SATURDAY’S SENIOR RUGBY BRINGS SOME SURPRISES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6901, 6 May 1929, Page 8

SATURDAY’S SENIOR RUGBY BRINGS SOME SURPRISES

Only Old Boys Undefeated

Kia Toa Loses to Woodville; Feilding O.d Boys Defeat Feilding

Followers of Rugby in the Manawatu were treated to some fine games on Saturday, in which the element of surprise was evident

At the Showgrounds, Woodville scored a great victory over last year’s champion team, Kia Toa, in an eventful game. The winners achieved their narrow win through a hand grafting pack and a stubborn defence by both forwards and backs.

Old Boys were not untroubled in accounting for Athletic 30—8. The speed of the black rearguard prevailed when Athletic allowed the game to open and the winners snapped up opportunity when it came their way. I By defeating Feilding 25 to 6, Feilding Old Boys considerably upset calculations in the home town.

SENIOR HONOURS BOARD.

P. W. L. D. For Ag. Pts. Old Boys „.. „ 22 0 0 38 21 4 Kia Toa 2 1 1 0 36 24 2 Athletic ...... ...... 2 1 1 0 14 35 2 Feilding 2 0 2 0 19 43 0 Feilding 0.8. 2 1 1 0 33 28 2 Woodville .. » 2 1 1 0 21 20 2 JUNIOR HONOURS BOARD. P. W. L. D. For Ag. Pts. Old Boys 22 0 0 41 3 4 Kia Toa A 22 0 0 43 3 4 Kia Toa B 1 1 0 0 20 0 2 High School ft . 22 0 0 30 8 4 Feilding 2 0 2 0 11 48 0 Feilding 0.8 2 0 2 0 0 60 0 United Valley 1 0 1 0 0 12 0 West End 0.8 2 0 2 0 3 23 0

Woodville 's Surprise Packet

a determined bid for the line, only to be crowded out in the corner.

The surprise of the day came from Woodville which snatched victory in the last minute of the game, from the hands of Kia Toa, last year’s champions. The double blues gave a most uninspiring display in the first half, when the enterprising Woodville forwards, aided by the spoiling tactics of their backs,'had easily the better of the exchanges. With a lead of 7-nil in the first spell, the visitors set the pace after half time and despite strenuous efforts on the part of Kia Toa, held the lead until within ten minutes of time, when Strange scored after an attractive rearguard movement. Woodvilie looked like having the victory snatched from it at the last moment but a great solo effort on the part of Gillespie saw the pendulum swing back and the visitors retake the lead within a couple of minutes of the final whistle. ... i Neither side shone in combined work but Woodville showed by far the greater enterprise. Encouraged by early success, the team played with a dash that broke up Kia Toa in both attack and defence and earned a well merited .victory. The teams lined out as follows: — Woodville (dark blue and black): Spackman, Hayes, Gillespie, Redwood, Goodwin, Leahy, Scott, P. Eades Charles, Jones, Dean, Morgan, Scoular, Burley, Hutchison. Kia Toa (double blues): M. O’Keefe, Smith, Mullins, Strange, Holden, Morgan, Thompson, Eoldt, Heatley, Penny, Conrad, Doherty, Parsons, B. O’Keefe, Wilson. Woodville opened with great dash and in the early stages, forced play downfield into the double blues’ 25. Stern battling between the forwards saw the dark blues unable to breach the defence ,although the Kia Toa line appeared at breaking point. A penalty to the visitors on the Kia Toa ’25 saw Goodwin’s kick go well astray and Conrad cleared back to half way with the ball at his toe. The double blues having raised the siege fell to it in better style, Mullins threading his way through on the right wing to work into a scoring position, with Strange outside. The winger failed to connect with the critical pass, however, and an opportunity passed. A minute or two later, Mullins tried his luck with a difficult penalty kick which was very little wide of the mark. A period of uninteresting play set in until the dark blues drove down field on the left wing. Smith failed to clear in the corner, and a press of forwards surged over the line to smother the leather. Doherty was on the bottam however, when the position was investigated and Kia Toa dropped out from the ’25. < Woodville gave their opponents no rest, however, and from a handy position, Hayes sent the ball between the uprights for four points.—Woodville 4-nil. The dark blues came back for more but off-side infringements nullified their efforts.

