RUGBY

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 51

RUGBY

SOUTHLAND v. MAORIS. INVERCARGILL, August 2. The following is the Southland B team to play the Maoris at Invercargill on August 13:—Backs —Cheyne, Walker, M'Ewen, Manson, Ottrey, Falconer, J. •Johnston. Forwards—ll. Howden. Sheehan, Shaw, Les Cockroft, Padget, W. Archer, Batchelor, and Mahoney. COMPETITION FOR MAORI IEAMS. SFR JAMES CARROLL’S WISH FULFILLED. GISBORNE. August 2. The Poverty Bay Rugby Union has adopted a scheme for competition among the Maori football clubs throughout the Dominion for the handsome trophy presei ted by the Prince of Wales. The trophy was presented by the Prince at the suggestion of the late Sir James Carroll, and it was Sir Janies Carroll's wish that the first match for the cup should be played at his birthday celebrations at Whakaki. The Maoris desire that this wish should be carried out, and that the competition should start at, Whakaki on August 20. The Rugby Union, believing that the competition will foster Rugby among the Natives, has, therefore, decided to approach th? Maori Advisory Board and the New Zealand Union on the matter. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. CHRIST'S COLLEGE DEFEAT OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH. In the Otago Boys’ High School-C'hrist’s College match, played at Christchurch on Monday, the play throughout was fast and open, both teams throwing the ball about in line style. The visitors were the lighter team, and although their forwards were almost constantly overwhelmed by the opposing vanguard their backs were fast and nippy, and e'early believed that attack was the best form of defence. Their tackling, however, was not particularly sound, and in the latter stages, when Christ’s College put on the pressure, their defence crumbled badly, and after the score had been level at one period the home team drew ahead and won by 24 points to 11. Amongst the visiting backs the most impressive were Rudkin (light wing), Ussher and Wilson (five-eighths), whilst Miller (left wing) also put in some fine runs, but his defensive play was not as sound as it might have been. Although outplayed in the forwards, the Otago pack worked well throughout, Gordon, M'Gill. and H. E. Jolly being the most prominent in the loose play, whilst R. Jolly, although overshadowed by the opposing wing-for-ward. did a lot of good work in amongst the College backs. ’The outstanding member of the Christ’s College rearguard was Dawson, who, as usual, played on the right wing, and showed dashing form throughout, and was in most of the attacking movements of his side. Newton (first five-eighth) and Appleby (centre) also showed good form. The wings and Douglas, although not consistently good, went well at times. The whole of the College vanguard, in fact, showed really good form. Two forwards, Whyte and Johnstone, were conspicuous throughout for their fine following up and the general high standard of their play. WIN FOR NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, August 1. At Rugby New South Wales beat Victoria by 19 points to 13. AN INTER-ISLAND MATCH. AUCKLAND, August 3. At a special meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League Council it was decided to play an inter-island game at Auckland on Saturday, September 24, and to seek the financial asistancc of the Southern Leagues in assembling the South Island team. NEW SOUTH WALES CHAMPIONSHIP. SYDNEY. August 7. The Rugby Union championship was w<> n bv University.

OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND.

Otago were fairly and squarely beaten at Carisbrook on Saturday in a game which was mostly confined to the forwards, and which was marked by a lack of clean passing movements by the backs on both sides. The ground was in splendid order, there was hardly a breath of wind, and about 11,000 people watched the contest. The Southlanders very effectively t urned the tables on . Otago, and fully demonstrated that their form at Rugby Park last Wednesday week, when they were defeated by the Blues by 27 points to 6 points, was too bad to be true. If the players can reproduce this form on the northern tour they will beat more teams than beat them. The weak showing of the Otago forwards, even allowing for the fact that they were lighter than the oppossing pack, requires some explaining. In the match at Invercargill the Blue forwards had all the dash, the Maroon pack being slow and sluggish. In the match on Saturday tho position was reversed. It was the Maroon forwards who had the dash, and in the second spell they simply broke up tho opposition. It cannot be said that the game reached a high standard of footbail. It was mainly confined to the forwards, with some play amongst the backs, but very few effective or combined movements. The Soul bland forwards carried the _ brunt of the game, and they won the victory for the Maroons. In all departments of forward play in the second half the advantage was with them, and Hazlett, M'Leod, and Cockroft were a trio of stalwarts who took some stopping. Hazlett also showed fine anticipation, dropping back into the rear line at times to ■ save his side.

