KING RUGBY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3829, 12 May 1913, Page 7

KING RUGBY.

USHERED IN ON SATURDAY. PAKEHAS WIN THE DOUBLE. SKXIORS SUCCEED BY A NARROW MARGIN. .lI'NIORS HAVE AN EASY WIN. Winter sports commence somewhat later in Poverty Bay than they do in other parts of the Dominion, and as the summer pastimes have concluded some weeks the ushering in on Saturday at the Victoria Domain of King Rugby came as a welcome diversion to thoso who participate in and those wls> follow out-door pastimes. Real football weather obtained during the day, for Old Sol, who shone fitfully from out a wintry and leaden sky, did not possess sufficient power to remove the edge from a keen and biting wind ; which blew with unappreciated persist- ] eticy. Despite this fact, however, and ' that the fixtures to be decided were ] but preliminary canters to the more serious business of the club competitions, which commence next Saturday, there was a good deal of interest manifested in the meeting of the Maori and Pakelia teams, as evidenced by I the satisfactory attendance at the Do- ! main. In fact the public appears to | have, been more interested than the j players, for though both junior teams J managed to scratch up a full if nonde- j script complement both senior teams 1 commenced play with several vncan-j cies, augmentations being made from • time to time as the game progressed, j Tho matches failed to produce anything of a sensational nature, a great number of the players being palpably I out of form and in the closing stages ! many a lagger cast anxious eyes at the referee and prayed devoutly for I the welcome relief of the 110-side : whistle. On one or two occasions the Maori backs attempted to pass the ball about, but almost invariably bad handling nullified any effort in that direction. The Pakelia forwards also made an occasional attempt to-toss the ball about in the opening stages of the match, but they soon, forgot ■ that style of play and contented them- i selves for the remainder of the time ; by introducing the boot to tho leather, lii the Maori pack Kokiri played a great game, and was easily the best forward on the field. . Percy Fromm only, fair behind the pack, while flhrther ’back Kaipara and Rukingi played best, the latter at times being really brilliant. Of. the Pakelia pack, Nicholas, McQuarrie and Davis showed out most prominently. Stubbs was a trifle slow at times at full, allowing ; himself to bo beaten on several oc- j casions. G. Pollock played best for j the Pakelia rear division, and he was well supported by Carruthers. THE PLAY. The Maoris set the ball in motion, j playing against both wind and sun. j Play was returned to the Red twenty- f five, and for a space there was trouble j knocking about, but Kokiri eventu- j ally relieved by a good line kick, the j leather going out of play at the half- : wav flag. The Pakehas again invaded j the Reds’ domain, but a good forward j rally shifted the scene of operations to the other end of the field. Stubbs . was called upon to save, and got the j ball away nicely to mid-field. Not to , lie denied, the Maori team cracked on pace, and a hot rush was stopped just ■ in time by Carruthers. Almost im- ; mediately 'after Rukingi secured the ball near the half-way and sprinted along the touch line. He badly beat Stubbs, and with a clear field in front of him centred the ball which Imat • all his supporting players. Had Rukingi gone straight on the chances were a sheep station to a gooseberry ! that he would have scored. Operations j romniiKHl in the noutrnl zone for fl. tow j minutes, then Nicholas dribbled the j. ball through the ruck and on to the ; Red 25. The Pakehas continued J o ; apply pressure, but a mark by From n ' subsequently relieved matters considerably. A 'period of unexciting and un event fill plav followed, after which the ball was worked towards the Maori goal line. A deal of scrambling ensued, out of which McQuarrie pick- ; /, d no and dived over the line, regis- j '"tering the first score of the match. G. ; Pnlbck did not add the major points, j Plav now brightened considerably, but ; liav’Pfr the advantage of- the wind, tho ; Pakclias had the better of the ex- i dip’i.QfOS. For n time the Reels had a parlous time, but a magnificent effort mi Pm part- of Rukingi cleared. Near the centre of tho field Fromm picked up smartly and sent the ball out to Kaipara, who kicked well down the field. Stubbs was slow with tho return and was smothered before getting rid of the leather. Strenuous plav followed right on the Pakelia line. Numerous line-outs and scrim- j mages followed in quick succession. - • Fo’ ; failing to keep on side' a Pakelia 1 forward was penalised and Kaipara j made a weak attempt at goal. The : Reds continued to hammer at the ! Pakehas defence. One nice passing t bout was nearly crowned with sue- j

cess, the attack being stopped a few 1 ?, m 16 ue ' The Pakoha foruaids then took a hand in the game and led by McQuarrie and Nicholas carried the leather almost tho entire length of the field. From a freo kick given for off-side Pollock made a good but unfruitful attempt at goal, McQuarno again led an attack, and McGill ■ was grassed when ho appeared to be on the point of scoring. A force iobeyed the situation. After tho drop on Kaipara got in one of his famous runs and gained a lot of ground. Then Jlroimn got tiro ball just inside the . 1 akeha zone at the half-way. Kicking high and following up fast, he smotheied Stubbs’ return and grabbing the oral sent it out to Kokiri, who lost possession, but Poiliipi secured and dived over. Kokiri failed with the lack.

