RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 230, 29 August 1932, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SUBSIDIARY COMPETITIONS. KIA TOA SUFFER A REVERSE. On Saturday the Goldfinch and Cousins Cup series of matches in the senior grado was begun. The day was not altogether propitious, insofar as tho playing conditions wore concerned and, with too clubs weakened by defections, the standard o.f play was not of a very high order. Of tho three teams which had been well ahead at tho close of the main competition, Old Boys and Feilding Old Boys won after meeting with strong opposition, but Kia Tea had to submit to a defeat at tho hands of United. THE SCORE BOARD. Senior. Old Boys 19 v. Massey College 13. Feilding 0.8. 11 v. Feilding 8. United 9 v. Kia Toa 0. Junior A. St. Patrick’s won by default from Bunnythorpe. Junior B. Kia Toa 17 v. High School 11. Old Boys A 11 v. Feilding 5. Old Boys B 6 v. Batteries 3. Third Grade. Kelvin Springboks 8 v. St. Patrick's 0. Kia Toa won by default from United.

G. AND C. CUP.

SENIOR.

BIG SCORING.

COLLEGIANS’ GOOD SHOWING.

Massey Collego gavo Old Boys a close call in tho early gamo and for quite a period it looked as though tho Collegians would win, for even after losing tho load they again worked equal only to finally lose by a margin of six points. College, playing with tho wind at their backs in tho opening half, carried all the attack and, following upon a sensational opening when they rushed straight through to register tho initial try, Patou being tho contributor, they hold control practically throughout the 40 minutes. They should have added another crossing some minutes later, while freo kicks also wont by, but a pretty dual bout between McSherry and McDonald raised their total another threo points. Strive as they would. Old Boys could not force a broach, although in tho closing moments of the spell they did everything but score. On tho resumption, Old Boys took control and worked equal when Youle and Bradley effected crossings, McLeod adding tho major points in tho first instance. Bradley was instrumental in giving tho blacks tho lead when he snapped up a rolling ball to dash over and run round to enable .McLeod to goal. However, a spectacular dash by Paterson from his own twenty-five was capped by a score behind the posts after tho winger had run threequarters of the length of tho field. Kilpatrick’s kick brought the scores level and tho blacks had to fight hard to gain the winning points. Puklowski was distinctly unfortunate in two of his essays, but ho finally gained his reward, while before whistle Lang handed on an opportune pass to Blakeney for tho scrummager to score. It was an improved showing on the part of Massey College and the margin of six points was rather flattering to the blacks. Mr H. Hughes refereed.

SPEED TELLS. UNITED'S GOOD FINISH. While the early stages of the United-Kia Toa game pointed to the latter combination making their way to victory by 6hock tactics, the lighter United scrummagers stood up to the blues in resolute fashion. Indeed, quite frequently they pushed the Kia Toa pack off the ball, and a good deal of tbe honours of the game went to the white forwards. Kia Toa, relying for the main part on their forwards, had long periods on the aggressive in the opening half, but they could not penetrate the last few yards. On the limited number of occasions when United broke free to the open, their speedy breakaways invariably carried a measure of danger and more than once a favourable bounce or a pass at the right moment would have brought a score. As it was. the one contribution came from a penaltv goal when Kia Toa were penalised for doubtful tactics, R. Ormond turning tho opportunity to profit. It did not promise to bo a comfortable margin for the whites after having had the advantage of playing with the wind, and the blues set out to equalise immediately following tho 1 interval. Although United were frequently fighting with their backs to the wall, the defence held. Mullins further lost a reasonably good opportunity to equalise from a penalty shot. As tho spell advanced United commenced to take a greater share of the exchanges and when Evans dived over after a melee, the supporters of the whites became quite hopeful. The players themselves became more confident and the gem of the match came just short of timo when Robb cut through effectively prior to sending on to R. Kells to R. Ormond. The ball then came back to Robb for the originator of the movement to score a wellearned try. Mr L. Cope refereed.

