BRITISH DEFEAT OTAGO

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 June 1930, Page 3

BRITISH DEFEAT OTAGO

HOME SIDE DEMORALISED

VISITORS’ BRILLIANT DISPLAY

[pee press association.]

DUNEDIN, June 14. Otago enjoys the dubious distinction of having suffered the severest drubbing to date at the hands of the British Rugby footballers. Before a crowd of about 23,000 at the Carisbrook Ground, team, was beaten by 33 points to 9 in a game that was fast and spectacular, for all its one-sidedness. The cause of Otago’s convincing defeat was not difficult of apprehension. The local forwards were rattled in the first few minutes, and from that time they were hopelessly outclassed. The result was that the Otago backs could do nothing, and since they, too, were more or less stampeded by the whirlwind tactics of the Britishers, there

was a debit of 15 points against the home team before the crowd realised that Otago was not likely to be >n the hunt. Later, in the game, Otago's defence improved, and the crowd responded appreciatively to some strikingly effective tackling. When Reeve with his powerful and impressive lope set off for the corner with the ball under his arm, and beat Stevenson with such ridiculous ease, he brought the crowd up to their toes, and at the same time indicated . the opposition that Otago had to face. Reeve was brilliant all day, and he made many fine runs. His acceptances were perfect, and he ran as straight as an arrow. Spong was a heartbreak td both the forwards and backs of Otago. He

jinked, wormed, side-stepped, and dodged everywhere* heedless of high tackles that were directed at him, and what was more to the point, there was always someone there to carry on when he was stopped. Murray was scarcely.less impressive than Spong. Aarvold proved himself a centre of centres. Morley, on the English wing, was unlucky in not getting a great many chances, but he showed a fine touch of speed-and expert handling. Basset was unshakable at full ■ back, and he gave a great display of linekicking. Bowcott was less conspicudus than the other inside backs, but he was always there when wanted. The British forwards were a great pack compared with Otago. Beamish

and Ivor-Jones were always prominent. Black’s kicking was a feature of the game. Of the Otago team, only Francis, the University half-back, and Lindsay, the University full-back, were worthy of mention on their game to-day. Stev ensdn was not comfortable for long at a time, and he did little good at the full-back position. He vacated it in favour of Lindsay at half-time. Lind say’s, tackling, both at wing and a full-back, was a delight, but his goa' kicking was far from up to standard Francis was always a worker, and h

did as much for his backs as his forwards allowed. On the defence, he was exceptionally sound, and his linekicking proved invaluable. Fookes, at centre, had a few chances, and both Wilson, and Stevenson suffered from a similar lack of opportunities. When-

ever Otago backs got away they gained little ground, and they were ■' soon brought to a stop. Spong and Mur-

ray were deadly, and the forwards were great spoilers. The less said about the Otago forwards the better. They were beaten in every way, and the pity was that they knew it too soon. The teams were as telegraphed.

Following are the details of the play;

THE FIRST SCORE. Britain won the toss, and Brandanovitch kicked off for Otago against the sun. Beamish secured the ball, and he immediately started a passing movement, which ended with the ball going out, The visitors secured again however, and the game had been only two minutes in progress, when Aarvold gave the ball to Reeve, who started on a run from half-way. He completely beiat Stevenson, and he scored well out. Black converted with a great kick. Britain 5; Otago 0.

