THE NATIONAL GAME

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 134, 7 May 1928, Page 2

THE NATIONAL GAME

OLD BOYS BEAT FEILDING. A FLATTERING MARGIN. KIA TOA ACCOUNT FOR ATHLETIC. Local Rugby enthusiasts wero favoured with quite execellent conditions for the contesting of the second games of the opening round on Saturday, the high gale and rain of the preceding night having given way to line, if somewhat uncertain conditions overhead, while the playing surface of the areas were minus any sting without being holding. .Patrons at the Showgrounds were favoured with two senior games, they being in progress at the same time within the confines of the •oval, Feilding and Old Roys trying conclusions on the ono area, and the two home teams, Kia Toa and Athletic, on the adjoining ground. While the alteration in the grounds found the four teams treated alike, the staging of the gamps in such a manner was not altogether appreciated by the spectators who were furnished with an end-on view of the contests. The day’s play found Old Roys gain a triumph over Feilding by the substantial margin of 21 points to six, a flattering margin in view of the run of the game, the visitors being in the ascendency for possibly the major portion of the game, while Kia Toa gained a six point margin over Athletic after a scrambling game in which forward work predominated. At Feilding, Woodville lost out to Feilding Old Roys by a margin of 13 points to nil and as a result, amendments in the positions in the championship table were necessitated, Old Roys and Kia Toa sharing the top rung with Feilding Old Boys and Feilding on terms two points below. THE SCORE BOARD. > Seniors. Old Boys 21 v. Feilding- 6. Feilding 0.8. 13 v. Woodville 0. Kia Toa. 9 v. Athletic 3. J uniors. High School 33 v. Athletic 11. Bunnythorpe 20 v. West End 3. Old Boys 9 v. iSt. Patrick’s 6. Feilding 6 v. Kia Toa 3. Ashhurst 5 v. Feilding 0.8. 0 Third Grade. Old Boys A 28 v. Kia Toa 3. West End 0.8. 22 v. Old Boys B 0. Feilding H.S. 3 v. Bunnythorpe 0. St. Patrick's 14 v. Feilding 0. Fourth Grade. High School 14 v. Woodville 5. West End 0.8. 9 v. Kia Toa 0. Technical won by default from Feilding H.S. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES.

OLD BOYS v. FEILDING. BROPIIY RE-ENTERS THE ARENA.

Old Coys and Feilding occupied No. 1 ground, the visiting combination having tho advantage of the wind at the opening, while tho defending side was. also called upon to face the sun. Some interest had 'been centred in tho expected appearance of Conrad, tho llawko’s Bay player, but such did not materialise on Saturday, while the yellow and blacks were also without the service of Waldin and Hare. Feilding wont to tho attack from . the kick out, only to be halted by a mark by Akuira, although the home live-eighth lost the advantage by lining, direct. Loose rucking by tlie Old Boys scrummagors enabled them to work to the assault and Evans was almost in when Stevens boat him for tho leather to lino out. However, from a succeeding scrum Tremewau secured to bullock his way over the lino. Akuira found tho uprights with a nicely judged kick and the blacks had secured the initial advantage. Old Boys 5, Feilding 0. Stung by the reverse, Feilding fought their way into foreign territory and a series of nico exchanges between 11. Dnrragh and Kelly seriously tested the defence, D. Guy finally transferring. Back stormed tho visitors and a movement along the left wing saw Roach and R. Darragh narrowly halted. AVith play in black territory, Gibbs had a shot at goal which fell short, but failure to handle cleanly' by Riddell enabled tho yellows to carry the assault right down into the corner, G. Darragh bursting into tiio picture with a beautiful cut-in. Ho was unfortunate enough to lose tho ball which passed over tho line and Williamson dived on the leather to force. The home full-back was being called on repeatedly, but was proving very' sound. Feilding finally gained a well deserved reward when a pass out from tho base of the scrum by Gibbs went through tho hands of G. Darragh to Roach, who badly beat Painter prior to handing on to 11. Darragh for the centre to out in and go over. Gibbs failed. Feilding 3 —5. Old Boys commenced to open out when possible, their opponents having, been securing tho greater share of the ball in the set scrums, and their rearguard displayed possibilities for a period, until Gibbs broke away on the blind side of the scrum to beat two men prior to sending on the ball to It. Darragh, but the centre could not work clear. Kac-h side had a shot at goal from penalties, but both proved fruitless and tho closing minutes of tho spell were marked by the first serious injury, Sutherland, the Old Bov winger, having to be carried off tho' field with a leg injury. Tho interval found Old Boys retaining their two point advantage. TURN IN THE TIDE. On the re-entry of the rival fifteen following “lemons” if was found that Brophy liad donned tho black garb for his old side. Feilding assumed tho aggressive early in the spell, a poor clearance by Riddell spelling danger for tho blacks, but in a flash Evans, the Old Boys donkoyman, set his line racing away and tho leather went from Akuira to Brophy to Riddell to Kells for the winger to dash over wide out. The kick failed. Old Boys B—3. Pla-y swung to and fro, Bowler putting in sotmf’great work for the yellows, while a concerted effort on the part of the blacks promised a certain score until a bad pass halted the movement and H. Darragh side-stepped his way clear. The visiting forwards fought their way to tho homo goal front where Williamson was forced off the ball and, Bowler securing, ho fought his way over tho chalk lino in the arms of an opponent. Gibbs made a poor attempt to goal. Feilding 6 —3. Tho success stirred tho visitors to still greater efforts and for a long period the blacks were hard on tho defensive. Right arid left they stormed; backs and forwards co-operating, but the defence held, if somewhat narrowly on occasions, and a break through by 7 Akuira and a hand on to Brophy saw tho side’s former skipper cut in like a flash to leave Roach standing and go on to score one of his typical sparkling tries behind the posts. Taking the kick himself, he goaled. Old Boys 13, Feilding 6. It was an unhappy reverse for the yellows and with Brophy finding the uprights from a penalty to make the margain 16 —6, the yellows faded out of the picture and before time was called

