RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20703, 29 April 1929, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

. FIRST GRADE COMPETITION. SATURDAY’S GAMES. The second round of the senior Rugby fixtures was played on Saturday under ideal weather conditions, there being an entire absence of wind, and the various grounds being in good order. University A obtained almost a last minute victory against Alhambra on Carisbrook, the game being one of the best club fixtures seen in Dunedin for many a day. Kaikorai and University B played a keenlycontested game at Bishopscourt, and when the final whistle was sounded honours were easy. Southern showed much improved form in defeating Dunedin by a substantial margin, Pirates proved much to® clever for Zingari, and Taieri had no difficulty in accounting for Union. The following are the results of the day’s play:— University A .. D Alhambra .... 8 Kaikorai .. .. 8 University B .. 8 Pirates .. .. 25 Zingari .. .. 0 Southern .. .. 25 Dunedin .. ~ C Taieri 28 Union 3 ■ UNIVERSITY Av. ALHAMBRA. After one of the finest club games seen In Dunedjn for many a long day—marked with thrills from start to finish —the Blues, when they appeared to be a beaten side, came with a great rattle in the last few minutes, and won a hard-fought victory by a point. It was a desperate contest between the two packs, with plenty of play from the rearguards, and was watched by over 3000 people. The Colours played from the railway end, and the Blues carried the game at once to their opponents' territory, where some solid scrumming took place. The Blues’ backs commenced to throw the ball about, and Horsley (centre), Houghton, and Webb opened with passing. C. Davis (half-back) breaking into the movement and getting in a good line kick. A mark by Webb and a dash by Jolly helped the Blues, but their passing was then muddled. ' and Wilson, the Colours’ left wing-tlirei*-quarter, dashed along the side line in fine style. An exchange of kicks between L. Griffin and Stevenson saw the Blues on defence. The Alhambra forwards were playing with great determination and dash, their front-rankers, H. Davis and Souter, doing particularly solid work. Horsley had to mark in the face of a forward rush, and then Stevenson bad his kick charged down. The Colours’ forwards came with a slashing rush, and M'Clymont was caught with the ball over the line and had to force. Wyllie made a dash along the Colours’ right wing, and Johnston cut into Blue passing, but was dragged down. Wilson showed out in another good run, and raced along the line . again shortly after. The Colours’ forwards were getting the ball from the scrums, and they then came with a great rattle, which took them to the Blues’ twenty-five. Callander missed with a fairly easy penalty kick, and after some solid forward play Wilson started once more along the side line from Webb, and the Blues then forced in a hurry. Walker, the Colours’ winger, was coming round fast and blocking the passing of the Blues’ backs, but at last MXean got his backs moving well, Webb then throwing forward. The Blues had a turn at attack, but C. Davis sent it back with a clever scooter kick, and the Colours’ forwards thrust deep into the Blues’ territory. Back came the Blues. Morsley was collared before he could pass to Webb, who, however, got in a lucky ground kick, and Aitken picked up and Bolted for the goal posts. A scramble • ensued, and the Colours forced. The Blues’ passing went s out to Webb, who was smothered as he went to the ball, and play swung across to the other wing, where Wyllie brought down M'Clymont with a solid tackle. The I.ue backs tried the short punt, but the opposing backs were fielding well, and sending back with interest. M'Lean started the Blue rearguard again, and Horsley. Tvhen he found- Webb covered, cut in and threw infield to Jolly, who sent a long pass out to Webb, the Blue wing threequarter scoring near the corner. Steven son miSsefi the goal kick. 3—-nil. The Blues drove the Colours to their hne, where a scrum was formed. The play went back, and Loder marked and drop-kicked a fine goal. 6—nil. Stung by these reverses, the Colours’ forwards forced their way to the Blues’ bne, and, after some desperate scrumming. Walker pushed his way over near the posts. Callander missed the goal kick. 6 — 3,

Walker changed defence into attack by cutting into Blue passing and racing well down the field. Loder secured and punted back, and a lucky ground kick by Webb also helped, L. Griffin saving a dangerous situation by kicking straight out near his right corner flag. Horsley came away with a slashing run on the opposite side, and the Blue forwards battled their way through till £itken got offside, and the hell then went. University A, 0; Alhambra, 3. The Blues were the first to attack on resuming, Haughton being pushed out near the left corner. A mark helped the Colours, and Callander then punted to Stevenson, who saved just in time, and Horsley punted downfield in the face of another attack. The Blue backs were trying hard to open up the game, but the Alhambra men were coming very fast on to Loder, spoiling the movements, and