FOOTBALL RUGBY

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 52

FOOTBALL

RUGBY

By FULL BACK.

FIXTURES. Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin, August *. Payne Shield match at Christchurch, August 13. Otago v. Maori team, at Dunedin, August 17. Otago v. Taranaki, at Dunedin, August EO. University v. Kaikorai (Ainge Shield), August 27. Otago v. Wellington, at Wellington, September 3. Otago v. North Otago, at Dunedin, September 10. Otago v. Bush Union, September 7. Otago v. Auckland, September 10. Otago v. Manawhenua, September 14. Otago v. Canterbury, September 17. Trial Match.—Otago, Southland, and North Otago v. Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Ashburton, at Dunedin, September 24. North Island v. South Island, at Wellington, October 1. Deacon Cup, Otago v. Southland premier teams tat Dunedin), October 1.

NOTES. The funeral of the late Mr W. Harridge, an ex-president of the Alhambra Football Club, who died after a short illness, was very largely attended, every club in Dunedin being represented. Among the wreatlft forwarded was one from the Merivale Club, of Christchurch. Mr Ben Watson, who died recently, for many seasons played among the backs of the Dunedin Football Club. Later he joined the Referees’ Association, and controlled many important games, while he was also a life member of that body. Tho medical examination of the New Zealand Rugby team to tour. South Africa will be more stringent than it was for the last tour, and. in addition to producing a certificate of fitness from his ow n doctor, every player chosen for a trial game must be subjected to a strict overhaul conducted by a doctor nominated bv the New Zealand Union. Generally the referee of a football match is looked upon as an instrument rather than an agent, and all he gets is the combined “ one for the referee.” Now and again, however, it is possible for him to be one of the features of the game, either good or bad, and Mr J. Moffitt, who controlled the game between Marist and Oriental, earns this distinction, and comes under the former cate- . gory (says the Wellington Post). His refereeing was more than good—it was excellent. Once or twice matters got somewhat heated, but Mr Moffit’s disciplinary methods were fair and effective. He tolerated neither rough play nor arguing, and the players, after one had been ordered off, realised this, and played the ball, and the ball only, for the rest of the game. Mr Moffitt is one of the few referees who, when awarding a penalty, names the breach and the offender. lie docs not try to mystify, but throughout the players know where they stand. When a referee says “ Free kick, Oriental,” there is sometimes a resentment that the penalty was not deserved, but when he says “ Free kick. Oriental, No 99 offside,’’ there is understanding. Players have a right to know what they are penalised for, and, furthermore, they also get to know the rules, of wh’cb some are surprisingly ignore- ■

OTAGO DEFEATS SOUTHLAND. TWENTY-SEVEN POINTS TO SIX. INVERCARGILL, July 27. Otago scored a decisive win against Southland this afternoon at Rugby Park. In the second spell the visitors quite outplayed the Maroons, both back and forward. The weather was dull, but no rain fell, and the ground, although heavy, did not prevent the Blues from joining in some really fine passing. Southland had the advantage of a brisk south-east wind in the first spell, but they failed to make use of it, and their backs, instead of putting the ball into the air in midfield, kicked to the line. The Maroons, moreover, got plenty of the ball, but Johnson, their half-back, did not pass cleanly from the scrum, and even when he did send it out to Townsend the movement did not get much further. The Maroons stuck to the tight game all through the first spell, but their backs failed to take the chances made for them. The play, in fact, was quite uninteresting. The Blues’ forwards put up a valiant resistance, but their backs could not come away with any effective movements, as Holden was not getting the ball to any extent from his forwards. Otago had however one fine opportunity of scoring.’ btevens had a great chante of going over himself, but he passed to Lindsay, who also appeared to have a try in front of him However, he, in turn, passed to Stewart, who fumbled the ball. It was soon apparent also that, although the heavv Maroon pack was a bit too solid for the Blues in the tight play, Otago had the better of the opposing forwards in line out work and in the loose. Otago had put up such a valiant defence under pressure in the first spell that their supporters were confident they ’W'oulcl secure a Vlctor y hl the second half with the wind behind thein; and so it proved. The Otago backs kept the ball m Play, and the forwards one and all - played with such dash that they quickly dominated the opposition. The Otago hookers began to send the ball to Holden who made openings in his own particular efforts were ably supported bv Mitchell, and the Blue backs soon quite outclassed the opposing rearguard, whose dmplay, indeed, was very mediocre. The Southland forwards also fell away badly, and Hazlett, who was very prominent in the first halt, was seldom seen in the •eeond. The Southland supporters were ■ fully satisfied when the last whistle went •hat the ability of Holden as a half-back Bad not been exaggerated iu the reports

