St. Patrick's Defeat Kia Toa by Single Point

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 121, 24 May 1937, Page 10

St. Patrick's Defeat Kia Toa by Single Point

Greens Lowered Colours Of Three Grade Leaders SENSATIONAL TRY VITALLY AFFECTS SENIOR COMPETITION Racing sixty yards in a poor light to score a sensational lastminute try, McCormick, a member of St. Patrick’s senior Rugby fifteen, enabled his team to defeat Kia Toa by six points to five at the Showgrounds on Saturday, thereby altering the whole aspect of tne competition in the Manawatu Union. In the other games, Boys were successful to the tune of 20 points to three against Woodville. It was the last series of games of the first round in the senior grade, and Elia Toa had not previously been beaten this season. Their loss on Saturday enabled Old Boys to draw level on the championship ladder, and as it had been decided to declare a winner at the completion of the round, a play-off between Kia Toa and Old Boys is probable before the second round (with Massey College participating) is commenced. The games on Saturday were remarkable for the defeat of the leading team in every grade, with St. Patrick’s the upsetting factor in each case. In the junior and third grades they wero too strong for United. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Seniors. St. Patrick's G, Kia Toa 5. Old Boys 12, Feeding 5. JTcilding Old Boys 20, Woodvillo 3. Juniors. St. Patrick’s 5, United 3. Kia Toa 12, Bunnythorpe 6. Jackeytown 6, Massey College 6. Old Boys 8, Fcilding Old Boys 6. Thirds. Feilding 3, Old Boys 0. St. Patrick’s 14, United 9. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

JUBILEE CUP WON WITH THEJJLrLING FINISH Thought the beginning was dour and ragged, the finish of the game on the oval between St. Patrick's and Kia Toa was thrilling in the extreme. A largo crowd followed the play, which resulted in the Jubilee cup changing hands. The forwards had the lion's share of play, particularly in the first half when St. Patrick's, packing astutely, more than held their own against what appeared a heavier set of forwards. Kia Toa came into their own in the half, systematically tiring their opponents until their tactics seemed to be rewarded with victory. Then came Me Cormick’s try which delighted the lators and left the first round completed with no team unbeaten. But for mag nificent defensive work by the St. Patrick's forwards throughout the second spell, the margin would have been such that even a lightning try could not have upsot the result. St. Patrick's were without the services of Richards and Hampton, who are still recovering from the previous week's injuries, but the team functioned excellently. The issue was keenly fought throughout. The teams lined out as follows: Kia Toa (double blue): O'Keefe, Barnao, Simpson, R. Wasly, Jarvis, Thomas, Winiata, Carr, Whyte, L. Beard, Williams, McKenzie, Thorne, Crawford, Latham. St. Patrick’s (green): McKcwen, R. Gillespie, M. Gillespie, Donovan, McCormick, Hchir, L. Findlay, Edlin, Simmonds, E. Fell, Powell, Anderson, Madgwick, Tippett, G. Fell. The ball was kept very tight for the first five minutes, the big forwards on both sides scrummaging hard if to little purpose. The blues had a fright when O'Keefe was hard pushed to save behind as the greens came through with the ball at their feet. St. Patrick's had livened up, and twice the ball travelled along the back line only to be mishandled in the outside positions. Kia Toa were unusually subdued, and found difficulty in breaking beyond their own twentyfive. Winiata gave them a chance with a good kick from a mark, but the advantage was lost ’almost at once with offside play. From thirtyfive yards out Powell brought off a great penalty kick. 3—o. St. Patrick’s hooked nicely from a scrum, and Edlin sent his men away but McCormick failed to hold a high pass from Hehir. The Gillespie brothers came up fast on the track of a loose ball, and M. Gillespie was unlucky to knock on when a score looked probable. Wbyto broke away quickly from a ragged scrum, and made considerable ground before he went down to McKewen. The blue forwards took the ball again into their opponents' twentyfive, but St. Patrick's secured from a scrum and after one fruitless attempt came away prettily with Roy Gillespie racing on the outside. Facing O'Keefe, he booted hard across field, but Barnao got hold of the ball just in time, saving at the touchline. Half time came after several (

