RUGBY FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR COMPETITION KAIKORAI BEATS UNIVERSITY A SOUTHERN AND PIRATES WIN EASILY Although the bright sunshine of Saturday afternoon might not have been so pleasing to the actual players of the game, it was most acceptable to spectators at the second series of the Otago Rugby Union’s grade competitions, The result was a very satisfactory crowd at Carisbrook and good attendances at the other games. The Carisbrook crowd saw Southern play good football to beat Taieri by 37 points to 8 in the early match and Kaikorai beat University A in the main match by 6 points to nil. This was a hard-fought game, but not productive of much brilliant football. The Kaikorai forwards worked hard and their quick breaking , and the sound smothering of their backs crippled the University rearguard, which did not show attractive form until very late in the game Kaikorai deserved to win. Zingari-Richmond scored a handsome win against University B on the University Oval by 20 points to nil, and at Tahuna Park Dunedin beat Alhambra by 12 points to 5. The game between Pirates and Union, played on the Caliedonian Ground, resulted in a comparatively easy win for Pirates by 22 points 9. The following were the results of Saturday’s senior matches: — Points. Points. Kaikorai .. .. 6 University A ~ ~ Nil Southern .. .. 37 Taieri 8 Pirates .. .. .. 22 Union 9 Zingari 20 University B .. .. Nil Dunedin .. .. 12 Alhambra ~ .. 5

KAIKORAI v. UNIVERSITY A

SOUTHERN’S EASY WIN

HILL FORWARDS SHAPE WELL

Kaikorai and University A met at Carisbrook in the 3 o’clock match, and the 5000 odd spectators were treated to a strenuous contest, with the Kaikorai pack proving the deciding factor in the game. The Light Blues suffered defeat by six points to nil. The fast breaking from the .scrums of the Kaikorai wingers, and the solid tackling of their backs, stifled the attempts of the Blue backs to break through, and, though Berghan varied his work with judgment, his outside backs were always well covered. The passing pf the Blue backs could have been improved, pnd so could that of the hill rearguard for that matter. The tedms were as follows: ■ ■ •■'■■■■ r . ■ ■ Kaikorai. - Backs McFadzien, Oliver, L. C. Morrison, Cox* Mantiihg, Chapman, Scott; forwards—Whiteside. Leatham, Davie, Aitken, Murphy. Barnes, Hay, Murray. University. A.—Backs—Fyffe, Steele, D. A. Morrison. Stewart. Moore. Berghan, Simpson; forwards—Sprague, Wall. Fox. Trott. Mack. McKee Irwin. Vosailagi. Kaikorai had to face the sun in the first half, and All Black Berghan at once commenced to do good work in both attack and defence, mostly on defence, as Kaikorai were holding the upper hand. Chapman missed with a penalty kick, and then the Blues opened • with a nice bit of passing. Steele being, downed at the end of it with little ground gained. Barnes showed up in a solo dribble, and twice Stewart, on the right wing, knocked on at the end of Blue passing. After 15 minutes’ play the Blues got to the Colours’ line for the first time, but they could not hold their position. Oliver made a slashing run along his left wing, and was .checked by Fyffe, a penalty kick bringing relief to the Blues. The Colours kept up the pressure, and after 17 minutes’ play Chapman kicked a penalty goal. Kaikorai 3. University nil. The Kaikorai forwards were breaking on to the opposing backs from the scrums and also giving their own backs a fair share of the ball. Scott, Chapman and Manning came through with a pretty bit of passing, a knock-on near the line spoiling the movement. Desperate scrummaging followed under the Blues’ goal posts, and then Chapman missed with a penalty from a likely position. From loose play following a line-out Aitken found the

