RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23222, 21 June 1937, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

POSITIONS OF TEAMS The following table shows the relative positions of the teams at the end of the first round:— "■':■ '■■mi. ■'■'■ J U ■ "S J 5 V. ■ 1 B-^'i * fl . £ V.' v . ' . IS2J3 J2 « ■.••. (icPJP h'P, fa Southern ..9 9 175 1048 Kaikorai .. 9 8 1 Pirates ..9 7 2 132 46 14 University A 9 6.3 Duhedin .. 9 5; 4 Zingari ..9 4''s —69 87 8 Alhambra ..926 1 56 153 .5 Union .. -.'..'9'/I 6 2 82 125 4 Taieri : .. ..91 7 1 75 169 3 University B 9 9 42 239

SOUTHERN v. KAIKORAI A HARD FORWARD GAME The; two unbeaten teams in the senior competition—§Jdut,herh and Kaikorai—met at, Carisbrook, and after- a solid game,, chiefly confined/ to ,the 5 forwards! the South'end club by 10 points, to .1 points. D. Trey6than ■: hadf; thi^distinction■'.".of mdhdpolliihg J tfie ! scoring '■}_ for • his side'\vitlr two : penalty goals and a potted goal, and the only try of the game, went to Kaikorai. The packs * were well matched, with the Southern'Vforwards displaying the better team work, and the backs on both sides had chances. The Kaikorai backis, however, mostly passed straight across field, and often standing, and on the other hand, though the Southern backs come into action on several occasions, they never got far in the face of deadly tackling. The heavy south-west wind no doubt affected play to some extent, but the spectators at Carisbrook have seen heavier winds, yet more open football. The teams were as follows:

Kaikorai.— Backs Millar, N. Kean, Manning, R. Kean, Murray, A. Bolton, Scott; forwards—M'lntosh, Duncan, Leatham, Barnes. Murphy, Bartlett. Gibson. Oliver Southern.— Backs E. Bolton, Black, Smith, Tapley, T. Trevathan, D. Trevathan. Simon; forwards—Edwards, Quaid. Lawson, Hill. Tyrie, Neiper, Niven. M'Donald. Kaikorai kicked off from the Cargill road corner, and after some hard, close work at midfield, Scott and then Murray gained ground with short punt?. E. Bolton, Southern full-back, punted the bajl'„ back to halfway, and play swung across the field, D. Trevathan kicking a fine penalty goal. The game had been in progress six minutes. Southern 3 noints. Kaikorai nil. % E. Bolton saved well in the face of a rush by the Kaikorai forwards, and Scott, from a scrum, sent Murray away. He cut in nicely, and then threw to N Kean, on the wing, the three-quarter being caught near the line by Smith. The Kaikorai forwards were holding their opponents, and Manning and R Kean in turn made strong bids for the line. R. Kean lost a fine chance at the end of passing by fumbling. Quaid and then D. Trevathan gained ground, and the latter missed with a penalty The Kaikorai defence was now being tested, and from 10 yards inside the halfway line D. Trevathan kicked another penalty goal, the ball just dropping over the crossbar. Southern 6 points. Kaikorai nil.

Simon and the Trevathan brothers tried passing, and play went to the Kaikorai line, but the Kaikorai pack, with Bartlett and Barnes in front, broke through. The game so far has been to a large extent a battle between the forwards, and they were doing their work in vigorous fashion. At half time the Kaikorai forwards were pressing hard at the Southern twenty-five. Forward play marked the opening stages of the second spell. The ball was sent out to Black from a scrum, but R. Kean stopped him well and a scrum was formed at the Southern twenty-five. Scott passed out to A. Bolton, who ran round the blind side and put in a grubber kick. The Southern defenders got in each other's road, and the ball went over the line, R. Kean getting to it first. Barnes missed the goal kick. Southern 6 points, Kaikorai 3 points. Scott secured from a scrum and short, punted E Bolton fielded the ball, but went down before a rush. Bartlett and Barnes again headed a f reat attack, and twice E Bolton saved with grubber kicks Hard play followed, with Olivei doing some effective tackling Tapley was well stopped by N Kean. and then Smith was hurt and was replaced by Stent. T. Trevathan going to centre. The Southern backs could not back up effectively. D. Tre-