Prom the resulting line out, the double blue scrummagers attempted to battle their way over but the Woodville defence held by the most slender of margins. An infringement on the part of the visiters gave Mullins a difficult chance to kick a penalty from a sharp angle. He made a great attempt but could not raise the flags. Woodville counter-attacked hard and right on half time a solid forward rush led by Hutchison, saw the big rover beat the Kia Toa defenders across at the corner. Goodwin failed to add the extra points.—Woodville 7, Kia Toa 0. Goodwin’s Deadly Boot.

The dark blues opened the second spell with great dash, Hutchison again leading the Woodville packmen in a slashing attack that staggered the Kia Toa defence. Driven back, Woodville tattled on the opposing ’25 line, where obstruction play gave Goodwin an opportunity to turn a penalty to account—Woodville 10, Kia Toa 0. Kia Toa Opeps.

With a deficit piling up against them, Kia Toa were stirred to action and instituted a solid attack. Smith made a determined bid for the corner, throwing off a couple of tacklers but Spackman was not found wanting and brought him down. Kia Toa was in an attacking position, however, and tried again, only to see B. O’Keefe smothered when almost across the line. The ball travelled infield and Thompson coming up behind a forward rush, snapped-up from the ruck and crossed. Mullins, converted with a nice kick.— Kia Toa 5, Woodville 10. The double blues were fully alive to their position at this stage and were speedily on tho offensive again. From the Woodville ’25 line, the whole back line handled cleanly for Strange to race over wide-out. Mullins failed — Kia Toa 8, Woodville 10.

Striving hard to removo the remaining deficit, Kia Toa came again to the attack and forwards and bucks united in some dangerous short passing, which was only smothered in the nick of time. The double blues did not let up, despite the stern defence and first Strange and then Smith, on their respective wings, made determined efforts to cross. Still the dark blue line held and Mullins, in a attempting to sell a dummy with a try certain for his outside man, was dragged down in the ruck.

Goodwin Again.

Kia Toa had lost its opportunity, for Woodville raised the siege and took the offensive. Hutchison and Burley led the crummagers in a determined assault, but once again an infringement gave Kia Toa relief. The dark blues repulsed in on<? corner tried the other, where Hutchison gave Gillespie an opportunity which he failed to accept. Maintaining the pressure, Woodville turned this territorial advantage to acount when Goodwin kicked his second penalty goal to make the score K’.-S in the dark blues’ favour. This reverse stirred Kia Toa to renewed effort and once again Smith looked dangerous at the end of a useful bout of passing. Gillespie was equal to the emergency, however, but the double blues promptly swung the attack across to the other corner. A line-out right on the Woodville -goal lino gave Conrad his opportunity and the big lockman fell over. Mullins failed to add the extra points.—Kia Toa 11, W’oodville 13. From the drop-out, Kia Toa again took the offensive and a stern struggle set in through and across the Woodville '25. Kia Toa was using every ounce to advantage and the forwards, battering the defence, gave the backs their chance. The whole lino handled and once again Strange completed the movement in the corner. M. Q’Keefe

Woodville Dominating.

'Woodville had had the better of the exchanges so far, the double blues lacking driving power both fore and aft. Their backs made spasmodic efforts to open up but the enterprising Woodville packmen broke these up to good effect, An effort among the backs saw the ball go as far as Mullins but Smith lost his pass and the Woodville forwards filled the gap.

Heatley gained ground by intercepting «. pass and the double blues looked v dangerous but the Woodville defence held. The Kia Toa backs took a hand but Morgan mulled a pass to break up a promising movement. Mullins was in attendance and snapped up to make

failed with a difficult kick.—Kia Toa 14, Woodville 13.

