Rugby Football.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 96, 3 May 1902, Page 5

Rugby Football.

MR Do Costa sprung a gieat suiprise on the opposition a.t the annual mooting of the New Zealand Rugb^ Union last Friday w hen he announced that he did not intend to seek re-election. It was such a smasher" that to* a while they were struck dumb, and the delegate foi the Canterbury Union, who 1 had been instiucted to support Mi. De Cotta's re-election, filled the vacuum by proposing Mr Norns — the opposition's choice — for the position, and that gentleman, being the only nominee, was elected. I congratulate Mr. Norns on his election, and. at the same time, congratulate the New Zealand Union on being in the happ> position of having the benefit of his services. While he has been in Wellington, the greater part of Mr. Norris's spare tame has been devotad to the advancement of Rugby football, and it is only to be expected therefore^, that in his new position he will be found doing good work, with a more enlarged field to operate upon My best wishes for a, pleasant trip to England go with Mr DeCosta He has served the New Zealand Union faathfullv as a conesponding secietary, and it was not in this line that I had any objection to him — the want of initiative on his part is what caused m\ antagonism Mr. Weir, who asked the question why Mr. Hv.uns was sent to Australia to represent Net\ Zealand at what was really a conference on the laws of the game, did not receive the roplv from the chairman that he w anted, and it is more than probable that the mattei will be further ventilated at the adjourned meeting this week The disposition of Lord Ranfuih's Cup canoed a long discussion and mainand vaiious weie the motions and

amendments proposed. A suggestion I heard after the meeting would, peihaps, be the most woikable. It was to tJi/is eftecit At the eaid of the present seasom the Management Committee to award the cup to the union winch, in their opuiion, lijys the team with the best recoa'd for the season That team to hold the cup till it is beaten, whethei on its own ground or when travelling. And so on, each successive holder to keep possession of tihet cup till it siiffeis a. re<\ e-rse I throw the suggestion out to the sub-committee who haw been appointed to consider and lepoit upon the mannei in \ Inch the tio»h\ m,n be best competed foi * ♦ * The Management Committee appointed is an able one, and should do good work. The Wellington Union is represented b\ Messis Fache G.ilbraath, and Campbell Auckland b\ Mr G H Dixon Canterbuiv h\ Mi W Coffee Otago bv Mr. R. D. Isaacs . and Wanganui, by Mr A. T). Thomson. The matters of the classification of unions the New Zealand team foi England, the definition of the pioMiicial distucts in the colony, and the allocation bv t.lic laigei unions of a fouith of their net gate pioceeds to the smallei unions' travelling teams, aie the mam subjects that will engage the attention of t'.ie delegates at the adjourned meetIH2- * * * Although the two motions passed at the annual meeting of the Wellington Union re the cuitaihng of representative matches and the classification of of unions, canie so close togethei it wa^ not intended by that meeting to convey the impression that Haw kes Baj was. in then opinion, a second-class union With the last two games between the two unions befoie them, such a conclusion would be a far-fetched one But, when the records of the matches between Haw kes Bay and Wellington are studied it would appeal that the cap seemed to fit the Bay people and they metaphorically put it on. The lecord reads — Matches played, 20 wins b\ Wellington, 17 wins by Hav.ke'3 Ba-^ .2. drawn, 1. If results go foi am thing, then Wellington must be considcjed of a better class to Haw kes Bay although they don't like to say -,o

The appointment of Mi. Waltea Bethime to the vacancy on the Management Committee, caused by the resagna.tion of Mi. Kedlow, is popular among the sport-loving of the footballing fratenutj . Mi-. Bethune is a keen sport, anjd can be lehed upon to do his, share in upholding the prestige of the game. Caietaker Murphy, of the Athletic Park, is a proud man, and well may he lie. The giound with its beautiful oo\ ermg of green turf, is a standing ad- \ eitisement as to his abilities, and one mair\ els at the improvements he has effected in his own special department when \ our thoughts take a few years' letio^pect. His general courtesy to tootballeis is much appreciated, and what the company would do without him I s - ruleed a coniindium. I made a slight mistake in my notes last week The gentleman from Blenheim uaj, with whom I had a yam, is knoiwn by the name- of He/aley, and not Hill as I gave it out. A slight misuncleifctanchng when being introduced to him accounts foi the slip on my part. In collating an opponent the most effective way to bung him down is to go low . This has been often said per medium of the press, and by the lungs of the bairacker, but on this occasion I mention it particularly as a hint to the forwards in the Old Boys' senior team. At this early stage of the season ach ice of this sort is seasonable. A couple of the humours of football lepoitmg in Wellington, "Norling seem od the ball from a loose scrummage, and made 1 a, fine run. On being tackled, he passed to Robertson." "Noad?" Honoui and Roberts are the players in (juestion. Manring made a fine dash up the field, where he was beautifully collared b\ Slater." Manning and Slater were plawng right-wing thiee-quarter and centre thiee-cjuaxter for Poneke on .Satuida-v, so the loke in the above sentence is easily appaient # * * The games at the Athletic Park on Saturday were not exciting enough to keep off the effects of the keen southerly that was blowing In fact those of us. who w*eie unfortunate enough to ha-\e to take notes of thei games had to be content with putting them down in the memory-box the cold stopped the calculation so much that it became difficult to hold the pencil.

