RUGBY AT RICHMOND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 13 July 1925, Page 7

RUGBY AT RICHMOND

NELSON V. WAIMEA The unexpected happened at Richmond on Saturday, when Nelson were beaten by Waimca by G to 3. the result placing Rivals the winners of the senior championship by the margin of 1 poii ; 't he Rugby football competitions were continued on Saturday under ideal weather conditions. The Nelson and Waimca senior match proved a, hard fought and willing game from start to finish. Waimeas managed to see the distance out and emerged winners by two unconverted tries to their opponents' penalty goal. Reed (Nelson) kicked off .and Waimeaforwards attacked strongly. Reed relieved with a timely kick to touch. From the throw-out, Nelson backs set off. White to Reed, to Guy, the latter being securely tackled by Kearns. Nelson came again. .Mahoney and Guy combining well, and carried play to Waimca 25. The Red fullback got bustled, and Nelson were momentarily dangerous. Reej transferred to Garvin, but the

last-named did not connect, and Harkness relieved for the Reds. From nowon, Waimca, forwards dominated the play and the pace was good. Waimca. backs lacked finish and could not handle the ball, and Nelson backs, being over-eager, suffered the same fate. F. Fowler obtained from the ruck, centred, and fast following up saw Guy (Nelson) caught in possession. A serum followed. Mahoney at half, obtained the ball and sent il on to Guv, who found touch. Guv at this stage received an injury to the hip, being replaced by Wells. Misfortunes of a minor nature proved numerous, and before play had resumed many minutes, Cross retired with an injury to an ankle. The veteran 11. Challies replaced Cross in the Waimca- serum. Vigorous attempts to open up the game by the Nelson backs were quickly repelled by the Thompson-Wat-son-Fowler combination in defence Thompson (Waimea) obtained, beat the opposition, and gave Reed and Co. an anxious moment or two. Byrne saved. I). Thompson offside saw Reed have an unsuccessful attempt at goal. From the kick-off Waimea forwards carried play to Nelson 25. Wats ran secured, sent- on to Allport, who dashed over and scored Waimea's first try. H. Challies missed with the kick. Waimca- 3; Nelson 0. Nelson forwards came strongly, Ben-nett-offside, saw Wells find the line well down. The Waimea forwards, with ball at toe, carried play to 1 the Nelson goalline. Parks and Schroder were conspicuous from the line-out. Woods dived and scored Waimea's second try. Ilarknes did not convert. Waimea 6; Nelson nil. Flay was even for some time. Reed obtained and central, bufr Harkness held in front of Waimea goal, and gave Reed a chance with a good penalty kick. Waimea 6; Nelson 3. Half-time was called a few minutes later. From the kick-off Nelson forwards came strongly. Kinzelt and Brownlie being conspicuous. Wells saved and centred. Hunter, who had replaced Mahoney, obtained nicely and made a hold bid for Waimea line. Kearns appeared in the nick of time with a beautiful tackle. The big question at this stage was, could Waimea see out the distance? Nelson's backs, playing nicely, thrilled the spectators with their strong efforts to pierce the Red line of defence, which withstood the onslaughts doggedly and time was called with Waimca the winnis by 6 pninfs trac For the winners all I lit- forwards played brilliantly and Thompson. Kearns and Fowler were the pick of the backs.

For Nelson tho forwards played well. In the backs Reed, Byrne, and Garvin worked hard.

Mr P. Holland carried the whistle to tile satisfaction of all.

OTHER MATCHES

On N (>. 2 "round Wairnea juniors accounted for Nelson juniors bv 13 to 3. Points for the winners were obtained P. rowler, Bint, and Si raw bridge. P«* Fowler and Strawbridgo converted two of the tries. Nelson’s try was obtained bv Ross.

In the curtain-raiser Richmond School A beat tho- B team bv 13'to nil. For Hie winner Chapman (2) and Hardy obtained tries. Chapman and Goodman converted.

JUNIOR

PIRATES V. RIVAL The burly Pirates from llopo may as yet. lack some of the finer points of Rugby, hut. they turn out- a hefty team ranging from 6ft odd downwards, and their rushes helped to give them a win over Rivals, whom they defeated at the Park by 11 to 3. Tho first spell was even, tries being scored by Pirate Kearns and Rival Snowden. In second half play went up and down the field in exciting fashion. Rivals failed to finish any of their movements and for Pirates Stringer scored a try converted by Higgins, and Barton kicked a penally goal. Mr Stewart refereed. SENIOR CIIAMPIONSIITP Rivals (Winners) ... 13 points. Nelson (Runners-up) 12 points. Old Bovs ... ... 9 points. Wairnea 2 points. FIXTURES FOR JULY 18th. SENIORWairnea v. Old Roys, Park 1, 3 p.m. *Rival .v Nelson. Park 2. 3 p.m. *Friendlv game. JUNIOR Nelson v. Pirate, Park 2.2 p.m. Wairnea v. Rivals, Richmond. 3 p.m. Wakatu v. College, College. 3 p.m. Old Bovs a. bve. ' THIRD CLASS College A v. Wakatu. College. 1.45 p.m. College B v. Rivals, College, 1.45 p.m. Old Boys v. Cadets, Park 1. 1.45 p.m. Ti EPRESENTATTVE FIXTUR ES July. 25.—Nelson v. Golden Bay, at Motueka. 25. —Nelson v. Murchison, at Murchison A ugnst. 17.—Nelson v. Taranaki, at Nelson. 29. —Nelson v. Marlborough, Blenheim* September. 2.—Nelson v. Wairarapa, at Nelson. 15. —-Nelson v. Hawke's-Bay, at Nelson.