A few minutes later Aarvold was again prominent, and when taken by Stevenson he passed to Black, who transferred to Reeve in time. The fast Winger then ran round and scored between the posts. Black’s kick added two points. Britain 10; Otago 0. The blues, with handy line-kicking, then transferred play to the British 25, but the visitors were breaking up the forward formation. Aarvold, Bowcott and Spong started another rush, which looked dangerous, but a bad pass put Reeve off. A few minutes later, Bowcott dazzled the crowd with an exhibition of side-stepping and cutting-in, but crowding on the line cramped Reeve. From a scrum, Francis secured and he found the line, with a kick that gained 50 yards for his side. Spong had the crowd on their toes with a brilliant run right across the field, and then forward, ho finally sending Reeve on to meet Stevenson, whose crumpling tackle closed the effort. Wilson picked up I from a scramble in the visitors’ half, and made a serviceable run until the ball was knocked out of his hand. A free kick was awarded to Otago, but Stevenson’s kick went wide. Bassett secured the ball, finding the line. A nice back passing rush ended when Reeve was taken by Lindsay, but the winger was up again before the ball could be taken, and, with a clever kick, he centred. The ball went past Stevenson, and the black and white forwards then came up. The ball rebounded from the post, but Beamish got up to ground it beneath the posts. Black again converted. Britain 15; | Otago 0. I

The Otago backs were getting little of the ball, although Francis at half was playing a great game. The British forwards, for the most part, were setting a spanking pace, and were maintaining it remarkably. Lying on the ball cost Britain another petialty ten yards from the line, and this time Lindsay made no mistake with the kick. Britain 15; Otago 3.

Finlayson and Hor© led *a determined forward rush to British territory, and then the Otago backs were seen in the best concerted move to date, Wilson being brought down on the sideline. Spong got olf-side, and Lindsay had another place kick at goal from well out, but the ball went wide again. Britain did not force, kicking out. A few minutes later,

SECOND HALF.

In the second spell, Lindsay went

to full back, Stevenson taking his place on the wing. Morley and Aarvold opened up the play, the latter running clean through the opposi- | tion and short punting over Lindsay’s head, but he failed to get up to ground the ball, Otago forcing. Wilson gained 30 yards with a line kick, and then Francis sent his backs away, Fookes transferring to Stevenson, who passed infield when taken. The British forwards smothered the movement. Spong, Bowcott, and Aarvold then moved off, and the ball went out to Reeve, who quickly got into his stride, but he found his match in Lindsay. Good following up, however, kept the effort alive, and it was only after a wild scramble that Otago forced. By dint of hard battling the Otago forwards fought their way to half way, where some hard play followed.

The visitors were getting practically all of the ball from the scrums, and both Spong and Murray were particularly deadly in breaking up Otago’s offensive moves. Collett and Hore showed out with the ball at their toes, but Ivor Jones picked up and started a counter movement. Francis found the line well down, but

the ball came back hard off the boot of Bassett, and the British forwards were again on top. A loose scramble between the opposing forwards gave Giles his chance. He broke through with the ball at his feet, and, in spite of speculating too hard, he was fortunate enough to get up in time to score in a good position. > Stevenson’s kick was almost straight in front, but the ball went -wide. Britain 20; Otago 9.

Francis and Lindsay were getting all the laurels from the crowd on the Otago side. The latter at full back was deadly. Spong cut through in brilliant fashion just in front of the

Otago goal, and although pulled down, he had penetrated far enough to score. Black’s sure boot added the extra points. Britain 25; Otago 9. Otago were awarded a free kick a

minute later, and greatly to the crowd’s delight, Lindsay attempted the impossible from nearly half-way. The kick went wide. Then from a

line out, Murray got the ball at halfway, and he completely outwitted the defence, reaching the Otago line, with Ivor Jones in attendance. A neat pass to the latter then resulted in a try, which Black failed to convert. Britain 28; Otago 9. Giles made a nice opening, which gave Fookes a chance to get away, but Stevenson was pushed out ten yards from the line. Another freekick to Otago saw Lindsay miss with a badly directed kick. Lindsay returned a short punt 'by Murray to

find the line 30 yards away, and for some time the light blues held their opponents round about midfield. Then from a scrum the Wall went from Murray to Spong, to Morley, and then to Reeve, who just about hurdled the waiting Lindsay to score well out. Black’s kick drew an admiring gasp from the crowd. Britain 33; Otago 9. The Otago backs could not get moving, and the home forwards were outclassed. Collett and Dunn broke through, but the’defence was too good. I The visitors threw the ball about disconcertingly, and the home men were unable to compete. Spong’s darting, slithering figure was everywhere. He jinked his way through a seemingly impenetrable mass, and ten yards from the line he passed out, Black finally being grassed to allow Otago to force. Stevenson was again pushed out after a 'strong run, and Brandanovitch was penalised for lying on the ball, but Lindsay returned the kick well up the line. Wilson and Collett got away, but a forward pass

