RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4876, 23 May 1918, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

(By Drop-Kick.)

The local Rugby season was opened last (Saturday 'pn the Victoria Domain X either of the two games in tlie Senior Competition were of outstanding merit, and, as usual, so early in the season, condition and combination were sadly lacking. Quite a laige crowd ol spectators were present, and generally speaking the prospects for the season appear to be excellent. Kaiti-City, winners ol last years feenior ■C'OnijDG’fcrbioiij foiled to get ft full team, and, in,.consequence, were badly beaten by tlfe swift and clever High School side. Kaiti-City however, have always been slow starters, but they seldom fail to be somewhere handy at the finish. The two Stevensons for Kaiti-City appeared to be in as good form this year, as in past -seasong but the Club will be losing the services of one of the brothers as “Dug” goes into camp shortly.

High School, though light in weight, are a swift and nippy side, and will give some of the older players something to think of when they meet. Led by Edmondson, who is probably the best “general” who has appeared during recent years on local football fields, and backed up bv Hundleby and Woodward and a speedy three-quarter line, the side which defeats them will have to get a move on. They piled up a rapid score last Saturday. Huia and Y.M.P. provided an excellent early season exhibition on'No. 2 Ground. The first-named l team just managed to notch a win on tlie call of time after an interesting game For Huia, Gillett and the two three-quarters played a good sterling game, but the team needs combination, and when the v get it will prove hard to beat. The Y.M.P. backs and forwards both worked hard. Turuki Pere, Pat Priestly and Wi Friday amongst the backs, and M. V. Bell and C. Arthur amongst the forwards did good work. Quite a number of the “Stars” of previous years have come back into the game this season, .and everything shows risible signs of a prosperous season for 1918.

Mr. M. Bell, commonly referred to a ? <f S n ov T y,” has gone into camp, and bis Club (Y.M.P.) have lost the services of one of their most energetic forwards, a man whom they will find hard to replace under existing conditions. Last Saturday, on the playing field, the fellow' members of Ins team presented him with a gold ring suitably inscribed. Messrs J. H. Reidy, It. Hero and Harwood fulfilled the duties of referees last Saturday. A Rugby Seven-a-side Tournament is to take place in Gisborne on King’s Birthday, June 3rd. Entries close on Wednesday next, May 29, with the secretary of the Union. Names of players and an entry fee of 3s 6d per team must accompany each entrv. There is a distinct- improvement in Rugby football this season, says a recent exchange, compared with last, and before the season closes followers of the game may look' forward with Confidence to witnessing exhibitions approaching the lines of the “Rugger” that was in evidence before the “top-notchers’’ were called away to take part in the game Of games. In New Zealand tlie younger members of the community are taking up the burden of their elder brothers, making themselves "fit, and soon they, too, will be worthy of joining in tlie great game that is being decided on tlie other side of tlie world. It is the greatest football game that has ever taken place, and every forward worthy of the name is required in the scrum to oppose the pack of the other team. The rule regarding the lifting of the feet and kicking has been expunged from the code, and the side that kicks hardest the more often gains a decided advantage. To become qualified to be a member of this magnificent team a. man wants to be in the pink of condition, and this the lads are doing their best to be- I come by playing the less strenuous game at home. They deserve encouragement, and the public are recognising this by rolling up in numbers to witness the matches. Tlie Otago Rugby Union has appointed Messrs Abbott, Fachc, Miscoll and Brodie as delegates to the l\b C( j|‘. ,ll K °f the N.Z. Rugb v Union at Wellington.

In the course of a criticism. of the wended playing rules introduced by tlie Auckland Rugby Union this season, details of which were published in these columns a week ago, “Stroller,’’ in the Sydney Referee says: “With N 0.2 I take issue. The entirely free kick lacks the more essential features which made the charge permissible. The game is one of competition always. Players are built up by facing such competition, and the kicking against a charging vanguard cultivates nerve and coolness. J. doubt if the giants of the Union throughout tho world who nile.d_ up goal points under the older, method have yet been outclassed by men now. operating under the newer rules. Therefore why adopt a rule which has robbed the game of certain qualities and desirable features.” At Athletic Park, 'Wellington, on King’s Birthday (Juno 3) tlie Trentham team is to try conclusions with the Wellington representative teamThe annual match, Canterbury College v. University, will be played as a curtain-raiser.

Referring to tlie opening of the Rugby season in Sydney “Stroller,” in the Referee, remarks: —“The busy scene at all the grounds told very eloquently the story of the Union’s out-look. ‘Everything is going fine,’ was the report everywhere. Teams put in an appearance with plenty of men. Grounds more than usually full. Referees on hand to time and rendering especially good service. As I. moved around I met many enthusiasts helping the game. I put the question to one of those carrying the greatest burden to-day as to liow he thought the standard of pla v stood. “Never mind tlie standard just yet,” was his reply. “Get the numbers and provide them with plenty of football well controlled and 'the quality will follow as sure as day follows night.” By plenty of football he meant, of course, representative games as well as club, and during the past two years that lias been one of the aims of the R.U. Every grade has its rep. game. We are certainly on the right track to have a really live, healthy concern to go on with when the boys come back.”