Oughton the Maroons’ full-back, played a very fine game for his side, fielding the ball well, kicking with judgment, and being excellent in defence. He hardly made a mistake all day. and in the second half he butted clean through the opposition to within inches of the line. M'Donald was the best of the three-quarters, and shows a wonderful improvement in his style

of play as compared to his game when he was in Dunedin. He runs with the greatest determination and is quicker off the mark, and if he can be just a bit surer in taking the ball he should score tries on the northern tour. The old Otago player, “Dick” Johnston (who was no 1 available for the match at Invercargill), the Maroons' half-back, made a striking difference in the play of his side. . He handled tho ball well, passed out nicely, and was very sound on defence. On the day he showed up better than Holden, but, of course, he was getting plenty of the ball. None of the other backs did anything out of the ordinary, except that Townsend quickly seized an opportunity to catch the Blues’ inside backs napping in the second half to slip along the open side of the scrum to score.

The Otago forwards played without dash. They were slow at times in keeping up to the play and it was noticeable also that when the game went past some of them they waited for it to come back to them. Their collaring, moreover, was very weak at times, noticeably so when Oughton (fullback) went through forwards and backs alike to the line. Hore was prominent in the first half, but was not noticed much in the second half, but the Blue forwards had a particularly strenuous time. Morete, until he had to be carried off with an injured knee, also did excellent work at wing forward. Stevenson, fullback, played a good game, marred, however, by at least two faults. Twice he gave free kicks to the opposition for lying on the ball, and then, again, he had every opportunitv to bring the stalwart M'Donald down when he came tearing along the touch line, with his high knee action. He had brought him down before in the afternoon. M'Donald broke through the tackle, however, and scored a great try. It may be mentioned that in the match at Invercargill M’Donald could not once get past Lindsay, who, however, was a bit dazed after he came out of his first encounter with the popular Southland winger. M'Clymont. on the wing, got few chances, and neither did Lindsav. and it cannot be said that Holden, Mitchell. Bathgate, and Giles, tlie inside backs, made an impressive showing. Holden was well watched, and the Maroons saw to it that he was not allowed to dodge round the scrum. Moreover, when tho Blue half did pass out in tho first spell Mitchell was not always in tho spot where the ball was sent, and then also the Maroon five-eighths and centre were coming through very quickly into the passing. Tho result of the match on Saturday was just as big a surprise to the followers of the game in Dunedin as was the result of their game last Wednesday week to the Southlanders.

OTAGO (Dark Blue). Full-back.—D. Stevenson 12.10. Three-quai'i-ers. —G. M’Clymont 11. '■ Gi fce^ui I t£- 1 /i n, Mi 6 11.1. XV. Bath, cate 11.6. Half-back.—A. Holden 11.0. Forwards.—J. R . Hindenach 12.2, L. More 12.6. E. Collett 130 C (captain) 14.0, B. Dunne 13.0, 1. Stex ens 13 5. J. Tlorc 12-12, W. Morete 12.1. SOUTHLAND (Maroon). Full-back. —G. Oughton 10.10 Three-quarters. —N. Macdonald 13.5, D. Murray H-6. C. C. Nico son 12.7. Five-eighths.—L. G. Townsend 11.9. L. [I. Diack (captain) 11.8. Half-back —R. Johnston 10.12. Forwards.—C. Mills 12 10, XV. T'nnocn 12.2 XV. Hazlett 14.10 XV. MI-cod 13.8, R Bird 13.0. H. M'Kenzie 13.7, L. G. Cockroft 13.8, XV. Johnston 12.0 (wing forward). THp , pLAY The Blues kicked off from the railway end. and Holden started his ba.ks from the first loose scrum, Giles being collared, and Lindsay then marking. 1 lay had settled in the Southland twenty-live, and the Blues were given a free kick from a loose scrum, Lindsay kicking a beautiful goal. The game had been in progress only a little over two minutes. Otago Southland ’ n *- Alitehell made a nice opening, and the ball went out to M'Clymont, who gained ground. A scrum was formed at the

