RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24569, 13 May 1935, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE SENIOR COMPETITION UNIVERSITY A DEFEATS KAIKORAI PIRATES DRAW WITH TAIERI Conditions were favourable for the Rugby matches on Saturday. The surprise of the day was the fact that Pirates, who had created a highly favourable impression by their defeat of Kaikorai last Monday, were only able to draw with Taieri. Actually Pirates were unable to cross the Taieri line, their score consisting of a penalty goal to Taieri's unconverted try. University A defeated Kaikorai by 18 points to 6 in the main game at Carisbrook, and Southern, the other leading team, beat Union by 21 points to 3. Zingari-Richmond convincingly defeated Alhambra by 19 points to 9. Dunedin secured its first win for the season by defeating University B by 8 points to 6. The results of the matches so far played place University A and Southern at the head of the competition with 8 points each, Pirates being close behind with 7 points. * The following are the scores in Saturday’s games;— University A 18 Kaikorai 6 Southern'.. 21 Union .. 3 Pirates 3 Taieri 3 Zingari-Richmond .. .. 19 Alhainbra 9 Dunedin 8 University B 6

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE TWO TEAMS EQUAL The following table shows the position of the teams engaged in the senior competition:—

Union kicked off from the south end with the wind in their faces, and Southern attacked almost immediately, and the backs were opening out in promising style when Black dropped his pass. Union shifted play downfield, but the Southern backs came again with a rattle. Turnbull made a good run ‘down the line, but was well taken by Goding. The Southern forwards were getting the ball from the scrums, but their backs were unable to break through. D. Trevathan had a shot at goal from a penalty just inside halfway, but the ball went under the bar. Time after time the Southern passing broke down, but the Black and White forwards were more than holding the Maroons. R. Garden put his side on attack with a good line kick, but almost immediately the Southern backs broke away. T. Trevathan put in a good run, and sent Black away with a clear field in front of him, but Silver caught him from behind. The Union full-back was injured in the tackle, and had to leave the field, but came on again shortly after. Union was penalised in its twenty-five, and T. Trevathan had a shot at goal, but missed. From a scrum just inside the Union half the ball came to D. Trevathan, who sent on to T. Trevathan, and the latter ran about 40 yards to score. D. _ Trevathan converted. Southern 5, Union nil. Almost immediately after, from a scrum right at the halfway mark Simon sent out on the blind side to Tapley, who got to within 10 yards of the Union line before he was pulled_ down. Several players were up with him, however, and the ball was kicked over the line. M'Donald falling on it to score. The kick at goal was not allowed. Southern 8, Union nil. M'Kerrow found touch well with the Union forwards coming down on him. The Maroon forwards were back on attack almost immediately, and Silver had a chance to kick a goal from a penalty _ in a good position, but the ball went wide. The Union forwards were now playing with greater dash, and were getting a share of the ball from the scrums. Southern’s next try came when the Maroon backs were opening out in passing from a scrum, T. Trevathan cutting off a pass and going clean through to score under the posts. D. Trevathan converted. Southern-13, Union nil. Southern was back on attack immediately, and after D. Trevathan had almost crossed near the corner, _T. Trevathan found an opening in the Union defence and slipped through to score beside the posts. D. Trevathan converted. Southern 18, Union nil. A period of play about halfway followed, and'the half time whistle went with the score:— Southern 13 points, Union nil. When the second spell opened, T. Trevathan did not return to the field, Bolton taking his place. Turnbull made a determined run down the line, brushing off several tackles before he was blocked For a time the Union forwards managed to > hold their opponents about halfway, and then E. Garden broke through with the ball at his toes. Southern being compelled to force. Play was now much tighter, and, facing the wind, Southern was not showing up to. such advantage as in the first spell. D. Trevathan marked well in the face of a Union rush, but hie kick to touch gained very little ground. From a penalty between the Southern twenty-five and halfway Silver made a good attempt to drop-kick a goal, the ball just falling short. The Southern forwards gradually shifted play into Union territory, but Silver sent them back to halfwav with a long kick to