Last Minute Victory,

Although the double blues had taken the load for the first time in the game, their supremacy was short lived. With a surprising turn of speed, Gillespie snapped up and raced from the ’25 past the half way, where he kicked for the corner. Following fast, the bounce of the ball favoured him and lie beat Smith to add an all-important and well merited three points. Goodwin found the angle too much for him and the kick failed. With the score 16 —14 in Woodville \s favour and two minutes to play, Kia Toa made a last desperate effort and Woodville fought with every ounce to hold its lead. They were penned on the line and the welcome relief came ar, last when Hayes lined out from the ruck as the referee (Mr. H. Hands) sounded time.

Old Boys v. Athletic

Playing on No. 1 ground, at the Showgrounds, Old Boys placed themselves head of the senior competition by defeating Athletic 30—8. Old Boys rearguard was tho deciding factor in a game which sparkled at times. Honours were about evenly divided by the pack men. The teams took the field'as follows: Athletic (green and black): Cleveley Flowers, Playwright, Beard, Hutchins, Annear, Cope, Burgers, Shcerin, McKenzie, Robb, Field, Ormond, Fearnley, Grinstead.

Old Boys (black): Bennett, Walker, Rose, Riddell, Page, Akuira, Pacey, Snell, Greig, Fox, Galpin, Guy, Robertson, Williamson, Neild. Athletic won the toss and played with the sun. From the kick-off, the blacks carried the assault to green territory and the defenders w-ere hard put to it to keep their line intact. Relief came to Athletic when a black passing rush failed and for the first time, Athletic swarmed over the halfway’line. The effort failed through faulty handling. Things looked bad for Old Boys when Robb broke through, only to be beaten by the bounce in the Tace for the line. The green backs at this stage found themselves and indulged in a pretty passing bout,which broke down on the wing. After a period of indecisive midfield play which ended in Ormond retiring injured, the black forwards joined in a passing rush for Fox to bo collared on the line. Athletic forced from a scrum on the line. From the kick-off, Old Boys returned to the assault, a force down again aiding tho defence. Blacks opened their account when Paeey procured from a loose scrum, the leather going from Akuira, to Rose, to Walker, who bounced over. Akuira’s kick hit the upright. —Old Boys 3—o.

In retaliation, tho green van swarmed down, carrying all before them, for McKenzie to cross near the posts. Ormond converted. —Athletic 5, Old Boys O

Akuira put the blacks one up with a fino penalty from the 25 line. Tho black rearguard was next seen in action but Walker had not enough room to use his speed. Midfield was the venue of play for some time, tho greens making the game tight and having the better of the exchanges. Old Boys at length got command of tho leather, which went the length of tho line for Walker to cross well out, unopposed.—Old Boys 9, Athletic 5. Athletic vanguard endeavoured valiantly to gather the leeway and penned Old Boys to their 25. An abortive attempt at a field goal gave Walker a chance to clear, which he accepted, the ball going out inside the opposing 25. From the linc-out, the blacks packed tight, Pacey received tho leather which passed via Akuira and Rose to Walker, who grounded by the corner flag. The kick failed.—Old Boys 12, Athletic 5.

Second Half.

Akuira cleared tho territorial advantage Athletic gained from their kickoff. Efforts by Pacey to get his backs going failed and the black storm was swept back. The green forwards prevailed and for a time had the measure of their opponents. Over-eagerness and over-kicking saw Bennett clear with fine kicks.

Desultory play took a sudden change when Pacey picked up from a midfield scrum and passed to Akuira, who cut in cleanly, beforo handing on to Riddell, who cut across Rose and passed to Walker. The last-named topped of the best movement of the day by scoring wide out. The kick failed.— Old Boys 15, Athletic 5. The black rearguard now made the game as open as a gate, throwing the ball about in great style. Their efforts ho%vever, were cramped by the enforced retirement of Riddell. A penalty to Athletic near half-way saw Beard pilot the oval between the upright.—Old Boys 15 Athletic 8.

Sutherland replaced Riddell at a time when the Athletic pack had Old Boys bottled up. Relief was obtained by a force, and the reconstituted back line swung to action again. Securing near the green 25, Walker threaded his way infield, to cross near the posts. Rose was successful with the kick — Old Boys 20, Athletic 8.

