RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 140, 18 May 1925, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

POSITIONS UNDERGO CHANGES.

KIA TOA'S LUCKY .VICTORY. BUILDING OVERWHELM WOODVILLE RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIOR GRADE. Kia. Toa 5, Old Boys 3. Feilding 35, Woodvillo 9. JUNIOR GRADE. Old -Boys 27, Woodvillo 3. Feilding 6, High School 3. Bunnythorpe 6. Jackoytown 3, Western United 24, Linton 3. THIRD GRADE. Western United 9, Old Boys A 6. Kia Toa 33, Old Boys B 0. Feilding 0.8. 17 v. Technical 0.8. 0. FOURTH GRADE. Woodvillo 11, Western United 0. Jackeytown 11, High School 3. Feilding High School 16 v. Feilding 8. FIFTH GRADE. Albion 3, Technical A 3. Kia Toa 17, Technical B 6. Gordon 6 v. Phoenix 3.

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

Early morning conditions on Saturday did not promise at all Well for out.'of - door pastimes, but as the day advanced the ram ceased and Rugby players at the Showgrounds were in no way inconvenienced by the heavy downpour, the grounds being in excellent order. There was, nevertheless, an ail" of winter about the atmosphere,’ but it was Quito insufficient to restrain a large number of enthusiasts from attending in the expectation of ueing rewarded by a spirited contest. Based on the form previously revealed, it pointed to Old Boys emerging from the issue holding the hdnourS, but there was c big section of the spectators who were conHdent that Kia Toa would reveal some of tho form which had carried them through to victory in the championship last season. Their expressed confidences was, as it proved, not misplaced, although it cannot but be admitted that tho luok tho game was with tho Kia f ioa fifteen. While devoid to a large extent of spectacular footljall, tlie match was keenly contested and the rivul factions were provided with an exciting 90 minutes’ play, which would not, however,, carry wit i it any great appeal to tho New Zealand selector who was in attendance. At Feilding, the homo team opposed Woodvillo which had emerged from their opening game successfully, but central y to expectations the yellow and blacks ran out easy winners by 35 points to nine, which enables them to take prido of place, temporarily at least, on the championship table. The fixtures so far contested have been responsible for very uncertain form and tlie outcome of tho competit on is hidden in mystery in the meantime An innovation -tvas introduced on Saturday by tho allotting of tho hono ir of providing the curtain-raiser name b, the fifth glade representatives of tho High behool Albion Club flJid tlib Technical A fifteen, and the early spectators wero provided with a keen contest by tlieso future Munawatu representatives, a game which contained a number of exciting moments ending in a draw. Tho first half was waged without either side gaining an advantage in the scoring, and it was not till allowing tho interval that Albicn opened their account, Henderson scoring, from a. forward rush. Jefferies was instrumental in evening tho scores for Technical, and although tho former team held the territorial advantage in the closing moments they could not secure the victoiy and the final whistle was sounded by Referee Hatch with the honours even.

KTA TOA 5, OLD BOYS 3.

TITANIC FORWARD STRUGGLE,

There was aa air of excitement prevailing as the contesting teams m struggle filed out on to the held a few minutes after 3 o’clock, for it was a case of two old and formidable rivals entering the arena to again undergo a test ot strength. Tho Kin Toa htteen was making its first appeuranco locally and a number of new faces were to bo observed in their ranks. The composition cf the teams " and blue): McSweony, Leader, Chadwick, Strange, Try lor, \Vasley Eyre, McDonald, Boldt, Mai don, Jackson; Stuart, Bryce Pragnull, Doherty. Old Boys (black): Barling, McArthur, Law, Seeker, Brophy, EvfnD, A k „ U ‘ r “’ Glendinning, Stewart, Snell, Anderson, Hope, Galpin, Guy, Smith. _ Old Boys set tho ball in motion towards tho southern goal with a oro-s breeM r.t their backs, fast smothering tactics by the blues preventing Brophy from operating from the return kick, and Kia Ttoa thus took the initial assault. t. free kick against an attacker, which was the first of what was to prove an endless series, enabled Akuira to line out in bl le territory A fierce struggle was waged far a brief period within a striking diitar.ee, but the blue forwards who were putting great dash into the work, chared only for Law to halt their passage by marking, the black skipper having a long shot at goal which proved fruitless. Vim and energy in plenty was evidenced in the play succeeding the kick-out, a mark by Akuira in the mids; of a pack of onrushing opponents giving the blacks another opportunity to open their account, but again the kick wass ill-directed. Striving with might and mail tho blue frontal division transferred the sceno ot hostilities, only for McArtliui to bring back and ft fast follow-up enabled that player and Glendinning to overwhelm McSweony and Glendinning grounded wide out) Akuira allowed too much for tho windage. Old Boys 3, Kia Toa 0.