Evans nip pell through the ruck to dash over between the posts for Bropliy to add the major points, the Anal scores thus beins - 21 —6. Mr E. \V. Low controlled the game.

KIA TOA v. ATHLETIC.

FORWARD PLAY PREDOMINATES. The game between Kia Toa and Athletic presented somewhat of a contrast with tire struggle on the adjoining ground, _ for whereas the latter was full of sparkle right up to the final o.uarter of an hour, the former was largely of a scrappy nature iri which forward activities predominated, although in the second spell Kia Toa did operate their rearguard on occasions, _if with little success. Athletic made an indifferent, entry upon the playing area, they being at short strength and some time was lost awaiting the calling up of two junior players who had previously emerged from a hard contest. The green and blacks nevertheless entered upon activities in promising fashion by forcing their way into foreign territory and the double blues were hard at it preventing their line being pierced. A free kick fram fair range gave the attackers an opportunity to open their account, a good effort passing unrewarded. McDonald, the blues’ rover, was instrumental in transferring the scene of operations, but •R. Ivells halted his progress by returning the leather upheld. Back stormed the blue forwards, but they were facing an equally rugged pack and a pass out set Robb on route for the line on a solo effort, Wesley, however, flooring him with a beautiful tackle. Mullins, in turn, burst free and, although he elected to kick instead of feeding his winger, failure to accept cleanly enabled the blues to work to the assault. A burst by Crawford and a hand on lo Ileatley saw the movement go right to the goal front before the green forces rallied, a force down being the outcome. Contrary to expectations, Athletic were the first to score, Payne the former H.orowhemia scrtuninger, who was playing a prominent role in the ranks of the greens, turning a penalty shot at goal from wide out to account. Athletic 3-0.

With the wind to assist them, Athletic were battling away hard, keeping their opponents in restraint, and Edgeler hurst into the picture when he set off for the lino only to be grassed -when danger threatened. Bryce, the green rover, followed up hard on a kick, but despite an awkward bounce of the ball beating him, Wasley recovered nicely to save. Just on call of time a free kick to Kia Toa enabled Mullins to equalise the scoring with a good goal and the teams retired with the scores reading. Kia Toa 3, Athletic 3. BLUES TAKE THE UPPER HAND.

