THE RUGBY CODE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 166, 13 June 1927, Page 4

THE RUGBY CODE

OLD BOYS MAINTAIN THEIR POSITION. FEILDING ON SECOND RUNG. KIA TOA IMPROVING. Although the overhead conditions were favourable on Saturday afternoon, when the second round of the senior Rugby competitions was entered upon, the playing areas were somewhat heavy following the wet weather of the preceding few days. Patrons were favoured with two senior contests at the Showgrounds, Feilding and Wes-tern-United, who had been sharing the second rung of the championship ladder, meeting on one of the oval areas in a game which contained much of interest and which resulted in a victory for Feilding by a margin of six points. On the adjoining area on the oval, Kia Toa played Woodville —who were making their first appearance locally—but the visitors proved no match for their opponents, Ivia Toa displaying superior football tactics in 1 both divisions with the result that they were ' comfortable winners by a margin of 14 points. Old Boys, the championship leaders, were required to visit Feilding Old Boys, a hard struggle in which forward play predominated, finding the honours rest with the Palmerston North team by nine points to five. While beaten, Feilding Old Boys were by no means disgraced, they sorely testing the defensive qualities of their opponents in the second half.

The curtain-raisers at the Showgrounds furnished excellent contests, the game between Kia Toa and St Patricks being remarkable for the number of penalty kicks at goal furnished the former fifteen, Rae turning five to account which enabled his side to emerge with the honours by 15—11. High School, in opposition to Old Boys, furnished some bright rearguard movements and a free scoring game saw them gain the honours by 24—14. The outcome of Saturday’s series in this grade leaves Feilding and Kia Toa on terms with 10 points, St Patricks and Linton likewise on terms with seven points and High School one point further away. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES.

THE SCORE BOARD. Kia Toa 20 v. Woodville 6. Old Boys 9 v. Feilding Old Boys 5. Feilding 9 v. Western United jf. Junior. High School 24 v. Old Boys 14. Kia Toa 15 v. St. Patricks 11. Bunnythorpe 15 v. Western U. 3. Feilding 9 v. Linton 8. Third Grade. West End 0.8. 13 v. Bunnythorpe 10. Old Boys 8 v. St. Patricks 6. Feilding H.S. 8 v. Feilding 0.8. 0. Feilding 16 v. Woodville 3. Fourth Grade. High School 41 v. St. Patricks 0. Western U. v. West End 0.8. Feilding H.S. won by default from Kia Toa. Fifth Grade. Albion 20 v. Technical 0. Gordon 8 v. Kia Ora 6. Sixth Grade. Phoenix 24 v. Technical B. 0. Albion 12 v. Technical A. 3. KIA TOA v. WOODVILLE. BRIGHT, OPEN REARGUARD WORK. Garbed in the green and white jerseys of the Manawatu representatives for the occasion—thus preventing any confusion in respect to the similarity in colours of the two clubs—Kia Toa displayed surprising enterprise in their match against Woodville on the southern area on the Showground oval on Saturday, for they early demonstrated their superiority in both departments. Immediately following the kick out, Kia Toa essayed to open up, but Griffin delayed bis pass on to Walker and the winger was ruled offside, the free kick enabling the blues to work into foreign territory. Their stay, however, proved to be brief. From' a melee, Shapleski fed Mullins, who in turn handed on to Griffin, to Walker for the left winger to run in unopposed. Mullins made a great effort to add the major points, the ball striking the outside post to rebound into open field. —Kia Toa 3—o. With three points to their credit within three minutes of entering upon hostilities, Kia Toa returned to the assault, but Gifford, who was filling the role of full-back for the visitors, was a lion on the defence. From a clearance by a Woodville forward, Griffin snapped up a mark to goal from a drop shot. —Kia Toa 6 —o. Play hung for a period in mid-field where the blues were awarded a free kick for lifting in the scrum, Gifford making an enterprising attempt to turn it to account from beyond the centre line, but his shot dropped short, Wasley returning the leather to the original scene of hostilities. Woodville momentarily flattered their supporters when an assault carried them to the front of the greens’ goal, but failure to pick the leather up saw a great opportunity go begging. The ball eventually passed down field to Gifford, but the full-back failed to connect, when attempting a running pot and in a Hash Mullins was away. Drawing the defence, the green inner handed on to Griffin and the centre sold the dummy effectively prior to racing over, only to be recalled for a forward pass. Woodville fought their way clear, and Gifford made another attempt to reduce the deficit from a long shot, but the range proved too great. McDonald was well clear when Gifford floored him with a high tackle. However, a kick to the open side saw

