RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1001, 28 April 1924, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

OLD BOYS' GOOD VICTORY. KIA TOA'S SURPRISE WIN. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior. Old Boys 20 v. Woodville 6. Kia Toa 11 v. Foilding 8. Junior. High School 21 v. Bunnythorpe 6. Old Boys 34 v. Woodville 6. Linton 11 v. Foilding 9. Kia. Toa 10 v. Western 6. Third Grade. High School 23 v. Bunnythorpe 6. Feilding H.S. 36 v. Western 5. Old Boys 35 v. Feilding 3. Fourth Grade. Kia Toa 27 v. High School 11. P.N. Technical 9 v. Feilding H.S. 8. Woodville 3 v. Feilding 3. Western defaulted to Old Boys. A good deal of interest centred in the Ofd Boys-Woodvillo fixture at the Showgrounds on Saturday as it was considered that the outcome would throw some definite light on the prospects of the participating loams. On tho opening day Old Boys and Woodville had both registered victories, but Feilding had the bye and were thus an unknown quantity The opening half of tlio local game found the exchanges fairly evenly divided, the Woodville pack, playing with great dash, curtailing the activities of the dangerous opposing rearguard by keeping the game tight. There were occasional flashes of spectacular rearguard movements and both sides were unlucky in not penetrating, Old Boys particualrly so. A throe-points' advantage secured by the home team was early lost in the second half, but they eventually outstayed and outplayed their opponents and won comfortably by 20 points to six. Thus last year's winners have at present to be content with the second rung on tho championship ladder, which position they share with Kia Toa. The absence of three or four players from Kia Toa's ranks did not promise well for their chances against Feilding, whom they were meeting on their own ground. Although the yellow and blacks wero spoken of in high terms, their -first appearance does not promise well, for Kia Toa lowered their colours in no uncertain manner, tho victory coming as a big surprise to even Kia Toa's most optimistio supporters. OLD BOYS v. WOODVILLE. VISITORS OUTPLAYED.

Old Boys: Eglinton, Daw, Purcell, Seeker, Brophy-, Rose, Akuira, D. Glendinning, Hope, McKenzie, Birss, Galpin, Anderson. Stewart and Carroll. Woodville: Jones, Dalmanche, Oxenham, Cowie, Weitzell', Mair, McNeill, Gothard, Peebles, McConachy, Wade, Harding, Berkahn, McHerron and Dobbyn. When the teams filed out, dark clouds had rolled overhead which threatened early rain and this no doubt affected in big measure the attendance of the public which was restricted to Iwo or three hundred. Rain set in during the progress of the game and, although light, made tho ball somewhat greasy. Woodville (blues), facing the light southern breeze, set the ball in motion, a short low kick finding touch. From the throw in Old Boys (blacks) were penalised and the visitors had a shot at goal, but the ball fell short and Purcell cleared. Blues were, however, working like trojans in the pack and immediately returned, Mair and McNeill in turn - being pushed into touch when almost over. Oif-side play by an attacker brought relief to Old Boys. Seeker finding the half-way flag. From a scrum in midfield Akuira sent his backs lacing away and a beautiful cut-in by Purcell carried him down to Jones, the opposing full-back, but the hand-on was dropped by Law, a beautiful chance thus going astray. An exchange of kicks saw Dalmanche fail to accept cleanly and Mo Neill coming back got off-side. A long shot at goal went to Cowie who kicked to touch. A wild pass from the loose let the blue pack sweep downfield, the rush being halted at the corner. An exchange of kicks between Oxenham and Brophy saw the latter find touch. The fierce assaults of the blue pack again spelt danger for Old Boys, but the home forwards in turn carried play well upheld and, although repelled, Eglinton put them in a good position by a kick which found touch well inside the blues' twenty-five. An exchange of marks saw tho advantage lie with Old Boys who worked along tho left wing. A snap mark by Akuira on the line-out enabled this player to open the scoring, his shot at goal finding the uprights,—Old Boys 3. Woodville 0.

