RUGBY.

Grey River Argus, 21 April 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

RUGBY.

(By “Five Eighth”) Tn fulfilling all engagements on the! tour the New Zealand team will cover I about 6200 miles by rail in South Africa. The itinerary is as follows:— MAY— Monday, 21st —arrive Durban per Euripides. Tuesday 22nd—leave Durban per Euripides. Saturday, 261k —arrive at Capetown. Wednesday, 30th—play at Capetown. JUNE— Saturday, 2nd—play at Capetown. Monday, 4th, 4.15 p.m. —leave Capetown. 'Tuesday, sth, 7.30 p.m. —arrive Kimberley. Wednesday, 6th—play at Kimberley. Thursday, 7th, 7.30 p.m.—leave Kimberley. Friday Bth., 7.30 p.m.—arrive Johannesburg. Saturday, 9th—play at Johannesburg. Tuesday. 12th, 11 a.m.—leave Johannesburg. Tuesday, 12th, 5 pin.—arrive Kroonstad. Wednesday, 13th—play at Kroonstad. Thursday, 14th, 12.37 p.m.—leave Kroonstad. Thursday, 14th, 6.15 p.m.—arrive Johannesburg. Saturday, 16th —play at Johannesburg. Tuesday, 19th, 10.10 a.m.—leave Johannesburg. Tuesday, 19th, 2.40 p.m.—arrive Potchefstroom. Wednesday, 20th —play at Potchefstroom. Thursday.. 21st, 6.15 a.m.—arrive Johannesburg. Thursday 21st, 2.15 p.m.—leave Johannesburg. Friday, 22nd, 6.52 a.m.—arrive Maritzburg. Saturday, 23rd —play at Maritzburg. Monday, 25th : 8.35 a.m. —leave Maritzburg. Monday, 25th, 12.16 p.m.—arrive Dur'ba n. Saturday, 30th—First Test. Durban. JULY— Tuesday, 3rd, 9.56 p.m.—leave Durban. Thursday, sth, 4.13 a.m.—arrive Bloemfontein. Friday. 6th, 9 a.m. —leave Bloemfontein. Friday, 6th, 1.28 p.m.—arrive KimberSaturday, 7th —play at Kimberley. Sunday, Bth, 8.35 p.m.—leave KimberTuesday, 10th, 8.40 a.m.—arrive Bulawayo. Tuesday, 10th, 6 p.m.—leave Bulawayo. Wednesday, 11th, 10.12 a-m.—arrive Victoria Falls. Friday 13th. 12.30 p.m. —leave Victoria Falls. Saturday, 14tli, 7.30 a.m.—arrive Bula wayo. Saturday, 14th—play at Bulawayo. Monday, 16th, 5 p.m.—leave Bulawayo. Wednesday, 18th, 4.34 a.m. —arrive Johannesburg. Saturday, 21st—Second Test, Johannesburg. Monday 23rd, 5.10 p. ln .—leave Johannesburg. Monday 23rd, 6.25 p.m.—arrive Pretoria. Wednesday, 25th—play at Pretoria. Thursday, 26th. 6.30 p.m— leave ProI’rid ay, 27th, 7 a.m.—arrive Bloemfontein. Saturday, 28th—play at Bloemfontein Monday 30th, 7.15 a.m.—leave Bloemfontein. Monday, 30th, 3.7 p.m.—arrive Burghersdorp. AUGUST— Wednesday, Ist—play at Burghersdorp. 1 hursday, 2nd, 3.7 p.m.—leave Burghersdorp. Friday, 3rd, 6.30 a.in.—arrive East London. Saturday. 4th—play at East London. 1 uesday, 7th, 11.5 a.m.—leave East London. Tuesday, 7th, 1.53 a.m.—arrive Kingwj 11 in ms to wn. Thursday, Dili. 2.1-1 p.,,,.—|,. uvu Klllg . williainstown. Friday, 10th, 0.5 a.m—arrive Port Elizabeth. Saturday, Uth play al Port Elizabeth. Saturday, I oil. Third Teat., Port Elizabeth. Sunday, 10l.li, .’l.iO p.m. -leave Port Eliza.lml.li. Monday, Uol.li, 7.20 a.m.—arrive OudtWc/bmudiry, 22nd--piny nt Oudtshoorn. 'I biirnday, 23rd, 7.35 a.m.—leave OudtI ridny, 2411,, 7.51 am.—arrive (Japetown. Saturday, 25th piny at Capetown. SEPTEMBER, .Saturday, l H t Fourth 'Towt, Capetown. Tuesday, VI, Sail from Capetown per < -crninic. FIXTURES FOR TO DAY. I 'th' following are the fixtures for Seniors: United v. Stars at Park A Ground, nt. 3 p.m. (Mr W. Williams referee). Juniors:—United A v . Magpies at Park, B Ground, at 3 p.m. (Mr Winchester, referee); Blaketown v. Cobden at Cobden, 3 p.m. (Mr T. Mclntosh referee); Kumara v. Stars at Kumara, 3 p.m. (Mr L. Itewe, referee). Fourth Grade:— Cobden v United at Cobden, at 1.30 pnl . (Mr F. Baillie, referee); Technical v. Blaketown at Park, A Ground, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr W. I’ring referee). Fifth Grade:—United v. Technical H at Park, B Ground, at 1.30 p.m. (Mr A. Jamieson, referee.).

