RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 135, 8 May 1933, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

KEENLY FOUGHT CONTESTS. SOME THRILLING MOMENTS. t Although the playing area at the Showgrounds was somewhat greasy after the copious rain of the preceding days, conditions wore otherwiiso excellent for Rugby football on Saturday, and the large band of enthusiasts present were furnished _ with some interesting football. Two senior games were presented iu succession on the oval and although the early meeting between United and Old Boys did not roach the heights anticipated, it was a keenly fought struggle wherein both combinations lost opportunities. Superior poundago had threatened to overwhelm St. Patrick’s in their game with Kia Toa, but the newly promoted fifteen fought back every inch of the way to givo last season’s champions a great bid for the honours. Kia Toa bad a markod advantage in so far as territorial play was concerned and their score might well have boon greater, but the same applied, if in lessor degree, to the opposition. After standing up to a vcntablo buttering throughout the major_ portion of the game, St. Patrick’s finished' the stronger, which spoke volumes for their physical fitness. It was a game which raised tho crowd to great heights of enthusiasm and the outlook for tho season appears to l>e remarkably bright.

THE SCORE BOARD. SENIOR. United 18 v. Old Boys 5. Kia Toa 12 vj St. Patrick’s 9.

Feilding Old Boys won by default from Massey College.

JUNIOR. IVoodvillo 35 v. Feilding 0.8. 0. Kia Toa 24 v. Batteries 0. Bunnythorpe 24 v. Feilding 4. High School 16 v. United 3. Old Boys 14 v. Linton 0. St. Patrick’s won by default from Massey College.

THIRDS. St. Patrick’s 17 v. Old Boys 3. Feilding H.S. 6 v. Kia Toa 5. United won by default from Massey Col lege. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES. SENIOR.

24 12 UNITED v. OLD BOYS. . Neither United nor Old Boys produced the type of football looked for, although each rearguard gave evidence that another match or two would find them opening up their play with greater confidence. The first spell saw many opportunities go begging, particularly where United were concerned, while in tho closing moments Old Boys were likewise affected in this direction. The contest, however, was not altogether devoid of interest. The teams filed out as under:

United (white).— Mabey, Penman, Gardiner, Apatari, R. Kells, R. Onnond, H. Ormond, Ross, Nicholls, Glastonbury, Burchall, Ward,, Nankerville, Flowers, J. Kells.

Old Boys (black). —Lang, Puldowski, Bradley, Trass, Wohipeiharm, Ollivor, Gibson, Rennott, Cutler. Henry, O’Doa, Fox, Wnldegravo, Smith, Yortt. Early in the game H. Ormond was given an opportunity to open tho whites’ account from a penalty, but his direction was faulty. However, it did not bring relief to the blacks for they were hard on the defensive for a long period. The opening score came in unexpected fashion when, a centre by Penman which threatened to pass over the goal line rebounded infield where Puklowski was taken in possession. A scrum was ordered and a heel by the whites to Ross allowed tho half-back to whip the leather to R- Ormond, who dropped a field goal from close in. The reverse stirred the blacks up and Yortt. went close to registering a try. A moment later O’Dea made a great effort to turn a penalty shot to profit, tho ball falling under tho bar. However thereafter to the close of the spell United were again maintaining the upper hand, but some golden opportunities went begging, while two shots at goal by J. Kells and Burchall also failed add to the score. Although facing the sunafter the interval, Old Boys set tho tune for a time, but a swerving run by Apatari put the whites on the move and a series of failures by the defenders to field rolling kicks let Flowers through and, although tackled by Lang, he grounded between the posts for R Ormond to swell tho whites’ account still further. Old Boys were dangerous when Bradley burnt through a tacklo to send on to W&ldegrave, but with a clear run in O’Dea dropped the hand-on. Play was quickening up, even though it was still of a ragged order, and a solo burst by H. Ormond went close to being productive. Old Boys, in turn, lost three valuable points when Lang failed to turn a “sitter” to profit. However, they gained thoir reward when Henry went through with the ball at his toe and H. Ormond was guilty of playing the man, the referee awarding a penaltry try to Henry. Waldegravo goaled. An electrical turn came when Wehipeihana cut in, but instead of electing to go through on his own he passed infield to see a certain score lost when the receiver failed to retain possession. Back piled the whites and H. Ormond sidestepped his way through prettily only to be brought to earth a foct or two short. However, Flowers rushed up to take an immediate pass and dive over. R. Ormond failed to convert, but tho game had been made safe. The closing moments brought the whites two further crossings when Apatari danced _ infield to bring his forwards into action and J. Kells burst clear and over alongside the posts. The major points, however, .were missing, as they were in the succeeding effort when Ross worked the blind side of a scrum to feed R. Kells, who turned as he was tackled to ground the leather over tho line. Unperturbed, Old Boys fought their way to the attack whore Bradley was unlucky not to register a crossing, while Waldegrave failed at a simple shot at goal from a penalty. It was a game of lost opportunities. KIA TOA PREVAIL. ST. PATRICK’S BOLD BID. - While in the opening moments of the game between Kia Toa and St. Patrick’s it momentarily appeared as though the victory would go to tho former by a substantial margin, faulty tactics on the part of the blues and dogged and tigerish defenco by the groens resulted in the outcome being in doubt right to the close. The teams wore :

