RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19497, 4 June 1925, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACKS v. WELLINGTON. I ' GAME PLAYED IX THE MED. TOURING TEAM DEFEATED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 3. Under the worst, possible conditions the Now Zealand Fifteen to tour Australia mot the Wellington representatives to-day Dofore :iu attendance of 35C0. Ihe southerly storm which had lasted for two days hud soaked the ground thoroughly, and when the game commenced the storm showed no signs of abating. Thus play was reduced to little more than a mud scramble, and the form of the players could not be accurately gauged. However, on the day, several of the New Zealand team made an impressive showing. Blake the outstanding back on the field, and Elvey, Matson, and Johnson .also did well. In forwards Lomas, Finlayson. Kirkpatric.w atul Donald were the most conspicuous. Porter and Svcnson played well for Wellington. There was no change in the teams. Bright play followed the kick-off, with. New Zealand goon on the attack. They made a nice run up the touch line, but Hawkins intercepted a pass and saved. The ground wa.s very greasy, and 'yß' quickly being churned tip- After a period of even play the Wellington forwards toon the. hall into the All Blacks’ twenty-five, where they tried the latter s defence. Now Zealand tried to clear time after time, but, the Wellington forwards were not lobe denied. Blake fumbled a kick by .Warwick, and Wilson, coming up fast, picket! up and pasesd to Deere, who scored. Nicholls placed a beautiful goal. Wellington 5 New Zealand 0 Boon alter the kick-out the local .vanguard took emuge, and good work tiy Duncan, Martin, mul (Smith look the ball over halfway. Blake snapped up from the forwards’ feet and went right uuoagh fne pack before he was downed. in uni the ruck the Wellington forwards came away, and were soon within striking distance. A smart piece of work by Warwick sent Svenson away to score in the corner. Nicholls "kicked a great goal. Wellington , 10 Now Zealand 0 Twice during the next few minutes Wellington were all but over. The wind and rain were now driving into the iaces of the All Blacks, and accurate handling was out pf the question. Elvey picked up cleverly and beat three men with a dodgy run before being collared by Svcnson. Bolter was not giving Wright any peace, and carried too many guns for Donald. Lomas and Kirkpatrick were getting the hall from the scrums, and with the clearing o(f of the rain the All Blacks made an attack from the nick near halfway. The. forwards started a passing rush, and just on the twenty-live line Wright got possession and passed to Matson, who scored a nice try under th ■ posts. Blake's kick failed to rise. Wellington 10 New Zealand • 3 Then followed a strenuous forward battle in the mud, with the All Blacks now doing Letter than before. Blake made a nice dash through, hut. Wise could not keep his fooling, and a try was lost. Halftime came with play at midfield. With the elements in their favour, the All Blacks wore soon oil the attack, and were pressing hard on the Wellington line. Donald, Lomas, and Knight were conspicuous in forward iaishos. A passing bout saw Wise collared at the corner flag, and soon after Wellington forced. The relief was only temporary, however. Harris fielded a hard speculator and, running around on the open side, passed to Matson, who booted through, and a force down resulted. Again New Zealand attacked, but, the Wellington defence was sound. Porter saved a tight situation with a fine lino kick, and Wallers was safe at full hack. From the ruck he burst through, and was not collared until he had crossed the twenty-five line. Immediately afterwards the New- Zealand forwards took the ball back, ami near tbe lino Finlayson passed to Kirkpatrick, who scored under the posts Kirkpatrick missed an easy kick, Wellington 10 Now Zealand 