touch. Despite the efforts of the Southern forwards to break through, the Union forwards, with Vorrath at their bead, stuck Lo the Black and Whites gamely. A series of loose rushes drove Southern back, and at last Union opened its score when Silver turned a penalty to account, sending the ball between the posts. Southern 18. Union 3. From the kick off Southern sot up « hot attack. Black cut in well after receiving the ball from Bolton, and got well inside the Union twenty-five before he was brought down by Burgess. Flay swung across to the other wing, where Turnbull snapped, up the ball and. after a good run down the touch line, scored at the corner. The kick at goal was a failure, and the game ended with the scores:— Southern 21 points. Union .. .. .. ..... 3 points. Mr N. Reardon was the referee. PIRATES HELD BY TAIERI HARD GAME ENDS IN DRAW Pirates met Taieri at Mosgiel in a game that proved to be a hard-fought struggle for supremacy, the match ending with the score at 3 all. There was an absence of anything spectacular, but into the play there was never allowed to creep that dullness that so often robs a lowscoring match of its interest. A cold wind blowing down the field proved trying to players and spectators alike. The teams were as fellows: — Pirates.—Backs Taylor. Thompson, Perriam, Bissett. Martin,. Manning, Saxton; forwards—Stuart, Bannatyne (captain), Dunstan, Newman, Grant, Valentine, Gordon, Coupland. Taieri.—Backs—Frew. Murray, Watson, Brown, D. Cursey, M'Skimming (cap-

DEFEAT OF KAIKORAI HARD FORWARD STRUGGLE University A and Pirates nrt in the S o’clock match on Saturday. The game was watched by about 4000 people, and while there were some spectacular incidents there were, on the other- hand, several periods of hard but scrambling forward play. The teams were as lows:Kaikorai.—Backs —Griffiths, Kean, Laing, Hohapata, Murray, Henderson, Homer; forwards—M'Hardy, Lucy, Duncan, Murphy, Bartlett, Allan, Gibson, M'Laughlan. ( University A.—Backs —M'Farland, Jolly. Ryder, Watt, M'Carthy, Gillies, Eowden; forwards—Lopdell, Laney, Anderson. Pickard. Summers, Borrie. Chapman, Green.

The Blues kicked off from the Cargill road end. with the sun in their faces, and at once attacked, indecisive play following at the Colours’ twenty-five. The passing of the _ Blue backs broke down, and a hard kick enabled play to be shifted to halfway. Jolly made a good run back and kicked, the Colours’ full-back punting out > at halfway. A well-judged kick bv Gillies soon had the Colours on defence again. The Blues were more than holding the opposition, Howdcn and Gillies doing good work behind the scrums. Homer got back to save well after Griffiths had fumbled a high kick, and M'Laughlan came clean through loose play with a fine dribble, but passing by the Colours’ backs broke down and a good scoring chance was lost. Homer passed :to Henderson from a scrum, the Colours’ first five-eighth cutting the defence in two and being caught from behind in front of the Blues’ goal. Murray also made a good thrust, and Holtapata slipped and, fell when he was going for the line. The hill team kept up the pressure amidst the loud cheering of the spectators. At last the Blues gained relief, and had a turn at attack, Gillies potting without success. From a scrum Howden secured, slipped round the side, and went clean through to score at the poets. Jolly converted. University A 5. Kaikorai nil. The Kaikorai forwards came back with a rattle, and Homer kicked a penalty goal. University A 5, Kaikorai 3. A great kick, by Henderson across the field put Kaikorai in position, and, Homer, Henderson. Laing, and Hohapata joined •in a good bit of passing, the Maori wing three-quasar being collared near the line. Then Homer did the same as Howden had done, and from a scrum fooled the opposition and scored at the posts. He missed with the easy goal kick. Kaikorai 6, University 5. The Blues had to force just before half time. Kaikorai was the first to attack on. resuming and a University man offside at a loose serum took a flying kick at the ball, Homer missing with the easy penalty kick. Kaikorai was getting the ball from the scrums, but its passing was breaking down. Kean went off, Piekerill coming on in bis place. From a loose scrum at tbe Kaikorai twentyfive the ball was thrown out high and wide; to Jolly, and, as both Piekerill and the Kaikorai full-back were out of their places, the Blue wing-three-quarter had a clear run over. Jolly kicked a goal. University A 10, Kaikorai 6. The Blues came again, and Green and Ryder showed up in passing, the latter knocking on with a try in sight. Play went to the stand side, and Gillies passed to Jolly, on the blind side of the scrum, the latter throwing himself over at the corner flag. Jolly missed the goal kick. University A 13, Kaikorai 6. The play—mostly amongst the forwards—became uninteresting. The Kaikorai backs had a chance, but they crowded each other to the side line, and the opportunity was lost. Gillies shifted play right back with a strong , kick,- and after the Blue passing had broken down Watt picked up the ball and ran 40 yards to score. He outpaced one opponent, and raced past the emergency, who had taken Griffiths’s place at fullback. jolly kicked a goal. In the last stages of the ■game. University had to force. University A .... 