saw another scrum, from which Francis secured, passing to Brandanovitch, who transferred to Fookes, who found the line near the corner. Shortly afterwards Francis sent his backs away, Brandanovitch, Fookes and Wilson handling, the last named inpassing to Fookds, whose pass to j Brandanovitch was intercepted by the inevitable Spong. Bowcott, Aarvold and Morley made a bold bid for the line, but Morley was well grassed by Wilson. With two minutes to go, Giles had an unsuccessful attempt to pot, and a minute later the crowd was electrified by a brilliant dash down the line by Morley, whose progress was stopped when Lindsay threw him out of the field. The final score was: Britain 33 Otago 9 BEST FORM OF TOUR.

THE PACE THAT TELLS. [special to “stab.”] DUNEDIN, June 14. 1 With three fine tries, J. IL It. Reeve, who has not hitherto shown his best I form in New Zealand, to-day clinch- : ed his position in the British team t for the first test. To-day’s team was . well aware when it took the field that it was on trial, and each man justi-

I Bassett was caught on his own line by Lindsay, after he and Francis had exchanged passes, and finally Francis touched down to score. Lindsay’s kick failed. Britain 15; Otago 6. From a scrum, Spong sent Bowcott and Aarvold away for the corner, but Wilson tackled well and relieved an awkward position. It was apparent that the visitors had Otago rattled early, but the home backs by now had begun tackling seriously, tipping up their opponents in a manner that delighted the crowd. Lindsay, in particular, seemed to have Reeve’s measure. From a scrum a few yards from the line, Spong sent his backs away, but Scott took Morley right on the corner. From the line out the Otago forwards got away, but Bassett came right through them. A great kick by Lindsay from a penalty found the line well down. The visitors came away again, and the ball went from Spong to Bowcott, and to Aarvold, who was well taken by Stevenson. Morley came through, however, and passed to Ivor Jones, who scrambled over to score the final try of the spell, which Black converted with ;i great kick. Britain 20; Otago G .

fled his selection. Apart from accidents, there are not likely to be any changes. At most, there will not be more than one or two. Britain, to-day, struck its best form of the tour and though Otago defended stoutly, and held its own for long periods, Britain steadily put on points. The game opened sensationally with a try by Reeve, whose pace carried him past Lindsay and out of a grasp-

ing tackle by Stevenson. Black hoisted a lovely goal, and within two minutes, Britain was 5 up. Soon live more points came. Bowcott making a fine opening for Reeves to score under the posts. At this stage, Otago might have closed up, and kept the game to the forwards, and religiously played for safety, as some other

teams have done against the visitors, but instead they continued to play their own game, giving the backs a ruil whenever they had the chance, ■with the result that both sides provided good open football, though Britain’s array of talent made their particular share of the display more spectacular. Variety in the British attack was well illustrated to-day, when two tries were scored by orthodox passing to the -wing, another

by introduction of the blindside wing as an extra man, among the inside backs, a fourth by adroit use of centre kick, a fifth by in-passing from the ■wing, and two others by solo efforts by inside backs. One of these -was by Spong, who combined great defensive tenacity, with reliability as a connecting link and occasional bril-

liancy in corkscrew runs. The other was by Murray, who after a somewhat uncertain opening, settled down to give a capital display in the second spell, when he used both the open and blind sides judiciously. Breaking quickly, the Otago forwards were concentrating on Spong, thus when Murray brought off a sur-j prise movement on the open side, they were totally unprepared, Murray going clean through to the full back, before handing Ivor Jones over. Sim ilarly Spong caught the OTAGO BACKS NAPPING when after a period of regularly passing out, he suddenly tucked the ball under his arm and went straight for the line. Lindsay was there to tackle him, but Spong’s weight and impetus carried him over.

