RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 August 1924, Page 11

RUGBY.

NEW PLYMOUTH , HIGH SCHOOL v. AUCKLAND GRAMMAR. NOTES ON TTTE MATCH. Eor school boys the Aucklanders were a team of giants, and had an overwhelming advantage in height and weight over the- local boys. Combined Avitli this they had speed, which.made them an exceedingly dashing and fine combination. They played a game characteristic of Auckland teams —that of dinging the ball about in fast open rushes with no definite formation. They were a better team and fully deserved their win.

Outclassed in weight, height and in some respects speed, the New Plymouth boys put up a game fight, and were by no means disgraced in being defeated bv such a team, even by a. larger margin. Yet the Sol cud team did net play its usual game. A slowness was apparent in sending the ball out from the half through the five-eighths, which left the wingers too well marked. With Grammar hooking the ball and controlling the line-outs, High School had few opportunities to use their backs in fast passing attacks as they are accustomed, but they had their defence well tested, and it was not found wanting. There was a slight weakness in the fiveeighths, who were not so versatile as their opponents; in fact, the whole team appeared to lack some of their usual snappiness, giving the impression of staleness, which is not to be wondered at near the close of such an exacting season.

The game was peculiar in some respects. Play was dull in the beginning, each team appearing to be thoroughly testing the other before attempting to take any liberties. Then it appeared as though Grammar would have an easy victory, hut the High School rose to it subsequently and play became faster. The end was a brilliant finish to a stirring contest, the result of which was in doubt until the gong aetuallv sounded “no side.”

REPRESENT A TIYE MATCHES

WELLINGTON ’S EXPERIMENT

In consequence of the contention that too many outside matches are being played, to the prejudice of local club matches, a theory which -has found an echo in other places as well as Wellington, the Rugby Union decided this season to confine its attention to club matches,’only one or two representative matches having been played so far, and in each case practically junior teams were put in the field. According to one authority the result of these tactics has been exactly the opposite of Avhat was expected. It is claimed that never before has so little interest been taken in club matches* and not for many years has the standard of play here been so low. Against, this may be urged the fact that for eleven successive weeks rain fell every Saturday and kept the public away; but it is a fact that no Wellington side has had any practice together, and in the’representative matches now coming on the men Avill be entirely raw and without combination. This is contrasted with the numerous games the Auckland and Hawke’s Bay men have had the opportunity of playing. WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. The season is over, and the Wednesday players have. Jiffd a fairly .successful season. They, however, must have affiliation with the Rugby Union, and so secure a control the want of which proved very unfortunate in such an occurrence as happened at the play-off, when a team walked off the field. No team can be allowed to take matters in their own hands in that. way. The Hawera City team, which won the championship and will hold the banner for a year, Intel a fine record. They scored seven wins and no losses, giving them 14 match points, secured 94 points and had 41 put up against them.

The banner, which was presented by Mr. R. i). Wilson, is played for under the following conditions: The executive hold it ns trustee for the donor, the wining team each year hold it until the final match of the succeeding season and shall be responsible for its safety, and it is to be returned to the donor if the competitions lapse. In giving it Mr. Wilson said he hoped it would be “the subject of keen competition and an incentive to clean and honest fotoball.”

COLLEGE TOURNAMENT

The triangular tournament between Wellington and Christ’s Colleges and Wanganui Collegiate produced a series of excellent matches, in which the College standard of play was on the whole well maintained. Christ’s swept the board, while "Wanganui had to be content with second honours, and Wellington spoilt' a great record made in the previous "forty years by having

. to accept defeat from both teams. One’s \ mind went back, as one saw the play, 'to the great master coach Mr. J. P. Firth, to whom, more than to any other, during many years the college owed its success, to Mr. J. Bee, Mr. W. P. Evans, Mr. J. A. Collins, and many others. There passed in review before one’s mind the scores of hoys who under the guidance of these masters played the game for the game's sake and for the honour of the school. Every school has its ups and downs in this as in most things else. This year is not to Wellington. Reverses must | steel them to greater efforts to retrieve i their losses. I Certainly Christ’s have a remarkably fine team, and deserved to win. They have not quite so strong a pack, and in this feature Wellington had perhaps the hotter of the play; but their hack play was excellent. The passes came with precision and accuracy, and so snappily that they were hard to intercept. They deserved their success and no one will begrudge them the honour. It must, however, in justice to Wellington, lie slated (hat the general opinion Was i lint on lhe driv’s play there was not- anything like nine points between the learns,' and that on one occasion at least they crossed the line and wore entitled to a try. which was disallowed. Wanganui have also a very fine team and some of their hacks are as good as one has seen in a school learn. Their success serves to demon si rate how good the New Plymouth High School are, who beat them some weeks ago. In the Wellington team are two players who stood out above the rest. Those are the wing; throe-quarter. Hannn —a son. it must be added, of the Hon. J. A. Hanan—and the wing

