RUGBY FOOTBALL

Northern Advocate, 18 April 1932, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SEASON OPENS

TRAINING COLLEGE VISIT,

DRAW—NO SCORE,

The first Rugby games of the season on Saturday attracted a fairly large attendance to the High School Ground, where Training College met Old Boys seniors in their annual game. The football was uninspiring, neither team handling well. The bright feature of the afternoon was the tackling, which was deadly throughout, preventing several scores. Three times in the first half Training College found relief in forcing, but in the second spell enjoyed slightly the better of the game, which ended without score.

For a time last season Old Boys experimented with the .3-2-3 scrum, but Saturday was the first occasion on which Whangaroi spectators have seen the English formation adopted by both sides. The scrum looks much more formidable. Several of the Old Boys’ back-row men used the preroga-tive-of being semi-rovers too frequently. No good pack can afford three rovers when weight is required. The white backs were disappointing. McDonald, especially in the first half, was too selfish, and there was disruption in the inside combination. The five-eighths stood too far back. The Old Boys' wing three-quarter line was very sound, and Edge showed that he has lost nothing of his old safeness and line-finding ability. The teams wore as follow.—

Training College,

Full-back. —Douglas. Three-quarters.— Goodwin, Sharp,

Keeps. Five-eighths.—Cork illy Townsend. Half.—Crossman. Forwards: Wellington, Kenny, Mars, Baildonj Webber, Gunn, Dare, Webster.

Old Boys.

Full-back.—Edge. Three-quarters.—Hosking, Campbell, Brainsby, Five-eighths.—Collins, Hollows. Hal f.—McDonald.

Forwards.—Hart, Hardie, Fraser, Sheriff, Fletcher, Symcs, Sterling, W. Tucker,

THE CURTAIN-RAISER.

. In the curtain-raiser at Rugby Park, Old Boys juniors defeated High School by eleven points to five. For. the winners Doel scored a try, which he converted, and Cullen and Morrison gol over. Dodds, the High School captain, scored a try in the second half, and added the extra points himself.

BIG DAY AT HIKURANGI

NEW GROUND OPENED. GAMES IN ALL GRADES,

Hikurangi Rugby Club opened its season Avith a full afternoon’s programme, all grades of football being represented.

The school team started the ball rolling Avith a seven-a-side, and proA’ided the spectators with bright football. Their handling and passing Avere particularly good, but tackling Avas not up to the standard of past years. The game resulted in “All Blacksbeating “RoAers” by 9 to nil.

Mr G. Dickson handled, the Avhistle

TANEKAHA v. HIKURANGI JUNIORS.

Tanekaha turned out in full force and looked a businesslike lot in their new colours of black and gold. Both teams included’players new to the game, only three in the Tanekaha side having previously played. During the first spell Hikurangi had Tanekaha on their lino practically all the time scoring two tries Avhieh Avere not converted. After some instruction at half-time, Tanekaha rcA'ersed the position and pinned Hikurangi the Avhole spell, Hikurangi only passing the halfAvay line once. Tanekaha Avill make themselves felt • before the season closes.

Mr D. McLeod controlled the game

HIKURANGI FOURTH GRADE v. HORA HORA THIRDS.

Owing to t.lio dilTercuee in weight, these teams wore mixed, the heavy hoys being distributed. The spectators were again treated to some bright, clean passing movements. The game finished with no score. Air D. .McLeod was referee.

HIKURANGI v. CITY,

This game attracted the attention of followers who were anxious to see the several newcomers, in action. The Citv recruits were carefully watched by their opponents. The new serum formation throw both the forwards and backs out of their stride, leaving no converts to the serum. The ball

coming away from the serum very slowly, usually with three or four for-

wards behind it, did not lend itself to back play. However there were several good passing bouts by both sets of backs. There was no evidence of hard times amongst the backs—they were always willing to "buy a dummy." The tackling on both sides was very weak. The forwards made the pace a cracker from the whistle, City being led by Morrison, and Hikurangi by Finlayson and Peacock. The Hikurangi forwards dominated the game, Hikurangi running out winners by Hi to 11. Tries were scored by Carnae (2) and converted. one, and Peacock one. .1. Hamilton kicked a, penalty and converted a try. For City Kerr kicked a penalty. Air AlcEweh controlled the game. .