As a preliminary to the test, the performance was very heartening for the visitors, but considerable allowance must be made for the fact that they were playing against a much lighter pack. In the early, stages, Britain dominated the line-out, deep throw ins going to Beamish, Hodgson oi' Ivor Jones, who with long passes to Spong set the backs away on everthreatening excursions. Ivor Jones was prominent all through in making play for his backs, but against the All Blacks, the positions might be reversed. Apart from this, the Otago pack did exceptionally well to-day, seeing the game right out, and having a major share of the attack, in the last 15 minutes.

Hore was always assiduous in following up, while Collett, Dunne, Finlayson, were tireless. Little was seen of Sontag, except toward the finish when he began to shine in line outs, but in tight play, he was always where the fray was thickest. Scott, the Otago wing-forward, was not conspicuously successful in harassing the British backs in the first spell, and in the second, Finlayson was taken out of the pack, Scott i-king his place. Even Finlayson, however, could hamper, but not arrest the operations of the lively British insides, whose pace, rather than any deficiency on the part of their opponents, was responsible for their success. Another change in the Otago team was the transfer of Lindsay to full-back, Stevenson, vicecaptain, going to the wing, where he played a very good game, but when getting opportunities in the second spell, lacked pace to escape Reeve, his opponent.

REEVE'S PERSONAL TRIUMPH.

' He scored three tries and made several ■ other very fine runs. Additionally, his defence was of the hightest class. If Reeve can hold this form, the British team will have two tremendously dangerous wings. Reeve to-day, exhibited exceptional dash, sometimes even trying to half hurdle Lindsay, a dangerous expedient which was never successful against a fullback of Lindsay’s calibre. Finally, however, Reeve turned infield when opposed to Lindsay, and though Lindsay got to him, he could not stop him, Reeve stepping clear to score. But for Lindsay, however, many more tries must have been registered against ’Otago. No fullback who lacked Lindsay’s great physical strength could have brought off some of the saves with which Lindsay, gathering both man and ball, pulled Otago out of tight corners. Additionally, he fielded without, error, and kicked a tremendously long ball, often gaining fifty yards with his huge touch-finders. In fact, there was only one drawback. He went right off his place kicking in the second spell, and missed two quite reasonable opportunities which would have added six points to Otago’s score. Another Otago man who performed well was Francis, the diminutive half, who, though suspected before the game to be a doubtful quantity, covered himself with glory by varying his play well, and getting the ball away neatly from all sorts of positions. Fookes, Wilson and Giles did much good work, but Erandonovish was not very happy Nothing ever came of his efforts to penetrate by means of much over-tele-graphed dummy passes. Compared with the other games of the tour, the match was one of strangely few penalties. Only a dozen were given, although of that dozen, only one went to Britain, late in the second spell, Otago till then having monopolised the free kicks. After its whirlwind opening, Britain had a period on defence, whence it emerged with attractive back play. Spong, from difficulties, reversing play cleverly to get Reeve away for a gain of sixty yards. From this point, play hung in Otago quarters, Reeve finally lifting an admirably judged centre to midfield, where Farrell and O’Neill coining up fast over-rau the ball, leaving Beamish to scramble over under the posts. The fourth try of the spell came after Aarvold had run nicely through the Otago backs, inpassing to Morley to Ivor Jones, who scored. Black converted all four tries, two of them with

MAGN IF IC ENT KIC KS

only equalled by the penalty from which Lindsay had opened Otago's score from nearly half way. Bassett’s presence at fullback was contributing greatly to Britain’s strength. Cool, safe and elusive, when in trouble, he found the line with well