then dribbling on. The Cplours’ forwards took play to the Blues’ line. C. Davis was feeding his backs well from line outs, but _ the passing was too slow and too straight across field. The Colours’ pack were playing with great determination, and had the Blues penned at their twentyfive, W. Griffin, potted, the ball going under the crossbar. The Bines were now a bit ‘disorganised, and passing went out to Wyllie, who fumbled and lost a fine chance to score. The Alhambra forwards, playing together and with great dash, were testing the defence thoroughly, and C. Davis was feeding his backs with judgment, but they were running straight across field. At last Douglas burst through in a dashing solo run, and A 1 hambra had to force immediately after Henley made a good attorn-1 with a penalty, and a free kick by Stevenson put his side in position, but Haughton and Webb both fumbled in a passing rush, and Wilson broke away from Webb and ran and kicked to Stevenson, who was collared over the line and had to force. The play surged_ from one end of the field to the other amidst loud cheering and the greatest excitement. A scrum was formed near the Blue goal posts, and C. Davis slipped round, gave the dummy, and was brought down just in time. The Colours kept up the pressure. Callander passed to L. Griffin, who cut the defence clean in two and was stopped near the line The ball was kicked over, and, after an exciting race. Calander beat Stevenson to it and scored. Souter kicked a goal amidst great cheering, and Alhambra took thr lead.

Henley broke through, and the Blue backs again tried hard to open the game, but Callander and L. Griffin were freldinc the ball well and gaining ground with •well-judged kicks. M’Clymont made a run along the left wing, but Walker stopped him well. An Alhambra player then got badly offside, and amidst what may be termed breathless silence Stevenson carefully placed the ball, kicked, and failed to convert. Davis drove'back another attack, and Stevenson did the same for the Bhres immediately after. The Colours missed with a couple of penalty kicks at goal, and then Henley and Him denacb went clean through the Colours in a passing bout. Horsley was caught with the ball when Webb was waiting with a clear field in front of him, and Loder threaded his way to the line till he met Walker. M'Clymont made a dash on the other aide and Alhambra forced amidst great cheering. Douglas put the Colours on defence again with a high kick, and after exciting play Webb came across from his wing to take a pass and score, but the referee ruled a pass forward. The sands of time were fiow running out, and it seemed as if Alhambra were to achieve the victory for which they had fought so hard The Blues, however, made another desperate assault on the Colours’ other desperate assault on the Colours’ line, but the Colours were smothering the attempts of the Blue backs to open out with passing., C. Davis marked from a line-out, and put in a good kick, play going to halfway.. The game seemed all over bar shouting; / when Hindenncb secured near midfield and burst through, straight down the field. Down the teams went for a scrum, MXean secured, and

out the hall went to M'Clymont who dashed across unopposed amidst such cheering as has seldom been heard at Carisbrook. Stevenson missed the goal kick, and the bell went shortly after with the Blues on their opponents’ line. University A .. .. 9 points Alhambra 8 points Mr R. Herd was referee. UNIVERSITY B v. KAIKORAI. The match between University 13 and Kaikorai was played at Bishopscourt, and there was a very fair attendance. The game was_ drawn, the score 8 all, being a_ fair indication of the merits of the two sides. The issue was in doubt till the final whistle, both teams putting forward every effort to secure the match. The play was not in the best style of either of the teams, but both of the forward packs put in a strenuous afternoon. The backs threw the ball about well, but the students had a slight advantage in this department of the game which compensated for the Hill team’s better forward play. The Kaikorai backs lost many opportunities of scoring from promising openings. The most outstanding_ back on the ground was Muir, the University full-back, who saved his side time and again. The tackling on both sides was deadly, and accounted for the comparatively low scoring. From the start the Blues set up a strong attack which put them into a good position, which they maintained for some time, keeping the Hill team busy defending their line. Monk at length eased the pressure, initiating a passing movement that carried play to the University territory,- but which broke down when it looked most promising as a result of bad passing. The Kaikorai forwards continued to press hard on the s udents’ line. From a line out Sonntap secured tihe ball and passed to Braithwaite. who transferred to Ross, who missed the pass. Laing, however, cut in cleverly and secured possession, and then went on to the line. Just before he was grassed he sent the ball out to Monk, who scored well out. He also converted his own try. Kaikorai 5. University B nil. Just before