The blacks were not. to have things all their own way, tho Athletic van driving back attempts to get in a position for the backs to thrust.

From a long throw in, Galpin fed Akuira, the ball going along tho lin'd to Sutherland, who in-passed to Rose, who got across to finish a brilliant piece of play. The scorer added the major points and the game ended with the tally 39—8 in favour of Old Boys. Mr A. Gordon was referee.

Junior

Old Boys 11 v. West End 0.8. 0. High School 18 v. Feilding 8. Kia Toa A 31 v. Feilding 0.8. 0,

HIGH SCHOOL V. FEILDING

In tho junior competition, a very interesting game took place on the local High School grounds, when the School i fifteen defeated a Feilding fifteen by | the fair margin of 18 points to 8. Feilding was inferior to School in all parts of the game; they lacked finish in their movements and seemed at a loss to know how to stem the numerous School onslaughts. The forwards

were more or less evenly matched, each side playing hard, good football, while tho School backs ,although they overshadowed their opponents, failed to put a finish to their play. Millar set the ball in motion for School and from the jump, his pack worked forcibly, gradually working to Feilding’s line, where from a scrum Mctcalpe snapped up to dodge to the j blind side and send Penman over near! the corner. Millar converted.

With School live points in the lead the visitors worked hard, and their efforts were rewarded when their right wing. Manning, scored from a melee. The shot at goal was successful placing the teams even.—Five all.

School came to the attack forcing brilliantly with many thrusts by the rearguard, but tho luck stood with Feilding, as each time the rushes would fail with Penman grassed very near the line.

Just before the half-time whistle, an infringement gave School a chance, when from a scrum, they hooked the leather, to see Bradley dash through and score near the posts for Millar to add the major points —(School 10, Feilding 5.

The second spell commenced vigorously, but School soon forced to Feilding ’s 25, where ,from a passing rush, Tremowan swerved round to go behind the posts. Millar again raised the flags —School 15, Feilding 5.

Feilding hammered away repeatedly now and on one or two occasions just failed to go over. Later these efforts were rewarded, when Burke on tho wing, scored in a difficult position. Manning failed in his shot at goal,— School 15, Feilding 8. This was not tho end, however, for from a forward rush and scramble on the line, Stewart scored for School, but Millar, whose kicking had been very good, failed in his attempt. The game ended soon after with no further alteration in the score.—School 18, Feilding S. Mr, A. Mclvegg carried the whistle.

THIRDS. St. Pat’s 3 v. Athletic 0. Feilding H.S. 34 v. Woodvillc 6. Old Boys A 14 v. West End 3. Kia Toa IS v. Feilding 3. Bunnythorpe 3S v. Old Boys B 0. FOURTHS. Kia Toa 9 v. St. Pat’s 3. High School 17 v. Woodvillc 0. West End 43 v. Feilding H.S. 0. FIFTHS. Gordon 6 v. Albion 3. Kia Ora 9 v. Technical 0. SIXTHS. Albion 19 v. Gordon 3. Technical 22 v. Kia Ora 3. Primary Schools 39 v. Phoenix 5. Seniors. Shannon SO v. Hui Mai 6. Wanderers 9 v. Weraroa 0. Otaki 9 y. Foxton 9. Juniors. Foxton 21 v. Shannon 3. Thirds. Weraroa 11 v. Shannon 4. Rugby Results in Other Places WELLINGTON. Poneke 14, Athletic 11. Marist 11, Bcrhampore 3. Old Boys 21, Oriental 13. ’Varsity 14, Eastbourne 0. Petone Hi, Wellington 8. HAWERA. Hawera 13, Kaponga 8. Wairaate 13, Athletic 11. Okaiawa 13, Patea 3. Opunake 17, Eltham 3. • MASTERTON. Grevtown 47, Masterton 0 Old Boys 11, Gladstone (i. Carterton 27, Red Star 9. WANGANUI. Pirates 12, Tech. Old Bet's G. Marist 33, County G. Kaiorau 27, Ratana 0. Old Boys before half-time scored 30 points against Imlay and the match was called off.