RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19584, 14 September 1925, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

OTAGO v. WLLINGTON. VICTORY FOR HOME TEAM. THIRTY -ONE POINTS TO TEN. (Pbb United Pbese Association.! WELLINGTON, September 12. In fine ■weather, but on a rain-soaked, sodden ground, Wellington beat Otago’s Rugby representatives by 31 points to iO. There was a large attendance. Porter was the first to become prominent, and then the ball came to Polworth, who with a long run and a good kick enabled fdago to reach Wellington’s line. I rom a forward tussle Otago scored, _ and the try was converted. Otago 5, Wellington nil. J. Shearer and Martin-Smith attacked from the kick-out, but good defensive work by Otago transferred play to half-way. Wellington made little, use of a free Kick, but from a line-out Nicholls covered 20 yards with a good swerving run. The chance of gaining further territory was lost through Mansfield’s bad pass to Bedell. Svenson, Nicholls, Porter, and Bedell made determined efforts to score, put the tackling of Otago was sound. Wellington were awarded a free kick about 40 yards out, and Nicholls opened Wellington s score with a good goal. Otago 5, Wellington 5. Porter dashed down the field almost from the kick-out, and amidst great applause Warwick put • on the finishing touch with a fine try. Nicholls’s kick fell short. Wellington 6, Otago 6. The Wellington forwards were now finding themselves, and aided by good solo runs from the backs, in which Swenson, Nicholls, and Bedell were conspicuous, they reached a point from which Nicholls had a long but unsuccessful kick from a penalty at goal. Otago attacked, but the faulty handling of good passes by the backs lost them opportunities of making things decidedly more unpleasant for Wellington. Otago were compelled to yield ground by a forward rush, but they came away with a brilliant effort in which Johnston, Ross, and Townsend handled the ball in a passing rush which carried it three-quarters of the field and resulted in the last-named scoring , a beaptiful try, which was converted. Otago 10, Wellington 6. | Both tepms attacked in turn with fast dribbling rushes, speculation and indiscriminate kicking being greatly in evidence. Give-and-take play ensued, and the score was unchanged at half-time:— Otago -. ... 10 pojnts. Wellington 6 points. THE SECOND SPELL. Wellington opened the second spell against a strong sun and assumed the advantage. From an exchange of kicks and a good run by Svenson, Mark Nicholls potted a beautiful goal from within five minutes of the start. Otago 10, Wellington 10. Wellington again attacked. Nicholls out in beautifully and shot the ball to Svenson, who covered .much ground before transferring to Bedell, who scored a good try, which Nicholls failed to convert. Wellington 13, Otago 10. Wellington maintained their offensive. Bedell holding it up with a forward pass. Mansfield, Nicholls. and Hickey handled the ball, and the last-mentioned player had the misfortune to stumble as ho reached the line. A force down was given. Hickey received the ball from Nicholls, who made an opening, and scored well out. Nicbolls’s kick missed. Wellington 16, Otago 10. I The Otago forwards attacked with. determination, penning Wellington in their own twenty-five, and only the faulty handling of . the ball lost Townsend, who was playing a magnificent game, a certain try under the | posts. Similar circumstances lost Dunnelly a try, and Hanan had hard luck a third • time. The Otago forwards wore now domi--1 nating the situation. Donnelly tried a , penalty kick from 40 yards out. Give-and-take play followed in .mid-field until a solid forward rush by Wellington saw Wilson race an Otago man for the ball, which was kicked over the line, and scored. Nicholls kicked a goal. Wellington 21, Otago 10. Otago cleared with long kicks and fast following up. Hickey made a run from half-way, and when tackled passed in-field to Smith. Smith dropped the ball when collared, and Hickey, recovering, scored a well-deserved try. Nicholls kicked a goal with another of his great kicks. Wellington 26, Otago 10. The southerners defended vigorously, but the Wellington forwards attacked in force. Nicholls kicked tho ball over the goal line, and Svenson won a hard race and scored. Nicholls again kicked a goal, making tho final score:— Wellington 31 points. Otago 10 points. OTAGO BEATS NORTH