penalties had been exchanged with little profit to either side. It had been definitely St. Patrick’s game almost throughout, both forwards and backs showing to advantage in comparison with the blues, whose football was often desultory. In Different Style. The game resumed in markedly different style. Though the rival packs still bore the burden of the day, Kia Toa showed up better, and troubled St. Patrick's with repeated deep kicks to the sideline. O'Keefe made a good attempt at a field goal, missing by a narrow margin. Then M. Gillespie turned the tables with a long kick that found touch ten yards from the goal-line. The blue forwards smothered the attempt of St. Pat's to press home their advantage from the lineout. Findlay and Donovan showed up well when they intercepted a Kia Toa attack and made h big break before Donovan, with no room left to work in, threw a careless pass infield. The blue forwards were now working splendidly in the loose, pushing the greens off the ball time and again. O’Keefe marked the ball, but his shot at goal was disappointing. Roy Gillespiew as applauded for bringing off a great touchline kick from a defensive position before he was hauled down. Kia Toa came back, and the pressure got steadily tighter as the greens tired visibly. They had hopes of equalising when St. Patrick’s infringed in the scrum, but Carr misdirected slightly. R. Gillespie and McCormick broke through the barrier, but after ruuning well they went down to hard tackling. Wasloy was penalised for pushing an opponeut during a race for possession, and when blues were again offside immediately after, Fowell made a good but unsuccessful kick at goal. McKenzie similarly failed when Tippett was caught offside shortly afterwards, and again the Kia Toa forwards hammered away in a rugged attack, using their weight with tireless determination. From a scrum in a ticklish position, St. Patrick's hooked and Edliu came round on the blind side to clear. The ball however hung low and Barnao, gathering it in, thrust off Donovan’s tackle and went across to score, brushing the corner flag as he did so. McKenzie converted with a great kick that gave his men a lead of two points. He failed to increase the margin from a penalty kick closer in, but the game appeared won. Grand Solo Run. Then came the try that was in the best tradition of Rugby surprise. The players seemed to be doing little beyond wait for the whistle when McCormick, second five-eighth for St. Patrick’s, secured the ball from the loose, fully sixty yards from the Kia Toa goal-line. He clapped on the pace, and although a support ran with him almost the whole distance, ran past the defence in grand style. He was too fast for O’Keefe who tried to intercept him, and grounded the ball amid deafening applause. Powell’s kick passed just outside the upright, making the final score: St. Patrick’s 6: Kia Toa 5. Mr A. Gordon refereed. SUCCESS TO PALMERSTON NORTH OLD BOYS. TOO NIPPY FOR FF.TLOTNGv A gruelling yet ragged contest relieved by occasional flashes of sparkling play was witnessed in the Rugby game at Feilding on Saturday afternoon when Palmerston North Old Boys accounted for Feilding by 13 points to 5. At the commencement the home team appeared to be up to the form of the visitors but the telling pace and the individuality of the visitors told in the end. The teams were:— Palmerston North Old Boys: Lang, Buick, Bradley, lnnes, Todd, Plank, Irvine, Lewes, Lovelock, Louisson, O 'Dea, Fleming, Powell, S. Cutler, Thomas. Feilding: Waldin, MacKcnzie, S. Brown, W. Sutherland, Bowyer, Nicol, R. Dewe, Henson, Kitchen, Spilman, Morrison, Montgomerie, Nicholson, Hight, Newman. The visitors kicked off under ideal rugby conditions and for fully five minutes engaged the homo side forwards in a keen struggle on tho homo team’s twentyfive in an .unsuccessful effort to make a breach. Yellows accepted the challenge in good style and ultimately mastered the assault and cleared to half way where they survived a penalty for an infringement and their forwards followed up tho opening which. Dewe made. This ended in tho leather going out well in the visitor’s territory and from tho throw in Dewe set his backs in action on a nico movement which offered every chance of profitable exploitation until Bowyer decided to nurse the leather instead of pass mg-out. The visitors quickly took charge and again threatened but tho yellow forwards stood their ground and brought play back to the centre line. From this point Irvine started a pretty back line movement, the ball coming away nicely to Plank and on to Buick who returned infield when further progress was halted. The opposing packs struggled for the advantage which came to the yellows through Newman’s good work and with encouraging dash Feilding moved off in a fast handling movement which Waldin initiated when he accepted Lang's kick. The leather was toed about freely until Brown snapped it up and punted nicely for the side line deep in the visitors territory. Feilding applied the pressure and Old Hoys fell back. Kitchen picked up in the ruck and essayed a dash along the side lino but was well grassed by Buick who took a flying tackle. From the throw-in play swayed midfield when MacKenzie opened the way for another assault. With Morrison in the van the home forwards followed up briskly but an unfortunate knock-on robbed Feilding of a great opening. Repulsed FeildiDg maintained their ground and a moment later Nicol scored a beautiful try from the pass given him by Dewe some 40 yards from the visitor's goal line. Bowyer had no difficulty in converting with a great kick. s—o. The pace increased in the succeeding play with Old Boys putting plenty of spirit into the contest. A peculiar lull settled dowii OA.the yellows who did hot