forward, M. T. Greig. Hanan is remarkably fast, and very difficult to stop when once under way. He stood out as the best back on the ground. The little wing forward was remarkably smart and determined. He played a great game. The weakness appeared t<> he in the inside hacks, who failed grievously time after time. In consequence the wings were largely starved. Generally speaking, the ’Wellington forwards were superior It would have been a great match to have seen New Plymouth with their best, team some weeks ago in action against Christ’s College. The sight of these young players, all fit. as racehorses, batt ling for* the honour of their schools, took one back many yen-rs, and was altogether inspiring. The parents of the hoys, numbers of whom were on the ground, were plainly as jealous of the honour of the schools as were the boys. The school matches are truly a glorious sight to see.

THE EANFURLY SHIELD. SOME PAST HISTORY.

Last Saturday’s Rugby contest at Napier between Hawke’s Bay and Auckland for the Rnnfurly Shield recalls the fact that it. was in 1922 that the present holders came into possession of the trophy, lifting it from Wellington in August of that year in a special challenge match, being victorious by 19 points to 9. Although heaten twice on the southern tour the same month, possession of the shield was not involved, as they were not challenge games.

Hawke’s Bay played the regulation limit of six matches in 1923 and successfully defended the shield. Wairarapa and Auckland both beat the holders in return matches, after the black and whites had warded off the respective challenges of those two unions for the Rnnfurly Shield. This year Hawke’s Bay has already successfully defended three Rnnfurly Shield challenges. On .Tune 3rd Wairavapa were defeated at Napier 30 —14, on June 31 at Napier Poverty Bay wore overwhelmed by 40—10, and on Saturday, August 13, 'Nelson were annuiliifitted by 3:1 to 3. RECORD OF THE BAY.

1905: v. Wellington, at Wellington, lost 3 to 11. 1907: v. Auckland, at Auckland, lost 3 to 12. 1910: v. Auckland, at Auckland, lost 3 to 11. 1921: v. Wellington, at Wellington, lost 1 to 20. 1922: v. Wellington, at Wellington, Avon 19 to .9. 1922: a*. Bay of Plenty, at Napier, Avon 17 to 16. 1922: v. King Country, at Napier, Avon 42 to 8. 1923: v. Wairavapa, at Napier, Avon 6 to o.' 1923: a*. Wellington, at Napier, Avon 10 to G. 1923: v. Povertv Bay, at Napier, Avon 15 to 0. 1923: v. Canterbury, at Hastings, Avon 9 to 8. 1923: a’. Horowhenua, at Hastings, won 38 to 11. 1923: v, Auckland, at Napier, Avon 20 to 5. 1924: a'. Wairavapa, at Napier, Avon 30 to 14. 1924: v. Povertv Bay, at Napier, Avon 46 to 10. 1924: v. Nelson, at Hastings, Avon 35 to 3. Won 12; Lost 4; Points 301 to 144. “LIFTING” THE SHIELD. A RARE PEAT.

In the history of the Ranfurly Shiehl ‘Oho holder for the time being 7 ’ lias been defeated seven times only in "Shield” mntehes since 1902, involving very few changes of ownership in the 22 years of its existence. Here are the performances: — 1904 ; Wellington defeated Auckland at Auckland by 6 points to 3. Be-

force, W Potts (Auckland). P9O.Y Auckland defeated Wellington, at Wellington, by 10 points to 0. Referee, .T. F. Manning (then Palmerston North, now Wellington). 191 Taranaki defeated Auckland, at. Auckland, bv 34 points to 11. Referee, E. McKenzie (Carterton). 1911: Wellington defeated Taranaki, at Strat.for'4., by 12 points to fi. Referee. G. W. Nicholson (Auckland). 1920: Southland defeated Wellington, at Invercargill, by 17 points to 6. Referee. 11. Stalker (Invercargill). 1921: Wellington defeated • Southland, " at ’ Wellington, by 28 points to 13. Referee, R. McKenzie (Dunedin). 1922: Hawke’s Bnv defeated Wellington, at Wellington, by 19 points to 9. Referee, A. E. Neilsen (Wellington). Hawke’s Bay’s remaining 1924 engagements are: August 30: v. !Mannwatu. September —: v. Bay of Plenty.

