CRICKET UMPIRES

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12248, 21 September 1925, Page 11

CRICKET UMPIRES

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The annual general meeting of the Wellington Cricket Umpires* Association was held at the Y.M.Cf.A. on Thursday last. The chairman of the association presided, and there was a good attendance of members. The report and balance sheet presented (which have already been referred to in our columns) were adopted. Several speakers alluded to the good work done by the association and the services rendered by the executive. Several new members were elected. The election of officers resulted as follows Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson); president, Mr J. P. Firth, C.M.G.; vice-presidents, Mr C. J. B. Norwood (Mayor), Sir J. P. Luke. M.P.. and Messrs R. A. Wright, M.P., T. R Cresswell, C. G. Wilson, C. A. Richardson, C. E. Stevens, F. Holdswortli, A. F. Wiren, L. O. Wray, M. F. Luckie, Gordon Reid, A. Martin, and W. G. Reid; chairman, Mr W. R. Bock (re-elected); lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr W. S. Hood (re-eleet-od); representative on the management committee of th© Cricket Association, Mr W. R. Bock; appointment committee, Messrs W. R. Bock, P. Bevan, and W. S. Hood; examination committee, Messrs W R, Bock, P. Bevan, and D. McKenzie. Several notices of motion were deferred until the first meeting of the association for consideration.

WIN IN SECOND SPELL

WAIRARAPA DEFEATED WELLINGTON TEAM IN GOOD FORM FLASHES OF BRILLIANT BACK PLAY A superior knowledge of the finer points of Rugby was responsible for the victory of the Wellington team over Wairarapa at Athletic Park on Saturday, before an attendance of about 4000 spectators. Wellington won by 28 points to 12, but the result does not indicate the run of the play. In the first spell the visitors, with the wind and sun in their favour, had a marked advantage over their opponents, but their movements lacked finish, and several times did they get within striking distance of the line and then break down. It must be said, however, that the defence of the Wellington backs was sound. In the latter half of the game it was AVellington’s turn to have the advantage territorially, but there were several periods in which Wairarapa held their own. When half-time sounded the score was 9 points to nil in Wairarapa’s favour, but the next quarter of an hour saw Wellington equalise by brilliant passing rushes, in which the hacks raced down the field at full speed, and Grenfell finished off two of the movements in fine style. This young player was playing his first representative game, and there is no doubt that he fully justified the confidence of the selectors. • He is exceptionally fast, shows fine judgment in swerving an opponent, and is a solid tackier on defenoe. This is his first season in senior football, and with a little more experience gives promise of developing into a player of the first flight. It is a long time since a back making his initial appearance has commenced so promisingly. Malcolm was very shaky at full-back on Saturday, and did not display the form expected, except when it'came to kicking. Tilyard, at first five-eighths, played his best game this season, and Johnson also played better than on former occasions. Hickey was better in defence than usual, but did not get many opportunities on - attack, while Bedell was also out of the picture. Hart was safe behind the scrum. In the forwards, the Shearer brothers, Martin-Smith, and Smith were playing at their best. The pack worked hard throughout. J. Shearer, who took up the wing-forward position after Fitzgerald went off, was very successful in his new role, and, on the day, almost' the equal of J. Donald, who was not at his best. AN EXCELLENT FIVE-EIGHTH . Wairarapa possess a great five, eighths in Jury. This player showed fine form in the Maori match for the Te Mori Rose Bowl recently, and excelled himself on Saturday. Whenever he got the ball and was able to get into bis stride he invariably beat two or three men, and often beat six. and seven. He is dashing, and runs strongly, and has a nimble swerve and.a strong fend. On defence he always brought Ins man down hard. Jury is well above provincial standard. He was the best back on the' ground on Saturday. . F. Booth was very steady at first fiveeighths and once or twice brilliant, while Flaws whipped the ball out smartly from the scrum. R. and G. Booth, the wings, were always ready to make the best of Opportunities and Hood at full-back, gathered in the ball cleverly. _ In the visiting pack the most prominent were Moncrieff, Desmond, and Ghurchouse. The teams lined out as follow: Wellington (black): —Malcolm; Hickey, Grenfell, Bedell; Johnson (captain), F. Tilyard; Hart; Fitzgerald; S. Shearer, Smith, J. Shearer, Young, Martin-Smith, Wilson and Osborne. Wairarapa (green):—Hood; K. Booth, Stringfellow, G. Booth; Jury, F. Booth; Flaws; J. Donald, Churchouse, Raoside. Moncrieff, O’Dowd, Fairbrother, Desmond, Sewell. THE STORY OF THE BALL Wellington kicked off against the sun and a strong northerly wind. The visitors were soon attacking hotly, and a force down by Malcolm saved a dangerous situation. , A minute later F. Booth missed at goal from a penalty. The Wairarapa forwards smotheredthe Wellington backs and Jury, started a passing rush, hut good tackling kept the visitors at bay. Donald opened up the play and the Wairarapa forwards came away in a dribbling rush but Hickey forced ip time. A scrummage followed the kick-out, nnd Young broke away in a solo dribbling rush which took play into the green’s twen-ty-five. The Wellington backs started a passing rush and the ball went out to Bedell and back to Grenfell again, but the latter was well tackled. Jury made a fine run but J. Shearer swung play back again with a bright dash. The play at this stage was full of incident. Both sides were throwing the ball about, and the backs were continually on the move. Fitzgerald was iniiired and he was replaced by Murie. Wairarapa were again pressing hard and a free-kick for off-side play saw F. Booth goal with a good kick Wairarapa 8 Wellington 0 VISITORS ATTACKING The visitors attacked from the kick out, and the failure of Malcolm to take the hall again resulted in a scrummage on the line. Flaws sent R. Booth away on the blind-side to score. F. Booth’s kick fell short. Wairarapa ® Wellington ® ■ Passing rushes by the greens were now frequent, and both backs and forwards joined in bright movements. Donald whipped the ball out to Jury who transferred vo R. Booth, but the last-named was forced out at the twenty-fiveflag. The ball from the scrummage wlent right out to G. Booth, who reversed to Jury who was collared on the one. The Wellington forwards took the play back to the half-wnv line, but Jury with a thirty yards’ run again had liis side in the attack. They were pressing on the lino when a Wellington forward booted from the ruck and the ball roiled along tlie line. G. Booth pounced on it to score an easy trv 'from a foolish mistake. F. Booth’s kick failed. Tlie half-time score was:— Wairarapa J) Wellington 0 -Duncan came on in place of Young at the beginning of the second spell. Wellington commenced to make the pace, were soon on the attack, and pressing hard. From a scrum the backs

