RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 May 1925, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. Seniors —Kiwi 8 v. United 6. Stars 12 v. Excelsior 6. Juniors—Blaketown 8 v. Cobden 6. United 9 v. Barrytown 0. Fourth .Grade —Stars 13 v,_ United 9. Fifth Grade —Stars 3 v._ United 0. There was a good attendance at Victoria Park on Saturday, and it was a day of surprises. United Seniors went under 1 to Kiwis, Cobden Juniors lost to Blaketown, and United Fourths were beaten by Stars. The Fifth Grade match between Stars and United was played at p.m., and was won by the former by 3 points to nil, after a very even game. Olsen scored for Stars, Pascoo missing with the kick. For Stars, Brown, Garth, Pascoe and Olsen were conspicuous, and Kennedy, Barbara, and Gleeson for the Uniteds. Mr J. Steel was referee. The Star Fourths caused a surprise by bc'ating the Uniteds after a hard tustle by 13 points to 9. Chow Fong kicked three penalties and Bond dropped a neat goal for Stars within a few minutes of the start, and Gore, kicked a penalty and Rathbun scored two tries for Uniteds. The game was one of the best seen in this grade for some time. Mr Cullen was referee.

Blaketown by defeating Cobden Juniors have put the junior competition in an interesting stage, four teams having one loss each. For Cobden, Baird scored and kicked a penalty, and for Blaketown, and Brennan scored, McEnaney converting one. Mr Mclntosh was referee.

UNITED v e KIWI.

Kiwi lost the toss and kicked off, United rushing play down the field, Kiwi forcing. United returned play, once more to Kiwi territory, but were penalised for handling the ball in a scrum and Kiwi shifted play back. From a scrum near the United line, Kiwi secured and McCleary made a big effort to cross, but just failed to roach the line, P. Jamieson, saving with a good kick. A forward rush by the United shifted play to Kiwi’s 25, and from a scrum Breeze secured and found the line with a good kick. Warnes next made a forward movement, Duncraft saving. Warnes again secured and passed to Lamberton, who was overtaken. From a scrum Walton secured and the ball went from Jamieson to Lamberton, who scored, "Walton failing with the kick.. Walker next shifted play to the United’s 25, and H. Steel was forced out. A few minutes later McCleary secured and forced his way over the line, White failing to convert, making the score 3 all. M. Jamieson wa.s next in the limelight with a good run, but he lost the >ball. H. Steel then made a good run, but his pass wag intercepted by Grant, only for McCleary again to intercept ahd pass to White, who scored, Steel converting, making Kiwi 8, United 3. From a penalty Warnes made a good attempt at . goal, the bdll striking the post. Walker relieving .for Kiwis, Breeze obtained from the line out, but was brought down before making much ground, and later .spoilt $ likely pass- s ing movement by holding on. Warnes secured from Walton and passed to Lamberton, who knocked on. McCleary opened up play for Kiwi, Shannon finding the line at United’s 25. From a scrum United secured and Walton passed to Richmond to centre, H. Steel being caught off-side. P. Jamieson next made a good run, but was forced out. Warnes made a good attempt at a pot, the ball falling short. Irom a' lino out, McCleary secured and passed to Stevens, who sent it on to H. Steel, but the latter knocked on. Warnes next intercepted and kicked to Walker, who found touch. McCleary secured and passed to Breeze, who kicked to Warnes, the latter running into the ruck. Jamieson opened up play for United, but Richmond knocked on. Kiwis then ruslied play to the line, United forcipg. Half time sounded with the score Kiwi 8, United 3. Shortly after the start of the second spell, H. Steel received a knock on tlje knee and had to retire, Kiwi being left with a man short. Walker next broke away, but was well tackled by Warnes. Kiwis again carried play back to the United line, Walton saving. Tight play followed on the United line, Jamieson relieving. From a line out United carried play back to half way. Wariies secured and sent the ball on to Dodson and Ames, who was tackled, and Kiwis shifted play back to the United line. Dennehy led a United rush, Walton knocking on. Black and M. Jamieson were the next to break through, Walker saving. Shortly after Warnes picked up and scored a good try, his kick at goal going wide. Duncraft made 'a good run up the field, but was forced out in the United 25. Jamieson and Walton next carried play back to Kiwi’s 25. Kiwi forwards rushed play back, Warnes saving by falling on The ball. McCleary made a good opening, but a knock on spoilt the movement. Breeze secured a mark and had a shot at goal, the bull falling short. “Pip” Jamieson relieving, Kiwi again returned play to the United line and the Blue and White were compelled to force. McCleary broke away his pass to Duncraft being knocked on. Shannon next saved for Kiwis with a timMy kick. United were now forcing play. Jamieson sent a £ood pass to Lamberton, who lost possession. Darknets was now coming, and it was difficult to distinguish 'the players. A lot of loose play followed in mid-field, when time was called, leaving Kiwi winners by 8 points to 6. There was very little difference btwen the two teams, and the score was a true indication. Mr Guerin was referee. STEEL DEFEATS EXCELSIORS., Lightning dashes along the field by Jack Steel electrified the crowd at , Cass Square, Hokitika, on Saturday, and enabled Star seniors to defeat Excelsiors by 12 points to 6, thus maintaining thei|’ unbeaten record this season. In true All Black style, Steel piled up the entire 12 points for his side, comprising two tries (one of which he converted) and a beautiful potted goal. The Stars were weakened by one or two notable absentees, including Thomas, and their combination suffered through the consequent rearrangement of the team. Without Steel, in fact, it is questionable whether they would have left the field the winners. In the first spell, they were undoubtedly superior, having much the better of matters, both in the tight and loose work ; in the second spell, however, Excelsiors mads a surprising recovery, and played a bustling game, never letting up for more than a few moments, and throwing the Star offensive out of gear. The last ten minutes were as exciting as anything seen on Coast Rugby grounds so far this season, Bannister and his men returning again and again to the attack, in the failing light, a series of scrambles right on the Stars’ line leaving the result of ,the match in doubt to the final bell. Had the Stars’ defence been less determined. and luck a little more with the Excelsiors, the amber and black colours would in all probability have been lowered'. The teams had met

