RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1924, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT. ' VARSITY 'WINS SENIOR GRADE. I I There was a big attendance at Kensington Park yesterday when without cessation eevon-a-side matches were played under the auspices of the Whangarei Rugby Union from 9.45 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. There were three grades, and no less than IS9 players, representing 13 clubs, took part. Fortunately the weather conditions if a little cold, were fine, otherwise so long a spell of football would have been far less enjoyable from a spectator's point of view than it was -yesterday. i Most of the patrons attended in the af + ernoon, but throughout the morning the characteristic "barracking" of the High School boys in particular ' was evidence that the contests in the rounds of the third grade and junior competitions was being followed with keen interest and enthusiasm. All the finals were wisely deferred until the end of the programme, and the manner in which the games were kept up to time throughout the da,v is a matter for congratulation to Mr C. F. j Collins, president, and members of the ; Management Committee of the Whangarei Rugby Union. Proceeds were j in aid of the "Rugby Qheen" in the Carnival, so that it would be impolitic to state what the takings actually ! were, but judging from appearances the actual gate receipts should have been somewhere in the vicinity of ! £35. There were however,other sour- ' ces from which promoters of the candidature of Miss Jones drew U) augment their funds. A committee of lady supporters did a big business in providing refreshments and afternoon [ teas in the basement of the grand- ; stand, while others urged those present to rack their brains in calculating the number of peas in sealed bottles. They did so well that some at least should have guessed the correct numbers. j The presence of the Maun'gaturoto and Auckland University representatives added further interest to the occasion, and the exhibition given in three hard games by the latter, who won the senior tournament, was sparkling. High School also played well in the junior grade, and played pretty and accurate football in all games in which they participated. This team still retains the Maurer Cup which it won last season. The third grade competition was won by the High School A Seven. The members of the team will receive medals. The presence of the Whangarei • Municipal Silver Band was much apI preciated and a good programme conj tributed a lot towards the general sucI cess of the day's omting. Following are the results of the games in the various grades:— SENIOR GRADE. The first match in the Senior Grade I was between Hikurangi and Auckland University. The teams were:—Varsity: Olson, Sinclair, McLaren, Hopkins, Brooker, Miller and McCullough. Hikurangi: Hamilton, Arneil, Meyer, Ansell, J. Cunningham, A. Cunningham, McDonald. Varsity quickly gave a sample of their neatness at passing and the speed of all the members. Arneil regained some ground, but Olaon and McLaren dashed back and transferred to Hopkins who was tackled well by Hamilton. Arneil and McDonald broke through to Olson, and then joined by J. Cunningham and Meyer they invaded the Varsity end. Hamilton took a penalty kick and drop-kicked to touch in goal. Arneil forced McCullough to find the line on the defensive. Meyer then passed smartly I to Hamilton who cut in neatly, but vras grassed by Olson. McDonald, who played well, smothered McLaren's kick. Ansell was the next Hikurangi player to test the defence and Sinclair was equal to the occasion. Miller smartly intercepted a pass beng sent out to Meyer and galloped the length of the field to score under the posts. He converted the try. Varsity 5; Hikurangi nil. Sinclair was injured in the head before the change-over. Soon after resuming Arneil got the ball away, but McLaren raced him and McDonald and forced. Hikurangi again attacked until Hopkins marked and .found the line. McDonald and Meyer broke away and in a race McDonald just managed to secure a try near the corner. Hamilton kicked a. fine goal. Hikurangi 5; Varsity 5. Sinclair side-stepped from Meyer and scored a good try near the corner and Miller's fine attempt nearly won the game. Hikurangi attacked oncemore but McLaren and Sinclair turned play, J. Cunningham collaring the latter well. Meyer raced the opposition for the ball and forced at the end of the game, which Varsity won by 8 points to f>. Old Boys played Kamo, the teams being as follows:—Kamo: Sowmun, Emerson, Tote Finlayson, D. McLeod, L. Going, Paton and Bunny Finlayson. Old Boys: P. O'Carroll/M.#Sheriff, S. Conynghairi, J. Collins. C. Collins, A. MacKay and E. Swann. The early stages were fast and in favour of Kanio, the big players using pace and tackling hard. Paton passed to McLeod, who was tackled by MaeKay, but Sowman snapped up the ball and dived over. McLeod failed to convert. J. Collins and MacKay started a rush, but the latter tried to cut in, although Swann was handy. Sheriff collared Sowman well, but Tote Finlayson punted hard to Conyngham who started a rush, which resulted in MaeiKi\y scoring near the corner. Sheriff