FEILDING OLD BOYS WIN AGAIN. YELLOW FORWARDS SUPERIOR. Although they carried the bulk of the attack and had the best of the game, Feilding went down to Feilding Old Boys by 11 points to 8. It was tho old story so far as the Feilding team was concerned—for-

ward superiority but weakness in the rearguard —although, strangely, both tho Feilding tries wero scored by backs, after, howevor, the forwards had made the running. Both teams took tho field with patched forces and the gamo had barely started boforo a heavy shower of rain made the ground wot and the ball difficult to handle. Good work in tho green pack from a kickin saw tho yellow line penetrated, N. Amadio getting away with Hancock in support. Racing up to Stevens, Amadio sent on an easy pass to tho winger who failed to uccept, a “gift” try being lost. Feilding stormed hack, Plank setting up a rush which testod tho groen defenco for several minutes. A prolonged mcleo almost beneath the bar saw the ball shot back to Plank, who took a drop-kick at goal to miss by inches. A fow moments later Coombe failed to turn a penalty kick to account from a fair position. N. Amadio got away on a short dash to hand on to Hancock who hooted downfield. Stevens failed to stop tho rolling ball, N. Amadio racing up to dribblo on and cross tho line. Hero the leather escaped his control, but Wells had followed up and secured tho force. N. Amadio converted.

In the second half tho green rearguard swung into action, Thurston cutting in to send N. Amadio on, Hancock getting possession from tho latter to go down to Benge when near the line. Tho attack moved across the field, and Thurston again iigurod in an action which ended in M. Amadio making an easy crossing. The kick failed. From a scrum near the green line the ball was sent along tho ranks, Benge intercepting Thurston’s pass right under tho post to cross. Coombe failed with a “sitter.” H. Dcwo shot the ball out to Coombo on the blind side near the green line, tho big winger forcing his way over with a tackier hanging on to him. C. Ilight converted and the scores stood equal—B-all. 11. Dewe shaped a course from a midfield action, the bail going to Pawson and thence right along the green line to M. Amadio, who, after a spirited run, threw off a challenge by Stevens to cross wide out. The kick went wide. The closing stages were keenly fought but thero was no further score. Mr A. Gordon refereed.

FROM THE SIDELINES. THE PLAY AND PLAYERS. (By “Cross Bar.”) Both Massey College and Old Boys fielded somewhat skeleton sides, but tho bluo promotions in tho frontal division went great guns in tho opening half. Woipeihana and MacLeod exchanged post tions in tho Old Boys ranks, the former going to full-back and the custodian to five-eighth. Both gave very fair interpretations of the positions, although Wcipeiliana did not anticipate very well. Gibson, the tall Massey College forward, is well abovo tho average. Apart from his usefulness on tho line-outs, ho turns his remarkablo paco to advantage on occasions. Although beaten for the ball in tho set scrums on tho majority of occasions, Massey Collego essayed tho handling game in tho opening half and McSherry and Douglas went quite happily while Chennells, on tho left wing, unfolded a great turn of speed on occasions, even though ho did not score. ’ . Old Bovs had two newcomers in their ranks, French, an East Coast representative centre, and Dixon, a Victoria ’Varsity and University All Black forward. Both proved welcome additions, Dixon going particularly well. ■ . The return to damp conditions and a heavier ball found the Old Boys backs all at sea in respect to their handling, their passing and accepting being little short of atrocious on occasions. Tho spells in the Massey College-Old Boys gamo wero in direct contrast, tho Collegians having all the bettor of the opening half, while the blacks held control in the second, the wind being a material factor to that end, however. KIA TOA v. UNITED.

Although Kia Toa hooked the ball in tho sot scrums in the big majority, of occasions, tho rearguard could make littlo uso of it, the members invariably receiving tho ball in flat-footed positions. There was some hard play and repeated stoppages on account of injuries, but whilo there wero some nasty crashes, not one member of either sido was compelled to leavo the field. McKay, apart from his wonderful sense of positional play, appeared to he a magnet to the United players, for repeatedly they would kick towards instead of away from tho Kia Toa custodian. McKay’s kicking was frequently of great length. Robb, tho inside five-eighth for United, was very uncertain in his handling in the opening spell, hut lie improved as tho game advanced and the cut in which paved tho way to tho final crossing was a gem. Kia Toa amended their lino by bringing Griffin in from tho wing to centre, Mullins going in one place, while Simpson occupied tho wing. Whilo they performed well as individuals, as a concerted attacking forco they had littlo to commend them. H. Ormond was very active on tho defence, the support he rendered tho full back on occasions being very valuable. Ho has much of the finesse of tho high class player and it is a pity ho lias not been given an opportunity to prove himself in tho representative ranks. Both O’Keefe and Evans, tho rival halfbacks, got through a lot of hard work, but tho United donkeyman was the faster in getting his passes away. Kia Toa sadly inisscu McKenzie and Summers for although tho blue pack had the bettor of things in tho tight for the major portion of tho game, they lacked a thrusting leader. FEILDING v. FEILDING 0.8.

