RUGBY FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 13 June 1927, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NELSON 8, DEFEATS BAYS 6

iIN MVP SCJRAWBLB AT fIOTVB&k

JUNIOR AND THIRD CLASS COM PETITIONS

For the representative match at Motueka between Nelson and the GoWen Bav-Motuoka Union, a sodden.. mucWj ground covered with puddles greeed Slayers and spectators alike. The disdav of football was remarkably good considering'the state of the ground and although for the most part it was . mud scramble among the forwards, both sides attempted open back play and presented some fine fast passing bouts. Both teams were without detections and were evidently well trained, as only fit players could have kept the .play going from one end of the field to the other" at sucu a rate as they did. A feature" of the game was the splendid place kicking of Clark and Snodgrass, both of whom landed beautiful goals from a long way out, With a greasy and wet ball. Of "the individual players Clark arid Isaacs were probably the best of the Bavs' forwards, while Cross was outstanding from a. good even Jot of Nelson forwards. Each of the backs did all that was asked of him, the two fullbacks: deserving- .a .word of .praise for their individual efforts, and the sure way they saved their sides on numerous occasions. ,The game was timed to commence at, 2.45. p.m., but owing'-to delays it was twenty minutes late when the teams took the field. This caused the .final stages-to be played in semi-darkness with the result that tho second .spell was cut short. Tho game was not devoid of incident, and besides hearty applause and motor horns for good play, evident delight was expressed when players in all positions went slithering along in the mud for yards before being able to regain their feet. On one occasion the referee, whether his fault or the players' is not known, managed to get into the scrummage and was neatly placed in a puddle to the delight of the spectators. The game was played in the best of spirit and both teams are to be congratulated on their sportsmanship. The visiting team under the capable management of Mr L. M. Estcourt did credit not only to themselves but also to the Rugby Union and players by their conduct on and off the field, which has been the subject of many congratulations. In future games at Mottieka the Press'might be given a little more consideration ' and arrangements made for their convenience.

■As curtain-raisers, Nelson's bantam and schools' representatives played Motueka teams, .the Nelson's bantams winning by 6-0, while the school game resulted in a draw, neither side scoring.

THE PLAY

Bays won the toss and from the kick off Nelson pressed to their twenty-five. Mahoney sent the ball away from the scrum each- back handling, but Sexton cleared/ Wallace centred but Wilkes /obtained, went up field and with the help of the forwards put Nelson on the defensive. Stevens and Lowe were prominent for sound tackling of the Nelson forwards. Brooks set off an attack and .Nelson were hard pressed until Glover lineU with a good kick. Skilton and Stevens' hustled Snodgrass and Fowler and from the ruck Wright opened Bays 1 ' scoring account, by going over in the corner.' Clark missed with a good ' kick.' 'Bays 3, 'Nelson 0. ; r Nfelsori : then asserted themselves and ike 'forward's; led by Cross, Newman, and Shaw smothered the Bays' backs". In the - IrMe Sliaiv obtained "and after sprinting 10'yards sent the ball to Reed, to'Newrtfafi; rwho'soored. This was a classy try. Snodgrass goaled. Nelson 5, Bay's 3. "Monigatti and Snow were responsible for putting Nelson in an attacking position,, but Brooks saved with a good riiark. Both sides were getting their share of the ball and each set of backs were .handling Safely. -Until half-time the Ravi had slightly the better of the jjay, Nelson having to force several times in quick succession. In the lineouts "Max secured time and again for Nelson and with Barrett made good use of his opportunities. A', passing rush by Lowe, Wilkes', and Sadd saw the latter grassed by Wells, arid Fowler dashing upj'feversed play, and put Nelson in a handy position, but Brooks cleared cleverly from Nelson's forwards.

Isaacs and Hickmott were responsible for; a fine dribbling; rush and wlieri in a bandy position' for Bays, Nelson were penalised and Clark put over a beauty giving Bays a lead of one point which they held till half-time. After the spell Nelson battled hard to even the score and Max arid Barratt and Cross and Newman in turn led the forwards, but Clark, and the übiquitous Brooks seemed" always lo be handy when defence was necessary. Newman was getting in among- the Bay backs and had them rattled on several occasions.

Near the Bays' line Reed sold a welltimed dummy and looked like- scoring, but he passed and Wilkes securing turned deferice into attack by racing to Nelson's twenty-five, where'bad bundling spoiled a certain try. Despite the heavy going both sets of forwards gave a good display of snappy loose play and sound tackling, but owing to the slippery oall, neither side could finish off their movements. Snodgrass was given a chance with a penalty and with a remarkable long distance kick added three to Nelson's total. Nelson 8, Bays 6. Clark and Wilkes both made strong runs in.'an attempt to put Bays in the lead, but determined attack was stemmeet by equally strong defence and coun-ter-attack. The Bays became aggressive witn Stevens, O'Oallaghan, and B. Skilton leading the attacks hut Wells and Beed cleared in turn. Nelson forced down twice. In a fast failing light neither side was able to. improve thenscore and Nelson ran out victors by a converted try and a penalty to a try and a penalty. Mr 0. A. Banner refereed to the satisfaction of players and spectators alike.

NELSON COMPETITIONS JUNIOR.- ~ Old Boys 9, College 6. Nelson 9, BoVer 5 Bival 17, Y.M.C.A. 0. THIRD CLASS.— Waimea 3, Wakatn 3. College A. 17, Nelson 0. Y.M.C.A. 6, Rover 3. IN WELLINGTON SENIOR A.— Poneke 13, Wellington 13. Oriental 16. Hutt 3. Athletic 9, Petune 18. Marist 12, Varsity 1-1. Berharnpore 9, Old"Bovs 26 SENIOR B.— Athletic 9, Selwyn 8. Training College 8. Eastbourne 13. WELLINGTON WEAK IN RACKS (United Press Association) WELLINGTON. This Lay. The results of senior Rugby football in Wellington so far show a great, evenness in the play. Of ten sides in the senior A division, seven are only

separated by (wo points. While forward play is up in Ihe mark, the scarcity of conspicuous backs is most notable and docs not bode well for Wellington's represent at ion in I be team for South Africa. Apart from M. Nicholls, it is doubtful if (hero is another > back at present who can show claim to be in the front, rank.

PLAYER pilfEAgS NEM

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N'.Z. Cable Association)

(Received 13lli June, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day

R. Wiseman, a. Sydney Grammar School boy tripped and fell in a football match and broke his neck.