RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19277, 15 September 1924, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACKS' TOUR OPENED. DEVON DEFEATED BY 11 TO 0. VISITORS THOUGHT TO BE OVER-RATED. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) The All Blacks, in the opening match of their tour, defeated Devon by 11 points to 0.

The All Blacks opened their tour to-day with a match against Devon on the Rectory Ground at Devonport. The New Zealanders had a tremendous reception from the crowd, numbering 16,000, which packed the ground to its utmost capacity. The turf was also in excellent order, and all the conditions were favourable to a first-class game, Devon won the toss. The All Blacks immediately opened up an attack, but the form displayed on both sides was very ragged. This was to some extent the result of over-keenness by the players, which led them into mistakes. The Devon men made a surprisingly fine stand, and, to the general surprise, held their adversaries in the scrimmages. They really made tremendous efforts against such redoubtable opponents, but in actual truth there was little finesse or method on either side. Half an hour of hard, rough play passed before the first score came, during which time the All Blacks were mostly in tne county men’s quarters. Some fine passing then put Svenson over, but it was close to tlje corner, and Nepia failed with the kick at goal. New Zealand 3 points. Devon Nil. Shortly after Hanley almost potted a rpal for Devon. The inside New Zealand backs then got to work, and a bout of good passing from the scrum eventually gave Cooke an opening, and he went over. This time Nepia succeeded with his kick. • New Zealand 8 points. Devon Nil. This reverse did not discourage the homo side, but seemed to harden them up, and the All Blacks wore forced down twice in rapid succession. The first spell then ended with the score unchanged. The New Zealanders had under-estimated the strength of the forward opposition, and after the interval they showed increasing cohesion and cleverer play. Svenson following 1 up his own kick, passed inwards to Brown, and the Taranaki representative Jashed across the line. Nepia did not onvert. and there was no further score, be game ending:— New Zealand H points. Devon Nil. ■ The forwards more or |ess took charge -7 the game, and the continual scrimmages •jnd loose scrambles seemed to indicate tough play on both sides. “The passing of the New Zealanders was not up to their usual standard. Although they were generally successful in gaining possession of the ball from the scrums irequent knocks-on spoiled their movements and prevented them from bringing their passing bouts to a successful issue. The Devon players had their turn now and then and twice came near scoring, but the defence held good, and sure collaring stopped their bursts. The frequent use of the side-line by the Devon backs appreciably slowed the game and prevented the visiters from giving a spectacular exhibition. The general consensus of opinion is that the New : Zealand team is considerably overrated. Cooke and Svenson to-day were the best of the backs and Richardson and M. Brownlie the best of the forwards. The New Zealanders had the advantage in weight, but their play was not convincing. . . . , The colonials present were surprised at the fine showing made by Devon, but they regarded the form of the All Blacks as hardly ah index of the future.—A. and N. Cable.

THE TEAM IN TRAINING.

FAVOURABLE IMPRESSIONS.

LONDON, September 3. The AJI Blacks are likely to provide an remarkable a tour as did their predecessors in 1905. Nobody watching them at Newton Abbott this morning would have thought that they had been five weeks on board ship. They are absolutely fit. They finished a mile run without turning a hair, sprinted on bare feet, walked barefooted to the hotel, half a mile away. After breakfast they practised hne-outs, goal-kicking, and engaged in passing bouts at full speed. Several showed themselves as wonderful goal-shooters, putting (the ball over the bar from the touch-line at halfway. The features of the line-outs were the qtiick breakaways, with tho ball on the toes, varying these movements with short passing movements among the forwards. “As there was no opposition their effec tiveness could not be estimated; but their speed is remarkable. Steel’s arm has been X-rayed, and there is no fracture. He will probably participate in the opening match against Devon on September 13. His colleagues are gratified at the slightness of the injury, as ;t will enable their best wing-three-quarter and great sprinter to take his place in the first match. A formidable social and sight-seeing programme has been arranged.

1905 ALL BLACKS v. DEVON. Tho 1905 All Blacks in their match against Devon won by 55 points to 4.

OTAGO v. WELLINGTON.

