LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20500, 30 August 1928, Page 4

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

By Forward.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES

A few weeks ago City achieved the distinction of registering a win against Christian Brothers,, who had up till that time emerged victorious from all their matches, but when the teams met again on Saturday the position was reversed in a most decisive manner, the Greens leaving the field with a margin of 16 points in their favour. City were without the services of B. Kckhoff and Townsend, whose absence undoubtedly weakened the team, hut Christian Brothers were not represented by their strongest side. For a .while City held their own well, but once, Christian Brothers got properly going they asserted .an undoubted superiority, and before half time it was evident that City's chances of winning were very small.. The winners were superior in the'scrums, and their'backs, who got plenty of opportunities, handled the ball well, with the result that the tame was fast and open from start to nish. At times, however, the passing could have been better, several of the transfers being too low, and good opportunities were lost in consequence. The combination of the Christian, Brothers was good, and fast' following up brought its reward in a good many cases. Quinn was very prominent’ in following up.' arid in this respect he . invariably shows:. a fine example.,. It was unfortunate that he had to retire on Saturday. The display given by City - was not up .to their usual standard, but they were not disgraced in being beaten by such a solid combination as that which opposed them. The match between Athletic A and Athletic B was not . taken very seriously, and was more in the nature of a practice game than anything else. The players got a great deal of enjoyment out of it, however, and at times some good football was seen. Several of those engaged in the match were late in turning up, and the game was not started till 2 o’clock. The A team had the upper hand-for the greater part of the game, and eventually won with a margin of 16 points in their favour. The outstanding player for 'the winners was M’Cutcheon, who showed a fine turn of Speed, and who scored three good tries. On one occasion he put in a great run of about 60 yards before touching down'. Webber,. Lamb, Dennistdn, and MTxay also put in spine clever work in the A team’s backs, while . Reekie, Engstrom, and Olsen were prominent on many occasions. Leach, Stewart, and •!. Hunt were the outstanding players for the B team. An attractive game was provided by Pacific and Kaikorai on the Oval. Both teams were-evenly matched, and the issue was in doubt until well into the second spell, when the Pacific backs showed their superiority. A feature of the game throughout was the fast open play by the backs on both sides, but several chances to score were missed through fumbling of the ball. Blazey was the best player on the ground, and he gave one of his best exhibitions this season. His line kicking was a masterpiece, and he gained much ground time and again for his side. His comrades in the rear division were not selfish, as they-sent The ball on to the speedy winger at every opportunity. It was a treat to see Blazey, Wall, and Bryan break away on more than otic occasion. Bryan, in fact, was not far behind Blazey as far as playing honours went. On the Kaikorai side, several players stood out very prominently. Mackey, as usual, gave a ; bright-; display. He was here, there, and everywhere, and was responsible for scoring a splendid try ■ after racing half the- length of the field. Kennedy was also in fine form, and responsible for-adding six points to Kaikovai’s score. The forwards on both sides battled strongly, but the Pacific pack secured more of the ball from the scrums than their opponents.

OTAGO TEAM.

The members of. the Otago team started their northern tour yesterday, when they set out for the West Coast, where they will play their first match op Saturday. The team’s fixtures are aa follow;

September •1, .V. Buller, at Westport. September 2. V. Inangahua, at Reeftqn. . September 5,- v. West Coast, at Greymouth.

September 8, r. Canterbury, at Christchurch.

September 12, v. Wellington, at Wellington. September 15, v. Auckland, at Auckland. .

September 19, v. South. Auckland.

Unfortunately, . some of the' players originally chosen were unable to take part in the tour, and the strength of the team will be affected to some extent. The absence of Blazey, T. O’Connor, and M. Quinn; the last-mentioned of whom was injured last Saturday, will be severely felt, but the men selected to replace them have shaped well during the season, and there is still -a chance, that the team will do fairly well.-

The following players proceeded to the West Coast:—-Clydesdale, Eckhoff, Connolly M’Kewen, Timlin, Xepier, Cusack, -Kirk, Townsend, Holloway, Woodhouse, J. O’Connor, T. Hunt, Harbrow, Hicks, and Cameron. There is s possibility that Blazey and Davis (Pacific) will be available for the matches against Canterbury and Auckland.

The team is at present under the management of Mr M'Keefry. with Mr E. Watson, as coach, but Mr H. Divers, who is unable to leave town at present owing to pressure of business, will take charge at Christchurch at the end of next week.

