RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 22 April 1925, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MATCH AT DENNISTON. SENIORS. MOKONUI v. PIRATES. To say the least of it, the perform auce of the Mokonui Club will not re Round to their credit, either in skill or sportsmanship. As the teams filed on the field the considerable contrast in weight was most conspicuous and the general oninion was that the Pirates would suffer defeat by a good margin. They played two juniors and two or three of their other players were taking the field for the first lime this season, with cut any training whatever. Mokonui were handieaped by the absence of the Corbys. The result after ten min utes ’ play left no doubt whatever that brute strength was going to cut rittl- 1 ice and the feature throughout the game was the skilful and deadly tackling of the Pirates. At no period wore the visitors allowed to handle the b-ill beyond marking it. With the exception of Prank O’B-b n who is one of the cleanest and tri- k icst backs on the Coast, and Harris, very little to the credit from the Rugby point of view can be accorded the Mol <onui Club. The Game. Mokonui opened the fray bv kickpng off 7is their men charged down the field, the concerted charge had not the desired effect on the bantams who stood the shock, and within a. few yards of thrir line a scrum was ordered for a breach. From this formation “Pope” Walsh secured and cleared the decks passing out to Bob Greer. The latter found the Imo inside Mokonui’s 25. From the line out a pass found the sure hands of Maurice Bernard who sent it across the field. Tire ball grassed, and Pym made a futib' attempt to scoop it up at the gallop (a feat he attempted 'several times during the game) and failed, the ball going out. From the throw-in, th* 1 Pirate backs became possessed of the ball and a fine exhibition of passing was shown, until Stan Davis tried 1 > ■vork a dummy, but was dummied himself. Mokonui then came to the .t»taek and a big effort was nullified by FL Aiking a splendid mafck which relieved the Pirates considerably. Vic .Anderson put in some excellent work at this stage, travelling back and across the field, completely beating - his hefty opponents. Archie Dil laway picked up ami with a powerful and tricky run, scoring a splendid try, between the posts. Stan Davis added the goal points. Pirates 5. Mokonui Nil. On resuming Mokonui made a desper at< i attempt to equalise the score and the Pirates, spurred on by their ad\antage. tackled with a deadly persist-

ence. Prominent in the defcnct* was Bob Greer and “Dingle” Yound. At this stage there was a clever pass back to M. Bernard, who punted high and followed on, securing again and was unlucky in not scoring at the corner, being foiled by Frank O’Brien. The play which followed immediately was indulge 1 in by S. Davis, M. Bernard and V. Anderson. The former played a, game out of the bag and nonplussed his adversaries completely. Their passing exchanges were a treat. Mokonui showed little brilliance during the first half. The score at half time was:— Pirates 5. Mokonui Nil. The least said of the final spell perhaps may be in the best interests of (he game. The referee should have been assisted by a boxing controller. From the ‘‘carry on” whistle it was evident that tho visitors intended to win by any means, and repeatedly had Mr Coppersmith to stop the game and caution players for deliberate fisticuffs. On one such occasion, tho game was held up for two or three minutes while a debate ensued on his ruling. At this stage the writer would make a most eni photic protest against such methods ns were resorted to by certain players in their efforts to win. Denniston players and followers will not stand lor it and in the interests oi one of eur finest field games the Referees iation should pul down deliberate ‘‘st-oush’’ (to use the vulvar term) and the questioning 'of the referee’s ruling. However, if any credit is due r u r clean play which was eonspii-uous, it is due to O’Brien ami Harris. George Jack in Hie second half ployed an excellent game in the forward division of the pirates as did “Pope” Walsh. Erom a penalty in the early stages, M. Bernard kicked a goal Pirates S. Mokonui Nil. Shortlv before the conclusion, as the result of a penalty advantage being awarded them, ■Mokonui kicked a S Tho game ended: 1 nates 8. IS o<o nui 3. RIVAL JUNIORS EOREEIT. The publie who turned out in good numbers to witness tho meeting of