failed to convert. Kamo 3; Old Boys 3. After the change over Swann got away from Sowman but was unable to pick up the ball when a try seemed likely. Shortly afterwards Sowman dribbled through and though tackled he passed across to Going who raced home almost unopposed. McLeod failed to add the major points. Kamo 6 — Old Boys 3. After McLeod had missed a good opportunity by mishandling, Bunny Finlayson dived over under the posts, and McLeod again missed the easy kick. The last score was the result of Sowman breaking away from midfield and grounding the ball with MacKay on his back. Paton kicked a good goal, and Kamo won by 14 points to 3. In the semi-final the 'Varsity team, in which Ross had replaced Sinclair, met Maungaturoto represented by L. Worthington, A. Finlayson, T. Snelling, H. Worthington, G. Cullen, C. Finlayson and A. Stewart. Maungaturoto started off well and a smart rush headed by A. Finlayson and H. Worthington caused Olson to force. Keeping the ball at their feet Maungaturoto held the 'Varsity team at bay for a while i but then Stewart had to find the line on the defensive. A pretty passing rush by McLaren, Hopkins and Olson Tesulted in the latter scoring and Miller converting. 'Varsity s—Maungaturoto j nil. The next try was the outcome of | a rush by Ross, McLaren and Olson, the latter scoring. Open play followed and then a. long pass enabled McLaren to score under the posts, Miller adding the major points. 'Varsity .13 —Maungaturoto nil. Towards the end of the game Maungaturoto worked play to the 'Varsity end, but Hopkins found the line in the neutral zone before the bell rang. The final between Varsity and Kamo was hard and fast. McLaren sent a nice pass to Olson, but Going collared him. Kamo worked their way back and MeLcod marked at mid-field. Emerson tackled Hopkins in fine style and that held play at the Varsity end. The visiting players attempted to open up the game, but the tacklin;; was good. Bunny Finlayson broke through on one occasion, but Olson made no mistake in tackling him. Varsity were having the better of play and then a scrum was screwed in midfield, enabling Miller to pass to McCullough. The latter raced Sowman to the line and scored. Miller missed with the luck. Varsity 3; Kamo nil. After changing ends, a period of open play was followed by McLeod dashing to the Varsity end where from a line-out Sowman made his way over. A fine kick by McLeod went over in the angle of the upright and the bar. Kamo 5; Varsity 3. McLaren and Olson, two splendid backs, were prominent in ensuing play. Miller broke away in the Varsity 25 to score in a ; handy position with Sowman and Going in pursuit. He failed however to convert. Varsity 6; Kamo 5. Emerson carried play to the Varsity end, where McLeod collared McLaren, and then right on time Hopkins was penalised off-side in front of the posts. McLeod took the kick, upon which depended victory, and failed to make a winning score, Varsity winning by 6 points to 5. JUNIOR GRADE. i FIRST ROUND. ! The match between Marsden B and Y.M.C.A. was less interesting than most that succeeded it. At the close of the first spell, K. Nash, who played J well throughout, scored a try for ■ Y.M.C.A., and soon after the change- | over the same player scored again and I converted.) Then J. Hoey obtained a try and White scored the final one and added the major points, Y.M.C.A. winj iiing comfortably by 16 points to nil. Mr A. F. Wilding was referee. Manaia B. and Pioneers A. played a strenuous match, and the game was interesting throughout. For Manaia Wells scored two tries, one of which R. Joass converted, and T. Clotworthy also scored one. For Pioneers, Warren Pitman scored a good try and J. .Pitman added the major points, Man;ri;i winning by 11 points to 5. A fast game took place between Portland A. and Hikurangi and after Govilon had scored for Portland and Sherman had added the goal, Kerr, a really good player in a seven-a-side contest, broke away and equalised the score by converting his own try. The decision was not reached until play had been extended for another three minutes, when Harris dived over for Hikurangi, Avhich thus won a well contested game by 8 points to 5. Pioneer B. beat Y.M.C.A. B by default. Manaia A. and High School gave a good exhibition, the latter winning by 14 points to 3. In the early stages High School was lucky to force as the outcome of an attack .started by T. : Clotworthy. Wilson, however, scored a pretty try for the School after Connoil had kicked across to him. C. ! McGregor equalised tho score before the change over by a well deserved try. In the second half Mcßae broke through alone and grounded the ball under the posts, Berghan kicking the goal. The last score was secured by Tilly who also ran behind the posts, but the kick at goal was unproductive. Just on time T. Clotworthy nearly scored for Manaia. Mr J. McLeod had the whistle. The Old Boys B. versus Portland E. ! was a poor exhibition. R. McDonald ' scored for Old Boys early in the first spell and a very scraggly game follow-

