RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1936, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

N.Z. WINS FIRST TEST

POLLOCK IN FORM

[PEE pbess association.]

WELLINGTON, September 5.

New Zealand drew first blood in the 1936 Bledisloe Cup series by defeating Australia by 11 points to 6, in a gruelling contest. More than 25,000 saw the game, including large contingents by trains from Auckland, Taumarunui, Napier and New Plymouth, and by boat from the south. The‘day was brilliantly fine and the ground was firm. They were 30 weary men who walked off at the call of time. Each side was wary in the first half, in which there was very little o’, .inised attack, but in the second spell New Zealand settled down to win and made the pace a hot one, whereas in the first hall, the game see-sawed up and down. In the second hall. Australia was only twice allowed to invade the All Black twenty-five. The teams took a long while to settle down. Australia’s Quick breaking from the scrums and line-outs constantly had New Zealand in trouble, and the defence was not all it should have been. The tackling of the All Blacks was weak and they watched the man instead of the ball. Luckily 1-1, R. Pollock at full-back was at the top of his form. There was little organised movement in this spell, all the brilliant work coming from the loose. At half-time Australia led by (> points to 5. The All Blacks were a different team in the second half, for most of which Australia fought to keep their line intact. W. Hadley was winning the scrums, and B. S. Sadler was sending out quick anu accurate passes which initiated -dangerous passing rushes. The Australians, by a desperate defence, kept the score down, but thepstrain told on them, and 15 minutes from the end they had lost all their dash. K. P. Storey and L. S. Lewis were missing from the Australian backs. R. Rankin was full-back until halftime, after which he moved to threequarter, and T. P. Pauling went from three-quarter to full-back. A. J. Hodgson was conspicuous in the line-out work. The Australian inside backs were slow, but the speedy wings, J. D. KSlaher and A. D. McLean were always dangerous. J. Wells was the best of the New Zealand forwards. J. Rankin did not show up. Pollock was a brilliant full-back, and B. S. Sadler at half did the work of two men. J. Griffiths, the captain, was full of thrust, but B. A. Killeen was well watched. The wingers, G. Hart and J. Watt played fine games, and T. H. C. Caughey was sound. Australia won the toss’, and played with the sun. Pollock put in a 70 yards line kick. His fielding was perfect. After 10 minutes Australia was awarded a penalty well out, and R. Rankin kicked a goal. Australia 3, New Zealand 0.

McLean went down the line at terrific speed, but his pass infield was not accepted. J. Wells led a New Zealand attack, but in a line-out the Australian wing threw the ball right out to the three-quarters, and Pauling cleared with a long kick. Cutting swiftly through a gap, O. L. Bridle raced down field, and kicked over Pollock’s head, Watt racing across to savcv A good passing rush by New Zealand saw Hart receive, but he was well tackled by McLean, who secured, and kicked ahead, Pollock just beating him for the ball. The All Blacks’ tackling was poor, the Wallabies being allowed to dodge at will. Sadler sold a quick dummy, and sent the ball infield to Hart, who made for the centre, and was nearly over. Then the Australian backs opened out, and while Hart was waiting for Kelaher, R. E. McLaughlin ran across. Caughey was out of position. Australia 6, New Zealand 0.

Just before half-time Hart went over after a good run by Caughey. Pollock converted. The half-time score was: Australia 6; New Zealand 5. On the resumption Griffiths cut through to start a magnificent passing rush. New Zealand hooked from the next few scrums, and each time the backs opened out with speedy and dangerous rushes. After a fine run down the side Hart kicked to the centre, and W. Hadley dummied his way across. Pollock’s kick was close, but missed. New Zealand 8, Australia 6. Pollock was saving his forwards by making sure of the line. E. Jackson, D. Dalton, and S. Reid dribbled downfield, Reid picking up and handing to Watt, who was forced out near the line. Pollock was. close with a long drop-kick. Then Kelaher and Hodgson raced downfield, and the latter kicked hard. A great race with Pollock ended when the ball rolled out. The pace was now telling, and the Australian had lost their dash. The All Black forwards heeled quickly from a ruck, and in a flash Sadler had given the ball to Watt for the winger to go over easily. Pollock narrowly missed, and the game ended shortly after with the scores: New Zealand 11, Australia 6.

