OLD BOYS STILL HEAD CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6632, 11 June 1928, Page 4

OLD BOYS STILL HEAD CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER

Kia Toa and Feilding 0.8. also Victorious Junior Ladder Unchanged f* _________ The conclusion of Saturday's games in the senior Rugby competition saw Old Boys maintaining their lead at the head of the championship ladder, the blacks beating last year’s senior champions by 13 points to 3. On the oval, at the Showgrounds, Kia Toa tried conclusions with Athletic, the light blues Anally collecting the championship points by a margin of 15 points to 6. Feilding Old Boys followed up their defeat of Kia Toa ten days ago by securing another win at the expense of Woodville whom they defeated, 11 points to 4 The positions of the junior and third grade championships are unaltered. Feilding still lead the former, with Kia Toa on the next rung, while in the thirds, Woodville top the list, with St. Patrick’s one place further down. / The championship tables, with two games of the second round played, read as follows: v

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior. Kia Toa 15 v. Athletic 6. Old Boys 13 v. Fcilding 3. , Fcilding Old Boys 11 v. Woodville 4. Junior. St. Pat’s 14 v. West End Old Boys 3. High School 28 v. United Valley 0. Kia Toa 3 v. Athletic 0. Fcilding 27 v. Fcilding Old Boys 3. Old Boys 13 v. Bunnythorpc 0. Thirds. Fcilding H.S. 27 v. West End 0.8. 9, Woodville 11 v. Bunnythorpe 0. -f St. Patrick’s 7 v. Old Boys A. 3. Fcilding 17 v. Kia Toa 3. Old Boys B 20 v. Athletic 0. ; Fourths. High School 45 v. St. Patrick’s 0. West End 0.8. 21 v. Technical 0. Kia Ora 3 v. Woodville 3. Fifths. Kia Ora 16 .v. Phoenix 4. Sixths. Albion 23 v. Technical 0. Phoenix 14 v, Kia Ora 3. DISTRICT RESULTS. Oroua Sub-Union. Senior Final— Ajpiti 11 v. Rangiwahia 6. Juniors. —Waituna 14 v. Kiwitea nil; Rangiwahia 20 v. Kimbolton 3; ApiU forfeited to Colyton, Horowhenua Council. Seniors—Shannon 11 v. Wanderers 3; Wcraroa 28 v. Huia Mai 9. Juniors. —Foxton 15 v. Tokomaru 3;, Weraroa 6v. > 'dcrers 3. Te Kawau Sub-Union.?. ' - Seniors—Huia Mai 8 v. ‘Rongotea 0,, Oroua Downs 15 v. AwahUri 11. Juniors. —Huia 13 v. Rongotea 0 : Awahuri defaulted to Oroua Downs. Thirds.—Huia 6 v. Rongotea 3; Huia Mai 13 v. Awahuri 3. Schools’ Competition. —Sandon 13 v. Rongotea 3. Kia Toa Beat Athletic. There was a rather meagre attendance of the public at the Showgrounds on Saturday when Kia Toa met Athletic. The greens are a team who have been showing improved form of late; their display against the powerful light blues was good; ..especially in the second spell, when their packmen had the better of matters for most of the half. It was another predominantly forward struggle with occasional glimpses of rearguard action on the part of Kia Toa. The Kia Toa pack once again included in its ranks Summers and Heatley, who have been on the bank of late, on account of injuries. Powell, a promoted junior, replaced Shearman at first five-eighth, while Tettlcy was still absent owing to injuries. Athletic had their new donkey-man Nelson McKnight, behind the scrum; otherwise their team was very much tho same as that fielded on the previous Saturday. The teams were:—Athletic (green and black): Fcarnley, Burstall, Hcmi, Field, Robb, Kells, McKnight, Clcvcly, McQueen, Wells, Stone,. Jensen, Payne, Taylor, Bryce. Kia Toa (blues): Waslcy, Mullins, Strange, Griffin, Holden, 'Powell, Shapleski, McDonald, O’Keefe, Crawford, Parsons, Doherty, Summers, Heatley, Biel.

