RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20793, 12 August 1929, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SENIOR COMPETITION. UNIVERSITY DEFEATS KAIKORAI. GREAT CROWD AT CARISBROOK. By defeating Kaikorai at Cnrisbrook On Saturday, University A won the senior flae competition for the fourth year in succession. It is interesting to note the position of the University team in the competition over the past 10 years. In 1910 the L’ght Blues headed the list, and then the following teams come in order; —Alhambra. Kaikorai, and University A for three successive years. Pirates wore the victors in 1925, and then University won the following year and the succeeding years. . The following table shows the respective positions of the various teams at the conclusion of the season’s play;—

UNIVERSITY v. KAIKORAI. The meeting of University A and Kaikorai—for the third time this season—had been a source of general conversation for several days past, but the realisation did not como up to the anticipation. Kaikorai had won the two earlier matches, but on Saturday University reversed the previous results. Unfortunately the teams had no sooner taken the field than rain commenced to fall, and a bitterly cold wind also blew in heavy gusts across the ground. The weather conditions quite upset the calculations of the players, and the turf became heavy as the afternoon advanced. As a consequence the second spell was a colourless affair, occupied mostly with hard scrummaging. A crowd estimated at about 14,000 watched the contest,' and £747 2s was taken at the gates—the largest amount for a club match for many a long day, and no doubt a record. The teams were as follow:—• KAIKORAI. Full-back; Clarke 10.12. Three-quarters: Miller 12.3. Laine 12. C. Ollivcr 11.10. Five-eighths:' Ross 12.0, Bfaithwaite 12.0. Half-back: Cameron 10!l0. Forwards: Watkins 12.0,M‘Hardy 10,0, Sonntag 14.7, Watts 14.5, Allan 12.10, M'Meeking 13.3, Roberts 13J2, and Perry 11.12 (wing-forward, UNIVERSITY A. Full-back: Stevenson 12.7. • Three-quarters: Webb 12.7, M'Clymont 12.5, Bibby 11.10. Five-eighths:- Fookes 11.0, Bradanovich 11.4. Half-back: M'Lean 10.8, Forwards: Hindenach 12.2, Douglas 12.2, Aitken 13.7, Wilson 14.8. Grey 12.3, Martin 11.10, Christie 12.5, Thomas 11.9 (wing-forward). “Boys of the Old Brigade," played by the Kaikorai Band, and a great burst of cheering, welcomed the hill team as they came on to the ground, and the University anthem and more cheering heartened the Blues’ team. Light rain was falling as the teams started off, and then a gale of wind struck the ground, hats and loose paper flying around for a second or two. The Blues had the advantage of a cross wind, and play hung at the centre for a time, till the forwards settled down. Then from a scrum Bradanovich came round on the blind side to pass to Bibby, but no ground was gained. Bradanovich then inade a thrust at the centre after getting the ball from M'Lean at a scrum, but Braithwaite collared him soundly, and Laing picked up and punted to Stevenson, who kicked to the line in a hurry. The Blue forwards were hooking the ball from the scrums, but the passing of the backs was not effective. Line out play and scrummaging followed in neutral territorry till Thomas led a Blue forward rush, but Miller drove back with a kick, Stevenson finding the line at his twentyfive. The Kaikorai forwards hooked the ball to Cameron, who pased to Braithwaite, but- the movement stopped at the Colours’ first five-eighth. Hard forward play followed at the centre till Christie dribbled away from the edge of a scrum. Sonntag and Christie again were noticeable in scrum work, and play rested in front of the Kaikorai goal, where a acrum was formed. _ Passing between Bradanovich and Bibby failed to gain ground, and then Stevenson forced the Colours with a hard kick. The Blue backs again tried passing, but It broke down, and, after ragged forward play, Laing had a penalty kick. Stevenson took the hall on his twenty-five line, dropped it, and then recovered to get in a beautiful line kick. Rain was falling heavily, and there was nothing very spectacular about the game. The Blue forwards now infused more dash into their work, and the hill team wore penned at their twenty-five. Passing between M'Lean, Bradanovich, and Bibby bad the Colours in trouble, Bibby being thrown out at the left corner. Play swung out fronting the Colours’ goal, where, from a scrUm, M'Lean passed to Bradanovich, who sent to Fookes. The latter broke through a tackle and passed to M'Clyinont, who had a clear run in. Bradnnovich kicked a goal amidst loud cheering. s—nil. The Kaikorai forwards, for whom Roberts was playing a solid game, had a turn at attack, !>ut their backs were letting them down badly. Passing between, M'Lean, Bradanovich, and Fookes helped the Blue side, and passing from a scrum, then went to M'Clymont, on the left wing. The B.ne centre beat two men, and then turned infield to his right and raced for the goal posts, u<hero Douglas, coming up the centre of the field, received a long pass and went over. Stevenson kicked a goal. About 20 minutes of the spell had passed. 10—nil. The Blues kept up the pressure, but their passing broke down, and a Kaikorai fox ward got badly offside. Dradanovich miieed the penally kkk. A spectacular piece of play followed. Passing went out to Webb, on the rittlu wing, and he threw infiold, when the Blue backs commenced a movement to the opposite side. M'Clymont securing, and making a beautiful opening to give a long pass to Bibby, who went across unopposed. Bradanovich missed a goal kick. 13—nil. Heavy rain waa falling, and some of the spectators, apparently already satisfied with the run of the game, were edging towards the gates. Give-and-take plav followed till Stevenson gained 50 yards with a penalty kick. From the line out Sonntag and Allan led a hill rush, bn' the Blues came again, and the Colours were hard pressed. Laing took Fookes in great style as he was going for the line, and Webb made a dasii along-the right wing. A hard kick forced the Colours, but ’.heir forwards hail shifted play to halfway when the whistle Went University A .. .. 13 points. Kaikorai Nil. Heavy rain, with gusts of wind, could not subdue the enthusiasm of the spectators, and they were ready and willing to cheer good play. The Kaikorai inside backs were not playing well, but at length Cameron smartly sent on to Braithwaite. to Laing, but Olliver then got a bad pass. The Bine backs again tried passing, but it broke down, and Roberts and Perry led back, and a keen struggle took place on the Blues’ line. Martin was hurt, and waa replaced hy Abel. The Kaikorai forwards were repeatedly putting their backs into position, but they were letting their side dewn, and the Blue fovwa”ds were thus nabled to hold off the attacks. Perry then broke into passing and dribbled over the line but the ball went out of bounds. Clark, who was fielding the ball Without a mistake, and returning with short towards the side lines, was helping bia aide well. The Kaikorai forwards were keeping the opposing pack very busy, and trying their hardest to battle over the few yards which separated them from home. At last Hindenach and Christie led a counter attack, and Fookes and then