Kia Toa (blue;;).—O’Keefe, Strange, G. Wasley, Simpson, R. Wasley, Matson. 11. Crawford, Summers, Speedy, Findlay, I-leatley, Kerrigan, McKenzie. Gordon. St. Patrick’s (green).—Bcntlv, Findlay, Dawick, Hickey, Spelmnn. McKay, Small, Nesbit, Lane, Burgess, Benefield. Luinsden. Ferguson, Barnao, Madgwick. With their marked advantage in weight and strength, Kia Toa adopted battering tactics. Some minutes elapsed before the first score came when R. 'Wasley threw off two would-be tacklers to send Simpson away. The latter ran Strange into position for the winger to complete wide out. An opportunity to equalise came to St. Patrick’s when McKay,, landed a beautiful goal from just short of half-way. Tlio

same player brought off a spectacular break through from liis own goal line, but O’Keefe got to his cross kick first. However, the greens, by sheer dash, carried. tho advance and Nesbit followed through on a short kick to score wide out. McKay’s direction was faulty. After many fruitless atempts, Kia Toa added another crossing when Matson jinked his way from tho base of the scrum prior to handing on to R. Wasley for the fiveeighth to go over, in a tackle. O’Keefe’s kick went across the goal front, but the sides were on terms when the interval sounded.

