RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 August 1929, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ALL BLACKS V. N.S. WALES. (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, July 31. The All Blacks’ match against the New South Wales team of colts was played, in fine weather, with the turf in good condition, despite recent rains. The attendance was three thousand. Hook replaced Stringfellow. New South Wales won the toss and took advantage of a strong wind. Play for the first quarter of an hour was 1 of a desultory nature, chiefly in New Zealand’s quarter. Five minutes later from a scrambling rush, Cerutti forced his way over the All Blacks’ line. Ruthven failed to convert. New South Wales 3; New Zealand 0. From the kick-off, play was rapidly transferred to the New South Wales end of the field, where Lilburne secured, and making a dashing solo run, scored and converted his own try. New Zealand 5; N.S.W. 3. New South Wales replied immediately with a strenuous effort, and pressed the visitors bacZi to their own end of the field. Here Hind made a brilliant opening and transferred to Towers, to Hemingway, the last named scoring'in a good position. Ruthven’s kick failed. N.S.W. 6; New Zealand 5. . •

New Zealand then forced play upficM, and Leys, Tuck and Lilburne participated in a brilliant passing rush a certain score being lost through Hook fumbling. There was no further score- before half time. New South Wales 6; New Zealand 5. Play had not been up to representative form, being scraggy, and of a disjointed character, though several of the blues had showed fine individual work.

Upon resumption, play hovered at midfield until an ugly passing rush almost saw N.S. Wales over the Blacks’ line again. However, Carleton saved the situation by forcing. New Zealand then took a turn at attack, but a splendid combined movement was spoiled by the forwards overrunning the ball, which cost the Blacks another try. Continuing the attack from good inter-change passing, the ball went to Geddes, who centred finely. Sontagg set his backs in motion, and Palmei* crossed under the posts. Lilburne goaled. New Zealand 10; N.S. Wales 6. Play now began to sparkle, a fine run by Hinds put-N.S. Wales on attack. He transferred the leather to Towers, who in turn passed to Moore, who dived over under the posts. Ruthven missed with the kick. N.S. Wales 9; New Zealand 10. The game now rapidly moved to the opposite end, where from a penalty awarded thirty yards out, Lilburne kicked a. fine goal. New Zealand 13; N.S. Wales 9.

Continuing the pressure the Blacks penned their opponents to their own twenty-five, where Lilburne snapped up and dropped a fine field goal. New Zealand 17; N.S. Wales 9. Porter and Leys figured in a brief passing rush, but this was stopped by solid defence. Then the Blue colts rushed play downfield, Hinds scoring at the corner. Towers just failed with the kick. N.S. Wales 12; New Zealand 17.

Porter next scored in the corner, but Lilburne’s kick failed to go over. New Zealand 20; N.S. Wales 12. At this stage Hind. was injured while trying to stop Porter. There was no further score before time was called.

Play was not impressive at any stage, as both teams were too lackadaisical in their nfethods. Lilburne was the most conspicuous figure on the field. It must be noted that the colts’ forwards got most of the ball from the scrums. In penalties the teams were about equal. Mi’ Cooney was referee.

NO MATCH WITH MAORIS. WELLINGTON, August 1. A further cablegram has been received from the Manager of the All Blacks, to the effect that, after careful consideration of the representations made for a match between the All Blacks and the Maoris at Auckland next Wednesday, it was emphatically agreed that the proposal was quite impracticable. Apart from the question of extra leave for players, there would not be fifteen sound men to make the team. Nepia, Carleton, Dailey, MacWilliams, Oliver and Steer were on the injured list, and others were suffering from colds. Auckland has also turned down the match with the Maoris, as the Auckland team leaves on Wednesday for Wairarapa, to play for the Ranfurly Shield on the following Saturday. SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO INVERCARGILL, July 31. The first of this season’s home and home . matches between Otago and Southland was played here to-day in the presence of a large attendance, Southland winning a -keenly fought game by 11 points to 5. Rain during the week and this morning had made the ground very greasy, but it was not as bad as might have been expected. The game was principally confined to the forwards, with honours going to the Southland pack, which held a decided advantage in the scrums. Concerted back movements were almost out of the question and very few attempts were made to throw the ball about. In spite of the adverse conditions a surprisingly fast pace was set at the outset, and maintained till the end, the scene of operations changing with unexpected suddenness. Southland were practically at full strength, but several changes had been made in the originally selected Otago side.

PRINCE OF WALES CUP AUCKLAND, July 31. The first Rugby football match for the Prince of-Wales Cup was played at Eden Park to-day, and resulted in a win for-Taihauauru, the Maori team representing the western North Island districts, which defeated Tai Tokerau (the holders), representing the northern districts, by 12 points to 6. The ground was very heavy, but some fine forward play and good handling by both sides was witnessed. Tries for the winners were scored by Tataha (2), Hokaia and Pelham, and for the losers by Keretene, and a penalty goal was kicked by Turei. SEDDON SHIELD MATCH In commenting on the West Coast v. Nelson, Seddon Shield match of Saturday last the referee, Mr. J. A. Wilson, of the Wellington Referee’s Association, said it was “a game of lost opportunities for the Coast.” He remarked on Coast’s poor goal kicking

and on their very fine hooking in the second spell. Nelson’s penalty tally came in for some criticism. Mr. Wilson explained that the majority of infringements occurred in the rucking play through players “hanging on,” when not in a position to play the ball. One player was penalised seven times for similar offences. The referee also mentioned the poor five-eights play, especially by the West Coasters, who went up too slowly to meet their opposing five-eights. INANGAHUA SUB-UNION REEFTON, August 1. The weekly meeting of the Inangahua Rugby Sub-Union took place on Wednesday evening. Present. Messrs T. C. Hepburn (President), J. Mclnroe, G. Reid, D. Scott, F. Cutbush. Fixtures: Cronadun v. Waratah Seniors at Reefton Racecourse at 2.30 p.m. Referee Mr. T. Irving. Ikamatua v. Rivals at Ikamatua at 2.30 p.m. Referee : Mr. F. Cutbush. Ikamatua v. Rival Juniors at 1.30 p.m. Referee: Mr. Jas. Murdoch at Ikamatua. Waratah Juniors and Landing Seniors a bye.

Rival Seniors to play Ikamatua will be selected from the following: G. Reid, D. Scott, T. Hepburn, Andrews, R. Hindmarsh, F. Gibson, G. Lewis, P. Lewis, F. Lester, M. Iraelson, Burnett, J. Williams, Davis, F. Scarlett, G. Dick, W. Dick, B. Cummings, H. Gray, W. Hughes, W. Solomon. Rival Juniors: J. Patterson, Eager (2), J. Smith, Allen, T. Aitken, T. Coghlan, P. Cutbush, B. Griffen, C. Cairns, T. Douglas, Mori, Lewis, Cairns, Lester, Israelson, Turner, Burnett, Williams, J. Collis, H. Gray, Davis) J. Lawn. Cars leave Reefton at 12 o’clock.