from Dunedin. They were also surprised with the play of Mitchell and the others for that matter. Curing the second spell Peterson was ■d off with a sprained ankle, and took his place. The teams were: OTAGO. Full-back—Roy Callander 12. G. Three-quarters—D. Lindsay 13.6, E. Stewart 12.4, S. Peterson 11.7. Five-eighths—Ron. Callander 10.6, A. Mitchell 11.1. Half-back —A. Holden 10.13. Front row —R. Souter 11.10, L. More 12.6. Lock—E. Collett ]2.0. Side supports—C. Sonntag 14.0 (captain). C. Finlayson 13.0. Back row —T. Stevens 13.5, J. Horn 12.12. Wing-forward—W. Morete 12.1. SOUTHLAND. Full-back —C. C. Nicholson 12.7. Three-quarters—D. Murray 11.6, N. M’Donald 13.5, E. H. Diack (captain) 11.8. •• Five-eighths—J. M’Auliffe 11.8, A. Townsend 11.9. Half-back—C. Johnson 10.2. Front row—C. Mills 12.10, J. Howden 12.8. Lock—N. M'Leod 13.8. Side supports—W. Hazlett 14.8, . 11. M'Kcnzie 13.7. Back row —R. Bird 13.0, L. J. Cockroft 13.5. Wing-forward—W. Johnston 12.0. THE FIRST SPELL.

Southland kicked off with a south-east wind behind them, and from the first scrum the Maroons hooked the ball; but C. Johnson missed. The Blue forwards carried play to the Southland twenty-five, but a hard ground kick sent the ball back to Roy Callander, whose return was charged down, and Howden dribbled out at the Otago twenty-five. Townsend made a break from a lineout, and a scrum was formed in front of the Otago goal. The Maroons’ passing from the scrum broke down, and a kick by Holden was charged down. The Southland forwards were striving hard to carry the ball over the line. The Maroons were getting the ball from the scrum; but C.‘Johnson’s passing was too slow and not accurate. At last the ball went out to Lindsay, on the right wing. He ran to the centre flag, and put in a cross-kick, and Stevens, coining with a fine burst, secured possession and bolted straight for the goal mouth. It looked as if he could have scored, but he handed to Lindsay, who also appeared to have a try in hand; but he passed to Stewart, who knocked on. The Maroons were given a free kick, and Hazlett, with a mighty punt, put the ball out near the Blues’ twenty-five. Play went back to the centre, and then Nicholson kicked a fine penalty from about five yards inside the centre line. Southland 3 points. Otago Nil.

Give-and-take play followeu, and W. Johnston dribbled through from a scrum, Holden marking. Peterson made no mistake with Diack as he was moving through from passing, and W. Johnston knocked on when in a likely position. inlayson and Souter staved off the attack, arid a short passing bout between Holden and Stewart on the left wing gained ground. The Maroons came again with passing between Morete, Peterson, and Lindsay, who was collared by M’Donald. The lastnamed then punted to tliQ Otago line, where a scrum was formed. Once more the passing of the Southland backs failed, and the Blues forced. From a hard kick the Blue forwards, led by Hore, took play to the halfway, but it was soon back again, and Cockroft marked, and missed with the kick at goal, Otago forcing, lownsend forced the Blues again with a hard kick..

The game so far was very uninteresting, being mainly confined to the forwards, with the Southland backs handling very weakly. Hazlett made a dash along the right wing, but Holden secured and returned to his twenty-five. A free kick to the Blues enabled Sonntag to shift play to the Maroon territory, but it was soon returned by the Southland forwards, and Roy Callander, who was fielding the ball splendidly, kicked out. A scrum was formed in the Blues’ left corner, and Johnson secured and went round on the bhnd side to beat Stewart and score. Nicholson missed the kick at goal. Southland 6 points. Otago Nil.

