RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Northern Advocate, 18 June 1923, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

KAMO ASSUMES THE LEAD. OI.D BOYS BEATEN. Games Points Chp. P.W.L.D. for ag.Pts. Kamo 8 5 2 1 70 48 11 Old Boys ... '8 5 3 — 78 50 10 Hikurangi .. 8 4 3 1 36 »2 0 M'Karainea 8 1 7 — 36 70 L Weather conditions for football on Saturday afternoon were favourable, although at Kensington Park a very heavy fall of rain in the early part of the afternoon made the turf somewhat soft and slippery. There was not a great deal of interest shown in the matches of the Whangarei Rugby Union's senior and junior competitions played oa the No. 1 ground, although tjie High School team had a good following in their match against Hikurangi B on the No. 2 field. The chief event of the day was the defeat of High School Old Boys at Hikurangi by the local representatives in. the senior grade by 6 points to 3, thus taking the lead in the competition from the former team and conferring it upon Kamo, which after beating Maungakaramea by the small margin of 9 poins tp 6, now hold the advantage of a draw in when they meet Old Boys in the final on Saturday.

KAMO '3, v. MAUNGAKARAMEA 6

The game between Kamo and Maungakaramea was one of the poorest exhibitions seen on the ground this season, The only time-when it aroused any enthusiasm was in the last quarter, when Maungakaramea temporarily equalised the scores, and for a short period it looked as though a drawn game might be the outcome. The best players on the ground on the day were Bunny Finlayson, who played his best game of the year, and J. Shortland of the Kamo team, though the latter was spasmodic, and Bain Finlayson and the O'Shea brothers, particularly T. O'Shea, of Maungakaramea, who also had two g*od new men in F. Draffin, on the wing, and Blythe at full-back. James played well in the Maungakaramea team, but Crawfovd was a lot below what was ex- I peeted of him. Morgan worked consis-1 tently for Kamo, while Braun Meredith and Nelson were often conspicu- j ous in both attack and defence. The teams were as follows: Maungakaramea. —Full-back, Blythe; •three-quaTters, Wilson, H. James and F. Draffin; five-eighths, H. Bryec and ! S. W. Crawford; half. M. Roth well; rover, Bain Finlayson; back row, H. Webb and A. Alexander; second row, T. O'Shea, P. Carter and S. Litt; hookers, J. O'Shea and F. O'Shea. Kamo.—Full-back. W. Pohc; threequarters, K. Nelson, R. Braun and L. Going; five-eighths, J. Shortland and L. Garry; half, L. J. Meredith; rover, L. Morgan; back row. A. Mcßae and W. George; second row, Bunny Finlayson, E. Emerson and Tote Finlayson; hookers, R. Cavanagh and F. Coster. In the first quarter, as 'throughout the game, play was generally confined to the forwards, but it was of an unfinished order, and both sides consistently lost advantages by kicking too hard when away in the loose. Kamo took the field two men short for several minutes. After a forward rush T. O'Shea "kicked a beautiful goal for Maungakaramea. The vanguard followed that by a determined rush and kept Kamo busy for a few moments. The latter team, however, transferred play to the other end, where Bunny Finlayson unselfishly sent a pass to Cavanagh, who knocked on and spoilt a good opportunity. From an ensuing scramble the former player scored. George missed goal with a good kick. Towards the end of the quarter Meredith retired for a while, injured. The O'Shea brothers were prominent in moving to -the attack and T. O'Shea missed a shot from a mark, the change-over taking place with the scores 3 points all. W. George just failed to score with a hefty kick, and uninteresting play followed until B. Finlayson's good work in niidfield >nabled Nelson to set the Kamo team charging. He passed to Emerson, who improved the opening and transferred to Braun. The latter sent a long pass to Morgan, who dashed in-field and scored a well deserved try near the posts, but George's kick was misdirected, the half-time score being —Kamo 6, Maungakaramea 3. Kamo attacked early after resumption, but passing rushes across-field gained nothing, though Going on one occasion attempted a potted goal. Crawford was chiefly instrumental in transferring play to the other end, where Kamo forced. George attempted a kick at goal from the field next time Kamo attacked, and Blythe touched down a moment before Braun, who had followed up well. At the close of the quarter Kamo wctc within striking distance, but the transverse rushes gave Going no chance to

score. There was a melee on the Maungakarainea line soon after the opening of the last quarter, and from an ensuing five yards' scrum Wilson forced down. From the drop-out O'Shca followed up hard, got possession and raced up the touch line, and after a good effort beat the Kamo full-back «nd scored a runaway try in the corner, but failed to convert it. With the «cores equal and only a few minutes to go, play livened up a lot and the

