RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24699, 27 September 1943, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

END OE THE SEASON ARMY TEAM DEFEATS NAVY The 1913 Rugby season was brought to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon when a match was played at 'Eden Park between teams representing the Army and Navy. The former was successful by 25 points to 8. The weather was fine and the ground in fairly good order after the rain which fell throughout the week. The attendance was a little disappointing seeing that the proceeds were in aid of the dependants of naval ratings who lost their lives in a recent action. A display of ceremonial marching by the Artillery Band, under Sergeant-Major Smyth, was- sciven prior to the start of the game, and was warmly applauded.

The Army and Navy teams provided quite a bright exhibition of fast, open 'Rugby. Had the handling of Hayes, one of the Navy team's five-eighths, been more accurate the. play would have been still more spectacular, but his dropping of passes robbed the threequarter line of chances. On the run of the play there was not a margin of 37 points between the teams, as, territorially, it was fairly even. The Navy forwards worked hard and were the superior all-round pack. Better combination and understanding by the Army backs, however, more than counterbalanced any deficiency in forward work. Bean, Hook and Barchard, Army's inside backs, gave a speedy threequarter line plenty of opportunities, with the result that McLean, Smith and Davis were continually in the limelight with dashing runs. Of the Navy backs Webb (half), Riley (five-eighths) and Nolan (fullback) were prominent for good work. The latter played an excellent game at fullback, his line-kicking being very accurate. The only mistake he made was late In the game when he allowed a kick to bo charged down and a try was the result. Sellars and Bell-Booth did not get the ball often enough or quickly enough to show their usual dash. Waldegrave played a great game in the forwards, who all deserve credit for a fine display.

