OUT IN THE OPEN.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3445, 6 September 1926, Page 10

OUT IN THE OPEN.

“ Sudden-death ” Competition Commenced

Old Boys and Kia Toa the Finalists

Palmerston North was the srene of two senior grade struggles on Saturday, when ideal conditions prevailed. Old Boys met Western United and had no difficulty in winning to the tunc of 03—5. Kia Toa had a harder proposition in Woodville, but the “diehards," too, prevailed, and now the leading teams in the championship competition will again meet for the final of the “Knock-out” contest. “Sudden-death” competitions were played in the junior and third grades. In the latter there was a surprise—Kia. Tea, the champions, being defeated by Western United.

Old Boys’ Snappy Display WESTERN UNITED OUTCLASSED. The star game was the Old Boys v ■Western United match, played on the Oval, the champions providing the spectators with a fair number of thrills. They were in good form, particularly in the back division, and at the call of time had rattled up the big score of 33 to 5. Western United though certainly giving a better exhibition than against Kia Toa the previous week, was hopelessly outclassed, and never looked like extending the ohampione. At the kick-off Western was three men short, and Old Boys initiated a series of attacks per medium of passing rushes. Twice within five mmutea Evans, Akuira, and Law made the red* force, while once Old. Boys lest a sure try, owing to an infringement of the off-side rule within mgcel—an unusual incident. The referee ordered a drop-out. Back came the Old Boys’ rearguard and Evans, Akuira, Low and Dalgety took part ia the movement, for the -winger to draw first Wood near the corner flag. Akuira could not improve the score.— Old Boys 3-nil. It was only after 15 minutes' play that Western passed halfway for tha first time, and for a few minutes the team was within striking distance, but after Burns had failed to kick a penalty goal, the blacks returned once more to the offensive. Law booted to Fcrnloy, and fast followingup made the Western third-grader kick infield to Palmer, who passed to Stewart for another try. Palmer was unable to add the extra two points. Old Boys 6-nil. Western then took a hand at attacking, but the efforts lacked sting and the blacks soon turned the tide. Law broke clean away, but the black side was penalised for Palmer “shepherding” the All Black. Hard kicking necessitated three drop-outs by the blacks, and they gained the hallway, from where Dalgety broke through to allow Evans to score an easy try. Palmer again failed with the kick and a minute later the interval was called with the score reading Old Boys 9, Western United 0.

other about, without any purpose or plan. The Woodville backs never onco combined, although there were several good individual efforts. Wilzoll, at half, let the ball but well, but his efforts were spoilt by the weak passing of the. five-eighth line. The two wingers. Lyons and Revet 1 both played good games, but their chances to distinguish themselves were but few. Kia Toa were decidedly the better team, their backs at least gave a semblance of combined work, and in this respect the two third graders, Hoi ben and Weston, were every bit I lie cqiia! of their seniors. Weston, the Mana : watu third grade representative played a very safe game, and was fsound last line of defence. Walker, 6n the wing, played his usual dashing game, but he was very well marked by the whole Woodville team. Tri the first spoil. Kia Toa had their opponents defending for some time from the kick-off, and the blue-blacks were compelled to force twice in quick succession. Gothard and Peebles relieved for a time by a good dribbling rush to the Kia. Toa twenty-five, but play was again returned to Woodville territory by a bright passing bout bji the light blue backs, which ended in Walker being hauled out on Woodville’s line. Till lhe half-time whistle blew, Kia Toa were consistently on the attack, but could not penetrate the Woodville defence, and (he spell ended with neither side having scored. On the resumption of play. Woodville got off the mark quickly, and forced play to (he Kia Toa line, where after a hard struggle Lyons picked up and dashed over in the corner, Gifford converting the try: Woodville 5. Kia Toa 0. The. light blues replied to this reverse by a determined rush downfield. from which a passing bout ensued, but Weston snoilt a certain try by knocking on when right on the line.

On the resumption of play, Old Boy’s forwards carried play to the quarter-way a.nd hard kicking made Western force. Following up the drop-out, the reel forwards attacked for a while, but Evans and McSweeny brought play to the half-way and the forwards carried on to throw-o-ut a long pass to Law, who scored under the posts after outpacing the reds in a 25 yards run. Palmer converted for the first time, making the •core 14-nil. Following up a “spec”, Kelte almost scored, but Ormond held him «H> and a five yards scrum resulted. The reds cleared to quarter-way, but Oleadinning and Galpia broke away for the latter to score. Kells failed to increase the tally. Old Boys 17-nil. On returning to the attack, a scrum preceded Evans, Akuira and McSweeny indulging in a passing bout for the training college representative to score near the comer. Seeker failed to convert and Old Boys led 20-nll. Western took up the attack for a spell, and from a line-otrt Hoffmann gained possession, to pass to McKay, then to McArley, who scored in a handy position for Hoffmann to convert. Bustling the reds from the kickout, Stewart broke away and after a close race, crossed the line for Palmer to convert, making the score 25-5. Following a stop in a passing-rush, Jaw gained possession and raced down the side-line te score another three points. A minute iafer, after Burns had “fooled about”, Guy gained possession to score a try after batlocking his way over near tho posts. Dalgct.y added the extra two points ,and few minutes later time was called, the final count reading Old Boys 33 Western United .. 5 Mr_ C. Bade controlled the game. KIA TOA DEFEAT WOO DVD.BE i BAGGED DISPLAY. Wilh a “scratch” team, in which there were several third grade piayers Kia Toa on Saturday defeated Woodvillc by 14 points to 5. As might be expected the game was of a very mediocre standard, neither set of backs handling the ball with anything approaching soreness, while the forwards. although they certainly worked hard enough, failed to exhibit, a high sta.nda.rd of football, and contented thenxeei*“u» with nxMuklw imghing each