BLUES ,AGAIN DEFEATED

■While not begrudging the Wellington S©am its victory, it will probably be agreed that i.t had a shade the better of the luck oii Saturday in the match against Otago, Maybe, however, it is hardly fair to call it luck A better description would be to say that the Blacks were quicker to take acfvantag© of mistakes than the Blues, and there were plenty of mistakes by both sides. The lesult was most disappointing to: the supporters of the Blues. Half-way through the second half they seemed to have the game well won. Then a Blue man foolishly got off-side near the goal posts, -id the Blacks drew level (It—l 4), and in me last few minutes an Otago attack was changed into an attack by the Blacks, and Swain was rewarded for hard following up by scoring an easy try. The action of the selectors in shifting Stevenson to wing-three-quarter (in place of Morgan, who could not play) and bringing in Walker to full-back was not justified—the play showed neither player gave an exhibition of anything like representative form, i'Both packs put up a hard game, and the veterans Moffitt, S, Shearer, and Duncan wore a*S good as any of the forwards on the ground —and better than many. The Otatro forwards should take a lesson in tackling from Duncan. He goes for his man low. and puts him down, and out of play Thomas and Swain also played well for the Blacks, and Pope and Wilson, the Wing-forwards, battled hard against each other all day. Williams and Owen were in -the solid play from start to finish. The place-Kicking of the Blues was very poor, and Wilson should not have persevered with Dickinson when he had placekiiikcrs like Walker and Stevenson m his On the other hand, when Shearer missed one easy shot in front of the goal Algar was given a trial and he kicked two goals. The Wellington backs were quicker From the scrum than the Blues. The midget Warwick played very gamely and fed his bocks smartly and accurately from the ffrarunry and. Johnson, who was the best back

’on his sido and on the field, made some nice openings. Warwick wasted no time in putting the ball out, and Johnson took it on the move. Gibson and Bcddell (who is a strong runner) were the best of the others. Walter, full-back, kicked well and fielded the bali fairly safely, but his defence otherwise was woefully weak. . The Black backs showed combination and worked together. The Blue backs also joined together in some passing rushes, but they lacked system and generally their work was of a solo nature. Johnston played well behind the scrum, and Townsend was responsible for some good runs. The Otago five-eighth was inclined to overdo the short punt, and lost scoring chances by kicking instead of passing. He was also slow to move after getting the ball. The difference in smartness in moving off between the two rearguards after they secured the ball from the scrums was most marked. Wise played a sound game in the first half, but was out of the run of the play in the second. His cross-kick is a dangerous experiment with fast opposing backs. None of the other backs did anything startling, and Dickinson failed to assist his side from free kicks by not finding the line. The Blacks made no error in this direction. When will the Otago players realise that if they have the ball the other side cannot go on with their play ? The manner in which. some of the Blue men punted up to their opponents and threw the ball away before coming to a tackle was most disheartening. As stated, however, the Wellington men made similar mistakes, but they were quicker to recover. Wilson ought to have rearranged his team when he saw how things were going. Ho could have put Walker into the three-quar-ter line instead of Stevenson, or he could have interchanged Wills and Walker. About £4OO was taken at the gates, representing some 7500 spectators. THE TEAMS. Otago. Full.-back, E. Walker. Three-quarter backs —D. Wise, T. Wills, D. Stevenson. Five-eighths—G. Dickinson, L. G. Townsend. Half-back, R. Johnstbn. Forwards—J. Pennycook, O. Knox, F. Highley, L. Williams, H. Munro, N. Owen, W. Duncan, J. Wilson (captain). Wellington. Full-back, N. Walter. Three-quarter backs—K. Smith, S. Beddell, D. Algar. Five-eighths—G. Gibson, Johnson. Half-back, M. Warwick. Forwards —S. Shearer, J. Swain, A. Thomas, J. Moffitt, J. Parsons, O. Haddock, J. Shearer, A. Pope. THE FIRST SPELL. The Blues kicked off with the sun in their faces, and after some indecisive play Wilson took the ball to the Blacks’ twentyfive, and Dickinson, Townsend, and Stevenson gained a little ground with a passing movement on the left wing. J. Shearer, Johnson, and Gibaon carried the play back past halfway, where Townsend stopped the attack, and the Black winger getting offside the Bhies were given a free kick. The Blacks commenced to press, the forwards playing close together. Warwick tried the blind side from a scrum, but Algar knocked on. and a scrum was formed on the Blues’ line. Gibson was almost over from a solo dribble, and Beddell then badly beat Wise, but could not get across. Beddell was dragged down on the line immediately after, and the ball went out to Smith, on the left wing, Walker stopping the northerner with a good tackle. The Black forwards were hooking the ball, and the passing went out to Algar, who was pushed into touch. Johnson was opening up the play well, being very quick away when he received the ball from Warwick. Another passing rush, in which Walter made a good opening before passing to Smith, and Pope picked up and ran straight through. He went down, however, to a solid tackle round the ankles and lost the balk but J. Shearer was handy, and he picked up and scored. S. Shearer kicked a goal. Wellington 5 points. Otago ... Nil.

