RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19527, 9 July 1925, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

By Ftnx. Back.

FIXTURES. July IS.—Otago vb fiongitmd si lir»«eaxgiH. August 32.—Otago v. Southland at Dunedin. ’ September 19.—Otago v. 'Wanganui, at Dunedin. OTAGO'S KOBTHKBH TOHB. September s.—Play Canterbury at Christchurch. September 9.—Play Hawke’s Bay at Napier. September 13.—Piay Wellington at Wellington. September 16.—Play Wairarnpa at Carterton. PAYNE THOPHT MATCH. August 29.—Between the premier , teams ol Dunedin and Christchurch, at Christchurch. BANPtTELT SHIELD MATCHES. Hawkes Bay, the present bolder of the Banforty Shield, have a big list of representative matches. These in which they will bo colled upon to defend the trophy are as follow: — July 29.—v. Waikato, in Hawkes Bay. August s.— v. Canterbury, at Napier. Augusts.—v. Southland, at Napier. August 15.—v. Poverty Bay, in Hawkca Bay. August 22.—v. Taranaki, at Hastings. September 9.—v. Otago, at Hastings. September 19.—v. Wellington, at Wemngton. HIGH SCHOOLS’ TOTTEN AMENT AT CHKI3TCHDKCH. - August 13.—Southland v. Timaru. Christchurch y. Otago. August 15.—Loeera v. Losers. Winners v. Winners NEW SOOTH WALES TEAM. The New South Wales team has the following engagements in Now Zealand:—August 23,—v. Welltngton-Horowhenua-Manawatn at Palmerston North. August 26.—v. West Coast and Bailer, at Greymouth. ~ August 29.—v. Otago and Southland, at Dunedin. September 2.—v. Canterbury and South Canterbury, at Christchurch. ~ September s.—v. W anganui and Taranaki, at Eawera. September 9.—v. Wairarapa and Bush Districts, at Jlasterton. September 12.—v. Poverty Bay and East Coast, at Gisborne. September 16.—v. King Country and Waikato, in the King Country. September 19.—v. New Zealand (Test), at Auckland. September 23,—v. North Auckland, at Whangarei. Hie •match at Tahxma Park between Pirates and Southern did not provide many thrills. The Blacks had the advantage of a strong wind in the first spell, but tbeir forwards could not secure the ball clean from the scrums, and their hacks failed time and again in passing rashes. The Southern forwards, indeed, kept hard into their work right through the spoil, and;,; Highley, wing-forward, broke into many of the attempts at passing by the Blades. The Colours’ backs, moreover, were not frightened to throw the ball about, and M’Kerrow and Peterson, on the wings, were always up with the passing ready to carry on the movements. Those movements, however, lacked finish. A hardfought first spell, mainly a contest between the forwards, ended with the Blacks in front, 6—5. Many penalties for infringements at the scrums wore given against the Blacks in the first half. The Blacks’ backs were again uncertain in their passing in tho earlier stages of the second spoil, tint tho Colours’ forwards then commenced to tiro, and tho Blacks combined in three fine passing bouts from the scrum out to the wings. From two of those Morgan and Allan secured well-deserved tries. Tho Colours’ forwards battled hard to ,the finish, and secured plentv of the ball in the scrums, bat Prebble kept on passing out to his five-eighth and losing ground instead of panting high with tho wind. When the final whistle went the Southern were a well-beaten team. The play of tho Piratoa was disappointing till towards the end of tho game, and the Southern pack are to be congratulated on the game manner in which they stuck to the loading team in the competition, Highley did a lot of work for tho Southern at wing-forward, and Hogan, Here, and Marr also caught the eye in the tight work. Prebble was sound at half-back, and was very good on defence. He should, however, vary his play more on attack. M’Eerrow played an excellent game on the left wing, but Peterson, on the other wing, did not get many opportunities. What chances ho did get, however, he made full use of. Judge was safe, and Neipier was always a trier, but his play was erratic. ' Rodger, Mallooh, and Henderson were a hard-working trio in tho Pirates forwards. The scrum formation of the Blades could b© improved, as their forwards did not get the ball very cleanly. St. George, half-back, played a serviceable game in the second