Although the greens suffered the loss of Bramwell, who was absent with the Manawhenua representatives, his place was capably filled by J. Thurston, an exFeilding Old Boy, who has this season been playing for ’Varsity at Wellington. “Snowy” Benge put in an appearance in the centre position of the yellow rearguard to give a” fair account of himself. K. Fitzgerald filled the unusual roll, for him, of three-quarter for the yellows, his playing being far from the worst exhibition that has been given by a Feilding three-quarter this season. Trass, a brother of the usual full-baok for the greens, occupied his brother’s position and, although promoted from High School ranks for the game, came through creditably. O. Hight, the stocky forward who has lately resumed play in the yellow vanguard, was full of dash and was easily one of the most active forwards on the ground, albeit ho frequently got in front of the game. For not the first time this season tho meeting of the two Feilding teams found the Dewe Bros, facing each other as halves for their respective sides with H. Dewe, for Feilding, handling the better on the day. McAsey did a lot of good work for the yellows in the tight, using his weight to effect. C. Hight was in the thick of all the forward work, his line-out play being a continual thorn in the greens’ side. ■ In Kerridge, Feilding have a forward who has improved wonderfully this season and he is a long way removed from the player who last year wore the green jersey. . , Wells was tho most consistent member of the green vanguard, leading the way out of tight scrummages time and again. M. Amadio added a brace of crossings to his season’s “bag,” his speed being responsible for one of the journeys he made across the yellows’ line. Stevens got through a heavy tour of duty with credit to himself, his handling of the wet ball being good. Hancock was in form on the green wing, giving Coombe all he could manage keeping him in chock. Plank has played better games than he did on Saturday, although tho ball was hard to handle. From tho stand it appeared as if N. Amadio would have done bettor to concentrate on passing Stevens himself when ho got through in the first spell instead of pnssing out to Hancock, who failed to hold the wet ball. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES.

Mr E. Clevely, junior selector, lias chosen the following fifteen to represent Manawatu juniors versus Ilorowhenua juniors at the Showgrounds next SaturdayQuigan (St. P), Dawick (St. P.), M. Gillospie (Wv.), Ongley (H.S.), R. Gillespie (Wv.) capt., Duthie (Bth.), Hayes (Wv.), Glastonbury (U), Madgwick (St. P.) Ware (Wv.), Baigent (K.T.), Lane (Batt.), Pinfold (Bth), Crawford (H.S.), Cutler (H.S.). Emergencies: —Backs: Spelman (S.P.), Holden (U.) : forwards, Louisson (O.B.), Mitchell (Bth.)i

WAIRARAPA BEAT MANAWHENUA LOSER’S GAME FIGHT. In a hard match that wag full of good forward play, the Wairarapa representatives beat Manawhenua by 22 points to 16 at Masterton on Saturday. The visitors had bad luck for they lost the services of Mitchell and Oliver, the former going off at half-time and the latter soon after the resumption. Up till this stage Manawhenua had had the hotter of the game. Tho ground was in excellent order and the weather line, although a slight breezo at times made things a little difficult for both teams.

In all departments of the game Manawhenua were Wairarapa's superiors until tho loss of two of their best men told on them, and even then they displayed finish and polish, especially in .their backs, while tho forwards carried the brunt of tho attack. Tiio teams were :

Wairarapa (green) : Roach, Burgess, Stringfellow (captain), Johnson, llimona, R. Devine, Nunn, M. Parker, McGregor, Devine, Walker, Flutey, Keeble, McCalmont, Reid.