THE THIRD TEST.

Referring to the third test match the Lyttelton Times says:—“ New Zealand, with A. Townsend (Otago) as hooker, won most of the scrums in the first spell, though shortly before half time there was a noticeable improvement in the English pack. Parkin saw. more of the ball from the scrums in the second half, during which the English backs, in spite of deadly tackling, opened up the game in a fashion at times suggestive of the highest international form. Of the New Zealand backs, Peckham was the most outstanding. His half-back play was notable for quick passing and some clever runs, including one or two attempts at hurdling which, like the hurdler, crashed. He was wonderfully elusive and daring, with attack as his forte. Wetherill was tricky, and Prentice’s hard tackling left no loophole for escape. Goodall was the best forward on the ground, while Eckhoff, the Otago back who was played as breakaway forward, was quick to make the play open, and reliable on defence.”

OTAGO JUNIORS,

The Otago juniors did surprisingly well against Canterbury on Saturday when they were beaten by only 4 points to nil. The Canterbury players were much heavier, and the manager of the Otago team fully expected that the local boys would have a big score recorded against them.

The Lyttelton Times’ report of the match states that Otago were seldom out of their own territory in the first spell. Canterbury went close to scoring on several occasions, but the defence was very sound. Play was mostly confined to thfe forwards, with a few back movements. There was no score at half time.

The opening of the second spell saw the Otago backs initiate a, rush which carried play to the line. The Canterbury forwards drove the attackers back. Mattingley. the Otago second five-eighth, put in a fine swerving run, but he was well grassed. Canterbury worked play downfield. A good rush nearly ended in a score at the corner. From play in the twenty-five, Otago were penalised, and Cooper kicked a goal. Near the end of the spell Mason kicked a magnificent goal for Canterbury. Play was fast in the closing stages, with Otago attacking strongly at the final whistle.

ENTERTAINMENT AT INVERCARGILL. After the match between England and New Zealand at Invercargill, the teams were entertained at a smoke concert. Mr TV. Alexander, president of the Southland League, presided over a large attendance. Only one member of the English team was present, and an apology for the absence of the remainder was made by the secre-tary-manager (Mr G. F. Hutchins),

In proposing the toast of the English team, Mr John Miller said the peop!e_ oT Southland were delighted to receive a visit from them. Such visits as these helped to bind the units : of Empire and also helped the" people here to learn cf things in other parts of the Empire. Responding on behalf of the team, Mr Hutchins apologised for the absence of the manager (Mr E. Osborne), who was Indisposed, and of the' English team. He explained that the team had considered it a free night and had accepted private engagements. They had been made to feel at home the minute they arrived. Southland had not been beaten in any part for warmth of welcome. When'they went back Home they would say that Invercargill demanded consideration in future tours. He went on to instance the increase of interest that was being taken in League, particularly in Australia, as the result of their tour. He congratulated the New Zealand'team on its victory. - Mr J.-Earkin, captain of the team, said that since they left England they had had a wonderful trip. The hospitality everywhere had, been great. They were told in Australia that they would have an eaßy thing on in New Zealand, but he assured them that they were having anything bat an easy time. He was sure the public had gone away from the match satisfied that Rugby League was a good game. The New Zealand team had played a fine game and the game that brought victory. .At this stage Mr W. J. Taylor, manager of the New Zealand team, presented a medallion to Mr H. Thomas, who was one of the 19 players who, in the 1926-27 tour remained loyal to the New Zealand League during. the strike. In'proposing the toast of the New Zealand team, the chairman congratulated it on its win.’ People appreciated the fact that the League, organisation had been able to stage a match .in Invercargill and to go to such expense as to bring .a team from the north, many of the players coming from as far as Auckland. He also made further eulogistic reference to the team.

Mr Taylor, in reply, said the team would go away with very happy recollections of the match in Invercargill and ’ thfeir stay there. Mr- M. We-therill, captain of the New Zealand team, also spoke briefly in reply.

Mr H. Divers returned thanks to the Entertainment Committee ■ for so ably looking after the social side of arrangements during their stay.

NOTES. On Saturday D. Bennetts played hid first game for Christian Brothers for several . weeks. The Sum of £4OO was taken at the gates at the exhibition match between England and New Zealand in Invercargill. "Wc lost the fight” (telegram despatched by Gig. Wethcrill, the New 1 Zealand captain, to his wife after the second" test at Dunedin-).—Auckland .Sun.* J. Fox, J. Montague, and R. Cusack were, absent from the Christian Brothers’ team on Saturday, but they will probably take the field .again this week.'