Bines' twenty-five, and the ball was passed to M'Donald on the blind side. He made a good dash and passed infield, but the movement was stormed. The Maroons kept up the pressure, and M'Donald lost a good chance by over-running a pass. A lucky kick bv Lindsav shifted play to midfield, and Hazlett broke into Blue passing. Otago being again placed on defence. Nicholson kicked too hard, and Stevenson returned well to the halfway flag. From a serum at the centre R. Johnston passed to Townsend, to Diack, to AT Donald, who broke clean through to Stevenson, and threw infield to Nicholson, who fumbled, but Tennent was handy, and picked up and scored. Nicholson kicked a good goal. Southland- •’ Otago The Maroon forwards were now playing with plenty of dash. A free kick at the centre was taken by Lindsay, M’Donald returning well. A hard kick was fielded by Stevenson, who put in a spectacular run before he was thrown out at the Maroons’ twenty-five flag. Oughton drove back a forward rush in good style, and R. Johnston broke away on the blind side till lie met a solid tackle by Stevenson. Passing by the Maroon backs broke down at Nicholson, and Hindenach came away with a clever dribble to the halfway flag. The ball went to Oughton, whose kick was fielded by Bathgate, the latter gaining a lot of ground with a clever kick to the right wing. Mitchell dashed round the blind side from a scrum and passed to Lindsay, who was well tackled by M’Donald near the line, and then the Blues were given a free kick. Lindsay missed with the shot, and the Maroons forced. Solid tackling stopped Blue passing at the Maroons’ twenty-five, and Sonn- ’ tag. M'Clymont, and Holden put their side in positiion with a short bout of pass--1 ing. The Blues were getting the ball, • but the passing of their backs was very ( erratic. Hazlett broke into a Blue passing rush and raced to Stevenson, short- , punting over his head. Diack dribbled I on. but lost contact with the ball, and the Blues were lucky I to get out of it with a I force. The Maroons were given 3 a free kick for obstruction when

putting the ball in the scrum, and Nicholson missed with a fairly easy kick, the Blues forcing. Holden gained a lot of ground, running round from the scrum and kicking out, and give-and-take play followed. Bathgate got in a lucky hard kick from. scrambling play, Oughton returning nicely. Hazlett put in a great line kick from a penalty, and then R. Johnston was caught with the ball bohind the scrum, and Hore led a solid Blue rush which was stopped in fine style by Oughton. M'Kenzie broke away from the line out. but M'Clymont shifted play back with a clever run along the left wing. The Blues attacked strongly and a good piece of Blue passing saw M'Clymont well collared by Diack. Blue passing broke down again immediately after on tho apposite wing. Stevenson kicked to M'Leod, who marked, and Morete took the return kick and made a solid dash before he was dragged down. Passing by the Blues broke down at Bathgate, but Hore dribbled through to Oughton, and the Maroons were under pressure. Murray relieving with a good kick. Holden was not linking up well with Mitchell, but on tho other hand, the Maroons’ backs were also handling the ball faultily. A long kick then forced the Maroons. Oughton marked beautifully in the face of a forward rush led by Hore and Sonntag, and play rested at the centre flag. Johnston, Townsend, and Diack came into Southland passing, but the last-named kicked, and not much ground was gained. Diack put in a nice centring kick from his right wing, and the Southland backs went right to the Blues’ lino before a pass forward lost them a great chance. R. Johnston m issed with a penalty, and the Blues forced. Bathgate fielded a high kick near his twenty-five, and, racing down the field ho handed to Collett, who kicked. Hore carried on the movement and scored a good try. Lindsay missed with the goal kick. Otago 6 Southland 5 M’Donald came info passing on the left wing and threw infield to XV. Johnston, who was collared near the Blues’ line, where the Maroons were given a free kick from a scrum. Diack missed with a likely chance, and Stevenson returned well. Diack was well collared by M'Clymont at the end of passing by the Maroons’, but Hazlett broke back again from a line out, and Johnston threw out a high pass to Murray frc<n loose play in front of the Blues’ goal. The ball went out to M’Donald, who put in a strong run and was just collared in time by Lindsay right at tho corner flag. The whistle went shortly afterwards with play at the Blues’ twenty-five.

