RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 May 1925, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY TEAM (UY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, May 19. A civic reception was given to the members of the Sydney l mversity football team this afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. 0. J Norwood) extended a cordial welcome to the visitors. There was nothing better lie said,' than an interchange of visits between university teams, which, bred a fine .sporting spirit and took men ou to. other countries while they were yet ybilh". ! With their entry -into professions and the business world a bettor understanding could not tail to be brought about as a result. iCouncillors extended a welcome, wishing the victors good hick with reservations. Mention was made of the hospitality extended to visiting teams to Australia. ’ . .. ~ Mr.. R. 0. Martin, manager oi tne ■visiting team, returned thanks. He said the jirogiess. of the Hiigby game -in New South Wales vyas in' a great measure due to the visit of New Zealand teams.

THE GAME AT AUCKLAND

DISPUTE ENDS IN DEADLOCK

AUCKLAND, May 19

■The organisation for the proper control of Rugby football games in Auckland has been temporarily thrown out of gear just when things had been got into" sirfooth running order by the ac- ■ tion of the Grammar Old Boys’ Club in verbally objecting to a referee, Mr Peace, after he had been appointed by the appointment board, alleging bias • on his part against the club. Although the Rugby Union confirmed the appointment, the referee declined to act, and requested an 'investigation. The game was played on Saturday under another referee appointed to fill the extraordinary vacancy. A sequel to the affair has been the resignation of the appointment board, and a resolution by the Referees’ Association requesting that the Grammar Club be required to substantiate its allegation or withdraw it and apologise, with an addendum that, if the affair :is not satisfactorily settled by Friday next, up member of the association will control any game in which the Grammar Club is interested. The nosition, in short, is that until 'the matter is satisfactorily settled there is no machinery for the appointment of referees for the games on Saturday, and the referees decline to act under a makeshift arrangement. KAPONGA v. STRATFORD. ; Noted season for their prowess in forward division play, the Kaponga players worthily maintained that reputation in their struggle with Stratford on Saturday last, when in a game .which showed mainly as a forward battle their vanguard attacking combination, together with the sound defence of their rear division, gave them victory‘over a pack containing players of the calibre of J. Walter and Kivell. The success of the Kaponga forwards may be ascribed to their fast dribbling Tushes, which proved difficult to cheek while the' hall was on the ground, and the combined support given to whoever was leading the particular movement. The losers, on the other , hand, continually lost ground through attempting to* handle the ball, and their efforts, even though at times dangerous to the opposition, failed to achieve.results mainly because they were of an individual rather than a combined order. In the Kaponga pack Malone again proved the leader and most consistent battler, and even though opposed to J. Walter, Taranaki’s representative in the All Blacks selected during the week-end. and Kivell, another of Taranaki’s nominees; gave unmistakable evidence that his nomination for New Zealand representative honours Was fully justified. McCook showed as another formidable battler, and will be a yaluahle acquisition to Kaponga if he can be persuaded to remain in the pack throughout the season. Of the others, Espin was often noted in heading loose rushes, and Ernie Scott toiled well, particuarly in the tight work. All, however, kept well on the ball, and sustained the rapid pace right to the close of the game. Behind the scrum B. Hammersley went down gamely to check the Stratford pack, and tackled well when occasion demanded. In this phase of play he was well supported bvLynskey at first fiveeighths, who as" a defensive and an attacking back was Kaponga’s most useful player. A. Guy’s sure tackling Was also a feature, and his goal kicking ability again proved useful. C. Whalen, on the right wing, was constantly in the limelight, and his pace was on two occasions the means of defeating attacks by Stratford. On the other wing J. McCarty was usually reliable, but Occasionally ran a risk in coming too close up to the pack. C. Paterson at centre was sound, as was also G. Paterson, who met his responsibilities ;as full-back with credit. In defence the home backs ga t ve a sterling exhibition, but to be successful in attack they have yet to acquire better combination and greater rapidity and sureness in passing movements. "For Stratford, the outstanding forwards in a pack which was by no means mediocre were J. Walter and A. Kivell. While Walter was the more constantly notable in spectacular breakaway play, Kivell mnv be credited with ii bigger .share of the gruelling Work entailed when close order play ruled. Walter is to be congratulated ■ on his promotion to All Black status, and mav be depended upon to uphold the traditions of New Zealand forward play. Fryday, the rover, played with vigour, but did not equal the dash of his vis-a 7 vis,' J. Paterson. Dowset showed as Stratford best back, his play in the first spell, when as second five-eighth 6 he continually stemmed the powerful dashes of the Kaponga vanguard; being; particularly commend- * able. The middle backs as a whole Were slow in the initiation of passing movements, as th£ result of which they were never allowed to develop an attack. The wings. Jans and Coulton, played with speed, and made some determined bids, but as the hall usually reached them, from punts hv their opponents, thev were crowded ou t when, nearing their objective.