The pleasamtest emprise of the afternoon w at>, the improved, form of the Oriental back division. The. first tune -I s,'aw them out — the practice match the previous Saturday at Miramar — the backs hardly appeared to know rightly what they were expected to do. But on Saturday a change came o'er the scene. Secretary Woon tells me it was nearly a, totally different set altogether. Bush played right up to the form he showed when playing here the season before last, his defensive work being very sound. Roberts — Freddy" of that ilk and the sh immer in the summer time — lias filled out a lot, and, with the extra wes^lit, his* half-back display also shows more finish. It was a fine piece of play of his that scored the first goal for hie team. The ball came nicely to him from the scrum, and, dodging round the side, he had an open, field, but with none of his comrades near. The goal nosts however, looked inviting, and, with a fine kick, he sent the ball sailing across the baa*. In Brewer the Orientals have a promising wing three-quarter, and Thomson did his work at full-back like a tradesman. The most interesting feature of the forward display m this game was the pleasant way m which Skilton and Coady hugged one another. The general forw ard work was more of the scrambling than the solid variety, though Lowe on the wing, with the old Association dribbling still with him, did some fine foot work. Kelly, though working hard, was a loaig way below his true form. Conder was unfortunate in being knocked out early in the second spell, for he had been doing effective work. "Tom" Hales came on during the second spell, justintiine to put in a good though fruitless attempt to place a goal from a free kick. He tells me h& has given the game best, and will endeavour to be an interested spectator this season. Allen, who, by the way, lias thrown in his. lot with the Athletics, did nothing out of the way at full-back, but seemed more at home at half in the second spell. He practised with Wellington the pievious Saturday, but, not being able to get a place in that team, joined the blue and blacks. Allen is an fxOtago Umveisity player.

Tlio weakness ot tlie Petone Club's team n.us easily a,ppaient when they took the held against the Wellington representatives Tlie solid and weighty men ot previous seasons seem to ha\o all gone and m their places aie meie strap lings for the mast part. It would therefoie, at this juncture be unran to criticise too soveiel,\ their perfoi maiico on Satuidaj. Suffice it to sa-\ , tlie game has mereh c\n exercise one for last yeai 's champions Jacob was m a scoimg humour, and was pla\ed in his right place Ho had, howevei a piedilection towards beating as many ot his opponents as possible on one occasion doubling m f1 om lus wing when he had a clear field to the corner flag. Tlie.se tactics are good against a weak opposition, but wheio the collaaing is suie they «ould not be of much advantage to the side. Meredith did his work in his usual finished style, and Parrj , at centre three-quart tor, appeared to want more work as he was in a very w lllmg vein Lo\ atfc was not asked to do much at full-back, but Scanlan a promoted junior foi this game, placed right up to senior form on the light wmg thieequarter. Scott Wilson seems to bo good at all points on the football field He plays equa.lh well forward as back and he was easiK the best toiwaid m thi Imatch Gallaghei -soon got over his letnement fiom the game He was m his place in the \ The playei that stood light out on the Petone side was \oung Pat" Ryan, at centre three-quaiter. B\ the wa-\, there weie tluee Ryans placing — Pat, Jack, and Mick Tho former veiv neatly intercepted some passes meant for Fell, and always knew what to do with the ball when he got it He should develop into something above the ordinary. Dick was another prominent player in the same team — Joe Dick, if \ou please — but it was not for good work. Some time or another he might have been an adept at kicking the ball ovei his head — but he has forgotten the trick now and the sooner he makes up ms mind not to attempt it the better it will be for his team. Dick however, notched Petone's only points b\ a fine place-kicked goal from a mark He is said to have made a reputation in Wanganui • » ♦ The third senior game was played at Petone, between the Poneko and the Old Boys' teams, and the play of the former surprised even their best friends I thought they would have had sherhtlv the better of the deal but to win as handsomely as they did was a surprise indeed The game consisted mamlv of brilliant farwaid rushes with heie Mid there a da.sh of back pla\ tluown in Robert's — the same old ' Cocky" — played one of those games that has made has name famous in fact, it was tlie best display he has given during the last four years. The try he scored shows that he uses his head Slattery had dashed across, but was held up by three or foui of the Old Boys. Roberts, seeing Slatten had no chance of grounding the ball, rushed up and took it from him. and scored the try Slattery wa.s in a scoring humour and his kicking was of a veiy hiph giade. Ham Davis filled the want the Ponekes had of a half-back, and if he can be prevailed upon to play the whole season through he should lca\ c nothing, to be; desired in the position Mann is an e<xi h aspirant for lopiesentative honours, and his displa\ on the wing-forw arc! should have put a good mark opposite his name in the selector's book for that position Mcßae Judd (a bi other ot Aithui Stanley's — a 1900 rep resent at ne) and McAnally w T eie the pick ot a fine paek — solid weighty and full of go Buddie pla\ed a splendid game as lull-back for the Box 1 -. Kis kicking w af. excellent Page's was the best back chspla\ nn his sade his woik at fi\ e-eighths being all done m a tradesmanhke inannei West was the best of a willing «.<>t of forwaids but Dodd was haidh as pio7imi<'nt as usual ♦ * ¥■ The matches toi next Satmda\ are — Wellington \ Poneke Park Ko 2 Athletic \ Mehose Park Ko 1 and Petone v Onental Petone The winners of the abo\ c matches should be Poneke Melrose and Onental ' Oh," says someone, I thought Wellington weie going to win the championship?" So did I but the splendid exhibition b^ the Poneke team in 'ts opening engagement, leads me to believe that the^ will hike a lot of beating. It is also mmouied that the bracing aw at Levin, the fine outdoor exeici'-o he has indulged m, and his performance on the backs of T)r Newman's hveh hacks, has full\ restored Billy" Wallace to health, and he will be found playing against tho yellow and olacks for his old love on Saturday. [Since