Webb made dashes for the line, the latter being collared by Ross from behind after he turned infield and beaten Clark. From scrums M'Lean and then Bradanovitch tried to bore over without success, and Perry and Ollivcr led back with great dash. It was not long before the Ka‘korai forwards were again hammering away at the defence of the Blues. Stevenson went to. the ground to stop one dashing forward rush, in which M'Mceking was hurt, and was replaced by Richardson. It was again raining heavily. The Kaikorai forwards now had the Blues nailed on their line, but their backs did not know how to finish off the attacks despite the loud urginge of their supporters. “ This time, now! ” as the ball came from the serums. At last M'Clymont broke into Kaikorai passing and dribbled up the field, but the Colours came again, Webb cleverly tntercepting a pass from Laing to Olliver and saying a dangerous situation. The interest in the game had now faded. It was seen that Kaikorai backs simply could not finish off the positional advantages made for them. A long period of hard battling forward play followed on the Blues' line. The Blues were forced from a hard kick, and Richardson shortly after dribbled over, Stevenson forcing. In the dying stages of the game the Blues came with a great bit of passing, which went from the right wing clean across the field to M'Clymont, who was caught just in time near the left corner, and Clark collared Webb on the right wing shortly after. The whistle went with the play at the Blues' twenty-five. University A .. .. 13 points Kaikorai ;. .. Xil Mr I. Grant was the referee.