With the dying wind now at their backs, Kia Toa went to the attack on resumption, Kelly marring a good piece of work by holding on too long. Their stay was but momentary for the greens fought their way clear and a cross kick by Grinstead placed the blue line in danger until Gridin got back to stive. The pressure was maintained until a free kick for . coming round the scrum too quickly enabled Mullins to line out at the opposite twenty-five, Crawford carrying the advantage further. A further free” kick was availed of by Mullins, who found the uprights with a beautiful shot. Kia Toa 6-3. Kia Toa were slowly, but surely, assuming control, although the greens contested every inch of the way—Robb being very active in the green rearguard—and they were bringing tiicir backs more and more into operation. Much of their work was faulty, running across field by the inners being a particularly marring feature, but from one effort Mullins cut through nicely to score well out. His kick failed, but Kia Toa bad taken a comfortable lead. Kia Toa 9-3. The same player made a big effort to goat front a penalty, the ball dropping under the bar and, although Athletic came again in the closing stages, a nice effort by Robb saw his band-on accepted by Ileatley right under bis own goal to clear, while Payne bad a fruitless shot at goal. The game closed with Kia Toa still holding their hard won six points advantage, there having been but the one try recorded. Mr H. Hands controlled' the game with firmness, there being many occasions on which be bad to employ the whistle. FEILDING OLD BOYS WIN. WOODVILLE FAIL TO SCORE. The spectators at Johnston Park on Saturday were not treated to a very sparkling display of Rugby in the meeting- of the Feilding Old Boys and Woodville teams play on the whole being of a desultory nature and characterised mainly by a remarkable amount of “marking” and penalties, fully 90 per cent, of which were in favour of Woodville who did not succeed in open ing their account from one of _ them, - although several positions were quite favourable to the kickers! The blues, unfortunately, lost tho services of a member of their team in tho second spelt when Heard and Peebles canto in contact forcibly, the latter player having to be carried off the field to receive medical attention when it was found that he had sustained concussion. Tho blues were unlucky in leaving the field without scoring, but on the play the better team won.

Woodville pressed from the outset and wore soon threatening the greens’ line. An infringement wide out in the home team’s twenty-five gavo the blues a chance to open their account, but the kick lacked direction. Several times in the succeeding play tho greens wore obliged to force down before the blue forwards who were making tho mistake of kicking too hard. A second chance was given the blues to score when Upston made an attempt to goal from a good position but failed. The greens rallied following this and temporarily threw off the' lethargy which they appeared to be suffering from and made raids on the blue territory, but they could not score. Woodville were soon hard on the greens’ last lino again but, although several openings were made, no score resulted. A bout of ragged play in neutral territory followed, tho game at times resolving' into a series of freo kicks and marks. Smytho showed a piece of good football when he dummied his way through the ruck, but succumbed to Cochrane when near the line. Upston robbed himself of a good chance a little later_ by attempting to secure the ball from his toe instead of dribbling. From a scrum Cochrane passed out wide to Dewe who cut through the opposition before passing on to Bramwoll. tho latter sending in a reverse pass to Dewe again who went round to score under the posts. Waldin converting.—Fcilding Old Boys 5, Woodville nil. Just before the whistle Smytho was again seen in a gcod solo run which got him to within a yard or two of the line where the fleety Salter overtook nnd grassed him, tho syroll ending without further score.

On resuming after the interval, the greens set up a strong attack, tho onslaught, terminating in a determined run of about fifteen yards by Salter but he was hauled down when he appeared to be over the line, a scrum being ordered. In the ensuing play Peebles, of Woodvillc, was injured in a tackle and had to be carried off the field. Play of an uneven nature followed, neither side infusing much vim into tho game. The greens showed a trace of spirit finally, however, and a forward rush resulted in Salter beating the opposition to score in a handy position. Waldin again found the uprights—Feilding Old Boys 10, Woodvillo nil. The increase in the score against them stirred the blues into action and good work in the loose enabled the visitors to penetrate to the greens’ line where tight play followed but without any result to the blues, mainly on account of the good defensive work of Cochrane behind the scrum. In' a succeeding attack by the greens Younger snored wide out. Walden failed. Feilding Old Boys 13, Woodvillc nil. Tho game ended without further score. Air F. S. Hewitt refereed.

CURTAIN RAISER AT SHOWGROUNDS. HIGH SCHOOL’S BIG TOTAL. High School and Athletic furnished the curtain-raiser to the senior struggles at tho Showgrounds, tho fast open work of the schoolboys proving all too much for thegreen and blacks. Playing with the wind at their backs in the opening spell, Athletic were the first to open their scoring account per medium .of a penalty goal by Hemi, but the schoolboys replied with a try by Swindell* tlioir burly lcckman, to which Millar added the major points, while Fletcher advanced their total to eight with an unconverted try. II urn dell scored for Athletic, but before the change over Fletcher, the flying schoolboy centre, contributed another try and the teams crossed over with High School leading by 11 points to six. Almost immediately on resumption, Hemi, who was