The Game. The light blues lost no time in starting the ball rolling, their packmen smashing through tho greens, to roll them back to their defences. Right in front of tho posts, an oil-side infringement gave Mullins a chance to open Kia Toa’s account per medium of a well-placed penalty kick. Kia Toa, 3—nil. Biel, Heatley, and Crawford could be distinguished in the van of a smashing blue forward rush that crumpled up the green defence and had AtJ tic Jlgntmg with their backs to the wall. For a few minutes tho Kia Toa shock battalion tested the defences, then Summers, securing from a ruck, slung the leather out to Crawford, who in - turn, handed on to Powell for the five-eighths to beat his man and dive over, well out. Mullins found the wind too tricky for a successful kick. Kia Toa, 6—nil. Blues Open Well. Kia Toa had by no means expended their opening dash. From half-way, the forwards charged down the opposition for Powell to transfer out to Mullins. The centre found McDonald round on the outside, and gave tho fast rover the ball for him to penetrate and ground wide of the posts. Again Mullins found a combination of wind and angle) insurmountable. Kia Toa, 9 —nil. After a period of skirmishing in “no man’s land’’ the Kia Toa vanguard began a, relentless drive which tested severely the green defences. Summers, Heatley and Biel le,d the charge, which swept tho greens, fighting across their own line, where Biel went down on the leather amid a welter of forwards. PowolL proved as unsuccessful as Mullins in endeavouring to add the major points.- • Athletic Counter-Attack. Athletic evidently considered that mattersjhad gone far enough, and proceeded, to do a little attacking on their own acepunt, Infrfnjui ents w-.ro frequent, two penalties to the greens within quite a short period falling wide of the posts. Greens were definitely asserting themselves, however, McQueen and Bryce leading a raiding expedition well into Kia Toa territory. Attack followed counter-attack, the blues countering solidly with an open rearguard movement that gave Mullins an opportunity to turn an ininugenlEnt by a green player to profit. The leather fell short, however, and soon Athletics supporters were roaring their hyipn of praise as Burstall eluded his man to penetrate well up tin line. Summers and Crawford temporarily raised the soige, but tho relief was short lived. Back again swept Athletic, Wells., Bryce and McQueen in the van, to hammer the solid blue scrummagers on their own line. From a set scrum within five yards of their goal. Athletic secured the ball for McKnight to dive into the press in an endeavour to burst over. The referee called a halt for a scrum, however, and the blues wore enabled to clear tbeir line. Back came Athletic undeterred, Robb making a great attempt to land a field goal despite the unfavourable wind. The leather was just a shade out of direction, however, and Athletic’s chance of opening their account before tho half time interval, passed. Tho Second Spell.

The whistle for the re-opening of hostilities saw the greens muster their forces and hustle the blues into their own territory, Ivobb was proving troublesome to the blue backs, while the green pack had their heads down

Hading into the press in groat style. .Mullins’ boot proved useful in relieving tire pressure in one or two instances but Athletic continued to hold/ the territorial advantage. ‘They were working hard to open their account, however and soon the opportunity came. A forward pass infringement gave Fernley a chance to turn a penalty to account, the green full-back dispatching the leather well and truly Over the cross-bar. Athletic, 3—12. Athletic lost no time in returning to the attack, but with dramatic suddenness the scene changed. As the green backs opened out for action, Powell broke up the combination to enable McDonald to beat Fcrnlcy for the ball and race down-held in possession. The rover was too fast for the opposition and finished off his great solo effort bj scoring a little wide of the posts. Mul lins failed with the kick. Kia Tea, 15—3. Another Penalty for Greens. After a period of counter-attack on the part of Kia Toa, Hemi burst into the picture in a spectacular break through, only to throw away his effort with a wild pass ho gave into the hands of the opposition. Athletic maintained their pressure, keeping the blues hard at work holding their territory. After a lengthy period of attack, the greens wea'e given an opportunity to decrease Kia Tea’s lead per medium of a good! penalty kick from Fernley. Athletic 6 —15.

