RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11583, 28 July 1923, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

* NEW SOUTH WILES INVADERS CHOSEN WORTHY OPPONENTS FOR NEW ZEALAND VETERAN FORWARDS. DASHING BAGKS WHO’S WHO IN THE TEAM The names of the 28 New South Wales players chosen to make the trip to New Zealand were announced by the selectors on Monday. They are as follow:—Notnling, Crackenthorpe, Crossman! Erasmus, Smith, Foote, Stanley, Louden, Buntine, Frousdale, Sheehan, George, Hesslein, Meagher, Davis, Erby, Thompson, Fowles, Blackwood, Taylor, Boimor, Armstrong, Marrott, Elliott, Thorn, Greatorex, Ferguson, and Pearce. The team seems about as strong as the selectors can make it. “Pep 1 ' Raymond, the University and Glebe-Bal-main wing three-quarter, beloved of the Sydney crowds, is not there, as he is going to England, while JV Pym, the Manly wing, Norman Mingay, Manly half, Larry Wogan, Western Suburbs’ veteran centre, and Harry Tancred, the breakaway forward who' hails from New Zealand, are all unexpectedly omitted. Mingay, the greatest scorer of the 1921 touring team, kicked IS goals in succession while over here, and Wogan has played in S 4 representative - matches. Possibly these men were not available; it seems certain that some of them would have obtained a place had they been. Scrutiny of the list will show a large proportion of ’Varsity backs, and a pack with a good stiffening of veterans. Individual particulars which are available reveal the team to be indeed a formidable one, worthy of contesting the “ashes” with any team New Zealand nas produced, and we take this early opportunity of bringing them before our readers. NOTES ON THE PLAYERS

Otto Nothling (TTniiareity) became ’Varaity’d foll-baok <me tune when "Pup” Raymond waa injured at the commencement of the 1920 eeaeon. Nothling made a certainty of the portion and Raymond, on his recovery, vent into the three-quarter line. Nothling learnt bis football at Brisbane Grammar School, and is one of the very few men who nave represented their State in both cricket and football. He is an all-round sportsman and a fast sprinter. A great full-back, . a fine kick, a sore tackle, he is always prepared to send his three-quarter line away .when an opening presents itself, He has played against the All Blacks, the Maoris, and the Hew Zealand 'Varsity team for two or three see.-; sons, and has toured Near Zealand' with the Sydney University team. Oraokanthorpe (University) is University's regular full-back, and Nothling, since Raymond left, has played on the wing. He is a safe full-beck and a good kick, and will be remembered as claying for the Sydney ’Varsity team - which defeated New Zealand 'varsity on Athletic Park last year. Owen Grossman (Randwiok) began first grade play this season ae centre three-quarter. Like Sfatehan he was an AH Schools’ representative at oentre. Grossman jumped into the limelight with his first match against North Sydney, and far a long period was the highest individual'scorer in the metropolis. He represented New South Wales ae wing three-quarter against the combined Hew South Wales and New Zealand Universities ; team, and was considered by the New Zealand bays to be in the first flight of wingers in Australasia. Erasmus is a Glebe-Balm ain wing three-quarter and a Metropolitan representative. He has not attained State representative honours so far thin year. Smith, may be Mi Smith, a Unnonty half, or N. Smith, a ,Manly wing threequarter. Probably it is the latter. He is a newcomer, and baa not gained representative honours before this season. J. Foote is a University wing threequarter whom Australians are beginning to talk of as the equal of Raymond. For the past two years he has waa {flaying for the ’Varsity reserve team, and & toured New Zealand lest year with the Sydney University side. Ho played well enough over MM to earn promotion to senior grade this year. While not as heavy as Raymond and not possessing "Pup's” powerful fend, he is a resolute runner with great pace, and his defensive ability is above the average. R. G. Stanley (University), known as “Bot,” created a record last season by. scoring all the fourteen points in tho famous second test match against the All Blacks. He has been University’s mosb brilliant defensive hack for the pest two seasons. In 1921 the selectors recorded him as one of the safest defensive three-quarters in Australia, and he was chosen to tour New Zealand with Harry Besward’a team. Playing outside centre to Larry Wogan, he quickly established himself ae a certainty for the State three-quarter line, and his brilliance in attack ie said to be ae remarkable as his prowess in defence. He is able to give of his best in bk' moments, and has played against the Maoris in all three tests this year as well as representing University against the New Zealand ’vanity teem and being in the combined team against Now South Wales. Murray Buntine, of Western Suborbs, is a handy man. He can play in any position from wing three-quarter to half-back, and do equally well. He is a reliable goal-kick and sound in defence. Buntine usually plays centre three-quarter, and it is probably in this position that he has been picked. He has not yet played for his State this season. R. Loudon, _ an Old Boys’ centre three-quarter, is a player of much individual brilliance, and has played as full-back. Sheehan, whose initials are W.8.J., plays in the five-eighth position for Sydney University. He left King's School in 1920, and made only one appearance in senior, grade tootball that year. The next season he gained his State cap as inside centre against the Springboks, and scored a spectacular try in the third test. He was unable to make tho trip to New Zealand at the end of the 1921 season, bnt held to his place against the All Blacks in 1922, and is considered one of the headiest five-eighths that NewSouth Wales bos produced. Fast off the mark, a great gatherer, and as elusive as an ell, he has been the pivot of the University backline. - W. G. George, tho Y.M.C.A. fiveeighth, was manuy responsible-for his teem having m unbeaten record in the Metropolitan second grade last year, and for a long run of victories in first grade contests this season. He handles the ball with great skill, and pos-