Manawhenua (red, blue and white) : Barrett, Eliot, Campbell, Cook, Brainwell, Oliver, Irvine, Cooper, FrazerSmith, McKenzie, Mitchell, Palmer, Ropata, Roddick, McDonald. From tho kick off Wairarapa secured the ball but wore pulled up by Irvine, who found tho line, but the advantage was lost by Brainwell who mulled a pass. From a scrum Irvine worked the blind and Elliott secured tho ball to pass to McKenzie who took it over and after a brilliant dash scored in tho corner. Cooper converted. Wairarapa then took tho play into tho blues’ territory, but bad handling by the greens lost them any advantage. It was now tho bluos’ turn to push matters, but Roach, tho Wairarapa full-back, who sounded tho death knell of many of Manawhenua’s hopes, saved by a beautiful kick. Tho bluo forwards had decidedly tho bettor of the scrums and McKenzie, Cooper and Mitchell were conspicuous by their efforts. Tho green forwards seemed lethargic, though Stringfellow, Burgess, Johnson and Hiniona opened up the game well for the greens, but tho bluo defence was too good. Play at this stage was mostly centred in the Wairarapa twontyfivo and M. Parker intercepting, started a forward rush that was spoiled by a bad pass to Walker. From a scrum Marjiwhenua were awarded a penalty kick which Roddick missed. Manawhenua were pushing hard at this stage, but Roach and Stringfellow were a tower of strength to the greens. Sovcral efforts by Stringfellow and Burgess came amiss owing to Inck of support and faulty handling, but Wairarapa's chance canto when Flutey secured the ball from the scrum and Himona, Stringfellow and McGregor took tho ball botween them and tho last-named scored. Parker’s kick failed.

Manawhenua again took the offensive and a certain try was stopped by Burgess, who kicked tho ball into the dead ball area. Play now alternated up and down the field, the honours being equal. Another rush by Burgess, Stringfellow, Johnson and Himona nearly succeeded, but Barrett collared well and saved by a great lino kick. Wairarapa, however, secured and the ball wont from Flutey to Reid to Burgess, who scored again. Parker’s kick failed.

The blues took play into the enemy’s territory and much scrum work and many lino-outs eventuated. From a melee about Wairarapa's twenty-fivo lino Irvino. secured and passed to Cooper, who dashed over to score a good try which Barrett converted. Play was now general and was noted for the blues' excellent, passing rushes, most of which were stopped by Roach, who kicked beautifully. At this stage Mitchell retired hurt. Tho scoro at half time was: Manawhenua 10, Wairarapa 6. HOME TEAM’S RECOVERY. Wairarapa opened play in the second spell and tho ball was well handled bytee backs, but Himona mulled a pass and Manawhenua relieved tho tension by a great kick by- Barrett. Burgess, Stringfollow, Johnson, Reid. Devine, Parker and Himona started several passing rushes, but tho. blues’ tackling was too accurate and nothing came of it. From a scrum near half-way- Oliver obtained possession of tho ball and from a ruck neat the lino MeKenzio secured and dashed his waythrough to score. Roddick's kick failed. The greens now opened up tho play more and Stringfellow and Burgess were concerned in every movement, but Cooke, Oliver, Elliott, and Irvine played splendidly, and where they saved by tackling Wairarapa lost by faulty handling. Barrett was kicking well and had more to do than his vis-a-vis, Roach. Shortly afterwards Irvine and Cooper secured tho leather and a certain try was stopped by McGregor who collared well. Oliver later boro the brunt of the green forwards’ attack and was always in position, but a great effort by Devine, R. Devine. Flutey, and Burgess resulted in Burgess grounding, under tho posts. Stringfellow added the major points by a good kick. Oliver at this staged limped badly and was in the ruck all the time. The greens carried play into the blues’ quarter, but Nunn spoiled several efforts. Good work was done by Cooper and Roddick who carried play upfield. A likely- scoro was stopped by a beautiful kick by Roach and shortly afterwards the green forwards obtained possession and McGregor literally tore his way through the pack to score under the posts. Stringfellow converted and Wairarapa led for the first time.

Oliver had now left the field and the blues struggled manfully with 13 men and more than held their own, Cooper, Palmer, Bramwell and Cooke working like trojans. At this stage the Wairarapa forwards and backs took the offensive and with only 13 men before them had the advantage of tho play once the ball was let out, but in the scrums Manawhenua were hard to beat. A try by Hirnona was unconverted by Stringfellow. The green backs now took the upper hand and from a rush developed by Stringfellow, Hirnona scored again, and again Stringfellow missed an easy kick. The blues did not let up in the slightest and by keeping the bail at their feet and not opening up play too much took the play into the green territory where a penalty kick was taken by Cooper, who was successful.

Play was general now, first one side holding the advantago and then the* other. The blue forwards were the fitter when time was called and it is certain that had they not had two casualties they would have won. The Manawhenua team were vounger and more polished in their play and Oliver was one of the best backs on the ground, while Cooper. McKenzie and. Frazer-Smith were quite the equal of Wairarat>a’s best. Roach again played a sterling game as full-back and but for him Manawhenua’s thirteen would have beaten Wairarapa’s fifteen.