■ ■ judged kicks. From one colossal punt f by Lindsay he fielded beautifully at 3 halfway and found touch near the corner flag. At times a slight limp 1 showed that his ankle was still "troubling him, but with a further ? | week’s rest he should be sound for •! the first test. i; Otago’s try in the second spell came I i when a speculator went ovex' Bassett’s ■! hpad, Giles beating him in the race ■ for the ball. This was Otago's last ' try, but Britain clapped on three : more. Reeve, Ivor Jones and Spong ' being the scorers. Of the shots at ! goal, Black converted six, his kicking ' throughout being magnificent. The : only sailed barely six inches ■ outside the posts. While Spong and Reeve were sound, others of British ; backs’ were useful, Aarvold and Bowcott both showing capacity for making or sighting openings, while Morley would have scored two tries but for Lindsay’s impregnable tackling. Among the forwards, Farrell showed much improvement. Hodgson was another good one. The British pack as a whole showed much more cohesion than formerly. More important still it was fitter. Rew, Parker and O’Neill are certain to be the front row for the first test. Rew again did excellent work to-day, once going close to scoring after Spong Lad paved the way with a clever run. As hookers, however, this trio are not infallible, Hore getting an equal share of the ball in the set scrums.

The referee, S. Hollander (Chris church) handled the game splendidly It would he no surprise to hii take the first test. Prentice was Jin umpire to-day and may occupy th same role next week, as good forwar though he is, it v ould be difficult t drop anyone of to-i ay’s pack. Incider tally, Prentice might perhaps attribut to-day’s handsome win to a bulldoi mascot forwarded 1 y two Irish girls ii Dunedin. The crowd was delightec with the British team's sparkling ex hibitiou, applause greeting Reeve’; third try, 'while tin team was cheerei when it returned to the hotel. Pub lie interest is keen, so keen that trains and trams proceed id at funeral pact when traversing the embankment; overlooking Carisb.ook to-day. GATE RECEIPTS. DUNEDIN, June 15. The correct takings at Saturday’s Rugby match amounted to £1929, this representing an a' tendance of about seventeen thousand people.

REFEREE NOMINATED. [special to “stab,”] DUNEDIN, June 16. The British team this morning nominated Mr S. Hollander, of Christchurch, who controlled Saturday’s match, as the referee for the first test. As the British team has the privilege of nominating the referee for the first test only from among those it has played under to date, Mr Hollander’s nomination means that he is automatically appointed. His control of Saturday’s game was the subject of handsome tributes from both sides. Although he penalised Britain 12 times and Otago only once, the British team was very satisfied with his display.

The British team for the test has not yet been finalised, but it is understood that there will not be more than one or at the most two changes in Saturday’s team, and possibly there will be none at all. Serious training is being undertaken this week, beginning this morning, when the team practised handling, dribbling, kicking, passing and scrumwork at the Carisbrooke ground. As evidence that Saturday’s team will most probably be the test side, it was kept together in most phases of the morning’s practise. After Saturday’s game, Bowcott developed a badly-swollen wrist, while Morley has ' a badly-bruised finger, but in neither case is the injury likely to keep them out of the test side. ' To-day’s was a full turnout of the complete party, except Sobey. SATURDAY’S DISTRICT GAMES.

11ESULTS SUMMARISED. SENIORS. United 31, Kiwis 4. Blaketown 9, Brunner 6. Excelsior 23, Cobden 13. Rivals 11, Stars 3. JUNIORS. Cobden 11, Kumara 5. United 15, Blaketown 0. Kiwis 3, Rimu 0. THIRD GRADE. United 15, Technical 8. FOURTH GRADE. Technical A 38, Technical B 9. Fine weather conditions prevailed on Saturday for the continuation of the West Coast Rugby Union’s competition games. Four senior fixtures were played, and the results created

; some surprise among the enthusiasts. ; The game at Greymouth between i Excelsiors and Cobden ended in a i win for the former team by tea i points, when a very close score had ■ been generally expected. The game 1 was certainly not one-sided. At Brunner, the home team gave a fine showing against Blaketown, holding them to the close margin of three points, and thus again asserting themselves as worthy contenders in the competition. At Hokitika, only a. moderate crowd attended at Cass Square, although the two games played promised a. good bill of Rugby fare. The United-Kiwi game proved something of a fiasco, the Hokitika team failing to field a team anything like up to senior standard, and recruiting several juniors. Consequently United had an easy victory and were winning by over a score of points when the game was called off, early in the second spell. The other Hokitika fixture between Stars’ and Rivals was any team’s match until the closing stages but Rivals forced the pace for an exciting finish, and despite heroic efforts on the part of the Star defence, gained two tries which gave them the game. The results put the United team in the lead in the competition by four points. EXCELSIOR DEFEAT COBDEN. This game was played on the A