seases a great swerve. He had placed in senior grade games only twice when he .was selected to represent the Metropolis against the New Zealand University fifteen, and is 19 years of age. Max Hesslein, who has replaced Walker in - the- team, is University's scrum half, in which position he succeeded “Jock” Morgan. He has also played at foil-back and five-eighth, filling the last place on the Sydney ’Varsity’s tour last year. He is- a nippy kick, and will be remembered as the man who placed the magnificent goal from half way which gave Sydney the third test match on the call of time at the Athletic Park last season. W. Meagher' is, a Eandwick hair back, and a clever man in defence. X. S. ft. Davis, of Western -Suburbs, is one of the most outstanding front row forwards possessed by New South Wales. Ho played against the Ail Blacks in 1920, and has held bis position in the New South Wales team against the Maoris, the Springboks, and last year!*, All -Blacks. He toured Now-Zealand in 1921. A. A. Armstrong is considered the peer of Davis. He reached the Metropolitan team last year. C. E Thompson,' a hard sorummager, represented New Sonth Wales against 'the A.I.E. -team in 1910. He is another old representative front row man, having played -with the New Sooth Wales tonring, team of 1921 and against the Maoris last year. A. B. Erby ,is a front tow forward for Sydney ’Varsity, and has represented Metropolitan and New South Wales. He hss toured New Zealand with both Sydney Varsity teams. 3. Pearce, Manly’s low, has been in'senior 'grade only two seasons, and can play in any position in the pack. J. Bonner, a Manly second-row forward , was selected to meet the All Blacks last year. He hss played for Metropolitan against the Maoris, and is- a. consistent and h?rd playing forward. There- are two-Thorns. A. M. Thom. Manly, break-away forward, was the first man chosen to meet the Springboks in 1921. ' He toured New Zealand in 1921. is not heavy, but revels in loose play, is a fine tackier, and -has clayed as a three-quarter. E- J. Thorn came hack to the game in 1921, and at once secured a place in the State fifteen- He is a dashing brealc-away forward, has an eye for an opening, and by reason of his pace often works with the backs. He is said not to he unknown to H. E. Nicholls. Ray Elliott, one of New South Wales’s best break-aweys, was a member of the A.I.F. team and has played against the All Blacks in -1920, ana 1922, the Springboks in 1921, the Maoris in 1921, and toured New Zealand- two years ago. He represented Metropolitan against the New Zealand ’Varsity team this year. W. J. Marrott burst into fame against the All Blaoks last year. He was considered the beet forward in the Metropolitan team that year, and possesses great pace. B. N. Greatorex was ohosen reserve for the New South Woles fifteen in his first season. . This was against the Maoris during their recent Australian tour. He is an exceptionally fast forward, and has scored 10 tries to date. NORTH ISLAND TEAM NOTEB ON THE SELECTION BACKS UNCERTAIN. Whenever a representative side is selected the public—and the selectors—soon know what a wealth of critical ability there is in the community. Then it is that they hear how Jones played so well m‘ that game last year that his omission from the team this year is positively outrageous; and that Brown, whose exhibition in another game last year was “nothing wonderful,” should never have been chosen again. When criticism is directed at the selection of, say, a Wellington team, some notice must be taken of it. The football public, which sees the various senior teams play at Athletic Park, has a splendid opportunity of compare ing the merits of individual players, and although judgments differ, there is often a consensus of opinion regarding the superior ability of at least half-a-dozen players. How different are the circumstances surrounding the selection of the North Mand team I From over a dozen districts, "extending from Whangarei to Wellington, approximately 40 forwards and 30 backs wero nominated. Few interprovincial matches have been played—in Wellington, none. Not even the five selectors have seen the maof the players ih action this season. Some ~jpl ay nominated from outlying districts have not been

seen by any one of the selectors. But although their knowledge was not complete, the selectors who threshed out the team, last Sunday were the men most fitted for the job. How daring, then, are those who describe the selection, briefly, as “rotten.” The criticism of the selectors’ choice has been directed from so many angles, and is so contradictory that those of us wihp don’t profess to “know better” are now disposed to believe that the team must be a very good one. The position is that 19 players have been chosen, and from them the fifteen will be selected, probably on tiro morning of the match. If in the meantime one of the men chosen finds he will not be available, the selectors will no doubt replace him, for it will be necessary to have two backs and two - forwards in emergency. It has long been recognised that New Zealand is short of first-class fiveeighths,! and the shortage was demonstrated by the nominations. So far as can be ascertained, those available were Tilyard, Peina, and Johnston, who have been ahosen, and Byrne (King Country), Tureia (Poverty Bay), and Mark Nicholls (Wellington). Johnston, who played against Wellington in the Taranaki match, is more or less of an unknown quantity. Peina played wing three-quarter, oentre, and five-eighth for the Maoais, and was conspicuously successful in all positions. Probably it was his showing against the Fea-Perry-Diokinson. combination of Otago that influenced the selectors in choosinW him. Tilyard, in Wellington, has a body of fervent supporters, and an opposing body which declares lie is not even up to interprovincial standard. Meet of us ,would have preferred Mark Nicholls, hut here algain we do not know what the selectors had in mind MoLean, the All Black forward, has been chosen as a back. He was a wing-forward last season, but lutely has been playing