Out Door Sports and Pastimes

Free Lance, Volume XIV, Issue 726, 30 May 1914, Page 19

Out Door Sports and Pastimes

By Touchline.

Rug-by Football.

Once Again The Weather. A LOT has been said and written the last three or four , weeks about the wintry weather we have been experiencing, therefore it is but fitting when something better comes along that it should receive more than a passingword When the Rev. Mr. Bates promised us a fine week-end last week, most of us, even on Friday afternoon, were inclined to scoff. But our weather, prophet proved himself right up to hisi business, for Saturday was practically a, perfect day for the playing of Rugby football. Of course, there were many other people—especially the cadets and those interested in them —who were pleased with the improved; weather, conditions, but where I was (on the Athletic the fine concourse of .people who had gathered together were more than satisfied with the sunshine. * * ■ " * * ' The Athletic Park was in very fair condition; indeed, con- ■ Bidering the amount of rain that has fallen lately, it reflects the greatest credit on Arthur Fenton, who has improved the drainage of our main football ground since he took up the- duties of custodian. A few years ago water would have been lying all over the surface of the ground under similar circumstances, but nothing like that was in evidence on Saturday. It is true that it was heavy —it could hardly have been otherwise' — •but, generally speaking, the players had little to complain about. As a matter of fact, it was a glorious afternoon for the playing of ■ Rugby football," with the conditions not quite made to order, but ■with just enough stickiness in the turf to make the players try their hardest. * * * * Players Not In Top Form. , The fact that there has been no play during the past three or four weeks has allowed the players to let up a bit in their training. At least, this seemed so to me, judging by the number of times the-games were stopped during the afternoon for minor injuries. In the last half-hour of the day the. whistle blew for the cessation of hostilities for the slightest of knocks—a sure indication that were not strung up to concert pitch. ■••■;:. The University'players must have been assisting their fellow students in the jollifications of the week, for they faded right away in the second half of the game, after having made a really good showing in the opening forty-five minutes. I don't think these University fellows take the game of Rugby.as seriously as they should. It is but right to regard the playing of football as a pastime, but, all the same, these days he is a wise man who endeavours, by assiduous attention to training, to bring himself into a physical condition necessary to play a hard and fast game. The moral in this is very evident, and should be taken to heart by all-our players, in the senior competition by the TJniversitv team more particularly. * * * « Last Saturday's Games resulted as follows : —Athletic 13 ; (tries by S. Wilson, Orsborne, and Madden, converted try and mark goal by Evensen), Oriental 3 (penalty! goal by Shaw): Poneke 17 (tries by Tilyard, McTaggart, King-, Tilyard, and Algar, converted try by Gardner), University 3 (try by Faire); Wellington 13 (tries by Bearr* Parker, and Miller, converted tries by lorns and Drake), Petone 8 (two tries