A hard kick by Pope put the Blacks in position again, and Gibson made a great attempt to go over, the Blues forcing from a scramble. The Black backs were standing up close, and the Blue backs ccmld not get moving. Passing between Williams, High ley, and Dickinson gave the last-named an opening, and he ran deep into the Blacks’ territory, but his pass in front of the goal went astray. Tho Blacks were soon back at the other end of the field. Their forwards were getting the ball from the scrums. Owen led a rush which relieved the pressure, good work by Beddell stopping the movement. A scrum was formed at midfield, and Johnston sent tho ball out smartly as the Black forwards were right over him. Townsend made a nice opening and handed on to Wise, who■ put in a dashing 30 yards’ run along the right wing, turned infield, and badly beat Walter, and scored. Dickinson made a poor attempt at the goal kick. Wellington 5 points. Otago 3 points. On the kick out the Blues were forced by a hard kick by Johnson. The Blues were given three free kicks in quick succession for offside play at the scrums, but the kickers were not finding the line. Play swung to the right wing, where Johnston passed to Wise, who centred. Highley secured, but threw forward wildly, and the Blacks were given a free kick. Tho Blues carried tho play to the Blacks’ twenty-five, where Dickinson missed with a penalty shot fod offside play, and tho Blacks forced. A hard ground kick was fumbled by Walker, and Warwick secured. His pass went forward, and the Blacks wore penalised for offside play. Ragged plav followed, and then Wills cut off a pass and gained a lot of ground by kicking out right at the Blacks’ corner flag. From the throw-in Munro secured, and pushed, his way over near the posts. Dickinson kicked a goal. Otago 8 points. Wellington 5 points. The Blue forwards were now going bettor. Owen marked beautifully in tho teeth of a solid forward rash. S. Shearer missed with a fairly easy penalty shot, and the Blacks then joined in a pretty bit of passing, Warwick. Johnson, Gibson. Beddell, and Algar handling the ball, and the last-named being pushed into touch by Walker. The play came across the goal mouth, where Wise was palpably offside as he ran forward and took the pass, but S. Shearer missed an easy shot, and the Blues forced. The next incident of note was when Townsend secured at midfield, and then sent on to Wise, who made another clever run, but wa.s pushed into touch near the corner flag. -The play wont back to midfield, where Johnston picked up and made a short dash. He was collared and lost the ball, but Munro gain eel possession, ran to the line, and passed to Williams. Williams dropped the ball, but got it again and scored. Dickinson missed an easy goal kick. Otago 11 points. Wellington 5 points. THE SECOND SPELL. The Blacks started oft with a rattle at the commencement of the second spell, and pretty passing between Warwick, Johnson, and Beddell saw the last-named side-step a Blue man to give Smith a clear rnn in on the left wing two minutes after the

game had been re started. Gibson missed the goal kick. Otago II points. AVeUington S points. Wise was almost over at the end of a passing movement started by Johnston, but a hard kick shifted play back, Walker fumbling, and then making a lucky kick into touch. The play wont across to the other side, and a sensational bit of play tiy the Blacks followed. Stevenson made a very feeble attempt to field a kick right at the cbntrc peg, and Algar picked up the ball, ran, and passed to Beddell. The Wellington centre pushed Wilson off from a tackle and gave to Thomas, who threw in-tield. Then Algar came into the play again, picked up, and scored. S. Shearer missed the goal kick. Otago H Wellington 11 This reverse galvanised the Blues, and they attacked strongly, but the backs were going too much on their own, and Townsend was overdoing the short punt. Munro collared Walter near the line, the full-back throwing the ball into touch. From the throw-in Owen scored. The referee blew his whistle for no charge, but Dickinson missed the kick. . Otago 11 points. Wellington 11 points. The Blacks were quickly put on defence once more, and Warwick marked just in time. Diekinson potted from the ruck without result. Fast play followed, Walker ending an exchange of kicks by finding the touch line at the centre. A free kick enabled Dickinson to drive back a Black attack. Gibson missed with a penalty, and passing between Wilson, Townsend, and Wills put the Blacks on defence. Stevenson broke through weak tackling to score, but he had put his foot into touch. The Blues were now playing like a winning team, but from loose play at the centre Gibson made a clever run along the right wing, and put the “dummy” in with effect. He threw infield, and from a scramble Highley got offside, Algar kicking an easy goal. Otago 11 points. Wellington 14 points. The teams were level again, but the Blues were making most of the play. Highley went clean through, with two supporters handy, but he kicked instead of passing, and a Black player marked. Play went to Walker, who kicked to D. Walter. He was collared, and foolishly threw the ball to Smith, and the next moment the Blues were bearing down on the Blacks’ goal. The ball was then over-run by several men on both sides—it was indeed ft wild scramble —but a speculator sent it towards the Blue twenty-five. Wills, the last defence, came across in front of his goal, secured, and tried to kick out. The ball flew straight into Swann’s arms, and he ran along unopposed and literally dived over at the right corner. This was one more instance of attack being changed into defence, with a sensational result. Algar kicked a good goal. Wellington 19 Otago 14 In the closing stages of the game Johnson made a good opening, and the play went from the Blacks’ 25 right to the Blues’ line, only faulty handling losing another score. The whistle went shortly after. Wellington 19 points. Otago 14 points. The game was capably controlled by Mr G. M'Kenzie.