five-eighth. Grenside, Potaka, and Stewart are the three-quarters, but Peina has also played on the wing, and may be placed there again. Potaka was one of the best backs in the Maori tefim; the others have not previously risen above representative honours. Not one has shown unusual capacity, and it is by no means unlikely that they will prove inferior to the South Island trio—Steel, Mack ereth, and Snodgrass. However, every man will have his chance on August 4th, and we can only hope that three will be found to match the redoubtable three-quarters from New South Wales. , Wellington nominated H. E. Nicholls and Roberta for the half-back position, and each had supporters who thought him a hot favourite. Those chosen are Mill, of Hawke’s Bay, and Wright, who plays behind the Grammar Old Boys’ scrum in Auckland. To those who,, have been following his career, Mill's inclusion seemed almost certain. He earned high praise in Sydney, and reports from Otago and Southland show that he impressed the critics there. There is, of course, the possibility of his going stale, for already he has had a strenuous season. If that happens, Wright . will, from all accounts, prove an admirable substitute. The prospects of the team, appear much brighter .when we consider the forwards. There is, of course, no daubt*that men like Fletcher, Cupples; and J. Donald are very nearly if not quite as able as some of those who have been chosen. Unfortunately there are no placets for them. The selectors, with so large a number to choose from, no doubt considered each man in hiß relation to the scrum, and endeavoured to make it as efficient as possible. Brownlie, West,' and Gemmell are excellent men in the loose, and Donald will probably rise to their standard. Beuan, who was lock in the Maori team, has no doubt been chosen for this special job, and Irvine as a hooker. If they perform these duties as North Island representative forwards should, they will be worth their places; their ability in general forward .work is not outstanding. The selection of Pringle has given general satisfaction; if he plays well up to form he may even be claim ed by the New Zealand selectors. Jacob, the only wing-forward chosen, has been playing well in the south, where he captained the Maori team. He is nob as fast as J. Donald, but bis weight, 151 stone, may have been con sidered, and there is also the fact that he is not off-side so often as Donald. Considered as a whole, the team has great possibilities, and barring a breakdown in the backs, should'defeat the South Island. The forwards are certain to make a great showing, for each man will go on the field with the knowledge, that only by displaying firstclass ability throughout the game can he hone to win a place in the Dominion fifteen. Thq backs are likely to prove uneven in ability, and may not combine well. The same remark applies to the South Island hacks. But there are a number of young players who are just as likely to succeed brilliantly as to fail. The opportunity is theirs, and only in the game itself can their ability be judged. RANFURLY SHIELD CAN WELLINGTON WINP CHANCES ARE EVEN. All estimates of Wellington’s chances against Hawke’s Bay have been revised since the Southland match last Wednesday. The defeat of the Wellington team by Taranaki afforded the pessimisis material for predicting that the Ranfurly Shield would remain in Hawke’s Bay after to-day’s game. If they saw the Southland match, they are now willing to admit that the Wellington team has at least an even chance of boarding the train on Monday—with the Shield 1 . But if the Southland match is to form the basis of the estimates of Wellington’s chances to-day, several circumstances must be considered. Wellington’s victory was due primarily, not to superiority in individual or combined play, but to superiority in speed. Every spectator must have been surprised! at the slow, even clumsy movements of the Southland men. In general forward play, particularly in dribbling, they were superior to Wellington—in the early part of the game, at least. But when their plans went wrong, they could not adapt themselves to the new conditions, with the result that time after, time, one of the “opportunist” Wellington forwards would take the ball through half a dozen Southlandors while they looked at him. .. Wellington will not win to-day by superior speed. It may be that the Hawke’s Bay team is over-rated, but it proved at Athletic Park last year that it could set the pace against a Wellington fifteen, and maintain it. Fast and enterprising as the Wellington forwards proved themselves to be on Wednesday, they will meet their equals to-day. The Hawke’s Bay pack is absolutely the strongest the province can produce. Four of those who played against Wellington—Geounell, McNab, Kirkpatrick, and C. Brownlie—have been chosen again. The others have been replaced—by M. Brownlie, who was with the All Black team in Sydney when his province won the Shield; Irvine, who has been chosen in the North Island “nineteen” and Walker, who, with Gemmell, was one of ker, who, withGemjmell, was one of the two outstanding forwards in the Maori

team in its recent tour. To overcome this pack, either in the scrum or in the loose, the Wellington men must play even better than they played against Southland. If Wellington win to-day—and the ■writer thinks they have an even chance —they will win because of superior backs. The Hawke's Bay backs have not proved themselves. They have played together twice, each time on a wet day. Unless the North Island selectors have over-rated his capacity, Mill, the halfback, should prove the superior of H. E. Nicholls. But the fiveeighths, Nepra and Paewai, have had little experience in big football. They play together for the Maori Agricultural College, and are reputed to be fast, clever, and resourceful. But until they went to Sydney this year with the Maori team, they had played in few representative games. At centre is Kirwan, an erratic player who is brilliant on occasion, but usually of not more than average ability. To match these, Wellington have Mark Nicholls, Tilyard, and Svenson, all players of long experience, fast adaptable ■ —opportunists