OUT DOOR SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 935, 13 June 1918, Page 19

OUT DOOR SPORTS AND PASTIMES

By Tonohline.

Rugby Football.

THERE was a whiff of old times at .'* the Petone Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon, when the Poneke and Petone teams played their first game this season for the Rugby Union's senior championship. The day and the ground were alike favourable to a good display or Rugby football, the spectators were full of enthusiasm and indulged in a -continual stream of "barracking" from the beginning to the end of the play, arid the players themselves were in fine trim and eager. The conditions, therefore, lent themselves to a display in keeping with the best traditions of Rugby. Most of the old names were missing from amongst the players-7—albeit there were many of the old-timers on the asphalt track round the playing field—but there was little wanting as far as Rugby knowledge was concerned, if one excepts the experience necessary to the making of great players.

The gam© was full of life and vigour from start to finish, although occasionally the players seemed to me to put a little too much vigour into their efforts, especially among the forwards. Hacking in the scrummages was one of the objectionable features, and another was the charging down of the back waiting to receive the ball regardless of where the ball was at the time the charge was made. The referee penalised many of these lapses from fair ' play, but it seems to me that a firmer hand still will have to be taken if these illegal' practice are to be effectively checked. ' I know that referees as a rule do not - like ordering players off the field, but my opinion is decided that in . every case where a man deliberately kicks another or illegally charges into an opponent he should be put off without even a caution being administered. It is this class of, player that in the past: has brought the Rngby game into disrepute, and no matter how disagree- • able the duty may be the referees should make up their minds to give any players detected in these and 6imilar acts an opportunity of explaining to the Rugby Union why they should not be given a spell from playing for the time being. This is the only cure—a free kick for the breach of fair play is not even a deterrent. The Rugby game, played fairly according to the rules laid down for its government', is the finest in the world Si my opinion. And it should not be allowed to descend from its high estate because there are some players who forget that the ball is the main object in the game, with the opposing players as the secondary consideration. These remarks I am making are not necessarily restricted to last Saturday's game—l have noticed others of the character „t am referring to in previous matches — but there were one or two instances that rivetted my "attention, and they form the basis of these comments. I want no rough players—no "Rugby Roughs" in the game—and if my pen can do anything to put them out of the play it will be used to that end.

In the early stages of this match Petone attacked with a persistency that at the end of twenty minutes brought its reward, Albert Parker ending a fine dash over the chalk-line. Then Poneke had a turn, attacking all ways— with forwards and backs—but the fence stood the strain. No further score happened during the first spell, the play travelling up and down the field, first one side and then the other knocking at the door without result. On two occasions Petone missed by inches only, and Poneke also caused their followers to whoop without _the satisfaction a try would have given them. When ends were changed the Poneke players attacked with a determination that promised good results, but eventually the village lads broke clear and went with a rush to the other end of the field. Here Ambler threw the ball well into the field from touch and after some fine passing among the backs W. Thomas dashed over. Later on the same player went in again, but the nail was sent to him with a pass that was declared to be not a right-angle one by the referee. From the succeeding scrummage, however, Arthur Parker bustled his way over and Petone were 9 points to the good.

Time was going on and the Poneke! barrackers were beginning to lose much of their optimism. A score came, however, before the end of the game. Malin, the youthful full-back, followed a kick through very fast, fast enough to block the return, with the result that it bounced off him and went ahead. He gathered it in and shot across the line like a tradesman. And with the score Petone 9, Poneke 3, the game ended.

On the winning side the , brothers Parker played well in the front of the ec-rummage, getting more than their share of the ball. They both went well in the loose, as also did Tancred, the big and burly youth in the blue jersey. He is a fine specimen of a New Zealand lad, and takes a lot of stopping when he gets possession of the ball. The backs all played well, Nyhan, a young wing three-quarter, impressing me as a player with a lot of possibilities. He has plenty of pace and gathers the ball in well when going at top. On the Poneke side Morris played his best game of the year, opening up the play much better than on previous occasions when I have watched Mm,' thus tending to keep the men outside of him on the run and shining the more himself. .Pollock is a good half-back, plucky in defence, but with a failing. He makes Ms passes quickly but occasionally the ball lands between two players instead of into the arms of one. or the other. It is better not to pass the ball at all than for it to miss the man it is intended, for. Malin is going to be a great full-back directly; At present he has one weakness, .viz., he

®* kicks the ball too soon after he receives it- A full-back should never be tackled with the ball in his possession, given a fair chance to get rid of it. but before kicking he should make all the ground possible. If Malin remembers this there is no reason why he should not develop on right lines. The Poneke forward division is a good one, some of the lads brilliant tacklers. Slater-r-a good .old Poneke name that—is one of .the best-, and a similar remark applies to King, Garroll, and Marks. * * * * The spectators at the Athletic Park had a good time on Saturday afternoon, when the "Wellington College team played their first -championship game this season. Their opponents were from the University on Salamanca Hill. Both teams made the game open and fast, and kept, the ball moving up and down the field at a, pace that was truly surprising. The Wellington College team left the field the winners by the narrow margin of 14 points to 13. Their score was made up of tries by N. S. Nicol, W. R. Smith, and J. B. Davidson, penalty goal ond converted try by M. FY Nicholls, University's scorers being M. M. Smith (try) and R. R. Scott (try, penalty goal, and two converted tries). On the No. 2 ground Wellington defeated Trentham B by 11 points-to 3, the respective scorers being—Wellington: Chesterman and Savident (2) tries, Fraser converged try; Trehtham B:"' Lynch a try. , The Oriental and Old jßoys teams had a ding-dong go at Duppa-street,

the former winning by three points (a .. penalty goal by MaQwraith) to nil. Better following up, dribbling, and tackling have seldom, .if ever, been, given by one team in an afternoon than. Wellington College's exhibition in allthree departments of the game. The blacks were "tigers let loose," and they thoroughly deserved their victory even, if they were a trifle lucky to snatch'it * in the final few minutes. I heard in town on Tuesday that J. N. Millard, the ex-Otago 'Varsity and representative player, intended doning.; the jersey for College had it been necessary to replace an injured man. He played some fine games for the- , "Wellington Club in 1913 and would be a tower of strength to the blacks could, he be persuaded to play. He is a master at the' College. The little "reception" given by 'Varsity to the Wellington College 'fifteen. ' when they stepped out for the first time on to No, 1 ground as an open senior: championship team (no age limit) was, as may be expected j. stage-managed by Tommy Jones, the Rugby Union secretary. It was only a little thing in its way but did a lot to give the plucky. College lads confidence in the task they were set to tackle the runners-up in" the championship. Football is "Tommy's" hobby, and players, referees and public alike will feel his presence at the Park by the time the season is over.

In re a communication published in my last week's notes, I have been assured that the Poneke forward referred to did not make Midshipman Cox'a "No. 2 Freemason-Sign" at the referee. The facts of the incident are: — The referee awarded a penalty for an infringement against Poneke and; pointed to a certain: player as the cause. Some of the spectators "boo— hooed" him for his act, and it was at them—and not the referee—that Ms' action was pointed. He should not have done it, he admits, but he assuresme that he had no feeling as'far as the; referee is concerned. I accept his statement, and I hope the enthusiast who* wrote me will do so, too. i