THE SENIOR COMPETITION END OF FIRST ROUND SOUTHERN LEADS BY TWO POINTS The concluding games of the first round in the senior Rugby football competition were played on Saturday. Greatest interest centred on the meeting at Carisbrook between Southern and Kaikorai, the only two unbeaten teams. After a strenuous game the hill team was defeated, giving Southern a lead of two points In the competition. There was little difference between the teams, but better team work among the forwards gave Southern the advantage. University A suffered the third defeat of the season at the hands of Pirates. The Blacks were superior in all departments of the game and won decisively. Zingari-Richmond established a good lead over Union in the first spell, and the latter's attack in the second half was countered by solid tackling. Taieri defeated University B in an interesting exhibition of football, and Dunedin managed to snatch victory from Alhambra. RESULTS OP GAMES I The following were the results of Saturday's games :—- Southern.. .. ... 10 Kaikorai 3 Pirates *...;.. 12 University A.. .. 0 Dunedin V. .... 6 Alhambra .... 5 Zingari-Richmond.. 22 Union .. :. ..6 Taieri 27 University B ....• 16

vathan cut in nicely, but fteiper Was collared and a. dangerous-looking movement stopped. Play went to the Kaikorai twenty-five, and D. Trevathan had the ball passed to him. He made a short run to get position, and then potted a fine goal from an angle. Southern 10 points. Kaikorai 3 points. Give-and-take play followed, with R. Kean and N. Kean making dashes for the line, but the attacks on both sides were mostly being made from mistakes in play. In the last few minutes the Kaikorai forwards tried hard to get across, but D. Trevathan punted out near halfway, and the whistle went, the final scores being:— •' , ' Southern .. ...••• 10 points Kaikorai .. ... 3 points Mr H. E. Williamson was the referee. PIRATES WIN WELL TAYLOR'S FINE KICKING V■: '. ' ' ' 1 " ■ Playing :in the early match on Carisbrook, Pirates had a comfortable win'against University A by .1.2 points to ''nil. The Black forwards gave their backs plenty of ball, and University did not at any stage look likely/ to win. Taylor, playing at first five-eighth for Pirates, was in great kicking form, being responsible for a conversion, a penalty, and a field, goal. Parkhill, Mahohey and Grant showed a lot of dash in leading the Pirates' forwards, but the game was not an unusually interesting one. ' v The teams were as follows:

Pirates.—Backs—Murphy, Thomson, Mahony, M'Lachlan, Bathgate, Taylor, Harkess; forwards—Shand, Graham, Mahoney, Parkhill. Kaler, Clode, Grant. Neilson. University A.—Backs Jolly, Steele, Park, Watt, Howden, Berghan, Simpson; forwards—Anderson, Borrie, Valentine, Burns, Mack, Vosailagi. Green, Trott. An injury to his ankle kept Gaffaney out of the Pirates' back line, and Taylor was brought up to first-flve-eighth, Murphy turning out as full-back. University had the advantage of the strong diagonal wind in the first half, but the Blue backs were uncertain in their handling in the early stages. Pirates nearly started the scoring when a loose forward attack ended in Taylor just being beaten to the ball. Both sets of backs were smothering well. Parkhill and Mahoney were showing a lot of dash at the head of 'the Black forwards, and Mahony, the Pirates centre-three-quarter, set his team on attack when he put the ball out right in the corner. However, it was not until right on halftime that the first thrill came, and it was a real thrill. The University backs started off from halfway, but Steele was caught and lost the ball. Thomson was handy and set sail on a long journey to the corner He outpaced his immediate opponents, but Jolly., who had been out of position, was moving across fast and a great race ended in a dive tackle by the University full-back Thomson bounced ovei a foot inside the flag and was carried into touch in goal a split second later It was an exciting try, and it was capped by a great goal by Taylor It was into the strong wind and from the touch line, and a perfectly-iudged kick dropped just inside the posts. Pirates led by 5 ooints to nil at half time.