METROPOLITAN v. COUNTRY.

WIN FOR THE HOME TEAM,

A CLOSELY CONTESTED GAME. The match between the Metropolitan team and the combined country side did not rouse much .enthusiasm among the crowd. Neither side had played together previously, and combination was lacking, the home side winning a closely-contested game by 6 points to 3. Playing with the wind behind them the town players had the better of the first spell and obtained more of the ball than the visitors. The backs frequently combined in passing rushes but could not finish off their movements, there being a decided tendency towards solo play. The Country team’s tackling was sound, and as a result no tries were scored, a penalty goal giving Metropolitan the lead. In the second spell the Country players -showed more dash, the for war;!,? working more solidly. Play was even, each side scoring an unconverted try. In the town side Faulks, at full-back, played a _ sound game, and provided the crowd with the unusual spectacle of a full-back scoring a try. He scored all of the home team’s points. Bathgate and Caradus were also reliable, and Davis was frequently in the picture in the first spell. Hook, Hore, Collett, and Scott were the best of the forwards.

, Nicholson, at full-back for the Country side, played an outstanding game. He frequcntly extricated the visitors from dangerous situations, tackling well and kicking powerfully. Waldrcn did a great deal of saving work, and figured prominently ir. the attacking movements, Munyard, who replaced Donnelly when the letter went off with an injure, was also solid, and Pcrriam played soundly. Of the wing three-quarters Aitchison had most chances, proving to be a hard man to stop. Barron was the best of the forwards, and lie was well supported bv Robertson. The teams were as follows:

, Metropolitan (Dark Blue).—Full-back, Faulks 12.0: three-quarters—Wil son 12.0, Caradus 11.10, Chc.vno 11.10; five-eighths, Lowndes 10.0, Bathgate 11.0; half-hack, Davis 9.0; forwards—Horo 13.1, Hook 12.0, Collett 13.0. Findlay 11.0, Vbrrath 12.8, Carnegie 14.8. Dclaliunty 12.0; wingforward, Scott 14.0.

Combined Country (Red and Black). — Full-back, Nicholson IY.) 12.5; threequarters—Aitchison (W.D.) 13.0. F. Donnelly (V.) 12.7, Hnunay (V.) 12.8; fiveeighths. Manuel (T.) 10.0. Waldron (V.) 9.8; half-back, Perriam (W.D.) 10.7; forwards—Clark (if.) 12.10, Moffatt fW.D.I 12.2, Clouston (V.) 13,2. O'Neill (M.) 14.0. Barron (W.D.) 12.8. J. Donnelly CV.) 13.0, Mnrslin (V) 13.5; wing-for-ward, Robertson (T.) 12. G.