got off the mark nicely, and each of the five-eighths drew his mail. The bail went out to Grenfell, who cut in and dashed up the line with Bedell in attendance. The centre drew Hood, and gave Bedell a clear run in. Tlie latter grounded the hall under the posts, and Malcolm goaled easily. Wairarapa 9 Wellington 5 Wairarapa forced their way up the field, but J. Shearer dribbled hack past the half-way line. It was a fine effort. Jury was twice prominent in dashes over about twenty yards in which he beat several men, but he was unsupported. A bright piece of passing by Grenfell and Hickey took play into the Wairarapa twenty-five where a free kick for “hanging-on” was given to Wellington, and Malcolm’s shot hit the post and rebounded over the bar. Wairarapa 9 W ellington 8 GRENFELL’S GREAT RUN Tlie Wellington backs were now going well. Hart passed to Tilyard, who sent on to Grenfell. The lastnamed put in a great run. He cleverly evaded G. Booth and Stringfellow, outpaced Hood, and scored in the corner. Malcolm missed the kick. Wellington 11 Wairarapa 9 A hurst by Jury saw him kick and get possession again, but he was collared fey Bedell. Then came a try from a clever piece of play by Hickey. He received a pass from Grenfell, short punted, whipped the hall up again, and after a short run centred. MartinSmith was handy, and he ran in under the posts. Malcolm goaled. Wellington 16 Wairarapa 9 MALCOLM MARKS IN TIME From the kick out the Wairarapa forwards dribbled up the field. F. Booth secured the ball from a heel, and in a dodgy run heat several men. His forwards carried on, and Malcolm marked right on the goal line. Jury fielded the kick and made another characteristic run, but he was well smothered, and Bedell picked up during a scramble and kicked, finding the line well down tlie field. ’"Wellington were now pressing hotly, and from a loose scramble Smith dived oyer. Malcolm missed the goal, but the kick was a good one. Wellington 19 Wairarapa 9 A few seconds after the kick out Malcolm fielded the ball, and manoeuvring into position potted a beautiful goal. Wellington 23 Wairarapa 9 Jury made a great run and almost reached the line. A series of scrummages followed, and a free-kiok to Wairarapa for .offside play saw F. Booth land a 'good goal. Wellington 23 "Wairarapa 12 The play for the next few minutes was very scrappy, but Johnson got the Wellington backs in motion. He passed to Tilyard, and the Wairarapa backs anticipating a pass to Grenfell were out to stop him. Tilyard, however, cut in cleverly, and scored under the posts. Malcolm goaled. Wellington 28 Wairarapa 12 Just on time Tilyard missed a certain try bv taking things too easy in a race for the bail, which was over the line, and a force down resulted. Hie bell went immediately afterwards.

