RUGBY NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1039, 11 June 1924, Page 9

RUGBY NOTES.

SENIOR COMPETITION. REVIEWED. The senior clash between Kia Toa and Old Boys at the Showgrounds on Saturday did not reach the high standard of play expected of it, the opening spell being particularly drab and colourless. However, it was apparent that the double blues were depending on fast loose tactics, although it spoilt the display from the spectators' point of view, it brought to them a hard-earned victory. The Km Toa pack went off with a rush and hail their opponents on the defensive immediately, and it was only at long intervals that Old Boys- transferred operations to a safer zone. The assaults by the blues were, however, individual rather than concerted, but they were nevertheless unlucky not to have opened their account before the change over. The second half found Old Boys quickening up, but the blues replied and a fast break-away paved the way to their first score. The reverse awakened the blacks and the equalising score followed almost immediately. It seemed only a matter of time before the black wingers, Law and Seeker, would have their efforts crowned with success; but the blues, back and forward, rallied to the defence and the opening could not be found. Then in a flash, Kia Toa players were away in full cry and the defence was found wanting. The score was the signal for a great outburst of enthusiasm by the bluo supporters, which roused the contestants to still greater efforts. A gift goal was presented Old Boys, but Law could not get the ball across and the blues breathed freely again. On the game waged, the black rearguard attempting to force the issue, but the stereotype passing out to the wingers was finding the final receiver well covered. The closing stages saw the Kia Toa backs join in a concerted effort and a pretty piece of play brought them another three points which made their victory secure. Thus the competition leaders sustained their first defeat of the season.

McDonald, who led the winners, was back in his old position at the side of the scrum, and, although handicapped -by a bad leg, played a prominent part in the victory. ■ The pack did not contain the band "of representatives of their opponents, but they played with dash the whole journey ancl, although their methods were frequently of the kick and rush type, they paid. Pragnell, a new-comer, who can also fill the three-quarter role, proved an asset, while Doherty, Tyree, Spencer. Moffatt and the O'Kefe brothers did their full share. Tyree was, however guilty of coming into the melees from the wrong side on several occasions, but escaped notice. J. O'Keefe met with an injury to his shoulder in the opening spell and was compelled to retire, his brother Bert filling the gap. It is pleasing to learn that the injury is not as serious as was first feared.

The bluo rearguard was composed of individualists, but Wasley and Weir were in the limelight. Callender behind the serum seldom got any ball and his activities were thus considerably curtailed. Another newcomer in Stewart filled the centre position rendered vacant by the absence of Mullins, who was on tho bank with an injured shoulder, but was not seriously tried out. Aitchison had a handful in Law, the Old Boys' winger, but was seldom found wanting, while twico on the attack he went close to scoring. Leeder, who occupied the right wing, was apt to get rtixed up with the pack and thus left Seeker uncovered. While but a shadow of his old self, he still retains a lot of his dash, and is ever likely to prove troublesome.

McSwceney, the last line of defence, plaved surprisingly well. He made one bad breach, but fortunately for his side Old Boys' goal kicker failed to turn it to account.