SECOND SPELL. Lindsav was hurt in (he first spell and Roy Callander took his place on the wing. R. Johnston broke away from the first serum and passed to Hazlett and the Maroons attacked and were given a free kick in a good position. Diack missed and the Blues forced. Bathgate came into passing, but his kick was c’harged down, and Stevenson was caught with the ball, and a free kick given against him. Diack missing with a difficult kick. The Maroons attacked vigorously, Morete relieving with a nice dribble away from the scrum. Passing by the Maroons went to' Diack, who punted to Callander, who gained ground with a kick to the line, but the M. „>n forwards came again, and their backs commenced to throw the ball about. The Blue forwards were, slow in getting up to the play, and the collaring of some of them could hake been improved. R. Johnston started Southland from a line out at the centre Hag. and the ball went right across tho field to M’Donald, who fumbled. R. Johnston marked nicelv from a forward rush, and Sonntag broke through from forward play and kicked, Oughton returning well. Cockroft and Hazlett were in front of a solid forward rush, and from hard plav on the line the Blues had to force. The Maroons kept up the pressure, and from scrambling back play on both sides the advantage rested with Southland. Oughton (the full-back) secured from a high kick and raced right to the Blues’ line, then pasing to Murray, who was tackled when nearly over. Desperate forward play took place on the Blues’ line, and M'Leod nicked un and forced Ins way across. Townsend missed with the kick. Southland 8 points. Otago 6 points.

So far Southland had had the better of the snell. Hazlett marked well from a kick bv Sonntag, and played rested at midfield. M'Leod and Hazlett broke right through the defence, and a scrum was formed on the Blues’s line. Mitchell kicking out at the twenty-five flag. Bathgate kicked hard along the ground from bad passing, and M'Donald was collared before he could return. Play swung to the other side of the field, where M'Clymont made a good dash and a free kick was given to the Blues. Mitchell missed. The Maroon backs joined in twq fine passing movements, but on each occasion they broke down at the end. Callander fielded a hard kick, Townsend retaliating by potting, and the Blues forced. A long kick by Townsend put the Maroons right on the Blues’ corner flag. From a scrum IT. Johnston missed the ball, but recovered it and passed to Townsend, who shot, past the open side of the serum and scored a simple try. Diack missed the goal kick. Southland H points. Otago 6 points. The Maroons were now playing over the opposing vanguard, and the Blue backs were not showing much combination. After uninteresting play Callander forced the Maroons with a hard kick. The Blues returned to the attack, but not for long, the Maroon forwards bursting through. M'Leod. in front, R. Johnston. M'Donald, and Diack came away in a nice passing rush. Holden taking the last-named. A hard kick by Oughton went to Mitchell, who fumbled, and then threw, the ball back over Stevenson’s head. Play swung across to the other side, where Nicholson finished off a nice piece of passing by scoring at the corner flag. Nicholson missed the goal kick. Southland 14 points. Otago 6 points.

Some spectacular play followed, and McDonald ran strongly down the left wing, till he met Stevenson. Mitchell went off, and Ron Callander came on, apd Morete was also incapacitated immediately after, Murphy coming on. The Southland forwards came away . in another strong attack. Two free kicks in quick succession to the Blues helped them to carry play to the Maroons’ territory, and after an exchange of kicks Stevenson marked in his twenty-five. The Maroon forwards came again, and Steven-