and converted try by Macfarlane); Melrose 22 (tries by Mudie, Moore, Twomey, and Petterson, two penalty goals and two converted tries by Capper), St. James 0. * * * . * How The Teams Stand. Although the' season started as long ago as the 16th April, only three matches have been played for the senior championship. It is to be hoped, now that the weather has broken, better progress may be made with the remaining matches. The following table shows how the teams stand now : —- O bo CU £ , . fe < . . . = « jg e* ' IS , § § g s ■ .s § as is 3 o <S • S g Athletic ... 3 3 0 0 56 9 6 Wellington -3 3 0 0 37 22 0 Oriental 3 2 1 0 49 17 4 Poneke 3 2 1 0 32 41 Petone ... 3 1 2 0 42 33 r Melrose 3 1 2 0 29 30 University 3 0 3 0 17 42 < St. James 3 0 3 0 8 76 0 * * * * Athletics -Still Ahead. Nobody who has been following the fortunes of the senior teams this season imagined that the Athletics - would find themselves other than in the position of the winning team,, after their clash with Oriental last Saturday afternoon. But the wearers of the black and white jerseys made an exceedingly good fight all the same, and were a much better side than the defeat by. 14 points to 3 would seem to indicate. The difference between the two teams is summed up in the fact that the Athletics grasped the major portion of the' opportunities that came their way .when-they got within striking distance of the opposition goal, while, the Orientals allowed all their chances —one after the slip by without any good resulting therefrom The blue-and-blaek jerseyed brigade is a niie balanced side—even without Teddy Roberts, who was standing by because of the strain to the ankle he received in the match against Petone the fortnight previous—and will, take a power of beating all the season. The Oriental team, however, is. full of promise, and, directly the younger members of the side gain more confidence in their playing abilities through the extra experience gained through playing senior, should develop into a side right up to standard. There is just that little uncertainty in their methods that prevents them from rising to- their true standard: **•■•»* A Bright Game. It rarely happens- that the match on the No. 2 ground at the Athletic Park becomes interesting, but the clash between the Poneke and University teams last Saturday was an exception to the rule. From beginning to end there was hardly a dull moment in the play, and some of the incidents were Rugby football as it ought to be played, in particular a rush by the Poneke forwards, at the opening of the second spell, was one of the finest things seen in Wellington for many a day, and raised the tators to much enthusiasm. "_ The taking of the ball by the backs on either side was excellent at timis, but now and again the passes were bad. Again, the man with the ball would hang on to it after he made the opening, but, taking it by and large, the display of Rugby football was interesting enough to justify us' in expecting much from the same two teams during the remaining matches of the present season. * * * * Something Forgotten. Writing of the Poneke forward rush reminds me that a match-winning method in the days that are gone seems to have been forgotten these days. I refer to what was known as the second line in a forward rush. The men with the ball would be followed a yard or two by another lot. with the result that if the first set overrun the ball those following would carry it on, and the attack thus developed would be a hard one to stop. Now and again on Saturday I noticed some very effective rushes fade right away because the leading man lost posand allowed the opposing back to chip in and kick the ball away, to safety.

Now that some, of the old-timers are taking on coaching duties, probably the hint here will be accepted. However, there was a sweet piece of passing by two of the Athletic forwards that was very pleasing. Wilson and Bell came along like two backs on one occasion, passing and re-passing the ball to one another in fine style. Wilson,.on another occasion, dribbled the ball right across the line', but when there it slightly swerved away, from him. and then that following forward I have been just referring to came on the scene, and scored a thoroughly deserved try. * , * * . *• Things That Struck Me. The Athletic Club are in the happy' position of; having a back too many. Roberts being out of action for , the tiirie being relieves the difficulty, but he is the king-pin of the lot, and cannot be snared too long. When he comes back into the team some of the others will take their turn Saturday about in standing down. "He's just as good as ever!" was a remark a well-known enthusiast made to me last Saturday. ; The reference was to "Ranji"- Wilson, who gave ' more* than one glimpse of his best form during the afternoon. The trip to New South Wales with the New Zealand team should be within his compass this year. When Mitchinson comes back to town —"let it be eoon," say the Porieke enthusiasts—the red and black rearguard will be a sound one. With Tilyard at half-back (where he must play to be of the most service), and Mitchinson and Algar at five-eighth, they should be the equal of aaiy team in the senior competition. This reminds me that Algar is showing good form just now, although he shows a tendency to hold on a shade too long after having made his opening. With Mitchinson alongside him he should rise to the standard many of his admirers have set for him. P. J. Ryan once again satisfied that he js one of the best backs playing in Wellington, and I am hoping 'that he will be priven the opportunity of showing oft his paces in our best company. The opening he made when Faire scored the University try was one well worth talking about. . "

