and Waipa were drafted to homes in Pukekohe, and the youths from Auckland North, Central and Thames Valley conveyed to Waiuku.

3. onday evening was free and most of the boys were entertained at the hones of their hosts. Yesterday morning the boys staying at Waiuku were taken for a motor trip around the district, and returned in time for Ihe official weighing-in at 1 p.m. ' Competition matches were commenced at 2 p.m., followed by another match at 3 p.m. Last evening the four teams billeted at Pukekohe were the guests of Mr B. Blennerhassett, manager of the Strand Pictures, at a free picture entertainment. To say that the lads enjoyed the evening is putting it mildly. The boys at Waiuku were also entertained at pictures at Waiuku last night. To-day the boys at both centres were taken for a motor trip and this evening they will be entertained at social gatherings in the Masonic hall. Pukekohe. and the Parish hall, Waiuku. To-morrow the boys at Pukekohe will attend the pictures, while those at Waiuku will have another motor trip, the evening being free for them.

On Friday a trip to Auckland has been arranged for country boys who are not taking part in the final. This arrangement is subject to. the approval of team managers and the. progress of the competition. THE OPENING GAMES. SOUTH AUCKLAND'S GOOD WIN. WAIPA OUTCLASSED. The early game yesterday was staged by South Auckland and Hamilton and those who were fortunate enough to -see it must have been gratified with the performance of both teams, more especially the holders of the shield who again proved that they are a formidable side. The forwards packed "a solid scrum and were a little better than their opponents in this department, in fact the local forwards shaded the visitors in all departments. Their skipper (Sherman), proved an able leader and was not afraid to ask his colleagues for greater efforts and they responded. The South backs are also solid and at times gave a touch of brilliance, but their main fault was their passing which savoured too much of the lob variety. If they could give snappier passes their scoring ability would be greatly increased. There is one redeeming feature, however, and that is they are not afraid to open up the play, and to give it a go. Hamilton Unfortunate.

Hamilton suffered more misfortunes than the holders, and while the final score saw them 11 points down, there was not this difference between the teams. South were awarded a try Avhich appeared to come from a glaring knock on, while Hamilton appeared to score a try in the south western corner, which was not awarded. South's win, however, was full of merit and but for these two incidents the scores would have been closer. On the play South were the better side both forward and back. There were some good boys on both sides and the tenms played high-class Rugby—the style of Rugby the public like io see. and a standard which would do credit to any senior team in the country districts. There is no doubt about it schoolboys who have a knowledge of Rugby play the game as it should be played. Hamilton and South Auckland did this. Tn the first spell South faced the sun and a light wind. From the kick off both sets of hacks threw the hall i about and the play was really brilliant. From a scrum. Bright set his -rearguard in motion and every cog clicked until Osborne received and sailer! along- the wing-. When bottled up ho gave a neat in-pass to Power who streaked across and Thomas raised the flags. Rama Pancha, the greyhound of the Hamilton team, secured the hall from a passing bout and clapping on the pace never left the issue in doubt. The half-time score was: South Auckland 5: Hamilton 3. The blacks (South Auckland), aided by sun and wind soon raided in a brilliant bout of passing. Osborne received the ball and although he knocked on. he recovered to dive across. No goal. South 8: Hamilton 3. The Hamilton forwards set out to retrieve the position and for some time hammered away at the south goal tin'' and were extremely unlucky in not scoring at the corner. Finally Sher-

Two Mope Tries. man and D. Brown cleared and. the black forwards swept down field. Brilliant play was seen for a few minutes and then Dean, Power and Wood figured in a splendid passing movement which had the visitors in trouble. A scrum was set and Sherman kicked the ball from the Hamilton halfback's hands and dribbled it to the line where C. Brown trailing in support, collected the ball and dived across. The. scorer failed at goal. South 11; Hamilton 3. The amber and black forwards broke away and pierced the defence. Smith saving luckily when a try appeared certain. South counter altacked and a passing bout saw Wood cut in but when tackled he let the ball roll loose and Power who was in support toed it over the line and fell on it. No goal. South 1-i; Hamilton 3. There was no further scoring and a good game ended iu> favour of the holders. SPEEDY AUCKLAND SOUTH.