defence out of position, and ran strongly about 15 yards to score. Chapman just missed with the kick at goal and half time went with the Colours still in the ascendant. Simpson, the Blues’ half-back, did not come on the field on resuming, McKee going to half-back and Stringer into the pack. The Blue rearguard tried hard to link up, but they were not going well, despite the efforts of Berghan to straighten the attack, and they were also being ceaselessly harried by the Colours’ forwards and backs. More than once the ball was got out to Steele, but he was never allowed to get far. McFadzien, the Kaikorai full-back, was generally wel served by the flight of the ball and was doing some good line kicking. Trott. who was playing in the back row in place of McKee, was noticeable for effective work for the Blues, and so was Wall, centre front row forward. Just before time Kaikorai s passing broke down, but L, C. Mornson kicked over the line and in a stern, race Berghan just dived to the ball first. Play was at midfield when the final whistle went, with the scores; Kaikorai 6 points. University A .. • • Nil. The Rev. H. A. Mitchell v/as referee.

AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY AGAINST TAIERI

There was no question of Southern's superiority against Taieri in the early match at Carisbrook. Except for a short time fairly early in the second half, last year's premier team had the game well under control. The forwards packed and rucked well and Stent, behind the scrum, was given any amount of ball. His understanding with D. Trevathan was encouraging to Southern supporters, and the first five-eighth played one of his finest games. He opened up many movements and directed the side’s at-

tack' in addition to contributing 19 points to the score of 37 to 8. Taieri’s defence was good until late in the game, when the solid rucking and strong breaking of the Southern forwards wore it dowm, but there were at times too many mistakes among the Southern outside backs. The wing three-quarters did not get as many chances as should have come their way from the amount of ball provided by the forwards. D. Trevathan was the outstanding back on the ground and it was difficult to sort out individuals in a good Southern pack The two Taieri wingers, McCartney and Johnstone, and the full-back, Wilkins, played good' football, and Giles and Bisset were two hard workers among the forwards. The teams were as follows: Southern.—Backs —W. McLeod. D. Blagdon, W. Foley, A. Churchill, T. Trevathan, D. Trevathan. A. Stent: forwards—R. Edwards, C. Quaid, G. McDonald, L. Hill, L. Niven. D. Smith. H. Holley, H. Tyrie. , , Taieri.—Backs—B. Wilkins, W. Johnstone. J. Grant, S. McCartney, T. Sproule, V. Kirby. A, McCann: forwards—J. Law, G. Moffatt, K. Giles, T. Walker. J. Barron. W. Bisset. W Mackie. G. Broadlev. Southern started off by establishing a territorial ascendancy and getting the ball consistently from scrums. Stent got the ball away smartly and the Southern backs, directed by D. Trevathan, were able to make all of the play. Taieri's tackling was sound, and the forwards broke cfuickly on to the Southern inside backs. After a series of Southern attacks. Edwards led a rush from which the ball came back for D. Trevathan to kick a field goal from close up. Wilkins, the Taieri full-back, was playing a useful game, and he was being kept very busy A try by Edwards after a, good run made the score Southern 7—nil Taieri opened its scoring when the forwards rucked into Southern’s twenty-five and a penalty gave Giles a chance He kicked a good goal from 40 yards out, and the score was 7—3. Southern continued to open up the game well, D Trevathan beating his man repeatedly Taieri’s defence was good, and another strong passing rush was stopped a few yards from the line. The ball came back again, Stent got it away on the short side, and Churchill was over wide out. D. Trevathan’s kick was just outside the posts. When half time sounded the scores were Southern 10 points Taieri 3 points. Southern scored again soon after the interval. Stent started passing from a scrum outside Taieri's twenty-five and T. Trevathan cut inside his opposite and went on with it. Churchill ranged up alongside him, but Trevathan swerved oast Wilkins and went over on his own, D. Trevathan missed Taieri retaliated with a strong loose attack, and Giles was smothered just a yard or two short. The ball was kicked through and McCartney came in to it smartly. He ran right across field and threw a long pass to the opposite winger, Johnstone, who scrambled over at the corner. Giles kicked a fine goal, and the score was Southern 13, Taieri 8. The Taieri scrum was winning the ball at this stagb, but Southern took charge soon afterward and a drop-kick by D 'trevathan went astray. Quaid scored when Foley followed a hard kick and bustled two defenders on the line, and D Trevathan kicked a goal Southern 18—8. D. Trevathan kicked his second field goal a few minutes later from a scrum heel rigid in front of the posts. His third was a good one. The ball came to him in loose play 35 yards out, and, being left with no one in support, he drop-kicked a beautiful goal and made the score