prominent in tho ranks of the Athletic side throughout, effected a crossing and, adding, the major points himself, brought tho scores level. Thereafter, however, High School came into their own and while much of their rearguard work was faulty, the scores came quick and fast. Soott ran in twice in (lose succession, while a nice run by Fletcher paved the way for Trcmcwnn to cross. Scott and Millar wore associated, in a forward 'bout which terminated in the latter going over between the posts for O’Keefe to add tho major points. MeClune and Clovcly added further tries before the game closed, the final scores being High School 33, Athletic 11. lIOROWHENUA UNION. Seniors. —Shannon 15 v. Foxlon 3, Wanderers 19 v. Weraroa 6. Juniors. —Shannon 18 v. Foxton 0. Thirds.—Shannon 14 v. Wanderers 10, Wcraroa 24 v. Tokomaru 0. TE KAWA SUB-UNION. Oroua Downs 26 v. Awaliuri 0, llongotea 13 v. Hui Mai 11. RESULTS IN OTHER CENTRES. Wellington'. —Marist 14 v. Wellington 0, 01<1 Boys 11 v. Petone 8, Borhamporo 11 v. Eastbourne 9, Poneko 21 v. Varsity 9, Oriental 14 v. Athletic 12. Auckland. —Ponsonby 22 v. Manukau 19, Varsity 15 v. City 8, Grammar Old Boys 15 v. College Rifles 8, Marist 33 v. Training College 6, Grafton 12 v. North Shore 12° , . , Christchurch. —Merivalo 51 v. Technical 12, Varsity 14 v. Christchurch 3, I,inwood b v. -union 0.

Dunedin.- —University A 37 v. Union 0, Pirates 21 v. Dunedin 3, Kaikorai 22 v. Southern 5, Alhambra 21 v. Taieri 6, Varsity B 23 v. Zingari 0. Taranaki. —Inglewood 3 v. Tukapa 1, Clifton 11 v. Old Boys 8, Star 17 v. Kltham 0, Stratford 22 v. Okato 0, Okaiawa 17 v. Hawera. 13, Opunalte 14 v. l’utca 6, Kaponga. 11 v. Waimate 0. Hawke’s Bay.—High School Old Boys 11 v. Hastings 3, Piiates 12 v. M.A.C. 11. Technical Old Boys 6 v. Celtic 3. Wanganui.—County 8 v. Kaierau 6, Pirates 10 v. Old Boys 10. Invercargill.—Star 20 v. Invercargill 6, Pirates 31 v. Southern 0. Wairarapa.—Old Boys 32 v. Southern United 11, Carterton 26 v. Red Star 6, Greytown 45 v. Gladstone 0. Rangitikei.—Bulls 0 v. Marten 0, Rata 6 v. liunterville 0.