The efforts of tho opening spell appeared to liavo told on the blues, for on the resumption their play lacked the dash of theii earlier efforts. However, their rearguard came to the rescue and a handling bout which went right along the lino alter Matson hod cut through effectively terminated in Strange going over, O'Keefe made a good effort to add the major points, but failed. As a result of a head knock Matson, who had been doing very well for tho blues behind tho scrum, was compelled to retire. Thorne replacing him. The greons’ training was now standing to them and, aided by an effort by Hickey, they worked into foreign territory for the first occasion for a long period. McKay was presented with a long shot at goal Irani a penalty, but a good effort went a shade wide. Again a great burst by the greone led them to the attack, but Strange burst.' clear to kick high over Bentley’s head, only for tho bounce to beat both the speeding winger and his supports. However, a moment later Simpson snapped up in the open to dash ovor at the corner. R. Wasloy's kick went wide. The greens wore not finished with and they piled to the attack with a great dash and, after Spolman being disappointed right on the line, Bonefield was handy to score. Although given a free charge McKay failed with a comparatively easy shot. Kia Toa 12 v. St. Patrick’s 9. Mr A. Gordon refereed. PARS AND PERSONALITIES. UNITED v. OLD BOYS. Probably the state of tho ground was to blame in some measure for the indifferent display given by United and Ole. Boys for tho opening spell was very tame. Mabey, the United full-back, is the pcs scssor of a fine pair of hands, some of bis acceptances from awkward positions being of a very high order, while his kicking was also satisfactory. Flowers, who was in Hawke’s Bay last season, where he gained his representative cap, was a very virile member of the white vanguard. A tigerish worker, he played the game from bell to bell. Olliver and H. Ormond, the opposinr five-oightbs, were both up to all the tricks possible and each effected some spectacular dashes. They had their faults, however Ollivor displaying a tendency to go too far on occasion, while Ormond indulged in too much kicking. J. Kells marked the attainment of his majority by registering an excellent try for United, while R. Kells also ranked as a contributor. Wehipeihana gave an excellent all-round display, while Bradley’s efforts at centre showed improvement. Tho latter handled the leather with greater certainty, while he put plenty of dash into his work. Nankerville, who filled the position o‘ centre for Kia Toa in a practice game against St. Patrick’s, was a member o! the United pack on Saturday. Gardiner, a former Waikato player, started in the centre position, but for some reason not known ho went into tho pack also. A Burchall is a former rearguard membor, tho have certainly some versatile players. While Old Boys saw out the full journey, their forwards are still lacking some of that necessary dash which indicates a fit sot of scrumniiigers. The blacks have tho material at their command, but meantime they require speeding up. KIA TOA v. ST. PATRICK’S.

Serious training played a largo part towards St. Patrick’s making such a bold bid for honours against the formidable blues for tho greens did not flinch under tho heavy assaults of tho opposition. R. and G. Wasley were two prominent figures in the Kia Toa rearguard, tho vim and dash the two brothers put into their work being of a very high order. Tho green half, Small, seldom got the ball smartly enough to enable him to feed his back lino and the, greens wero seen but little in concerted action. However, they liavo the material awaiting tho opportunity to come their way. Matson, Kia Toa’s now donkoyman, was playing splendidly when a head injury necessitated his leaving tho fiold. The newly adjusted blue lino promises to givo us bettor football this season. Although Strango’s pace came in very useful on more than ono occasion, the bluo winger’s general play was somewhat lacking, whilo Griflin was but a shadow of his old self. True, ho did not receive many opportunities. Hickey, who started off on tho left wing for Kia Toa, went into the _ five-eighth lino when Dawick met with ail injury. This former Aucklander displays plenty of dash, but he marred some of his efforts by going too far. . McKay, tho former Kia Toa full-back, again played a worthy role. His penalty goal was a beauty, but he did not again reach the same heights. The Kia Toa scrummagers are a hefty set, but some apparently consider that there is no need for them to put their shoulders to tho wheel. Quite frequently their hookers failed to get the ball owing to tho back rankers breaking up too quickly. Summers, Crawford and Kerrigan performed a lot c,f the hard grafting work for Kia Toa, whereas MclCcnzio and Heatloy wero soon to better advantage in the open. The big men suffered some heavy falls in the second spell—apparently the greens’ coach had impresesd upon his men at lemons tho necessity to go low. O’Keefe’s work at full-back for tho blues was very sound and on the day ho rather ovorshadowed Bentley, tho green full-back. The St. Patrick’s forwards arc deserving of congratulation for the splendid fight they put up against a recognised formidable sot. It was difficult to sort any member out for special mention for it was their. combined dash which carried them so far. GENERAL ITEMS. Evans, last year’s United half-back, is assisting Rongotea this season. After Saturday’s victory ho had a damaged eye. N. Amadio, who has been on relieving duty up north, turned out for Ohakune a week ago, but Feilding Old Boys have hopes of having him again in their ranks in tho near future. - Blyth, a former Otago ’Varsity player, may bo found out with Massey College in the near future, although he is at present a resident of Taranaki. As he can play either half-back or five-oightli, the Collegians should find him an asset.