the half-time whistle was sounded the Blues got over From the kick-off they set up a strong attack which transferred play to the Kaikorai twentyfive. Priest got possesion in "ront of the goal and tried a pot. He missed, but Somerville came up fast, and ran through to score at the corner. Wallace’s kick at goal failed. The score at half-time was: Kaikorai 5, University B For the first few minutes of- the second spell Kaikorai had everything their own way, but the Blue forwards soon carried play right to the other end of the field with a loose_ rush that was stopped near the Kinker?; line. A scramble near the corner gave Allan a chance to dive across the line. Francis kicked a great goal. University B 8, Kaikorai 5. Kaikorai again set up an attack, whicii th. Blues were hard pressed to repulse. Offside play by University in front of their own goal gave Monk an opportunity to equal the scores, but his kick went wide. Not many minutes later the same player accepted a second opportunity, and was successful with a very much more difficult kick. The score was now-: Kaikorai 8, University B 8. The concluding stages of the game roused the spectators to the highest pitch of excitement. Both sides were making frantic efforts to score, and play was rushed from end to end of the field with no result. In the last few minutes Wal-. lace, with the ball at his toes, had only one Kaikorai man to beat, obstructed hie opponent and was penalised. A certain try was thus lost for the Blues. The game ended soon after with the score: Kaikorai 8 University B ’ 8 The referee was Mr George M'Kenzie. ZINGARI v. PIRATES., The game between Zingari and Pirates w played at Tahuna Park under ideal football conditions, in the presence of a handful of spectators. Zingari kicked off, and had the better of play for some time, with Caradus making good attempts to break through, but getting no support. Give and take play followed. until Giles started a nice Black attack on the blind side. From following loose play in Zinfan territory the ball came infield for furring to pick up and score. Faulks missed the goal kick. 3—nil. Open play followed, with Caradus leadmg, but the Colours lacked finish, and a good mark by Boutrey, and a passing flash, by Pirates, next engaged attention. In scrambling play which followed the absence of numbers by which players should be easily distinguished saved one player from being mentioned for several deliberate attempts at tripping. Pirates continued the attack until an excellent kick by Titchener relieved to halfway. Good Pirates passing from Boutrey to Giles, to Cheyne, saw the last-uamed well tackled at the corner flag by Cranefield. Zingan at this time was getting all the ball from the scrums, and Pirates, through t raser and then Hurring, attacked until trom a scrum near the line Fraser slipped over cleverly for a good score. ' Giles mi ™ ni* e , goal kick - Birates 6—nil. Ihe Blacks continued the attack, and" r aulks narrowly missed scoring from a free kick given to Pirates for offside play. A good breakaway by Fraser was unsup-’ ported, but excellent passing by the Blacks, with Young opening up play nicely, broke ™ at Niven. At this stage both teams were talking more than was necessary A smart breakaway by the Blacks. led by Boutrey, narrowly missed scoring on the nf K Pr-r' I f”’,i° U ' tn § to tke S°od defence a scrum Pirates increased their score bv Yonn- runninc tior lKht xr Dd di , n ! a - ht>le in tke oppos? I Nl f ve " failed with the kick. , . sfc tr y the day now came from Ln S r Ve T t ,. b ? the B,acks * the HiIL? pf th , rn !' gh tk ° hands of Boutrey. Glendining. Fraser, and back to Glendining who ran behind to give Faulks an easy kick. Pirates U. Zingari niL From a free kick Titchener put in a good hne finder that placed Zingari on with on® 0 ' Cheyne relieved with an excellent dnbb c. A good nasa S r. GJles . Vouug P an“ Fraser handling, the last-named going over unopposed. The kick failed. Pirates 17 Zingari nil. Desultory play followed the kick off. "I 11 V 1 t? e Blacks attacking, and Caradus and _ Titchener defending well. Cheym received for Pirates, kicked, and, when following up was unnecessarily tackled and had to be carried off. He was not seriously injured. Smart dribbling by the Blacks looked dangerous, hut the defence prevailed and then Fraser missed adding to the Blacks* score through beiir» well grassed by Titchener at the corned flag, scratchy play followed with M'Nattv and Lawry leading the Zingari pack, and Smith and Turgis the Blacks. The next incident was a breakaway by Young, who. r-i i an °l )en field, was overtaken by titchener. Hurring and Fraser were now working well for the Blacks.. the latter being well tackled by Orr when in a scoring position. Fraser was eventually rewarded with a score, the ball going to him after good passing between forwards and backs. Faulks, missed the kick Pirates 20. Zingari nil. From a scrum Giles received and, beating the opposition badly, scored between the posts for Boutery to convert. The whistle sounded with play in Zingari territory, and the scores:— Pirates 25 points. Zingari Nil. Mr W. Connor was the refei ee.

