RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23366, 7 June 1939, Page 19

RUGBY FOOTBALL

GAMES IN COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES DRAWN MATCH AT TE AROHA Representative Rugby football matches were played in country centres on Monday. Playing at To Aroha tho To Arolia representatives drew with Mataniata, each side scoring 13 points. Tho following results of matches wero forwarded by correspondents of tho Herald:— To Aroha.—With tho insido backs hampered by tho fast-breaking opposition forwards, To Aroha recorded a fino performance to draw with Matamata, 13-all, in tho first roprcsontativo match this season. Thero was a good attendance. To Aroha was slightly inferior ill the forwards, but this dofect was remedied in tho second spell, when, with an inspired pack led by N. McLeod, Parton and Douglas, tho homo side swept tho field. In tlio backs cohesion was lacking, duo mainly to tho inability of tho forwards to hook tho ball, and to tho fast-breaking tactics of tho Matamata pack. J. McLeod was tho outstanding- To Aroha back, most of To Aroha's points coming from his openings. M. Clark was especially solid on dofenco, and Maddron gavo a good display. Tho wingthrooquartorH, Gibson and Slicohan, wero closely marked by heavier and speedier men. Of tlio forwards, Parton, Douglas and N. McLeod wero tho best in a pack which played solid football against superior opposition. Matamata's centrc-thrcequarter, Ryan, revealed a pretty turn of speed and on tho whole tho Matamata backs showed more combination than tho To Arolia line, but their football was stodgy compared with tho inspired dashes of J. McLeod. In tho forwards Connell, T. Ryan, McGuiro and Madill led a vanguard notable for its effective bustling tactics. For Matamata Ryan, McGuiro and Carroll scored tries, two of which wero converted by Carroll. Tho To Aroha scorers wero I. McLood (2) and Kncebone; Douglas and Maddren each converted a try. Te Puke.—Tho first representative Rugby match of tho season in To Puko was played in perfect weather between To Puko and Morrinsvillo before a largo crowd. Tho game, which was fast pnd exciting to tho finni whistle, was won by To Puko by JO points to 9. For Morrinsvillo Harding and Lcwcr wero prominent in tho forwards, while Cameron and Chase played well in the backs. To Puke's best forwards wero Satherly and Phillips, with Donovan playing an outstanding game in Ihe backs.

After five minutes' play Satherly opened up the scoring by passing to Valder, to Donovan, who raced from half-way to scorn a. brilliant try botween the posts, which Satherly converted. Tho next score, came when Chase went round on tho blind sido for Morrinsvillo. Te Puke then commewed to get possession from both the scrims and line-outs, Donovan dummying his way ovor to score between tho posts for Satherly to convert. From a mis-kick by Ahomiro, Leeson followed up and scored in llie corner. The half-time scoro was:—To Puke, 10; Morrinsville, (!. Tho second spell started very quietly, play being ragged until Wetere gathered a clcar- • » kick from Donovan to scoro Morrinsvillo s third try. Play then became verv exciting, both sides throwing tho ball about in spectacular fashion. Morrinsvillo attacked hotly, but tho Te Puke defence held.

Waihi.—A fast attacking set of backs behind a strong pack of forwards gave victory to the Waihi Rugby representatives bv points to 10 against tho Hamilton City' Club team at Rugby Park. Tho game was fast and open and resulted in one of tho best exhibitions of handling seen by a local representative team Tor a number of years. For Waihi, A. Woodlands and A. Ludwig showed fino form, Woodlands scoring threo trios. Ludwig two, tho latter converting one. Kingsford also scored a try, which was converted by J- Woodland. For City, Harper and Hopcroft scored tries, Johnston converting both. City showed good form, hut was unfortunate to lose two player through in juries.