Stirred by their success, the blacks immediately returned to tins offensive, maiks by Wasley and McDonald in close succession stemming their progress, A tree kick enabled the defenders to free themselves and play worked to mid-field, where a high kick ouught Barling in difficulties and the ball emerging out of a scrummage to Eyre, the half bu:st for the corner. He side-stepped tvO defenders prior to sending infield to Jackßoti, but the burly forward failed to etain possession and a free kick for hold ng on allowed the blacks to clear their line. Kia loa stormed back, but Evans nipped an attempt to open up tho game by Eyre cutting off a pass and bursting through to McSweeneyi The five-eighth endeavoured to short-punt and then recover possession, but he was upset, McDonald saving at a critical Juncture. Play halted on the blue side Of the half-way line, Akuira attempting a snap shot at gcal from well out without success. A second force-down immediately followed the kic i out, Galpin furnishing too much boot in his return, but at the next attempt the blues with Stuart and Bryce In the van swept down the centre, and Law failing to halt them, matters looked serious for Cld Boys when McArthur stepped into the breach and saved brilliantly. In a flash the scene of hostilities changed and Btrai ge was forced to carry back lover his own line to avert a score. The advantage could “ ot ,bo pressed home, and a failure to field ahign clearance by Barling provided the blues with an open field, but the full back made amende by clearing brilliantly a moment latef. Beds swept the blue packmen and Strange tea In only to be reoalled, he v.CTtnff paaeod into touch en route. Evans

set his side again on the_movu and the forwards swept over McSweeny only to be halted just short of their objective. FIERCE FOOTBALL WAGED. a To and fro the battle wag id without either side being able to pier< e the defenoo, but at one visit to their opponents’ territory, the blacks had yet another fruitless shot at goal. Akuira. who was bearing the brunt lof the woik for Old Boys’ rearguard, set his lino in action, but Law lost a golden opportunity by giving Seeker a wrotched pass when the winger had a clear field before him, while a few moments later tho half worked the blind side, only for Seeker to drop his pass. The blacks wero holding the territorial advantage, but it was a disorganised rearguard which could not turn the opportunities to account. Leeder was instrumental in gaining breathing sjaco for the blues, but, Hope and Anderson led the blacks back, McSweeny saving in brilliant fashion. A solo effort by McArthur, who worked out of tho tackles of several approaching bluo forwards, priior to bending on to Anderson, saw tho burly lock burst down the centee prior to handing on to Glcndinning. The rover went to within a yard of tho chalk line before he. was halted. Two free kicks to tho attackers in close succession furnished opportunities for them to further add to their account before the interval, but the kicking proved faulty und tho half-time whistle sounded with but the one score recorded.

STRUGGLE CONTINUES UNABATED.

Eyre set. I lie ball in motion,, following the interval, his kick working into touch. Hope broke away from the line-out, but a free kick against a black offender halted the attackers. A Kia Toa rush in which Jackson and Bryce were prominent transferred in turn, McArthur stepping into the breach very opportunely. The relief was, however, only momentary, for the blues were quickly back and Leeder had a shot at goal without success. The blacks returned to the aggression, Brophy ground-kicking through the ruck, the movement spelling danger for the blue 3 when Eyre rushed in to save by lining-out. A free kick relieved, but Evans threw a wide pass across field to Brophy, and his partner raced across field priior to handing on to Law, who in turn handed on to McArthur, but the winger could not find an opening, being forced into tuch. From the line-Out Glendinning secured and sidestepping two opponents, dum nied his way right to the corner only to be halted inches short of his objective. Back and forth the battle raged, with the blacks continuing to hold the territorial advantage. From one assault Galpin lost to his side a promising opening by kicking too hard whefr within striking distance, while Chadwick hac: a long shot for the blues which went dangerously close. Doherty, from a ma:k attempted to turn the opportunity to account, but his effort proved feeble. Tho assault was carried into black territory, but a free kick to tho hard-pressed blacks brought relief, and a rearguard move'hent enabled tho blacks to take a turn oi the attack. From a scrum within striking distance, Akuira beat several opponents and when faced by McSweeny attempted to punt over the full-baek’s head, but unluckily for the kicker the ball struck his opponent. The attack worked across to the stand where Seeker essayed to b irst through, without success.

