RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 193, 20 July 1925, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

KIA TOA BEAT FEILDING, OLD BOYS TROUNCE WESTERN. JUNIOR COMPETITION 'CHANGES. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Seniors. Kin Toa 11 v. Feilding 6. Ole! Boys 39 v. Western United 6. Juniors. 1 Feilding -13 v. Linton 3. Jackeytown 10 v. Old Boys 9. Kia Toa 10 v. High Seliool 3. Western United 21 v, Woodville .0. Thirds. Kia Toa 3 v. Old Boys A 0. Western U. 11 v. Technical 0.8. 6. Fourths. Jackeytown 18 v. Feilding H.S. 8. High School 27 v. Kia Toa 3. Woodville won by default from Feilding. Fifths. Gordon 12 v. Technical B 5., Technical 12 v. Phoenix 3. Albion 25 v. Kia Ora 0. Sixth Grade. Kia Ora 17 v. J’hoenix 0. ••Albion won from Gordon by default. CHAMPIONS!!!P TABLES.

Ideal conditions prevailed for the opening of the third and final round of the senior Rugby competitions on Saturday, a bright, warm sun and comparatively dry areas assisting towards making the various contests at the Showgrounds fast and open. The draw found Old Boys opposing Western United and, while the blacks did not attain the big figures returned at their v previous meeting, their victory was nevertheless a substantial one which thus enabled them to retain their position on the championship table. Kia Toa were required to journey to Feilding and the promise of a keen fight was fully borne out, but the double blues held a five points’ margin in their favour at the conclusion. The, final of the competition thus promises to lie between the two town teams, Kia Toa and Old Boys.

In the junior series further surprises wyre forthcoming, Old Boys being deposed from pride of place on the championship table, while High School suffered a reverse at the hands of Kia Toa. Feilding was required to put forward every effort to gain the victory over the. bottomlungers, .Linton, but Western United acoounted for Woodville by a substantial margin. The outcome of the games leaves Fc-ilding holding a point advantage over Western United with Old Boys still in the firing line, one point further away, and High School and Jackeytown sharing the rung two points below. The position is indeed interesting and it is probably unique in the history of local football that the outcome of the two highest grades is still unrcveulcd at such an advanced stage. Kia Toa, one of the leaders in the third grade, had a close call from Old Boys A team, the margin separating the opponents aj. conclusion being restricted to a score lo nil. In the fourth grade Jackeytown made their position more secure by accounting for Feilding-High School by a margin of ten points.

OLD BOYS _v. WESTERN. Attracted by the beautiful climatic conditions prooabiy more than the | prospect ot witnessing an interesting ■ contest, a fair number of enthusiasts attended at the Showgrounds to witness the Old Boys-Western United meeting. ' - There were supporters of the reel and blacks who had held the opinion that their representatives would play a prominent role, but the game Had not long been in progress before all ■ uncertainty on that score was set at rest, for Old Boys early brought their scoring machine into operation and tlie interval found the blacks with o-l points standing to their credit, while Western had not opened their account. On resumption the reds displayed more dash and the threatening debacle was averted, the scoring points being merely two to one against them lor the whole spell, the full total being 39—G in favour of Old Boys.

Western United (red and black) were required to kick off against the bright sun and immediately following the opening of hostilities Old Boys (black) backs swung into action, the frontal division participating, but a good opportunity to open their account went begging when the advancing line overran the ball. The territorial advantage was retained and play working into the ea.-sterii corner Coekroft was compelled to carry over his own line. Over anxiousness in the resulting scrum cost. the attackers a free kick and Coekroft lined well outside the danger /.one. From the line-out the red forwards carried on to midfield, the movement being closely attended by a further rush down to the black line and Old Boys were indeed lucky to escape without a score being recorded against them. Awakened by llio danger, Old Boys attacked in turn and Law 'gained a big ytreteh of territory by a fast dash along the left wing and, although tliew inger was brought to earth, the ball emerged to the supports and hand to hand passing enabled Green to open his side’s account. Akuira goaled.—Old Boys u—U.

From the kick out Western worked to midfield, but Bropliv burst through the centre prior to sending on to Law, tho winger being pushed out at the corner. Brophy was, however, presented with a further opportunity directly following and fooling the defence badly he burst clean through Lo run round and ground between the posts. Akuira again added tho major points.—Old Boys 10—0.

McArley and MeKa.v temporarily flattered their supporters when they were associated in a short, dribbling rush, but McKenzie halted and turned defence into attack by displaying a surprising turn of speed. The forwards joined in the movement and the goal line of the reds was again in danger when Sutherland stepped into the breach and saved. The relief was, however, of but short duration for, from a line-out inside the red’s half, Hope secured possession and brushing past the feeble tackling went on to score a good fry which Akuira, however, failed to improve upon.—Old Boys 13—0.