18 points. Kaikorai ... .. 6 points. Mr j. N. Briggs was the referee. SOUTHERN DEFEATS UNION FAST SCORING IN FIRST SPELL Southern defeated Union at the Caledonian Ground by 21 points to 3. A strong wind was blowing from the harbour, and with this behind it in the first speil Southern ran up a score of 18 points to nil In the second half, when the wind was against them, the Black and Whites did not look nearly such a formidable combination. Their forwards were well held by Union, and the backs never got going well. The teams were as follows: — Southern—Backs—M'Kerrow. Turnbull. Black, Tapley. T. Trevathan. D, Trevathan. Simon; forwards —Inglis. Hore, G. M'Donald. Aitken, Morland, Edwards. Quade. Neiner. Union. —Backs —Silver, Coding. R. Garden. Divers, Burgess, Hoyle, Simon; forwards —Mains, Favis, Lester. Vorrath, E. Garden, Collier, Gensik, M'Donald.

tain), Johnston; forwards —Bain, A. Curse}', Hollows, Barron, Scot, Findlayson, Boyd, Broadley. Pirates attacked from the opening whistle, and for some time the Black backs were more effective and dashing than the opposing rearguard, Martin, Perriam, and Thompson being prominent. It soon became evident, however, that the passing lacked thrust, and this absence of clever incisive work throughout the day robbed the visitors of the advantage they should have gained from the feast of the ball provided by their hard-working pack. Pirates attacked alternately on each wing, unpolished movements being stemmed by solid tackling. Thompson next led the backs in a dash for the line, but Watson was handy. Following a good bustling rush by the Pirates forwards, which took play to the Taieri line, an infringement gave Taylor a chance from a handy position, and he made no mistake with the kick. Pirates 3, Taieri nil. Taylor had settled down nicely, and was capably doing all that was required of him, as was Saxton behind the scrum, his passes being crisp and well directed. A. Cursey retired as the result of a kick on the head, and he was replaced by Sinclair. Bannatyne was well tackled by Frew, and Valentine, who was playing a good' game, broke through with the ball at his toe. The only scoring movement of the game followed. Boyd gained possession, and transferred to M'Skimming, who ran down-field before handing to Watson. The last-named made a determined dash for the line, but was blocked with a few yards to go, and sent to M'Skimming, who had come back into the play. He went over the line in the arms of Thompson, who had come across from the other wing. Watson failed with the kick. Pirates 3, Taieri 3. Pirates threw themselves into the game with renewed vigour. Saxton missed with a hasty pot, and half time wae called with play on the Taieri line. _ The Blacks attacked from the resumption, first Bisset and then Thompson being pulled down near the line. Play became more willing and penalties were numerous for a period. A good Taieri movement broke down when M'Skimming’s pass was not accepted. Johnston started a likely movement from the base of the scrum, but was unable to see anyone to pass to when he came to Taylor. M'Skimming found the line almost at the corner, and the Taieri forwards kept Pirates hemmed on their own line for a spell. Both sides started several passing rushes, but were unable to gain much ground, the action being lateral rather than penetrative. The Pirates backs, who were seeing most of the ball, were continually kept out by the determined defence of the whole Taieri team, both forwards and backs. The play was mainly of this nature throughout the spell, the ball going freely up and down the field, but neither side having a noticeable advantage. Taieri’s youthful newcomers in the full and halfback positions, Frew and Johnston respectively, were here put to the test, and they certainly proved themselves not out of place in the team. With 10 minutes to go Dunstan retired injured, and was replaced by Harkess. In a lastminute dash M'Skimming and Brown carried play right down the field from their own twenty-five, but M'Skimming’s short kick went over the line, and he was beaten to the ball. Time was then called with the scores: ’ Pirates 3 points. Taieri 3 points. Mr L. E. Macassey was the referee. ZINGARI DEFEATS ALHAMBRA HARD FORWARD