Mr. J. Moffatt, Wellington, was the referee.

MITCHELL REPLACES CAUGHEY

WELLINGTON, September 6.

The New Zealand selectors, Messrs E. McKenzie (Wairarapa), G. W. Nicholls (Wellington), A. A. Adams (West Coast), J. T. Burrows (’Canterbury), and W. J. Pearson (Otago), watched the test match between New Zealand and Australia yesterday, and later announced the following preliminary selection for the second and final test match next Saturday at Dunedin: —

Backs. —H. R. Pojlock (Wellington), J. W. Watt (Otago), N. A. Mitchell (Southland), J. Sullivan (Taranaki), G. F. Hart (Canterbury), B. A. Killeen (Auckland), C. C. Gillies (Otago), J. L. Griffiths (Wellington), B. S. Sadler (Wellington). Forwards. —J. G. Rankin (Canterbury), R. M. McKenzie (Manawatu), R. R. King (West Coast), S. T. Reid (Hawke’s Bay), J. Wells (Wellington), R. Ward (Southland), T. Lockington (Auckland), E. Jackson (Hawke's Bay), W. E. Hadley (Auckland), D. Dalton (Hawke’s Bay). The All Blacks will be kept together for training, and will play a game at Timaru on Wednesday. Caughey is not available for business reasons for the second match, and the select_ors have called on N. A. Mitchell, one of the 1935 All Blacks, who was not available for the first game. Otherwise the players arc unchanged. The Wallabies attended a dinner with the All Blacks after the match, and later several attended the amateur boxing championship tournament, ■while others went to a cabaret. The visitors were taken for a drive to-day, and several played golf in the afternoon, They will leave to-morrow night for the South Island, playing North Otago on Wednesday qt Oama-

ru, and New Zealand at Dunedin on Saturday. They are' hopeful that K. P. Storev, L. S. Lewis, and E. S. Haves will all be available for the back line next Saturday, and they may be able to call on W. H. Cerutti, one of their best front-row forwards, whose face was injured at Auckland.

RANFURLY SHIELD OTAGO v. N. AUCKLAND DUNEDIN, September 5. Otago easilv resisted the challenge of North Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield to-day. defeating the visiters by 30 points to 0 in a one-sided game. The attendance was about 9000, and the ground was in fair order, considering the fall of nearly three inches ot snow the previous day. The weathei was fine, with a strong south-west wind. Otago did not have all its own wav in the first spell, scoring only five points, but after half-time the holders attacked consistently. The backs woie not. certain in the first half when the visitors’ stubborn defence kept them from making headway, but later they linked up well and made many slashing attacks. Taylor played a great game at full-back, frequently joining in the passing. Trevathan’s boot was as sure as ever, and he scored !•> points himself. Simon was magnificent behind the scrum, and Gold, substituting for Watt, ran strongly, scoring two good tries. Black was well marked, but was always dangerous. The Otago pack worked well when it settled down, Laney, Vorrath, Hore and Foreman being always in the thick of play. North Auckland, as a team, shone on defence its tackling being deadly throughout, but it was weak on attack and looked like scoring only once. The backs lacked penetration and did not link up well, the movements being qufckly smothered by the fast-breaking Otag ; forwards. The forwards played a good defensive game, Whin and Piarama being outstanding, but although 'they' broke away on several occasions they did not back up welf, and their rushes were easily stopped. Otago attacked from the kick-off, and kept North Auckland pinned in its own twenty-five, Trevathan nearly going over on his own. Play was uninteresting and remained in the visitors’ territory for nearly 15 minutes when Whiu found touch at the Otago twenty five with a speculator. An exchange of long kicks put Otago on the attack. The backs swung into action, Gold putting in a good run before being tackled. McSkimming dribbled to the line and Simon followed up fast to score, Trevathan converting. Otago continued to have the better of the plav, although hard tackling by North Auckland kept them in check. Simon dummied his way through and passed to McSkimming, who tried to go too far on his own. Vorrath led a forward rush that made a. lot of ground, for Otago, but Franish saved well. Tight scrummaging followed, in which the visitors more than held their own, and just before half-time Black made a strong bid for the line but slipped on a greasy patch. A long kick by Trevathan put Otago on the attack at the opening of the second spell, and North Auckland forced. Following a free-kick to Otago Foreman fielded and handed to Trevathan, who kicked a neat field goal. Otago pressed again and play hung on the visitors’ line till Simon ran round the blind side of the scrum and passed to Laney who fought his way over the line. Trevathan converting with a magnificent kick. Otago was now playing wit 11 more. dash, and only stubborn defence by North Auckland kept down the score. Otago was awarded a free-kick right in front, 1 revathan making no mistake. The prettiest movement of the day came when Simon sent the backs away', Mahoney cutting in beautifully to race for the line. He threw infield when tackled and McSkimming gathered in well to score behind the posts. 'I revathan converted. The North Auckland forwards staged a great rush, but a knock-on spoilt the effort and the Otago pack worked back deep into the visitors’ territory. With 12 minutes to go the Otago backs again got going, Gold racing for the line to go over for a good try. Trevathan missed. A moment later the full-back, Taylor, received from Trevathan on his own twenty-five and ran to the opposing twenty-five before passing to Gold, who scored again in the corner, Trevathan converting. There was no further score, the game ending: Otago 30, North Auckland 0.