Pirates began the second half with a strong burst, Parkhil] showing out and Taylor getting up with a high punt and iust missing a spectacular try The Light Blues reached halfway with a sweening loose rush, but Pirates were making all of the olay. although the backs were handicapped by a slow service from the scrum. Taylor made a brave attempt to goal from a penalty a long way out, and when he had another chance he again judged the crosswind to a nicety and landed his second beautiful goal. Pirates 8, University nil. The two full-backs were playing good football, Murphy fielding and kicking well, and Jolly doing fine work on defence. Taylor engineered two strong drives. into the corner and then, when the ball came back again, he added four points to the total with a snap dropkick which the wind swung violently into the Dosts Pirates 12 University nil. Anderson was hurt, and Laney came on in his olace. With only a few minutes to go the University backs swung into action Berghan cuttine through and Park starting some which looked likelv until Steele dronned his oass The Pirates' forwards with Parkhill always prominent, were still dominating the game, which ended:

Pirates . . .. 12 points University A .. Nil Mr J. Briggs was the referee,

ZINGARI DEFEATS UNION

FIRST SPELL ADVANTAGE

Playing on the Caledonian Ground, which was in much better condition than Tahuna, where the match was scheduled to take place, Zingari-Richmond defeated Union by 22 points to 6, after leading 17 to 3 at half time. The winners had the advantage of a strong south-westerly wind in the first spell, and they made the most of it. Zingari was on the defensive for the greater part of the second half, but the sure tackling of' its backs stopped Union from turning the wind to much advantage. The game was fairly, fast, and both sets' of backs attempted. to open up the play. The teams were as follows: Union.—Backs—Smith, L. Werner, Anderson. Saul, Stephens, Goding, Homer; forwards—Reid, Faris, Newall, Vorrath, R. Werner, Richards, Martin, Walker. , Zingari Richmond. BacksCampbell, Idour, Lumsden, Gibb, Murray, Rapson, Robertson, forwards—MacLean, Murdoch, Pollock, Hennessey, Short. Douglas, Lowrie, White.

Almost immediately after the kick off Robertson, the Zingari halfback, received the ball from a scrum on his own side of the halfway flag, and passed out to Rapson. All the backs handled, and Idour ran strongly to score in a handy position. Lumsden missed the kick. ZingariRichmond 3, Union nil. Two minutes later Zingari added to its score when Lumsden kicked a magnificent goal from a penalty just inside Union territory. Zingari 6, Union nil. The Colours had slightly the:' better of play for the next 15 minutes, but Union defended stoutly, and its forwards eventually carried 'the ball deep into Zingari territory. Following a forward scramble, the ball was kicked over the Colours'' line by Goding, who was obstructed by an opponent, the referee awarding a penalty try to Union, ■ The kick missed. Zingari 6, Union 3. From a ; line out at the Union twenty-five, White broke away and passed to Douglas as he was tackled, the forward touching down in a handy position. Lumsden converted. Zingari 11, Union 3. Shortly before half time a Zingari rush in .which both forwards and backs took part ended in a score, White going over with two men on top of, him. The kick missed. Zingari 14, Union 3. Immediately afterwards Murray broke away from halfway, supported by Lumsden, who scored under the posts, after the five-eighth had made a great opening. The kick, an easy one, missed. Zingari 17, Union 3. With the wind behind them, the Union players made a better showing in the second spell, and for the first 15 minutes Zingari was mostly on defence. Eventually their efforts were rewarded when L. Werner broke away down the sideline and scored in the corner, the kick at goal failing. Zingari 17, Union 6. Union continued to press, but good tackling kept the Reds out, the Colours forwards also making several sorties into their opponents' territory. Towards the close of play Idour, Zingari three-quarter, made a good opening and sent Hennessey, one iof his forwards, away. The latter went clean through the defence, which apparently thought he had put his foot out, and scored behind the posts, Campbell converting.' There was no further .score, the game ending:— i. Zingari; .. .■,,': 22 points .;■■ ;Uriiohf ""' .. .>?•>..;•&■' points vMr E; Heather was the referee, : A NARROW WIN DUNEDIN DEFEATS ALHAMBRA , Dunedin narrowly "escaped defeat by Alhambra at Tahuna Park on Saturday, and only managed to save its' colours by a penalty goal at the close of the game. The wind was troublesome and the ground soft. Very little open movement was seen, the game being confined mainly to the forwards. The teams- were as follows:

Alhambra. Backs Rodgers, Flint, Broadfoot, Orange, S. Robinson, Sinclair Lind; forwards—Frood, Campbell, Stewart, Tregea, Lamont. T. Robinson, Anderson, Mason. Dunedin.—Backs—Egan, Taylor, Toomey, T. Treacy, Spillane, Manion, Wilkins; forwards—Ray, Carter, P. Treacy, Tither. Faulks, Brosnan. Aitken, Berry. During the first 25 minutes there was practically no incident, and, as Dunedin was playing against a strong wind, it was mostly pressed by the Red and Blacks. There were only one or two good individual moves Dunedin took the ball right to the Alhambra goal posts, and it was kicked from there back to Egan at halfway. The fullback made a fine run and passed to T Jreacy about the Alhambra twenty-five. The latter also ran strongly until tackled at the corner flag, but he managed to force himself over for a try Dunedin 3, Alhambra nil. Shortly afterwards the Red and Black forwards rushed the ball past the Blues' twenty-five and Lind secured and forced his way over to score.. Lamont converted. Alhambra 5. Dunedin 3.

• After half time both teams gave very poor displays, the ball being smothered by the forwards, who were steadily at grips. Alhambra had to play against both sun and wind, and the Blues were hammering at its opoonent's line for some time, but could not get across Berry was always prominent in the Dunedin nack. which should have made better use of its superior weight. The Red backs made some promising movements, and Robinson looked like taking the ball clear away at one stage, but was caught. With two minutes to ao the Dunedin backs took nlay to the Red and Blacks' territory, where a penalty was awarded the Blues. Egan was successful with a difficult kick the ball hitting an upright and bouncing through the ports The game ended:— Dunedin . f> points. Alhambra ... 5 points. Mr F. Henderson was the referee.

A BRIGHT OPEN CAME

TAIERI DEFEATS UNIVERSITY 13

In a bright, open game at Tonga Park on Saturday afternoon, Taieri defeated University B by 27 points to 16 Despite the heavy ground both sides threw the ball about in attractive fashion and throughout the whole game there was seldom a dull moment Both sets of forwards gave good exhibitions but the Universitv nnck "laved with the greater dash The Taieri rearguard com Hined well and kept the play open The match was originally 'el down to be played at the University Ova!, but owing to the sodden nature of the ground it was transferred to Tonga Park.

The teams were as follows:

TaierL—Backs Wilkins, Grant, Murray, Findlay, Johnstone, M'lntosh, Frew; forwards—Henderson, Giles, Boyd, Barron, Bissett, Gibbons, Waldron, M'Leod. University B.—Backs Symes, Kawe, M'Kee, Andrew, Wishart, Skelley, Watson; forwards—Manning, Seely, Murphy, Anderson. Eaton. Dunn, Foote, Adams. Shortly after the commencement of play Murray broke in on University passing, and after running from about halfway he scored wide out.. The kick at goal was not successful. Taieri 3 University B nil. The Blue forwards, aided by the strong wind, carried play into their opponents' territory, but Grant flashed in . from . the wing, picked up, and after eluding several men he ran about 40 yards to score a good try. The kick failed. Taieri 6, University B nil. From the halfway line Murray cut the defence in two and raced down the field for a spectacular try Giles converted with a good kick. Taieri 11 University nil. The students then took a turn at attacking, and Symes, after receiving the ball from Kawe, carried on to score at the corner. Foote missed with the kick Taieri 11, University B 3 Passing among the Taieri backs was intercepted by Kawe, who kicked when challenged by the full-back, and Seely who followed up smartly was rewarded with a try > Symes was successful with the kick. Taieri 11, University B 8. Wishart paved < the, way for the next try by the students, Andrew running over wide out Foote missed with the kick. Taieri 11, University B 11. Just prior to half time Kawe broke through the defence and sent on to Seely. who scored Foote converted, making the score at half time: Universitv B 16, Taieri 11 Both sides continued to play bright, open football, the backs throwing the ball about in fine style. Taieri had University hemmed in their twenty-five for some time,, but the Blue forwards eventually broke through and carried Dlay to the halfway line, where Skelley, after a fine solo dash,'missed-scoring by inches The Taieri rearguard then, swung into action. Murray again cutting in and the movement culminated in a try by Findlay Giles converted with a fine kick, making the scores 16—-all Taieri kept up the pressure and a sweeping movement by the forwards ended in Gibbons going over at the corner Giles missed with the kick at goal Taieri 19, University B 16. When hard-pressed Murray relieved the situation by kicking downfield, and Waldron., who followed up quickly went over for a try, which Gibbons converted Taieri 24, University 16 One of the best movements of the day resulted in another try for Taieri, Grant scoring after all the backs and several of the forwards had handled in turn. Gibbons was unsuccessful with the kick, and shortly afterwards the final whistle was sounded, leaving the score:— Taieri .. '.. 27 points ■ University B .. 16 points The Rev. H. A. Mitchell was the referee. KING COUNTRY BEATS WAIKATO TWENTY-FIVE POINTS TO NIL (Per United Press Association) TAUMARUNUI, June 19. King Country defeated Waikato to-day by 25 points to nil. The weather was fine and the ground fast. The attendance totalled 4000. The King Country forwards, particularly Nelson and;Margan, played magnificently. Leeson and B:st were the outstanding Waikato forwards. Grossman scored a magnificent try, cutting the Waikato defence to ribbons. Dixon, the King Country wing played brilliantly}. scoring' three tries and tackling soundly.'; Phillips, the big King' Country".■-.wing also played fine football, but the play did not go his way as often as Dixon's The Waikato inside ' -ks lacked penetration though well served by Russell, behind the scrum.' Robinson, the King Country half, played a fine game, and was more rugged and versatile than Russell, though Russell's passes were more accurate. For the winners Dixon scored three tries, Nelson one, Crossman one, and Gilbert one. M'Nicol kicked a penalty goal and Robinson converted two tries. Mark Nicholls, the All Black selector, was present. IN OTHER CENTRES (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND. June 19. GALLAHER SHIELD Marist 11, Training College 8. Grafton' 12. Grammar 0.8. 8. Otahuhu 8. Technical 3. Manukau 21. University 20. Ponsonby 29. North Shore 8. WELLINGTON, June 19. FIRST DIVISION Poneke 12, Athletic 8. Hutt 15, Wellington College Old Boys 9. Petone .27, University nil. Johnsonville nil, Marist Brothers' 0.8. nil. Wellington 28, Eastbourne 12. SECOND DIVISION Wellington 19, Pirates 3. St. Patrick's College 0.8. 7. Petone 6. Poneke 11, Miramar 5. Athletic 11. Oriental 7. CHRISTCHURCH. June 19. Linwood 32, Technical 14. Sunnyside 9 Svdenham 8. Merivale 20. Albion 19. University 26. Athletic 9. Old Boys 22. Christchurch nil. TIMARU. June 19. Old Bovs 10. Star 6 Celtic 18. Zingari 3 Temuka 8 Gerald in e 3 INVERCARGILL, June 19 Pirates 11, Blues 3 (their first defeat of the season) Star 6, Old Bovs 3. Marist 4, Bluff nil.