STERLING EXHIBITION

AUCKLAND VICTORIOUS GOOD GAME WITH TARANAKI. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 19. The Auckland R-ugby representatives defeated Taranaki at New Plymouth today by 18 points to 12 after a sterling exhibition of football. At no stage were there more than a few points between the teams, and in spite of a sodden ground, drenohed with the deluges of the past few days, the game was open and interesting. The Auckland superiority was in the back division, where the only weakness was Goodacre, the full-back. Fed consistently by their inside backs, the three-quarter line, Olson, O’Brien, and Loft, were particularly impressive, and by clever strategy were able to pierce the defence several timee through working the Taranaki backs out of position. Though not at their best the Taranaki hacks were not weak. Priar, the fullback, played a splendid game, while Brown, at centre, was up to All Black form. The chief weakness of the home team was the lack of cohesion and understanding, a number of good chanoes being lost through' hesitancy, especially amongst the forwards. Both packs were, composed of giants of energy and enthusiasm, and there was little between them. Auckland almost invariably hooked the ball and, at times dominated the play, while Taranaki would retaliate with sweeping loose rushes that were irresistible. Taranaki drew first blood with a stirring try started by their dominating half-back, Morey, who sent his pass from seemingly under tlie feet of the opposing forwards. Brown received it in turn and short punted, the bounce beating Goodacre. Kivell came up fast, snapped up the hall, and passed to Walter, for the latter to score. Brown converted. Capping a formidable Auckland forward rush, McManus whipped out the ball from the ruck to Battey, and Lewis received it in turn to score. O’Brien converted. The Auckland forwards set up a formidable attack, and in a hot melee Auckland were penalised, Brown goaling. \ Tlie first spell terminated with a pretty piece of work by the Auckland backs, McManus mailing the opening on the blind side of a loose scrum for O’Brien to dash away well attended. Olsen took his pass at top speed and had a clear run to the posts, Johnston making a determined but unsuccessful effort to cut him off. O’Brien converted, and Auckland led by 10 points to 6 at half-time. Taranaki drew almost level again when in a strenuous defence Auokland infringed and were penalised. Brown turned tlie chance into points with a good lciok. Faithfully served by a capable pair of hookers, O’Brien received from iiis inside backs, and combined with Loft in a pretty bout of in-and-out passing, which terminated when Loft scored. O’Brien again made no mistake with tlie kick. A fine solo hurst by Morey and a mistake by Goodacre led to a scrum near Auckland’s goal. An Auckland forward handled in the scrum, and Brown goaled from the succeeding penalty. Just before time a strong Auckland forward rush ended in Kenrv dashing over to score. O’Brien couldn’t convert, and the game ended: Auckland 18 Taranaki 12 LANE CUP CONTESTS NAPIER, September 20. In the semi-final of the Lane Cup kffbek-out competition, High School Old Boys defeated Celtic by 17 points to 11, after playing twenty minutes extra time. The winners meet- Pirates, thfe season’s champions, in the filial.