Lindsay who was making no mistake with M Donald, fielded a cross-kick by Hazlett well, and then Holden passed to Ron Callander, who sent on to Peterson, .the Otago centre cut the defence in half, but his pass infield was missed. Roy Callander was called on to save Immediately after, Townsend tried the short punt and Roy Callander slipped, but managed to get his hand on the ball before a Maroon man fell on it. Plav swung to the other end of the field Finlayson heading a Blue forward rush. The Otago backs joined in attack, but they Coet-v g fi v ° f the ba ” to ° <iuickly. f ! a . nt ? Iu F r£, y stopped the movement and led back a rush, and Roy CalS Cr Tll' aS I a i R ?j" Cal '? d 0,1 t 0 Save his whistle went shortly after with the score— Southland 6 pointe, Otago Nil. THE SECOND SPELL.

Southland forwards were the first to attack on resuming. Ron Callander vV 1 J. ted mi 1 c^’ n ter-atta<k with a good line kick. _ the Brae forwards were now commencing to hold their own; but their backs were trying to go too far. The Maroons were forced by a hard kick bv Hore, and then the Blue forwards came away in spectacular fashion. Stevenk was held up on the line after a great break through and from a scrum Holden passed to Mitchell, to Ron Callander, to 1 eterson, who cut clean through to the goal jx>sts and gave Finlayson a clear Fick ln I * ludsay missed an easy goal Southland 6 points, mi ta f»3 ■ c i 3 P° inls - 4 he Blue forwards were . back at the Southland lino almost at once, and Stevens kicked over. ’I wo Southland men missed the ball and Stevens fell on it. Ron Callander missed another easy Jcick. Southland 6 points Otago 6 points Finlayson and Collett, showed out in fine defensive play, and M’Donald was soundly tackled at the end of passing.

Collett was again prominent in a forward rush, and Peterson was hurt and was replaced by Giles. Bird was in front of a Maroon forward rush, and Nicholson had a shot from a penalty, but Mitchell returned the ball well past the halfway. Holden was now getting into his stride and was making play from all positions. Twice he handed out to Lindsay on the blind side, and ground was gained each time. The Blue forwards were beginning to play over the opposition. Holden went round on the blind side again and threw infield to Finlayson to Sonntag, to Giles, to Stewart, who scored on the opposiato corner after a splendid bit of passing. Lindsay kicked a great goal. Otago 11 points Southland 6 points Collett and Hore took play to Nicholson, who was downed by Morete. Before he could recover, Lindsay secured and passed infield to Mitchell, who gave the ball back to the Blue three-quarter, and a try at tho corner followed. Lindsay took the kick himself, but failed in a good attempt. Otago ,v» 14 points Southland ... 6 points Hand forward play followed at the centre and then Hore. Finlayson, and More broke clear through to the Maroon’s lino. A free-kick to Southland was fielded by Mitchell, who made a tricky run along the left wing, and passed to Stewart, who was dragged down on the line. The Blue backs, were now throwing the ball about freely. Holden went round on the blind side again and through the opposition, and then passed to Mitehell, who went over in a tackle Lindsay kicked another fine goal. Otago 19 points. Southland 6 points. Ilotlden gave to Giles from a scrum, and he cut in to the line supported by Stewart, but was collared. Mitchell tried a crosskick to Murray, who fumbled and Finlayson, Souter, and Mitchell joined in passing, from which the last-named scored. Lindsay was again successful with a line kick. Otago 24 points. Southland 6 points. In the final stages of the game the Maroons went right to the Blues’ line, and with clean handling could have scored; but the next moment Souter, Collett, Finlayson, and More swept play black in a spectacular dribbling rush. From a scrum in front of tho Maroons’ goal Holden whipped the ball out to Mitchell, who took a low pass and gave to Callander, to Giles, to Stewart, who went across near the corner. Lindsay just missed with another great kick anil the bell then went. Otago 27 points. Southland 6 points. Mr E. Kelly was the referee. The gate receipts for the match totalled £521. CLUB SEASON ENDS. UNIVERSITY A WINS COMPETITION. The rain which set in early last week and continued right up to Saturday left the Flag Committee of the Otago Rugby Union jio option but to declare all matches off. The committee was as anxious as players and followers of the game to stage the final matches in the competitions, but every ground was in such a bad state that it was found impossible to play even the two most important matches —University A-Southern and University B-Kaikorai. The season, so far as the senior competition is concerned, has, it is understood, ended, and at the meeting of the committee of the Otago Rugby Union to-night the University A will be declared the winners of the competition, with Kaikorai runners up.