SOUTHERN v. DUNEDIN. Southern met Dunedin in the first match on Carisbrook and, after a bright and fairly open game, scored a convincing win by 28 points to 3, -The Southern team’s showing was a decided improvement on its display of the previous Saturday the backs especially giving an attractive exhibition of fast, open play. The Dunedin forwards were responsible for one or two pod attacking movements, but the backs lacked cohesion in attack, whilst their defensive play was weak. Dunedin kicked off from the Cargill road end, and Southern immediately pressed, carrying play into the opposing twenty-five, A penalty to Dunedin brought relief and the Dunedin forwards. led by Delahunty and Toomey, followed up the advantage and soon had the Black and Whites defending in their own territory. Play veered to the other end of the Held and for .the next few minutes Southern was on the attack until the Blue full-back found the line near halfway with a nice kick. The Southern backs were sent away by Todd, but the movement was marred by faulty handling, and Dunedin retaliated with a forward rush which drove the Black and Whites back on to their own quarter-line. Play returned to halfway, where Wilson, in the van of the Colours’ pack, took the ball at his toes deep into

Dunedin territory. Southern kept up the pressure until Roughan broke away and put Dunedin on the attack. Inghs, the Southern wing, secured and went through to halfway before kicking, and Sutherland, carrying on the movement, dribbled through to Dunedin’s twenty-five, where R. Wilson picked up and went over. A. Wilson converted. Southern 6, Dunedin nil. From the kick off the Black and Whites went away with an irresistible rush, and for a time had the Blues defending in their own quarter. From a scrum Todd set his backs in motion and the ball went to Wilson, who narrowly missed scoring near, the corner. Southern kept up the pressure, and from a scramble Cushnie dived for the line, but just fell short. A food return to the line near midfield by layes regained some of Dunedin’s lost territory, but Todd again picked up inside halfway and handed to Cushnie, who tlrew the defence before passing to Strachan. The last-named sprinted down the line and. completely beating the defence, ran round to score behind the posts. The attempt to convert failed. Southern 8. Dunedin ml. The Southern rearguard now began to kail about, the second fiveeighth, R, Wilson, being particularly prominent in a series of attractive attacking movements. Thirty yards out Sutherland took, a mark and added another three points with a good kick. Southern, 11: Dunedin, nil. • , B^ack au< 3 White hacks again came into the picture, and Sutherland was responsible for a movement which culminated in the ball going to Inglis, who went over near the corner. The kick at goal fell short. Southern, 14: Dunedin, nil. Dunedin livened up and rushed* the Colours back to their own line, and were on the attack when half time whistle blew. ,*7v-^ ter the oyer the Black and Whites pursued their vigorous tactics, and repeated rushes by their backs kept Dunedin on the defensive until Delahnnty broke through and at the head of a forward rush transferred play to halfway. Wilson secured from a scrum and sent the ball to Stracban who made a great dash down the line only to be thrown out near the corner. Hayes relieved with a kick, which found touch well outside the Blues’ twenty-five, but Southern was not to be denied, and Dressed back to the ’.Uree-quarter line.. Here Todd got the ball away to Sutherland, who threw to Strachan. .This time the big Southern winger made no mistake, and dived across, near the corner. The kick at goal missed. Southern, 17; Dunedin, nil. Roughan went through with a great solo dribbling iush and took the ball to South-ei-n’s twenty-five, and the Colours for a time had all they could do to keep their ’ine clear. An infringement just outside the twenty-five gave Dunedin a penalty kick, which went wide. From the return ■the Dunedin rearguard immediately got into action, and one of the best passing bouts of the day ensued, the ball travelling quickly to within a few yards of the Southern line, where Delahunty secured and touched down. Toomey received ,an injury to the shoulder and retired. The attempt to convert failed. Southern. 