Kamo forwards battled their way in a dotcrmined manner to the Maunga"karamca end, where Tcte Finlayson forced his way over the line and scored the winning try, which George did not convert. For a time after that Maungakaramea appeared to be well beaten, but an advantage gained by a passing ri'sh amongst the backs was well maintained by the vanguard. The brightest bit of play in the game took place ju.st before time was called, when some pretty passing between Emerson, Braun, Nelson and Going carried play to within easy distance of the Maungakaramea line. A desperate effort to score was made from a five yards' scrum, but a force was the result, an l the game ended Avith Kamo victors by 9 points to (5, Mr H. G. Smith was referee.

OLD BOYS BEATEN

SIX POINTS TO THREE

The general consensus of opinion Hikurangi on Saturday afternoon prior to the senior match was that Old Boys were a six point better team. The actual game disproved the theory and the home side were the winners by six points by three. Old Boys were without the services of McKay at centre three-quarters, and there can be no doubt but that his absence was felt. After being cognisant of the representative team one watched the doings of the chosen players. Carruth's play was a distinct reversal of his efforts the previous Saturday. He was not sure on his take, dwelt too long • and played too far up; at times ho was wandering among the five-eighths. Sherriff played his usual hard game, whilst Hardie was also conspicuous for good solid work. Conyngham and Collins were fairly sound, but the latter requires to brush up his dcfence a bit. E. Taylor got through his tasks well, but showed a tendency to bad transfers and at times hung on too long. Billington and 0. Martin gave a good forward exhibition, the former opening of the game on several occasions. The best player on the field was undoubtedly O'Donnell, who played half for the Hikurang XV. By placing this player behind the pack Skipper Taylor has done the right thing and improved the strength of his bacKs both on attack and defence by a big percentage. O'Donnell knows the half game to a nicety, and provided he goes on well he should have no difficulty in gaining representative honour*. The following were the teams. —

Old Boys—Full-back, Carruth; threequarters, Buckley, Collins, Swann; five-eighths, Conyngham, Ridings; half, Bartley; forwards, Dunn (rover). Sherriff, o'Carroll, Hardie, Menzies, Cameron, Wilson and Walker.

Hikurangi.— Full-back, Mclnnes; three-quarters, Smith, E. Taylor, Tattley; five-eighths, Hamilton. R. Cunningham; half, O'Donnell; forwards, Arneil (rover), B. Taylor, A. Cunningham Laybourn. Snowden, Billington, J. Martin and O. Martin.

The first attack was by the home forwards, O. Martin and A moil being the instigators, and Carruth sent play up-field by obtaining a mark between the posts. Hikurangi came back time after time and A. Cunningham transferred from a melee close to the line to B. Taylor, the latter just getting over. Hamilton failed with the kick. —'Hikurangi 3, Old Boys 0.

Attack and counter attack followed, some good combination play by the home backs being witnessed. Just before the first quarter ended Old Boys' rearguard made a determined dash with a passing rush, but the transfer from Collins to Buckley was too low.

The second quarter was mostly comprised of smart attacks by the Hikurangi backs, O'Donnell being the instigator on practically every occasion, Some smart work by the Old Boys was also noticeable, Ridings, Collins and Bartley taking a prominent part. At the call of half time there was no alteration in the scores. Old Boys sprang a surprise on the home side immediately after the kickout. Sherriff broke away with the ball at his toe arid dribbled along the wing to within a few feet of the" line, where he was joined by Harare and the latter carried on over the line, and registered. Dunn failed with the kick and the scores were even —Hikurangi 3, Old Boys 3. This score woke up the Hikurangi side, which now harassed the Old Boys' defence for ,i lengthy spell. Just pror to the call of time for the third quarter O'Donnell sent the ball from a scrum within 10 yards of the line. "R. Cunningham sent it to E. Taylor, who scored well out. Hamilton missed with the kick.—Hikurangi 6, Old Boys 3. The final quarter was closely contested, both sides striving hard to penetrate each other's defence. On one occasion Arneil' went within inches, ■but Collins just beat him for the ball and forced. The closing stages were marked by better play by the Old Boys' rearguard, but at the call of time there was no alteration in the scores. Mr J. MeLeod controlled the game.

JUNIOR MATCHES,

Y.M.C.A. 5 v. MARSDEN 8

A good deal of interest was taken in this match, played on the Hora Hora ground, where Marsd.en walked off victors by 8 points to 5 after a closely contested game.