Still the battle raged in the blue ’25 until Kia Toa managed to work down field to half-way. First Mullins, then Strange, and finally Powell, .tried to burst through only to bo swiftly dealt with. Athletic rallied and rolled the blues back into their own ground, where the whistle found them mixing it fore and aft. Mr. P. O. Skoglund.was in charge of the game. FEIDING OLD BOYS TOO PIT. In the match at Woodville the feliding Old Bays undoubtedly owed tnelr victory to superior combination and physical fitness. During the first spell the latest All Black formation, three hookers, four supports and four three-quarters enabled Woodville to get more than their share of the ball from the scrum, and. their backs threw the ball about in a manner that though lacking polish, was a distinct improvement on their combination shown hitherto. Dp till halfway through the second spell the blue and blacks were still in the lead, but the persistent rearguard .action of the greens then told, the victory going to the Feildingites by three tries (one converted) to a field goal The teams took the field as follows:

Woodville: J. Upton, Crapper, Young, Smyth, Brighouse, Scott, Setford, Wigzell, Dean, Chamberlain, Charles, Eadcs, McNicol, Wade,Upston. Feilding Old Boys: McLeod, Whitehead, N. Bramwell, Shrimpton, S. Bramwell, Pawson, Cochrane, Waldin, Tate, Heard, Penny, . McKay, Bead, Wells, Tolley. Mr. H. Hope carried the whistle. . Winning the toss Woodville took advantage of the south-easterly wind. After the preliminary skirmishes Woo.dvillc essayed several passing rushes but over-running the ball, knock-ons and good tackling combined to prevent their being fruitful. A few scrums disclosed the fact that the Woodville team were giving the latest All Black formation a’ trial. Dean, Chamberlain and Charles were in the front row and Eadcs, Mc-Nicol, Wade and Upston in the supports. There were also four three-quarters: Crapper, Young, Smyth and McNicol. The seven stalwarts in the scrum were holding their own too and enabling Wigzell to keep his backs well supplied with the leather. Continued shock tactics combined with successful possession of the ball from the scrums were the means by which the blue and- blacks dominated the game at this period. Erom a scrum near th'o green line Wigzell secured, passed back to Setford, to J. Upston, who in true Africander style potted a pretty goal front the twentyfive yards mark. . Woodville 4—o. A spirited counter-attack by the greens found Setford "and J. Upston safe. Urged oh by their success Wade, Charles, Upston and Eades, headed a smashing attack right to the line, Charles hurljng himself over to be brought back for a minor infringement. The ensuing scrum saw W. Bramwell secure and find the line at the twenty-five flag. Here a free kick to Woodville gave J. Upston a chance but he allowed too much for the wind. In a series of loose forward rushes by Woodville, Upston and Charles were very prominent, but the two Bramwells and McLeod repelled the invasions. A long kick by N. Bramwell was missed by J. Upston and Scott handling from an offside position gave Feilding Old Boys a chance at goal Waldin’s kick however fell short. Crapper then showed out 5n following up a high kick from J. Upston, but the bounce of the ball beat him and spoilt a good chance. Wade next shone in a couple of determined rushes by the Woodville forwards, McLeod speculating to touch in goal when the ball had gone over the line. Shortly after a free kick against Woodville for lifting gave the greens a temporary respite. Again Wigzell fed his backs with the leather but good tackling prevented a score while McLeod came to the rescue with judicious - line kicks. A breakaway rush by Charles was checked by N. Bramwell going low. Wade carried on but kicked too hard over the line and McLeod forced. Fast loose play in which Woodville’s seven forwards more than held- their own characterised the remainder of the spell w r hich ended with Woodville four points up. The Greens Attack. After the change over it was soon apparent that the Fcildingites were after a score, a series of attractive passing bouts finding Woodville busily defending. Here the playing of four three-quarters enabled them to stem many a likely rush. Pawson and the two Bramweils handled and passed out to Whitehead, but the winger knocked oh at the critical moment.

