RUGBY FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 26 April 1937, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS NELSON AM) RIVAL SENIORS WIN RESULTS AT A GLANCE Senior Nelson l(i, Waimcii 3. Rival beat Rover by default. Junior College (1, Old Boys A 3. Nelson 9, Old Boys B 0. Regimental IJ, Hospital 3, i Rival 9, Pirate 5. ! Waiinca 23, Rover 0. | Third Grade i No championship games played. Fourth Grade Waimea 25, College (i/ The Nelson Rugby Football Championships were commenced on Saturday afternoon when the weather and ground conditions were perfect. The senior game between Nelson and Waimea at the Park was won comfortably by the former. Rover defaulted to Rival on gccount of some misunderstanding regarding the transport of players from Golden Downs. The junior matches produced some even results, indicating an interesting season’s competition.

BY 18 POINTS TO 3

NELSON DEFEATS WAIMEA AT PARK In beating Waimea seniors by 10 points to 3, Nelson scored two converted tries and two tries against a penalty goal. In the first half the country team held its own in the territorial play, but Nelson held tbe upper hand in the second half after the first ten minutes ofwhich the game looked safe for Nelson. The play was of the usual first-of-the-season standard, but the game produced a number of interesting periods. Waimca’s scrum work was good in the first spell, but towards the end the Nelson pack gained the upper hand in botli scrurn and loose work. Both teams contained new faces in players promoted from junior ranks Two young players whose form indicated (iiey would be valuable in senior ranks were Atkinson (Nelson) and Challies (Waimea). Atkinson gained a welldeserved try to mark bis debut as a senior. For Nelson McLean, Phillips, and Atkinson were the most prominent three forwards. Among the backs Cooke, Blair and Grey played valuable games. For Waimea the leaders among the forwards were G. Lusty, Gomez, McHarg and Brown. Williams gave good service behind the pack, but the backs made little use of their opportunities. Brooks, full-back, saved his side on many occasions. The teams were as follows: — Nelsuri- Grey; Blair, Mason, McMorland; Cooke (vice-captain), McLaren; Turley; Phillips, McLean (capt.), Mayers, Atkinson, McKegney, Scoltock, Fleet, Flowers,

Waimea—Brooks; Phipps, Craig, O’Connor; Brown (capt.), P. Fowler; Williams;,Gomez, G. Lusty, Day, McHarg, Challies, Brown, A. Lusty, Schwass. The Rev. A. Fear was the referee. From the kick off Nelson held the play in Waimea territory and tiie country team was penalised, Mayers’s kick at goal being a "poster.” A scrum was ordered in front of the posts and the Waimea forwards, supported by Craig, staged a line clearance in a rush which went to half way. The Waimea forwards were holding the advantage territorially and were hooking the ball from nearly all the scrums, Nelson gained possession on their 25, and Cooke put the Waimea Packs in difficulty with a well placed kick which the Nelson forwards carried on and had the defence well rattled when Turley was penalised for offside play and a great chance was lost. There was little combined work but the Waimea backs and forwards combined well into Nelson’s 25. P. Fowler missed the gcal with an attempt at a field goal. The Nelson defenders were penalised and W. Brooks opened the scoring for the season with an accurately kicked penalty goal, Waimea 3, Nelson 0.

.Five minutes later McMorland set Nelson away from their own territory with a good run and kick. The Nelson forwards led by McLean and Fleet took control, the ball travelling to the posts where Cooke scored a try under the posts. Turley converted. Nelson 5. Waimea 3. The Nelson forwards with Flowers. McLean and Fleet prominent again tested the defences and won their way to near the line, where Atkinson, who was up with the play, gained possession to score a try which Turley converted. Nelson 10, Waimea 3. That was the half time score. Early in the second spell Craig went off with a leg injury. Gomez took the centre position. The play was mostly confined to the forwards, and when a bounce beat Brooks, Phillips followed through to gain possesison and carry the ball to within five yards of thp line where he was tackled. Blair, who had followed the movement, snapped up the ball and smartly got the ball placed over the line for a try in the corner. McLean’s kick failed. Nelson 13, Waimea 3. Nelson increased their lead when Brooks brought the ball into play from behind tbe Waimea line, and a very poor clearing kick gave Blaii the ball for the Nelson winger to get in ‘or his second try in the corner. Mayer’s kick missed. Nelson 16. Waimea 3.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

COLLEGE DEFEAT OLD BOYS A Old Boys A won the toss against College, and from the kick off College forwards carried the ball well into Old Boys’ 25. A penalty was awarded to College, but the kick at goal missed the posts. Old Boys made a forward rush but College carried the ball back to Old Boys’ 25. Play went back to College 25 where Thorp saved a try. Costello, the Old Boys’ half, scored a try in the corner after a determined attack in College 25. The attempt tr convert failed. Old Boys 3, College 0. Jarrelt broke away after a passing rush by the College backs and brought play into Old Boys’ territory. With a strong attack Old Boys pushed the play up into the College 25.

Early in the second half Thorp kicked through and compelled Old Boys to force down. After play had hovered for a while in Old'Boys’ half, in a pass- 1 ing rush.. Wilde passed to Jarrelt, who just missed scoring. McLennan headed a fast College forward movement. A Ireo kick was awarded to College, and with a good kick Hammond goaled. College 3. Old Boys 3. College pressed hard and Jarrelt carried the ball up to the corner before he pased infield to Parker, who scored, The try was not converted. College 6,

Old Boys 3. In the final stages Bowers was prominent for College. Mr H. McGirr was the referee. RESULTS ELSEWHERE [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, 24th April. Rugby results:— Senior A (First Division): Wellington College Old Boys 26, Poneke 9; Athletic 14, Ilutt 3; Eastbourne 18, Petone 17; Wellington 18, Marist Bros, Old Boys 12 Senior A (Sc-ond Division): Athletic 23, University 9; St. Patrick’s College Old B, vs 14. Oriental 4; Johnsonville 30, Miramar 0; Wellington 11, Pirates 5. CHRISTCHURCH RUGBY CHRISTCHURCH. 24th April. Rugby: Sydenham 20, Albion 13; Old Boys 10, Merivalc.B: Athletic 19, Technical 11; Christchurch 6, University 6; Sunnyslde 22, Linwood 13.