RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 142, 20 May 1925, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

MORE SURPRISES FORTHCOMING

SATURDAY’S GREAT STRUGGLE.

(By “Cross-Bar.”)

The three matches which have bee a contested at tiie showgrounds during the pint three weeks have turniehed spectators with some delightful football, and there is every reason to expect that the 19125 sense t; will prove one of the brightest ir.i local history for many years past. Old Boys seniors have provided tie brightest back play but it is evident that the best of Feilding war not seen hero or.i Saturday week last, for to triumph: over Woodville to the tune of 55 points to nine' speaks volumes for the scoring qualities of their rearguard. Lack of ball in ii:io game with Old Boys no doubt attributed, in b:.g measure, for their indifferent display. Kia Toa’e opening did not promise well for their chances against Old Boys on Saturday, but tho double blues aid not attempt to play tho blacks a.t their ora game, relying on their bustling forwards to upset the even tenor of the blacks. Such tactic-s, while not furnishing sparkling Rugby, certainly gained for them the day, but with it all tho game carried a big* dement of luck for the winners. A student of form on the raoecourss ici over faced with inconsistency on the part of some of the runners. This inconsistency is also noticed in football, and to forecast the outcome of a match under the existing conditions is a difficult proposition. The opening matches found Western United emerge tho victors over Old Boys, but were beaten in turn by Woodville. Podding narrowly beat Kia Toa, but facing Old Boys the following week: wero soundly trounced. On such a basis it. pointed to Old Boys adding a further two championship points at the expense of Kia. Toa and Woodville two against Feilding. The reverse, however, eventuated, and Saturday found the favourites beaten, although in the case of the lirst-namod pair, the margin was the barest. Old Boys, while they can Ire termed tl e unlucky team of tho competition, have in big measure themselves to blame, for while much of their rearguard work lus been spectacular, it lias been studded with faults. Passes have, all too frequently, been bndly given, while the inner* haye relied too much oil their wings to complete a hopeless movement. After all it ia the duty of the inners to provide tho opening, for if the ball goes direct to the wing, it lessens that player's chances of succans. Akuira gave his rearguard every chance, and incidentally undertook more than his share of the burden, but the line was but a shadow of its former self. Evans showed prominently on the defence on several occasions, and lie and the half were the outstanding figures. The forwards, facing a heavier pack, did tho:.;* best, and a good beat it was. and had tho backs done their part the points margin might well have been ten in their favour. McArthur gave his best display to date, and time and ugain sleppod into the breach very opportunely. Glendinning gave an excellent, display and' away from the scrum allowed out prominently, while the packmen, Anderson and Hope, played hard throughout. Galpin was prominent at intervals but he displayed his old tendency to give too much boot when near* the line.

Kia Toa again possesses a formidable puck, and they relied solely on it, the back line attempting little in tho nature of an attacking movement. Jackson's weight and strength proved very useful and he was ever up with the play. He, ovor, did not handle tho ball very well and lost a. certain score thereby. Doherty battled the whole journey, and was always to be found at tho bottom of the scrummages when they implied. To him fell the honour of annexing tho winning try. Stuart, a new comer, and Bryce also did their share. McDonald was perhaps not as prominent as wo have 'seen him. and in view of tho attendance of the selector, it wue indeed unfortunate for him. One spectator expressed the opinion that the Kia Toa skipper was stale, his summer activities having left him too highly trained. Eyre, behind tho scrum, played a useful game and with the backlino taking greater liberties he should prove a valuable addition to the fifteen. Chadwick who was ijuhstituting Mullins at centre, the latter being still on the injured liet, showed flashes of good form. His kicking powers should prove of value to the side. Leeder played with plenty of vim, indeed, overdid it t and some of his tactics did not gain for him any friends. Under tho rules, charging a kicker after the ball has gone, amounts to obstruction.

The delay of the Kia Toa sido in taking the field following the interval amounted to discourtesy lo the referee. Their skipper, who is responsible, should see that his men aro ready to again take the field at the sound of the whistle. Benge, the promoted Feilding junior, had a field day on Saturday. He scored a try, kicked three penalty goals and added the major points to four of the six tries.

Single accounted for both Woodville’s tries, while Wade added a penalty goal, although lie could not add the major points to either of the tries.