A short period of ragged play followed the Country team’s kick off. the visitors taking the ball to the Blues’ twenty-five, where Nicholson failed with .a shot at goal. With a free kick Findlay gained a large stretch of ground. Good piny by Bathgate settled the Blues in a passing rush, which took the ball well uphold. Wilson received and made a good dash right to the line, where hr. lost, a certain try through holding on too long. The Colours forced their way baek to halfway. Findlay took a free kick, but the wind carried the ball out of bounds. A rush by the Bluo forwards followed, and Scott and Choyne joined jn passing with good results. Wilson wont off with an injury to his arm, and was replaced by Strachan. From a kick by Choyne the hall wont out of hounds. Ko.horkon stopped an attack by the Blue forwards, who, however, were keeping up a solid pressure. Davis went round on the blind side, but was well stopped by Nicholson. The Bine backs joined in passing, but Strachan. -when a yard from tiic line, was well collared by Waldron, Nicholson finding the line nfc the twcnty.fivc. Choyne was almost over a couple of minutes later, but again Nicholson saved the situation. The Country players joined in passing, but they were penalised, Findlay’s kick being too hard, and enabling the visitors to force. The visitors were penalised, and Faulks kicked a fine goal. Metropolitan .. .. 3 points Country Nil Perriam sent out a long pass to Ajtchison, who kicked, Faulks fielding well and finding touch with a fine kick. Faulks ran up to set bis backs in motion, but Aitehison brought Strachan down and stopped the movement. TValdron broke into the Blue passing, but F. Donnelly did not find the line with his kick. Play had been confined almost continuously to the visitors’ half, hut the Bine, baeks were going too far on their own, Lowndes being

brought down inches from the line. The visitors were given a penalty, and play was returned to halfway. Good tackling by Hannay and Nicholson stopped another dangerous rush. F, Donnelly went off with an injured 'leg, and Munyard took I his place. The Blues again attacked, ; Uaradns losing the ball inches from the line, where Waldron secured and kicked : well out of danger. The Countrv for- ; wards carried the ball to halfway, but fur- ■ ■ . e }’ Blue passing ended in a tussle on the i visitors’ Hue, where Lowndes appeared j to go across, but a scrum was formed. Munyard dribbled back almost to ha Ifi way, where Barron came away with the j ball at lus toes, and carried it almost to i tlie Blue Hue. The Blues’ defence ivas sound, however, and play was at the twenty-five when the half time whistle was sounded. The second spell began with an exchange of kicks which ended at the visitors’ twenty-five. Solid tackling stopped a Blue passing rush. Bouterey had replaced Davis behind the Blues’ scrum. Caradus cut in well, but was unsupported. Waldron and Marslin came away in a fine rush ‘with the ball at their toes and gained over 30 yards. The visitors carried on with the attack and the backs combined in passing, Manuel cutting in, but loshi" his supports. He was injured in bein° tackled and had to be taken off, Mnnyard went to five-eigths, and Alexander came on. The country plavors were now showing more dash. Munyard started a passing rush, and the ball went to Aitchison, the big winger brushing off a tackle and going over for a good try amid a burst of applause. Nicholson’s kick failed. Country 3 points. Metropolitan 3 points. The visitors were penalised, but Nicholson took the ball : well and returned upfield. The Colours, playing with plentv of dash, went right to the Blue line. A town forward speculated, but Nicholson unfortunately, knocked on, ant! a chance was lost. A kick by Munvard had the Dines in danger again, Bathgate saving by finding the line. After a breakawav by Delalumty, Aitchison secured, but he kicked over the line, and the Bines were enabled to force. Barron and Robertson broke away from the line 'out but Lowndes secured and found the line well down the field. Passing by the Colours ended in Hannay being well collared, hut the visitors remained on the offensive losing opportunities by kicking too hard. Waldron was again in the picture, but the Blue forwards broke through to halfway, and a knock on by Nicholson ended in "a scrum at the twenty-five. Good collaring kept the Blue backs out, Waldron intercepting and finding the line. Faulks fielded well from a kick by Waldron ami broke through the Country forwards. Ho handed to Lowndes, who passed on to Hore. Faulks had been following up fast, and Hore sent on to him, the full-back scoring a good try. Faulks’s kick failed. ■Metropolitan (1 points. Country .. .... .. 3 points.