SPECTACULAR FOOTBALL. Old Boys were taking full advantage of the indifferent opposition being put up by the reds and were opening *up the game in electrical fashion. Law, who was occupying the left wing position, was displaying great dash in his work, but several great bursts were rendered fruitless owing to the winger attempting to thread through the closer ranks instead of working the open side. One solo effort • carried him right down to' the line, but with his objective almost attained he was brought to earth. In endeavouring to stent the tide a red scrummager was penalised directly in front of his own goal, but Akuira failed to turn the opportunity to account. From a clearance dowm to Barling the fulldmck opened up to his line and Brophy again figured in the limelight in a brilliant dash through the ruck prior to sending on to Palmer. The winger, with his progress barred, short-punted but Sutherland got back in time to force. In the succeeding operations Vautier met with an injury and had to retire for a period, the incident slowing up the game for some little time. Akuira, however, was as active as ever and he and McKenzie were both prominent in assaults which, however, did not hear fruit. McKenzie met with his reward later for, as the result of a smart follow up, he secured and went over. The kick failed. —Old Boys 16—0. A few brief moments elapsed before tlie next score was forthcoming from a rearguard movement, Akuira sending out from a scrum, and the ball passed alopg the line to Law for the winger to complete. The scorer failed with the kick.—Old Boys 19—0.

Brophy was indirectly the contributing agent to the next score, a spectacular dash in 1 which he threaded liis way in and out of the opposing forces enabled him to hand on to Green for the forward to add his second try. Brophy goaled.—Old Boys 24—0. A brilliant bit of work was forthcoming from Akuira just prior to the sounding of half-time, the donkeyman working the blind side and bursting well dow'nfield before handing on to Evans. The .five-eighth in turn sent on to Palmer and the pair exchanged passes twice, but the way was barred and half-time found the scores reading : Old Hoys 24, Western United 0. Dcspito the big deficit facing them, Western entered upon their task with a will on resumption and for some moments threatened danger to the blacks. From a melee in the blacks’ corner, the defenders were penalised -and Butler opened his side’s account by landing a good goal from well out.—Western 3—24. Stirred by the success the reds returned to the attack and the blacks were finding difficulty in keeping them at bay. Butler attempted a long shot at goal, but. although the leather was well directed it fell just short of its objective. Play continued to hang in blacks’ territory and from a breakaway McKay was under full steam for the line when he was overturned from the rear. Green headed a black rush to the neutral zone where from a lineout Smith broke away and drawing the full-back sent on to Hope who had raced up in support and the tall forward completed the movement. Brophy’s kick hit the goal post and bunced back into play.—Old Boys 27—3.

The blacks were not working with the same dash which had marked their play in tho opening half, but Akuira, who was making every post a winning post, came away from the base of the scrum and jinked his way clean through the defence to ground under the bar. Brophy made a feeble attempt to goal.—Old Boys 30—3. The reds unperturbed, returned to the attack and their efforts were rewarded for. from a melee in the corner McKay forced his way over. His kick failed.—Western 6—30. , - Palmer then scored for Old Boys after a pretty movement, but the kick failed. Law was next to contribute to the total from a smart, follow-up, a charge down of a return enabling him to secure possession nnd run in, while before the game terminated handling between Akuira, Bropliy, Law and McKenzie enabled the last-named to again enter. Neither of the tries was given the major points, the referee forbidding the taking of the last kick owing to the delay in calling up the kicker. And so a game which, while it possessed many bright features, was robbed of interest by the marked superiority of the winners, terminated in a victory for Old Boys, the scores being:— Old Boys 39. Western United. 6. Mr B. Hands carried the whistle. KIA TOA BEAT FEILDING. (From Our Fcilding Correspondent.)

Missed opportunities were the cause of the defeat, of the Fcilding team at the polo grounds at Fcilding on Saturday. The weather and ground conditions were almost perfect for the game, which was piayed to a largo assemblage of the general public, for apart from the bright sunshine .which affected the fielding of highkicked halls, one could hardly ask for better conditions for a senior cup game. Kia Toa arc possessed of a very’ hefty set of forwards, and they used' thenweight with telling effect, in the second spell. They played the proper style .of game in the second half for, profiting from their experience in the early part of the game, they kept the game light with the result that the local forwards were “all out” in trying to push their heavier opponents.