25—8. Foley had to retire injured, and Bolton came on at centre. Biagdon who had been shaping promisingly added the next try, the result of a 'strong dash after Churchill had started passing across the goal-mouth. D Trevathan missed a “ sitter.” Southern was in complete charge of the game by this time, and two more tries were scored, by D. Trevathan and Niven. Trevathan converted his own try, making his tally for the match 19 points and the final score:— Southern 37 points. Taieri .... 8 points. Mr D. McKay was the referee. VICTORY FOR PIRATES UNION DEFEATED Union and Pirates met on the Caledonian Ground, a hard but rather uninteresting game resulting in a win for Pirates by 22 points to 9. The two packs were fairly evenly matched, and it was to their backs, which in the first half played with good combination, that the Blacks owed their victory. A feature of the game wms the play of the Pirates’ centre, Perriam who. besides converting a try and kicking three penalty goals, was responsible for two of the tries scored by his side. The teams were as follows: — Pirates. Backs Paterson, McLennan Perriam, Duff, Campbell. Bathgate. Ongley; forwards Neilson, Graham, McLay. Reid, Parker, Mahoney, rfennessey, Beadle. Union.—Backs —Silver, Saul, Werner, Scully, Mathewson, Slyfield, Samson; forwards —Bowling, Paris, Anderson, T. Gensik. Vorrath. Newall. Walker, V. Gensik. Pirates kicked off and drove down to the Maroon quarter line, where a few minutes after the commencement of the game Perriam had a successful shot at goal from a penalty. With Newall and Vorrath in the van. the Union forwards carried everything before them in a rush which took play to halfway, Mathewson further increasing the advantage with a line-

finder to well inside the Black twentyfive. J. Walker went off injured, and was replaced by Whyte, who went to first five-eighth, while Slyfield moved up into the forwards. Again the Maroon pack came into the picture, and for a minute or so Pirates were defending on their own line. Samson and then Bowling were nearly over, but finally Paterson cleared to halfway. The Pirates’ backs, who had hitherto been sluggish, now commenced to liven up, and from a loose scrum a few yards inside Union’s side of halfway Perriam picked up. beat two men neatly and put in a good run to within 15 yards of the line, where he transferred to McLennan, who went over near the corner. Paterson converted. Pirates 8, Union nil. A strong offensive by the Union pack penetrated to the Black twenty-five, where Silver kicked a goal from a penalty, the same player adding another good penalty goal a few minutes later from about 40 yards out, A smart piece of passing among the Black backs took the ball to the Union twenty-five, where Perriam kicked an easy penalty goal, following it with another shortly afterwards. Just before the end of the spell Parkhill broke away on his own, and short punted when a few yards out. Silver fumbled badly and in the ensuing scramble for the ball Hennessey got there first to touch down. Perriam’s kick at goal was unsuccessful, and half time was called with the scores: Pirates 17, Union 6.