The kick-out was recalled, but a low kick by Galpin was snapped up by McNeill, who found tone}]. Play swung across field where Purcell dodged his way until his progress was barred. His short punt was. however, charged down and the blues rushed downfield. Law, who had been putting in some very solid defensive work, again coming to the rescue. Akuira swung the ball out to his backs and it passed to Seeker who made a bold bid for the line, Dahoanche grassing him when almost over. With Old Boys hotly attacking right under the goal posts an infringement be an attacker brought relief to Woodvillo. McNeill and Oxenham worked down the left wing, interchanges carrying them to Eglinton, who halted their progress by snapping up a mark well within the danger zone: Brophy directly following, came into the picture and the home pack carried onwards. Dobbyn and Gothard headed a return rush but a • kick downfield by Purcell saw Cowie in difficulties, a force saving the visitors. Law's return following the kickout was marked by Cowio who found the line with a good kick. A spectacular run by Law saw this speedy player hand off to Oxenham and dash down to Jones, but he elected to pass, his throw infield being unaccepted. Mcllerron burst away, but Kose halted him by marking and had a shot at goal, the wind carrying the ball outside the uprights. Old Boys, however, continued to force matters and Woodvillo were hard pressed to keep the attackers at bay. Half-time found play in blue territory with but the one score recorded.

SECOND HALF. Woodville hurried to the attack on resumption, Mair setting Oxenham off for the corner, but he was halted when dangerous. The pressure was maintained and a loose scrummage right on Old Boys' line saw McConachy pick up and dive over. Mair failed—Woodville 3, Old Boys 3. Stirred by their success,, tho blues swarmed back and off-sido play by Carroll promised to add a further three points but Wade failed in an easy attempt to goal. Carroll made amends by heading an Old Boys rush. The ball was »\vun| out to the backs and passed from Rose to Seeker and back to Brophy, but the movement was spoilt by a low pass when tho attack was but a few yards short of their objective. A long kick by Oxenham went over Old Boys' goal line, but Brophy carried out and found the touch line beyond the half-way flag. Play became fast and furious, each side in turn assuming the offensive, a brilliant tackle halting Seeker when danger threatened Woodville. Play swung across field where Purcell ground kicked to tho corner flag. From the succeeding lino-out a knock back enabled Glendinning to accept and dive over. Akuira's kick passed in front of the posts—Old Boys 6, Woodville 3. Play became hard and fierce, the referee having to issue a general caution. A "jinkey" run by Law was carried on by Brophy, the latter dashing through to Jones, who halted him. The ball, however, was swung out to Rose who dashed over for Akuira to add the major points. —Old Boys 11 Woodville 3. With tho scene of hostilities in blue territory Gothard broke away and, favoured by the bounce, handed. the ball on to Dobbyn, but the latter was grassed. Mair received but he could not find an opening. Purcell broke away and in the tackle lost possession of the ball which Carroll accepted offside. Again Wade failed to turn the oportunity•> to advantage. However, Woodville gained their reward directly following, Mair running across the goal front and sending on to Dobbyn for the latter to cut in and go over. Mair failed—Woodville 6, Old Bovs 11. With play at. midfield Akuira kicked through and Brophy, following up fast, outpaced the opposition and scored a spectacular but lucky try. Akuira's kick struck the outer post—Old Boys 14, Woodville 6. Oxenham burst awav, but Brophy overtook him and the black forwards swept back. Brophy again came into tho limelight when he dashed up and securing possession "jinked" his way over. Law s kick went wide—Old Boys 17, Woodville 6. The black rearguard was now coming into operation more frequently and Brophy with another burst of speed, threaded his way past three or four opponents only io be downed when almost clear. The Woodville backs secured and a fast burst by Cowie and a hand on to Oxenham enabled the latter to go right to the line where Eglinton grassed him with a timely tackle. Carroll led the blacks away on an irresistible rush !o the line where Hope picked up and -rounded over the line. Akuira failed —Old Bovs 20, Woodville 6 Time was called shortly after. Mr A. W. Thompson controlled the game to the satisfaction of all. KIA TOA (11) v. FEILDING (8). A SURPRISE WIN. Kia Toa journeyed to Feilding with a weakened team, withdrawals necessitating their calling on several of their junior and third grade players. Their triumph over the yellows was in tho circumstances a big surprise. The homo team early assumed the aggressive, but the defence held sound and a change in the scene of hostilities saw Mullins set a rearguard movement in action, a pass to McDonald, to Weston and back to Mullins enabling the latter to complete the movement—a splendid trv. Mullins, however, failed to add the major points. Play swayed up and down the field and an invasion by the visitors terminated in Baxter securing and passing out to Mullins who again penetrated. Before tho spell ended Kia Toa brought their score up to eleven, Weir sending McDonald over for Dustin to convert. On resumption, the home team set out to make up the deficiency and a melee on the line gave Ryan a score, but Swainson failed to find the uprights. Just on tho call of time Ryan gave his side another three points, Swainson adding the major points and the game ended: Kia _oa 11, Feilding 8. Mr Seward refereed. JUNIOR GRADE. HIGH SCHOOL IN FORM. High School and Bunnythorpe provided tho curtain-raiser at Palmerston North, a hard, solid game ending in a meritorious victory for the schoolboys. _ The visitors held a decided advantage in weight and stature, but want of fitness told against them and injuries left them a sadly beaten team at the close. Bunnythorpe opened the scoring by means of a penalty goal, but Barnao receiving from a scrumy feinted his way over for Ridgley to add the major points, giving High School a two points' advantage. Before the spell ended Ridgley put his side further ahead by means of a penalty, making the scores: High School 8, Bunnythorpe 3, at halftime. Play had not been long in progress I following resumption when Tremewan ! broke away and a timely pass to Ridgley allowed the latter to go over. He added the major points himself. The visitors, led by McKay, invaded at intervals, but their inner backs could not push the advantage home. Following a period of scrambling play, McDonald secured and dodged his way through the press for a fine score be tween the posts. Ridgley failed. Directly following, with play at midfield, Penny picked up in the loose and dashed down to the opposing full-back, where he passed out to Lancaster to run in. Ridgloy made no mistake. A substantial victory of 21 points to three thus passed "to High School. Mr F. C. Campbell refereed.