Tho final score was: Wairarapa 22. Manawhenua 16,

Mr Deans controlled the game.

Reid (Wairarapa) said the Manawhenua pack was the best they had met. The team was entertained at a dinner after the game.

TOURING TEAM. MANAWHENUA SELECTION. Tho following players have been selected to represent Manawhenua in the games to be played against Taranaki and Wanganui this week: — Barrett (H.), Cooke (H.), Meta Johnston (H.), Elliott (M.), Bramwell (M.), Wasley (M.), Campbell (H.), Irvine (M.l, Frazer-Smith, Cooper, McKenzie, Youle (M.), McDonald, Roddick, Ropata, Palmer, Ogier (H.). Tho team will go by bus on Wednesday. The Manawatu members will join the Horowhenua contingent in Palmerston North, tho bus leaving for Stratford at 10 a.m. Manawhenua meet Taranaki at Stratford on Thursday and .Wanganui at Wanganui on Saturday next, returning homo the same evening. Olliver, who was injured in the game against Wairarapa on Saturday, was not available for tho trip.

WELLINGTON BEAT TARANAKI. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. Wellington defeated Taranaki at Athletio Park yesterday by 18 points to 17, though the honours of the game were with the losers, who played better football than Wellington. The conditions were good except for a heavy northerly wind whioh

favoured Taranaki in tho first spell and Wellington in tho second, Iho Taranaki forwards outplayed the Wellington. P which contained too many wingers in tno early stages. Wellington obtained P os^? sion at will, but when they reached tho vicinity of the Taranaki line the Wellington pack all wanted to break away an score. Consequently there was a laek or weight in the scrum and this deprived their fast-moving backs of possession. The following Wellington team has been selcoted for the Southern tourßacks: Cresswoll, Pollock, Ball. Macdonald, loen, Hislop, Griffiths, Neal, Robins, I indill. Forwards: Quaid, Lambourne, Diederich, McLean, Reid, l.lcPhorson, Martin, Lainason, Keeney, Stiver.

RANFURLY SHIELD. SMALL SCORING GAME. Por Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 28. By the narrow margin of two points Canterbury retained tile Ranfurly Shield yesterday, beating West Coast by 5 points to 3. It was a fast, open game, both sides tossing the hall about freely, and the spectators found it one of the most exciting games played at I/ancaster Park this season. The Coast forwards were quite equal to the Canterbury pack, but the homo backs had more finish a 3 ail attacking combination. However, tho Coast backs’ defence was very sound. RESULTS ELSEWHERE. Wanganui.—Old Boys 8 v. Marist 0; Technical Old Boys 3 v. Kaierau 3. Ashburton.—Ashburton 39 v, Waimate 6. Gisborne. —Poverty Bay 8 v. Hawke's Bay 6. Timaru. —South Canterbury 16 v. North Otago 11. Aurkland. —University 13 v. Manukau 3; Grammar 11 v. Technical Old Boys 0; Otahuhu 21 v. Grafton 8; Ponsonby won from Training College by default. Hamilton. —Waipa 9 v. Hamilton 6. Dunedin. —'A’arsity A 20 v. Southern 0. Westport.—Seddon Shield : Buller (holders) 13 v. Nelson 3.

CHAMPIONSHIP IN SYDNEY.

SYDNEY, Aug. 23.

In tho final for the Metropolitan Rugby Union premiership, Drunimoyne defeated Northern Suburbs by 22 points to 16.

Old Boys ... Feilding O.B. United Massey Col. . Feilding Kia Toa P. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Total Ch. V. D. I/. For. Agst. l’ts. 1 — — 19 13 2 1 — — 11 8 2 1 — — 9 0 2 — — 1 13 19 0 — — 1 8 11 0 — — 1 0 9 0 6 3—3 60 60 6 JUNIOR A. Points. Ch. P. W. D- L. For. Agst. Fts Woodvill© 14 12 1 1 222 50 25 Bunnythorpe . 14 11—3 170 44 22 St. Patrick's 14 11—3 115 51 22 42 34 1 7 507 145 69 JUNIOR' B. P. W. D. L. For. Agst. I’ts. Old Boys A. 3 3 — — 50 11 6 Kia Toa 3 2—1 32 22 4 United 2 1—1 17 24 2 I’eilding 2 1 — 1 13 14 2 Old Bovs B. 2 1 — 1 9 15 2 High School 3 1 — 2 53 34 2 Batteries 3 — — 3 9 43 0 18 9—9 163 163 18