once previously this season, at Greymouth, when Stars proved the victors by 24 points to 14. Conditions were good on Saturday, there being an absence of wind and sun, and the ground was in satisfactory condition, although a little greasy before the finish. The 'game commenced at 3.25 p.m., and soon the Star backs got going, Steel, who throughout the match was well watched, being collared. Shortly afterwards he just failed with a kick from ne£r the half-way line. Play centred in that region yntil faulty Star passing let Excelsiors through. Goodall was playing his usual safe game, however, and was not to be caught napping. A mark by/Mosley transferred play to Excelsior territory, but the movement was spoiled by a forward pass. The Southerners carfie again, Steel being called upon to clear after Goodall was tackled. Both sets of backs were not handling as they should have done, and lost several chances thereby. A rush by Excelsiors ended on the Stars line, the latter being awarded a free kick. Steel's hefty boot removed the danger, and good following up by the Stars ended in the All Black dashing over at the corner for a fine try, adding the extra points himself. After half an hour’s play the score was; Stars 5 ; Excelsior 0. A period of give and take play followed, until a free kick saw Stars go up. Faulty Excelsior handling saw their line again menaced. Mosley was 'giving a good account of himself behind the scrum, making up in gameness anything he may lack in size. In George Brown, a recent acquisition, the Stars have a solid forward of undoubted merit, who on Saturday was into everything. The rest were hard workers and kept their opponents on the move. The spell ended without further score.

On resuming, Stars pressed, but a free kick relieved Excelsiors. Picking up on his own side of half-way, however, ’Steel set off on one of his characteristic non-stop runs, beating half-a-dozen opponents, and scoring aS the corner. He failed with the kick and the score was: Stars 8; Excelsiors o.’

The reverse stung the Southerners into action, and they commenced an unremitting assault on the Stars’ line, having from this time much the better of the’argument. Turtill, Reynolds, and Goodall were prominent in defensive work, but Excelsiors meant to get there. Intercepting a pass near the half-way line, Wogan put in a smart run, and a thrilling race for the ball ended in Preston opening the account for Excelsiors, with 20 minutes of the second spell gone. Bannister failed to convert the try, and the scores were: Stars 8 ; Excelsior 3. The pressure continued, the Greymouth defence being constantly under test. Forward passes and knocks-on penalised the Excelsiors, whose Keenness told against them. Goodall’s linekicking was valuable at this stage, and he was better than Wright, the Excelsior full-back. The latter however, played well and made few mistakes. Steel momentarily relieved the pressure with a godd run from 25 to 25, but he disappeared under half a dozen red and black jerseys, much to the delight of the crowd. Not to be beaten, he again picked up. tricked the opposition by doubling on his .tracks, and beautifully potted a goal irom near the 25 line, making the scores : Stars 12 : Excelsiors 3. Immediate retaliation followed, amidst steadily-increasing excitement, and a rush headed by Bannister, who stood out among the Excelsiors, saw him scramble over for a try, which Wright failed to convert. ’Stars 12; Excelsiors 6.