HAWKE MS BAY AND AUCKLAND

RECORDS IN 1923 COMPARED

Hawke’s Bav

v. Wa.irarnpa, won 6 to 0. v. Wellington, won 1.0 to 6. v. Wairarapa (at Carterton), lost 0 to 6. v. Poverty Bay, won 1.1 to 0. . v. Canterbury, won 9 to 8. v. Bush Districts, won 17 to (5. v. Bay of Plenty, won 27 to 0. v. King Country, won 14 to 8. v. Taranaki, won 29 to 3. v. Wanganui, won Id to 0. v. New South Wales, won 32 to 11. v Horowhonua, won 38 to 11. v. Auckland (shield match), won 20

to 1. v. Auckland (soldiers’ memorial), lost 9 to 17. Won 12, lost 2; points 242 to 91. Auckland.

v. Maori team (after X.S.W. tour)

won 8 to 3. v. Southland, won 37 to 3. v. Taranaki, won 30 to 9. v. Wanganui, won IS to 0. v. Northland, won 33 to 9. v. Otago, won 10 to 1. v. New South Wales, won 27 to 11. v.. Wellington, won 21 to 1. v. Hawke’s Bay (shield match), lost 1 In 20. v. Hawke's Bay (soldiers’ memorial mat eh), won 17 to 9. Won 9, lost 1; points 212 to 74.

RUGBY POINTERS

(Chronicle.)

Taking a Pass Off-side: Tn spote of the demonstration of the crowd at a lavent match, players can take a pass offside —intercept a pass—and the referee can only penalise a player if he thinks the player lias been waiting offside on purpose.

The Referees’ Bugbear: The appealing in the Maori game recently Avas appalling, and the referee Avas kindness itself in only cautioning the offenders. On one occasion one player deliberately offside appealed for a free kick against an opponent also offside. The referee promptly awarded. the free kick — against the ‘ ‘ squealer. ’ ’ During Taranaki-Wanganui Game: The blues Avere penalised for pulling an opponent, avlio Avas on the ball on the ground, off the ball in an endeavour to keep play going. This is one of those “double-barrelled” free kicks, but as the defender avus obviously guilty of deliberate obstruction by lying on the ball on the ground, and, being on the ground, not immediately getting up, his side should liaA’e had the penalty against them, not the attacking side. Funny thing this - also happened in the Taranaki-ManaAvatu game, as the touring team Avhen here asked the local referee to gh~e his ruling thereon before playing.

Also Noticed at New Plymouth: One Aving-forwnrd pulled the other side’s winger offside and promptly appealed and got a free kick. Hardly thought a referee Avould be bluffed into this noAvadaA's.

Tut Tut! A disgruntled enthusiast avlio had just Avitnessed his old team defeated stopped the referee as he Avas leaving the field: “Where’s your dog?” quoth he. “Dog?” echoed the ‘whistler.’ “I hnA’e no dog.” “Well, lioav do you get about? Every blind man ought to have a dog,” retorted •the barrneker. What’s rules anyivny? Judging by the number of “Avash-outs,” unsuccessful kicks at goal, during the To AuteTcchnienl game recently, the HnAvke’s Bay boys are apparently not made to understand and observe the rules in the spirit in Avhich they are Avrittcn. Obstruction: Above remark also applies here, and although Te Ante Avere frequently “blown up” for bad breaches in this direction and actually had a penalty try up against them once, the referee Avas fairly tolerant and could have penalised them much more. Tactics like these are abhorrent in any game, and school footy should be above this business.

Bluff! Noticed last Aveek: A player in placing the ball for a kick at goal deliberately placed his hand (a big one, loo) in front of the ball, evidently Avith the idea of “kidding” the other side to charge before the ball Avas on the ground. Unfortunately for him the referee spotted him once and spoke about it, and the player attempted an argument. Referee could huA'e penalised his side for deception, i.c., doing something to Avilfully mislead his opponents into thinking the ball Avas down Avhen it Avas not. That’s the only Avav to teach “pointers” the rules. “Harold Ilardupp” in a Sydney journal: I Avas Avatching the downfall of a once poAverful Melbourne football team Avlien the man on my right sighed heavily. “Wot a pity Eizzgill isn’t playin’ for ’em now,” he said. Then lie confided to me that only the previous night he had had to go bail for Eizzgill, avlio was charged Avith grievously ill-treating his wife. “He does wallop his missus somethin’ terrible. But then,” he added apologetically, “when a bloke’s an athlete, sjnd ’o gives up the game, ’e’s gottcr ’ave exercise of some sort.” i