the leather pass into the hands of Mullins and the outer five-eighth fed Griffin for th-» centre to cleverly beat the opposition and go over in a tackle. Mullins goaled.—Kia Toa 11 —0. The blues, save in one or two instances when their forwards fought their way into foreign territory, wero kept on the defensive, Kia Toa maintaining assaults in closo sequenco. Superiority in the hooking department was assisting the greens to maintain the upper hand and Shapleski was feeding his back line at closo intervals, but McLean was holding on too long and several promising movements passed unrewarded, half-time finding the score unaltered. WOODVILLE’S GREAT EFFORT. Immediately following resumption, the Kia Toa rearguard swung into action from a pass out by McDonald and Griffin fed Walker for the winger to score. Mullins’s kick went a shade wide.—Kia Toa 14 —0. Despite the reverse, Woodville did not let up in their efforts, their forwards battling away manfully, but the support from their rearguard was of too disjointed a nature to be effective. Finally McLean was guilty of collaring an opponent when not in possession and Gifford found the uprights with a straight kick.—Woodville 3—14. The success Stirred the visitors to still greater efforts and fast following up of a high kick enabled Smyth to regain possession of the ball from an awkward bounco which had beaten the defence and race over. Gifford’s kick, however, went wide. Woodville 6—14. A reply was immediately forthcoming from Kia Toa for Wasley came up to sot Griffin and Walker in action and the winger, with his way barred, centred to his forwards. Crawford was handy and, securing possession, the lockman forced his way over close to the posts. Mullins delayed his kick and the ball was touched in flight by an opponent.—Kia Toa 17—6. With their backs to the wall, Woodville played with vim and dash and for a period took quite a fair share of the exchanges. However, they were fated to suffer a further reverse when a speculation by Lloyd missed and Hammond rushed through with the ball at his toe to ground midway between the goal and the corner flag. Mullins, however, failed with the shot.—Kia Toa 20—6. The greens had a further opportunity to add to their account from a free kick within good range, but McLean failed. A pretty rearguard movement saw Walker forced into touch when threatening danger, but the blues carried play back to midfield where Gifford burst into prominence by threading his way past opponent after opponent in a spectacular dash only to be grassed just short of his objective. Time was sounded by Referee J. H. Thompson with the scores reading: Kia Toa 20, Woodville 6.

OLD BOYS 9 v. FEILDING OLD BOYS o. HARD FORWARD STRUGGLE. The meeting of the Palmerston North and Feilding Old Boys’ teams at Feilding on Saturday attracted one of the largest crowds of spectators that has been seen on the local grounds, and all were amply compensated for their long stand in the very uncongenial under-foot conditions. The game was packed with interest and thrills from start to finish, and at the stage when the local Old Boys were leading by two points the hopes of their supporters knew no bounds. The wearers of the green uniform went down, however, but they went down stubbornly and contesting every inch, fighting a losing battlo with vigour and tenacity that have won admiration for them everywhere they have appeared. The greasy ground and ball rendered any display of spectacular and open play out of the question, tho game resolving itself into a hard forward battle with the back ranks doing their bit in defence. Tho spin of the coin favoured the blacks’ skipper, JJrophy, and he elected to play uphill. The green forwards followed tho initial kick through, but Williamson, the black full-back, found the lino about half-way. The line-out saw tho black scrummagers carry play back to green territory, where they were penalised, the kick bringing the greens relief, but a forward struggle set in, ending in the greens being compelled to force. The scene of hostilities remained in the greens’ danger zone for quite a while, and the black forwards made things awkward for the opposing rearguard by their fast rushes. Hard kicking in the back division spoilt the effect of the visitors’ forwards, the greens having plenty of time *to force down on several occasions. A scrum about ten yards from tho greens’ goal line saw Akuira endeavour to force his way through tho pack, but with no effect, and the loose scramble was continued. Kells raced to the force following a forward drive, and would have been certain to score, but, in attempting to fall on the ball, lie slipped and three points at least went astray. From the kick the black forwards initiated a series or passing rushes that ended in a melee on the left wing, where McKenzie handed out to Akuira, the ball passing through tho hands of Brophy and Kells in succession before reaching Palmer on the' other wing, who evaded Salter to get over in the corner. Akuira made a great effort, but the ball went wide.—Palmerston North 3, Feilding 0. Repeated attacks by tho wearers of tho black jerseys kept the greens busy, arid the work of McLeod, at the greens’ last line, was brilliant. Tait and Wald in broke through the siege and made for open territory, but Brophy put an end to their freedom with a kick which took play to its former quarters. Having tasted freedom, however, the green pack made another effort, and fart following up and a good dribbling rush resulted in the visitors being swept back to defend. A clearing kick by Reid shot off the side of his foot into Bramwell’s arms, and ho made a five yards sprint to get over near the posts. Waldin made no mistake with the conversion.—Feilding 5, Palmerston North 3. The hard forward battle continued for tho remainder of the spell without further score. Palmerston North forced the pace on resumption after the interval, and Galpin led the pack into an offensive that penetrated to the green’s goal line, where, following a scrum, McKenzie dived through the ruck to get over. Palmer failed with the kick.— Palmerston North 6, Feilding o. Tho green subbornly resisted further attacks from their opponents, and play hung in midfield until a forward dribbling bout found the wearers of the black jersey hammering at the greens’ goal line once again. Tremewan and Stewart made an opening which Preston availed himself of to score the visitors’ third try. Brophy failed to convert.-—Palmerston North 9, Feilding 5. Hard and fast play followed, in which both sides were within an ace