to the core. Playing close up, as they played against Southland, they should be able to smother the Hawke’s Bay passing more often than not. More important still, they should be able to start their own attacks from, their opponents’ errors, 'these are the tactics' or which Nicholls and Tilyard are past masters, and they will be ably assisted by Porter, who performs the function of wing-forward, fly-lialf, and five-eighths with remarkable facility and (against Southland, at any rate) astonishing success. The wing three-quarters, Faber and! Jackson (Wellington) and Grenside and Mapu (Hawke’s Bay), will be fairly evenly matched. Unless Jackson comes out of his shell, the advantage may be with Hawke’s Bay. Unless Wright rises above the form ho showed on Wednesday [lie will he eclipsed by Yates, who is also a successful goal-kicker. No follower of the modem game of Rugby, knowing its uncertainty, is wise if he attempts to predict the result of a match, especially when he knows the capacity of one side only. Certainly none can with certainty forecast the result of to-day’s game. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. PLaYED. Julv 4—v. Taranaki, at Hawera, tost, 3—6. July 25—v. Southland, won, 30—18. TO COMB. July 28—v. Hawke's Bay, at Napier. July 28—v. Manawatu and Horowhenua, at Wellington. August i —North Island v. South Island, at Wellington. August 11—v 1 . Canterbury, at Wellington. August 11—v. Bush Districts, at Pahiatua. August 16—v. Taihape, at Taihape. August 18—v. King Country, place not fixed. August 18 Wellington-Mnnawatu-Horo-whenua v. New South Wales, at Wellington. ... September B—v. Otago, at Wellington. ■ September 12—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. September 15—New Zealand .v. New South Wales (third Test), at Wellington. September 15—v. Auckland, at Auckland. September I»—v. Waikato, at Hamilton. September 22 —y. Manawatu, at Palmerston North. - , _ . September 25—r. Marlborough, at Wellington. THE SOUTHLAND MATCH HOME FORWARDS A SURPRISE VISITORS DISAPPOINTING. ’ The majority of the spectators who witnessed the game between Southland and Wellington were probably perfectly satisfied with the play as well as the players. Prom the point of view that the game was entertaining and full or interest spectators had for their admission fee. Spectacular football is a sSve for many faults from a Rugby standpoint, but the close observer while delighting in fast, open play, keeps an eye on the merits or dements of the players to see if any of the methods which tend to solidify defence or enhance attack are being improved ;or weakened. A bright incident may bring applause, but it may not be brought about by good footall and a good exposition of Rugby and a knowledge of the rules is what should be aimed at. Although Wednesday’s game had many pleasing features there was also an equal number of faults. The Wellington forwards were, in comparison, much superior to the backs as a combination. They worked together in a pleasing manner throughout the match, and when individuality was necessary and an opportunity presented itself it was invariably Used. With some of the backs there was too muoh individuality, and: in a few cases there was not even this. Wright, at full-back, did not fill the bill. His defensive work was of a second-rate order, and much' below representative form. Jt is no doubt easy to criticise but assuming that Wellington s full-back was fit and well oq the day—and if be were not he should not have taken his place in the field—even the sticky nature of the ground should not have prevented him from showing something above second-class merit. The three-quarters, Jackson, Svensen. and Faber were certainly triers, but they failed to work in concert. The passing was not impressive. Many that were sent by Svensen to Faber required arms six feet in length to take them, or a double set, one pair operating behind the player’s back. On the other side Jackson failed to gather the ball in, and strong attack was often turned quickly to defenoe by the deficiency in passing and the weakness of the three-quarter-backs in stemming forward rushes. Jt is recognised that one weak back may result in an apparent general weakness, but there can but be one opinion in respect to the form shown on Wednesday, and that is that thefe is room for vast improvement. H. Nicholls, at half, did real good work, and used his head. The state of the ground militated against him getting the ball away from a scrum in ,ne action, but his passes were in the circumstances smart, though perhaps on occasions a trifle low. "Ginger" also stopped many rushes bv going down to them. M. Nicholls dovetailed with his brother’s play well, but when he realises that he 'has a poor chance of beating a team lone-handed his play should improve considerably. Tilyard was better on defence than attack, but in both departments he wae not, on the day, up to representative standard. Sorter excelled himself, not only as a wing-forward, but as a book, and Ms plav was full of merit. The forwards were collectively and individually good. Those who stood out prominently from a hard working and eflective combination were Duncan, Swain, Pringle and A. Thomas. The forwards of the Southland team were a long way below expectations. They were simply outclassed in the loose, and, though they held their own in many serums owing to superior weight, were far too slow m breaking up to stand much chance of making any rushes when they had failed to hock the ball. There wore only seven decisive scrums during the whole game, and) of ,theee Wellington won six and Southland one. Most of the scrummages were screwed, or melted into a loose rush in which the visitors were nowhere. The only forward play of any merit on their side was done by solo dribbling rush from halfway ending In a try showed him to be in the first flight of forwards. J. Fraser and Blick were the other grafters in the Southern pack, which proved far too slow to grapple