Y.M.C.A. MATCH. DUNEDIN BEAT TIMARU. The Dunedin Y.M.C.A. team completely outclassed the Timarn team in the match played as a curtain-raiser to the interproTincinl contest. Timaru made a brief recovery towards the end of the second spell, and scored two tries, converting one. Of Dunedin’s six tries, only one was converted. The visitors kicked off, but did not gain any advantage thereby, the local team carrying play into Timaru territory. From a scrum in front of the Timaru line Smith broke away and carried the ball back to nearly halfway. It remained there for only about a minute, when Churchill ‘ got a comparatively clear run down the line and scored the first try, which was not converted. The home team was by this time asserting itself in no undecided manner, and M’Quecn nearly completed a solo dribble with another score. Repeated efforts by the Timaru backs to break away failed, though a forward rush eventually gained a fair amount of ground. The Blacks were not strong enough to hold their position, however, and gradually gave way once more. Blagdon secured from a scrum on the line, but, in endeavouring to cross, whipped the ball into the hands of a Timaru player, who did not waste his opportunity to kick. Knowles (Timaru five-eighth) made a commendable effort to recapture some ground, but was not sufficiently supported, and his attempt broke down at halfway. A minute later Rutherford secured and scored Dunedin’s second try. The kick at goal failed. Timaru made another effort, which brought play further into the local team’s territory than it had hitherto been. After an interval of desultory play near the Timaru line Gain crossed over, the kick again failing. A few minutes later a fine passing movement by the Dunedin backs ended in Churchill scoring. Dunedin played against a glaring sun in the second spell, which opened with an attack by the home team. The spell was still young when M’Millan broke through and brought. Dunedin’s score up to 15. The kick failed. The Blacks were playing a little better by this time, and a fine mark by Auty gained the visitors a material advantage. The local players returned to the attack, however, and M’Millan secured and ran behind the posts. This time M’Queen made no mistake with the kick. The visitors recovered after this, and finally Buxton got away and made Timaru’s first score, which was not converted. Encouraged by this, the visitors attacked hard, and when a Dunedin player kicked across the goal mouth Wootton nipped in and crossed over, Auty converting. The whistle went without any addition to the score, and the game ended: — DuViedin 20 points. Timaru 8 points. Mr H. C. Williamson was the referee.