manifest any surprise when O'Dea gathered up the leather on the half way line and commenced to amble along through the Feilding ranks. Increasing his pace O'Dea brought his supports to yellows twentyfive lino where Feilding turned to the business of serious tackling but it was too late. Irvine got the leather away from the tight out to Plank who ran round and sent a nice pass to Buick who scored wide out. Irvine’s kick missed. 5—3.

The visiting forwards were responable for another try a moment later when with clever footwork they controlled the leather and pressed to Feilding ’s twentyfive. At this point S. Cutler picked up and gathering speed avoided Waldin's tackle and went on to score on the corner flag. Irvine again failed to convert. G —s.

A point behind Feilding rallied and brought play to tho visitors’ goal line, where Lang carried the leather over. From the five yard set scrum blacks got possession and Bradley lost no time in bolting to the side line as the interval bell sounded.

On resuming Feilding made a bid for the advantage and out of the rucking emerged MacKenzie on a clean breakaway. He was well supported but the pass to Henson was fumbled and the opening lost. In the scrum which followed tho visitors infringed but Waldin misdirected his good attempt to win penalty points. Blacks now forced the play with spirit and in a sparkling attack forced the yellows into a tight corner. Thrust after thrust was launched against tho yellow defence and in tho end Waldin was obliged to kick into touch. The visitors hooked to Irvine from the five yard scrum and then their backs swung into action in a bold bid to penetrate but thanks t> tho activity of Dewe Feilding at last cleared and Bowyer, with a nicely directed punt, found the side line in Old Boys near territory. Old Boys commenced to suffer a few rebuffs for off side play and tho game was now contested with feeling. Ground was vigorously contested and Montgomerie was obliged to retire for me vacancy to bo filled by It. Brown. Play became ragged with the visitors stili offering a keen battle and seriously defending their one-point lead. Lack of judgment by Waldin created a dangerous situation for yellows but Nicol fortunately came into the breach to check Bradley's effort to carry the issue tc Feilding goal. Blacks rallied in a back line movement which saw the leather travel out to Buick who just failed to register and yellows forced. The pressure was beginning to tell on Feilding who gradually submitted until they reached their goal line where a keen battle ensued. From a scrum within striking distance Irvine dummied skilfully and then handed on to Thomas who scored nicely. The kick missed. 9 —5. Newman came away in a valiant at tack but against the visiting pack, whose handling was always sure, yellows could not do anything towards ex ploiting the advance. In ragged fashion play came to Old Boys twentyfive mainly through a movement opened by MacKenzie who gave the hand-on to Waldin to make the bid. In the struggle Lovelock sustained an injury and had to retire, R. Cutler filling the vacancy. The invaders were shortly ousted and found Lang's work too perfect for their liking. Play swayed in midfield for some time and just on the final bell a scrum was called on.,the centre line near the stands. Blacks hooked to Irvine, who quickly handed on to lnnes, who galloped away without opposition to score with case. The kick missed and the game ended 12 —5 in favour of the visitors. Mr Weston was the referee. KIA TOA JUNIORS BEAT BUNNYTHORPE By twelve points to six, Kia Toa juniors beat Bunnythorpe in the early game on the oval, their forwards working well throughout with tho result that they broke down Bunnythorpe's good defence. The country team scored first, when Burton went across wide out. Duthie failed to convert, and Kia Toa equalised when Gerrard, the halfback, made a good opening from which O'Kane and Berryman carried on for the latter to score. Their second try came when Gerrard attempted to kick a goal but failed, Reid racing up to secure and score. Allen missed with the kick in each. case. Bunnythorpe drew level fifteen minutes after tho resumption when Armstrong scored wide out, but Kia Toa came back vigorously for Allen and Sahiler to add tries before the game finished. The distance was too much for Manderson. By defeating United on Saturday, St. Pat’s shortened the lead that the ail whites had in the junior competition and brought three clubs almost into line as the table above reveals. Saturday’s game proved a trial of strength with United having the better of tho first spell and St. Pat’s dominating the second in which there was no score ou either side. In tho first spell the greens were awarded a penalty try which was converted while Luxmore scored for United, the kick at goal missing. Really the greens should have wdv by a greater margin and would have done so but for the solid defence of Mabey, United’s full-back. TE KAWAU RUGBY RANGIOTU B—RONGOTEA G An exciting and closely contested game was witnessed on Saturday when Rongotea met Rangiotu. Owing to the very wet state of the Hold, play was mostly confined to the forwards. Rangiotu opened their account immediately after they kicked off, dribbling the ball over the Rongotea a.ne. Donaldson touched down near the posts. The try was converted. Rangiotu 5, Rongotea nil. Rongotea then made determined efforts and after 20 minutes of strenuous play Valiender, in a splendid solo run, dribbled the ball over the line near the posts. Gardiner took the kick but failed to convert. Rangiotu 5, Rongotea 3. After a period of even play Rangiotu pressed tho home side. Donaldson in endeavouring to pick up the ball, knocked it on a few yards and scored a lucky try. The kick failed, making the scores Rangiotu 8, Rongotea 3. Half time was called with play in midfield,

