RUGBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 53

RUGBY.

By Full-back. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. Anderson’s Bay.—All the matches being played in South Africa by the New Zealand team are, I understand, of 40-minute spells. OTAGO’S ENGAGEMENTS. August 11, v. Auckland, at Dunedin. August 15 (Wednesday), v. Manawhenua, at Dunedin. August 25, v. Canterbury, at Dunedin. September 5, v. Southland, at Invercargill. September 15, v. Wellington, at Dunedin. September 22, v. Southland, at Dunedin. September 29, v. South Canterbury, at Dunedin. SUB-UNIONS' TOUR. August 8. —Golden Bay. August 11.—Nelson. August 15.—Ashburton. August 18.—North Otago. NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. August 25, v. Auckland, at Auckland. August 29, v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. September 1, v. Hawke’s Bay, at Napier. September 6, v. New Zealand (first test), at Wellington. September 8, v. New Zealand (second test), at Dunedin. ' September 12, v. Southland, at Invercargill. September 15, v. New Zealand (third test), at Christchurch. September 19, v. Marlborough, at Blenheim. INTERISLAND MATCH. August 18. —North Island v. South Island, at Christchurch.

WINNERS SENIOR COMPETITION. For the third year in succession the University A team has won the senior flag competition, and, moreover, it has won it by a standard cf football considerably higher than that of the remaining nine clubs. There can be no question on that point, and as showing that the public recognises good football it need only be stated that whenever the Light Blue's were playing at Carisbrook there was always a large attendance of spectators. The system adopted by the Blue team has now become part of the team itself—-it is a defined standard which all rfewcomers to the club can quickly visualise and play up to. The University side is, maybe, fortunate in. being able to draw on its B team to fill vacancies, but it has to be remembered that the B team was formed by the University Club to assist the Otago Union, and thus do away with a team having a bye each Saturday. So far as the play of the other teams in the competition is concerned, it cannot be said that we have made much advance in style in back play in the past few years, nor can it be claimed that there has been any great consistency in the forward play. Of course, it is an easy thing to criticise from the touch line, but nevertheless it is very distressing to see players committing the same mistakes Saturday after Saturday. The great weakness in our local football has been in the five-eighth line, and it is a weakness ‘more or less, pronounced throughout the Dominion. What is the real cause, or the causes, bf this weakness it is difficult to say, but the activities of the wing-forward have no doubt had some part in breaking the morale and the play of five-eighths, and no- one can wonder that this is so.

Whether our future scrums will be based on the 3-2-3 formation I cannot say. Certainly there is a growing feeling in favour of the system adopted in Great Britain, South Africa, and Australia, and while I have no objection to the 2-3-2 scrum of the Dominion,. I certainly, fail to see what use th a- wing-forward is to the actual game, and shouldbe pleased to see him, with the Ranfurly Shield, dropped . in CjQok Strait,With weak five-eighths tlie play of the three-quarter line must necessarily suf-

fer, and the three-quarters in the A team have been practically the only ones who have had reasonable opportunities to score during the past season. It must be most disheartening to promising three-quarters to have to stand Saturday after Saturday starving for the ball, anil gradually going “cold” on their play. Nobody has a good word for the wingforward. He is the Ishniael of the football field, and has literally lagged superfluous on the stage. With his departure I am sure we shall have better and cleaner football.

RUGBY IN THE COOK ISLANDS. Further evidence of the spread of the Rugby game is contained in the following letter received by the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association (Mr E. S. Hylton) from A. M'Kenzie, of Aitutaki, Cook Islands:—" lam writing to ask if you can kindly forward us a hand book of the rules of Rugby. Our island is isolated, but the Aitutakian has developed the football sense. He is a keen player, and the season is in full swing. We have five teams in action, and hold a competition. All play barefooted, and at present enthusiasm is at peak point.

“ We have fast men and hefty ones, but few know the rules, and it is fairly difficult to teach them, because no native has seen the game played. We want to hoist the Rugby banner mast high into the trade winds of the Pacific Islands, and train a team of All Blacks. “ A book of rules is what we want most and a couple of old footballs for boys if you can spare them. Wc look upon Wellington as our centre, and you can regard us as a suburb of-your city. .1 hope we are not asking too much, and would be pleased if you could help us a little. We have but two European officials here, ami a few traders. This is our second season, but all players are crude, and their ideas or knowledge of rules very elementary.”