OTAGO A CLOSE GAME. Otago boat North Otago at Oamaru on Saturday by 8 points to 5. The game was spoiled by tie rain, which fell both before and during the match. The ball was greasy and difficult to handle, though the condition of the ground was not so bad as might have been expected. Tho game was ragged, but interesting, the result being in doubt up to the final whistle. A strong wind blowing straight up tho ground from the railway emd necessitated the playing of four 26-minute spells, and it was the manner in whioh the Dark Bluea held tho North Otago team during the last quarter that saved them from defeat. Hoazlewood, the Blues’ full-back, tackled well, but at limes was a little slow in getting rid of the ball. Wise made the most ' of the opportunities that came his way, and Gordon played a sound game. The backs, however, lacked combination. Among the forwards Malloch and Sonntag played solidly, and Fox, wing-forward, showed improvement on hia game against South Otago. Collett shone in dribbling rushes. North Otago had a good pair of fiveeighths in Loder and Kent, who worked well together. M ‘Donald (half-back) also played a useful game. Williams and Direen were the pick of the forwards. The teams were as follow: Otago (Dark Blue).—-Full-back, Heazlcwood; three-quarters—Walker, Robinson, Wise; five-eighths, Gordon and Stewart; half-back. Swift; forwards—Malloch, MfMeoking, Sonntag, Maulo, Collett, Drinnan, Gilliok, Fox (wing). North Otago (Yellow and Black). —Fullback, Granger; three-quarters—Sumpter, Hargreaves, Waddell; five-eighths, Loder and Kent; half-back, M’Donald ; forwards— W. Cameron, O’Meara, Williams, R, Cameron, Hoplcy, Falloon, Pringle, Direen (wing-forward). Otago kicked off with the wind behind them. Stewart missed a long pass from Gordon, and straggling play followed. A free kick taken by Collett lot Otago into the Colours’ twenty-five, M‘Donaid checking a forward rush by kicking out. From a scrum five yards out Gordon received and passed to Walker, who dived over at tho comer. His own kick at goal failed. Otago 3, North Otago nil. Loder secured and passed to Kent, tho latter kicking out at the twenty-five line. Wise got away, but a pass forward brought him back. A vigorous forward rush took the Colours to tho Otago line, but a line kick sent them back. Granger kicked through to Swift, and passing between the latter and Walker gained about SO yards. Another rush bv tho Colours’ forwards was stopped by Collett, who dribbled back to halfwav, Hargreaves relieving. A speculator lay Fox put tho Blues on tho offensive again, and repeated sorties by tho Otago forwards compelled the Colours to use thoir line. North Otago, however, worked their way back into Otago territory, and Loder attempted to pot, but without success. After the change round Loder, Kent, HarI greaves, and Sumpter joined in passing, but the last-named was well collared, and " Robinson, picking up, regained the lost ground. Direen broke away from a loose scramble, and passed to Williams, who scored. M'Donald converted. North Otago, 5; Otago, 3. A lino kick by Kent, saw North Otago attacking again, but Wise carried the ball out of bounds. Passing by Loder, Kent, and Sumpter gained ground and a scrum was given on tho Otago line. A free kick, however, brought relief. Bad handling by the Bines let North Otago away, but offside play. lost them a chance. Stewart made a strong run into the Colours’ territory, but North Otago turned defence into attack, and Swift, was called upon to save. Collett headed an Otago forward rush, a kick taking play back to Otago’s half. Half time was sounded with North Otago on attack. A passing rush by North Otago, on the resumption of play, was slopped when Hargreaves lost tho ball and the (H-go farwurds dribbled to the Colours’ line. Robinson got away, but could not soon enough, Kent securing and transferring play (.0 the opposite end of the field. Hargreaves lost the hall in a likely passing rush, and Fox took play back. Otago were awarded a free kick in a good position, but Walker’s attempt was fruitless. Swift worked 1 lie blind side Fox passing to Walker, who kicked, and 25 yards was gainer!. Sonntag broke through from a scrum, and passing was started between Gordon, Wise. Swift, and Malloch. hut a pass forward to the last- , named spoilt a promising movement. Swift ' had to go off with a broken nose. Gordon went in to Half back, and Walker to oenb-o.

