RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 511, 25 September 1922, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ROGERS CUP COMPETITION. WON BY HIGH SCHOOL. There was an invasion of footballers and their supporters from Feilding on Saturday, but the local High School triumphed in both matches, although their win in the Rogers cup contest was undoubtedly a lucky one. A BRIGHT DISPLAY. The curtain-raiser between the second Team, from the local High School and Feilding High School provided a sparkling display in which the ball was thrown about in very open manner. In the opening half Palmerston North held the upper hancL and within ten minutes Kells opened his scoring account and added the major points himself. A quick invasion by the visitors saw Cooper break through but the try was not improved on. The play swept a, back and the fleet-footed Kells run clean through to score behind the posts, the try being converted. From sonic loose play in Palmerston North territory Pearso finished off a great run by scoring wide out; the major points were not added. From a scrum at half way the ball whipped out to Tiers who cut in and handed on to Evans to Kells, who scored and converted. Again Kells came into the picture by intercepting a pass and swelled his total another three. An attack along the left wing swung across to the right, McDonald finishing oil the movement by scoring. Kells added the major points. Half-time was called with the score hoard reading; Palmerston North 23, Feilding 6. The visitors were forcing matters on resumption, but a good run by I. Rickard transferred the play to Feilding territory. From a kick-out the koine rearguard' got moving and Evans beat the defence with the dummy pass. The kick was a poster. The < Feilding fullback was instrumental in instituting an attack but Palmerston North forwards broke away and from a scrum on the line H, Rickard scored. Kells converted. It was quickly followed by a sensational run by Kells, who completely beat the defence, and raced over. He added the major points himself and the game closed 1 almerston North High School 36, Feilding High School 6. . . The scores are by no means a fair indication, for the Feilding school fought hard, but their rearguard movements did not have the finish of the local boys. Mr Low controlled the game. THE ROGERS CUP.

The main match was by no moans so spectacular as the curtain-raiser. Feilding, with their advantage in height and weight in the forwards, preferred to keep the game tight with spasmodic movements by their backs. Throughout, the tackling was hard indeed over much so, on the part of some of the visitors, and the referee had occasion to warn one player twice. From the kick-oIF the visitors forced the attack and High School were hard put to withstand the heavy assaults. Occasional break aways saw play temporarily removed from the danger zone, but back it would swing and the schoolboys infringed the rules throe times iu close succession, and at his third attempt Matthews succeeded in turning his kick to good account. Towards the end of the spell the local boys were forcing matters and electric runs by Brophy, Bennett ancJ/Pacey spelt danger, • but the fierce trfckling brought the attacks up short. Ir seemed at this stage as though Feilding were being run oil their legs, but following the spell at half-time they resumed with the same dash and set up a long attack on the High School line, but the defence proved sound, Trehey playing faultlessly at full-back. Towards the end it was apparent that Feilding were resting on their throe-point advantage,. and an openingpresented to Brophy saw that player break away. In a sensational burst of speed # hc went clean through to the opposing fullback. Bennett i%ced up in support and took his pass, but finding the Feilding players rallying round, sheered oil on the aJiglo infield and, although tackled on the line, forced his way over, his tackier being thrown up against the goal post and suilering temporary- concussion. The try brought the crowd to its feet and long wore the cheers which greeted the two players, who had turned defeat into victory. Brophy added the major points. Feilding hurried back to the attack, but the final whistle saw- the schoolboys withstanding all assaults, and their hard earned but lucky victory gives them possession of tho Rogers Cup. Mr A. W. Thompson was in charge of the whistle.