TE KAWAU SUB-UNION. ' RESULTS OF~SATURDAY'S MATCHES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Senior: Ohakea 5, Rongotea 3; Awahuri 6, United 5. Junior: Ohakea 6, Rongotea 5; Kaimatarau 11, Awahuri 0. The Rugby competitions were continued on Saturday afternoon, both the Rongotea teams suffering defeat by narrow margins. The senior team playing on the local ground, lost to the Ohakea fifteen by 5 points to 3 (one converted try to.a penalty goal). The Rongotea juniors, at Ohakea, suffered a loss by 6 points to 5 (2 unconverted tries to one converted try). The senior match at Rongotea attracted a good number of spectators, a particularly fast and even game being witnessed. The advantage in weight of the visitors was very noticeable, but the fast moving Black (Rongotea) forwards made up the deficiency 'in this respect, taking the fullest advantage of any loose work. In the tight, however, the visitors held the advantage. Howell (Rqpgotea) winning the toss elected to play on the down field and on the kick-off play moved up and down with Green (Ohakea) more often on the attack. After repeated attempts to cross the line, Ohukea's efforts were rewarded by Spry securing the leather from a line out and scoring in a handy position. The kick at goal being successful gave the visitors a 5 points lead. Shortly afterwards Blacks were awarded a penalty, following an obstruction under the pasts, Arnott being responsible for turning the opportunity to advantage. Greens again returned to the attack but the sound defence of Dickie at full back prevented further scores, half-time being called shortly afterwards. On the resumption of play, Blacks had their turn at attacking, the loose rushes indulged in by the forwards proving very dangerous. Repeated infringements prevented them from pushing the advantage home. Within fifteen minutes of the call of time, and the visitors maintaining their two points lead, Rongotea opened up the play with spectacular dash and speed. I he game became very' exciting, Blacks making repeated attempts to equalise, but hard ! luck prevented almost certain tries. Just before call of time a loose rush ended in

Woodgato getting over, but tho try was disallowed. Tho game ended shortly afterwards with the score unchanged. Mr W. J. Smith refereed. Tho juniors, who travelled to Ohakea were weakened by the inclusion of three emergencies, but gave a very good account of themselves, the game proving very even. A. Duker was responsible for the five points gained by the Blacks. He scored and converted his own try. RESULTS ELSEWHERE. Wellington. —Poncke 3 v. Berhamporo 3, Athletic 11 v. Old Boys nil, Marists 13 v. Wellington nil, Selwyn 8 v. University 6, Petone 9 v. Hutt nil. Dunedin. —University A 6 v. Zingari 5, Univorsity B 15 y. Dunedin 14, Pirates 34 v. Union nil, Kaikorai 26 v. Southern nil. Wanganui. —Pirates 14 v. Technical Old Boy 3, Kaierau 18 v. Ratana 10, Waverley beat Old Boys.