9 n , resuming after half time tho I akelias worked play into the Maori zone. McGill had an unsuccessful shot at goal and Fromm forced. A ; little later G. Pollock picked up in mid-fidid and ran through tho Reds to the 25. A good rally by tho Maori pack removed tho ball to neutral terri..tory. Uninteresting play followed in mid-field, which was relieved by Kaipara dodging through the opposing team. Matters again became scrambly, both teams showing visible signs of . tiredness. The Pakehas later displayed j little more energy, but the Reds re- : lieved by forcing. Again the tired . feeling manifested itself, and another i uneventful spell followed. Later Pol- | lock initiated a forward movement, and as the ball progressed down field Prickett was palpably off-side but was unobserved by the referee. Prickett centred the ball, which enabled Davis to score a try which was not improved upon. From this out the Reds had the better of the exchanges. The Maori pack made matters interesting for a time. Pollock brought off a good save, but Kaipara initiated a passing bout and the Pakehas were again on the defence. Rukingi lost a chance through faulty handling, and later tho Pakehas obtained relief through the medium of a free kick. No-side sounded shortly after with the play near midfield. Mr L. McMahon was referee. JUNIOR MATCH. On No. 2 ground a junior Maori team met a Pakoha fifteen. The game was rather devoid of interest, the majority of the players displaying that great Lack of training which is so marked at the beginning of a fotoball season. The pakehas broke away from the commencement and fairly demoralised the Maoris later-in the game, tho second r-pel 1 bcing shortened through the voluntary retirement of the Maori team. In the pakehas there were giimnscs of g:od play and promise of s°mo fast and reliable backs for ilio approaching season. Winter got home with a good try and Quinton was surCesfeful in touching down on throe (evasions. These were the only points recorded, so that the Maoris suffered defeat by 12 points to nil. Nearly ten minutes before time was up; the losing team complained of eariy-season fatigue and retired. Mr Brown refereed satisfactorily. Result: —■ Pakehas 12 Maoris 0 SATURDAY IN OTHER CENTRES.

AUCKLAND. fFEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGEaMJ AUCKLAND, May 11. Unfavorable weather conditions prevailed for the opening of the Rugby football season, the games being played on slippery grounds. Rain fell at intervals during the afternoon. City and Ponsonby played -a drawn game, each scoring an unconverted try. Marist Bros., last year’s champions, defeated Parnell by 9 points to nil and University beat. College Rifles by 10 points to 3. '■

CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, May 11. The weather was chill and cold for the continuance of the matches played under the jurisdiction of the Canterbury Rugby Union yesterday afternoon. The attendance at Lancaster Park was the largest of the season, and the three games played there were all more or less interesting. Old Roys were slightly better favorites than Canterbury College, who suffered their first,defeat of the season in a very fine spectacular game. Albion carried too many guns for Merivale on tho south ground, and won by a substantial margin. Marist Bros, created a great surprise by drawing .with. Linwood, and were unlucy in having victory snatched from them in the last few minutes of play. The erratic Christchurch team showed their worth at Sydenham Park by defeating Sydenham with a fannumber of points to spare. Results : Old Bovs (16) v. Canterbury College (3) : Alfrion (24) v. Merivale (6) : Linwood (0) v. Marist Bros. (6); Christchurch (19) v. Sydenham (9). WELLINGTONWELLINGTON, May 11. Heavy fain on Saturday afternoon made the grounds sodden and often like quagmires, yet practically all the matches in the various fames were played. Senior Rugby matches results: Pet-one 11 beat Melrose nil. The early portion of the gnrne was well contested, but the Pctone hacks ”'ero too good. Wellington 3 beat Victoria Col lege nil after a good game, the score coming in tho closing stages. Oriental 20 beat St. James 12, this match providing some good displays of football, despite the unceasing rain. Athletic won by Poneko by default, DUNEDIN.

DUNEDIN. May 11. Splendid weather prevailed for tho football matches yesterday, and the grounds were in fuirl ygood condition. Zingari" Richmond (5) heat University (3); Kaikorai (28) heat Dunedin (nil); Southern (15) heat Alhambra (6); Port Chalmers (10) boat Pirates (nil).

THE SOCCER CAME. . ' / COUNTY (1) v. TARUHERU (1). This match, in the first round of the League games, took place at Newstoad on Saturday,'with the above result. Taruherii were very fortunate in mailing a draw of the game, as the White’s had the upper hand throughout, and but for the strong wind must have scored repeatedly. Bel 1 did the needful for County, and Downie for Taruherii. Taruheru played a plucky game against a palpably stronger side They were without the services of Mi-Murray, tho ex-Hawke’s Bay rep., and Ernie Sharpies. Downie was a tower of strength to them, and Harris and Barker also played fine games. The best of the Blue backs was ITanliigan, and “Tiny” played his usual safe game in goal. For County every mail played a sterling game, showing good passing tactics, and it would be unfair to single out anyone, unless it be Bell, a now centre forward just a few days landed from Glasgow, who was easily tho best forward on the ground. Ho is a young player, unselfish, swift, and accurate, who might be predicted to pile up a good many goals for his side this season. The back six are the strongest club combination y t appearing on a local ground. The ono goal scored against them was from a high dropping shot, which the strong wind carried just under the bar.