with the home forwards. The Southland pack will have to move with the times and leam to play an open game and the handle the ball. Their attempt to play in orthodox fashion, smother the opposing pack, and let their backs have the ball to do all the scoring for which -they had a mind was a dismal failure. In any case the lack of speed in those backs was just as noticeable, and in addition they did not get the ball. They have a maxim in the South that the team which gets the ball wins, and they have another that you should make the most of the other fellow's mistakes. But that idea should have gone out with the last century, and the ideal of the Rugby team to-day should not be simply to win on an odd try caused by a flustered back mulling the ball, but by a large number of tries scored by sheer merit and superior cleverness. Naturally, if a team does not get the ball its back-line' play is but even so, the quality of tMW’isiting backs was not what we were led to believe. In the first spell Bell and Hazlett showed a lack of enterprise which was remarkable in its consistency, and J. Oughton was father and grandfather to the whole team, working like a troj an *n defence, and repeatedly giving his back line opportunities by opening np the play from the ruok. usually, however, his perfectly timed pass was accepted by Hazlett and that was the end of it, the first fiveeighth failing to do Ms shore and sending the ball on to Bell when the latter had a couple of tacklers on top of him. Rarely, indeed, did Brown, at centre three-quarter handle, and whenever the wings were fed it was usually by some enterprising forward. Both those wings were scoring men and would have made the most of an opening. Notable, too. was the way in which the visiting backs failed to stop forward rushes. Certainly they were handicapped by the lack of a full-back, Agnew never being at home, bat ns a rule the Wellington pack was so swift on the gaps in tlie defending ranks, so many, that once the five-eighth line was penetrated a. score was certain. Thus at difleront stages Duncan and Rogers broke through, Porter and Mark Nicnolls, Duncan and F. Tilyard, and ‘Duncan, Rogers and A. Thomas. All of which means that Wellington possesses a pack which is one of the best seen since the war, and which should give other representative teams, unless they be good indeed, a great deal of trouble. CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS FOR AND AGAINST ' TRAMS' SCORES ANALYSED. Athletic— Pts. For; 39 tries, 3 potted goals, 3 penalty goals, 1 goal from mark, 14 goals from tries 169 Against: 12 tries, 4 penalty goals, 2 goals from tries 52 Berhampore— For: 27 tries, 8 penalty goals, 4 goals from tries 113 Against: 27 tries, 5 penalty goals, 4 . potted goals, 1 goal. from mark, goals from tries 133 For: 7 tries, 3 penalty goals, 1 potted , goal, 1 goal from try 36 Against: 57 tries, 4 penalty goals, 1 goal from mark, 27 goals from tries . 340 Marist— For : 24 trie®, 3 penalty goals, 1 potted goal, 1 goal from mark, 7 goals from tries 102 Against: 17 tries, 4 penalty goals, 2 potted goalß, 5 goals-from tries... 81 Old Boys— • For: 24 tries, 11 penalty goals, 8 goals from marks, 1 potted goal, 6 goals from tries 130 Against: 27 tries, 4 penalty goals, 2 potted goals,. 1 goal from mark. 11 goals from tries 126 Oriental— i For: 20 tries,-5 penalty’goals, 2 potted goals, 3' goals from tries 89 Against : 16 tries, 6 penalty goals, 2 potted goals, 4 goals from tries... 82 Petone—- ' For: 49 tries; 6 penalty goals, S potted goals, 1 goal from mark, 16 goals from tries ..... 230 Against: 13 tries, 1 potted goal, 9 penalty goals, 1 goal from mark, 2 goals from tries It Foneke — For: 35 tries, 3 penalty goals, 3 potted goals, 1 goal from mark, 16 • goals from tries , 161 Against: 13 tries, 7, penalty goals, 2 goals from marks, 5 goals from tries r 76 Selwyn— For: 12 tries, 2 penalty goals, 1 potted goal, 5 goals from tries 56 Against; 31 tries, 4 penalty goals, 3 potted goals, 7 goals from tries... 122 University— , Fpr: 21 tries, 6 penalty goals, 12 \ goals from tries 114 Against: 86 tries, 9 penalty goals, 4 potted) goals, 12 goals from tries 175 Wellington— For: 18 tries, 8 penalty goals, 1 potted goal, 8 gtjals from tries 198 Against: 81 tries, 5 penalty goals, 1 potted goal, 10 goals from tries ... 132 THE SCORING MEN MARK NICHOLLS SHOOTS UP. Jackson, A. (’Varsity)—6 triee, 5 penalty goals, 10 goals from tries... 53 Nioholls, M. (Petone)—3 tries, 4 penalty' goals, 8 potted goals, 7 goals from tries 47 Malcolm, J. (Old Boys)—11 penalty goals, 5 goals from tries 43 Ambler, B. (Wellington)—l try, 8 penalty goals, 6 goals from tries 39 Porter (Athletic)—s tries, 2 penalty goals, 8 goals from tries 37 Lang, G. (Berhampore)— 2 tries, 8 penalty goals, 3 goals from triee 30 Gibson, B. (Poneke)—3 tries; 1 penalty goal, 1 goal from mark, 6 goals from tries . 29 Nioholls, H. 351. (Petone)—2 triee, 1 goal from mark, 1 penalty goal, 1 potted goal, 7 goals from tries 30 Nicholls, H. G. (Petone)—7 tries, 1 potted goal, 1 goal from try 27 O'Callaghan (Marist) —6 tries, 1 potted goal, 2 goals from tries 26 Moßrearty (Selwyn)—l try, 2 penalty goals, 1 potted goal, 5 goals from tries 23 Hickling, J. (Berhampore)—7 tries... 21 Oornaga (Petone) —9 tries 27 Murphy, J. (Marist)—l try, 3 penalty goals, 4 goals from tries 20 Gibson, B. (Athletic)—B tries, 1 potted goal, 3 goals from tries 19 Wright, H. (Poneke)—l potted goal, 1 penalty (goal, 6 goals frqm tries 19 Tunnington, J. (Poneke) —6 tries 18 Bedell (Oldi Boys)—6 tries 18 Swain, J. (Athletic)—6 tries 18 McGregor (Wellington)—6 tries,. 1 goal from try 20 Ashton (Petone)—s tries 15 Duncan (Athletic)—4 tries, 1 goal from mark 15 Svenson (Athletic) —3 tries, 2 potted goals, 1 goal from try 17 Shearor, S. (Poneke)—2 tries, 4 goals from tries 14 Simmonds (Oriental)—l try, 3 penalty goals, 1 goal from try 14 Gibson, G. (Athletic) —4 tries, 2 goals from tries 17 Hume (Oriental) —2 triee, 2 potted' goals 14 Sutton (Athletic)—4 tries 12 Thomas (Petone)—4 tries ;... 12 Marks (*V arsit^j— 4 tries 12 Adams (’Varsity)—4 tries 12 Ryan,' B. (Petone) —3 tries, 1 goal from try 11 Barclay (Old Boys)—3 tries, 1 potted goal 13 Nicholls, G. (Petone) —1 try, 1 penalty goal, 2 goals from tries 10 Frator, G. (Wellington)—2 tries, 1 potted goal 10 Tetley (Hutt)—2 tries, 1 potted g0a1.., 10