Fountain being brought on to take the ■wing position. A strong rush tho Colours was stopped by Malloch, who intercepted, but ho lost the ball. Tho Colours again attacked, and Kent potted unsuccessfully, . Tho second spell began with North Otago in tho lead, and as they had the wind behind them their chances of a win looked bright. A line kick by Hargreaves, with tho help of the wind, went three-quarters of the length of the field, but Malloch started a counter-movement, which resulted in the ball going out at tho opposite corner. Play drifted back to half-way, where Sonntag headed an Otago forward rush. Wise collared Waddell with the ball, and Robinson picked up and passed to the All Black wing, who made a nice run to score behind tho posts. Hoazlewood converted. Otago, 8; North Otago, 5. Play for some time was confined to Otago s twenty-five. Passing was started by the Colours backs, but M'Moeking saved by dribbling down tho right wing. More passing by North Otago looked dangerous, but Robinson intercepted, Wise just failing to take his pass when the chances of a score were bright. Tlie game ended shortly after with the scores: Otago ..- - 8 points. North Otago 7. 5 points. Mr V. Doran was referee. EASTERN DISTRICT v. OTAGO JUNIORS. (Feom Opr Own Cobbespondent.) PALMERSTON, September 12. Tho weather for this match was vorv bad. Last night heavy rain fell and after a lull of a few hours it recommenced during the forenoon. The ground at Dunback was practically covered with water, and during the game ramfell heavily. A good exhibition of football was out of the question, tho match being a heroic struggle under tho worst possible conditions. It was rather remarkable that during the whole game there was not one single shot at goal. Although the game ended in a draw the Eastern District, being heavier than their opponents, had slightly the better of things, and only the clever defensive play of the visitors on several occasions prevented a score. All the Otago forwards played well, and of the backs, Holden, Griffin, Hnrring, and Porter, played sound games. For Eastern District Burt. Stringer, Crossan, anti Townsend played good games in tho backs, and in tho forwards Quinn, Hallum, Sbeat, and Doff showed out. Mr W. Williamson was referee. NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. COMBINED TEAM DEFEATED. (Peb United Pbess Association.) GISBORNE, September 12. Before a large attendance New South Wales met a combined X’overty Bay and East Coast team to-day. The weather at the start of the game was line, but heavy rain fell during the first spell, making the ground heavy and open play impossible. The New South Wales backs could not get going properly with passing rushes owing to the slippery ground. The visitors’ tackling was very sure, easily eclipsing the local efforts. Tho game was exciting from start to finish. After give-and-take play in midfield Bowers got away, but was brought down by the Combined full-hack, Woods. After a scramble on the line the ball went out to Whaitirl, who found the line down the field. Woodward (Combined) made a sharp breakaway, but lie had no support when ho was tackled. The AVclsh backs commenced to attack, and after a dribbling rush the ball came out to Doran, who sent on to Bowen, Greatorex, and Ford, the last-named scoring a try whioh was unconverted. Soon after resuming, Toby (the Welsh full-back) had a pot at goal, but the ball hit the bar. Heavy rain set in at this lime. New South Wales started a series of dribbling rushes in which Thorn, Ford, and Greatorex took a prominent part Then from a scramble Bowers secured and passed to George, who after a good run sent on to Woods, who scored. The attempt at goal was unsuccessful. Play showed little change till the interval, when the score was: New South Wales C points, Combined team 0. During tho spell an electrical storm came up, and very heavy rain fell until well in the second spell. Morrissey (New South Wales) replaced Mulligan, who was injured. The visitors opened aggressively in tho second spell, and only the good work of the Combined team’s full-back, Woods, saved scores on several occasions. Then the New South Wales backs got moving with several rushes between Doran, Morrissey, and Bowers. The visitors were still pressing heavily, and fropi another passing rush started by King the ball was transferred to Morrissey, and then to Doran, who got over at the corner. Thorn converted from a difficult angle. New South Wales 11 points. Combined team 0. By this time the rain had stopped and given place to brilliant sunshine. New South Wales still attacked repeatedly, but