TE KAWAU UNION

RONGOTEA v. HUI MAI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, May ,6. This game between Rongotea and Hui Mai was played at Rongotea before a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators. The match was particularly interesting on account of the long-standing rivalry between the- two teams. It will be remembered that Rongotea won the shield last year after a long protracted series of wrnuglings, protests and counter-protests. Hui Mai have lost a number of their old players and the depleted ranks have been filled in by promising juniors who acquitted themselves well. Of the old players Stake, Tattle, D. Cameron and K. Marsh were most promiunet. Rongotea also have had a number of changes since last season, D. Scott, an ex-Traimng _ College player, filling the centre position, while Amadio has moved out to the wing. A now forward of some merit has also been acquired in tho person of Bastin, a hefty individual. The game was very willing throughout. Rongotea (blacks) lost tho toss and Hui Mai (blues) elected to play with the sun and a strong wind behind them. From the beginning feeling ran high and a fast game was promised. Loose forward rushes characterised the play and but for the sterling defence of tho black backs Sandon must have scored time and time again. Good long line kicks, however,, kept blues in neutral territory. On one occasion Amadio broke away, punted over the full-back and was beaten by the bounce; blues cleared. Towards the, end of tho first spoil blacks were awarded a penalty and Amadio goalcd. Rongotea 3, Hui Mai 0. .Fast t.p and down play followed, but tho blues could not equalise. The ball was kicked over the blacks’ line and Algar foil on it to save. Several blues also were in the mix-up and when they were sorted out it was found that Algar had dislocated his elbow. Ho had to leave the field, being replaced by D. Bume, a’ junior player. The spell ended without further score. On resuming biacks kicked oil and fast following up by tho forwards carried play to blues twenty-five where D. Burnc picked up and ran over near the posts. - Amadio added the major points.—B—o. Blues now made herculean efforts to score and kept the blacks pinned in their own twenty-five. From a line-out 1,. Stake came up with a rush and picking up dived over to score a good try near the posts. The kick failed. Rongotea 8, Hui. Mai 5. Soon after the kick off AY. Gust carried well into blues’ territory and H. Howell snapped up tho ball and scored. Amadio had no difficulty with the kick. Rongotea 13 —3. Tho blacks’ forwards .now began to tire and blues ran all over them, giving tho blacks’ supporters some anxious moments. From near half-way D. Cameron (blue) carried to tho blacks’ lino where Stake picked up his pass and scored his second try. The kick hit the upright and went over. Roil: gotea 13, Hui Mai 8. Shortly afterwards Scott carried well up and Goldfinch looked like scoring but was ruled offside. In rhe last few minutes Ingram scored for blues from a loose rush. The kick failed and the game ended soon after, Rongotea winning by 13 to 11. OROUA SUB-UNION. (From. Our Own Correspondent.) UTUWAI, -May 7. The senior competition of the Oroua Sub-Union was advanced another stage last Saturday when Rangiwahia defeated Apiti and Waituna won from Kimbolton. The former game saw the two winning teams of the previous week meet, and after a closely contested game Rangiwahia emerged the victors by 11 points to 6. The game, which was played at Rangiwahia, was witnessed by a fair number of spectators who were rewarded with a keenly fought game. The Rangiwahia skipper won tho toss and elected to play against the sun and a slight breeze. The disadvantage, however, was slight. The home forwards, who had an advantage both in weight and reach, soon showed out in the lineouts, . while their superior weight prevented the Apiti hookers from sending the ball back. In consequence the Apiti backs saw very little of the ball and had to confine their attention to defensive work. On tho other hand, the Rangiwahia backs, although they were being well fed from the base of the scrum by Beard, who was playing a. sterling game, were unable to get going, faulty handling and good defensive work by the Apiti backs breaking up many promising movements. Tho first score came as the result of the failure of the opposition to force a rolling bail and Smith following up fast touched down for. Rangiwahia. Johnson’s kick at goal failed by a narrow margin.—Rangiwahia 3, Apiti 0. The game was now productive of better football and each side had _ its anxious moments. From a high centring kick Osborne secured and went over in a handy position. McNae failed with an easy kick. —Rangiwahia 3, Apiti 3. The second half saw Apiti playing against a freshening- breeze. The Rangiwahia men were still dominating the play in tho, forwards, but their backs could not pierce the defence. Browning at first fiveeighths, while playing a lino defensive game, was not getting the ball to.his outside men. The next score resulted from the bounco beating ;ui Apiti player, and Johnson collecting the leather in his stride ran in unopposed.. Ilis own kick at goal failed. —Rangawahia 6, Apiti 3. Apiti with time drawing on were putting more vim into their play, but poor handling was breaking down many movements. Finally Barling secured and cutting in nicely went right through to the full-back who proved safe. Scrambling play on the Rangiwahia line resulted, but Apiti despite strenuous efforts could not cross. .At length tho Rangiwahia forwards broke through and transferred play to Apiti territory when Martin scrambled across close to the posts. Johnson had no difficulty in converting. Rangiwhaia 11, Apiti 3. Time was called immediately afterwards, leaving Rangiwahia with a well deserved victory although the winners had been very lucky with' two of their scores, yet they had held control of the game throughout and thoroughly deserved their win. It was evident that Apiti has not settled down yet and the absence of C. Spence was no doubt a factor contributing towards their somewhat scrappy play. With Apiti a strengthened team, tho next meeting of the teams should be productive of a good game.

Senior. Points Ch. 1>. W. 13. L. For Ag. l’t-3. Old Bovs .. 2 2 — — 37 9 4 Kia Toa .. 2 2 — — 20 9 4 Bedding 0.13. . .. 2 1 1 19 11 2 Beil ding .. 2 1 — 1 15 24 2 .Athletic .. 2 2 6 IB 0 Woodvillo .. 2 — — 2 3 20 0 12 6 — 6 100 100 12 J unior. l*oints Ch. p. W. D. L. For Ag. Pts. High School . .. 2 2 — — 40 17 4 Old Boys .. 2 2 — — 20 6 4 Bedding .. 2 2 — — 24 11 4 Bunnythorpo ... 2 1 — 1 26 19 2 Athletic ... 2 1 — 1 22 36 2 Kia Toa ... 2 1 — 1 12 12 2 Ashhurst ... 2 1 — 1 a 11 2 St. Patrick’s ... 2 2 12 18 0 West End ... ... 2 2 11 38 0 podding O.B. ... 2 — ~ 2 0 16 0 20 10 — 10 184 184 20