of scoring, with the advantage resting in favour of the greens, but no further score resulted. Mr J. B. Proud carried tho whistle.

HARD RUGBY. FEILDING BEAT WESTERN UNITED. While scarcely brilliant or spectacular, hard Rugby of an interesting order was witnessed by a fair crowd in tho Fcilding-Western United match when Feilding claimed victory by 9 points (two tries and a penalty) to Western’s 3 (a penalty). The Western pack stood up well to their heavier opponents throughout, but tho Feilding backs displayed tho better finish ancl understanding, especially during the major portion of the concluding spell, when their passing bouts dominated the play. A period of tight play around midfield folio',red the kick-off by Western United. Feilding backs provided the first bright spot, opening out in a promising passing bout, but Robinson could not hold Stevens’ transfer. McLeod, McKay and Hutchins were in the van of a loose rush by the Western pack which transferred play well into Feilding’s territory. Hero Ormond made a splendid but unsuccessful attempt to goal from the field from near midfield, tho ball just passing outside tho bar. A minute later the Western full-back again came into the limelight with a well-judged lino kick and a fumblo by Robinson almost let Kells in at the corner. Feilding were penalised fifteen yards inside halfway, hut McKay’s kick went wide. Up to this stage Feilding had not been having the bed of matters, but both backs and forwards at length combined in a pretty movement which drew “first blood,” Bowler touching down well out. Hight failed to convert.—Feilding 3, Western nil. Following this reverse, Western set up a pretty rush, good work by Foarnley and C. Hurndell paving the way for Hill to send Kells away on a spectacular dash, the winger’s career onlycoming to an end a few feet from the corner, Roach effecting a deadly tackle. W estern kept up the pressure and W r aldiu was caught in possession in a dangerous situation. However, a scrum saved Feilding’s line from being penetrated. The yellow and black backs then commenced to give a taste of their quality, a pretty passing bout traversing half the length of the field, but A. W’aldin coukl not hold Stevens pass when a try appeared imminent. Mackay was conspicuous for a great dash in the loose, carrying play to Feilding’s line. A few minutes later, from a penalty in. a handy position, Ormond goaled.—Feilding 3, Western 3.

Half-time sounded soon afterwards with the scores unaltered.

After the resumption, .Wells replaced Hill at centre for Western United who pressed almost continually for the first ten minutes, but their backs, with Kells tho exception, appeared unable to put the finishing touches to several promising movements. Western’s pack were working like trojans and gaining possession from the majority of the scrums, but a weak spot coukl not be discovered in Feilding’s defence. Feilding backs had the better finish and understanding, but Robinson on the wing was dropping a number of passes. Ihe yellow and blacks returned play to Western’s territory, where Darragh kicked a fine penalty goal, placing Feilding , in tho lead.—Feilding 6, Western 3.