Paeroa. —Tho annual fixturo botween Paeroa and Hauraki 3 Plains representatives, l>laved at Paeroa, was won by tho visitors by 14 points to (» after an interesting contest in which the Plains' forwards dominated most of tho game. Tho Paeroa backs initiated soino fine movements, particularly in tiic second spoil, most of them originating from Clotworthy, who was tho star back on the field. Associated with Robinson at halfback and Owons as second five-eighths, ho gave a brilliant display. Tho Plains' insido backs tackled well, while Rapana, at fullback, was safe. Parker led his pack well. Early in the game Murray scored for Plains, and just on half-timo Clotworthy kicked a penalty goal for Paeroa. Sparrows, Kolara and Scott scored tries for tho Plains in tho second half, one of which was converted by Scott. Wal- ! laco scorod Paeroa's only try after an opening by Clotworthy. In a junior game Paeroa, 11, defeated Ilauraki Plains, 5. Whakatane. —Whakatane bent Onotiki in a sub-union representative game on the Whakatane Domain by 1-1 points to 0, chiefly due to superior forwards. The ground was hard and tho weather ideal for fast football. Tho Whakatane backs had a feast of the ball, but did not impress, chiefly owing to a woakness iri tho five-eighths lino and slow service from tho scrum. J. ,T. Best, cx-All Black and captain of tho Whakatane wide, showed fino form in tho looso as well as tho tight. Ho was well supported by D. Wilson and by C. Terito, the hooker, who gained 75 per cent of the scrums. Conspicuous in tho Opotiki side were McKcnzie and Shalfoon. The forwards were outwoighted, but all worked hard and almost gained tho upper hand in tho second spell. Whangarel.—Record entries wero received for tho annual sevon-a-sido competition held by tho Whangarei Rugby Union. Over 90 teams took part in tho various grades. Results of tho finals wero:—Seniors: City. 8, Old Boys. 3. Sonior B: Pipiwai, <5, Whananaki, .1. Juniors: Waikeikoi. G, High School, 3. Third grade: Old Boys, 12, Horahora, 3. Fourth gradoi Hikurangi A, 15, Hikurangi B, 5. Fifth grade: Kamo, 11, Maunu. <). School matches—Senior: Oncrahi, 0, High School A, 8. Juniors: Hikurangi, 0. Horahora, 3. Bantams: Hikurangi, G, Whangarei, 3.

Tauranga.—Tho first representative Rugby match of the season was played at Tauranga between Rangitaiki and Tauranga teams. Rangitaiki showed good combination and won by 19 points to 0. For the winners tries wero scored by ,T. Ratcnia. J. Schooner, R. Lees, M. Lees. W. Kaipara kicked a penalty goal and converted two tries. For Tauranga, Tamahori kicked a penalty goal and J. Bidois scored a try. A junior match botween Tauranga and Rangitaiki was won by Rangitaiki by 0 pointsjo 3. Taumarunui. —The King Country Rugby Union's annual seven-a-sido King's Birthday tourney attracted large attendances, in spite of drizzling rain. Seventy-nine teams competed, this probably being a record for the Dominion. Final results were:—Seniors: United, 0, Whura, 0. Juniors: Taumarunui A, r>, Ohakuno, 0. Third grade: Ohakuno High School, 8, Taumarunui High School. 3. School games: Convent A, 15, Manunui A, 0. SECONDARY SCHOOL GAME KING'S DEFEATS TECHNICAL A senior secondary schools' Rugby football match played at tho Domain yesterday afternoon between King's College and Seddon Memorial Technical Collego resulted in a win for the former by 11 points to 3. King's dominated tho scrums, but the backs were unablo to turn to advantage the many opportunities they rccoived owing to the splendid tackling of their opponents, tho inside backs being conspicuous in this respect. Horrocks and I. E. Mooro each scored a try for King's, Moore's try being converted by Kollo, who also kicked a penalty goal. For Technical a penalty goal was kicked by Perry. JUNIOR MANAGEMENT APPROVAL OF TRANSFERS Requests for transfers from A. Barnard, Manukau, to Eden, and R, Gear. A.M.C., to Epsom, were granted at last night's meeting of the junior management board of the Auckland Rugby Union.

Regrading from intermediate to fourth grade was granted F. Sherman, of tho Eden Club. The following ground officials were appointed for Satnrday:—Gribble-Hirst Park, Mr. A. Fellowes; Onehunga, Messrs. A. Knight, H. Barrett; Takapurm, Messrs. Faulkner, Yarnton; North Shore, Mr. Ellworth; Domain, Messrs. Webb, Millar; Victoria Park, Mr. Fullford-, Walker Park, Mr. Thomson; Western Springs, Mr. A rips; Stadium, Mr. Smith; Avondale. Messrs. Ellis, E. Cairn; St. Kellers, Mr. Maher; Show Grounds, Messrs. Devlin, Williams; Panmure, Mr. Dunn. REPRESENTATIVE CONTEST GATE TAKINGS TOTAL £534 [fbom OUR OWN" correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday Gate-takings at tho representative Rugbv match between Auckland and Waikato at Rugby Park, Hamilton, yesterday, totalled £534, this sum being about £3O less than was taken at the gates last year. Tho crowd was not as great as last year, a competent estimate being 8000. RODNEY REPRESENTATIVES Tho sole selector to tho Rodney Rugby Union, Mr. E. R. Becroft, has nominated tho following players from whom the team to play the Otamatea representatives at Mangawai on Juno 10 will ho selected:—• Backs: "W. Ncal. J. Mainland. V. Adolnh. R. Adolph, T. Jones, N. Gordon, T. McCarthy, ,T. Vause, Dowie, D. Neal. Forwards: J. McCarthy. Munro, D. Watson. O. Wenzlick, I. Armour, W. Harding L Docl, Sewcll, H. Skull, B. Harris.