Ed until half-way through the second spell when Drever added another one. J. Shalders scored again under the posts twice and converted the last ( one, Old Boys winning by 14 points to j nil. I The match between Old Boys A. and Marsden A. was not a very exciting one. J. Charters tried a long drop from the field for Old Boys. It hit the bar and bounded in-field. Then Pepene got through for Marsden and scored under the posts and converted. The same player made an opening for J. Hoey who scored under the posts, but his kick also hit the bar. Beehre again scored under the posts as the outcome of another good opening by Pepene, and at the close K. Ridings secured another try, Marsden winning by 14 points to nil. Second Round.—Manaia B played Y.M.C.A. The first score went to Manaia, White securing a good try under the posts and converting. A little later Xesfield seized an opportunity when Manaia was attacking and dropped a good goal. Y.M.C.A. attacked most of the rest of the spell. A good attack was made by Manaia, Johnson being conspicuous for good work which compelled Y.M.C.A. to force. Just on the call of time McLean got over for the Y.M.C.A., but was penalised for hanging on while tackled, Manaia winning by 5 points to 4. Hikurangi assumed offensive right from the jump against Pioneer B, Avho conceded a force. A free kick early gave Hikurangi a chance but it was not availed of. Hikurangi bustled their opponents, Pioneer being stodgy in defence, but they gradually assumed the offensive. From play in midfield Harris grabbed up the leather and after a strong run down the wing he scored a nice try for Hikurangi. Pioneer held the advantage for a while, but Harris eventually took play to the other end where Kerr kicked to Harris, svho scored. The game emling in a Tin for Hikurangi by 6 points to nil. In tho match between High School and Old Boys B, the latter worked their way to the School end, and Wilson mishandling led to defensive tactics for some time. Play was not interesting until Wilson passed to Tilly and he raced McDonald to score under the posts. McCardle added the major points. The school then held the upper hand until the change over. Old Boys playing much better than they did in their first fixture and tested the school defence thoroughly. Brigham broke through after smothering a kick and picking up smartly, he scored under the posts. Berghan '$ kick rebounded from the bar. The Dent brothers and Drever were prominent, in a final effort by Old Boys. High School won by 8 points;to nil. Marsden A beat Maungakaramea by default. Y.M.C.A. v. Hikurangi.—Robinson opened a smart attack for Y.M.C.A. but it was shortlived and Hikuraugi held the offensive for the remainder of the spell, but were unable to penetrate the scoring area. In the second half a determined onslaught on the Y.M.C.A. citadel was sustained. After the whole of the Hikurangi team had handled the ball on more than one occasion, Kerr at last found an opening and scored. Hikurangi 3—Y.M.C.A. nil. From this on to the end of the game Hikurangi held the advantage and from a line out Kerr obtained possession and scored a pretty try between the posts. This player added the major points and the bout went to Hikurangi by S points to nil. The semi final between High School and Marsden A was fast and interesting from the start. Wilson broke through but was tackled well by J. Beehre and then Pepene, who played well got away in fine style to the attacking area but wns collared. Bright open play followed. Tilly dribbled from i the twenty-five but. missed the.ball as he dived for it. Berghan made a good opening for Wilson who passed on to Connell, the latter outdistancing the ! Marsden players and scoring under the posts. Mcßae failed to convert. Shortly afterwards Wilson kicked the ball ! away from Pepene and secured a good try for High School in t.ie corner, MeCardle attempting conversion. Connelly started the Marsden team in a passing rush in which Beehre was prominent, and which resulted in K. Ridings scoring under the posts and Pepene adding the major points. Pepene just failed to score for Marsden on the call of time, and High School won by 6 points to 5. The final was a splendid game between Hikurangi and High School. Hikurangi w T as represented by Smith, Harris, Wyatt, Hamilton, Kerr, Wilson and O'Callaghan, nnd they were opposed by McCardle. Brigham, Berghan, Council. Mcßae, Wilson nnd Tilly. The Hikurangi backs started well but the tackling of Wilson. Brigham and McCardle held them up. Thon Kerr kicked straight -icross to Harris who was unmarked and who registered a try, which Kerr converted with a fine kick. The High School backs ntt-nckd in a determined way but Kerr effected a brilliant save, nnd lively and interesting play followed until the change over. Berghan tackled O'Callaglmn in fine style when he looked about to score. Both teams were tiring with tho fast pace set. but Bor/fhan started a rush, parsed to Wilson who transferred to Tilly. The latter used his pac> and scored under the posts, Berghan adding tho major points. Brigham took a mark ; near midfield. Korr returned the kick