A couple of minutes later, offsido tactics by a Western forward gave Darragh another opportunity in a handy position, but liis shot was a shade wide. Robinson took a pass from Stevens while travelling at top speed and sprinted over near the corner after evading a couple of opponents. G. Darragh missed. —Feilding 9, Western 3. A minute or so later Roach came near to goaling from a penalty about forty yards out, the ball just falling inches short. Semi-darkness had set in by this time, making the discerning of the play and players extremely difficult. Well nigh on the call of time, Ellis was seen to leave the field for the pavilion, the referee having ordered the Western forward off for questioning his rulings. A minute or so later the game ended with Feilding victors by 9 points to Western’s 3. Mr H. Hands controlled the game. THE JUNIOR CONTESTS. KIA TOA ACCOUNT FOR ST. PATRICK’S. GOAL KICKING WINS THE DAY. Ivia Toa and St. Patrick’s furnished the curtain-raiser to the Kia ToaWoodvillo game, the former fifteen winning a sensational struggle by a margin of four points as the result of the unerring goal kicking of Kae, who turned five opportunities to full account. St. Patrick’s were the first to open their scoring account per medium of a try by McKenzie to which the major points were added by J. Weston. Kia Toa replied with a penalty goal by Rae, but before the interval the greens had added another score from a mistake by the blue full-back, A. Nesbit rushing the ball over the line wide out, the interval thus finding St. Patrick’s leading B—3. Immediately following resumption a short ground kick enabled the blue forwards to overwhelm J. Weston and the green forwards coming in offside, ltac made the scores 6 8. Offsido play by St. Patrick’s proved costly to them as the game proceeded, Rae turning two opportunities to account, while charging the man when not in possession, cost A W’eston a penalty and again Rae made no mistake, making the scores read: Kia Toa 15—8. In the closing moments, St. Patrick’s made valiant efforts to get their back line moving but without success, until from a loose rush Shearman snapped up the leather closo; to the line to go over. McKenzie failed to goal and the final whistle found Kia Toa the winners by 15 — 11. HIGH SCHOOL’S BRIGHT SHOWING. Treating the spectators to an exhibition well in keeping with the traditions of fast and open secondary school Rugby, and one which augurs well for their success in the forthcoming fixture with To Ante College, Palmerston North High School scored a decisive victory by 28 points to 16 over Old Boys in the junior grade. From kick-off to final whistle, the High School boys made the pace a

“cracker,” both backs and forwards combining in numerous pretty passing bouts which were a pleasure to witness. As a result tire game was bright in incident, fast and interesting. For School Page (3), Fletcher (2) and Bryden scored, Rose converting three tries and Seymour two. For Old Boys, Anderson and Robinson crossed, Collins converting lioth tries, and also kicking two penalties. REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS. MANAWATU’S ELECT. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. In preparation for next Saturday’s representative engagements with Horowhenua and Oroua Sub-Unions, the selectors, Messrs A. M. Ongley, J. Ryan and H. Hands, have selected the fifteens hereunder to do duty for Manawatu, the A team opposing Horowhenua at Shannon and the B team journeying to Kimbolton. OPPOSING HOROWHENUA. . Full-back, Williamson (O.B.). Three-quarters, Walker (Kia Toa), Bropl'.y (O.B.), H. Darragh (Feild-Five-eighths, Akuira (O.B.), Dewe (Feilding Old Boys). Half-back, McKenzio (Old Boys). Wing-forward, A. Waldin (Feilding). ' Hookers, Anderson (O.B.), Persson (Kia Toa). ' Lock, Galpin (Old Boys). Supports, Hare (Feilding), Crawford (Kia Toa). Back row, Tremewan (Old Boys), Heatley (Kia Toa). Reserves —Back : McLean (Kia Toa); forward, McKay (Western United). VERSUS OROUA. Full-back, Ormond (Western United). Three-quarters, Palmer (Old Boys), N. Bramwcll (Feilding Old Boys), Strange (Kia Toa). Five-eighths, Mullins (Kia Toa), Gifford (Woodville). Half-back, Shapleski (Kia Toa). Wing-for ward, Collins (Old Boys). Hookers, O’Keefe (Kia Toa), Bowler (Feilding). Lock, Cowdrey (Feilding). Supports, D. Guy (Old Boys), M. Waldin (Feilding Old Boys)._ Back row, Hanunond (Kia Toa), Hutchins (Western United).^ Reserves. —Backs : G. Kells (Old Boys), G. Darragh (Feilding), R. Kells (Western United); forwards, Penney (Feilding Old Boys) and T. Parsons (Kia Toa). HOROWHENUA TEAM. Tho following team has been selected to represent Horowhenua: Full-back, Ryder (Wanderers). Three-quarters, Roberts (Shannon), Hunt (Shannon), J. McDonald (County). Fivo-eighths. Te Parata (County), Moses (Awabou). Half, Chisholm (County).