The first spell was distinctly Feilding’s, their open piny harassing the blues considerably, and they should have added at least one try if not two, hut for missing great opportunities. At one time three yellows had the ball past all opposition, right under the goalposts, but none could pick it up, neither did it. occur lo them to dribble it over and fall on il. Another time Howes had only to” pass the ball for a try to bo secured, but lie clcoj*d to go himself and was held up. Leeder’s try for Kia Toa was quite a spectacular one and was Well deserved, and fast following-up got its reward. However, the best team on the day won.

.The blues won tho toss and Fcilding kicked off against a, strong sun and at once rushed the ball into blue territory, and the full-back, McLean, marked the return. Bailey secured but was pushed out. at the corner. A free kick gave relief, the ball going out at half-way. The yellows got going again, but Eyre snapped up a mark and stopped an awkward rush. Morris missed the kick, but Bruunvcll eaino to his rescue and the ball went into touch. McLean hung on to the ball too long and Mullins drew first blood for the blues. Almost immediately afterwards the blues were similarly penalised and Benge took a kick from nearly half-way without result.. From the return Bramwoll secured and gave a bad puss to Bailey, but Benge recovered, and a nice /passing bout between Benge, Bailey and Bramwell, carried the bull to half-way. Fcilding wore row pushing Kia Toa hard, and a likely looking forward rush was nipped ■ in the bud by McLean taking a timely mark. Bailey secured and gained ground by a good run and kick, but McDonald got away until stopped by Might, who kicked into touch. Patterson came through the scrum in good style, but one of his supports was penalised and the free kick retrieved tho ground ho had gained. Bailey and Morris essayed a passing

run, but tlie latter was pushed out. The blues lost a chance when their left wing threo-quarter got away, a knock-on spoiling his chance. The yellows put in several challenges for the line, an excellent effort by Morris, Darragh, Benge, Bramwell and McLean seeing the latter kick out near the line. Darragh secured from the line-out, and passing to Spence, the latter got over, but was held up and a scrum was ordered. Kia Toa relieved by a long kick, and one of their team getting olf-side, Benge had another try at goal, but the distance was too great. Feilding forwards were dominating the game with their rushes, Spence being particularly prominent, and again got the ball over, but, Mullins’s pace enabled him to force. liiglit started a run and passed to Boddy, and the latter to Bailey, who wus pushed out near the line. In their endeavour to clear the blues infringed and Benge equalised ' the scores. Both sides were almost at once penalised for infringements. An excellent piece of play between Lawrence, Benge, Mason and Bailey carried the ball to within 10 yards of the blues’ line, where a free kick enabled Benge to put Feilding ahead. Dnrragli got clean away but was called back. The ball was punted high; Kia Toa missed, and then the yellows, following up, bad all their own way, but none could pick up the ball, and half-time was called with tlie scores: —Feilding 6, Kia Tea 3. In the second half Morris was caught napping, and the yellows were penned on their line. Lcedcr secured, but McLean was wailing for him, and Hight, kicked into touch. Darragh secured from a serum and looked like making an opening, but a knock on brought him up. The blue forwards were keeping the game very tight and getting much the best of the scrums. Leader was prominent with a solo effort, but was pushed out. The blues were not to lie denied, and Morris was compelled to force. Benge, by a smart mark, was able to turn defence into attack, n.nfl McLean spoiled a very good chance by knocking pn. The blues still continued their aggressiveness, but for a timo could not score. McLean got away with a. line dribble, but could not keep the hall in. Later Spence got going, but Mullins made no mistake with his tackle. A free kick to blues enabled. Mullins to again equalise tlie scores. Feilding were penalised for barging on to the ball, and Mullins cross-kicked to Feeder but Bramwell brought him down.

The Feilding forwards got a chance to score, but Lceder marked, and Mullins, following up fa t, secured, but lost the ball again. The blues were now having the best of the game, although the yellows put in two spurts. One rush between. Darragh, Benge and Patterson took the ball to the Blues’ line, but it soon came back, and Morris was caught in two minds, and Feeder, following up fast, scored under the posts. Mullins made no mistake with the kick, and the game ended: Kia toa 11, Feilding 6. Mr Parsons had control of the game.

CURTAIN RAISERS AT SHOWGROUNDS. The meeting- of Jackeytown ami Old Boys proved to boa, battle royal, in which the fortunes of the competing teams swung to and fro. The suburbanites played strongly throughout and, while lacking somewhat in finish in ’rearguard movements, made full amends by reason of tlicir dashing forwards. They held the territorial advantage in the first spell, and tlie interval found ihent in the lead and, although the margin swung against the blues towards the close, they added another try and won through a hard and fluctuating contest by 10—4). It. Dc Cleno and Phillips contributed tries for the winners, while A. Anderson dropped a field goal. Pickering and Linklatcr scored for Old Boys, while Williamson contributed a penalty goal. Mr A. W. Thompson was referee.