More About the Players. H. McLeod made his first ~ appearance in senior matches last Saturday, captaining the Oriental team, the place previously filled .this season by Kinvig. By the way, I notice that a daily paper re-, porter stated that "a left boot by Kinvig drove the ball to touch at the twentyfive.". Considering that Gordon was in Melbourne that afternoon, a remarkable thing hanoened in this Athletilc-Oriental match. Reverting to McLeod, the heavy ground was against him, • but I did not notice him do anything out of the way, either for or against. J. Moffitt dashed away one time at the head of an Oriental rush. and. a try looked a certainty. He, however, passed the balli and the chance went astray, whereas, if he had hung on and dashed ■for. the line, he might have got home. He went well right through the game I. . The Oriental backs are generally on the young side,.and are likely to improve. Carrad, who shaped well 'at _ full-back, had to retire through an injury to his shoulder. There is a lot of pace distributed am- ; ongst the University hacks, Faire and East (the respective wing- three-quar- ' ters) covering' the ground, very quickly. By the way., I wish to extend my-sincere sympathies* to Staintoh; who, through an accident in the Town.Hall'on Friday night, could not take up the centre three-quarter position. A lad that impressed me last Saturday was. McTaggart,. the wing .three-quarter of the Poneke team, This youth, who hails •from JohnsonyiTle, is eager to get into the thick of things, and.does well -hen he gets there. . Mahoney, the exSt. Patrick's College boy, is shaping so well that, with the experience "tn'at comes with playing in the bigger it will not surprise me if a representative cap comes his way this season. Another Poneke forward who is knocking at the door is King, the Kaiwarra lad. Though built on the light side,' Meldrum, the University forward, creates an impression much in his favour. Beard, the exact opposite of Meldrum, being burly and strong, w.Qjxld go a long way if a good coach got hold of him and worked liim hard in the gymnasium. As it is, he is a really promising forward, and one that would be more than useful if he struck form. "Stick the boot in 1"" was the advice tendered the' Oriental team by one of their player-barrackers last Saturday. I don't think it was meant; but it sounded'anything but nice, all .the same. • The Rugby Union is getting on. For years requests have been made by ,the referees for new. touch-line flags a,t the Athletic Park. They have come at last, and are a distinct improvement on the rags that have done duty for some time. Also to be noted that a player's gate has been provided, with a sliding peep-hole in it. It was badly needed, the "piece cut out of the fence which previously did •duty being undignfied, to say the.least of it. * * ' * . *'. An Interesting Decision. At the last meeting of the New Zealand Referees' Association, the following query -was submitted from Southland: — "A player is tackled with the .ball two yards outside the goal-line. He, immediately drops the ball,; which rolls over the goal-line. The attacking player crosses the line, and. scores. Is the try valid, or is there an' infringement, the penalty for which is a free-kick?" Reply: "When a player is tackled tb,e ball qan only be brought into play with the foot. In the event, of this not being ■ complied with, the referee should order ■ a scrummage at the spot where the player was tackled." This is fairly nlain, and means that if a player is tackled by, an opponent, and the ball'is held that he cannot at any moment' while it is so held pass or play it, the ball must be put on the ground, and played with the foot before the play can go on. But it must not be forgotten that the player is not tackled, according to the rule, until the ball is held. A collared player, under the present definition of the rule, is not a tackled player. Varied Items. Times have changed. I can well remember when the "Wellington Rugby Union would not allow a visiting representative team even ..the smallest percentage 'of their gate-takings. And vet the other day .the Union decided to invite Mr. W: T. Parata to bring a Maori team to "Wellington on the 3rd June, and at the same time offered to pay all expenses. Alex. Gilchrist, the ex-Melrose player, is playing for the Stratford team in Taranaki this year. Roderick, a New Zealand representative, is said to be playing in •Palmerstqri North this season. I cannot call the name to mind in connection with New .Zealand representative teams. By the wayi the season opened' in Manawatu last Saturday, and promises well.

I read the other day about the chances of Taranaki's retaining the Ranfurly Shield being very remote because of several prominent players not taking the field- this season. In a report of the Stratford-Takapa match, played last Saturday, I notice the names of Cameron, Stohr, Dewar,.Loveridge and Brown as players in the match. That is the .nucleus of a representative team, at any rate.