> ground at Victoria Park, before a fair attendance, ( and under almost a ideal conditions.’ ’ Cobden failed to e play with usual dash, and were e wholly lacking at times in combin[l ation, in marked contrast to the 0 Excelsior side, which combined well. L . Cobden won the toss and started e with a strong sun behind them. Cobr den had the best of play in the openl ing stages, and had attacked for some [ time, but without any great danger to . the Excelsior line, before from a 3 scrum' in midfield, Davidson sent out 1 to Lowry, who potted a nice field . goal from well upfield. Excelsior 4, s Cobden 0. Cobden again pressed to > the visitors’ territory, and Glover 3 scored, following a passing movement. King added the extra points. Cobden 5, Excelsior 4. The game livened up, Excelsiors opening an offensive, with Freatus assisting prominently in forward work. Taafe carried the ball over to force and in the five yards’ scrum, Rimmer was penalised for ; handling, and Hughes took the shot at goal for Excelsior, the ball hitting the upright and bouncing over. Excelsior 7, Cobden 5. Excelsior forwards were making most of the play for the next few minutes, and had Cobden defending. Both sides were awarded shots at goal from penalties in succession, but the attempts failed. Hughes’s next try at landing a goal came from another penalty against a Cobden man for handling in the scrum, and the Excelsior forward put the ball over with a nicely directed kick. Excelsior 10, Cobden 5. Cobden rallied at this stage and play became interesting, both sides attacking alternately, until Lowry, Koch and Staines staged ' a break from their twenty-five to Cobden’s, passing surely, for Staines to finish off the movement with a wellmerited try. Hughes converted. Excelsior 15, Cobden 5. The score re-

mained the same at half-time. Taafe, who was not playing his usual dashing game, secured Cobden’s next try, in a temporary return to his old style. His run up the line was strong, but he lost the ball, retrieving however, to run across and score. King converted. Excelsior 15, Cobden 10. This put a new complexion on the game, and Cobden made great efforts to even the scores, lively play resulting. Dougherty, in the Excelsior pack, had been obliged to leave the field, owing to a fractured rib, and was not replaced. Cobden forwards improved their attack, and had the Excelsior defence working at top, but the Cobden thrust lacked finish, and the pressure was without effect. Excelsior finally cleared their twentyfive, Lowry and Hughes leading strong forward rushes. But Cobden were to stage another promising movement, in which they were unlucky not to score, before Excelsiors definitely turned the tables. Once really clear, the Excelsior 'side attained superiority,

and Stevenson added three points, scoring through a mishandle on Drhyberg’s part. Jordan missed with the kick. Excelsior 18, Cobden 10. Shortly after Koch scored a further try for the winning team, which was not converted. Just before time Cobden rallied and a successful attack saw Eggleton score. King failed to convert, and the game endxed with Excelsiors 23, v. Cobden 13. Mr W. Williams was the referee. BRUNNER V. BLAKETOWN. Brunner’s first senior game for some time, against Blaketown, resulted in a close finish. The match was played at Brunner, and a good crowd attended. Mason was missing in the Blaketown backs, W. McKechnie taking his place, while G. Scott and McEnaney were also out of the team for the day. The Brunner pack opened the game promisingly, but the Blaketown men asserted themselves after the first quarter of an hour, and from a. back movement, initiated from behind the scrum by Pascoe, McDonald scored. The try