Hardly had the second spell commenced than Duff and McLay were injured and had to retire, their places being taken by Schmeltz and Wilson. A promising movement by the Maroon rearguard broke down when Werner knocked on, but the forwards took up the running. Working well together, the backs and forwards launched a vigorous sortie that pressed the Blacks back to their own line, and from a scramble, Paris battled his way over, Silver missing with the kick. Pirates 17 points, Union 9. Slyfleld, who, since moving up from the backs, had been playing practically a wing-for-ward game, led a Maroon attack almost to the Black quarter-line, and for a time the .Pirates defence was well tested. At length, the Maroons were penalised and Perriam found the line near halfway. A determined rush by the Black pack overwhelmed the defence, and at the twenty-five the backs linked up. From Campbell, the ball went to Perriam, who made a nice opening and sent McLennan over near the posts. Perriam converted. Pirates 22 points, Union 9. The Pirates’ backs were getting plenty of the ball from the scrums, but the fast-breaking Union forwards were down on them before they could do anything, and play became very ragged. Werner, who was playing a sound game, made two breaks for the line, but ie was unsupported, and Paterson put Pirates on attack with a long clearing kick. A vigorous sally by the Black forwards marked the closing stages of the game, but there was no further score, and the final whistle blew with the scores; Pirates 22 points Union 9 points Mr L. E. Macassey was the referee. ZINGARI’S EASY WIN BRIGHT DISPLAY AGAINST UNIVERSITY B Playing with more dash and finish after a somewhat slow start, ZingariRichmand gained a comfortable win over (University B at the University Oval. on Saturday afternoon by 20 points to nil. Play was hard and oven in the early stages, but Zingari-Rich-mond played bright Rugby in the second spell and overwhelmed the students. The teams were as follows: Zingari-Richmond. Backs A. Mason, Barabithe, Mehalski, Chirnside.'W. Mason, Rennie, Rapson; forwards —Tyrie, White, Short, Wilson, Carmichael, Pollock, Plunket, Munro. University B,—Backs —White. Kawe, Broughton, Gleeson, Skelly, Mee, Watson; forwards—Murphy, Pearson, Bennett, Gordon, Anderson Chandler, Harper, Howden. Playing against a strong •sun, University B held the upper hand in the early stages of the game, and kept Zingari-Richmond hemmed around the twenty-five. The University forwards were combining well, and were giving their backs plenty of the ball. The Colours’ defence was very sound, however, and the Students made little headway with their passing rushes. They tried short-punting, but A. Mason, at full-back, proved very safe, and sent the Students back lime and agaih with well-judged kicks to touch. Following a great onslaught by the Zingari forwards, White was penalised for handling the ball after being tackled. From just outside the University twenty-five, Rennie kicked a good goal. Zingari-Richmond 3 University B nil. Rennie injured his ankle, and Campbell came on as fullback, A. Mason going to half, and Rapson to first five-eighths. Zingari increased its lead not long afterwards, when backs and forwards combined in an excellent loose rush down the north touch line. Chirnside gathered In the ball smartly and raced round

the defence to score wide out. A. Mason’s kick just failed. ZingariRichmond 6, University B nil. The Colours were attacking strongly when the hall time whistle was sounded, with the score still: Zingari-Richmond 6, University B nil. Zingari-Richmond opened the second spell with the same dash that it displayed in the closing stages of the first half. Chirnside was nearly over in the corner, and then the play swung to the other wing following a pretty cut in by W. Mason, and Barabithe was pulled down just short of the goal line. A few minutes later Barabithe made a good run along the touch line and put up a high centring kick. The Zingari backs got possession, and, with the Students caught out of position Chirnside was given a clear run in to score near the corner. Campbell missed with the kick. Zingari-Richmond 9, University B nil. Zingari now held the upper hand, and first Chirnside and then Rapson nearly scored. Ten minutes before time, after a long period of attack, the Zingari backs got possession again and Campbell; who came up as an extra man. received at the end of a passing rush and crossed for a try. A. Mason missed with the kick, Zingari-Richmond 12, University B nil. Shortly afterwards White finished off a loose forward rush by scoring in a handy position A. Mason converting. Zingari-Richmond 17, University B nil. Just on time A. Mason came to light with a pretty som effort, jinking his way through the dc "ence to score wide out. The kick at goal failed, and the game ended with the scores: Zingari-Richmond .. 20 points. University B .... Nil. Mr F. Henderson was the referee. DUNEDIN BEATS ALHAMBRA SUPERIORITY OF BACKS Due chiefly to the surer handling of the backs and the ability to take greater advantage of the opportunities which came their way, Dunedin defeated Alhambra at Tahuna Park by 12 points to 5. All the scoring was done in the second spell, which produced brighter football than in the first half, Dunedin scoring a converted try a field goal—a magnificent effort bv the full-back. Dougan—and a penalty goal. Alhambra scored a try, which was converted by Broadfoot. The teams were as follows: — Dunedin. —Backs —Dougan Hoffman, Black. Thompson Todd. Manion, Wright; forwards McCartney, McEwan. Skinner, Aitken. Treacy, Marshall, Collett, Wallace. Alhambra. —Backs —Broadfoot, Taylor, Seaward, Tappin, Fox, Robinson, Casey; forwards —Lament, McDonald, Stewart, Naylor. Montgomery. Robertson, Mockford. Skinner. After a minute or two on defence. Dunedin attacked strongly, and Dougan went close with a penalty from near the touch line. Taylor eventually relieved the pressure with a grand kick to the halfway line, but the Dunedin backs came again with a good rush, which broke down when Black dropped his pass. A knock on spoiled a promising Colours movement, but a free kick took them to the Blues’ twenty-five. A long forward rush by Dunedin, assisted by bad fumbling on the part of the opposing backs, gained the Blues a lot of ground, and they settled on the Alhambra line. Both Wright and Dougan missed with free kicks. Taylor turned defence into attack with a strong run. and Broadfoot hit the upright with a penalty from 40 yards out. A few minutes later he tried to put over a free kick from just short of halfway, but the ball fell short. There was no score at half time.