CLUB CAMES A NARROW VICTORY ATHLETIC BEAT WELLINGTON. Keenness and fitness have won Wellington matches before to-day, they have definitely proved themselves superior to many? teams in the senior competition, but without more combination they cannot go very far. It is good to see a young team which has hung on gamely for season after season rising into the upper division of the championship, and although Oriental have now registered more championship points than Wellington, itmust be remembered that Oriental have had the better end of the stick as far as second round matches axe concerned, their way 'being amongst the easier propositions. But, though Wellington gained sixth place in the upper division in preference to Oriental, they cannot go much further until they learn the hard lesson of combination. In Athletic on Saturday they ran against a team weakened by the absence of E. Roberts, B. Gibson, and Sutton, and a team which was determined to make a forward game of it in consequence, playing two wing-for-wards and no centre three-quarter, and to give credit where it is due, Wellington pack made a good showing in the first epell, though when _ the play really cpeHed up the Athletic forwards went through them like a knife through cheese. Wellington’s good use of the line in the first spell 'was what enabled them to hold the ground gained for long periods, and it was thrown into relief iby their failure to display any such intelligence during their continuous defence during the second half. For though the teams emerged from the first spell with little between them except * toper inr brains in the blue back line, the. second spell saw the Wellington pack beaten, but defending well. It was nothing but solid tackling, a good deal of success in their attempts to make the play tight and McGregor’s invaluable work in defence that kept the ecore down. Twice the fiye-eiighth averted a certain score, and on three occasions over-eag-emess by Athletic -men spoiled all-con-quering movements which fully earned trie?. So that the score of 7—3 in Athletic’s favour did not reflect the merits of the teams and the blues fully earned their win. For Athletic Warwick played a fine game in the first spell,? marring his performance -by much play that waa purely foolish m the second half. The way this light-weight half went down to forward rushes in the mud ijas a sight to behold, and he repeatedly worked thA blind side and kicked. G. Gibson played consistently! _ especially in defence, hut it becomes increasingly apparent that Svenson does not enIjoy the mud, and he displayed a slowness in defence and a tendency to run crab fashion which let his team into trouble. A foolish cross-field kick by Brook allowed McGregor to wore the only try of the day, and in the first spell he clung on to the'ball beneath the posts with such tenacity that Athletic were lucky to eecape n penalty try. - But he did much good work in defence. Duncan, MdVaught, and MoOaulay played well, while the .übi- ' quitous Porter wae the best player on the -field. Wellington’s best . forwards were Ambler and Jcyoe. A MUD SCRAMBLE PONEKE AND MAR-IST DRAW. A mud scramble best describee the match between Poneke and Marist. Pori eke again showed an inability to oopo with a heavy pack which made the game tight, and as the red inside backs were anything but at home in the swamp in which the game waa played, trouble wae brewing at frequent intervals. The game, which was played on Athletic Park No. 2, provided, a great deal of amusement for the epectators, and some little foot, hall. Marist secured a try within a very few hdnutes of the kick-off. Wright? was late upon the field, haw ing had' his hands bjfadaged. and he had barely passed the touch line when the hall was booted over the touchline, and O’Sullivan took advantage of the faot thafc four Poneke hacks all left of forcing to one another, and fell upon the hall. It took Poneke a good deal of hard work and a ’whole acre of mud to cross the Marist line, hut they got there fairly shortly. The game from then on was a very even one, the Poneke backs being able to do nothing with the greasy ball, and Mariat had -somewhat the better of the panic until Oaloinei put Poneke in the lead. , The forwards had control of tho whole match, and the game was remarkable mostly for mishap*, and tbs misfortrne which robbed both teams of come scores. McClenry was Marist’s best back with O’Sullivan a good second, Divine and P. Sullivan the beet forwards. Poneke’s back line form was poor; Rogers and J. Sheerer were the pick of their pack. •VARBITY AND OLD BOYS STUDENTS SET THE PAGE. - All those piesent when ’Varsity and Old Boys met for the second time this season declare that it waa one of the best games they have seen this season. From the commencement the pare set was a cracker, the ’Varsity forwards led by Thomas and Mcßae keeping Old Boys moving. But the white backs played a good defensive game nnd stopped the ’Varsity rearguard -by their spoiling tactics. Riggs ana Marks were prominent right through the game, the former on the attack and'the latter by his fine line kicking. Thomas and Martin-Smith were very effective in the loose, and it was only hard luck that prevented Thomas from scoring on two other occasions. Hart, the half-back, »* his hacks well, but most of his efforts were spoilt by Loe, the white wing forward, who was e» pecially brilliant. It was hard luck that the referee did not see Bedell’s “pot,” os tho match was lost through it. ' Malcolm was again a tower of strength to the whites, and often sent the greens back when a ecore seemed imminent. Sutherland is to be complimented on the fashion in which he .saved at least two tifes by guod tackling, also on his fine line kicking. Old Boys were unlucky to lose Faber, as it disorganised the team, and wai a factor in their defeat. Foden piayed a splendid game, his tackling and kicking were of a high order, and on three occasions he was tackled a few inohes from the line. BIG FIXTUREB REFEREES APPOINTED. The official appointments of referees for the big fixtures approaching are as follow: North v. South, on Saturday, August 4th, Mr H. Leith. West Coast v. Nelson fSeddon Shield), at Nelson, Saturday, July 28th, Mr E. S. Hylton.