Tries for Army wero scored by McLean (2), Barcliard, Davis, Bean, Bilkey and Sussey, Smith and Jones each concerting one. Riley scored for Navy, Nolan converting and kicking a penalty goal. Pollard Cup Contest,—This trophy was competed for in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon between Grammar Old Boys and Takapuna, winners of their respective sections in the second division of the senior championship. Takapuna won a j not very spectacular match by 8 points to 8. Both teams were comprised of very young players, with the exception of Grammar's two representative forwards, Gilmonr and Wilson. Grammar had the heavier pack, but its backs were unimpressive, particularly the. first fiveeighths. It was a surprise win—and a credit able one—for Takapuna. Titchener scored a try for Takapuna, Lepper converting and kicking a penalty goal. Gilinour kicked a penalty goal for Grammar. Representative Team,—ln view of tho return representative match against Wellington at Athletic Park on Saturday next Mr. F. W. I Lucas, sole selector, requests the following players to attend training at the Ponsonby Club's shed to-morrow evening at 7.30:--Backs: Tetzlaff, Sorenson, Rae, McLean, Sellars, Dunn, Littlejohn, Barchard, Bell-Booth, forwards, Gilmour, Pike, Christian, Smith, Wilson, Edwards, Gunning, Ryan, Mullett. Cleary. Hamilton.—The Hamilton Rugby Unions final game for the Stag Trophy was played ai Busby Park on Saturday, when Old Boys defeated Kiwis by 12 points to 6. Win for Wellington,—A Press Association message from Wellington states that in a representative Rugby match on Saturday afternoon the home team beat Canterbury by 16 points to 0. After ten days of heavy rain, Athletic Park was completely water-logged and the ground was a quagmire long before (he match was finished. The weather cleared about mid-day, but it had an effect on the attendance, which was 7000. The Canterbury forwards, particularly Herman, Lindstrom and Bond, were seen to advantage in loose rushes which were hard to stop. On the other hand the Wellington backs were more lively and enterprising. Bevnn, Wales, Jaesrar and Stannway_ scored tries for Wellington. Webster converting two. Bond scored for Canterbury and Flynn kicked a penalty goal. THE LEAGUE CODE MANUKAU'S ROOPE ROOSTER Superior team play by Manukau enabled it to win the Roope Rooster final at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon, when Ponsonby was defeated by 21 points to 0. There was a large attendance, and the game was interesting throughout. In the closing stages of the match the forwards of both teams indulged in rough play and the referee, Mr. J. Donovan, had occasion to warn several players. The second series of. matches in the Phelan Shield competition was also played and resulted in easy wins for City and Otahuhu. City will now play Manukau in the champion ; of champions fixture. ] _ The Ponsonby backs Indulged in too much kicking and in consequence Manukau made the most of its possession of the ball. A brilliant try by Rogers, a promising Manukau forward, was a feature of the first spell, which ended with the score: Manukau, 10; Ponsonby, 4. . - •» In the second spell Manuk&u attacked for most of the time, and there was more finish to its loose football. Watene played an outstanding game among the Manukau forwards and Rogers, Ririnui and To Tai were also prominent in the loose. Hull was the best of the Ponsonby forwards, although he received a lot of unnecessary attention from his opponents. Tries for Manukau were scored by Taumata (2), Watene, Hemi and Rosers". Hemi converted one. try and kicked a penalty goal, and "Butler converted one try. Williams"scored for Ponsonby and Webb kicked two penaltv goals and converted one try. Phelan Shield.—City, 32 (tries by Witt.all 3, Taylor 2, McManus, Hughes and A. Donovan, Donovan converting three tries and Silva kicking a penalty goal), North Shore, 0; Otahuhu. 32 (tries by Simmons 2, X. Johnson 2. Halsey 2. Morris and Speedy, Riley converting four) Richmond, 3 (try by McGregor). SPORT IN EGYPT NEW ZEALANDERS EXCEL (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service CAIRO, Sept. 25 New Zealanders in the Middle East -have taken keenly to basketball and Softball, and in a Softball competition organised during the summer months practically all the units were represented and a fairly high standard was reached. In Allied Foices Softball League games played at the Gezira Sporting Club's grounds the N.Z.E.F. representative team displayed good form, steadily improving as the season went on. The New Zealanders beat South Africa, 31—1, Australia, 30—2, R.C.A.F., 1-1 —5, and the United States Army Service Corps, S —7. Representative tennis games have been played against South Africa and the Maadi Sporting Club (which has the services of the Egyptian champions). The New Zealanders gained convincing wins on both occasions. The Canterbury left-hander R. G. Pattinson was the leading player, although there was little to choose between him and the former New Zealand champion, C. Angas, whose form can be expected to improve as he becomes accustomed to Middle East conditions. As a doubles combination this pair gained good wins over the Egyptian professional champions, Mohammed Ali and Mobarik Ali Pattinson twice defeated the steady South African, de Beere, in singles, but found Najar, who is the best amateur in Egypt, too strong for him. I. J. Thomson, V. Potter R. J. Donkin, I. P. H. Jones, K. W. Dyer B-D- Dufficld also represented the Second a./.E.F. Ihomson and Potter rank next to Pattinson and Angas as a doubles pair and Thomson's sound driving and general steadiness made him the most difficult competitor in the singles. Thirty-eight teams took part in a camp competition. GOLF COMPETITIONS Titirangi.—Final for Taylor Bowl: *\ G Ryland (12) beat M. Bush (10), 2 up. Bogev handicap: A. Taylor, A. N. Young, E. W. Young, 2 down. Taylor won on a count-back. Akarana. —StaMeford: P. Lowes 35; H Valentine, 34; W. A, Birkenhead. 32.; J. Linton, 31; W. G. Crouch, 30. Four-ball: G. Jjangrton and L. Monteith, S. Hollincrs and L. Anderson, 3 up. Langton and Monteith won on a count-back. Manukau Ladies.—Mahia Cup match: Mrs. Y. Swann beat Mrs. V. Warmingtmi, 3 and 2. Eclectic competition: Mrs. Warmington, 88, 24—04; Mrs. F. H. Barnard, 81, 14—07; Mrs. V. Swann, 88. 10—GO; Miss E. Wardell, 04, 22—72. September L.G.U. monthly medal: Mrs. F. H. Barnard. FALCON CUP SOCCER Tho semi-finals of the Falcon Cup competition were played at Blandford Park on Saturday afternoon between Metro-College and Comrades and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys A and Ponsonby. In the former match MetspCollege defeated Comrades by two clear goals, but. in the main attraction a replay will be necessary as, even after an extra half-hour of play, the score was level. 2 —2. Results were: —Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys A, 2 (Wilkinson, Thompson), Ponsonby. 2 (Dynes Rutherford): Metro-College. 4 (Hope-Ede '3, Wc.bberl. Comrades. 2 (Fleet, Fincham). Friendly game: Eastern Suburbs, 5 (Welch 3, Collings, Gay), Garrison, 2 (Richards 2). International Match.—A cable message from London states that in an international Soccer match at Wembley on Saturday England defeated Wales by S sroals to 3.

CYCLING ROAD RACE Manukau Amateur Club.—The club h<?ld its 14th annual round-the-harhonr championship road race of 30 miles on Saturday. The route was from Devonport direct to Albany, thence through "Riverhend. Henderson, A von dale to Point Ohovnlicr. Nineteen started and a strone westerly wind made difficult conditions. Results:—o. W. Shilton (scr), Ih 50m lis, 1; V. A. Fills fscr). Ih 50m 12s, 2; A. W. Stones (scr), 1m 50m 13s, 3; R. G. Whitley (Rm 30s), 1m 58m 445, 4. The three scratch men were also the fastest riders, while the* fastest junior tronhy was won by G-. W Ashton in 2h 5m 525. AMERICAN BASEBALL (Reed. 7.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 26 Yankees captured tho American Baseball League pennant by defeating Detroit, 2—l. Yankees will now meet St, Louis 'Cardinals is the world series.