the Westport Club and the local Pirate Junior team, were disappointed at the Rival Club failing to meet their engagement. Nothing short of disqualification will stop this practice, which is becoming too general with town teams who have to journey to Denniston. WEST COAST RUGBY UNION. The usual weekly Executive meeting was held last evening, there being present: Messrs A. A. Adams (chair), <T. Guy, J. Kyle, J. Rothwell, T. Mclntosh, 11. M. Coulson, F. McGregor, T. Gilooly, D. Dowell, A. Lawn, and N. AV. Jones (secretary). It was decided that the rule governing the fourth grade competition be altered to read “The compeiirmn is confined to boys under IS years - f age on April Ist.” The following players wore Kclassified from senior to junier: C. Fair hall, IT. Extern A. Heinz. Simpson. J. Tindalo, J. Mori, and Spurn, am- th.it they bo entitled to piny two games in the lower grade before losing their status in that grade. Resolved that the senior competition be two rounds, and that the MeKechnie Cup be given for this competition, the conditions of same being that it must be won twice in succession or three times at intervals, subject to Mr McKeehnic’s approval. The Union’s delegate on the New Zealand Union, Mr Adams, was instructed to vo’e against the Wellington Union’s remit to the annual meeting re increasing the voting power of the major unions, and to support the /Auckland Union’s remit in refercn-'O to inclusion of reinstated players in rep resen fa five teams. The Buller Union wrote in reference to a conference of delegates from Hip Seddon Shield Unions to consider the ad\ isability of appointing referees Io control Seddon Shield matches from within the Seddon Shield Union’s boundary, but it was decided that this Union be in favour of the selection remaining as at present, i.e., that ref-e!-ees should be selected by the New Zealand Management Committee. 11 was resolved that in the meantime, the W.C.R.C. waive its prior right of challenge for the Seddon Shield against Marlborough. It was resolved that proxie would bo received from the three senior (dubs from the Westland Distinct at Fxoeutive meetings. Tir reference to referees for senior matches, it was resolved that referees for Hokitika be appointed by rhe AVestland Sub-Union, and for Grey by the AVC.R.I'.. except where it was deemed advisable to make exchanges from the two teams. The Secretary and President were empowered to wait on the Railway authorities in regard to train arrange meats for the football season. It was resolved that the Grey Union and the AVestland Sub-Union Jinvc sole control of their respective competitions from the junior 'grade down. Tn reference to flu* annual seven-a-side tournament on June 3rd, it was moved that this matter be held over till next meeting night, as far as the interchange of teams troni the two districts was concerned. An amendment was carried that the tournaments bo run independently in both districts. It was resolved that the postponement committee work in conjunction* fi-Qin both districts, and that wor<l be sent from town to town not later tiian 11 a.in. in event of grounds not being fit to play on. It was resolved that the Selection Committee consist of one member each from the two Sub-Unions, and the Grey District, and that these be appointed at the earliest moment possible. SENIOR FIXTURES. - FIRST RO END. Alav 2: Kiwis v. United at Hokitika; Stars v Excelsiors Greymoutb; Kokatahi a bye. May 9: Excelsiors v Kokatahi at Hokitika; Stars v. Kiwis at Greymouth; United a bye. May 16: Kokatahi v. Stars -it Kokatahi; United v. Excelsiors at Gr<ymoutli; Kiwis a bye. Alav 23: Kiwis v. Kokatahi at Hokitika; Stars v. I ’nit cd at Grey; Excelsiors a bye. May 30: Kiwis v. Excelsiors at Hokitika; Kokatahi v. ( nited at Kokatahi; Stars ?l l»ye. SECOND ROI’ND. United v. Kiwis at Greymouth: Excelsiors v. Stars at Hokitika; Kokatahi a bye. Excelsiors v. Kokatahi at Kokatahi; Ki’wis v. Stars nt Hokitika; United a bye. Stars v. Kokatahi at Grey mouth, Excelsiors v. United at Hokitika: Kiwis a bye. Kokatahi v. Kiwis at KokataU: United v. Stars :,it Greymouth; Excelsiors a bye. Excelsiors v Kiwis at llokaiikn. I ted v. Kokatahi at Greymouth; Stars a bye.