son was collared with the ball and hung . on too long. R. Johnston missing with the penalty kick, and the Blues forcing. More and Hore broke into weak passing by the Maroons’ backs, and gained ground in a dribbling rush, and Hazlett marked a high kick well. M'Leod headed another strong forward rush, and play went to the other end of the field. From play at midfield M'Donald secured after Giles had fumbled. The powerful Southland three-quarter ran strongly along the touchline, broke away from a tackle by Stevenson, and went over in another tackle to score a brilliant try. Diack’s kick missed. Southland 17 points. Otago 6 points. The Blues were forced immediately after from a long kick. Southland continued to keep up the pressure until the bell went with the scores: Southland 17 points. Otago 6 points. Mr A. Eckhohl was referee. TAKINGS AT CARISBROOK. The takings at the representative match at Carisbrook on Saturday were £6OB. PRESS MATCH. The annual match between the press teams of Otago and Southland was played at Moiitecillo on Saturday and resulted in a win tor Otago by 13 points to 8. At the conclusion of the match both teams adjourned to Carisbrook. where they were the guests of the Otago Rugby Union. THE RANFURLY SHIELD. HAWKE'S BAY APPEAL. WELLINGTON. Augjist 3. The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, in forwarding its appeal to the Appeal Board through the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night, did so in a sealed envelope with a request that the letter should be sent on unopened. It was decided to inform the Hawke’s Bay Union that the appeal must be made through the New Zealand Union unconditionally. Mr Dean said he had been informed that Hawke’s Bay was producing fresh evidence to the Appeal Board and that it was not desired that the New Zealand Union should be put in the position of prosecuting counsel. Mr Dean said the New Zealand Union had decided the Wairarapa protest on the evidence before it. Hawke’s Bay was asking XX’airarapa to forward it its evidence. He personally saw no objection to sending the Hawke’s Bay evidence on to the Appeal Board. The New Zealand Union did not wish to take sides in the dispute. It desired to be absolutely impartial in the matter. Mr E. Wylie: I don’t see why we should be dictated to as to the procedure by the Hawke’s Bay Union or any other union. Mr A. C. Kitto: What fresh evidence can Hawke's Bay bring? The question is: Was Barclay qualified to play lor Hawke’s Bay in the shield match on July 9? Mr XX 7 . Hornig: It strikes me that Hawke’s Bay is trying to hold up the dispute until the end of the season. Mr Wylie: Our decision stands until it is appealed against. Mr Dean: Our decision doesn’t stand. It has been appealed against. Mr 11. O. Leith: If Hawke’s Bay sends on fresh evidence the Appeal Board may have to decide the case on different facts than were before us. Mr Wylie moved —“That Hawke’s Bay be informed that the anneal could only be accepted by the New Zealand Union unconditionally.” Mr Hornig: I am not prepared to send Hawke's Bay’s letter on to the Appeal Board sealed. Mr Wylie: The position is undignified. Mr Dean: To my mind it is petty and childish. _ , Mr Fletcher seconded Mr XVylie s motion, which was carried. A request was received from the Manawhenua that i.s match with XVairarapa on August 6 be a Ranfurly Shield game. , Mr Dean: If we grant Manawhenua’s request what is going to happen if Manawhenua wins? Mr Wylie: Manawhenua will take the shield. It was decided to accept Manawhenua’s challenge provisionally on Wairarapa holding the shield. I It was decided to inform the Poverty Bay Union that Wairarapa could not ac-

ccpt its challenge for August 20 and that another date would be suggested. A —lengthy reries of resolutions were received from the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association concerning the ordering off the field of two players in the shield match at Masterton on July 9 by Mr H. J. M'Kenzie, and making suggestions regarding support for the referees in such matches. The communication was received, the association to be informed that the New Zealand Union had already taken action in the matter. A protest from the XVellington Referees’ Association against the whitewashing of players ordered off the field in this match was also received, and it was decided to reply that action had already been taken. Mr W. A. Armour, head master of the Boys’ High School, Napier, advised that he had received replies to a circular sent out to all schools in an endeavour to arrange a modified form of competition for the Moascar Cup. Replies had been received from 16 schools, nine being favourable to a district scheme and seven being in favour of the total elimination of the Moascar Cup competition. The Chairman said that the competition would be continued for the present season and that the union would have to consider what would be done with the cup next season.

