RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19902, 23 September 1926, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON TOURING TEAM. DEFEATED BY SOUTHLAND. (Fbom Ode Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, September 22. The representative fixture between Southland and Wellington at Rugby Park this afternoon attracted a good attendance of spectators, and the bright display that both teams gave was satisfying to the large majority who have not v itnessod good football this season. The principal cause has been the inferior form shown by the local representative fifteen .n previous matches, with the result that several changes were made in the personnel of the team by the sole selector recently appointed. The changes made certainly give promise of improvement with further coaching and training, but the local team s play to-day, particularly in the backs, still leaves much to be desired. There was a pleasurable change in the climatic conditions after a somewhat boisterous fortnight, which has not by any means been peculiar to Southland. The ground was in excellent condition,_ and the only undesirable factor was a high westerly wind, which completely upset calculations. Welltogton played against the wind and with strong sunlight in their faces in the first spell, and these circumstances undoubtedly assisted Southland running the scores to 19-8 before the interval. Wel-

lington were kept on the defensive for the greater portion of the spell, but the defence was sound, and it was largely through inexperience on the part of the defenders that the Southland vanguard were able to cross the line and score on several occasions. Soon after the opening Kilby, the local half, kicked a penalty, this being followed by two scores in quick succession by M'Auliffe and Shaw respectively, one of which Kilby converted. Foley changed the scene of action, and a free kick against Hazlett for offside enabled Tyree to kick a well judged goal against the strong wind. Mahoney intercepted a pass and crossed the line, Kilby converting and bringing the scores up to

16—3 in Southland’s favour. The home team pressed determinedly, but the visiting forwards held them well until a nice run by Roberts made an opening for Batchelor to touch down, Kilby failing to add the major points. A free kick to Wellington brought temporary relief from the persistent pressure, but a forward rush ended in Young scoring near the posts, Foley adding the extra points and making the scores at the interval: Southland 19, Wellington 8. Wellington, with the aid of the wind, took up the offensive fron the resumption, and kept Southland busy. Rushbrook on two occasions was within an ace of cross-

ing. Hazlett got possession from some tight play on the home team’s line and took tne ball right down the field. From the resulting scramble Howden accepted a pass from Mahoney and dashed across and scored under the posts. Kilby made a bad effort with the kick. Wellington, not to be denied, retaliated, and a quick movement by Warwick let the ball out to Cheney, who scored, ant) Folev kicked a goal. A period of fast play followed, the ball travelling from end to end without either team having any advantage. Eventually Rushbrook, who played a sound game throughout, made an opening, and his pass to Taylor saw the latter score wide out. Foley made a good attempt with the kick, but failed. Tyree, from a penalty a moment later, essayed to kick a goal from the half-way line, hut the ball fell short. Cheney and Jessop initiated a passing rush, which broke down on the line, and some further opportunities to score were spoilt by the Wellington forwards being offside. Southland also had two good chances, but Brown missed the ball each time. Wellington

