RUGBY NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 722, 2 June 1923, Page 9

RUGBY NOTES.

(By “Cross-Bar.”

The Kia Ton-Western United clash last Saturday was a colourless affair, and spectators did not wax very enthusiastic. Sympathy if anything favoured the “under dogs” and in the flashes when Western temporarily held the upper hand they were urged on to greater efforts by the spectators, but the game was well advanced before they “broke the ice.” Western’s first score came in a peculiar manner. A penalty within the danger zone saw the kick at goal fall short and a fumble by Glasson enabled Nelson, who had followed up fast, to seize the leather and ground alongside the posts. Waller had, however, left his kicking boots at home and failed to find the uprights. Their second score was also a spectacular one. McKinley, who had previously figured in the junior game, was displaying initiative and dash and sprang a surprise when he dashed in at the inner end of a line-out and taking the hull in his stride set sail for the line. The movement left the opposition standing and he dived over at the corner flag to score a good try. Five players figured in the Kia Tea total, Feeder, Mullins, Spencer and Swainson scoring tries, to two of which Swaiuson added the major points. Glasson was responsible for four points from a neat goal from the field. Feeder’s pace stood him in good stead, and to this he owes his try. He was rather unfortunate in not being given a try just previous from a fast follow up, the referee being somewhat slow in ruling that he had been in front at the time of the marker’s kicking.

Mullins and Swainson were two strong defensive pivots for Kia Tea, but they also shelved that they were dangerous on the attack, tries being gained by both players from passing bouts.

Glasson, at inside five-eights, was erratic and the movements were frequently haphazard and disjointed on this account. O’Keefe Bros., Spencer, and o*Brien are a dangerous quartette, the last named pair more particularly in the open. A tiger in the tight was Jackson and this burly .for ward is showing vast improvement with every match. Kia Tea, however, missed their burly lock, Anderson. His brother, in the opposing ranks, is a great battler, hut what a front ranker he would make if he had more weight.

The outstanding feature of the Western back play was Cockrol't’s kicking, which repeatedly gained great stretches of ground. Gordon, left winger for Kia Toa, made use of his great pace and frequently crossed the front of his field, but he unfortunately did not receive an opportunity for a straight clash. Cross-kicking to this player should prove worthy of attention. Western United have certainly the foundation of a good side, their forwards being all toilers, but it is in the rear division that finesse is lacking and combined movements are noticeable by reason of their absence.

Peilding, as was expected, put up a great fight against Woodville, and the latter team must be considered lucky to annex a win by a field goal to an unconverted try. Peilding owe their defeat in a big measure to the lack of a reliable kicker, and to miss the major points from a score by the posts must have been attended with considerable disappointment, a penalty within easy shooting range also went astray. The yellow and blacks, howeyer, promise to figure more prominently as the round proceeds, and the positions of the leading teams may undergo a change. A. Laurie, formerly of the Old Boys Club, Wellington, is an important addition to the ranks of the Woodville team.

High School are not this year the team of old, although they still have several players of repute. In their match versus Western United, the schoolboys were at sea in the opening half, although they held the upper hand practically throughout. Their attacks Jacked finish and, save Pacey, the inner men seldom attempted the “cut-in.” In the second half that nippy forward, Kells, turned an opportunity to account and before the spell ended the total had been carried to 10. Pacey played a great game, his strong running taking a power or stopping. He accounted for ten points, seven of which were as a result of his accuracy in kicking. Barling played a sound game at fullback, and following his being brought up to five-eighths was equally at home. The two wingers, Palmer and Davis, both possess pace, and on the occasions when the ball reached them put in some good dashes. Bennett, who followed the game from the line, was a notable absentee from the ranks of the School team.

Engine, full-back for Western United, had a heavy part, but emerged with colours Hying. Ormond was playing when a strain received in a tackle round the neck compelled him to leave the field.

McKinley did not get many opportunities on the wing and figured more prominently in the senior clash—his second appearance that afternoon. The forwards were a useful lot and kept School very busy following the resumption after “lemons.”

Monday will witness the holding of the annual seven a-,side tournament, when some 43 teams will participate. In the rear divisions of several teams, both senior and junior, there are a number of speed merchants, and highly spectacular football should eventuate. Mauawatu will have a heavy list of representative fixtures this season, quite apart from the Southern tour. Poverty Bay and Taranaki are the latest unions to seek fixture dates.

The Maori representatives will not now play in Palmerston North, the match having been allotted to Waikato owing to the team departing from Auckland.

Several instances have been reported of players receiving nasty gashes as the result of worn studs. Clubs should see that their players are correctly shod or they will find the referee enforcing the rule and the player or players concerned will join the spectators on the side line.

Pirates (Dunedin) were exnected on Saturday to put up a hard fight against University A, but the latter ran opt winners by 36 to 8. “Billy” Pea is apparently striking form, as the South Island and All Black player figures prominently in the report of tho match. He has now Dr. Perry alongside him. Hawke’s Bay will take the field on June -1 against Wairarapa to defend the llanfurly Shield. A nou-trained team can neither “make nor takq tho pace,” and a nontrained man is easiest hurt. Fitness makes play a pleasure.—Ei E; Booth, the old international.

"White, of Waikiwi, played a great game—the best forward on the ground! Line-out work and handling good, tackling as usual, and footwork magnificent. It looks as if his third “All Black” cap is approaching—“ Hooker,” in the Southland Nows. Steel, the All Black three-quarter, is reported to be in fine fettle again this season. Playing for Star against Marists at Greymouth, he gave what was considered to be his best exhibition on the Coast. In the first spell Marists led by 10 to 0; but, thanks to Steel’s brilliant play, Star snatched a victory in masterly style.