The Old Boys' pack was not recognised as the same set of scrummagers which' faced Feilding, but the tactics adopted by the opposing seven in all probability upset their game. Akuira was also right off his game, for despite the fact that his hookers were obtaining practically all the ball, he frequently failed to let it away smartly. The inners were faulty in their handling and many promising, movements broke down nt a critical stage. Law and Seeker made every endeavour to pull the match out of the fire, but the defence, save on one occasion, proved too sound. The outcome has left the competition in a very interesting position, Old Boys, Woodville and Kia Toa sharing the first rung of the ladder with six points, Feilding being two points away with a match to play. Old Boys and Western United are also a match behind, as a result of the union's decree to replay their game. WOODVILLE v. WESTERN UNITED. The struggle between Woodville and Western on No. 4 area gave the visitors from beyond the Gorge an eight points victory. The game proved somewhat uninteresting, although there were flashes of blight play at intervals. Oxenham figured in the role of five-eighth and acquitted himself well. The outstanding back for the visitors was undoubtedly Cowie, who played magnificently both on attack and defence. Berkahn (for whom a transfer was recently applied for by a Horowhenua club), Wright and Gothard were the most prominent of a toiling pack. Sly, Evans, Hughie, O'Reilly and Algar performed very creditably for the losers. THE REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. Saturday will witness the Manawatu representatives in action for the second occasion this season, when they will face the elect of Poverty Bay and whether the game will provide thq local team with its second victory is uncertain. The Coasters put up a great bid against Hawke's Bay for the Kanfurly Shield last season and iVlanawatu will in all probability find them foemen worthy of their steel. The team selected to do duty for Manawatu is different from that which triumped over Horowhenua. Mullins is replaced by Cowie (Woodville) at full-back, Drummond (Feilding) comes into the five-eighth line in pface of McDonald, who takes up his old position at the side of the scrum. Brophy, who was rendered hors-de-combat in the Horowhenua match, is still on the injured list, and Seeker, who replaced him on that occasion, fills the position. Bailey, Law, Purcell and Akuira remain unaltered. In the forwards Sly goes into the pack, and with Hope, who last year gained his cap in the position of five-eighth, replaces Berkahn and McHerron. Otherwise, the scrurnmagers are unaltered. The team is practically the best available. True, Cowie has been playing centre, but ho is l equally at home in the last line. Since Drummond has been introduced, it might have been preferable to have brought in his club-mate, Mason, also. Mullins is a useful man for whom no position is available. "Cross Bar" would like to see the Kia Toa player try the five-eighth position in club games, for there is an evidrfit weakness in the representative line in this department. Akuira has given some disappointing displays of late, and it is to bo hoped that no will be favoured with a dry ball and that he will not forget his rearguard. The pack is composed of men of good stamp and they should give a account of themselves. MATCHES ON NO. 3 AREA. As the result of a motion, presented at a recent meeting of the union, some of the lower grade teams will have the plea- : sure of providing the curtain-raiser on No. 3 area at intervals in future. There I is no doubt that playing before a crowd keys the players up to concert pitch and the standard of play improves materially. This was strongly instanced in the Old j Boys-Western game in the first round, when the wearers of the red and black uniform played above themselves. With the return to the oval after the show it is to bo hoped that the "underdogs will |

be given greater publicity and thus be assisted in the big .fight against odds that they are putting up. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. A very interesting position is revealed in tho junior table, High School with one defeat beini; in the place of hoaour with 10 points, Old Boys and Bunnythorpe with two losses occupying tho s ec°nd rung, with Kia Toa, Feilding and Western two points further back. Thus the outcome of the competition is uncertain. High School in their opening match gained a point victory over Old Boys and also had a narrow call from Feilding in their third game. Their one defeat was at the hands of Western United who, on o sodden ground, gained the one try of the match. They have attained double figures on three occasions, 21-3 versus Bunnythorpe, 24-13 against Kia Toa and 14-0 versus Linton. Old Boys, in addition to the reverse in their opening game, suffered defeat at the hands of Bunnythorpe 6-0. Ihey have attained good figures on three occasions, 34-6 against Woodville, 24-3 against Western and 25-21 versus Feilding. Bunnythorpe did not open the season very auspiciously, Western United, who strangely enough have acounted for two of the three leading teams, gaining a point victory over them. In their second game they faced High School, who ran out winners by 21-3, but the country players have in their more recent matches displayed marked improvement and have won all four succeeding gamin. Saturday witnessed their best performance when they lowered Kia Toa's colours in no uncertain manner by 29-8. A hefty team, they promise to be a serious factor in the second round. Kia Toa opened the season auspiciously by winning their first three matches, but thereafter have suffered defeat. Feilding have won their first, fourth and fifth games, and as they got without four points of Old Boys' big total of 25 on Saturday, they are still possibilities. Western have beaten two of the strong est teamsbut suffered reverses at the hands of Old Boys 24—3 and Feilding 5 —O. Linton have played an uphill fight throughout,seldom taking the field with a full team. Their four points have been compiled by victories over feilding U-10 and Woodville 5—3. They have, despita their weakness in strength, put up big bids for honours, Kia Toa only accounting for them 6—3, Bunnythorpe 9—3, Old Bojs 6—3 and High School 14 —6. Woodville has yet to open their account and in their six matches they have only scored 22, points while 121 huve been debited against them. MOASCAR CUP. The first challenge of this season's Moascar Cup competition has been received by the holders, (Xew Plymouth Boys' High School), from the Wanganui Technical College. The match will take place in New Plymouth.