Wing-forward, Jacobs, captain (Wanderers). . Hookers, Mackersey (Hui Mai), Hakaraia (Shannon). Breakaways, Gleeson (County), Dalziell (Shannon). Lock, Bond (County). Back rankers, lv Dalziell (Shannon), Tatana (Wanderers). Reserves: Backs, Warren (County), Satherly (Shannon), Lenilian (Shannon) ; forwards, Payne (Shannon), Greig (County), Tana (Hui Mai). General satisfaction will be felt at the fifteen to do honour for Manawatu, it promising to be a fairly solid combination with a touch of brilliance. It is. however, apparent that Horowirenua will be fielding a strong fifteen in opposition and their forwards promise to have an advantage in height and reach over the green and whites which will make Manawatu’s prospects of success all the more doubtful. HOROWHENUA RESULTS. Seniors. —County 11 v. Wanderers 9; Shannon 19 v. Weraroa 0; Huimai 11 v. Otaki 6. Juniors. —Shannon 11 v. Awahou 0; Miranui 18 v. Foxton 0. Fourth Grade. —Levin D.H.S. 17 v. Foxton D.H.S. 3. RESULTS IN OTHER CENTRES. Auckland. —Grammar 14 v. ’Varsity 13; Ponsonby 14 v. Marist 3; College Rifles 10 v. Training College 8; Grafton 13 v. North Shore 0. Christchurch. —Christchurch 21 v. Merivalo 8; Albion 9 v. Linwood 3; ’Varsity 19 v. Technical 11. Dunedin.—Alhambra 5 v. ’Varsity A 3; ’Varsity B 16 v. Dunedin 3; Pirates 11 v. Southern 8; Zingari 11 y. Union 6; Kaikorai 13 v. Taieri 5. Wairarapa.—Carterton 21 v. Old Boys 8; Greytown 15 v. Foatherston 11; Gladstone 38 v. Red Stars 6. « Wanganui.—Kaierau 15 v. County 3; Pirates 16 v. Technical Old Boys 3; Marists 8 v. Old Boys 0. Wellington.—University 14 v. Marist 12; Old Boys 26 v. Berlrampore 9; Pctone 18 v. Athletic 9; Oriental 16 v. Hutt 3; Wellington 13 v. Poneke 13. Taranaki. —Star 6 v. Tukapa 3; Old Boys 24 v. Clifton 3; Inglewood 0 v. Eltham r 0; Hawera 3v. Kaponga 3; Patea 6 v. Waimato 5; Okaiawa 8 v. Athletic 0. Timaru. —Old Boys 16 v. Zingari 13; Temuka 11 v. Star 6; Celtic 6 v. Waihi 6. Invercargill.—Star 26 v. Invercargill 8; Pirates 36 v. Southern 4. Nelson.—Nelson 8 v. Golden Bay 6.

WIN FOR HAWKE’S BAY. Per Press Association. NAPIER, Juno 11. Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay met to-day in a representative Rugby match

bofore an attendance of MOO, tj 0 f r mer winning by. 14 points to 3- 1J game had not gone very far before Thomas, a visiting forward, was compelled to retire with an injured knee and was replaced by Woodward In the first spell a try was scored by W Gemmell and converted by Cork,U, the home team leading at hah-timo by to points to ml. In tire second spell Walters obtained a try f) p , -ir Bav while for Hawke’s Bay Corkib S two tries and kicked goal, the game ending. Hawke s cay 14, Poverty Bay 3.

Senior. Points. Ch. P. W. D. L. For Agst. Pts. Olil Hoys 6 5 — 1 124 29 10 Feilding 6 4—2 49 33 8 Western-U. 6 3—3 40 53 6 Kia Toa Fciiding 6 3 12 46 34 7 Old Hoys 6 114 33 62 3 Woodvillo 6 1—5 33 109 2 36 17 2 17 325 325 36 Junior. Points. Ch. P. W. D. L. For Agst. Pts. Feilding Kia Toa 6 5—1 60 40 10 6 5—1 80 54 10 St i’atnck’s 6 3 12 65 41 7 Linton 6 3 12 55 41 7 High School 6 3—3 88 54 6 Old Boys 6 2—4 63 75 4 Western U. 6 1—5 27 77 2 Bunnythorpe 6 1 — 5 27 83 2 48 23 2 23 465 465 48