RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18906, 5 July 1923, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE MAORI TEAM. DEFEATED BY AUCKLAND. GAME PLAYED IN MUD. (Pbb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 4. The Maori touring team which has just visited Australia played the Auckland Kugby representatives to-day. Tho weather was bleak and threatening, with occasional heavy showers. There was an attendance of SCCO, including 1500 schoolboys who wore admitted free. The ground was in a shocking state. Peina and Mill, two of the best Maori backs, were unable to play owing to illness. Contrary to expectations, Auckland won by eight points to three. Play opened sensationally with a strong Auckland attack, but the Maoris’ defence was sound. Soon after tho start the Maoris attempted to open up the game with their backs, but tho heavy ground handicapped them severely. In the second quarter Auckland again attacked strongly, and eventually Cook scored, Ifwerson converting. Auckland 5, Maoris nil. The local team had the better .of the remaining stages of the first spell, half-time coming with, the score unscrambling play in tho slush marked the opening stages of the second spell. Ine Maoris then attacked, Bevnn scoring near the posts. The kick was charged down. Auckland 5, Maoris 3. Tho Auckland pack was now going well, but the return kicks ot the Maoris were accurate. Auckland pressed and tho Maoris forced. In the final quarter rain fell heavily, making the ground treacherous and the ball hard to handle. A tree kick to Auckland in the visitors twenty-five saw Ifwersen kick a great goal from a difficult angle, making the score; Auckland 8, Maoris 3. Stung to action, the Maoris attacked, and Gregory forced, ine Maoris attacked hotly in the dosing stages, but were unable to score, the game ending. Auckland 8, Maoris 3. On tho run of the play there was not a great deal of difference to the merits of tho respective sides. Tho Maori backs were fast and clever, but suffered a severe set-back from the greasy ball. The homo team played good football in the heavy going. Cook, of Grafton, was the outstanding Auckland f,back.

TARANAKI DEFEATS WELLINGTON. HEAVY RAIN AFFECTS PLAY. (Pbb United Pbeas Association.) HAWERA, July 4. Between 3000 and 4000 watched the representative Rugby match Wellington v. Taranaki. The ground was very soft, and rain fell heavily during the game, making the handling of the ball very difficult. Wellington opened with a, forward rush, but the Taranaki defence was sound, and play was soon in the visitors’ quarters. Wellington were penalised for off-side play, Brown’s kick falling short. Taranaki continued to press, and later on Wellington were ncnalised, and Brown, with a welldirected kick, succeeded in getting the ball over the bar, which it, touched in its flight. The Wellington forwards, led by Pringle, then joined up in a dribbling rush, Taylor relieving and setting Taranaki on the attack. Off-side play again spoilt a chance, and Cameron, West, and Hart were seen doing good work. M. Nicholls relieved, and made a pood run, Johnston saving. Rain fell heavily for some minutes, making the ball very slippery and difficult to handle. Dribbling rushes were resorted to by both sets of forwards, and in the struggle the Taranaki forwards got rather the better of tho exchanges. Finally, an opening was made by Johnston, who passed to Brown., the latter scoring. Coutts’s kick failed. The Wellington forwards worked hard till the end of the spell, but without result. . In the second half the wind, which had been in Taranaki’s favour, dropped, and the rain ceased. A forward rush had Wellington defending, Wright clearing, and Wellington, following up well, had Taranaki penned near the line. Off-side play gave M. Nicholls a chance, 'and he landed a fine goal. Even play followed, both packs struggling hard for possession, but the defence of both sides was good, determined tackling bringing attempts at passing to naught. There were several instances of good individual play, but combination was not to be expected. After a period of play in midfield, Wellington gained some ground and Taranaki were caught off-side, M. Nicholls’s kick falling under the bar. Brown stemmed the Wellington rush and Wright slopped Taranaki. A series of marks ended two passing rushes, all the Taranaki backs partaking. There was no further score, Taranaki being left tho winners by 6 points to 3. Mr Julian was the referee. A feature of the game was the remarkable play of Brown, a Now Plymouth High School boy, who seemed to be everywhere and was always reliable. Hie Nicholls brothers, Wright, and Pringle wore the best of the Wellington players, while Brown, Hart, Coutts, West, Cameron, and Johnston were Taranaki’s most prominent players.