Robertson and Barron again broke away, Barron being almost over when the ball was knocked out of his hands. Bathgate picked up and found the line. L. Scott showed up in a dribbing rush which took the ball well into the Colours’ territory- Their forwards cleared, and play was soon at the other end of the field Caradus and Hook showed out in a Blue rush, and another dash by Bathgate had the visitors in danger again. The Blues were awarded a penalty, Findlay failing with the shot at goal. The final 1 whistle went with the scores:— Metropolitan 0 points. Country 3 points, Mr A. EckhoUl was the referee. RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH. WAIRARAPA BEATS AUCKLAND. A BRILLIANT GAME. {Per United Press Association.) CARTERTON. August 10. The weather was bright and simnv for the Ranfuriy Shield challenge, Auckland v. Wah'arapa, and there was an attendanco of 7000. The Auckland team included eight international players and Wairarapa nine.

I Auckland kicked off against a very ■ flight wind, the forwards setting up a ; fast pace. 'Wairarapa held them nicely, I ,v°°k c from a free kick infield found ; the line near the corner. An Auckland , returned play infield, where Roach (full-back) was tackled heavily : after getting rid of the ball and knocked out. He recovered and went on. ■ A good rush by Auckland was checked I“y Stnngfellow marking. Play ; centred outside Auckland’s twenty-five. hor tricky work in the scrum Wairarapa were awarded a free kick, and Fuller : miSße “- minutes later in the i V\ airarapa twenty-five a similar infringej ment occurred, but Bush missed. I Play began to liven up. both packs puti tln S great vigour into their plav, but neither reaping any benefit. Mill and vjooke were associated in prettv plav, but hutler came through nicely and refieved. I U airarapa pressed, and a further attack i was led by Stnngfellow, but Bush stopped Mmns picked up, ran round I l )eht, l fl j ,,s P°«l, and line-kicked to the I twenty-hvc flag With Wairarapa still 1 attacking, offside play in the Auckland | pack gave Filler another chance, and he I live * K ° n tl ' om ou ts3de the twenty, A minute Inter outside the Wairarapa f [ lv outy-live Oihvov was offside, and Budi I had an esculent opportunity to even but missed narrowly. Wairarapa set up a hot attack, but Auckland defended its goal line stubbornly till a lucky speculator by L, Hook relieved. Shocking mishandlmg by the Wairarapa backs let the vjsitmg forwards through to inside the twenty-five hut a too hard kick a'lowcd Roach to force Fine play by Minns cap. ned play to the Wairarapa twenty-five, wftere Ollivor was again offside. Bush again missed From a scrum inside the Aijcb.and half Cundy received from Mill and sent on to Cooke, but the attack Was stayed by Roach and Fuller. From £TI ensuing ruck Anderson picked UP apd lorced his way across. Bush kicked a goal. Auckland, 5 points; Wairarapa, 3 points. Auckland kept up the pressure, but Wasrarapa defended solidly. Mill pent Donald end Cundy away, but the latter