The position of the senior teams for 1927 will therefore be as follow:—

Univex -ty A thoroughly deserve the honour. No one can deny-that the Light Blue team, both back and forward, has proved a solid combination, and that it has stood out above the other sides by the standard of its play. As a matter of fact, a wrong impression may be formed, on the figures in the table, of the qualit’ - of the other teams, but it must be remembered that on one occasion at least the University A team was decidedly unlucky not to leave the ground victors. It has been a wonderfully successful season, as up to Saturday there had been 13 consecutive Saturdays of football, with one occasion where some of the junior matches had to be put off. PREMIER CLUBS IN OTAGO. Tho following is a list of the premier clubs of Otago since IS9O: —

The Otago selectors will this week bo required to pick the team to play against Southland on Saturday, and it will have a hard task so far as the forwards are concerned. The Blue forwards all played a fine game against Southland, but it must not be considered that the pack cannot be strengthened. Places will have to be found for Dunne and Hendenach, and the selectors may decide to reconstruct the balance of the scrum and play Hendenach and Hore in place of More and Souter in the front rank, and thus also make room for Dunne.

VINCENT v. MANIOTOTO. Teams representative of the Vincent and Maniototo Counties met at Ranfurlv on Saturday' in fine weather, and after a close game Vincent won by two tries (6 points) to a converted try (5 points). The game was played with plenty of dash, and one of the most noticeable features about it was the lino snorting spirit shown by both sides—it was an absolutely clean game from start to finish. It was only in the last quarter of an hour that the Vincent backs held tho advantage over the opposing backs, and the winning try was scored. Both teams were entertained at dinner by the Maniototo Sub-union immediately after the game, and a pleasant hour was spent. The Otago selectors—Messrs J. King, and John Mitchell, and Dr Perry—watched the game, and Mr G. A. Nelson, treasurer of the Otago Union, also made the trip. HIGH SCHOOLS MATCH. The* Otago Boys’ High School first fifteen left for Christchurch by the express on Saturday morning, under the charge >jf Mr G. S. Thomson, to play the annual match against Christ’s College. RAILWAYMEN’S MATCH. The match for the Locomotive Challenge Cup, between Dunedin and Christchurch, resulted in a win for Dunedin by 6 points to nil. GAMES IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, July 31. Grammar 3, Ponsonby nil; College Rifles 13, North Shore 8; Marists 3, Grafton nil. WHANGAREI DEFEATS NORTH AUCKLAND. WHANGAREI, July 30. Whangarei defeated North Auckland Sub-union by 19 points to 18. after a game in which the visitors had most of the honours. This was so especially in the last quarter, when three unconverted tries were scored in rapid succession. North Auckland was a point behind with an easy kick to decide the issue. The kicker was awarded a free charge, but the second kick was disallowed for handling.