PLAY Zingari-Richmond 'fully deserved its victory by 19 points to 9 over Alhambra at Tanuua Park as, in a game that was not distinguished by much attractive back play, it showed the greater initiative in attack, and, on the whole, handled the ball with greater freedom than Alhambra. The high-light of the game was Procter’s excellent try, which he gained in the first half as the result of a slashing solo run from halfway. /The teams were as follows: — Alhambra. —Backs Dixon, Harris, Rodgers, Feathers, Orange, Fox, Williams; forwards —Bain, Campbell, Frpod, Binnie, Lamont, Garthwaite, Robinson, Souter. Zingari-Richmond. Backs Dick, Campbell, Procter, Caradus, Lucas, M‘Donald; forwards —Watkins, Douglas, Lloyd, ,Burns. Shortt, Morrison, Lanauze, Rutherford. A few minutes after the kick otf Zui-gari-Richmond pushed play to Alhambra’s twenty-five line, where, from an offside infringement, Inglis, the Zingari-Rich-mond full-back, kicked a good penalty goal. Zingari 3, Alhambra nil. Zingan continued to attack, and for a short period Alhambra defended busily. The Red and Blacks made a brief sortie across the midway line, but . play soon returned to Alhambra’s twenty-five, and from a high kick Alhambra forced. A period of midfield play was followed by a good dash by Caradus, but the movement broke down on the Alhambra line, and play went back to the twentyfive yard line, where it remained for a spell. Both sets of forwards were working hard, but the backs received very little of the ball. in a scrum by the Alhambra goal posts Zingari was awarded a penalty kick, Lucas kicking a good goal. Zingari-Richmond (i. Alhambra nil. A minute or two later Procter picked up at the halfway line and made a great solo run downfield, beating the defence easily and scoring between the posts. Lucas kicked a goal. Zingari 11, Alhambra nil. Less tnan two minutes later Procter repeated the performance from just outside the Alhambra twenty-five, and scored in a fairly handy position, Lucas again converted the try with a good kick. ZingariRichmond 16, Alhambra nil. As the result of hard kicking and good following up Alhambra, for the first time, put itself in a good attacking position, but just as the backs were going into action for an attack on the Zingari lino, a wild pass lost them the chance, and play swept back to halfway. Alhambra again instituted an attacking movement, but it had little chance of succeeding, mishandling and erratic kicking spoiling the movement. From a speculator Zingari forced, and play again returned to neutral territory. The half time whistle sounded with Zingari in a strong attacking position, the score being Zingari 16, Alhambra nil. On the resumption of play Alhambra a.ssusmed the offensive. Dixon, the Alhambra full-back, made an ineffectual attempt to kick a penalty goal. Alhambra continued to press, a number ol last passing movements gaining a good deal of ground. From a scramble near the goal posts Dixon snapped up and dived over. He failed to convert his try. Zin-gari-Richmond 16, Alhambra 3. At this stage Binnie, one of the Alhambra forwards, went off with an injured ankle, and was replaced by Walker. Alhambra again attacked and Harris scored a good try at the corner. Dixon failed with the kick. Zingari-Richmond 16, Alhambra 6. A few

minutes later Douglas went away with the ball at his toes and dribbled right through the opposition to score a good try in a handy position. Inglis failed to convert. Zingari-Riclnnond 19, Alhambra 6. For a fairly lengthy spell play remained in the vicinity of halfway, neither sicle being able to gain much advantage. With a few minutes of play left Alhambra made a determined attack on the Zingari line, Harris picking up and crossing at the corner. Dixon failed -with the kick. Zin-gari-Richmond 19, Alhambra 9. Zingari took a turn at attacking, and on several occasions had Alhambra in a tight corner, but the final whistle sounded before any further score was gained. The final totals were:— Zingari-Richmond .. 19 points. Alhambra 9 points. Mr N. Tilley was the referee. DUNEDIN’S FIRST WIN VICTORY OVER UNIVERSITY B Dunedin scored its first win of the season by defeating University B in the early game at Carisbrook on Saturday by eight points to six. The match was open and fast, and the Dark Blue backs, displaying a good deal more enterprise than they have done in their earlier matches, threw the ball about freely, and joined in some bright and speedy passing movements. The teams were as follows: University B. —Backs—Smith, Masked, Meek, Marshall, Cropp. Watson, Emanuel; forwards—Sharpe. Cucldon, Turner, Mack, Y'osalagi, Boyes, Miller, Maslin. Dunedin. —Backs —Dixon, Taylor, Wallace. Dawkins, Spillane, Mamon, Treacy; forwards—Keen. Crowley, Hogan, Faulks, Collett, M'Donald, Duncan, Croal. Dunedin