KIA TOA 10, HIGH SCHOOL 3. Ivia Toa playing forceful football accounted for High School by 10 points to three. Early in the proceedings Picard, the High School full-back, dropped a beautiful field goal, but the referee not being in a position to judge the flight of the hall, disallowed it. Ivia Toa showed their relief by forcing matters, and before the interval had compiled six points from tries by Morgan and Rush. On resumption following the interval Gallichan put his side further ahead by dropping a field goal, thus making victory assured. In the closing moments High School made big efforts to secure the victory, but the leeway proved too great, a score bv Seorgie being their sole contribution. Mr F. C. Campbell refereed. WALDEGRAVE CUP. An interesting fixture will be played at the Showgrounds on Wednesday afternoon when Kia Ora and Albion meet in the school Waldegravo cup series. Kia Ora will enter upon their engagement hokling the advantage, they having previously lowered the colours of Albion, and a draw will give them the victory. However, should the victory pass to Albion, three teams in Albion, Kia Ora and Phoenix will be all on even footing and further rounds will be necessitated. RESULTS ELSEWHERE. OROUA SUB-UNION. Senior. —Kimbolton won from _ Cheltenham by default; A pit i 8 v. Waituna 5; Rungiwahia 19 v. Kiwitea 11. Junior: Hangiwaliia 8 v. Waituna 5; Cheltenham 5 v. -Apiti 0. School. Kimbolton Bv. Chcltcnham-Kiwitea combined 0. lie .

'J'c Kawati 12 v. Rangitikei 11 {played at Bulls). Karamea 11 v. Murchison 11 (played at Westport). Horowlicmia. —Wanderers 14 v. Wcraroa 3; Hid Mai 6 v. County 3; Foxton won by default from Otaki.

Foxton. —Three games were set down for play against the Foxton teams, hut not one of the opponents turned up. The teams to default were Otaki in the senior grade, Kuku to (he third grade and Weraroa to the fourths. The junior games were all off owing to the competition having been won hv Foxton. Wanganui.—There were no cup fixtures. In a representative trial (lie Possibles 20 beat the Probables 8.

Wellington. —Ponekc 10 v. Oriental 5; 'Varsity 9 v. Marist 6; T’etono 18 v. Old Boys 3: Hutt 3 v. Berhamporc 3; Athletic 40 v. Kelwyn 3. Taranaki.' —Tukapa 16 v. Okaiawa 0; Inglewood 5 v. Hawera 5; Old Boys 8 v. Star 3; Athletic 18 v. Eltham 11; Stratford 9 v. Opunakc 5; Clifton wron from I’atea by default.

Canterbury.—Old Boys 15 v. Mcrivale 3: Albion 11 v. Limvood 6; Christchurch 31 v. North Canterbury 14.

Otago. —’Varsity A 13 v. Alhambra 8; Pirates 18 v. Zingari 0-; Kaikorai 20 v. ’Varsity B 3; Southern 23 v. Union o;Taicri 6 v. Dunedin 6. Auckland. —North Waikato 13 v. Auckland B 0; Auckland 15 v. Ponsonliy 6. Harding Shield. —The first match for the Hardiug .Shield in 1025 was played at Dargavillc and resulted: Northern Waioja 11 v. Otanmtea 3. The next match will be against Whangarci REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Hawke’s Bay 29 v. Wairavapa 0. Played at Masterton, before four thousand people, the visitors, with a two-thirds All Black combination, were too classical lor the home team. In the first spell M. Brownlie, Grenside and Falwasscr scored. Tries in the second spell were scored by Corkliill (2), Irvine, Fulwasser and Blake (2). Hawke’s Bay B 22 v. Bush Union 9. The game was played at Napier and was not a bright exhibition. Batchelor (2), Priestly (2) Barclay and Swain scored trios for the Bay, Miller and Yates converting one each. Pilkinglon scored for Bush and Udy kicked two penalty goals. INTER-ISLAND MATCH. NORTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. Messrs E. McKenzie, N. A. McKenzie and W. A. Guy liavo selected the

following team to represent the North Island against the South at Invercargill, on Saturday next, July 25: Full-back: Nepia (Hawke’s Bay). Three-quarters: Collier (Wanganui), Blake (Hawke’s Bay), Falwasser (Hawke's Bay). Five-eighths: (2) Cooke (Auckland), (1) Langlands (Poverty Bay, now in Wellington). Half: Mill (Hawke’s Bay). Wing forward: Porter (Wellington). Hooker: Irvine and Kirkpatrick (Hawke’s Bay). Lock: McLaren (Thames Valley). Supports: Brownlie Bros. (Hawke’s Bay).