half, and varied: his play well. _ In the first half, however, his passing at times was erratic and ill-timed. _ In the second spoil, as stated, his game improved wondertolly, and ha was, indeed, tho mainstay of the back division. ' Allan played an excellent game on tbo wing, and Robinson ■was sound at centre. Graham, Stewart, and Walker (full-back) _ were safe, and Morgan, whoso play continues to lack confidence, did not have a great deal to do on tjhe wing. Graham and Stewart could invest their play with a little more enterprise. V- Despite the heavy rain during tho week, Mon tern'll o was in good condition for the Zingari v. Eaikorai match. Kaikorai gave their best display this season, and proved superior to Zingari in both backs and forwards. The Hill backs gave a vastly improved display in comparison to some of their previous exhibitions this year. Some of-their passing bouts were really first class, Mid in the majority of cases gained a lot of ground. Callander mad© a reappearance, and proved a tower of strength to liis side both in attack and defence, but ho is still inclined to run across the field too ' much, _ and consequently leaves his wing men little room to work on. Gordon played soundly, and used good judgment, .rie is a verv solid man on defence. Slaughter and fountain, on the wings, also showed good form. Tbo forwards were too big and heavy for the light Zingari pack, Williams. Sonntagg, Glengarry, and M‘Meeking being always prominent in the rushes. Zingari played a very pluokv game, but there was a weak link in their five-eigU lino, their passing rushes always breaking down at this part of the chain. Conse quently the wings rarely got tho ball at nIL Hoazlewood was very sound at full-back, and Proctor, at centre, did a lot of useful work. M‘Naughtton played well behind a beaten pack. Garside wa s tho pick of the forwards, and was on tho ball tho whole of the time. _ He was well supported by Noble and Brien. Tho match Alhambra v. Union, which was played at Opoho, and which resulted in a. win for the former by 12 points to three,, was, for the most cart, an uninteresting game, and was devoid, except for one or two instances, of bright individual play. Probably tho very heavy state of the- ground was responsible for this, and consequently it was impossible to carry out concerted passing rushes. In the first half the Red-and-Blacks had the game practically all their own way, but in the second spell the Maroons attacked strongly, and tho Alhambra men had some anxious moments in spite of their sound defence. Tho best try of the game—Union’s only score—was obtained by M‘Dermott, who broke away smartly, and running well, eluded severe! tackles. Ho then passed to Taverner, who crossed the line. Coornbes and Gillick played veil for Alhambra, and M’Dermott, Brooks, and Flynn did excellent service for Union. None of the tries was converted, a strong and tricky wind being responsible to a great extent for the failure of the kickers at goal. University A did not seem to have a very difficult task iu inflicting defeat on Dunedin at Tahnna on Saturday, and the impression was that they conld have made the score larger had they been fully extended. Tho wet and slippery state of the ground doubtless accounted for the unusual number of accidents. Two men had to leave the field from each side, Brookes and W. Hanrahan from Dunedin and Reilly and Davy from University. M'Lean and Reilly, who had been transferred from the B’s, showed very good form, and ns long as Reilly was there he was an important link in the chain of attack. Dunedin were confined pretty closely to defence, and in this department their backs were on the whole tackling very soundly. The students depended chiefly on the orthodox three-quarter line attack, and in exploiting this nearly all the tries were scored by one or other of the wingers, Webb and Hanan. Notes. It Is likely that MTlahon (says Wellington Post), the back from North Otago, may fill a place in the Marist rearguard dnring the second round. None of “the twenty-nine" went over (says Wellington Times). The New Zealand Rugby League team contains fonr prominent Rugby Union players, but none et )bem y/<tte in England last /ear. The