ORDERING-OFF INCIDENT. GISBORNE, Augu-t 3

The Poverty Bay Rugby Referees’ Association discussed the attitude of tho Hawke’s Bay ami Wairarapa Rugby Unions in connection with the order'ng-ofE incident in the recent Ranfurly Shield match, and after a lengthy discussion passed the following resolution:—"This association protests most strongly against the action of the Hawke’s Bay and XVairarapa Unions in regard to the manner in which they dealt with the men ordered off the field in the Ranfurlv Shield match of July 9, 1927, by Mr Mackenzie, thereby casting an unwarranted slur on the referee. This association is also of the opinion that anv man reported bv the referee in charge of' a Ranfurly Shield match should be dealt with by the New Zealand Rugby Union, and not by his own union.”

MAN.AXVHENUO DEFEAT WAIRARAPA. CARTERTON, August 6. Under ideal weather conditions to-day Wairarapa lost their claim to the Ranfurlv Shield to Manawhenua by IS points to 16. The visitors played better football in all departments, and on the day thoroughly deserved to win. There was an attendance of between 3000 and 4000. XV’airarapa won the toss and elected to defend the southern goal. The visitors kicked off, and immediately instituted a strong attack, m nly by the forwards, Jacobs being particularly prominent. The teams were: —

Wairarapa.—E. B. Booth (full-back), W. Yates, C. Stringfellow, G. Booth, R. Cundy, A. E. Cooke, J. Hiroti. J. Donald (captain), K. Pairbrother, S. XX 7 illoughby, M. Parker, XV. reside, I. H. Harvey, XV. Irvine, K. Reid. O, Donald and L. Roache were not available.

Manawhenua. —M. Williamson, IT. Darragh, C. Hunt, J. M'Donald. D. Brophy, T. Parata, W. Parata. H. Jacobs (captain), E. Anderson, G. Persson. Crawford. I. Heatley, O. Galpin, T. Parsons, G. Payen. Manawhucna at once demonstrated their superiority in the forwards, and completely overran XVairarapa and caught the backs with the ball. The pressure on the home line was almost continuous, but occasionally Wairarapa burst through. In one of these forays Cooks picked up in midfield and passed to Yates, who centred a high one to the goal. i. Harvey speedily followed up, and beat all the Manawhenua backs to the ball and scored under the posts. Cundy converted. The visitors immediately returned to the attack, but XVairarapa drove them out, and again in midfield opened a scoring movement. J. Donald picked up and passed to Cooke, who, instead of passing, dummied and cut through the crowd to score a brilliant try midway from the corner. Cundy again kicked a goal, giving XVairarapa a lead of 10 points to nil. Manawhenua put forward better efforts, and succeeded in carrying the ball un to the line, where T. Parsons picked up and dived over. Brophy goaled. A fine pack rush carried play to the Wairarapa line, where Payne and Persson wei a right on the spot, the latter scoring near the posts. Brophy converted, and levelled the scores. The home ; forwards livened up and carried play up

the field, whre K. Reid got possession, and, stalling off all attacks, scored a fine try unaided in the corner. Cundy failed to convert, and the spell ended with the ecores: — Wairarapa .. .. 13 points. Manawhenua .. .. 10*points. The second spell saw the visitors still aggressive, and Wairarapa were kept penned in, nearly all through, except fay sudden spasmodic concerted play. With Wairarapa defending Booth (fullback) mulled badly. J. Donald stepped in and took the ball and passed, but Hunt intercepted brilliantly, and scored near the posts Jacobs kicked a goal and gave Manawhenua the lead by 15 points to 13. Wairarapa were now playing like a beaten team, but were .anaging to keep the score down. Brophv hurt his shoulder at the end of the first spell, Dewe taking his place. G. Booth (Wairarapa) hurt his leg and retired, Williams going on in his place. J. Donald was also hurt, and retried within a few minutes of the end of the game, Q. Donald taking his place. Still the visitors dominated the game, and W. Parata started a fine passing bout, which ended in M’Donald going over in the corner. Jacobs failed with the kick at goal. Manawhenua 18, Wairarapa 13. An infringement of the rules in a scrum gave Cundy a chance at goal, which he effectively took bringing the scores to: Manawhenua 18, Wairarapa 10. The game ended with the scores: Manawhenua .. .. 18 points. Wairarapa .. ■■ 10 points.