I his afi ternoon the championship fixtures will be commenced, and several senior and lower grade teams will be computing. Rugby should experience a good season, and it is to be hoped, that the general public attending the matches this year will witness some sparkling games.

A review of this afternoon’s United v, Htflr match and notes on the players Will appear in the Bugby Column durmg the coming week.

Albion did well to triumph over Christchurch by one point. They had most of their old players back on Saturday, though both teams were altered

materially in the second spell. Steel showed good form and it is evident that he has at least another successful season in front of him. Mortlock also played well in the Albion rearguard. Christchurch have yet to find some players to replace their All Blacks who will stiffen the defence. They have a good team of burly forwards, some being new to senior football. The Red and Black forwards began in good style ,and Steel went away with a characteristic burst and Mortlock securing, went over. Steel could not manage the kick. Up and down play followed, the pace quickening. The Christchurch forwards bore down in a dribbling rush and Manchester picked up and went over. Cottrell kicked the goal. Polascheck broke through from the Albion ranks and carried the ball over at his toe to gain a try. Steel kicked a good goal. Half time scores: Albion 8, Christchurch 5. A good run by Mortlock early in the second half put Christchurch on the Defensive, and they were compelled to force. The Blacks continued to press, and were nearly over a second time. The forwards were battling welll but a silly cross-kick by Christchurch gave Laing possession and he ran past the opposi tion to score wide out. The kick was too much for Steel. Christchurch strove hard and this period was notable for the great defence by Steel. The Reds got the ball to their backs and persistence was rewarded by Teape scoring beneath the posts. Cotterill again converted. The final score was: Albion 11, Christchurch ’ 10.

The following is an extract from the annual report of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union:—“lt seems fitting now that the Ranfurly Shield has depuirted from this district to place on record the immense value this shield has been to the Hawke’s Bay province, both from the playing and financial points of view. It has created a public interest in football previosuly unequelled, and our only regret is that through the loss of the Shield the public interest has to a certain extent waned, although the subsequent matches provided were fully up to the Shield standard.”

An amusing incident occurred at a concert tendered in Hastings to M. Brownlie and B. Grcnside. Mr J. Brownlie, father of the All Black caplain was unable to be present to respond to the toast to himself, and Maurice Brownlie was asked to act as his substitute. Before Brownlie spoke, congratulations had been extended to L. Brownlie upon his having become a father* “Acting upon the assumption that I am my own father,” said Brownlie, “I must say I am proud of my. boys. Now 1 would like to give you young fellows sOTne advice from one whose day is past,” ho said amidst laughter, and wont on with some amusing fooling and ended by saying. “Now that Mr Bowman has let the cat out of the bag, I suppose I may congratulate myself upon becoming a grandfather.”

‘M&o the Play Fast!’’ Speaking at the send-off to W. Haz-

lett, the vice-captain of the 1905 All Blacks (VV. J. |Btead) made some reference to the prospects of the 1928 All Blacks in South Africa. The great weight and strength of the 1921 Springboks, he said caused the New Zealand forwards to Le of little use in helping their backs. The Now Zealand standard of play was not high when the South Africans played in the Dominion. The Springboks, who the Home formation of four three quarters, seldom pierced the defence near the scrum, relying on speed at the wing to score. The 1928 team would find itself up against a style of play which slowed down the game, and their motto ought to be: “Make the play fast! ”

If they did that they would give a good account of themselves. It wa* reasonable to suppose that South Afric knew New Zealand football- had in proved, and the players must expec hard games,