was not converted. Mclntosh and Eder scored for Brunner in the -first spell, and the home side was leading by six points to three at half-time. Blaketown had the best of play in the second spell, McKenzie soon scoring. Brunner’s defence was still effective in stalling off repeated thrusts until near time, when Webster scored another try for Blaketown. The game thus ended 9 to 6 in Blaketown’s favour. AT HOKITIKA. RIVALS DEFEAT STARS. The game between Stars and Rivals at Hokitika, proved in the finish a very interesting tussle, the home team asserting definite superiority only in the last stages of play. Star forwards played a greatly improved ■pack, but the Greymouth team were beaten by better back play, although the Star bask line is also improving and is a good defensive machine. The visitors played on the A ground at Cass Square and started off with the sun against them. They attacked early, but Rival forwards retaliated, and in a strong attack on Star’s defence, O’Donnell, who plhyed fullback, marked and relieved the pressure. A penalty kick was . given against Stars, and P. Fahlert’s shot was unsuccessful, \ O’Donnell forcing. Then followed play in neutral territory, with the packs doing most of . the work, until Rivals forced their way

Lilt? WQI K, UHIU XllVdib LUI Cell LilUll Wcl, down again and McGinley, the Sta five-eighth, got in a timely kick t< touch. The same player was prom inent right through the game. Star: then opened a hot counter attack an< kept Rival backs defending for a tim< with Houston outstanding in holdins his line clear. He relieved with i good kick, and later Schist in tin defending pack led Rival forwards ii a fine clearing run. Fong’s kicking was responsible for Stars quick re turn to Rival ground. Talbot ami Meredith showed up among the Ambei and Black forwards. Fong was the shining light in a promising back attack which followed scraggy play in neutral territory, but Johnson on the wing knocked on, a good chance being lost. Then there ensued a long spell of alternate attack and defence, with Stars in the ascendancy, until once clear, Rivals overwhelmed the Star defence and Muir in the backs went over for their first try. The try was not converted. Rivals 3, Stars 0. Rivals attacked again after the restart, but O’Donnell effected a good save with a line kick. The game slowed down towards half-time, but Stars opened a solid pressure, and McGinley eventually got over, cutting his way through with the skill of an experienced player, and beating three men. His try was not converted, Fong missing, jso that the tally at half-time, which was then called, was 3 all. The game soon became interesting again in the second spell. Stars were losing most of the scrums, but managed to keep on the attack for most of the next fifteen minutes, until Houston and a Rival winger cleared with a very fine piece of passing. At this stage, Brown, the Star’ back, had to leave the field with an injured arm. Rivals now went hard for a

lead, and Stars began to loose some of their previous dash. Webster, the Rival full-back, staged a good run, and Pfalilert carried on the attacks to Stars’ line, where in a hot struggle for possession Furness found touch. McGinley and Fong were prominent in the defence, Fong bringing off particularly fine tackles. The defence held good until well on in the spell, when Pawson scored for Rivals, following a good open movement. The try was converted, putting Rivals five points in the lead. Towards the lasi of the game the visitors were well beaten by good Rival back play, and Houston scored neai’ time, the try not being converted. The game ended Rivals 11, Stars 3. Mr D. Heenan refereed. UNITED 31, KIWIS 4. United played Kiwis at Hokitika on the B ground, but Kiwis could field only a scratch team, and the blue and whites had little difficulty in remain-

ing so far an undefeated fifteen. Kiwis started off with 16 men, but the oversight, which caused some amusement, among the fair crowd of spectators present at Cass Square, was soon discovered by the United captain. The young Kiwi men started off well, compared with the visitors’ poor showing at the commencement of the game, but the latter soon began to throw the ball about, and the backs received more than their usual share of .the leather. Scores were soon gained by Jamieson and others, the game giving the blues something of a hollow victory, and being called off shortly after a short second spell. The scorers were M. Jamieson (4), F. Baldwin (2), and Rodgers, Walton converting 3, and Saunders and Kennedy converting one. For Kiwis Keller potted a fine field goal. The game ended with the points 31 to 4 in United’s favour. It is reported that the Kiwi senior team is considering applying for reclassification to the junior grade.