In the junior grade, Old Bovs have had two wins and a draw', while Western United have had two wins and a bye. Kia Toa and Feilding High School Old Boys have both enjoyed three wins in the third grade,, whilo in the fourth grade Jackeytown have emerged from their three gainea unbeaten. Feilding High School having suffered one reverse. In the fifth grade, Albion and Technical A are on an even footing with one win and a draw each. PLAYERS AND RULES. The value of a full knowledge of the rules is generally recognised, but apparently local players are of the opinion that to extend their knowledge by listening to lectures is pure waste of time. Recently, the Referees’ Association had a visit from Mr D. McKenzie, the veteran referee from Wellington, and an open invitation was extended. players to attend and thus exlcnd their knowledge of the finer points, but save three High School boys and half a dozen members of the Old Boys Club, the audience was confined to whistlers. The association however, is hoping to arrange a later visit, when players will bo given a further opportunity. A full knowledge of the laws, makes for better football, but this, even the majority of seniors, apparently fail to realise. Several interesting points were touched on by the lecturer, one being that it was preferable for the referee to carry his whistle in his hand rather than in hit mouth, for the little delay often provided the opportunity to observe the advantage rule. Spectators, however, probably prefet smart sharp decisions.

On the occasion of set scrummages, the non-offending side has the duty of putting the ball in. Incidentally, a scrummage ceases when the ball is on or aver the goal line.

The lecturer, like many other whistlers, found the interpretation of tackle and collar difficult, and pointed out that, while the ruling of a scrummage following a tackle was an easy way out for the referee, such practice should not be resorted to. The rule decreeing that tiro ball must be thrown out live yards from touch was not an English ruling, but a special dispensation granted New Zealand and New Sbuth Wales in 1908. Under the new rule, the ball can only be brought into play from touch by means of a line-out.. In a free kick, the kicker can now place bin own ball, his opponents remaining perfectly stili on the mark. A point not generally known: The grounding of the ball by an attacker against the outside of the goal post signifies a try.

The whistle only stops the play, the decision being given afterwards and the lecturer advised players to continue until the whistle actually sounded.

Only a player outside the ten yards area when in an offside position can approach an opponent when in possession. The lectdror considered it the farce of Rugby that a player could wait in an offside position and join in the game provided that at the time of the opponent playing the ball he was outside the ten yarde area. In support of the al>ovo, a case was quoted of a player who had, following an

attack, waited behind the opposing fullbtxk to lie a broken bootlace. The ball had been kicked back towards the full-back and hist mulling it had allowed the ball to roll down to the opposing player behind. The latter had picked up the ball and turned round and scored a try which as he had been outside the ten yards limit, was apparently legitimate. Another instance in which a ruling was nought, was where a wing three-quarter, in following up a kick, elects to run down out of touch and then coming infiold again practically opposite where the ball had stopped, secures and go over for a try. Buch action was considered quite legitimate. •If unnecessary time is lost in preparing to take a lroe kick, the referee has the power to cancel tho right to take the kick.

A correspondent in the Dominion, in referring to suggestions made at the last meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union that the Ranfurly Shield be restricted to the first grade- unions and other means introduced to iiatisfy the minor unions, proffers the suggestion that the N.Z.R.U. donate a shield, called tho Massey Challenge Shield, for the North Island minor unions, und introduce the games this year, the holder's at the end of the season to play holders of the Seddon Shield, and bringing the players before the nolice of tho N.Z.R.U. selectors..

Canterbury will oppose Hawke’s Bay. the holders of the Ranfurly Shield on August 5.

13am Gemmoll is still playing for Morists in Napier, despite the rumour that he contemplated transferring to the League game in the north. Billy Pea, tho N.Z. Army All Black ancl Otago representative, is now on the staff of the Wellington Hospital. Billy, at his best, was a wonderful five-eighth even if ho played the unorthodox game.

’VARSITY TEAM WELCOMED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 19. A civic reception was given to members of the Sydney ’Varsity football team this afternoon. Mr Norwood, the Mayor, extended a cordial welcome to the visitors. There was nothing better, he said, than an interchange of visits between university teams, which bred a fine sporting spirit and took men out x> other countries while they were yet young. With their entry into the professions anti the business world, a better understanding could not fail to bo brought about as a result. Councillors also extended a welcome, wishing the visitors good luck, with reservations. Mention was made of the hospitality extended to visiting teams to Australia.

Mr R. O. Martin, manager of the visiting team returned thanks and said the progress of the Rugby gome in New South Wales was in a great measure due to the visits of New Zealand teams.