The late start of the match, and several delays for minor mishaps now showed their effect in the failing light. The last moments of the match were full of /thrills, Excelsiors pressing desperately, the Star defenders getting the ball away in the nick of time on many occasions, and rife final bell came with no further score. Stars 12 ; Excelsior 6. The refereeing of Mr D. Mclvor was first-class, and gave both sides every satisfaction. The game, although keen, was clean throughout. The teams were as follow :

Excelsiors : Aitken. Wogan, Chetwynd, Gibbons, Henderson, Ross, Fraser, Gugich, Morrisson, Bannister, Thompson, Preston,’ Greeves and Best. Stars: Goodall, Steel, Reynolds, J. Brown, Pring, Sherlock. Turtill, Herring, Russell, Nelson, G. Brown,/ Mosley, B. Brown, Jardin and Henderson.,

Following are the results of the various junior football matches: Hari Hari 11 v. Kuinara 8, at Hari Hari. « Ross-3, v. Kiwis 0, at Hokitika. Excelsior 10, v. Kanieri 8, at tikaArahura won by forfeit from Kokatahi. Third . grade : State School lb, v. Kiwis 3. VALUE OF THE POTTED GOAL. - Potted goals were popular at Hokitika on Saturday, and in one junior match, Kanieri v. Excelsiors, a “pot” made all the difference btweeii victory and defeat. With a few minutes go, \Kanieri were leading by 8 points to 6. Then Staines picked upsmartly in front of the posts and potpoints for Excelsiors, the balk just clearing the goal as the final bell sounded. Staines left the. ground, carried shoulder-high. BOOTS DISAPPEAR. While the senior match was in progress at Hokitika on Saturday, the Star team’s dressing room was entered, and a pair of boots belonging to J. Steel, who brought them from England, disappeared. Apparently, this was also a “.steal.” ROUGH PLAY AT CHRISTCHURCH (Special to “Star.”) CHRISTCHURH, May 24. Yesterday’s Rugby results were• Old Boys 30‘ v. Canterbury 8. Linwood 5 v. Albion 3. Merivalc 9 v. Christchurch 5. The worst exhibition of Rugby seen in Canterbury for many years was witnessed at Lancaster Park. Play in the first spell of the Merivale-Christchurch match was fierce, n the second spell, matters did not improve. Fifteen minutes after the resumption there came a dramatic touch, recalling the sensational scene in the All Blacks v. England fixture. The referee (T. Bain) blew the whistle, stopping the play, then pointed to J. Jeffries, a Merivalo forward. Jeffries immediately turned and walked to the pavilion, amid an outburst of cheering and groans. A little later, Bain again blew his whistle, and called both teams round him, and delivered a general warning. ’VARSITY TEST MATCH. DUNEDIN, March 54. The first test match, New Zealand ’Varsity reps. v. Sydney University, was played at Carisbrook on Saturday

afternoon in dull, but fine weather. The ground was slightly heavy, following on the rain of the previous night. . v The game was fast and spectacular, but each side was lacking in combination. New Zealand won Uy a margin of 17 points. ' The score, 22 points to 5 does not accurately represent the difference between the sides, .as the Australian team attacked equally as much as the New Zealanders. Stevenson, the New Zealand full back, proved an unsurpassable barrier, and saved several certain scores by deaaiy tackling and sure fielding. For New Zealand, O’Regan (2), Carter, Burrough,' and Owen scored tries, O’Regan and Dickson converting one each, arid O’Regan kicked a penalty goal. For Sydney, Andrews .scored, and Williams converted. . WELLINGTON RESULTS. (Per Press, Association.) WELLINGTON;* May 24. Saturday’s senior Rugby results were as follow: — Poneke 6, beat Athletic 0. Poneke had the heavier pack, who secured them the victory. Marist and Oriental played a' draw 3 each. It was a fast and exciting game, each side alternatively attacking and defending. University 11, beat Wellington 3. It was anybody’s game until the last quarter of ah hour. Berhampore 8, beat Old Boys 3. Hutt 9, beat Selwyn 0.