17; Dunedin, 3. Another bright movement by the Southern backs saw the ball go from Wilson to Strachan. who went over for his third try. A. Wilson added the major points. Southern. 22: Dunedin, 3. At this stage R. Wi’son retired hurt, and was replaced by Bolton. Dunedin rallied, and with a series of forward rushes pushed the Colours back, and; after a desnerate assault on the line. Broome scored from a scramble. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. Southern. 25: Dunedin. 6. Southern came again, and a back movement near Dunedin’s twenty-five saw Strachan again score. Wilson missing with the kick. The final whistle wen immediately afterwards, with the scores:— Southern 28 points Dunedin 6 points Mr B. Olliver was the referee. ■ UNION v. TAIERI. The match between Union and Taieri was played at the North Ground. Even play at the centre was followed by an attack by Taieri, Dyer scoring. The kick at goal failed. Taieri, 3; Union, nil. ■ Union placed- Taieri on the defensive, and might have scored if their passing had been more accurate. Taieri, whose forwards were playing well, invaded the Union ground and after loose play Pearce got over near the posts. The kick went wide. Taieri, 6; Union, nil. A strong attack set up by Union was aided by a free kick for Taieri’s offside play, which proved reaultless. Another free kick to Union saw Fleming send the ball between the posts nicely. Taieri. 6; Union, 3. With a fine rush Taieri carried the 1 ball to Union’s twenty-five, where they were held up by a stubborn defence, and their best efforts came to naught. An attempt to kick a goal from a free kick failed, the ball striking the upright. The pressure was continued, and, seizing the opportune moment, _ Bathgate smartly potted a goal. Taieri, 10 points; Union, 3 points. In the second spell Taieri lost no time attacking, and a chance to score was missed through erratic passing when within 10 yards of the line. A few minutes later Jolly flicked up the ball in loose play, and, meeting feeble opposition, forced his way over the line. The kick was not a success. Taieri. 13; Union, 3. Union kept the ball in their opponents' territory for a time, and maintained a strong attack, notwithstandiig Taieri’s attempts to turn the tide. Weakening in their pressure. Taieri took advantage of an opening and rushed the ball to the Union line, but the Maroons, petting the ball from a scrum, kept it at their toes and chanced the scene of play to the centre. For some time play remained in Taieri’s ground, but Union could not get over the quarter line. Some time was lost through men being temporarily laid out. Taieri again asserted themselves, and play went to the Union twenty-five, where a wild kick sent it over the line, and in a rush for it Geary got there first. The kick was not a success, Taieri, 10; Union. 3 Shortly after play was resumed n penalty was awarded Taieri, but the kick went wide. Even play followed, until a strong kick carried the ball into Union’s ground, and smart following up by Wilkinson prevented its return. A mark, smartly taken by Vorratb. gave relief to Union. Taieri again set up an assault, and I, Scott crossed the line without much opposition. No goa 1 resulted. Taieri. 19; Union, 3. Union made another strong effort to -a-orc, and the forwards wore very active, hut all to no purpose. Inside the Union territory L, Scott got into possession, and, with a strong run, in which he pushed several opponents aside, be crossed the line tinder the posts. The kick at goal by A, Scott was a success.. A few minutes later the game ended, with the score:— ■ Taieri .. .. .. 24 points. Union 3 points Mv J. M'Crombio was tho referee. Several mishaps occurred in the second ■spell P. Rogers (Taieri! was carried off. Grieve taking his place. Diddle (Taieri)' sprained his ankle, and Johnson (Union) received a heavy kick-on the leg. Wiliams replacing him.