THE OTAGO RUGBY TEAM. TO THE EDITOR. Sir. —Although it is rather late I consider the suggestions I desire to make will meet v/ith the approval of the majority of Rugby followers, and at the same time go a long way to assist in winning on© representative match at least. First I think the selection should be left entirely to one man. If yesterday’s game is a sample of our best players’ efforts, then our football has deteriorated in a remarkable degree! The idea of playing a team of backs such as that on Saturday, to my way of thinking, shows poor judgment. The five-eighth lino was made up by two players who were not likely to combine, since one has been out of the game for a couple of months, whilst the other now playing in Central Otago, showed up very indifferently hero at the start of the season. In the three-quarter line a very serviceable five-eighth player was centre, and needless to say he got about as much of the ball os the Rugby Union got shillings from tho South Road grandstand patrons. Would he not be better utilised in his correct position?. One of the wings was surely not our best available player, nor could we expect him to be since he has been olayiug full-back in the maiority of matches lately and therefore would feel out of place. I contend that with proper selection the Otago team can boat Southland, and therefore would suggest the following to represent us: —Stevenson, Wise. Murray, Macdonald, Dickinson, Wills, and Johnston, and tho same forwards as on Saturday.—l am, etc., No Novice. HAWKE’S BAY DEFEATS POVERTY BAY. (Pin United Press Association.! GISBORNE, September 13. Hawke’s Bay played Poverty Bay before a record attendance of between two and throe thousand under ideal weather conditions, though rather warm for football. Poverty Bay’s good smothering tactics, both in tacks and forwards, had a great effect on the visitors’ speedy tacks, whose spectacular passing was seen on but few occn--sions. Poverty Bav led at the end of tho first spell by 11 points to six, and retained the lead till within the last quarter of an hour. The visitors’ last try was scored as the final whistle blew, leaving Hawke’s Bay winners by 22 points to 17. SEDDON SHIELD. <Peb United Press Association.) MOTUEKA. September 13. The third Soddom Shield match played at Motueka to-day resulted'in Golden Bay, Motuoka (holders), defeating Nelson (challengers) by 15 points to 12. In the first half Morris and Grigg scored a try each and Bowers convert™ one (eight points), for Golden Bay. Kinzett, scored a try and A. Snodgrass kicked a goal for Nelson (six points). In tho second spell Solly aaid Grigg got a try each for Golden Bay. and Wallace and Cnollis a try each for Nelson. Excellent weather prevailed, and a large crowd witnessed the fastest and hardest trome of the Seddon Shield matches.

NEW PLYMOUTH, September 13. The match between Taranaki and Auckland Rugby representatives was played today under fine weather conditions and on a dry ground in the presence of about 4000 spectators. The game was' fast, though mostly confined to the forwards, Auckland having the advantage in the tight and in the loose. The backs on neither side showed to great advantage, passing bouts generally breaking down. On the day Auckland were the better team, and deserved their win by 17 points to 12. Taranaki, if anything, had the better of the first spell, when their backs secured the ball from the scrum and scored nine points. Tries were scored by Ennis and Loveridgo from passing rushes and a penalty goal was placer! by Ennis, whilst Auckland scored eight points, Batty scoring from forward rushes and Ifwerson converting and also kicking a penalty goal. In the second spell Auckland had the better of the game. Keary and Charters scored in the first five minutes, while later Anderson scored. Towards the close of the game Taranaki pressed hard and Ennis kicked a penalty goal. MOASCAR CUP CHALLENGE. (Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, September 13. The' Moascar Cup challenge hy Mount Albert Grammar School has been definitely fixed for September 27. OTHER MATCHES. IP kb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 14. Auckland B defeated Thames by 31 points to 30. The game was spectacular, but not of a higli standard. At Dargaville Northern Wairoa beat Auckland by 13 to nil. CARTERTON, September 13. Wairarapa defeated the King Country by 26 points to 3. With the exception of the opening stages play was poor and uninteresting. PALMERSTON NORTH, September 13. In the last Rugby representative match of the season Manawatu decisively defeated Horowhenua bv 40 points to 10. WELLINGTON, September 13. Before an attendance of 3000 visiting Marlborough representatives drew with a Wellington B team after an interesting game, the score being 19 all. TIMARU, September 13. At the last football match of the season here to-day South Canterbury met North Otago, the game ending in victory for North Otago by 18 points to 14.

BOY SCOUT TOURNAMENT. The Boy Scout inter-troup football tourney, held at Bishopscourt on Saturday, resulted as follows: — First Round. —Mosgiel 9, Woodhaugh 0; Roslyn 25, Anderson’s Bay 3; Mornington 41, Ocean Beach 3. \ ' Second Round. —Roslyn 23, Mosgiel 3; Mornington had a bye. The final between Roslyn and Mornington will be played on Saturday next

BIBLE CLASS MATCH. On Saturday at Miller Park, Green Island, the South Dunedin Presbyterian Bible Class defeated Green Island Bible Class by 17 points to 9 points after an interesting game. For the visitors tries were scored by White (2), Ross (2), and Mussen, White converting one. For the home team, tries were scored by Lindsay, MTnnee. and Bulger. After the match the visiting team was entertained at a social evening by the Green Island Bible Classes.

BRITISH TEAM IN SOUTH AFRICA, Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright CAPETOWN, September 13.

(received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) The British Rugby team’s third test match against South Africa was drawn—3 points all.—Reuter.