PETONE’S EASY WIN BACKS MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FORM OF THE PLAYERS. Petone’e win against Berhamporo was truly a triumph for tho suburban team’s backs. In the forwards the dark blues held but a slight advantage. The backs, however, completely outclassed their opponents, and the score, 29 points to 9, gave a good indication of the relative merits of the teams on the day’s play. Both teams were weakened through a number of players being laid aside by influenza, but Berhamporo were the greater sufferers in this respect, having no less than six men absent. Tho pivots of the Petone attack were H. E. and Mark Nicholls. Tho latter was the best back on the ground, and time after time he made openings for the men outside him. Bus play on Saturday was reminiscent of the days when he captained Wellington College, although it must be said that he was a better place kick doting that period. ‘’Ginger" is still inclined to pass a little wildly, but this fault is not so prevalent as it was at the beginning of the season, when be mode his brother perform many a contortionist trick in order that the latter anight take his paas. Corner and “Loo" Nicholls combin ed effectively, but made the mistake of tunning across the field and crowding out tho wings. Had they gone straight down the field the score would have resembled a game of cricket. Cornaga was the better of the two wings, but he is still inclined to end a paasisng rush with a kick that gives tho full-back an opportunity to field and return to touch. The short punt ia all right if it is dropped into the right stop, and is able to be recovered. Thomas and Love were the best of the Petone vanguard, with Aabon and Ryan also prominent at times. Berhampore have certainly unearthed a promising young fall-back in Mason, who on Saturday wee easily up to the standard of Watters. Ho fielded the ball faultlessly, and kicked safely. He also showed plenty of initiative on defence. Tho rest of the .beck line lacked combination, and their display was a ragged one. Time after time they were caught sapping by their opponents. Lewis on the wing showed pleat* d dash, and .his try was one of the nest efforts of the day, but he got very little of the ball. Charles is a good average half-back, but is a little alow in delivering the ball. The light bine pack were an even lot with MdAriney and MoHerron perhaps the best of the bunch. NEARING THE END THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Ponske’a failure to defeat Marist last Saturday has narrowed down the possibilitiet of the «sniof championship. It is now a ease of Athletic or Petone, and thg suburban team is in as favourable a position es it could very well be, for with'two matches to play it is three p uts: ahead. Theca will be no club games for three weeks to come,.the Banfurly Shield, North-South test, and New South Wales matches intervening. At the end of that period' Petone and Athletio will toy oonclhsions on Athletie Park, and should the - suburban fifteen come ofi second-best Athletic will remain a point behind their opponents on the championship table. The following week. Petone must meet Ppnehe, and must either draw m lose against them in order that Athletic may stand s chance. If Petone loeee both these matches Athletic will win the title by one point. If the villager* suffer s loes and e draw there will be a tie and s play-off will be necessary. Athletic'a lan match of the eeeeon will be against Marist, but they ere definitely superior to the Irishmen, end unless Hie unforeseen happens, dhonld score a clean-cut victory. HIGH SCORING NEW SOUTH WALES STABS. Coraaga'a nine tries and A. Jackson's £8 paints seem rather pels alongside the performance* of the leading scorers in the Sydney Shuts Shield matches (the Metropolitan first grade competition) and representative games. In these, up to July 14th, R. G. Stanley (University) had: hioxed 18 goals and scored 7 tries, a total of fis points. Seoond was Otto NothHng (Univereitv three-quarter), ■whose IS tries and 8 goals put him ocdjr two points behind his club mate. D. C. Cimaman, the new star three-quarter, had scored 8 tries and kicked 13 goals for Randwiok, a total of 38 points. For a long period Grossman occupied premier position on the list. Norman Mingay, the Manly half-back, had kicked the astonishing number of 21 goals, and scored 2 tries, a total of 54. Principal -try-getters were: —Nothling, 13; “Pup" Raymond; 14; D. J. Erasmus end A. Bowyers, both of Glebe-Balmain, 12 tries each; and XL N. Greetorax (Y.M.CJL), 10. Yet Greatorex is only twelfth on the list. A. Tarored (Glebe-Balmain) has kicked 18 goals and E. Doyle (YM.C.A.), S 3. THE SPRINGBOK HALVES WHY TOWNSEND WAS “DROPPED." Who was the beet of the Springbok half-backs ? Mtohaa played more often than Townsend, but the exhibition Sven by Townsend made New Zeenders wonder wby bo was not preferred to the little Dutchman. Those “in the know" explained, with great confidence, that Michau was preferred because fie was a Dutchman—and of tho selection committee of three two were Dutchmen. But that, apparently, waa not the reason. A South African paper just to hand contains an interesting account of a controversy regarding the merits of Townsend. The principal writer eaya that “one of the prime reasons why he (Townsend) was dropped in tho last two international matches in New Zealand was his ‘fault* of passing between his logs. I had that information direct from the manager of the side, and I believe Captain Pienaar also told me so. The pass is absolutely unsound, ju.-w as unsound as throwing the ball wildly away without looking to whom you are passing. Townsend generally makes this pass when he is hard pressed. His own players are unprepared for it. They fail to gather the ball and in a moment it tt at the feet of the oncoming opponents* who dribble it down tho field. ’Riis has happened repeatedly." There is no question that the pass between the legs is unsound—if the fiveeighth (or fly-half) does not know it is coining. It is surprising to hear that Townsend has been passing out in this manner indiscriminately. He impressed those who saw him as an exceptionally clover half, who took no chances. The chief fault noticeable in his play was his habit of reaching into the scrum for 1 the ball, but as be usually managed to do it half a dozen times before he was j penalised, it was profitable.