the Combined team put up a great defence. Towards the end Combined livened up, and the game was very exciting. Repeated attacks were made on the New South Wales territory, and From a iincout tho ball went to Leach, who sent it on to Smith, and then to Langlands. who got over. New South Wales 11 points. Combined Team 3 points. Towards the closing stages tho game was very strenuous, and owing to injuries Thorn (New South Wales) was replaced by Telford. Smith by Blackwood, and Ford retired hurt just as the bell rang. In the Combined team Wobb was replaced bv Burden. The players wore mostly bruised, except Thorn, who had a badly-sprainod wrist. The final score was: New South Wales 11 points. Combined Team 3 points. AUCKLAND v. HAWKE’S BAT A DRAWN GAME. (Peb United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND. September 12. The match between Hawke’s Bay and Auckland, which was played at Edan Park to-day, before a crowd estimated at 18.000, resulted in a draw—nine points all. The match was very interesting, but did not provide as good an exposition of Rugby as was expected, tho play being struggling, with frequent infringements. The Auckland forwards stood up well to Hawke s Bay, and, in fact, wore thoir superiors on tho day. M. Brownlie and Irvine were always conspicuous among tho visiting forwards, and Righton and Knight Brothers in the local vanguard. Mill was the outstanding player in the Hawke’s Bay back division, and gave his colleagues mamchances, but nearly every time the ball seemed simply to go straight across (be field. Nepia did some good work, his goal from the field evoking great applause. Cooke was tho star of the Auckland backs, who failed to make the most of their opportunities, particularly in tho second spell, when Auckland wero attacking consistently. Hawke’s Bay seemed to feel tho effects of the strenuous matches this season. Hawke's Bay won the toss. In tho first four minutes there were five penalties, three being against Hawke’s Bay' and two against Auckland. Cooke essayed u penalty kick from halfway, but failed.. Olson kicked well up tho field, but Nepia responded brilliantly with a long lino kick. Then after scrambling play, relieved bv individual flashes by Sheen and Cooke, tho latter kicked to near the iflawke’s Bay corner. Exciting moments followed on the visitors’ line, but a penalty kick owing to obstruction by Mattson brought relief. Sheen marked, and Cooke tried a long drop-kick, which just missed. Hawke’s Bay had a turn in Auckland’s twenty-five. but they kicked too hard, the ball going out of plav. Irvine made an unsuccessful attempt to'kick a penalty goal. . Auckland worked upfield, and kicked in the visitors’ twenty-five-. Cooke dashed through and. catchi'n< r Nepia out of position, beat him for the? ball, and dribbled over the lino (0 score near tho posts. Cooke failed with the kick—Auckland 3. Hawke’s Bay ml. Hawke’s Bay attacked strongly, and got well inside Auckland’s twenty-five. W right had to retire, being replaced by M'Manus. A minute inter Mill dashed round the Hind side from a scrum ton yards out. and passed in to M. Brownlie, who scored under tho post-. Irvine converted —Hawke s Bay 5 Auckland 3. Hawke’s Bay kept up the pressure, a free kick for a forward pass giving Auckland timely relief after being "forced twice. The local forwards carried the hall on from halfway, Righton being conspicuous. Lomas dribbled through i-i great si vie. picked up. and fell over the line with several Hawke’s Bay players on top. Goodnere failed to convert- -Auckland 6. Hawke’s Bay 5. The next, notable incident, came as the culmination of a Hawke’s Bay rush 10 Auckland’s twentyfive. Malison kicked a penalty to near halfway. Nepia gathered the bail in niceiv uud potted a perfect goal amid great applause—Hawke’s Bay 9. Auckland 6. Halftime was called soon after. On resum-ng Auckland were penalised at halfway, but Nepia gained little ground Vlih a line kick. Auckland rallied to the attack, getting close to the Hawke's Bav line. A penalty was then awarded Auckland. Inn Gnnda'-re failed from a difficult angle. Batty r.nd the Knight brother- did good work in the forward rushes. Another penalty was given, and the kick, a high one, wan marked. A £asr moments later