the aboii' was mitten, I luu c been told that Wallace mil not be iloun this w eek j A 11 oid m the- c<ir oi the Poneke Sel<ctitm Committee — Lea\ c Roberts it hve-eaghths, and play Wallace at cent le fchree-quarteu The lombiiiation oi Robeits Wallace, and SI at ten 11 ill take a lot oi stopping when ian h going * * * The Wellington Reieiees' Association were asked bv the Otago Association bv letter, on Man da \ night, if a try could be scored bv am other method than pressing the ball oi the ground b\ the liand-i c , bv falling on it, or placing the aiim around or across, it. It was decided to reply tliat the Association ruled accoiding to the letter of the law Incidentally, it was mentioned that Jacobs \i as credited w ith a tr\ 111 the Wellington-Petone match that would have been lost to his team if the Petone players had closely watched him Jacobs ian acioss the line w ith the ball all right but he did not put it down — he let it drop, and it rolled slightly after reaching the ground The actual scorer of the try was Kember who brought the baU out to be placed. This is one of those fine points wheie it is just as well that the players fulfilled the rule in its entireti . # * • The promised programme oi cup matches did not eventuate last Saturday Why Knott? Tiieie is more than a possibility that the pi ess accommodation asked for bv the Kugbv Union at the Athletic Park will be provided this season I notice that "Banger" Row is .said to be a player again this season, North SJmre (Sydney) being the. club that is to have the benefit of his services Perhaps somebody has done it betoie, but lot me correct ' Wombat " McTigue does come from Asih burton although he played for the Athletics 111 Wellington last season. The Rugby Union Annual is definitely promised for issue next w eek The compilers have agieed to the suggestion made at the annual meeting, and a.re issuing it at sixpence a copy ' The Wombat" says — Morne Woods and Harvey, at fh e-eightlvs and half respectively, work togethei with faultless piecision, and the Welhngtonian will piove a valuable acquisition." In common with other scnbes, T have to acknow ledge the receipt of the C'anterbuiv Rugby Union annual and extend congratulations to Mr. W G. Garrard on the conciseness of the booklet Harnei" should put his hand out. and see if he is awake "Canterbury cup matches had to be postooned last Saturday — April 19th — on account of the departure of the Tenth Contingent." The matches were played, nevertheless The Auckland Rugby Union have instructed their delegate to vote in favour of sending a representative team to England This should strengthen Mr Coftey's hands considerably, and a more confident tone will doubtless maik his arguments when he makes the speech 'proposing the motion of the Canterbuiv Union "Junior placers under the Auckland Ru^bv LTiuon aie in futuietobe admitted to representative matches at Alexandra Park free oi chaige " What a hubbub there would be if I alteiedfhis clipping bv putting "Wellington instead oi Auckland, and Athletic m of Alexandra, leaving the rest of the paragiaph as it stands Fannliai figures missing this year — W King, Barlow , Braid, and Bnce (Petone), Brunsden and Wallace (Poneke) T Page and Burns (Old Boys), McLaohlan Wood, and Row (Wellington) O'Bnen Quinn Weybouine, and Pnchard (Athletic?), Wvhe, Marsh, Burns, Dixon, and Young (Onental) and W J Spencer Warwick Laws and Sum cis (Melrose) The impro\ements at the Athletic Paik about which we have heaid and w ntten so much latch , are a long wav oft completion, and it should be maiiy weeks M*t before thei will reach that consummation The removal of bic\de track is, in itseli, a marked 1111proi ement and w lien the grass grow sin its place the turf mil be a pi tuic The shed- bv courtesy called dressingroom- is still doing dut\ 111 that direction and appeal ances point to the better accommodation promised for the plaxeis' ciwnfoit being as iai oft a.s c\ ci