four are Gregory, Kir-wan, Dixon, and O’Brien. All except Dixon are Auckland Rugby representatives, and O’Brien -was in the All Blacks in 1922.

Maurice Brownlie, the Hawke's Bay captain, was declared by English judges to have no superior in the world as a Rugby forward. An Interesting story Is told of his early days In big football. Laurie Brownlie, one of his brothers, gained a place in the New Zealand team—" Teddy" Roberts’s team, which was defeated by New South Wales at Christchurch —and Mr Brownlie, senior (who, by the way, is as big as any of his sons), told Maurice: "If Laurie can do it, you can do it." And Maurice did. Later on Cyril Brownlie ■decided to do It, too. The battle for the Ranfurly Shield this year should provide the most Interesting series of contests which have yet taken place in any one season for the coveted trophy. Granted that Hawke’s Bay are fully entitled to the premiership, they will be a great side Indeed if they can defeat Canterbury, Southland, Taranaki, Otago, and Wellington In turn (says the Dominion). Having already decisively beaten Walrarapa, the holders of the Shield will be called upon to stall off a challenge by Canterbury on xlugust 5. With such players as Harris, Elvy, M’Gregor, Dailey, Oliver, Parker, and Masters, the southerners will be a hard team to beat, and if Hawke’s Bay can account for this combination they will be able to breathe freely until September 9, when Otago will bid for the Shield. G. Scrimshaw, wing forward for the Christchurch Club’s senior fifteen, learnt his football at the Waitaki High School, where he played full-back for,the first fifteen. After leaving school ho played for Nortn Canterbury for a while, but two or three seasons ago he came to reside in Christchurch, and ho has been a member of the Christchurch Club over since. Although good as full-back, Scrimshaw has proved himself a better wing forward. He has plenty of speed and he combines this with dash and determination. He is 22 years of age, and his weight in football togs is l2st 31b. “Not going down to the ball” is an offence charged against Lawson and Corkhill, 1925 All Blacks, by a New Zealander who saw two games in Sydney. Southland has lost a brilliant athlete In the death of Stan Lynch, agdd 21, son of Tom Lynch, who played for Otago and South Island against the first English team to visit New Zealand. Stan Lynch was a Southland representative cricketer and a prominent Rugby three-quarter. His brother, Tom, played for the All Blacks in 393.4.

At the Southland selectors’ request, Messrs J. Richardson and W. J. Stead arc assisting in the coaching of tho representative team.

W. Fraser, of the Linwood Club’s senior fifteen, has been playing for Linwood for two or three seasons now (says "Onlooker" in Christchurch Star). Before that ho played for the Union Club, Dunedin. Fraser is possessed of a fair turn of speed, and he is a good scoring forward, showing up well in the loose. lie handles the ball well. Last season he was given a try-out with view to selection in the Canterbury team, 'but failed to gain a place. I understand that 10 of the Southern’s senior team were playing in third grade football last year.