WANGANUI v. SOUTH CANTERBURY. WANGANUI. July 31. The game between the South Canterbury touring team and the Wanganui A team yesterday resulted in a good win for the home side by 28 points to 6. The visitors commenced to dominate the position from the outset, but strong defence and the more masterly play of the local back and forward divisions gradually asserted itself. The home side’s first score came from a sensational race down the line between Hartley (Wanganui) and Trotter, and the former’s speed gave him victory. South Canterbury then attacked, and for some time sorely tested the defence of the home side. Forrester, Trotter, and Southgate made strong efforts to get through, and finally Lawson succeeded where others had failed. Taking a pass nicely, he made a penetrating run and cut his way cleanly through the home defence to score. South Canterbury did not score again until the concluding stages, when a penalty kick gave G. Lawson an opportunity to test his capabalities as a goal finder. He made a nice kick, thus contributing the six points for Canterbury. Although Wanganui had run up a big score, the game was interesting to the end, South Canterbury playing brightly all through. Leahy and Jack Johnston (captain) played sterling forward games for V\ anganui, the former scoring two tries. Hartley, Ball, and Wangione were the outstanding backs for South Canterbury, and Trotter, the Lawson brothers and Strang were the pick of the home backs. Dwan, M’Bride, Southgate, and Aitchie showed up well until the latter had to retire because of an injury. The Wainui-A-Rua-Wanganui B game ended in a draw, the scores being G all. HAWKE’S BOY v. BUSH UNION ry i , t» ~ PAHIATUA. July 30 Oaj j e s P a y B defeated Bush Union on a sodden ground to-day by six points to tnrea lhe Rush forwards deserved the honours of tho dav, for thev excelled in loose back play. Yet both Hawke’s Bay’s tries were scored by Chetwin, the speedy winger. L. Humphreys scored for Bush. At half-time tho scores wore- equal, the Bay snatching a victory in the dying stages. HAWKES BAY v. MANAWHENUA. „ r NAPIER, July 30. Before an attendance of about 4000 Hawke’s Bay to-dav defeated Manawhenua by. 16 points to nil. Following a week’s rain tho ground was sodden, with sheets of water in places, and tho game for the most part was played in the rain. These conditions made tho play of a forward nature, but both teams endeavoured to make the game open. In this respect Hawke’s Bay were most successful. At times their rearguard participated in some really brilliant passing rushes, considering tho greasy ball. By receiving a liberal amount "of the ball from his forwards, Edwards, tho Hawke’s Bay half, was able to get his backs in motion, and as a result they were always dangerous. Tho Manawhenua backs indulged in individual rather than combined play. Hunt and Brophy being most prominent, while Jacob went through a tremendous amount of work beside the scrum. The game in the first half was very even and at the conclusion Hawke’s Bay had scored five points.

After half-time Manawhenua several times had the home side in difficulties, but not for long, as Hawke’s Bay made the play more interesting by characteristic forward rushes and back play, which enabled them to score 11 more points. However, they did not have it all their own way. By judicious kicks Manawhenua had the game often on the Hawke’s Bay line, and only fine defence by Yates and Grenside kept the visitors from scoring. Towards the end of the match the ground was a quagmire, which marred what would have been an excellent match. For the winners, in the first half Corkill scored a try, which was converted by Grenside. In the second spell scores were obtained by M. Brownlie and Huxtable (two), one being converted by M. Brownlie. During the game there was only one steppage for

injury, this being the result of a damaged shoulder suffered by Conrad. GAMES IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 30. Wet weather caused the postponement of several sports fixtures on Saturday. In senior Rugby the results were: Athletic 3, Petone 3; Poneke 11, University 9; Wellington 19, Marist 3; Old Boys 15 Berhamporc nil. L. Warwick, Athletic, received bad injuries to his leg, and J. Spencer, Athletic, had a rib broken. CHRISTCHURCH v. OLD BOYS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 30. Christchurch, this season’s premiers, played Old Boys, who are next in order, for the Challenge Cup to-day. Christchurch won by 22 points to 3. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. NEW PLYMOUTH, July 31. The Hamilton High School played the New Plymouth Boys’ Higs School for the first time and were beaten by 36 points to five.

P. W. L. D. Points Flag Pts. . F. A. University A 13 9 3 1 293 63 19 Kaikorai 13 8 9 146 119 IS Southern 13 7 3 3 133 S3 17 Pirates 13 8 4 1 228 130 17 Zingari 13 8 4 1 <833 131 17 Alhambra .. 13 7 4 9 137 114 16 University B 13 6 6 1 115 158 13 Taieri .. .. 13 3 10 0 112 195 6 Union .. .. 13 2 10 1 206 5 Dunedin 13 1 12 0 62 235 2

1890—Union. 1908—Dunedin. 1891 —Alhambra. 1909—A i h a m b i a. 1892—Alhambra. 1910—Alhambra. 1893—Kaikorai. 1911 —University. 1894—Kaikorai. 1912—Southern. 1895—Kaikorai. 1913 —Zingari. 1896—Kaikorai. 1914—Kaikorai 1896 —Kaikorai. 1915 —Southern. 1897—Kaikorai. 1916 —Union. 1898—Kaikorai. 1917 —University A. 1899—Kaikorai. 1918 —Pirates. 1900—Alhambra. 1919—University. 1901 —Kaikorai. 1920 —Alhambra. 1902 —Alhambra. 1921—Kaikorai. 1903—Alhambra. 1922—University A. 1904—Southern. 1923—University A. 1905 —Alhambra. 1924—University A. 1906 —University. 1925—Pirates. 1907 —University. 1926—University A.