RUGBY FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12454, 24 May 1926, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

LOCAL GAMES POSTPONED GROUNDS FLOODED BY RAINS SEVERAL EARLY MATCHES PLAYED At 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon the postponement committee of the Wellington Rugby Football Union announced that all games were off. The continuous and at times heavy rain had saturated the ground for several feet, and most of the playing areas were practically under water. It was thus thought impossible for games to proceed, although local players were often asked to turn out under similar conditions last year. A postponement of Rugby fixtures is a most unusual occurrence in Wellington, and owing to the late hour of the decision many players and spectators arrived at the various grounds before they became aware of the announcement, while several of the earlier games were actually played. seniorT EASTBOURNE v. OLD BOYS. Eastbourne defeated Old Boys by 9 points to 6. For the winners Pudney, Wood, and Macarthy scored, and for Old Boys Comerford scored and Lamason kicked a penalty goal. The outstanding players were Pudney, Wood, Keogh, Foley, Brunton, and Beale for Eastbourne; and Darling, Darroch, Lamason and Hands for Old Boys. Mr Souter was referee. PORIRUA v. "VARSITY. Porirua defeated "Varsity by 10 points THIRD GRADE Hutt 13, Eastbourne 5. Onslow 19 points, Old Boys 3. Scorers for Onslow were: Pond 1 try and 1 converted; Gentry 3 tries; Brignans 1 converted. For Old Boys Taylor scored one try.

EXCITING MATCH

RED STAR BEAT GLADSTONE MUCH IMPROVED TEAM. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Times/") MASTERTON, May 22. The championship games were resumed this afternoon in fine weather. After having seen Red Star seniors play this afternoon against Gladstone, one would not have realised that they were the same team that played such a poor game against Martinborough, and this was notwithstanding the fact that the Stars were without the service of Sewell, Stunnell, Poole,, and Garland. It was a game full of incident, and the enthusiasm of pectators rose at times to considerable height. Gladstone played with the sun and wind against them in the first spell. Stars had the better of play in the first spell, and Gladstone did not shape at all like their usual form. Though , they got the ball in most of the scrums \ they failed to make uce of it. They j went away too slowly, with the result ' that the Star forwards were able to smother any movement before it got properly going. Star forwards made the pace willing, and the Gladstone pack hoed into it in great style at times. The first spell was easily Red Stars. Gladstone started off in the second spell in a much improved manner, and for a time made things very warm. The yellow backs were getting away with many smart passing rushes which, however, Stars were able to , nullify. Play became very exciting at times, and was up and down the field. Gladstone did a large amount of attacking, and just as it appeared as if the Gladstone team were going to obtain the upper hand altogether and walk over Red Stars, the Star pack made a great effort and, aided by safe backs, attacked the Gladstone citadel again and again. Amongst much excitement Gladstone then made another rally, but the Star defence was solid, and the bell went with Stars coming away again. In the first spell the first score of Star's came in a sensational manner. Gladstone was engaged in a passing rush, and Lawson intercepted. He made a fast run through for thirty yards, and passed to Vangioni, who took the low delivery well, and outpacing the opposition, scored under the posts. Hood converted. Star's second score was from a free-kick, and W. Hood again goaled. Stars led by 8 to nil in the first spell. FULL-BACK SCORES In the second half Gladstone scored an easy try. The kick of N. Hood, fullback, was smothered by Randall Booth and Henderson. The Gladstone fullback came up fast and scored a gift try under the posts. F. Booth goaled, making the score 8 to 5 in Red Star's favour, which total was unaltered when the final bell went. On the day's play the best team won. Miller, late of Wellington Old Boys' senior team, played a gTeat game in the Star forwards. vVyber was the best forward on the ground, and ho was ably seconded by Willoughby., Neighbours, Hicky, Hood, and Vangioni were the best of the Star backs. Reside was the best of the Gladstone forwards, while the Gladstone backs were an even lot. At Greytown the Greytown seniors beat Martinborough by 27 points to 5, and at Featlierston the Masterton seniors beat Fcatberston by 10 points to 6 The following are the positions of the senior teams: — Pts. Pts, Chm.

LOWER GRADE GAMES

In the other grades the games resulted : Junior—Masterton 26, Greytown 26: Tuhirangi 12, Martinborough 5; Old Boys 8, Carterton 3; Opaki 12, Featherston 3. Third Class Carterton 25. High School 0: Greytown 27, Martinborough 3; Old Boys’ 12, Bed Star 9. Fourths—Greytown 18, Feathcrston 0: Opaki 18, Masterton 3: Carterton and Red Star won by default. Fifth Class—Bed Star 37, Technical A 0; Masterton 3, Technical B 0.

RESULTS IN OTHER CENTRES

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 23. The weather cleared sufficiently on Saturday for most of the football matches to be played. Rugby results :—Ponaonby 36, beat University 3; College Rifles 3, beat Grafton 3; Grammar School 11, beat Marist nil. CHRISTCHURCH, Moy 23. The grounds on Saturday were in an almost unplayable condition, and only senior games wore played. Results : Merivnlc 11, Linwood 3; 'Varsity 8, Old Boys 8; Christchurch 26, Albion 0. Christchurch and Old Boys are now level in the championship competition, with Merivale half a point behind. NAPIER, May 23. Rugby matches at Napier and Hastings on Saturday resulted Pirates 9, Marist 6; Technical Old Boys 19, Celtic 12; High School Old Boys 66, M.A.C. 6.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH

SOUTHLAND’S NOMINEES. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, May 23. The .Southland players nominated for

inclusion in the South Island team arc: —Forwards, Alley (Northern District), Batchelor and Hazlctt (Invercargill Pirates): backs, Kilby and Murray (Invercargill Stars).

NO PLAY AT NELSON Owing to heavy rnin overnight, and In order to prevent, damage at Trafalgar Bark, which has recently been to-d.ress-ed, nil TTii'rby matches were po.stjKmcd on Saturday.

Greytown W. . 3 L. 1 • for. 90 Ogfit. ptfi 27 6 Red Star . 2 2 20 39 4 Gladstone , 2 i 31 19 4 . 2 1 29 46 4 Carterton , 2 1 44 21 4 Featherston . 1 2 25 49 2 MartinboroiiB'li 0 A 22 66 0