HAWKE’S BAY CHALLANGE

DUNEDIN, September 6

The management committee of the Otago Rugby Union will consider at a meeting to-morrow night whether it will accept the challenge of Hawke’s Bay for the Ranfurly Shield, and it seems very likely that the challenge will be declined, leaving it, if necessary, to the New Zealand Union to make the final decision. The challenge was first set down to be played on Wednesday, September 23, but at Hawke’s Bay’s request the date was altered to Wednesday, September 30. The alteration in dates would appear to be fatal to the challenge, as, quite apart from any other aspect, the Ranfurly Shield rules contain a distinct instruction regarding dates. Rule •> seems to debar any match being played this year with Hawke’s Ba/! The rule reads: A challenge match shall be played on a date to be arranged by the unions engaged, but failing such an arrangement the date of playing shall be fixed by the New Zealand Union. No match, however, shall be played after the last Saturday in September.

inter-provincial MATCHES. WELLINGTON v. MANAWATU. PALMERSTON N., September 5. Wellington defeated Manawatu by 12 points to 11 in a match played in heavy wind. Both sides were without their best players because of the test with Australia, but spectacular Rugby was staged, especially in the second half, when each side took turn about scoring from fast, open play. The wind, however, spoilt the goal-kicking. POVERTY BAY v. W'TON COLTS. GISBORNE, September 5. In complete contrast with the previous day, when heavy rain fell at frequent intervals, there was fine weather to-day when Poverty Bay met tho Wellington colts team. The attendance was very large, and the ground was in good condition. Poverty Bay won by 19 points to 16. The halftime score was 5 to 3 in favour of Wellington. For the first few minutes the spectators were promised a good exhibition of back play, but the game soon settled down to a contest between the forwards. In the second half Wellington scored witltin a minute of the resumption of play from a back

movement, and from then onwards good back play was seen. Poverty Bay' was superior in the forwards, the players being more experienced and feeding the backs well. The local back’ play, however, was spoilt by the Wellington inside backs, whose play was more penetrating than that of the Bay players. The kicking of O’Connor, Wellington full-back, was a feature of the game, one penalty being converted from near the line eight yards inside the half-way line. Brown, at half, and Edwards, five-eighths, did gcod work. Forbes, on the wing, was very speedy, and scored a good try, leaving the Poverty Bay men standing. Kerschberg, Mollier, and Pringle were the best forwards. Mathieson and McAneny -were the best backs for the Bay, and Rogers, .Morison, McKinley, and Julian did good work. For Bay, Mathieson (two), .McKinley, and McAneny scored tries, two being converted by Julian and Campbell. Julian also kicked a penalty goal. For Wellington Forbes (two) and Kerschberg scored tries, and O’Connor converted two and kicked a penalty goal.