The game then livened up considerably. and Kia Toa began to take the upper hand. Following a centre kick by Weston, the ball was sent out to Walker, who. after a. good run, transferred (o Wasley, who got over in the corner. Weston’s kick at goal failed: Kia Toa ?. Woodville R. From this time on there was only one team in (he game, and the light bines began lo run up a tally. Following another good run by Walker, the Kia Toa backs indulged in another piece of passing, which ended in Weston retrieving his former mistake and scoring a good try which his brother failed to convert: Kia fi. Woodvillf 5. Soon after, from a penally kick. Eyre potted a, nice goal, making tho score !)—5 in favour of Kia Toa. Shorlly before time Strange picked up from a forward scramble and scored. Doherty converting, making the final tally: Kia Toa. 14. Woodvillc 5. KOT SCOUTS AT PLAY. WANGANUI .DEFEATS PALMERSTON NORTH. With a view lo encouraging sports in the Boy Scouts, a rugby game was arranged between tho combined Wanganui troops and the Palmerston North troops. This gamp was played at Palmerston 'North on Saturday, and provided a good fixture for though the Palmerston lads wore. handicapped on weight, they gave a good showing.’ Palmerston crossed the line first, Alsop recording a try which was unconverted. Later in the. spell, Frew equalised the account by scoring a try for Wanganui, and at the interval the honours were 3 points all. After the resumption of play. Weir pierced the Palm erst on ia ns defence and besides scoring a try, converted it to make tho score 8-3 in Wanganui's favour. Frew added his second rry to make tho score 11-3, but tho home team were not to he beaten by that margin. Woodley gave tho homeside plenty of “pop” by reducing the margin with a penalty goal, whilst Berryman later recorded a try. Weight began to tell on the Palmerston team in the dying -stages of the game but the visitors wore unable to cross, and a good game ended 11-3. Arrangements arc to bo made for a return match a: Wanganui next Saturday week. TifiKD GRADE. Western United created a surprise in the third grade "sudden death” competition by eliminating the champions, Kia Toa, after a hard game. Kia Toa played with three short, and the rods took full advantage of the shortage lo win by 8-5. Old Boys defaulted to St. Patricks’, while West End Old Boys drew lh« first by a.

FOURTH GRADE. The fourth grade championship competition was brought to a conclusion on .Saturday with the result that Feilding High School annexes premier honours. St. Pat’s defeated Technical School 9-6, and became runner’s-up for the championship. P.N. High School defaulted to Western United, and Feilding High School won by default from Woodville, Feilding fourths defeated Kia Toa bq 40 points to 3 on the polo ground at Feilding on Saturday. JUNIOR “KNOCK-OUT” CONTEST. WESTERN UNITED GOES UNDER. Western. United and Old Boys met in the second round of the Junior "sudden-death” competition, and after a, good game Old Boys ran out (he victors 9-3. From a passing rush McKenzie draw first blood by scoring for Old Boys near the corner. I.atcr Waugh brought off a great try n y selling the "dummy” and then the black forwards decided to take a hand and just prior to lh e interval Gardner battled his way over to make the score 9-nil at the interval After the rest. Western United came to light and gave a better display. After ten minutes’ play, Hoffmann, receiving the ball from a passing rush, raced over the line to record a try, but the points were not increased. Both sides made desperate efforts to add to their tallies, but at the close of the bout the decision was in favour of Old Boys 9-3. POVERTY DAY DEFEATS AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Last Night. For the third time this season, the Auckland Rugby colours were lowered on the home ground by a visiting team. The loss this time -was unexpected, for Poverty Bay came without a flourish of trumpets, and put up a brilliant game, to win by 17 points to I‘4. WELLINGTON. Athletic t 4 v. ’Varsity 6. This was the deciding match for the- 1 926 championship and Athletic: now holds the senior championship. Nfarist 11 v. Petone 0. Oriental 6 v. Ponoke 6. I Inti; 3 v. Berhamporo 0. Wellington 20 v. Sclwyn 14. NELSON RETAINS SEDDO.V . SHIELD. NELSON, Last Night. In glorious weather, and before an attendance of about 4000, Nelson successfully defended Hie Seddon Shield against Butler, winning by 16 to 9. The : Nelson backs wore brilliant, with McGregor, Snograss, and Wallace on the top of their form. Wallace gained Nclsop’s first try from an opening by McGregor and Reed, Snodgrass goaling. On half-time, Mahoney sent to Snodgrass, who dived over. Duller opened strongly. Davis gathering and going over. Davis kicked a penalty. Snodgrass ran from halfway. and when opposed on the line, passed to E. Stow, who sent a long pass (o Wallace to run over, Reed goaling. Snodgrass got a, try froir half-way near lime. Kearns, the Duller full-back, made a strong dash in the Nelson twentyfive, and TunnielilTo finalised wirn a try-. The. Duller forwards were superior in the loose, Kearns and O’P.rien were the best of Duiler’s backs, jf was a hard, elean game.