Auckland had another penalty for obstruction, Sheen failing. Passing movements among the Hawke’s Bay backs gained hardly any ground. Then Cooke broke away and kicked over Nepia’s head, with Lucas and Olsen in support, but the bounce of the ball boat them all when a try looked certain, and Hawke’s Bay saved by kicking behind their lino. 'Pile pressure was maintained until a penalty relieved, and the visitors worked to the Auckland twentyfive. Mill made a spectacular run, and them the Auckland forwards broke away, only to be checked. A free kick sent them away again, and Lucas made a feeble attempt to pot. The ensuing play was of a straggling and uninteresting nature, t Auckland being most of the time in the Hawke’s Bay twenty-five without accomplishing anything decisive. With only i about one minute left M’Manns marked after a lineout, and kicked a fine goal. ' Auckland ... 9 points. ( Hawke’s Bay 9 points. 1 Mr W. J. Meredith was referee. j MARLBOROUGH v. HAWKE’S BAT B. ’j (Per United Press Association.) BLENHEIM, September 12. ; After heavy rain the ground was wet, ] and the ball was greasy for the Marl- 1 borough Hawke’s Bay B match, which was i played to-day in the presence of a fair i crowd. The match resulted in a win for f Marlborough by six points to throe after a ; fairly close game in which the Marl- i borough forwards had the advantage. 1 The first spell was even no score being ! hoisted, and in the second spell Marl- 1 borough gradually asserted their supremacy, ■ and towards the finish had the visitors i closely pressed. Early in the second spell 1 Hartell, the Marlborough half-back, opened ' the homo side's account by running round 1 the scrum on the blind side and scoring a ’ try which was not converted. Kiveli, the visitors’ captain, equalised with a goal ' from a mark, and the game from this on ' was very willing and fast. Marlborough ’ kept the visitors more or less in their own j territory. A quarter of an hour before the j end Phillips gathered up the ball and outpaced the opposition, scoring a, try which ‘ was also unconverted. Marlborough were ’ within an ace of scoring several times from this out, and the game ended with the visitors busily defending. ( Tolley, a Hawke’s Bay forward received , a broken kneecap in the second spell, and was sent to hospital. [ In a curtain-raiser Marlborough B do- i featod Kaikomra by 15 points to 8. < MATCHES ON WEST COAST. (Per United Press Association.) ' WESTPORT, September 12. j Playing the Karameo. Sub-union at Kararaea to-day, the Buller B team was defeated by 11 points to nil. \ Hokitika and Westport nrimary schools | played the final of the primary schools’ , championship, Hokitika winning by 6 points j to nil. . ] The Westland junior representative team , defeated the Buller junior team by 20 points to 9. , THE PEACE CUP. i (Pee United Press Association.) 1 THAMES, September 12. ’ Though weakened by the absence of ; Lomas, the All Black hooker, Thames today retained possession of the Peace Cup ( by defeating Pukokoho by 24 points to 3. ] THE MOASCAR CUP. {Per United Press Association.) ‘ WAIPAWA, September 12. ! To Auto College beat-Napier Boys’ High School in a Moascar Oup match by 21 : points to 6. i SEVEN-A-SIT)R TOURNAMENT. ' HEAVY GROUNDS PREVENT PLAY. ; Owing to the heavy state of the Cans- : brook ground on Saturday, the seven-a-sido Rugby tournament was not played. The Fifth Grade final, Pirates v. Alhambra, was also postponed, ami will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Otago-Wanganui , match next Saturday. - , Canterbury defeat's south CANTERBURY. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 13. Under wretched weather conditions, tho ground being heavy and tho halt greasy, Canterbury defeated South Canterbury by 45 points to 9. It was mainly a forward struggle, though there wore many bright flashes of open play. RUGBY FOOTBALL. On Thursday next, September 17, at tho Caledonian Grounds, a match will bo played between tho National Mortgage and Agency Co. (Ltd.) and the combined teams of tile Otago Farmers’ 00-openative Association of New Zealand (Ltd.), Stronaeh, Morris, and Co. (Ltd.), and Murray, Roberts, and Co. (Ltd.), and the following players have been selected: — Combined Teams. —Full-back, Crosby Morris ; three-quarters—Goo. Anderson, Walter Latham, Charles Beckingsale; fiveeighths, J. A. Roberto and Fred Freeman; half-back, John Couchman : forwards-—Joe O’Hara, Harry Hayes, Mat O’Driscoll, John M’Lennan, Bill White, Bill Barr, Prank Parke; flying half, Lawrence Cook. National Mortgage and Agency Co.—Fullback, George M’Laren ; three-quarters—Sid -Slyoho, Bill Turnbull, Ted I<ovott• fiveeighths, Goo. Kirkwood and John Bows; half-back, Joe Wilcox: forwards—Sid Faohe, Sam Oupples, Bill Crawford, Tom Stinson, Peter M’Laren, Jock Mills, J. L. Wilson; flying half, Ja,s. Farquhareon. Referee, Teddy Webster. Players are requested to meet at the overbridge to-night and to-morrow night at 7.30 for training.—Advt.