Again and again the green rearguard attacked ouly to bo pulled up for minor infringements. Charles and Upston in turn gained ground with hefty kicks. Fades marked while in green’s torritoy but he grounded the bail and' lost the opportunity. Feilding Old Boys soon returned to the siege, offside spoiling a nice back movement. Nothing daunted they hammered at the defence Heard, Penny and Bead using their weight to advantage. A scrum on Woodville’s lino saw the green hookers, Tate and Heard, predominate. Cochrane passed out to S. Bramwell, to W. Bramwell, who cut in and passed out to Whitehead who shot over in the corner. Waldin found the angle too great. Woodville T Feilding Old Boys 3. Fitness Prevails. Keeping ,up the siege the greens threw the ball around merrily a nice movement terminating in N. Bramwell securing to swerve his way over for a good try Waldin’s kick struck the upright but bounced over the crossbar. Feilding Old Boys 8, Woodville 3. Shortly afterwards from loose play in midfield N. Bra&well secured. A good swerving run saw. film finally wriggle his way through tho opposing rearguard to notch his second try. Tho kick failed and tho greens led 11 —4. In the closing stages of the game tho Woodville forwards came again. A penalty gave J. Upston a chance at goal but the ball fell short and McLeod cleared. Feilding Old Boys were again pressing when the final whistle soured. ■' : ■ A' 5

oil re-commcncing and the greens found it hard work keeping the sturdy white packmen at bay. The West Enders maintained the pressure however, their efforts being rewarded at length, when their backs strung out for attack, to race through the opposition and send Pierccy over a little wide of the posts. The kick failed. '■ St. Pat ’s countered heavily, their forwards driving home a solid counter attack which kept tho whites defending hard. The greens’ persistent efforts succeeded at length, however, when E. Ncsbit secured from a ruck to dive over, wide out. Pose failed with tho kick. W.E.0.8. had lost de Cleeno owing to an injury and were playingwith' fourteen men. Their forwards continued to go well, however, but were unabe to break the Pats’ defence. The game ended with the score unaltered, 14—3 in the greens’ favour. Mr." H. 'McGregor controlled the game. ' Kia Toa v. Athletic. Previous to their senior fifteens meeting on the Oval, Kia Toa and Athletic juniors clashed on No. 3 ground. The green and blacks were short of three men which considerably disrupted their combination and weakened their team. Despite this, however, they put iip a groat battle, running the light blues very close indeed for the honours. The first half saw a bitterly fought struggle between tho opposing packs, but’ so solid was the defence, that neither side could penetrate, and the half-time whistle found the score board a blank. The struggle continued with unabated vigour on resumption, but still neither side could open their account. The light blues were attempting rearguard tactics more than tho greens, but without success. At length, after a period of attack, Kia Toa’s efforts wore rewarded, when Argyle. broke away to hand the ball on to Shearman who crossed to make tho nrst entry on tho score sheet. The kick failed. Athletic continued to wage .a sterling battle in sjfito of the reverse but the time whistle found Kia Toa holding their bare throe-point lead. Mr. L. G. Berry had charge of the ■whistle. - Old Boys Beat Bunnythorpe. Old Boys juniors journeyed to Bunnythorpo where, after a good open game, they defeated the wearers of tho maroon, by 13 points to nil. The. two forward packs fought a groat battle, and had Bunnythorpe’s rearguard division been of the same mottle as their serummagers, the result might have been different. As it was, however, the black packmen gave their speedy backs a good share of the ball with the result that tho half-time whistle found the score 10-nil in Old Boys’ favour. Collins and Scorgio both registered a crossing, Collins converting both tries. Both sides took a good share of attack in tho second spell, a weakness in the five-eighths line breaking up many of Old Boys promising rearguard movements at their inception. Bunnythorpe could not open their account, however, in spite of all their hard work, while Collins succeeded in going over oneo again for the blacks. The whistle found Old Boys holding a 13 —nil lead. Mr. A. Gordon refereed. High School's Easy Win. On No. 3 ground, High School had an easy win over United Valley. The Valley boys fielded a solid frontal brigade but their backs were no match for the speedy rearguard combination of the schoolboys. 'School forwards stood up to the heavier red and blacks in great style, and gave thoir flying squad plenty of the leather. The final whistle found School with a 28-point margin. Swindell (2), Fletcher (3) and Trcmcwan (2) secured tries for School, while Millar kicked a penalty and converted a try. O’Keefe also, added tho extra points on one occasion. Mr A. E. McKcgg was whistler. Horowhemia

