SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNEY

Matamata Record, Volume XVIII, Issue 1626, 9 May 1935, Page 5

SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNEY

Fine Sporting Exhibition

That Rugby football is undoubtedly the national game in New Zealand was once again proved when the last item on the Jubilee programme at Bedford Park on Monday —the seven-a-side Rugby tournament —was announced, for the whole of the . crowd was not only once again drawn to the football field, but a large portion of it held, .till the final game, which was not concluded until 5 p.m., or after the • sun had sat. That so many waited in the very cold evening wind so late was a striking illustration of the hold Rugby has on the public. The winners were Matamata B, and the various scores were:— First Round. Matamata A 13, Patetere A 0. Wardville A 16, Hinuera A 3. Matamata B 11, Patetere B 0. Hinuera p 12, Wardville B 3. Semi-finals Wardville A* 8, Matamata A 3. . Matamata B 8, Hinuera iB 6. Final Matamatd B 8, Wardville A 3. There was a good muster of referees in attendance, and the games were shared* 5:1 • } ■ Each of the senior teams in the district fielded two. teams, and interesting games eventuated. There was evidence, however, that many of the players had -little or no previous experience of this class of football, and positional play and backing up which is so essential* was markedly absent on occasion. However, a very fine sporting spirit prevailed throughout,’ and to fill odd gaps and keep faith with the public some players obligingly changed over in the later stages of the competition from one team to another with the permission of all concerned. The best team in the competition was undoubtedly Wardville A. Led by W. Carroll the remainder of the team was Ellis, Litchwark, Thomas, Munro, Sullivan and Saxon. This was the only team to make no 'changes throughout and had veryhard luck to be beaten by Matamata B, after having had all the best of the game y by & sMp try and conversion scored kttiei’ time; The Wardville team shftfte ftf pafee off the mark and backing ttfr imd‘ were undoubtedly the best teali* 6A 1 view. • Matamata iB in the final game was led by Cohen, and the other flayers were W. H. Carlson, Madill, Gibson, Cole, Howard and Delaney. In ihe Wardville team Thomas, a new--comer from Hawke’s Bay, caught the eye\ as a heady player of intuition and skill.. In the semi-final he ’dropped two very fine goals against Matamata A, and he also made the only try fpr his side in the final. His general , all round play was very good/ 'Ellis, Carroll arid Litchwark also shone out, ibut Saxon, Munro and Sullivan 'were little behind, and this seven Shone as a team.

Delaney commanded attention throughout the .afternoon, for both Matamata teams, and his strong running, enterprise and speed at centre threequarter were outstanding. But for lack of appreciation of the; offside rule his play would have been first-class. Madill also stood out in general play, especially tackling, while Howard confirmed his previous dashing exhibitions. .Carlson did not appear to be extending himself as much as usual, arid with Cole, though accomplishing much good work, was hardly as finished in his movements as expected. Indeed, both Matamata teams - lost many points through failure at critical moments to gVe or take passes which would have meant certain scores.

A feature of the afternoon was* the number of scores made after time was called through players keeping the ball in play, and the promise shown by junior players, such as Hopkins, Edmunds, Cannell and R. Hughes. . . v

THIRD GRADE LIMIT Walton Club Offend The secretary of the Matamata Rugby Union, Mr. C. E. Barry, reported at Tuesday’s meeting that he had weighed the Walton third grade team on Saturday after its match with Old Boys, and found that several were ineligible. No protest had been entered.

The secretary read the list which was checked over with the team list, and .the ineligible players .were-con-firmed. u.

A representative of the' Old Boys Club remarked that the club would

not protest, -but left the matter to the committee. The dub would be satisfied with a replay and did not want the match awarded it. Mr, J. E. Barker said that he had fieard some difference of opinion in regard t© the age for third grade players. He thought a list of all third grade players should be submitted at the beginning of the season. The chairman pointed out that this was the rule. Messrs. Morrow and Cotter then moved that the game be replayed. Mr. Hawes moved an amendment that the game be forfeited. In any sports if a club did not comply with the rules they were disqualified. Mr. Clover seconded the amendment.

The amendment was defeated and the motion was then carried with two dissentient voices. *