6 Elvey made a valiant attempt to score by diving fo r the ball after it had boon kicked over the line, but it slithered out of his grasp, and Gibson forced. Towards the end of the game the ground was inches deep in slime, and the players had difficulty in keeping their feet. The game ended without further incident. RANFUHLY SHIELD MATCH. WAIRARAPA DEFEATED. IP bji United Pmss Absociatiok.J NATTER, June 5. The first Ranfurly Shield match of the season was plaved here to-day in tine hut dull weather, Hawke’s Bay healing Wairarapa by 22 points to o. ’lhe ground was a trifle heavy, following the recent rains. The attendance was close on 10.000. Hawke’s Bay kicked off, and the first open movement came when from a scrum Mill sot his hacks going. All of them handled till Grenside took the ball off-side. The resultant free kick took play to midfield. A spell of forward play followed, during which the defenders were awarded two free kicks for off-side breaches. Yales got down to a loose Wairarapa forward movement, effectively. The play, however, remained in Hawke’s Bay territory until Gyril Brownlie appeared where his opponents did not expect him and cleared. From a scrum near mid-field Desmoid came away with the ball at his feet, but Paowai intercepted beautifully and play went into the challengers’ territory, where Nopia had an unsuccessful long shot from a free kick. Hawke’s Bay attacked, but the Wairarapa forwards several times came through from a line-cut by which moans ground was made. There was little advantage to either side in an exchange of kicks, a series of tine-outs, and scrums that characterised the next 10 minutes. Kivell finally found an opening, hut Gemmill lost the ball on the line, and a force-down resulted. The Wairarapa forwards came through well and reached Hawke’s Bay territory. A free kick in an easy position gave F. Booth a clnmoe, and Wairarapa drew first blood. Wairarapa ./. 3 Hawke’s Bay 0 F.dwasser then originated a movement which ended -in Grenside scoring after several backs and forwards had handled. Nepia missed the kick. Hawke’s Bay 3 Wairarapa 3 Desmond continued to lead his forwards in penetrating loose work which called for solid defence from the Hawke’s Bay hacks. Kivell got another chance and this time passed in well, with the result, that several players handled the ball until Mill cleverly dummied his way left and right and scored under the posts. Nepia converted, Hawke’s Bay 8 Wairarapa 3 Half-time soon followed. Early in the second half (he superiority of the defenders became more- marked, and their attack worried Wairarapa. A [ill smartly secured from a scrum near the line and let Grenside over. Yates missed the kick. Hawke's Bay 11 Wairarapa 3 For a brief spell Wairarapa attacked and Falwasser was compelled to force. A long kick hy Nenia took the ball up the field, and from' a. line-out Wylie passed to Brownlie, who gathered with one hand and scored. Yates missed the kick. Hawke’s Bay 14 Wairarapa 3 When witnin striking distance Nepia attempted to pot, hut was unsuccessful. The visitors valiantly assailed the home territory. but (heir backs did not shine and the defenders really were not seriously hampered. Wylie marked well put in front of the posts and placed a. good goal. Hawke’s Bay ' 17 Wairarapa 3 The visiting forwards coni innod to shine in the loose work, and were unfortunate, in not having more assistance, otherwise tlwir attiicking movements might hare borne fruit. Fahvasscr followed up ids can kick, and then Mahon.v took up the miming and scored. Miller converted. Hawke’s Ray 22 Wairarapa 3 The fortunes fluctuated during the remaining stages of the game without, further score. Mr Atkinson (Wanganui) was referee. WANGANUI v. TARANAKI. (Pep. United Press Association.) WANGANUI, June 3. The annual football match between Wanganui and Taranaki was played this • afternoon, resulting in a draw—l2 aIL

OTAGO v. NORTH OTAGO.