sent a wild pu> to Booth, who mined. Batty was caught playing the ball on the ground, and Fuller kicked a goal. Wairarapa 6. Auckland 6. Auckland started off the second spell with a fine passing rush, the ball travelling, from band to hand among both forwards and backs, only to be held up on the line. Donald relieved from a scrum, but the pressure returned. Cooke Bent out a long kick from the ruck. Minns reeeived, and put in a lightning run down the Uno, but put a foot into touch. Wairarapa rallied, and drove Auckland to the twenty-five, where, after a hot period, a free kick for offside gave Batty an opportunity for a fine line kirk. K. Booth broke away at midfield, but Jamieson floored him quickly. Cundy also luvke away, but the tackling was too solid. Hive-and-take kicking followed, the final advantage lying with Auckland. Hard, play followed* and Cooke line-kicked beautifully well into Auckland’s tweutvnve. A prompt throw-in saw Reid receive, send on to Harvey, to Irvine, who scored under the posts._ Puller kicked a goal. \\ airarapa. 11 points, Auckland 5 points. Auckland vigorously returned the attack; and a smart movement found plav right on the Wairarapa line. Lucas, within yards of the line, punted, and Koach marked and relieve*!. Canunick was slightly hurt. Midfield play followed, Auckla-nd making every effort to pierce the defence. Cundy skied a high one. A hot melee in the Auckland twenty-five round Corner holding on the ground, and fculler kicked an easy goal. Wairarapa 14 points, Auckland 5 points. . In line tint work Auckland were proving superior, and thrust followed thrust m the Wairarapa twentv-fivc, on.lv to Blubbo'n, effective defence. £°tn sets of forwards were tirinv, and Corner set his backs going time and time again, sometimes gaining ground, but more often running across the field. From a t- outside the Wairarapa twenty-five the ball was kicked to Roach, who missed. Hook kicked hard past him. and raced huller to touch down. Bush failed with an easy kick. Wairarapa 14 points, Auckland 8 points. Wairarapa immediately carried play t® the Auckland twenty-five. A sturdy attack by the Auckland forwards carried inside the Wairarapa half, whore offside play gave Butler a fine chance, j ~ h® missed the posts by yards. Frantic dribbling deceived Roach, and Lucas picked up and raced away. Fuller overtook him a yard from the line and brought him down, but Lucas rolled over and touched down a yard from the post. Corner took the kick, and the ball hit the post and rebounded infield. "Wairarapa 14 points, Auckland 11 points. Wairarapa rushed the bell to the Auckland twenty-five, where an infringement Save Fuller a chance at a difficult angle, and h" kicked a sn l endid goal. Wairarapa, 17 points. Auckland 11 points. . From midfield Auckland set up a passing attack, the ball passing through manv hands till it arrived in Minn’s, who scored a brilliant at the corner. Bush essayed to kirk a goal and missed badly. \\ airarapa li points. Auckland 14 points, Wairarapa were on the attack when the whistle sounded.

IN OTHER CENTRES. WELLINGTON COMPETITION. , (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 11. University 19, Marist 0. Athletic 21. Old Boys 6. Oriental 15, Wellington nil. Poneke 32, Pctonc 28, Berhampore 11, Eastbourne nil. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. (Per United Press Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, AugirtlO. Old Boj's 2C. Merivale 12. Limvood 13, Albion ‘l. University 40, Technical 12. By their victory to-day, OKI Beys me practically assured of tin? ohampioiiship, because Albion were unexpectedly beaten. SEDDON SHIELD MATCH. NELSON DEFEATS FULLER. (Per United Press Association.) NELSON. August 10. After a hard forward battle. Nelson retained the Eoddon Shield against Duller s challenge, by 11 points to fi. Nelson won a similar .match last year by a. similar score. The Bnller forwards were'superior throughout, but the back.; could not finalise their efforts. Holder scored a brillmi.it solo try for the challengers, yinl Graham kicked a penalty towards th « end of the game. The home hacks improved and. as the result of good pn.-sing. a try was scored for Nelson. ‘Wells gained a try from halfway after a good run. 11. Fowler converted. R. Fowler kicked a goal from a mark. AUCKLAND B DEFEATS THAMES. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. August 11. The ; Limual Rugby match between Auckland B and Til a mes was played at Eden Park yesterday oil a heavy ground and in intermittent rhower? of rain. The Auckland team had the better cf the game and won by 19 points to 6. The first spell was evenly contested and ended in Auckland’s favour 5—3. The scorers for Auckland were Bell (2). Peacock. Sathorley. and Wales, Wilson converting tw-o. For Thames. Brunton scored. Winder kicking a penalty goal.

University A P. TV. L. D. Points. Flas F. A. nts. 15 12 0 1 368 92 25 ivailsorai .. .. 15 11 3 1 207 C6 93 Alhambra 14 9 5 0 200 104 18 University B 14 S 5 1 21 S 202 17 Birates .. .. 14 8 5 1 176 121 17 Taieri .. .. 14 8 0 0 139 113 16 Southern 14 6 8 0 127 152 12 Dunedin .. ., 14 0 9 0 119 274 10 Zincari .. .. 14 1 12 1 45 267 3 Union 14 0 13 1 80 275 1