kicked off from the Caversham end, and the backs came into play to take the ball through to the Blues’ twenty-five. Cropp put his side on the attack with a line-finder to halfway, and from the line out Maskell put in a good run to well within the Dunedin twenty-five. Play swung to the other side of the field, where Boyes and Marshall joined in a bout of short passing that carried the attack to within a few yards of the Dark Blue goal line. For a moment the Dunedin defence was well tested, but Dawkins cleared with a long punt downfield, and the Dark Blue pack came into the picture with a loose rush that drove the students almost back to their own quar-ter-line. Treacy went away on his own from behind a scrum, but his pass went astray and a promising opportunity was lost. Croal secured from a scramble and opened up a neat piece of passing, which broke down within striking; distance of the Blue line, and Smith lifted the pressure by finding the line near halfway. The Dunedin backs returned the attack to the Blue twenty-five, and .a further bout of passing took place within striking distance. Meek fielded a short punt, but his kick went straight into the hands of Dawkins, who shot through the defence to score wide out. Dixon’s shot at goal missed. Dunedin 3 points. University B nil. The Dunedin pack was working well, and clearing the way for the backs, who were making the best of their chances and throwing the ball about freely, but their movements lacked thrust. The students went to the attack and swept into the Dark Blue territory. Boyes seized a chance when Taylor made a miskick, and dribbled across, Emanuel falling on the ball to score. The kick at goal failed. Dunedin 3, University 83. Collett broke away at the head of a loose rush, which penetrated deep into Blue territory, and Treacy was nearly over. The students gradually worked back to halfway, and here play was centred when half time was called with the scores at 3—all. Dawkins did not come on in the second spell, Prendergast taking his place, aud M'Donald took the field in place of Manion. The Dunedin rearguard opened play with a speedy combined movement that nearly achieved its objective, and for a minute or two the students had their work _ cut out to keep their line intact. Smith cleared to the twenty-five, but Prendergast fielded the ball, and took play back to the line again. Marshall broke into Dunedin passing, and passed to Meek, who was brought down near halfway. Boyes broke away from a scramble, and with the ball at his toes, dribbled almost to the twenty-five, but made the mistake of attempting to pick up, and play shifted back to halfway. Emanuel broke away on his own, but he was upsupported and a golden opportunity was lost. The Blue forwards now commenced to put their weight in, and to play more as a pack than as individuals, and the Dark Blues were pressed back on their own line. Attack after attack was launched by the students’ vanguard, but the Dunedin defence was sound and a vigorous counter-attack in which Collett and Crowley were prominent, regained a good slice of territory. Keen further increased the gain with a kick that found the line well inside University’s twenty-five. Dunedin kept up fh" pressure, but although several promising movements were started almost within striking distance of the Blue line, they were nullified by faulty handling. The Dunedin forwards were proving too solid for their opponents, who were finding it difficult to withstand the solid assaults that wore launched on their line. Emanuel passed out from a scrum near the twenty-five, but M'Donald (forward) came through fast, intercepted smartly, and ran across for a good try. Dixon converted. Dunedin 8, University 83. A sweeping rush by the pack put University on the attack, and from a penalty just outside the twenty-five. Maslin kicked a nice goal. A last-minute rally by ilie students took play deep into Dunedin’s end of the field, but lack of combination spoiled the movement, and the game ended with the final scores: Dunedin 8 points. University B 6 points. Mr F. Henderson was the referee. SECOND GRADE. Union 9, Taieri 0. Pirates 26, Zingari 6. Southern 14, University C 5. THIRD GRADE A. Otago Boys’ High School 14, Alhambra 3. THIRD GRADE B. Union S, University nil. FOURTH GRADE. Christian Brothers 11, Zingari 0. Kaikorai 11, Union 8. Alhambra 43, Pirates 3. IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND COMPETITION. (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 12. The surprising feature of yesterday’s Rugby football matches was the defeat of Grafton, last year’s champions, at the hands of Ponsonby by 8 points to 3. Other results were as follows: Grammar 21, University 11. Marist 18, College Rifles 11. Otahuhu 14, Manukau 8.