THE VISITORS OUTCLASSED. A fair attendance watched the match between North Otago and Otago on Carisbrook ground yesterday afternoon. North Otago kicked off from Eorburv end. and from a scrum on the halfway line V ills started a passing rush, which, carried play into North Otago’s iwcntv-five. Jhe northern men cleared, and by a speedy forward rush took the plav to Otago’s line, a free kick relieving the pressure somewhat. Prebble. petting the ball away smartly, inaugurated several passing rushes, but (ho visitors’ defence stood the strain, nig] their pack constantly brought the ball back into the Blues’ territory. From a serum triage near halfway Morgan look the. ball to North Otago’s lino, only to ho forced out. Another rush in which Peterson shone ended in Ross getting across, Morgan missing- the kick. Otago 3 points. North Otago Nil. A good dribbling rush by the Colours’ forwards carried play to Otago’s iwenryfTve, where. Prebble cleared from a scrummage. Williams, from another northern rush, narrowly missed scoring, and for the next five muintes close formation plav by the Colours’ pack kept play in Otago’s territory, Wills eventually clearing with a good kick. After a. good run by Morgan play was again centred in Otago territory, following another solid forward rush by the no.rlhernors. Good play Iry Peterson and Prebble. however, relieved the tension, tday moving to North Dingo's (wenty-five. where Granger cleared smartly. ■ Williams got over from the ruck and scored, Scott converting. Otago .., 8 points. North Otago Nil. Again Otago’s backs, put in motion by Prebble. earned play to the Colours’ line, and Malloeh scored, Scott missing the-kick. Otago 11 points. North Otago Nil. Noiih Otago worked the ball down to the Blues’ twenty-five, from whence Sumpter cut in to score a god try. Zimmerman missed with the kick. Otago 11 points. North 'Otago 3 points. From a scrum at halfway Sumpter, who was playing a slashing game, again narrowly missed scoring, being brought down on the line. North Otago’s forwards brought plav to Otago’s ttventy-five, Paterson missing a free kick awarded against the Bines. Olago’s backs, by a series of rushes, moved to the Colours’ territory, where Scott potted a (-lover goal. Otago 15 points. North Otago 3 pdints Another passing rush, initiated by Ross, lei Fox across for another try. which llazlewood converted, making- the score: CKago 20 points. North Otago 3 points. The second half opened by Prebble again setting his backs in motion, and plav for a time centred in North Otago's territory, and another back movement, in which Peterson shone, nearly added to Otago’s total. Scott, however, got across in the next--couple of minutes, llazlewood missing the shot at goal. Otago 23 points. North 01-ago 3 points. From a scrum iu the Blues’ twenty-five Zimmerman had a good attempt, at a pot, which failed only by a narrow margin. Smart play by Otago’s backs had the Colours defending vigorously for a time, but their forwards again saved the situation, and by solid attacking drove Otago hack to their own twenty-five. Zimmerman, who kicks well with either foot, again attempted a pot, which just missed. Otago, attacking vigorously, forced the northerners back to their twenty-five, and ’Williams, securing the ball, forced himself across, llazlewood converting. Otago 28 points. North Otago 3 points. From a rush by the backs, opened by Prebble, Williams again nearly scored, a scrum on the line resulting. Plav moving upheld, Otago wore penalised, the kick taking the hall into the Blues’ quarter. Another penalty kick was narrowly missed bv Paterson, and a strong attack by North Otago was broken by another Blue passing rush, which resulted in Wills crossing the line, but, unfortunately, a force-down was the outcome. "Ibis .seemed to spur (ho Colours, who attacked determinedly, and a forward rush resulted iu Paterson scoring. The kick at goal failed. Otago ... 28 points. North Otago 6 points. From then on play was-of an even nature tilt a rush by North Otago’s pack ended in a try scored by Direen on the cal! of time, the game thus ending: Otago 28 points. North Otago' ... 9 points. For Otago, Williams was the outstanding forward, whilst amongst the backs Prebble, Wills, and Peterson were, perhaps. the pick. For North Otago Grainger, Williams, Sumpter, and Zimmerman played sterling games. Mr Ilauh was referee. NASBBV DEFEATS UNION. A match between Nasebv and Union was played on the North Ground yesterday afternoon, and resulted in a win for the visiting team by 14 points to 9. Huddleston, Braithwaite, and P. Morrell scored for Nasebv. Braithwaite converting his try and kicking a penalty goal. Hill and Russell scored for Union, and Ashton kicked a penalty. The game was fairly fast and open, though the ground was heavy, and hindered scientific, play. Mr A. Wallace was tho referee. INTER-UNIVERSITY MATCH. SYDNEY DEFEATS CANTERBURY. (pvn United I’ri-.ss Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 3. The match between Sydney University and Canterbury College ended in a win for the visitors "by 17 points to 10. Canterbury led at half' time by 13 points to nil, but' by reorganising their rearguard Sydney University made no race of it, in the second six’ll, being on top until the last 10 minutes of the game, when the home side became imbued with a new lease of life and attacked with a persistency that, was not to he denied. Their action in taking Evader out. of the pack in tho second spell ami playing him iu the hacks scorned to have a good deal to do with their poor showing in the latier half of the game. Sydney University in the second spell shifted Williams, their full hack, up to the three-quarter line, and Hingat, breabhig away from the serum, gave them eight men in the backs. Tho change of (relies proved the deciding factor in tho game.