The Auckland South (blue and white) and Waipa (maroon and gold) teams walked on immediately. This j game opened rather patchiiy, the hand- • ling on both sides being faulty. However, when Auckland settled down they never gave their opponents a look in. The Auckland forwards fed their backs with monotonous regularity and the rearguard, possessing too many speedy boys for Waipa, simply ran through when they felt like it. While there are some good boys in the country side, the team lacked that understanding and cohesion which makes for sparkling play. Waipa's efforts, some of them good were too much of the individual variety They failed badly in team work. For Auckland South tries were scored by Bush (3), Grace (2). Herd (2), and Pring. Clarke converted one and kicked two penalty goals. The final score was: Auckland South 32: Waipa 0. A feature of ibis game was the brilliance of Herd a nuggety forward, and Roe, a diminu- [ live second five-eighth of the Auckland j learn. The Auckland three-quarter line. Bush. Grace and Clarke, is very I speedy. Games at Waiuku resulted: Auckland Central 11, Thames Valley 0: Auckland North beat a Waiuku team in a friendly game. The draw for this afternoon was:— At Pukekohe. —2 p.m.: Hamilton v. Waipa; 3 p.m., South Auckland v. Auckland South. At Waiuku.—2 p.m.: Thames Valley v. Waiuku: 3 p.m., Auckland North v. Auckland Central. The draw for to-morrow is:— At Pukekohe. —2 p.m., South Auckland v. Waipa; 3 p.m., Auckland South v. Hamilton. At Waiuku. —2 p.m.: Auckland Central 'v. Waiuku: 3 p.m., Auckland North v. Thames Valley.

SOUTH AUCKLAND'S UNIFORM. In order that the South Auckland Primary Schools' team could take the field in the Northern Roller Mills shield competition in proper uniform, a Pukekohe resident purchased a complete set of stockings, the cost being £2 lis. M is felt by a number of supporters of the game in South Auckland thai the. whole of the cost should not be borne by one individual, and that there are a number of generous spirited Rugby supporters who would contribute towards this necessary part of the schoolboy's uniform. Donations may be handed to the secretary of the South Auckland Primary Schools' Union, Mr P. T. Patterson (Pukekohe), or the president (Mr J. G. Gasparich).

THE PUKEKOHE UNION. GAMES ARRANGED. The Pukekohe Rugby Union has arranged games with several Auckland teams and these will be played at Pukekohe during the next week or so. Some bright and interesting Rugby is in store for patrons.

S. AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS. On Saturday next Pukekohe (challengers) will meet Waiuku, the holders of the Masscy cup. The game will be played at Waiuku. The Pukekohe juniors will play Manukau juniors at Papakura and Franklin .juniors will meet Waiuku juniors, at Waiuku. The Franklin thirds will play Pukekohe thirds at Pukekohe. The teams are: — Franklin juniors reps v. Waiuku. at. Waiuku. on Saturday next. Bus leaves the Pukekohe P.O. at 12.'(5 p.m.: A. Harvey, R. Attewell, .1. Harvey. T. Whitmore, L. Garter, A. Calhcart. E. Miller. A. Gooney. 1. Dyer, T. t\ve. I. Cummer. G. Wynlt, A. Dawson. G. Wilson, G. Best, M. Best and McKinney. Franklin The Franklin third grade team to play Pukekohe thirds next Saturday, at Pukekohe, at 1.30 p.m. will be selected from the following: Foote (2), Rej gan (2), Dunn (2), Stone (2), Wright, Fahey, Holmes, Donovan. Brown. Jackson, Meyers, Tngram, Harris, Walker, Swetman.