RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 227, 23 August 1935, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SCHOOLS’ TOURNEY. MANAWATU TEAM DEPARTS. The Manawatu primary schools’ 1935 Rugby representatives left for -Uasterton by the 11 a.m. train today, being tarewelled at the Palmerston North station by a number of enthusiasts and parents. The boys will take part in the quadrangular tourney, wherein Wellington, Wairarapa Wanganui and Manawatu annually compete, and the local team had in their keeping, as the winners of the 1934 tourney, the banner which has done service over so many years. Included in this year’s team are seven country boys, the party being under the managership of Messrs L. G. Berry and K. Dawkins. The Wanganui team, which had come through l>y. a slow train, transferred at Palmerston North to the Masterton train, and the rival combinations were thus fellow passengers. Prior to the train drawing out, Mr I). C. Pryor, president of the Manawat.u Primary Schools’ Association, in the absence of the president of the Rugby Union (Mr A. M. Ongley), presented the representative caps to the boys who had gained inclusion, and in doing so informed the proud recipients that the caps carried with them an obligation—to play the game not only on the field of play but on the streets and in the homes 'wherein they would be billeted in Masterton. On the call of H. Mouldey, the team captain, three cheers were given for the Manawatu Rugby Union for. the gift of the caps, while the onlookers wished the youthful representatives good fortune by three cheers in turn. The programme of events in the Wairarapa is as under: —Saturday (at Masterton): Noon, weighing of team; 12.30 p.m., Manawatu v. Wairarapa; 1.30, Wanganui v. Wellington. Monday (at Carterton): 2.15 p.m., Wanganui v. Manawatu; 3.15 p.m., Wellington v. "Wairarapa. Wednesday, (at Greytown): 2.15 p.m., Manawatu v. Wellington; 3.15 p.m., Wanganui v. Wairarapa. Thursday: learns return home, tlie Manawatu team leaving from Masterton at 11.20 a.m. Of the local team which won the banner last year, not a single player figures in the 1935 representatives, and although some of the boys are of good physique, there are others who are a shade small. INTER-SCHOOL FINAL. After several endeavours to stage the final of the primary schools’ senior competition, Terrace End and Convent, who were on terms, met on Wednesday, when a keen struggle was productive ol a draw, both sides registering five points. As a result of the holidays intervening, it is not improbable that the teams will be bracketed as winners. SACRED HEART TEAM. The Sacred Heart Rugby team (Auckland) arrived in Palmerston North by the early express this morn ing in readiness for their match with St. Patrick’s College (Silverstream) at the Showgrounds to-morrow afternoon. The visitors greatly impressed with their physique, and they should prove formidable opponents to the powerful Wellington team. St. Patrick's College’s team is expected to arrive this afternoon. POLSON BANNER LOST. NAPIER HIGH SCHOOL BEATS PALMERSTON NORTH. NAPIER, Aug. 23. The annual inter-school Rugby lootball match for the Poison Banner between the Palmerston North and Napier Boys’ High Schools was played oil | McLean Park yesterday before a good ' attendance. The game on the whole was a. fairly even one, but, if anything, Palmerston North had a slight advantage for the most part. The visitors were the heavier team, and this gave them a distinct advantage, especially against the wind. Some bright play by both sides was witnessed, and the game was a very good one to watch. Napier scored a somewhat lucky win by seven points to five, their first win against Palmerston North for some years. The following were the teams: PaLmrJrston North.—J'. Stuckey, Edwards, Miller, Stuckey, Polton, Fletcher, Graham (captain), Hcarsey, Coates, Waldegrave, Morgan G. Annear, G. J. Annear, D. Thompson, Carter. . . , . , Napier. Morrissey (captain), Smith Turner, Norman, Bennett Me- 1 Donald, Taylor, Phillips, W epa,

Carey, Broughton, Edmundson, C'awston, ’Hickey, Allen. Napier kicked off and smart play on their part kept play in mid-held for a time, until a good run by Smith carried play to l’almerston North s twenty-five. Palmerston North, however, quickly took play to Napier s goal-line, whence a smart run by faylor and Carey carried play once more to Palmerston North’s territory. Hie ball quickly travelled back again and Graham, Palmerston North’s haltback, picking the ball up smartly from a serum about fifteen yards from the Napier line, after a strong run dived over and scored the only try ot the match. Stuckey, with a good kick, converted.. Halt-time sounded about three minltes later, with tlie score; Palmerston North 5, Napier 0. The second half saw Napier again begin the attack and they were pressing hard when Hickey picked up the ball and kicked a beautiful field goal from the twenty-five yard line. Shortly after Napier were awarded a free kick and Broughton made no mistake, putting Napier in the lead, 7—5. Palmerston North tried hard to regain the lead, and once or twice came close to doing so, but the Niuiier defence was solid, and though Palmerston North were having the better of most of the up-and-down play which followed, they could not penetrate the Napier defence, and the game ended: Napier 7, Palmerston North 5. In the evening the visiting team were entertained.