MAORIS DEFEAT BULLER. WESTPORT, August 3. After heavy rain overnight the weather cleared to-day for the Rugby match between Buller and the Maoris, which was played in very favourable conditions and in the presence of a large crowd. Buller, with the advantage of the wind and sun in the first spell, led by 9 points to 3, chiefly by determined forward play. Haggis kicked two penalty goals, and Beard scored a try, while S. Gemmell scored an unconverted try for the Maoris. The visitors took full advantage of the wind and sun in the second spell, and with admirable line-kicking they repeatedly threw Buller back on the defensive. Their backs also opened out play, and tries were scored by Pelham (2), S. Gemmell, Wilson, and Lockwood. Crawford converted two of the tries, making the final score:

Maoris 22 points. Buller 9 points. Mr E. J. Kemnitz, of Nelson, was the referee. MAORIS DEFEAT WEST COAST. GREYMOUTH, August 7. The Maori touring team defeated West Coast, at Victoria Park, on Saturday by 22 to nil. The game was played in a drizzing rain, with a fairly strong wind. The ground was in good condition and conducive to a fast game, which was provided. The Maoris undoubtedly had the bettter of the'game all through, and the score does not fairly indicate the respective merits of the teams. West Coast were defeated by the superior combination of their opponents, and had the disadvantage of not having previously played together. The Maoris’ passing at times was marked by almost machine-like precision. They invariably gained the best of the scrums, and were quick in getting the ball away. Their handling of the greasy ball was remarkable. West Coast put up a good fight, despite the lack of combination, and several times came near scoring, but they lacked the neces-

HASTINGS DEFEATS CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY. WAIPUKURAU, August 3. Central Hawke’s Bay played Hastings Sub-union this afternoon at Waipukurau. There was a large attendance, as it was an off day. The game provided an interesting display, and the weather was beautiful. The first half ended with the scores: Hastings 9 points, Central 3; and Hastings finally won by 20 points to 12. Grcnside and Mapuhi were the most outstanding of the Hastings players. Mr R. Smyrk refereed.

SOUTH CANTERBURY v. TARANAKI. STRATFORD. August 3. South Canterbury met Taranaki here to-day, and were defeated by 27 points to 9, after a fast game, which was full of incident. The visiting backs gave a good exhibition of passing, but were not quite fast enough for the Taranaki men. Strang, the visiting captain, kicked well throughout, and the visitors’ scores consisted of three goals kicked by him. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. WELLINGTON, August 3. St. Patrick’s College to-day beat Wellington College by 14 points to 3 in their annual match. NORTHERN SUB-UNIONS. WHANGAREI, August 4. The touring northern sub-unions’ team, in the third match of the tour to-day at Waipu, defeated Otamatea 12 points to 6. On Tuesday they defeated Rodney 27 points to 5 and lost to Whangare.i last Saturday by 18 points to 19. SOUTH CANTERBURY DEFEATED. AUCKLAND, August 6. Two representative matches were played t Eden Park to-day in fine weather, be,>re an attendance of about 7000 people. In the first match the second Auckland team beat South Auckland by 32 points to 5, and in the second match the first Auckland team beat South Canterbury by 32 points to 6. WELLINGTON COMPETITION. W ELLINGTON, August 7. Petone 6, University 3. Athletic 16, Berhampore 10, Old Boys 13, Oriental 5. Poneke 15, Wellington 8. Marist 21, Hutt 8. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. Union City 57, Country 5. INVERCARGILL GAMES. Star 18, Southern 14. Invercargill 17, Pirates 9.

A COLLEGE MATCH. NEW PLYMOUTH. August 7. A bright exhibition of Rugby was given before a crowd of 5000 spectators on Saturday, when the New Plymouth Boys’ High School defeated Te Ante Maori College by 22 points to nil. The School showed to advantage in open passing work, but Te Ante were responsible for many dashing forward movements. The gate takings, which amounted to £360, will be devoted to the relief of the unemployed.