Kia Toa set up a hot attack on the black citadel, and soon the superior weight of the opposing seven was t filing its tale arid hostilities centred between the Did Bioys’ goal-line and tho h ilf-way line. Time was advancing and yet the all-de-sired score was not forthcoming, but just on call of time tho blues met with their reward, for a fast, loose rush in which two or three bluo forwards ham lied in close succession, saw McDonald grissed close to his objective. Doherty was, however, hundy, and he forced his way over to secure a try amidst great excitement. Tho onlookers' held their breath while Chadwick took tho kick, and a rousing cheer burst from tho throats of the bluo supporters as the ball sailed o\er the bar. Defeat had been turned Jn\o victory in the very last minute, for the final whistle sounded immediately following. Thus Kia Toa emerged from a contesl in which the points might well have been ten or twelve against them, holding a bale two points advantage. Mr F. C. Campbell had a fast and extremely difficult game to handle.

FEILDING’S DAY OUT.

EASY WIN AGAINST WOODVILLE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Woodville seniors journey to Feildingon Saturday’ and tried conclu. l ion with the local team, but found then a very stiff proposition, the reversal of form ion Feilding'* side, being most marked, as compared with tho previous Saturday’s display. Tho ground, notwithstanding the rain which fell during tho week, was in good order. Tho Woodville pack stripped much heavier than their opponents and in tho tight work more tl an.held their own, but in loose play Feilding ran over the blues. The game, however, wai won by the Feilding backs, who for tile most part handled the ball cleanly and their passing was very accurate. FIRST SPELL. Feilding played with a s.rong wind behind them and set up a i uccession of attacks pn tho blues’ citadel, lasting practically the whole of the spell. Thanks to the excellent display of Friend and their full-back, Oxenham, Feilding’s score was lighter than it otherwise would have been. The first to score wa3 Bai'ey, whose pace and dodging ability enabled him to beat his opponents. Benge added the major points, and tho score reed: Yellows 5, Blues 0. , Shortly afterwords, for lying on the ball, blues w’ere penalised and Benge added another goal.-3-0. From some loose play near the goal line Spence picked up and dashod away. but tripping a yard or two from the line, fell ani lost the ball. Just beforo half-time Bangs, by nippy and heady play, dodged through the opposing hack and touched down rear tho corner. His kick failed to add to tho score, and tho spell ended: Feilding :1, Woodville 0. SECOND SPELL. With the. wind behind them and a heavy pack it was thought that tho Woodville forwards would dominate the game, and to a large extent this was t me, most of the play taking place pn Ftilding’s sido of tho half-way line. From tho kick-off blu«3 attacked until a free kick gave b eliding much-needed relief and up they took charge of tho game until Cowie sent them back with a great kick into touch. Thanks to the eff arts of Darragh and Bailey, tho ball was taken to blues line, where tho latter were penalised for lying on the ball and Bi ngo added three more points.—l 4-0. ’ From the kick-out Wocdvillo controlled the game for some little time until Darragh intercepted a pass, well inside his own 25i Setting sail for the opposing goal line, and having more pace than his chasers, he added three more points, which Bongo increased by another two, making tho score 19-0. Blues continued their pushing tactics and Wade had a shot from a penalty, with no result. Friond got over the line after a eleevr, dodgy run, but had put. his foot out and wl,s called back. Single, however, made amends by scoring shortly after. Wade’s kick failed to add any points, and the score was 19-3. Darragh picked up and beating his man passed to Bailey near the 25 flag, and the latter showed the field a clean pair of heels and the score -vas: Yellows 22, Blues 3. / Blues wero making tho pace very hot and it was only occasionally that Feilding htwi any relief. McLean made an opening, but Bailey knocked on in taking a pain, Boddy, Ryan and McLean through concerted play took the Hill to blues’ line, where Benge added threj miore points by a penalty.—26-3. Blue forwards were pressing Feilding very hard, enabling Single to again score, but no goal was added. Boddy had a short pass handed to him on the blind side, and racing forth#