JUNIOR RESULTS. UNITED DEFEAT BLAKETOWN. United juniors easily defeated Blaketown in this game, on the Park, by 15 points to nil. Blaketown’s showing against the faster United men was creditable, and the team showed improvement on their previous games, getting much more sting into their attack. For United, L. Wilson (2), Frew and J. Kyle scored tries, and F. Bell landed a penalty goal. Mr. B. Charteris refereed. COBDEN DEFEAT KUMARA. This junior fixture proved well worth watching, and solid play was Hie rule from bell to bell. Cobden won by 11 poitns to 5, Wilson and Minchin scoring tries,. and Lindbom gaining the other points with a penalty and a goal from a try> which Becker converted. Mr. Bicheno refereed. kiwi"v7rimu. A junior game played at Hokitika between Kiwi and Rimu saw the former team defeat Rimu, for the first time, by 3 points to 0. Referee Mora ordered off two KiW., and a Rimu player for breaches. THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES. The third grade game between Technical High School and United, played

J, on the Technical School ground, prov--11 ed a very fine exhibition of Rugby and 0 was won by United by 13 points to 8. n " J. Fergusson (2), Parfitt and Garth. s scored for United, and Rathbun goalld ed from ,a penalty. For* Technical ie Davis and Leitch scored, Hart convertS ing a try. Mr. Winchester refereed. a Technical “A”.and “B” fourth grades e played on the home ground, the “A’s” n winning by 38 points to 9. Mr. S. Meg Kay refereed. d NELSON DEFEATS MARLBOROUGH r e BLENHEIM, June 14. < Before a good crowd, in beautiful y weather, Nelson to-day defeated Marlu borough by 11 points to eight in the' 0 first representative match of the seag son. The handling and backing up J, of the Nelson backs was better, and il 'they were superior in this division, e It was this advantage which gave the s visitors theii’ victory. Nelson fielded y the heavier pack, but they were short ). of form, only playing up when hard i- put to it. The play of the Marlborough 1 forwards was notable for their cone sistent tight packing, which kept the t ball away from the Nelson rearguard. 1 Marlborough achieved distinction by - winning most of the scrums, and by 1 incurring the more numerous penal- ,- ties. \ The first spell was fairly open and s fast, with some spectacular passages, i Slater opened Marlborough’s account in a thrilling fashion/ bolting nearly ; the whole length of the field for an } unconverted try. Less than a minute - later, however, Max finished off a passt ing movement by scoring an uncon--1 verted try for Nelson. J. Cameron I then scored from a melee in< front of ; the posts, and McLaughlin converted, I thus putting Marlborough five up. Bel fore the first spell ended, Nelson equali ised, Wells touching down after New-

man had. beaten the defence hollow. Newman converted. The play degenerated in the second spell to a forward scramble, Nelson securing to a forward scramble, Nelson securing the conqueror with a try by Street, which was not converted. Eric Snow - was particularly prominent for Nelson in the line-outs. • AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP. AUCKLAND, June 15. , The Rugby championship games here were played on Saturday under ideal weather conditions. Technical, who hitherto were undefeated, went under to Grammar Old Boys. Ponsonby now lead by 1 point from Technical with Grammar a further point away. Results:—Ponsonby 12, University 11; Grammar Old Boys .16, Technical 0; Marist 12, Training College 6; Manukau 17, Grafton 10; College Rifles 11, City 4. CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 14. The football matches were played to-day in drizzling rain. Rugby Union results were: —Merivale 19, Linwood 5; Old Boys G, Sydenham 3; Varsity 20, Technical 0; Albion 22, West Old Boys 0. SOUTH TARANAKI. HAWERA, June 14.» The South Taranaki senior Rugby results to-day were: —Athletic. 17, Kaponga 10; Waima’te 5, Hawera 9; Opunake 6, Okawa 6; Patea 24, Eltham 4. The first round concludes with Waimate and Opunake, 11 points each, at the head of the ladder. ,