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Seniors. Shannon 11 v. Wanderers 3. W'eraroa 28 v. Hui Mai 9. Juniors. Miranui 12 v. Shannon S. Thirds. Foxton 15 v. Tokomaru 3. Wanderers 6 v. Wcraroa 3. Horowhcnua senior games were lull of surprises on Saturday. Shannon beat Wanderers by a comfortable margin of eight points and Wcraroa trounced Hui Mai by 28 to 9. The latter game was most unexpected, and it was doubtful if Shannon would beat Wanderers. Wanderers are now only one point ahead of Shannon in the championship, and Shannon thirds are five points in the lead in their section. Shannon v. Wanderers. A hard game was fought on the Levin ground, when these two old enemies met. The match had a serious aspect, in view of the fact that Wanderers were so far undeafoatca, and a win would put them in a safe position for the championship Both teams took the field at full strength and the result was a hard forward game Of the two Wanderers’ scrum iiad rather the. advantage. They certainly had their share of the ball. Shannon kicked oil - against a fair breeze, and the forwards attacked hard to Wanderers’ 23 Here a free kick was awarded to Shannon for picking

the ball out of the scrum, which Whyte promptly placed between the posts, giving .Shannon an early load of three points. Wanderers started to attack but a good opening was lost by a dropped pass. Parata (Wanderers) got away but Walls collaring well stopped him. After a'further attack by Wanderers Marsh cleared and Dalzell got going, Wanderers being forced. Parata eventually cleared, but Walls and Mitchell started a further movement which the forwards carried on but were penalised for offside. Wanderers now attacked hard and both McKenzie and Hurst cleared will. A penalty for offside from the scrum was awarded against Shannon, but fortunately for Shannon Tatann’s kick failed. Two free kicks were awarded Shannon for breaches of the offside rule, but little advantage was gained. Wanderers again attacked hard, but McKenzie saved well. Kyder (Wanderers’ mil back) punted well down the lino, but Marsh took the ball running and passing to Koborts enabled Shannon to carry the attack to the other end of the field where .Hcrqmaia made a fortunate save for Wanderers. Play now returned to the centre for a few minutes, after which McKenzie and K. Dalzell carried the ball to Wanderers’ 25. Walls and Bobbie made a determined effort to break through, but were collared. Wanderers now made ; a determined attack and finally Tatana went over to score near the corner, D. McDonald failing to add the major points. Wanderers 3 Shannon 3. , After the interval the game became slightly more open. T. Parata and Williams made a good attempt for Wanderers but it was spoilt by a knock on. Shannon now attacked hard and Kyder only just touched 1 down in time, Robbie following up fast. Roberts now obtained the ball and after a good attempt was collared on the line, Ryder being again compelled to force. Shannon forwards now obtained the ball and L. Dalzell scrambled over to score. Whyte made no mistake with the kick. Shannon S Wanderers 3. The game continued , with varying fortune, Walls bringing off an excellent, tackle to stop Williams who nearly ran through. Ryder played a sterling game as full-back for Wanderers. A forward attack by the Shannon team now developed but the ball went to touch. From the line out N. and L. Dalzell obtained and dribbled through L. Dalzell scoring. The kick failed. Shannon 11 Wanderers 3.