GAMES IN WELLINGTON. (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 12. Hutt 8, Poneke 6. Wellington 22, Eastbourne ft. College Old Boys 15, Marist 11. Petone 11, Athletic 3. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, May 12. The Rugby football matches provided one surprise yesterday, when Linwood beat Old Boys by 16 points to 11. Other results were as follows: Sydenham 8, Sunnyside 3. Albion 11, Merivale 6. Athletic 11, University 8. RESIGNATION OF SELECTOR. (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 11. Mr J. N. Millard, a New Zealand Rugby selector, has resigned. DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE MR DEAN AND MR PRENDEVILLE. It was announced at the end of last week that Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and Mr J. Prendeville. chairman of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, would be the delegates to represent New Zealand at the Imperial Rugby conference to be held in London this year. The other candidates were: Messrs J. M'Leod, M.L.C. (Taranaki), T. A. Fletcher (Wellington), G. J. Adams (Wanganui), A. E. M'Phail (Canterbury). H. Frost (Auckland) and G. A. Maddison (Hawke’s Bay). Mr Dean started his Rugby career in Auckland, and later, as a member of the staff of the South British Insurance Company, he was transferred to Gisborne as manager. About 1921 he was transferred to Wellington as manager, and for 14 years he has held the position continuously ns chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Probably no man in the Rugby game to-day has _ a wider knowledge of _ Rugby administration, ns he accompnnied the New Zealand team on its tour of Great Britain, France and Canada in 1924, and has been in close touch with the Rugby administrators of Britain, South Africa and Australia up to the present time. With Mr S. F. Wilson (Canterbury) he attended the Imperial Rugby conference in London in 1924.

Mr Prendeville has had an equally long association with the administration of Rugby football, as he has held the positimi of chairman of the Management Committee of the Well in a- ton Rugby Union since 1920. Born at Karori in 1876, he was educated at Wellington College and Canterbury College. He took his B.A. degree in 1898. Entering the law profession in Wellington, he took his degree of Bachelor of Laws, and in 1902 he joined the legal firm of P. L. Hallings, of Masterton. as managing clerk,_ and in the following year he was admitted to partnership in the firm. In 1905 he left the firm to enter into legal business on his own acount in Eketahuna, and he was appointed town clerk of the borough. In 1917 he was appointed Crown solicitor at Wellington, and he still retains the position. He was a good Rugby wing-forward in his day, and represented Wairarapa in that position some 27 years ago. He has taken a keen interest in defence matters, and in 1912 he was a major in the New Zealand Territorial Forces, and lie was officer commanding the 9th WellingtonEast Coast Mounted Rifles from 1914 to 1920.

University A .. P. 4 W. 4 , L. D. Pts. Flag F. A. Pts. 76 20 8 Southern .. .. 4 4 — 83 6 8 Pirates 4 3 — 1 74 12 7 Zingari-Richmond 4 2 2 — 35 43 4 Kaikorai .. .. 4 2 2 — 49 45 4 Union 4 2 2 — 23 38 4 Dunedin .. .. 4 1 2 1 20 58 3 Taieri 4 — 2 2 14 38 2, Alhambra .. .. 4 _ 4 — 18 69 — University B .. 4 — 4 — 15 78 —