THIRD GRADE. Woodville 3 v. Springboks 3. FOURTH CRADE. High School 35 v. Kia Toa 0. RANGITIKEI SUB-UNION. Senior. —Halcombo 11 v. Bulls 0. Third grade.—Flock House II v. Old Boyn 0. ' TE KAWAU SUB-UNION. Seniors. —Awahuri 8 v. Taikorea 6; Rongotea 9 v. Ohakcii 0. Oroua Downs won from Makoivhai by ; default. Juniors. —Awahuri 14 v. Taikorea 3; Sanson 25 v. Ohakea 0.

RESULTS ELSEWHERE. Rugby matches played in other centres on Saturday resulted as follow: Auckland. —Grafton 17 v. .Grammar 11; College Rifles 11 v. Inchmeal Old Boys 6- University 12 v. Manukau 0; Manst 6*v. Training College, 0; Ponsonby 8 v Otahulm 8. A surpnsc , was the defeat of a strong Grammar sido by Grafton Wairarapa.—Red Star 14 v. Dalcfield 14- Grcytown 6 v. Old Boys 6; Gladstone 19 ’ v . Masterton 6; Featherston 9v. Mar-‘‘'Christiurch.-Old Boys 8 v Merivalc 5; Sydenham 31 v. Albion 5; Christchurch 19 v. Athlotic 6; Lmwoocl 19 v. VarUniversity A 28 v. Kaikorai

3; Pirates 44 v. Union 0; Southern 12 v. Zlngari 0; Alhambra 3 v. Taieri 3; ’Varsity B 8 v. Dunedin 5. Wanganui.— Piratos 8 v. Marist 6; Kaierau 25 v. Technical 3. Wellington.—First “A”: Eastbourne 23 v. Ponckc 20; Athletic 18 v. Marist 8; Old Boys 9 v. Wellington 0; Petono 9 v. Hutt 5. Senior “B”: Oriental 3 v. ’Varsity 3; Mol-Sol 11 v. Berhamporo 0; Johnsonville 12 v. Miramar 5; St. Patrick’s Old Boys 27 v. Upper Hutt 6. A feature of the Athletic Pork match was tho performance of Fuller, who scored 20 of Eastbourne’s 23 points. He scored and converted three tries, kicked a penalty goal and converted Hamilton’s winning try two minutes beforo time. Timaru. —Pleasant Point 6 v. Old Boys 3; Zingari 8 v. Celtic 6. New Plymouth.—Stratford 29 v. Old Boj's 8; Star 24 v. Inglewood 6; Tukapa 11 v. Clifton 7; Opunakc 6 v. Okaiawa 0; Ivaponga 12 v. Empire Old Boys 9; Patca 12 ifc. Eltham 8; Waimate 22 v. Haweva 0. \ Hawke’s Bay.—At Napier: Technical 0.8. 22 v. Tanmtea 0: M. 8.0.8. 14 v. H. 5.0.8. 8. At Hastings: Hastings 14 v. Pirates (Napier) 11; Celtic 9 v. Hastings Old Boys 3.

Points. Ch. P. W. D. L. 1 *'or. Agst. Pts. Feilding O.B. 2 2 — — 41 8 4 Kia Toa 2 2 — — 32 12 4 St. Patrick’s 2 1 — 1 21 20 2 United 2 1 — 1 26 46 2 Feilding: 1 1 3 20 0 Old Boys 2 — — 2 13 30 0 Massey Col. . 1 — — 1 0 0 0 12 6—6 136 136 12 JUNIORS. Points. Ch. P. W. 1). L. For. Agst. Pts. Bunnythorpe . Kia Toa 2 , 2 — — 59 4 4 2 2 — — 37 0 4 High School . 2 2 27 6 4 Old Boys 2 2 — — 23 3 4 Woodville ... 2 1—1 38 9 2 Linton 2 1—1 0 14 2 St. Patrick’s 2 1—1 0 35 2 Feilding 2 1 — 1 4 24 2 Batteries 2 — — 2 3 35 0 United 2 — — 2 3 29 0 Feilding O.B. 2 — — 2 0 35 0 Massey Col. . 2 — — 2 0 0 0