On the resumption, Rongotea attacked strongly and harassed the Rangiotu pack for a considerable time. Cocker, gaining possession of the ball, scored a try near the corner. No kick was takeu. Rangiotu 8, Rongotea 6. Play then seesawed from one end of the field to the other, and despite desperate efforts by both sides no further score resulted. Mr. R. Scott controlled the gameRANGITIKEI RUGBY. Seniors. Old Boys defeated Bulls, at Marton, 9 —o. Ilalcombe drew with Hunterville, at Halcombe. juniors.

Bulls Defeated. The match played at Marton between Bulls and Old Boys was a s ar P ris e to Bulls fans. With an unbeaten record to date, Bulls looked to have a great chance, but with Lawrence, their star five-eighth, out, the team was disorganised. Cutts played half and Bending, who has been playing great, football, at half all tho season, was five-eighths-Cutts played his first game at half this season and could not get his passes away clearly to his backs, who were up against a fast team in Old Boys, Stock, full-back for Bulls, was off, repeatedly missing and fumbling. try was given against him for obstruction, which was x’ather hard as the play was 25 yards from the goal-line, but the referee went the whole limit. Stock's goal-kicking as a rule is very accurate, but he was missing easy kicks on Saturday. The teams were:— Old Boys (blue): Parkcs, Coles, W. Bush, A. Bush, A. Marshall, B. Cameron, A. Watt, H. Marshall, E. Oliver, R. Oliver, D. Hurrigan, R. Bridge, C. Anderson, Witchcombe, L. Larsen. Bulls (black): Stock, Williams, Cole, Culpan, Bending, Hallimofe, Cutts, Goodall, Guppwell, Campbell, James, Potaka. Bulls kicked off and shortly after were awarded a free kick. Old Boys (blue) rushed play back to Culpan, who saved. A back movement saw Campbell conspicuous with a good run. Blue relieved and play went to the centre. From a good kick Cole lined well down. Blue forwards pressed the blacks to their line, where Stock fumbled and Bulls were fighting to defend. Finally a good kick relieved. Bending got away to Hallimore, who was stopped at half-way. Hallimore, making a smart run, carried play to blues' goal-line, where a free kick against them right in front was missed by Stock. Blue forwards returned and Stock relieved, but a free kick to blue saw Marshall goal nicely.—Old Boys 3, Bulls 0. Play was in tho centre for some time with exchanges of kicks. Campbell, with a nico run, was grassed by Colo and Stock, caught in possession, was pushed out. Williams cut in nicely to Culpan, who was stopped right on the line by Parkes at full-back. A knock-on .foiled a chance for Bulls and blues sent play back up field, where Culpan lined. Goodall, with the ball at toe, did some nice play here, reaching half-way only to be sent back with Bridge heading a good rush for blues. Campbell came around to save. In another attack on blacks' line, Bush secured and raced over to score for Old Boys. Marshall's kick went wide. —Old Boys 6, Bulls 0. Play resuming, Bulls' backs several times tried to get going, but fast work by the blues broke up the movements. Bridge got away, the ball going through all the Old Boys backs but to no advantage. Some long kicking quietened up play and the blacks got possession, but an interception stopped the attack. Cole fielded tho ball well and kicked hard to Stock, who fumbled badly'. Cole was down on him when he was trying to save tho situation. Stock took Cole when not in possession ffght on the twenty-five line, where an obstruction try was awarded Old Boys. Marshall's kick was wide.—Old Boys 9, Bulls 0. Half-time was then sounded. Play in the next half was of an even nature, going up and down field. Forward movements saw both sides nearly over. There were free kicks in Bulls’ favour, but the kicking was poor and thero were not results. James, Guppwell and Goodall all showed up for Bulls, while Bridge was heading all (J»d Boys’ rushes. A change was made in the Bulls team. Cutts, who was not at his best at half, went to live-eighths and Bending came up to hall*, making a better showing. The black backs got going and Williams made a nico rufl, but was held by Watt. Again Bending and Williams attacked, to be sent back. Cole centred and again tho blue forwards attacked, but Stock marked and saved. Time sounded with no further score.—Old Boys 9, Bulls 0. Mr R. Baker Tefereed. Drawn Game. Hunterville and Halcombe drew at Halcombe, the result putting Hunterville out. They were the only team who could, with. a win on Saturday, and Bulls a loss, have a chanco in the competition. Bulls are now in an unbeaten position and will be playing in Wanganui against the winning team there under the "Moye" scheme. Juniors. Bulls juniors defeated Hunterville at Bulls by 15 to five after a good, fast game. Carter (2), Winiata (2) and L. Bromley wero the scorers for Bulls. Mr E. Westwood refereed. Third Grade. Flock House defeated Bulls by 25 to three and hold the Hoskings cup. WAIRARAFA RESULTS Senior Rugby: Red Star 17, Masterton 3; Old Boys 20, Gladstone 7; Greytown 8, Martinborough 6. Junior Rugby: Bed Star 24, Martin-