PALMERSTON v. DUNBACK. IFbom Due Own Cobeespondent.) In the Eastern District football match, played at Dunbnck last Saturday, Palmerston defeated Dunhack by 9 points to 3. Mr L. Cameron acted as referee, CHRISTCHURCH SECONDARY SCHOOLS. BOYS.’ HIGH DEFEATS CHRIST’S COLLEGE. (Peb United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 4. The annual football match between the' Christchurch Boys’ High School and Christ’s College was played to-day, and resulted in a win for tho tenner by 23 points to nil. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. ■ The following is the draw for Saturday, with grounds and referees: First Grade. —University A v. Kaikorai, Carisbrook (Mr A. Eokiiold); Alhambra v. {Southern, Caledonian (Mr R. Torrance); University B v. Taieri Rovers, Mosgiel (Mr A. Kennedy*; Pirates v. Dunedin, Tahuna No. 1 (Mr J. Himburg); Zingari v. Union, Monteoillo (Mr E. Clancy). Second Grade. —Pirates B v. Port, Port (Mr A. H Wright); Pirates Av. Zingari, Tahuna No. 2 (Mr I. Grafit); Kaikorai v. University D, Oval No. 2, 1.30 (Mr W. Connor); Alhambra v. West Taieri, Outram (Mr C. Williams); Southern v. Ravensbourne, Ravensbourn© (Mr W. Dougherty); Taieri Rovers v. Dunedin, Forbury No. 4 (Mr A. J. Haub); Training College v. Union, North Ground (Mr A. Wallace); University C, a bye. Third Grade. —Kaikorai v. High School, Carisbrook, 1.30 if fit, otherwise Forbury No. 3, 2.45 (Mr W. Jenkins); University F v. Zingari, Montecillo, 1.30 (Mr J. Sutherland); Dunedin v. Pirates C, Forbury No. 1, 2.45 (Mr J. Carey); Greon Island v. Training Collage, Green Island (Mr J. Torrance); Pirates D v. Port, Forbury No. 2 (Mr J. Aitchison); Alhambra v. Southern, Opoho No. 1 (Mr J. Calder); University E, a bye. Fourth Grade A. —Ravensbourne v. Union, Opoho No. 2 (Mr F. S. Pcrrott); Y.M.C.A. (A) v. Kaikorai A, Asylum, 1.30 (Mr H. C. Williamson); Zingari A v. Port A, Oval No. 1 (Mr J. Coulter); Pirates v. Green Island, Tahuna No. 3 (Mr A. Morrison); Dunedin A v. Aihambra A, Oval No. 2 (Mr R. Herd); Southern Av. Taieri Rovers, Mosgiel, 2 p.m. (Mr R. Tilleyshort). Fourth Grade B. —Technical v. Southern C, Bathgate (Mr R. Binder); High School A v. Port B, Asylum (Mr J. Higginson); Kaikorai B v. Alhambra B, Oval No. 3, 1.30 (Mr A. H. King); Y.M.C.A. (B) v. High School B, Bishopscourt No. 2, 1.30 (Mr AV. Facer); Zingari B v. Southern B, Bathgate, 1.30 (Mr F. Clarkson); High School G v. M'Glashan, Bishopscourt No. 1, 1.30 (Mr J. King). Fifth Grade.—Green Island v. Zingan, Alexandra Park, 2.45 (Mr AV. Rowland); Union v. Southern, Tahuna No. 3, 1.30 (Mr J. M'Combie); Ravensbourno v. Alhambra, Ravensbourne No. 2, 2.45 (Mr Webb); Dunedin D v. Pirates, Tahuna No. 1, 1.30 (Mr J. Hayes); High School E v. Port, Port, 2 p.m. (Mr G. Packer); High School D. v, Y.M.C.A., Tahuna No. 2, 1.30 (Mr W. Jones); High School F v. Dunedin C, Oval No. 1, 1.30 (Mr J. Edmond). STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ FIXTURES. Provided that playing areas are in fit condition, the following matches will be played on Saturday morning: A G.ade. —Ravensbourne v. Mosgiel, Oval No. 3, 3.30; Port Chalmers v. Arthur Streef, Montecillo, 11. B, Grade. —Mornington v. Green Island 2, at Green Island, 10.30 (Green Island to arrange); Kensington v. Forbury, Tahuna No. 1, 0.30; Concord v. Maori Hill, Tahuna No. 3. 9.30; Port Chalmers v. High Street, Port Chalmers, 10.45 (Port to arrange). Bantams.—Macandrcw 1 v. St. Clair, Tahuna No. 2, 9.30; Arthur Street v. Albany Street, Opoho No. 1, 9.30; North-East A T alley 1, v. Port Chalmers, Tahuna No. 2, 11; Kensington v. Ravensbourne, Oval No. 1, 9.30.