As a result of winning the third test match on Saturday, the English team will have the-satisfaction of- taking back to England two silver cups, one from Aus.-, the other from New Zealand. The New* Zealand cup is being, presented by Mr J. Gleeson.

Delahunty, who was formerly a member of the Dunedin Cluband who represented Otago against Manawhenua on August IS,; turned out for Christian Brothers on Saturday. _ - In a contest .for the Norman CoX' Memorial Cup at Greymouth the West' Coast schools’ team defeated Canterbury by 7 points to 3. The visitors wore not used to the heavy conditions. The New Zealand team has done better against ’ the Englishmen than , the Commonwealth did. Sunshine was esperierfeed for every match played fir Xcw Zealand.

Elterslic sprang a surprise in the club matches in Auckland on Saturday week by. beating Marist. by H points to nil. The losers were without the services Of; Brisbane and- J. CTBrien, who were in Dunedin, but if was generally, not thought that they were likely to be defeated.

On Sunday the Englishmen placed a wreath on the crave of Mr one. of the pioneers of-. Rugby League in Xew Zealand, in the Karori Cemetery at Wellington.' Tom O’Connor played his first game on Saturday since his injury in the interisland match at' Auckland on" July 2S. He played full-back for Christian Brothers, and, though he was kept busy occasionally,, he put up a good performance. As usual, he took a lot of stopping when he got away with the ball. The case of Burgess.- the English forward who was ordered off the field in the second test match at Dunedin, was considered by the council of the Xew Zealand Rugby League last week. The chairman, Mr C. A. Sneddeir. said the Otago League had been asked for a report on the incident, and no action could be taken until it was received.

In the opinion of the manager of the Xew Zealand team. (Mr W. J. Taylor), the Xew Zealand" forwards were quite equal to the English pack, but the visitorswere superior in back play. The English inside backs. Parkin, Rees, Aekin, and Fairelough, were probably the best in the world in the League code. The forwards had plenty of pace, and their handling was sure. . ', , In the course of conversation with a Lyttelton Times representative on Saturday, Mr Osborne, manager of the English team, said: “Next year an Australian team will tour England, and in four years’ time from now we expect to be able to send another League team to New Zea-_ land, where I think that the standard of play has improved marvellously since 1924, when an English combination was l&6t< Football enthusiasts will regret to learn that “Angry” Cross, who, 20 years ago, was one of Now Zealand’s best-known forwards, is in hospital in Wellington suffering from spinal trouble. He represented New Zealand in Rugby, and in 1907 was with the New Zealand League team in England. „ Enthusiasm prevailed at the civic reccption tendered the English Rugby League players in Christchurch on Inday (says the Sun). The room was packed with people, and many failed to find seats. The Mayor (the Rev. J. tv. Archer), who welcomed the visitors, said he was sure that there was room in New Zealand for all codes of footbal , and it seemed that it was time the people shou d try to cultivate between the codes friendly relations. The Englishmen were also welcomed bv Dr Thacker and Mr J. K. W orrail The speakers for the visitors were Messrs Osborne. Hutchins, and Parkin. v-’as the case in Australia Auckland Herald), the New Zealand Rugbv League authorities have naa trouble over the appointment of referees to the English matches. On Saturday week it was understood that Mr Olsen had been appointed to control the second test, and this was agreed to by the visiting team. At a late hour, however, the Englishmen insisted on a change, and the New Zealand Council was P ow ® r to intervene. Finally. Mr Devereux. whom • the Englishmen demanded, controlled tm Ba ?he Fifth Grade League championship in Christchurch has been won by the Woolstoh team. The Woolston Third Grade team also won their competition this year, with eight championship to spare. This team won m the Sixth Grade three years ago, were Tunnere-up • in the Fifth Grade the following season, and annexed the Fourth Grade champio - ship last year. Much of the success of the two combinations has been due to the work of the club captain and coacn (Mr C. Tillyshort). who is leaving Christchurch shortlv for Dunedin (says the Christchurch Star). The Grevmouth correspondent ottne Christchurch Press states that the West Coast Rugbv League has purchased 10 acres of land at Coal Creek for the imrpose of making a football ground. It has been necessary to do this owing to the support accorded the code by the Grejmouth public. The centre will be the first sports body on the West Coast to own its own ground. It is intended next year to provide four playing areas.