borough 0; Old Boys 23, Grey town 10; Opaki forfeited to Masterton. Third grade: Red Star 7, Dalefield 0. WELLINGTON GAMES Senior A (first division): Athletic 12, Wellington College Old Boys 9;' Wellington 14, Petoue 7; llutt 24, Eastbourne 8; Ponekc 14, Marist Bros. 0.8. 0. Senior A (second division): Johnsonville 14, Athletic II; University 6, St. Patrick’s College Old Boys 0; Miramar IS, Pirates 8; Wellington 10, Oriental 0. Senior B: University 6, Porirua 0; Wellington 13, Wellington College 0.8. 3; Poneke 3, Hutt B 0; Petone 13, Onslow 7; Hutt A 8, Eastbourne 5; Marist, a bye. • WANGANUI RESULTS Old Boys 11, Marist 11; Technical Old Boys 22, Waverley 9; Kaierau 8, Pirates 5. TARANAKI RUGBY Taranaki, northern division: Inglewood 3, United 0; Old Boys 22, Star 3; Clifton 10, Tukapa 3. Southern division: Okaiawa 17, Patea 8; Opunake G, Waimate 3; Kaponga 16, Ilawera 8; Athletic 11, Eltham 9. AUCKLAND GAMES North Shore 19, Training College 13; Manukau 9, Otahuhu 8; Ponsonby 16, College Rifles 14.

Team. Senior. P. W. X). L. Ch. For. Ag. Pts. Kia Toa . •. 5 4 1 G8 26 8 Old Boys .. 5 4 1 81 30 8 St. Patrick’s 5 2 1 2 61 38 5 Feilding . .. 5 3 2 2 25 37 4 Feilding O.B, 5 2 0 3 46 45 4 Woodville .. 5 0 1 4 18 123 1 Team. Juinor. P. W. D. Ch. L. For. Ag. Pts. United •• .. 5 4 0 1 22 14 8 Old Boys •. 5 4 0 1 43 23 8 St. Patrick’s 5 3 1 1 32 22 7 Elia Toa . .. 5 2 0 3 21 44 4 Feilding O.B. 5 2 0 3 41 33 4 Bunuythorpe 5 1 2 1 26 33 4 Jackeytown . 5 1 1 3 35 51 3 Massey Col. . 5 0 2 3 9 9 2

Eulls beat Hunterville, at Bulls, 15—5. Old Boys beat Turakina, at Mar'ton 9—4. Senior Points. P. W. L. D. rts. Bulls .... . 5 4 1 0 8 Old Boys . 5 2 2 1 5 Hunterville . 5 2 2 i 5 Halcombe . 5 0 3 2 2 junior Points. P. W. L. D. Pts. Turakina . . 4 3 1 0 6 Old Boys . . 4 2 1 1 5 Bulls .... . 4 2 2 0 4 Hunterville . 4 1 2 1 3 Halcombe 4 0 3 1 2