PROFITEERING? TEST MATCH CHARGES SOME FACTS AND FIGURES. The renewed protest of the Otag» Rugby Onion against the New Zealand Union’s decision to adhere to the Si gate charges for test matches has reopened the whole question. The reason* assigned by the New Zealand Union, tot their action were that the cost of bringing the New South Wales touring tenia over to the Dominion would be Tory little less than that of the South Afrdoan tour in 1921, in fact only less by the additional fares between Bonth Africa and New Zealand. The expense of moving the 27 men, who will compose the teaaf round the country will be very eonaUbai able. The New Zealand Union's allow* ance of JS2 per day per man is not out of the way; it is based on past and there has been no lack of that perience. The boat fares from Australia to New Zealand will amount to J2500t and the team will be in the Dominica for seven weeks, travelling all the timet The mere touring expenses of 27 meant £3 per day for GO days amounts to £3190, to which most, he added the oost of assembling the New Zealand team for enbgi of three test matches, and the equipping of that team, which will run into satM hundreds of pounds. The total of at which the finance oommittee has estimated the cost of the tour, will thus bl seen not to be out of the way. It will be necessary for the ten mutably played to yield an average of .£650, which at a charge of 2g per head means that the gate of those ten matches must aimage 6500. The Otago Union ban based it* Srotest upon the fact that "upon the New ealand Union's own showing the oost of the tour will not exceed A 6500, and at g change of Is to the ground, with an extra charge for the stand, the reoeiptg of the ten matches should total JSBQOIh The Otago Union’s figures are not to hand, but it is noteworthy that a member of that body suggested that "the entertainment expenses might be very considerably reduced," and that "there is no need for Die New Bouth Wales players to be idolised as the Springboks were." Failing possession of the details of the calculation which enabled the southern union to persist in its antagonism to the major body it is impossible to. examine the position thoroughly, but aome information should be of interest. Setting aside the possible fact that the New South Wales team may be beaten badly in the early stages of the tour end the later gates impaired, and all weather consideration^—it must he remembered that the Springbok tour was ' ideally favoured by weather until the final test—when the gate was not largely affected—the team will play ten matches in the Dominion. Five of these will be In four main centres of the Dominion- end one at Timam, all played upon Saturdays. The other four will take place at Invercargill, Napier, Hamilton, and Maeterton, and will bp played on Wednesdays. Some of the city gates may be big, this fire big matches mav total 50.000 at a safe estimate. But what of the four country matches? The gate at the when the Maoris met Wanganui was ceitaihly about 5000. But when Hawks a Bay defended the Kanfuly Shield against Wairarapa, on a. public holiday, the gate was only 2000 or 3000. At Carterton the princely number of 200 people saw the return match, while the gate when Hie Maoris met South Canterbury was mock below 6000. It is difficult to base an estimate on anything but the Maori At Dunedin they drew 12,000. bat at Auckland only 5000. and at Christchurch 7000. The Otago Union has no doubt gone thoroughly into the matter, ana one must await their figures before deciding; bnt certainly on the face of it. it seems that the Now Zealand Union's charge is not excessive, especially whan it is considered that the provincial unions are lifting up to 25 per cent, tag ground rent. MAORI TOUR A GOOD PERFORMANCE. RECORD: Versos Auckland, lost, B—3. Versos Wanganui, won, 15—& Versus Otago, won, 21—M. Versus Southland won, 11—6. Versus South Canterbury, i won, IS—6l Versos Canterbury, lost, 7—3. Won A lost 2; points for, 66; points against. 45. The Nar Zealand Maori team closed its Dominion tour on Saturday lest with a match against Canterbury. The native team has made a uniformly aood ; . display; it suffered defeat at the bands o t Auckland immediately on the return from Australia, bat the match was played in shocking weather, and the ground made football impossible. The Maoris were beaten also trj Canterbury, last season one of the moehcet of the provinces, but the touring teem was n long way below full strength. In the other matches, in which a test of their football was made, the natives triumphed decisively, and it becomes apparent that with a New Zealand tour, prior to the Australian visit, they would have given a much better account of themselves when in Australia. The Maoris, considered a weak team, particularly ul She forwards, have proved themselves ronoh more formidable than was thought. Their New Zealand tour also has proved a useful barometer as to the form of various provinces, and if its indications are in any way correct there should be soma close struggles later ou this season. Equally useful has the tour proved in establishing the reputations of eomo great players far afield, and we now can realise that any All-Black team which fails to include several of these men will have no claim to be called representative.