maintained a steady pressure, but could not score again, the game ending with the scores: — Southland .. .. 22 points. Wellington .. .. 16 points. Mr T. Baird was referee. HAWKE’S BAY TOURING ■TEAM.* SOUTH CANTERBURY DEFEATED. (Per United Press Association.) TIMARU, September 22. The last representative game of the local season was played at Fraser Park to-day between the Hawke’s Bay touring side and South Ca- terbury. The weather was bright and warm, and the ground firm anl fast. The attendance was very large for a mid-week fixture. The visitors, who were without the services of several of the Ranfurly Shield players, won by 19 points to 13 after an open and attractive game. Facing the sun in the first half, Hawke’s Bay led at half-time by 8 points to 5. Midway through the second spell _ the visitors’ lead was increased to 14 points, but the home men responded with two scores, and went close more than once to decreasing the deficiency still further. The outstanding performer on the Hawke’s Bay side was Grenside, with Mill, Corkil). M’Donald, Swainson, and Campbell also prominent. Strang, Stewart, and Gerard were conspicuous for the losing team. For Hawke’s Bay tries were scored by Rush, Mill, Grenside, and Corkill (two). Mill and Grenside each converted one try. Trotter and D. Stewart scored tries for South Canterbury. A. Lawson converting both, and Strang kicked a goal from a mark. KING COUNTRY DEFEATS HAWKE’S BAY. (Per United Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI, September 22. King Country defeated the Hawke’s Bay touring team here to-day by 17 points to 9. The weather was fine, and attendance was l-.rge. For the King -Country, Hislop, T e, and Peebles scored. Hacldon converted one tr” and kicked two penalty goals. For Hawke’s Bay, Hassett and Lawton scored, and Olliver kicked a penalty goal. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. (Per United Press Association.) WANGANUI, September 22. The Wanganui Technical College to-day defeated Palmerston North High School by 36 points to 12. The winners played fast and brilliant Rugby, giving a spectacular display. SEDDON SHIELD TEAM DEFEATED. (Per United Press Association.) GISBORNE, September 22. The best exhibition witnessed at Gisborne this season was given by the Poverty Bay team yesterday, when it defeated the Seddon Shield combined team by 31 points to 14. The Bay forwards and backs were superior to the visitors, who lacked combination and finish to their movements. THE RANFURLY SHIELD. SHOULD IT GO ON TOUR? (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 22. At the meeting of the Canterbury Rngbv Union last evening one member said he thought the uncertain position which arose last week whether Saturday’s match be a shield match was unsatisfactory. and the rules should lie amended so that a major union holding the shield and going on tour must play one match for the shield and nominate that match before the team leaves home. Other members said that Canterbury had been treated verv fairly, and it was decided to thank the Hawke’s Bay Union for sending the team down. The first suggestion was held over for consideration. KAIKORAI CLUB SMOKE CONCERT. The annual smoke concert of the Kaikorai Rugby Football Club was held in Kroon’s Hail last night. Mr R. M’Mceking (president) occupied the chair. There

was a large attendance of members of the various clubs. , The loyal toast was followed by "the toast of “The 0.R.F.U.,” which was proposed by the chairman, who stated that there were always stalwarts at the head of the union’s affairs. Clubs were loyal to the parent body,, to which fact might be attributed the strength of the union game in, Otago. Mr Donald Stuart (president of the Otago Rugby Football Union), in reply, stated that the union had the interests of football at heart. All the members were old footballers, and he hoped to see some of the players in the room on the executive in the future. No union could have a more loyal set of clubs under its jurisdiction. That applied particularly to the Kaikorai Club. IMr R. Proctor, in proposing the toast of “The Kaikorai Football Club,” said that he admired the club because it had always been prepared to do a little in respect to improvements to its ground. Any club working on those lines was doing something for footballers in general. It did not derive all the benefits itself from its work, but other clubs also shared in them. The Kaikorai Club was to be congratulated on its efforts for the good of football. It did not need to foar for the future. Although it had not won a banner durin- the rear, it was none the worse tor that. The friendships made were of more consequence. The Chairman replied on behalf of the olub. The toast of “Sister Clubs” was proposed by Mr Alex M'Donald, and replied to by Messrs H. G. Munro (University), B. Wildgoose (Zingari-Richmond). H. Gillick (Alhambra), E. Prebble (Southern) T. Butler (Dunedin), and R. J. Ritchie (Pirates). Other toasts were “Kindred Sports,’ proposed by Mr 0. Sonntag and replied to by Messrs V. Pike (Association Football), G. R. Dickinson and B- 0* Talbot (cricket), E. C. Isaacs (amateur athletics), and G. M‘Lean (boxing) ; “The Referees’ Association.” proposed by Mr W. Holden and responded to bv Mr W. Kentucky and “The Press,” proposed by Mr G. M’Lenn. Songs wore contributed hv Messrs S. Jeffs. G. Hicks and G. Ansell, and instrumental items were given by the Kapai Dance Orchestra and Messrs Edmonds Brothers. Mr W. Chapman played a pianoforte solo. Mr 11. Freed was the accompanist.