The West Otago Sub-union competitions were continued on Saturday. The weather w’as fine and tho grounds in good order. The games resulted aa follow: —Heriot 31 defeated Kelso 0; Crookston 17 defeated Waikaka 6; Tapanul 11 defeated Kol 3. Thanks mainly to their union’s share of the New Zealand tour, it was reported at the last meeting of the North Midlands Rugby Union at Birmingham that the year’s income exceeded the expenditure by 1970. The report mentions that 41 clubs wre affiliated, six new organisations having been elected, and the president (Mr J. F. Byrne) recalled that the North Midlands was the first English side to score against the All Blacks. ; THE OTAGO TEAM. The Otago selectors (Messrs D. M. Stuart, J. Mitchell, and A. M’Donald) have selected the team which is to play against Southland on Wednesday of next week. Taking the team all round, there can be no serious objections to tho 15 picked. There was no question who would be full-back, as Stevenson is one of the best players in this position Otago has had for some years. He kicks well with both feet, fields the ball surely in tho air, will stop any rush, and is a deadly tackier. Ho has one fault, and that is in not getting to the ball quickly enough, and fielding it surely when it is rolling away from him. With this fault removed there is not a better full-back playing in New Zealand to-day, and that is saying something. With Murray on tho injured list, Robinson was sure of a place as centre three-quarter. He is a player of the solid type, though ho has somehing vet to learn in getting into position before handing the ball to his three-quarters. Wise and Webb are the three-quarters, and they are the best players in this position in Dunedin, to-day. Webb’s defence shows much improvement, and ho is always very dangerous on attack. Wise, as a New Zealand representative, has earned much praise for his displays with tho All Blacks in Sydney. Whether the selectors were wise in putting Peterson in team as a reserve remains to be seen. He has certainly shown much promise in the Southern team this year, and I like his stylo. Ho has not had many opportunities when playing with Southern, but showed up prominently when playing for Otago against North Otago last month. If he gets a game next Wednesday the play of the youthful wing three-quarter will be closely watched. I would not have been surprised, however, if Allan (Pirates) hod secured tho position intsead of Peterson. All footballers, however, will wish Peterson success when he puts on the Dark Blue jersey. Callander and Graham, tho five-eighths, are sound, it not brilliant. Gilberd is on the injured list, or his claims for inclusion might have had to be seriously considered. It is a very lean period for five-eighths in Dunedin this year. No fault can he found with tho inclusion of St. George as half-back. He should, however, endeavour to refrain from speculating in the face of a forward rush. The forwards are a weighty lot, and should give a good account of themselves. I do not know why Williams is being played as a side-row man instead of Sonntag, who is to be the lock, except that Sonntag plays lock for his club. Sonntag, I know, is a good lock, but I consider Williams to be better in this position. Porritt gets in as the other side-row man, and Owen, tho hard-working lock of the University Club, comes in as reserve forward. May bo the fact that Porritt has been playing side-row man for his club influenced tho selectors in giving him preference over Owen, but the last-named played excellently for Otago last year. Still, an extra good pack will bo required to beat tho Otago forwards. CHRISTCHURCH NOTES. After a week of almost continuous rain Saturday was beautifully clear and fine for the continuation of the competition. The Oval at Lancaster Park was not in nearly such a bad state as might have boon expected. A very large crowd turned up to see the Old Boys-Christchurch match. Saturday was Charity Day, and a very large amount must have been taken. Old Boys just got home against Christchurch by 3 to nil. Two factors were responsible for their win—luck and Dailey. Old Boys took the chance that came their way to score. Christchurch missed a couple of golden opportunities. A hard forward tussle and determined tackling on both sides nipped practically every back movement in the bud. The game was too keen to be spectacular, and the spectators got very few thrills. The gamd was a triumph for Dailey, who gave a magnificent display at half for Old Boys. Nixon was very safe at full-back, and has proved a very valuable substitute for Harris. The light Old Boys’ pack held the Christchurch pack exceedingly well. Shipworth’s solo effort that led to Old Boys’ try brought him into the limelight. The Christchurch forwards gave a good display, but a slight easing up in the second half really cost their side the game. Scrimshaw at wing forward again gave an outstanding display. Summed up, a draw would have been about a true indication of the game. The surprise of the day was Albion’s good showing against Merivale. Merivale just scraped home in the last minute, 9 —6, A good centre-back is all that Albion require to mould them into a first-class team. Linwood went down to 'Varsity, 31—3. The ’Varsity team have shown considerable improvement of late, whilst Linwood have gone all to pieces. Linwood have been up against it with accidents and sickness, and they have had no really first grade men to faff back on. The game was largely a scramble with ’Varsity being able to push home their attacks better, advantage. WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS. Wintry conditions again prevailed at Weilingtoa on Sownday, whan tho conchui-

ing games in the first round of the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior tournament were played. The grounds were heavy, and as rain fell steadily throughout the afternoon play was almost entirely confined to the forwards. Old Boys created a surprise by narrowly defeating Petono. by a try and a penalty goal to a converted try. ’Varsity decisively outplayed Athletic by 12 points to nil, and Poneko maintained their unbeaten record by defeating Hutt on the suburban ground by a margin of five points. Oriental proved too strong for Borluunpovo at Kilbimie, and Marist. at Wakefield Park, inflicted tbo tenth defeat which Solwyn have suffered this season.

r. w. L. D. Points. For Acst. Ch. Ptp. Pcmefce -. 10 o 0 1 181 63 10 'Varsity 10 8 2 0 168 03 16 Potono 10 8 2 0 130 f)G 14 Oriental 10 5 4 1 101 103 11 Marisfc 10 4 3 3 64 64 11 Berhompore... 10 5 0 121 32 10 Old Boys ... 10 4 5 1 02 82 0 Athletic 10 4 6 0 84 82 a Hutfc ... 10 2 5 3 57 77 7 ■Wellington ... 10 2 7 1 63 127 5 Selwyu 10 0 10 0 32 223 0