MIDSHIPMEN AT RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 13

MIDSHIPMEN AT RUGBY.

BEATEN IN FINAL MATCH.

'A WIN FOR SACRED HEART.

The midshipmen from the Special Service Squadron played their final Rugby football match in Auckland yesterday afternoon when they met the Sacred Heart College fifteen at the Domain. The visitors played a good game but were no match for the college representatives who won by 21 points to. 0. Under the unfavourable weather _ conditions forward play naturally predominated, and the midshipmen set out to make a forward game. However, the combination of the Sacred Heart team, particularly in the back division, was too good for the naval side. In the tight work the visitors had the advantage, owing to the greater weight, but in the loose play the secondary school forwards held their own. The backs gave a good displav, handling the ball very well under the a<lyerse conditions. In the "first spell Sacred Heart scored three tries { all of which were converted. The midshipmen tried hard to open their scoring account in the second half, but failed to penetrate the defence, while the college team added two unconverted tries to their total, bringing their score to 21. Tho outstanding player in the squadron team wa3 'Gunnery Lieutenant Burnott, of the Adelaide, who filled the position of outside five-eighths, and played a very fine game. Mr. B. Hayson was referee.

THE GLUB COMPETITIONS.

MATCHES FOR TO-DA X,

The senior grade Rugby competition toefay should provide several close and interesting contests, and if weather conditions have improved by the afternoon play will be fast and open. The meeting between Marist Old Boys ar.d Fonaonby on No. 1 ground at Eden. Park should result in a good game. The College RiflesGramraar Old Boys' match on No. 2 ground should be a keen one, for tbo former team showed great pn ma* on the opening day, and Grammar .j • strong combination. The contest between University and Grafton on No. 3 ground is expected to be a close and strenuous game. King's Old Boys and Newton will play at Victoria Park. North Shore meet Suburbs at Jfvondale. This should be an even match, though the conditions will probably be in favour of the North Shore fifteen. However, Suburbs showed promise qf good combination in the game against Newton. The junior competitions will ba played on the various grounds. The extra match arranged between Marist Old Boys second gra'io team and Grammar Old Boys third open grade at Avondale has been cancelled.

ALL BLACKS SELECTIONS.

POSSIBLES V. PROBABLES.

THE OPPOSING TEAMS.

[BX TELEGRAPH.—PBES3 ASSOCIATION.] WANGA'NUI. Friday.

The selectors have chosen the following .teams, after witnessing the second trial match:—

—Fullback, Sinclair; threequarters, Lucas, Svenson, Kirwan; fiveeighths, Cook, M. Nicholls; halfback, Wright; wing-forward, Porter; hookers, Swain, A. Donald; lock, Harvey; supports, Pringle, McLean; breakaways, Cuppies, West; emergencies, . Baddeley, • Movnehan. Probables.—Fullback, Nep ; threequarters, Grenside, Hart, , Brown ; fiveeighths, Johnston, Paewai; half, Mill; wing-forward, J. Donald; hookers, Irvine, Lomas; lock, Righton; supports, C. Brownlie, M. Brownlie; breakaways, McNab, Knight; emergencies, Byrne, Rosshalfback, H. Nicholls.

WELLINGTON BEAT WANGANUI. FINE INDIVIDUAL PLAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PHESS ASSOCIATION.] WANG AN DI. Friday. The trial match between the Wanganui combined and Wellington combined Rugby teams was played to-day in fine weather. The attendance was about 6000. On the dry ground the game was much faster than the previous trial game at Auckland. It was keen and hard, with a wealth, of incident. Although both sides showed little collusiveness in attack, the standard of individual play was good, with Sinclair, M. Nicholls, and Porter possibly the outstanding trio. Both teams from the outset endeavoured to get their backs going. Baddeley put in a good run and carried play to the Wellington end, wAere Sinclair had a shot from a penalty," but without result. A hard rush by the Wanganui forwards pressed Wellington, until H. . Nicholls saved. Bellis, West, and Carroll led a rush to the Wellington end, where Bellis made a good dash for the line. His pass was knocked on. The Wellington forwards worked play to their opponents' end!, and the backs enlivened the game "With a couple of passing runs that *had sparkle, but not the necessary finish. H. Nicholls broke through cleverly, and stab kicked. Sinclair made a brilliant save. Faulty handling by Svenson spoiled two promising movements, but in the midst of some ruck play in front of the posts H. Nicholls shot the ball between his legs to M. Nicholls, who dropped a beautiful goal. Wellington immediately took on the attack, ana the defenders were penalised, F. Booth kicking a fine goal despite a bad angle. Wanganui got two penalties in quick succession on the Wellington side of half way, but on each occasion Sinclair failed to get. direction. Play was lively, " both sides attacking in turn.' In the Wellington twenty-five Baddeley sent to Byrne, the ball then going to Potaka, Brown and Hart, the last-named racing acros< in a good position. Sinclair failed to convert. Halftime came with play in mid-field and the score Wellington Combined, 7; Wanganui Combined, . x 3. ~ t

With the object of giving the reserve a trial, the teams were rearranged for the second session, Ennis and Johnson replacing Bailey and Potaka in the Wanganui Combined team, and Thomas replacing Willoughby in the Wellington side. A fast, spectacular game was witnessed on resumption, each side attacking in turn. Brilliant play by Sinclair brought the next score. He made a dodgy run along the touch line, kicked through and, following fast, smothered Walters' return. Hart, in support, snapped up the ball and raced across at the corner. . Brown kicked a beautiful goal. After a period of strenuous but desul- . Tory play. Sinclair raised enthusiasm, stepping his way right through to Walters, who tackled cleanly. The Nicholls brothers worked in unison, and were the pivot of the Wellington backs. On the Wanganui side of half-way H. Nicholls sent to M. Nicholls, the ball going to Booth and Svenson, who, although tackled, got over near the flag. It was a brilliant piece of concerted work, marked bv straight running and crisp Passing. The angle was too wide for M. Nicholls. In the closing stages Wellington, playing with great dash, had slightly the :; better ci the play. Thomas forced his way over the line and scored beside the ■. posts, M. Nicholls converting. The score , . was neutralised by Byrne starting a passing run and West grounding between the ; . posts. Brown converted, and the match , ended | -Wellington Combined x a »• 15 |lpf?s iW&ngunui Combined * « k* 13 v' \ Ifiipv:;.-: v . \ . •-■■■■■ i;• • • i .. .