Dunedin opened the second spell with a bright rush which was started by Manion. who broke clean through the defence. He handed on to Wright, to Marshall (a forward), the last-named reverse passing to Wallace, who '.vent over under the posts. Black converting.' Dunedin 5. Alhambra nil. Dunedin continued to attack, and from a scrum infringement straight out from the posts Black kicked a penalty goal. Dunedin 8, Alhambra nil. The Colours were still sorely pressed, but a free kick brought relief. Wright marked a high kick and tried to kick a goal, but missed. Dougan, the Dunedin fullback. gathered in the ball at his own twenty-five, ran 10 yards past halfway, and potted a beautiful goal from a slight angle. Dunedin 12. Alhambra nil. A loose forward rush by the Colours saw Casey make a bold bid for the corner, but he was well smothered. Alhambra attacked strongly, and a forward rush gave Mockford a chance to thrust his way over wide out. Broadfoot converted. Dunedin 12, Alhambra 5 The Colours threw the ball about freely, but although a bright movement by Casey, McDonald, and Stewart looked dangerous they could not score. Just before time Mockford was replaced by Allen, and the game ended: Dunedin .. 12 points. Alhambra .. .. 5 points. The referee was Mr F. Swete. SECOND GRADE Alhambra nil. Pirates A nil, Zingari 27, Dunedin 6. Training College 14, Port Chalmers 3 THIRD GRADE Ravensbourne 9. University D 8. University E 11. Taieri 8. Training College 17, Pirates B 3. Pirates A 17, Southern 3. Dunedin 12. Kaikorai 8. INTERMEDIATE GRADE McGlashan College 16, University 8. FOURTH GRADE Zingari 8. Kaikorai 6. Dunedin 26. Technical College 5. Taieri 25, Alhambra 8. Union 33. Port Chalmers ml. Pjrates A 6, Alhambra 3. Pirates B 37. King’s High School 6. High School 11, Pirates C nil. FIFTH GRADE Dunedin 21, Alhambra 6. Zingari 25, Green Island 6. Kaikorai 27, Ravensbourne 3. Pirates 9, Union 3, IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND Marist 3, Grafton nil. Ponsonby 6, Training College 5. Grammar Old Boys 17, North Shore 3. Manukau 12. Technical 8. WELLINGTON First Division Wellington 32, Poneke 10. Petone 23, Oriental 9. University 19, Eastbourne 3. Athletic 4. Johnsonville 3. Marist Old Boys 13, Wellington College 12. Hutt 13. St. Patrick’s College 10 Second Division Petone 11, Miramar 8, Pirates 14. Marist 12. Wellington 22, Poneke 3. Athletic 18, Onslow 6 CHRISTCHURCH University 20. Christchurch 6. Southern 13. Merivale 6 Old Boys 14. Albion 3." Athletic 14, Sunnyside 8. Linwood 12, Technical 8,