to Connell, who passed infield to Wilson and accepting a return raced up the line and scored in the corner. There j was loud applause when the bell rang ! and High School left the field winners of the game by 8 points to 5, and of the Maurer Junior Cup for the season. THIKD GRADE. FIEST ROUND. Hora Hora beat Old Boys A by 8 points to 3. Morey and Telfer scored for the winners, Telfer also converting one, and Penney scored a try for Old Boys. Mr H. G. Smith was referee. Y.M.C.A. defeated High School C by 11 points to nil. The try-getters were Babe (2), and Galpin, who added the major points. Mr A. Chissell refereed. High School A beat Old Boys B after a fairly good game by 17 points to nil. The score comprised tries by Mackey (2), Mullins, Eilcy and Broomfield, one of which Mackey converted, while another attempt hit the bar. Mr A. Chissell controlled the game. High School B in a game of less merit than the others beat Technical by 11 points to nil. Tucker scored a good try under the posts and converted it, and Steednian sscured the other two tries. SEMI-FINALS. The semi-final between Hora Horn and Y.M.C.A. was not as fast as .some of the earlier games. Hora Hora was j the better side and first Tom Clark and then George Ace, a fast three-quarter, scored tries, the latter's being 'Converted by Telfer. In the second spell, after prolonged efforts, Richards got over for Y.M.C.A. and the game ended with Hora Hora qualifying for the final by S points to ?.. High School A v. High School B.— There was a lot of "barrack ,, forthcoming for this clash from school supporters and it was fairly evenly divided. After an even break A's went to the attack through the agency of j a kick by Mullins. D. McKay grabbed the leather up from a melee, cut in nicely, sent the ball to Mullins who scored. Mackey conveited. s—o.5 —0. Tucker gained a lot of ground with a heady liner and play hovered on B's last line. A great battle ensue! in this quarter and B's managed to forco. A's came back with a rattle and after an infringement had given relief for B's the A's again resumed the offensive, and from a Jively passing rush Mullins again torched down. Mackey converted and A's were winning by 10 —0. FINAL. The final match between High School A and Hora Hora was a good game and was won by High School by the narrow margin of 6 points to f>. Hora Hora opened the score early with a try by Granthain, which Telfer converted. The first spell was evenly contested the School team being the better in the passing bouts. Before the change-over Telfer unsuccessfully essayed a penalty goal. School set up a well maintained assault -which led to Broomiield scoring under the posts. Mackey however failed to goal. The High School players had the better of thir opponents and Macksy added a goal to the score after ; marking smartly in front of the posts. Ace was prominent in a final effort by the defeated side, which reached very near to equalising the score. The personnel of the winning High School team was: McKay (skipper), Mackey, Farrow, Broomfield, Murray, Mullins and Riley. The following is a further list of fixtures drawn np by the Whaiigarei i Rugby Union:— SENIOR GRADE. June 14: Hikurangi v. Kamo, at Hikurangi; Old Boys v. Maungakaramea, at Kensington. June 21: Old Boys v. Kamo, at Kensington; Hikurangi v. Maungakaramea, at Maungakaramea. June 28: Kamo v. Maungakaramea, lat Kensington; Old Boys and Hiku- | rangi, a bye. JUNIOR GRADE. I June 14: Old Boys v. Maungakaramea, at Maungakaramec; Portland v. Manaia, at Portland; Pioneer v. Y.M.C.A., at Portland; High School v. Hikurangi A, at Hikurangi; \Vha\upara v. Hora Honi, at WKakapnrti; Marsden v. Hikurangi B (ground to be arranged). June 21: Old Boys v. Manaia, at, High School; Portland v. Y.M.C.A., at Portland; Maungakaramea v. Pioneer, at Hora Hora; High School v. Marsden, at Kensington; Whakapara v. Hikurangi A, at Hikurangi; Hora Hora v. Hikurangi B, at Hikurangi. June 28: Oid Boys v. Pioneer, at Portland; Portland v. Maungakaramea, at Maungakaramea; Y.M.C.A. v. Manaia, at Hora Hora; Whakaparn v. Marsden, at Whakapara; Hora Hora v. Hikurangi A, at Hikurangi; High School v. Hikurangi B, at High School. THIKD GRADE. Juno 14: Old Boys v. High School A, at Kensington; Y.M.C.A. v. High School B, at High School; Technical v. Hora Hora, at Hora Hora. June 21: Old Boys v. Y.M.C.A., at Weaver's; Technical v. High School A, j at Hora Hora; High School B v. Hora Hora, at High School. i Juno 28: Old Boys v. Technical, it Hora Hora; High School A v. High School B (own time); Y.M.C.A. v. Hora Hora, at Kensington. July 5: Old Boys v. High School B, Technical v. Y.M.C.A., High School A j v. Hora Hora. July 12: Technical v. High School B, High School A v. Y.M.C.A., Old Boys v. Hora Hora.