RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 5 September 1929, Page 3

RUGBY.

. NO MORE CHALLENGES THIS SEASON. (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. Tlio management committee _ of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night de<4,led- that, there! -should be no more challenges' for the Ranfnrly Shield this season. Southland will consequently be left in undisputed possession of the shield until next year. The South Canterbury Union telegraphed as follows: “South Canterbury Union desires to play -a challenge match against Southland for the Ranfurly Shield, the game to be played on September 11.” Mr J. Richardson, secretary of the Southland Onion, telegraphed as follows: “South Canterbury challenged for the shield on September 11. In view of our team arriving direct from Napier on September 10 we consider, the challenge unreasonable and -wo.de sire to decline it until next, season.” Mu- Meredith, an official -of the Southland Union, also 'telegraphed on the subject : “The Southland Union is of opinion that no- challenge should be accepted this year on account of the- numerous casualties in the travelling team, who return on September 10, and -as we require at least three weeks to complete dub fixtures we would like you -to have all challenges held over until next season.” Mr Dean -moved that South Canterbury be informed that September 11 would bo an unsuitable date to ask Southland (u play a match for the shield, and in view of the matches to be placed .this season, the committee was of the opinion that the challenge should lie deferred until next season. AUCKLAND! UNION TO' BE ASKED FOR. EXPLANATION. WELLINGTON. Sept. 4. The action of tho Auckland Rugby Union in playing under rules which, hadnot been sanctioned by the New Zealand Rugby Union was strongly ooanmented upon at the meeting of the management committee of the parent body to-night and a motion was carried asking tho northern union to supply particulars of the unsanctioned miles they were playing under and asking them by what authority these rules had -been introduced. The matter cropped up through the Canterbury Union’s forwarding a copy of tho correspondence which had passed between the Canterbury and Auckland unions concerning the appoint-in-ent of a- referee for -fahe? CairfceribiutryAuckland: match at Auckland. Mi" S. S. Dean said that the time had arrived when the New Zealand Union, .should definitely ask the Auckland Union by what right they were playing rules- which were nob sanctioned bv the New Zealand Union. These rules' included the imaginary line through the back of the scrum and no charges in kicks at goal from tries and marks. The Auckland Union had got things in a pretty tangle with the rules they were playing and it was high time matters were put. in order. At the last conference which liad been held the Auckland delegates had given an assurance that, they would come into line and play the rules as laid down by the New Zealand; Union. He moved: “Tliaf tho Auckland he asked what rules they were playing under which, were not sanetionby 'tho Now Zealand Union, and under what authority they were playing these rules.” . Tho motion was seconded by Mi H. R. Sterling and carried unanimously. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. OTAGO v. HAWKE’S BAA 7 . NAPIER, Sept. 4. In a very hard game played at a hast pace under warm conditions, the Of,ago touring Rugby team beat, Hawke’s Bay at Napier this afternoon by one point, tibe scorns being 14 told. Though the visitors were lucky to emerge the winners, they made fewer mistakes than the home side and made, the best of their opportunities. HawkeAs Bay, territorially, had two-thirds of the play, hut. were unable to (inisth the movements effectually. „ The Hawke's Bay forwards outclassed 1 he opposition pack in the loose and tight, though the latter staged some effective' dribbling Had it not been for the Ha.wkes Bay vanguard, the Otago backs would have been far more dangerous than they were as the home rearguard's defence was not strong. The- Otago team played a solid orthodox game m marked contrast to Hawke’s Bay’s open style. • When eal'ied' on to- defend, the visitors' ranks were almost impenetrable. Time and again, especially in the- fast, quarter, when the home loirwards were tearing gaps in the opposition front line the Otago hacks .smothered and cleared. On the whole, the pilay was not of a high standard, mishandling. principally on the part or Hawke’s- Ba-v, spoiling gcod movements. The Otago- backs showed fine command of the ball in the opening stages, the whole line handling six minutes after the start for Olliver to score in a position that enabled! Nicholson to- convert This initial and very impressive burst on Otago’s part was responded to bv Hawke’s Bay with -raking openorder attacks, in which two possible tries were lost by bad handling. Under marked in a handy position and put, Otago eight points ahead. Just, before half-time Crawford broke from the ruck and sent Campbell over for an unconverted try. tlie interval finding the score: Otago 8, Hawke-si lay o. Webb, the Otago winger did not ~<> on in the second half, which onened by ;m almost sticcessfn'l rush by the home

team. Two long hold-ups occurred ' tliroug.li injuries. Then the; homo forwards carried play to the line, where Faulkes attempted to smother, but McKay snapped up and dived over. Setford converted iand the scores were eight all. The next score came to Otago through an apparent misunderstanding. Nicholson went over, but the referee and the Hawke’s Bav defenders tliouglit lie went out. After consulting the line umpire the referee awarded a try, which. •' Souter failed to convert. With the windi against them and the sun in their eyes, Hawke’s Bay worked hard_ to the line, where Straichan gathered _in at a line-, ’ out and ran over. Grensid© converted.' l 1 The home side continued to have sligjht- - ly the better of the play, though wild - and weak passing robbed! them of points, i Then Olliver (Otago) staged a speetacut lair run from hallf-way which ended in a 1 score well out. Souter missed with the ; kick. In the dying stages Hawke’s s Bay pinned Otago down, but the latr tor’s 'stern defence prevented any fur--1 ther score. There were live retirements through injure. " MANAWHENUA DEFEATS SOUTHLAND. I-AJJMJERSTOIs K., Sept. 4. In a fast, open and interesting game, 2 Alanawhenua yesterday defeatedi the 1 Southland touring team, holders ol : the Ranfurly Shield, hy 27 points to 17. 3 The home team made its best represen- ‘ tativ© showing to date and fully de--2 served its 10-point margin. Playing 2 conditions were idea and a crowd! m 2 the vicinity of 5000 watched the game. 1 During the first spell Manawhenua piled up 13 points without a reply, but 3 Southland went a J,ot better after the 7 change over and put on 17 points to 11 ■ from the combined team. b The visitors were unfortunate m los--2 ing their full-back, Norris, at the - commencement of the game, neeessi--3 tating a reorganisation of the rear- ; fi-uard. Stubbs, who was at centre, went to full-back, while Townsend, who 1 was replaced at second! five-eighths by 3 Pickering, wont into t«lio centre is po&L- - lion. Mohonev. the Southland rover, r also did not take the field, and was me- ? placed by Fitzgerald. AUCKLAND DEFEAT KING COUNTRY. TE KUITI. Sept. 4. Auckland defeated King Country by 17 points to six in a fast, oleaii, open l came .before a big gallery. The veatliei , was fine with a dull breeze blowing. , The Auckland forwards were slightly ' superior in the serums and ime-outs. ; Otherwise the home pack was good. 1 The Auckland backs, specially Bell ana ! Sfoupe, were too fast and dominated [ most of the game. . King Country opened against the wind and, setting the pace, hammered : at the line. Finally Fauilke smotherr iixtT Corner’s kick, ®ooredi in tJie corner, t Tim visiting rearguard then took a * &naippv passing and reverse passing r hand ' and! with delightful running, penetrated thrice before the interval, r when the score was eleven points to i three. r The second spell was more even. 3 King Country attacked for a peraod, i but the visitors made more or their - opportunities. Only good tackling kept 1 the score down. » Tries for An old and were scored bv - Bell (three), Falwasser and Anderson 1 Corner converted one. For King Ooun- - trv Fau'lkesi scored and Roddick kicked