Back row: Walter (Taranaki), Sly (Wellington, formerly Manawatu). D. Brophy* the Manawatu representative, has been selected as reserve back. Only one Aucklander was available, namely. Cooke. Several Wellington nominees were subsequently found to be not available, including Nicholls and Svenson. REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL. MANAWATU AND SOUTHERN HAWKE’S BAY. THE HOME TEAM. 1 Mr W. S. Dustin, sole selector of the Manawatu Rugby- Union, has selected the following team to oppose Southern Hawke’s Bay at Woodville on Wednesday, the match being timed to commence at 2.30 p.m. Full-hack N. A. Gowio (Woodville); three-quarters, G. S. Feeder (Kia Toa), L. Mullins (Kia Toa), A. D. Law (Old Boys): live-eighths, (2) D. Brophy (Old Boys), (1) McKenzie (Old Boys); half, ‘W. R. Akuira (Old Boys); wing forward. J. McDonald (Kia Toa): hookers; K. Reid (Old Boys). E. Algar (Western United); lock, Jackson (Kia Toa); supports, L. Staitc (To Kawau), R. Peebles (Woodville): hack row, IT. Russell (Cheltenham, Oroua), C. Boddy (Apiti, Oroua). Reserves. —Backs: M. Bailey (Feilding), W. Eyre, half only (Kia Toa), M. Strange (Kia Toa). Forwards: A. McKay (West ern United). P. Spence (Feilding).

Those not available for .selection were: Back, G. Darragh (Feilding); forward, M. Bowler (Feilding). Any player unable to participate is requested to ring the selector ns early as possible. The. Oroua and Feilding quota will leave by car from the Feilding post office at 12.15 sharp on Wednesday, and the team will assemble at the Bank of New Zenland corner at 12.45. ' THE OPPOSING SIDE.

The following team will represent Southern Hawke’s Bay:—Full-back, G. Nepia; three-quarters, A. Jensen, F. Barclay, U. Fergus; five-eighths, J. Floppy, Lui Paewai: half, Earl : forwards, Walker (wing), Smith, Knowles, Pali, Bedingfield, Craven, Gasson, Gibson. Emergencies :—Backs: Glass and Setford; forwards: Rawlinson, Culpan. adn Conrad. THE RUGBY MERGER. MANAWATU AND HOROWIIENUA. AMICABLE SETTLEMENT. The final negotiations :n connection with the amalgamation of tlie Manawatu and Horowhenua Rugby Unions liavo been concluded satisfactorily, the constitution of the amalgamated unions having been duly signed during the week-end. Messrs A. Hannay, president of the Manawatu Union, J. B. Proud (secretary). A. S. Faire, J. R. Hardie, K. W. Eglinton and C. W. White journeyed to Levin in connection with the matter and met the full executive of the Horowhenua Union. Following a round the table conference, matters were happily concluded By the signing of the constitution which will he sent- forwhich will later in the evening hold its land Union.

The respective committees will meet at Palmerston North on Saturday, August Bth. to elect the first combined executive, which will later in the evenin ghold its inaugural meeting. The amatagmation will, in all probability, come into operation immediately and the fixture Horowhenua v. Manawatu has been brought forward August Bth, instead of August 15th, to permit of the selecting of the first “combined” team to oppose Southland at- Palmerston North on Wednesday, August 12th.

Senioi •s. Points Ch. I>. w. L. D. For Ag. Pis. Kia Toa ... 9 7 2. — 97 43 14 Old Bovs .... ... 9 6 2 1 178 50 13 Feilding ... 9 4 3 2 112 78 10 Western U. ... 9 2 7 — 60 209 4 Woodville .... ... 8 1 6 1 41 108 3 44 20 20 4 488 488 44 Junior 'S. Points Ch. P. IV. L. D. For Ag. Pis. Feilding .. 10 8 2 — 99 70 16 Western U. ., .. 10 7 2 1 116 54 15 Old Bovs .. 10 6 2 2 171 52 14 High School . .. 10 5 3 2 84 80 12 Jackovtovvn ., ,. 10 5 3 2 62 54 12 Kia ’J’oa . 10 5 3 2 • 33 60 11 Woodville ,. 10 2 8 — 21 106 4 Bunnvthorpe . .. 8 1 7 — 26 79 2 Linton . 10 1 9 — 54 161 2 88 40 39 9 716 716 88