Y.M.C.A. immediately put Marsden on. the defensive. Colvin cleared with a long kick, and play was up and down field, bu drifted down into Marsden s 2.1 again. From a line out Marsden secured, but Killkolly intercepted and kicked to Nash, who shortpunted and took the ball over the line. His shot at goal went over —Y.M.C.A. 5, Marsden nil. Marsden livened up and put Y.M.C.A. on th defence. Wells, securing from loose play, passed to Martin, to J. Bcehrcj who kicked, and his team following up en masse kept Y. M.C.A. busy on their touch line. From the scramble H. Bechre gathered up and scored. J. Bechre failed to add the major points.—Y.M.C.A. 5, Marsden

After the change over Marsden came near scoring time and again, but the Y.M.C.A. defence was solid. The Martden backs threw the ball about in fine style, but YM.C.A. gained relief from a penalty and again found the line. From the loose Eager made a fine dash, but North floored him at the corner. Williams marked and took a shot at goal, but the ball fell short and play drifted back to midfield. Martin and Colvin by good following up took the ball into Y.M.C.A. territory, Colvin using his "soccer" play to advantage, but the ball went over the dead line.

On resumption after the spell Marsden attacked and kept Y.M.C.A. busy in their quarter, North relieving with somo good line kicks. Martn, kicking and following fast, came near scoring, but a timely mark by Killkolly relieved. Marsden were continually being penalised for offside and from one kick Coxhead, Norman and Nash took play into Marsden's 25, the ball going out. Nash received injuries that prevented him from doing full justice to the game. Uninteresting play followed, although some good kicks were exchanged. Change over was called with Marsden pressing hard.

Marsden kept play in the Y.M.C.A. 25, but the defence forced down, Nash following the kick held the ball in Marsden's quarter and Y.M.C.A. kept Marsden busy for a few minutes. R. Shandley took a drop at goal, but the ball just shaved the upright. From a scrum Shald'ers secured and passed to Colvin, to Wells, who kicked, and fast following by ,T. Bentire resulted in the latter crossing the lino His kick .vns a good effort and made the scores.— Marsdn 8, Y.M.C.A. 5. Marsden attacked from the kick and Y.M.C.A. were kept busy in their own quarter but gained relief through a mark from R. Shandley. Play went up the field, but from a scrimmage Shalders secured and gave the leather to Colvin , to Wells, to Beehre, who came near scoring, but was forced out. From the throw in H. Beehre secured and passed half a dozen, but was eventually collarred. with the ball and Killkolly relieved by finding the line. The whistle blew with play in Marsden's favour. Mr Conaghan' efficiently controlled the play.

On the (lay's play Marsden had t'.ie better team out, but lacked the scoring touch, and offside at critical moments seemed the order of the .lav. Beehre (2), Eager, Colvin and Williams were prominent, while Shalders' defence and attack was sound. For Y.M.C.A. Nash was in his usual good form, while Killkolly and Shandley (2) did a lot of smart fielding.

HORA HORA v. PORTLAND

At Kensington No. 1 ground, Hora Hora beat Portland by 11 points to 5, after a hard and interesting match. In the early stages Portland more than held their own and Topia, an aggressive three quarter, getting possession at half-way cut in in fine style and charged p.ist Tierney at full-back, scoring a good try for the eementworkers. Benjamin converted. Just 'before the first change-over Temple got over for Hora Hora and Rodgers goaled, equalising the scores. Before half time Hollows put Hora Hora in the lead by 8 points to 5 with a penalty goal. In the third spell "Rodgers was lucky to secure a force-down on one occasion, and Hollows registered the final score with another penalty goal. In the last quarter Portland played up well, and on aone occasion penalty kick by Benjamin rebounded in-field from the bar. The Portland team showed marked improvement upon its former displays this season. Mr J. Ferguson was referee.

MANAIA OUTCLASSES MAUNGAKARAMEJf.

At Onerahi Manaia had a walk-over win against Maungakaramea by points (ten tries, one converted, and a penalty goal) to 3 (an unconverted try). The visitors were completely outclassed in all departments, but on several occasions made strong attacks which, however, with one exception proved fruitless, as much on account of lack of finish to their play as to th<? defence put up by Manaia. Generally speaking the chuss of football was not as gtood as has been seen this season in the junior competitions, most of the tries .being purely individual efforts. Of thb ten tries scored by Manaia, Wellington got 4, Connolly 2 and George, Snow, Ridings and Drake one each, while Ridings converted one and also kicked a penalty goal. For the losers Jensen scored a try, which McCullough failed to convert. Mr H. Skellern was referee.

Owing to pressure of much other matter to-day it has been necessarv 1o curtail tho football reports.