Shortly after Mr. K. Davis’ whistle sounded without any further addition to the score. JUNIORS. Shannon v. Miranui. A well contested game was played on the Shannon Domain in which Miranui won by 13 to 8. Mr. Parata, who was to have controlled the game failed to put in an appearance, and after a long delay both sides agreed to Mr. T. Watson of Miranui taking the whistle. Miranui played with the wind for the first half and proceeded to rattle on nine points. The first score went to Miranui when the Shannon back in trying to clear the ball struck a Miranui forward, the ball rebounded, and Simpson fell on it to score. No goal was added. Croon next took advantage of a penalty kick to add three more points. Miranui forwards now pressed hard, enabling Batt to cross the line. The try was not converted. After half time Shannon improved considerably and some good passing among the’ backs enabled B. Holden to get away and score. The kick failed. Shannon 3, Miranui 9. An exchange of kicks w'cnt in favour of Miranui and from a line-out in Shannon’s 25 Young scored a further try for Miranui which was unconverted. Miranui 12, Shannon 3. The Shannon backs now made several good attempts to score from passing rushes, but were unsuccessful until Gray sent out to N. Holden, to B. Holden, who cutting out a' man sent the ball over to Jamieson who scored. N. Holden kicked an excellent goal from the side line. Shannon 8, Miranui 12 No further score was added, Shannon attacked hard, but Miranui rose to the occasion. Just before time N. Holden was pushed out on the corner. Warraan was. playing a good game until compelled to leave the field owing to trouble with his leg. The forwards on both sides played well. Of the Miranui backs, Mabey, Croon, Goodwill and Humphries played sound football, Mabey being excellent as fullback For Shannon the two Holden’s (third grade players), performed brilliantly and were closely followed by Gray and Jamieson. IN OTHER* CENTRES. Napier.—T.C.O.B. 13 v. H. 5.0.8. 10; Pirates 17 v. M. 8.0.8. C; Hastings 1(3 beat M.A.G. 0. ' Tho feature of the games to-day w r as the way that the players copied tho African penchant for potting goals, at least two grade games being won by field goals. Auckland.— ’Varsity 25 v. Ponsonby (champions) 8; Grafton 19 v. Grammar 9; North Shore 11 v. City 8; Training College 6 v. College Rifles 0. Christchurch. —Old Boys 20 v. Albion 11; Merivale 23 v. Technical 12; Christchurch 9 v. 9.

Wanganui.—Kaieru 12 v. Katana 8; Marist 11 v. Wanganui Old Boys 11; Technical Old Boys 3 v. County 0. New Plymouth.—Star 9 v. Tukapa 1 ; Oknto 17 v. Old Boys 5; Clifton 8 v. Eltham 7; Stratford 3 v. Inglewood 0. Dunedin. — 'Varsity A .12 v. Kaikorai 3; Southern 10 v. Dunedin 9;. Pirates 21 v. Zingari S; Alhambra 2-1 v. Union 0; ’Varsity B 3 v. Taicri nil.

Wellington A.—Pclonc 31 v. Bcrhamporo II; Old Boys 27 v. Athletic 13; Eastbourne 12 v. Marist 8; Ponckc 17 v. Wellington 3; ’Varsity 11 v. Oriental 0. Senior B.—Hutt 12 v. Porirua 3; Johnsonvillo 22 v. 'Varsity 0;

Training College 20 v. Sclwyn 5. Wairarapa.—Carterton 13 v. Red Star 0; Grey town 11 v. Gladstone 0; Old Boys 42 v. United 8. Timaru. —Zingari 3 v. Celtic 0; Star G v. Waihi 3; Temuka 9 v. Ol'd Boys 3. Invercargill;—Pirates 8 v. Star 3; Invercargill 27 v. Southern 12. Nelson.—Old Boys 11 v. Waimcn 6; Kelson 27 v. Rivals 3.

Senior Honors Board. P. W. L. D. For Ag. Pts. Old Boys 6 1 0 119 28 12' Kia Toa 5 1 1 68 36 11 Feilding 4 2 1 49 43 9 Feilding Old Boys .. 7 3 4 0 54 55 6 Athletic 7 1 6 0 30 72 2 Woodville 1 6 0 21 107 2 Junior Honors Board Feilding 6 0 1 115 23 13 Kia Toa 6 ' 1 0 58 29 12 Old Boys 5 r 1 1 73 26 11 High School 4 2 1 105 51 9 St. Patrick’s 3 2 2 63 36 -8 Bunnythorpe 7 3 4 0 63 62 6 Athletic 2 4 1 31 88 5 West End Old Boys , 2 5 0 52 78 4 United Valley i 6 0 17 119 2 Feilding Old Boys , 7 0 7 0 24 89 0

SENIOR TABLE P W D L Pts Wanderers . (5 5 — 1 10 Shannon . 6 4 1 1 9 Hui Mai . 6 2 1 3 4 Weraroa . 5 1 — 4 2 Foxton .51 4 2