OTAGOWIN

MATCH AGAINST WANGANUI GAME OF BRIGHT INCIDENTS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, September 20. Tie last representative fixture of the season was played on Carisbroolc ground to-day, when Wacganui met Otago. Thei'e was an estimated attendance of 5000 spectators, and the conditions were ideal, the ground being dry and fast. Otago won the toss. Johnston marked Wise’s return, and the play rested at half-way. St. George fielded the ball from the scrum, kicked to Collier, who marked in front of the goal. The hall fell over as Collier was kicking it. Otago worked down per their forwards to the Wanganui twenty-five, where St. George sent out to Townsend. The hall was handled by Loder and Robinson, and Coder came round again on the outside to pass to Wise, who ran round hut dropped the ball behind the posts throwing away a try. From the drop out Otago attacked again, and passing between Townsend, Loder, Robinsdn, and AVebb resulted in the last-named scoring. AValker missed the kick. Otago 3, Wanganui 0. Wanganui -attacked, but Webb field-, ed and kicking across field, caught Simpson in possession and dribbling through, picked up and scored behind the posts. Walker goaled. Otago 8; Wanganui 0. ... Wanganui attacked, hut Collier got offside. Wanganui backs came again, but effective collaring held them in check. Kingi sent out from a scrum and McAuliffe kicked through to the Otago line where Collier came fast and scored a nice try. The kick missed. Otago 8; Wanganui 3. Kingi set his hacks going again, and the ball was handled by all the hacks. Sinclair beat the Otago full-back, but was well collared by AVebb. The next incident of note was a fine passing rush from a scrum at half-way by all the Otago backs, AVebb running in to score behind the posts. Robinson missed with the kick. Otago 11; AVanganui 3. . . Offside play by AVanganui shortly after, enablod AValker to kick a beautiful goal from the touch line. Otago 14; AVanganui 3. A LONG “POT” Play see-sawed about the lialf-way line for the next ten minutes, when the hall came to Walker forty yards out, and the full-back potted a tmo goal. Otago 18; AVanganui 3. The AVanganui forwards worked the hall to the Otago line, but faulty passing between the hacks from the hneout let the promising chance slip. Hie royal blues maintained the attack and McAnliffe, receiving the ball, cut in and jinked through to the line scoring under the posts. The same player missed the goal-kick. Half-time went immediately afterwards. Otago 18; AVanganui 6. THE SECOND SPELL On resuming AA'angaiuii set up a het attack andl Collier, cutting in, sent to Simpson, who ran in under the posts. Delves converted. Otago 18; AVanganui 11. Play became very ragged for a period, tiring confined to tlio forwards. vSt- George and AVebb tried several times to work the blind side, but wit-b----out gaining much ground. A nice punt by Collier look play to the Otago twenty-five*, but offside play brought them hack. Fox ma.de a nice run into the AVanganui twenty-five, and passed to McMillan, who translcrred to McMccUuui, who was collared just short of tho lino. Otago wore awarded a free-kick, hut AValker missed, and play was transferred to the Otago half. A f-roe-kiek for obstruction gave relief. From a loose scrum at halfwav St. George sent Townsend away and the hall came to AVebb. The last-

named made a fine run to score at the corner. Walker missed with the kick. Otago 21; AVanganui 11. The next' incident was a fine dropkick from half-way by Collier which just missed. A nice loose rush in which all the Wanganui forwards participated saw Ellery score. Delves missed with the kick. Otago 21; Wanganui 14. PILING UP THE POINTS The Otago backs sent out the ball smartly to AVise, but the wing slipped when in a good position. Kingi fielded and passed to Collier wTio dribbled through to the twenty-five, but a knock-on spoilt the movement. The Otago forwards drove their opponents j back to the opposing twenty-five and a passing rush between MeMeeking, j Donnelly, Brough, and McMillan, saw j tlie last-named send Wise in for a nice j try. AValker converted. Otago 25; AVanganui 14. I The Otago forwards bad now taken j command, but, infringements spoilt several promising movements. St. George secured the hall and passed to j Robinson, who passed into St. George, and the last-named ran round behind the posts. Robinson converted. Otago 31 Wanganui 14Mr R. Torrance was referee. A CLOSE GAME j bueler defeated. : Per Press Association. WESTPORT, September 19. In the presence of a large gathering of spectators, but under exceptionally wintry conditions, South Canterbury to-day defeated Buller by 9 points to 6. Playing with the advantage of the ! wind and rain, Buller, in the first spell, bad all the better of the game, and O’Neill scored an unconverted try. In the second spell the position was reversed, South Canterbury, in driving rain and bail, kept the play mostly in Buller’s quarters to half-way. Tate scored an unconverted try for the visitors, and Beard scored for Buller, giving Buller a lead of 6 points to 3, but in the final stages Clarke twice scored for South Cauterbury, who finished in the lead by 3 points.

IN THE WAIRARAPA

PETONE FOURTHS PLAY A DRAW. (Bv Telegrapß.—Special to “Times.”) MASTERTON, September 19. AVanganui College and AA'airarapa High School teams met at Masterton this afternoon. The weather was fine, but there was a Btrong wind, and the ground was heavy. The game resulted in a win for AVanganui by 20 points to 3. Bunny, Judd, Ormond (3), and McKenzie scored tries for AVanganui, Bunny Converting one. For AVairarapa, Cormack Ricked a penalty goal. Tho game between Red Star and Pctone fourths ended in a draw, 8 points each. HAWKE’S BAY WIN AGAINST MOTUEKA-G OLDEN BAY. Per Press Association. NI3LSON, September 20. A Hawke’s Bay team defeated Motueka and Golden Bnv at Motueka on Saturday by 18 points to 8. The visitors held the upper hand, and gave a good exhibition of the game, but tho Coast team played solidly from start to finish, and the game bad appearances of being much move even than tho scores indicate, Mnrdon, Barclay, Wynn, and Jensen were the scorcr.s for the visitors, and K. llolyoake and Clark for the home team.