HAWKE’S BAY v. NELSON. NELSON, September 5. With a dry ground and line weather the Hawke’s Bay colts overwhelmed Nelson by 37 points to 11. The visitors led at half-time by 21 to 8. In the second half Hawke’s Bay added 16 points to Nelson’s 3. Scorers for Hawke’s Bay were Walford (4), Joll (2), Holt, Irwin, and Fraser. For Nelson, Drummond and Craig scored. Play was fast, but not high-class, with only a few clean scrums and a few combined back movements. IN OTHER CENTRES. CHRISTCHURCH, September 3. Challenge Cup final: Sunnyside 11, Christchurch 6. AUCKLAND, September 5. Ponsonby 23, Training College 19. Otahuhu 13, Technical College 8. Grafto 19 North Shore S. University 10 Manukau 6. TIMARU, September 5. Beri Cup final: Temuka 6, Star nil. OAMARU, September 5. Old Boys 14, Excelsiors 6. NAPIER, September 5. Marist 22, Havelock 0. Technical 21, Hastings 0.8. 3. Marist wins the championship. HOMELAND MATCHES. LONDON, September 5. To-day’s matches resulted: — Coventry 6, Bridgend 5. Cardiff 22, London Welsh 3. Leicester 12, Redford IS. Northampton 5, Headingly 11. Plymouth 0, Bristol 5. Torquay Athletic 1.4, Redruth 3. Weston-super-Mare 10, Crosskeys 0. * DITTMAN SHIELD.

WESTLAND 13, GREYMOUTH 3

In a good match, in atrocious conditions, Westland retained the Dittman Shield by defeating Greymouth by 13 points to 3, at Cass Square, Hokitika. Rain fell at intervals during the game, and there was only a fair attendance. Westland, with R. King, played a fine game, the cohesion of the forwards being an especial feature. They were up against a heavier pack, but fought hard all the way, and outstayed the challengers. Westland deserved their victory, as they played more as a team, than did the Grey fifteen. For the winners, Roberts, Buckingham and Agnew scored tries. Davidson converted two. Gilbert kicked a penalty goal for Greymouth. Davidson, Agnew, and Roberts were the pick of the Westland backs, and Kelly, Anderson, Walker and Thorpe were the most consistent forwards. Gilbert, Mann and Innes were the most prominent Grey backs, and Pascoe, Kirkwood and Olsen were the pick of the Greymouth pack. Mr. W. Eastgate was referee. GREY DEFEAT INANGAHUA. Greymouth senior representatives efeated Inangahua at Reef ton yesterday by 14 points to 6. Gilbert (2) and Blair (2) scored tries for the winners, Gilbert converting one. Greymouth third graders defeated Inangahua by six points to three. COAST REPRESENTATIVES Messrs. T. P. Ryan, T. Mclntosh (Greymouth) and D. R. Dowell (Hokitika) have chosen the following 20 players to travel to Christchurch and Blenheim, leaving Greymouth, on

Thursday morning, next. Backs: L. Agnew, E. Pfahlert, G. Gilbert, W. Mann. J. Wyatt, S. Hendry, M. Davidson, R. Roberts, E. Collins. Forwards: R. Kirkwood, M. Olsen, A. Scandrett, R. Birchfield, P. Pascoe. R. King, G. Berry. J. Cox, J. Walker, J. Anderson, B. Kelly.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES.

GREY OUTCLASS WESTLAND.

Despite heavy rain at frequent intervals, and muddy ground, the Greymouth junior representatives turned on a bright display on Saturday afternoon, at Rugby Park, to defeat the Westland Juniors by 33 points to 6. There were few spectators, but the youths played line lootball, that would have delighted a larger atendance. Tho greasy ball made little difference to the winners’ inside backs, all ofi whom handled splendidly, and they produced many fine passing bouts. They had too much pace, and cleverness for the Westland backs. The | Grey forwards also outclassed their, opposites, and they played fine wet-] weather football. They played well together, packed close and low in the, tight, and controlled the ball well in many long dribbling rushes. Clancy and McGinley were the stars of the Greymouth backs, while Davis, originally chosen as a back, but moved into the pack to fill a last-minute I vacancy, was the best forward on the | ground: In the Greymouth eight, he was well supported by Rathbun and Knowles, but the whole Grey pack deserve credit for a fine display. ] Westland looked likely on occasions, but lacked the team work of the home fifteen. Their backs had some pace, but their handling of the greasy ball was not consistent, and further, there was little method about their attack. They worked hard on defence, but the Grey backs were too superior. The Westland forwards displayed some dash, and caused a good deal of trouble at times, but there was little support for their leaders. Stapleton was a tower of strength at full back for Westlaud, handling and kicking splendidly. H<- was the pick of the visitors’ rearguard. Weiblitz and Finch were the most consistent of tho Westland pack... Weiblitz in particular, playing a fine game. Tho teams were: Westland (red and