line added another three points; the kick was a failure. Bailey, Darragh and Bramwell next became associated in a passing rush and the latter scored, Benge adding the major points, and the total was 33-6. Keeping up their attack, the ball come tie McLean and passing through Darragh and Boddy’s hands, came to Ryan, who fell over tho line. Bongo’s kick was just short. —36-6. Just before the call of time Feilding were penalised for lying on the ball close to tho line, and Wado made Woodville’s score 9, and the match resulted : Feilding 36, Woodville 9. Mr Skioglund refereed. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. FREE SCORING GAMES. In the primary schools competition on Friday some substantial scoi-ing was forthcoming, all tho winning fifteens, save in one instance, obtaining their victories by good margins. Following are tho detailed scores: —Seniors: Terrace End 20 beat Convent nil; Central 3 beat Went End nil. Juniors: Terraco End 51 beat Convent nil; Central 20 beat West End ml; Hokowhitu 18 beat College street nil.

RESULTS IN OTHER PLACES. Rangitikei.-*-Tokorangi 12 v. Bulls 6; Hunterville 9 v. Marton 6. Horowhenua, —Shannon 6 v. Weraroa 6; Otaki 16 v. County 3; Foxton 3 v. Hui Mai 0. Juniors: Awahou 6 v. Miranui 3; Shannon 12 v. Foxton 9. Thirds: Foxton 3 v. Moutoa 0. Fourths: Weraroa 9 v. Foxton 0. Oroua Sub-Union. —Seniors: Kimbolton 13 v. Apiti 11; Kiwitpa 12 v. Cheltenham 0; Waituna 8 v. Rangiwahia 0. Juniors: Colyton 18 v. Kiwitea 6. To Kawau Sub-Union.—Seniors: Central 11 v. Awahuri 0; Ufiited 24 v. Hui Mai 5. Juniors: United 3 v. Huia Mai 3. Awahuri defaulted to Central, the latter playing a scratch gaino at Rongotea. Wellington.—Marist 10 v. Berhamporo 7; Athletic 17 v. Old Boys 6; Petone 24 v. Hutt 10; ’Varsity 45 v, Selwyn 3; Oriental 13 v. Wellington 5. Dunedin. —Pirates 10 v. Zingari 9; ’Varsity A 14 v. Kaikorai 9; Taieri 29 v. Union 3; Alhambra 10 v. ’Varsity B 6; Southern 13 v. Dunedin 3. Auckland. —Grammar Old Boys 18 v. Marist 3; Grafton 26 v. College Rifles 11; Ponsonby 21 v. ’Varsity 8. Wainlrapa.—Carterton 8 v. Greytown 16; Featherston 12 v. Masterton 6; Gladstone 65 v. Martinborough 0. Bush.—Pahiatua 13 v. Eketahunn 6; Mangatainoka 9 v. Konini 3. Wanganui.—Kaierau 27 v. Ratana 3; Pirates 11 v. Technical 0.8. 6; Wanganui and 0.8. 11 v. Marist 3. UNIVERSITY TEAM, Per Presa Association. WELLINGTON, May 16. Tho following have been chosen by Mr J. N. Millard, sole selector, to represent New Zealand University in the first Rugby test with Sydney University at Dunedin next Saturday Stevenson (Otago), Webb (OJago), Olsen (Auckland), Mahan (Canterbury), Walpole (Wellington), Alexander (Canterbury), Brodie (Canterbury), Cabot (Otago), Munro (Otago), Keegan (Auckland), Dickson (Otago), Owen (Otago), Burrows (Canterbury), O’Regan (Wellington), Burns (Wellington). Players unavailable are Wells and Murray (Otagoj and Martin-Smith (Wellington).

P. W. L. For. Ag. Pts Feilding 3 2 1 54 44 4 Western U. ... .... 2 1 1 11 14 2 Kia Toa 1 1 11 14 2 Woodvlll* 1 1 26 46 2 Old Boys .... 3 1 2 41 24 2