black): G. Stapleton, Cron, Davidson, Mason, Mitchell, Douglas, Tainui, Hanrahan, Weiblitz, Finch, Leslie, McCarthy, Harris, Adams, Pierson. Greymouth (red and white): Clark, Kibble, McGinley, Ferguson, Millett, Clancy, James, Willis, McMillan, Cullen, Rathbun, Knowles, Brown. Whibley. Davis. Grey had all the better of the early stages, and it was not long before they were rewarded. From a melee on the visitors’ line. Stapleton kicked through to Clark, who evaded a couple of men and kicked high towards the left flank, for the winger. Kibble, to follow through and win a dive for the ball over the line. Clark missed a difficult kick. Gley <», Westland nil.

Though faced with a stiff breeze, Grey continued to have the better of the game. Janies was opening up the game at every opportunity, and a splendid movement, after a cut-in by James saw Clancy, Millett and McGinley handle for the centre to go over unopposed, with his winger outside him. Clark’s kick fell short. Grey 6, Westland nil.

Westland’s first points came when their full back (Stapleton) scored. A long kick from Stapleton went down to Clark, who made a mistake in trying to beat a man, and was downed by Cron. Stapleton, following up fast, kicked over the line, and scored near the corner. He missed the kick. Westland 3, Grey 6.

The visitors kept Grey’ busy for the next few minutes, but Davis, Millett and Kibble were instrumental in clearing well down. Another fine passing bout brought a third try' to Grey. Clancy cut through beautifully to beat several men, and handed on to McGinley to Kibble, who raced over, well out. Clark again failed to goal with the heavy ball. Grey' 9, Westland 3.

Before half-time, James scored a splendid solo try for Grey. When Stapleton missed a difficult pass-back from Tainpi, at half-way, James kicked through and carried on with it, to kick over the line, and score a good try. Clark missed the kick. Grey 12, Westland 3.

The Grey captain, McGinley, was injured soon after half-time, and left the field, being replaced at centre by R. Harvey. Grey were first to score after the interval, Rathbun going over under the posts, after Davis had made a fine run. Clark added the extras. Grey 17, Westland 3. Davis again starred in a fine run with the ball at his toe. and Ferguson (Scored a good try at the corner. Clark failed to goal. Grey 20, Westland 3. Kibble landed his third try, when he secured the ball from Harvey well outside the Westland 25, and with a quick change of direction he left several defenders standing to run in under the posts. Davis converted. Grey 25, Westland 3. Westland had a turn on attack for some time, adn when Rathbun was caught off-side in his own 25, Tainui nearly engineered a good try. He placed the ball for a kick at goal, and with the defence concentrated on the goal, kicked just past the marker, followed up, and passed to Cron, who was unlucky' to lose possession, and the homesters forced down. However, Westland came again, and with the defence bustled, Pierson scored. Tainui missed the kick. Grey' 25, Westland 6.

Brown scored a try' from a loose rush, near the posts, but Clancy missed the kick. Grey 28, Westland 6. Clancy made the next try, when he cut through brilliantly, after receiving from James at half-way. He ran straight, and handed on to Cullen, who beat several men with a change of direction, and scored under the posts. Harvey goaled', to make the final score: Greymouth 33, Westland 6 ; Mr D. Jarvis was referee. THIRD GRADE.

Blaketown third graders defeated Celtic by nine points to nil, on the No. 2 ground at Rugby Park. Mathieson (2) and Gifkins scored tries. Mr J. O’Donnell was referee. Cobden thirds defeated Star thirds on tho No. 1 ground, at Rugby Park, by nine points to three. Mr M. R. Bunt was referee.