NOTES. Included in the Auckland team for the southern tour is W. Barclay, the wellknown Maori and ex-Hawke’s Bay representative. He now plays in South Auckland. Paewai and Falwasser, who also previously represented Hawke’s Bay, are in the side. After playing against Canterbury on Saturday Wanoe. Cathcart, and Anderson return to Auckland. Wairarapa were lucky to beat Otago right at th' last bell (11 points to 8 points), but on the other hand they would have been distinctly unlucky to lose. The Green forwards proved a heavy, dashing lot, and they used all their weight in the close play. They shaded the Blue pack, which gave a ve.y disappointing display. The Otago forwards could have been expected to collar the opposing players in the close work at least, and it was most disappointing to see Green men—both forwards and backs—dashing into Blue play and going past three or four men before they were pulled down. Holden, indeed, had to stop some of those dashes, and this was certainly not a fair thing to as’ any half-back to do. With the Blue forwards playing so much below form the backs could not open out, but Nicholson scored one try early in the game as the result of a good movement, started cleverly by Holden. The Green forwards had the assistance of a sound back team, though they were not brilliant. Their fielding and their kicking were sound, but their handling—particularly near the line—was faulty, and otherwise Wairarapa would have won by a considerably' larger margin. Their collaring was very solid, and they made no mistakes with either M’Clymont or Webb, the two Otago wing three-quarters. I shall not be surprised to see a few changes in the next Otago team, especially in the forwards.

NORTH ISLAND TEAM

■WELLINGTON NOMINATIONS

WELLINGTON, .July 31. The Wellington Rugby Union to-night nominated the following players for the North Island team against the south:— E. H. Brown (University), three-quarter; R. H. C. M'Kenzie (University), fiveeighth; J. Coman (Petone), half-back; C. Porter (Athletic), wing-forward; J. Shearer (Poneke), back or side of scrum.

SOUTH ISLAND TEAM.

OTAGO NOMINATIONS

The Otago Rugby football selectors have nominated the following players for inclusion in the South Island representative team: —

Baeks—D. Stevenson, N. M. Bradanovitch, W. G. M'Clymont, and A. W. Holden (all University). Forwards—R. Souter (Alhambra), D. M'Meeking, and C. Sonntag (Kaikorai), and A. Marslin (Vincent).

WAIRARAPA DEFEATS AUCKLAND

MASTERTON, August 1. Almost perfect weather conditions prevailed for a Rugby representative match between Auckland and Wairarapa to-day. The match provided the large attendance of onlookers with the best display of the code this season, the home side -winning, after a keen contest, by 14 points‘to 13. Auckland commenced at a great speed and the visiting forwards dominated play in the first spell, sweeping over the Wairarapa backs. The half time score was: Auckland .13 points, Wairarapa 6 points. In the second half, however, the Greens showed a complete reversal of form, the finish put on their movements being noticeable. Cooke played a great game throughout, his line, kicking being marvellous, and in the second spell he scored a brilliant try in his characteristic way, and himself added the extra points. L. Hook, who scored two tries and kicked a penalty for Auckland, was the visitors’ best back. The final score was: Wairarapa .. .. .. 14 points. Auckland 13 points.

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CANTERBURY COLLEGE DEFEATS VICTORIA. CHRISTCHURCH. August 1. i Canterbury College beat Victoria College, Wellington, at Rugby to-day by 16 points to 13. Jt was a fast open game, often exciting, but a lack of finish prevented many of the movements from beintr effective. . . SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ GAME. WELLINGTON, August 1. Ihe Palmerston North High School Rugby team visited Wanganui to-day for tlie purpose of contesting the Wanganui Technical College Rugby supremacy, ■though the team had some good individual players. it could not compare with tlie leehmeal team for good team vvork. the local side displayed the same resourcefulness in attack and defence as that which characterised its plrfy a few weeks ago, when the Collegiate School was soundly trounced. To-day the Technical team left the field victorious by 24 points to 3 after having all the better of the game. Two Fijian boys—Dovi and Thakabou (a grandson of King Thakabou)— played an important part in the decisive win, the former making most of the openings which ended in a score. Hair proved himself the best try getter, crossing the line three, times, while Thakabou had a magic boot which sent the ball over the bar on several occasions. NEW ZEALAND UNION.

. WELLINGTON, .August 1. At to-night s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Management Committee a discussion ensued on the necessity for uniformity of rules. It was"stated that the referee who declared “ no side ” when Ahe bell rang for time as a player made a mark was quite correct. In another case a player caught the ball and immediately drop kicked at goal The referee heard “Mark” called, and blew his whistle, and afterwards found that the call of " Mark ” had been made by a spectator. The union decided that when the whistle is blown the ball is dead. The referee ought to have ordered a scrum in place of the goal which resulted. Mr S. S. Dean pointed out that whereas New Zealand referees give a free kick 4or a pass forward taken offside all other countries give a scrum for a pass forward.

Concerning injured players, the rule provides that the game be held up only' three minutes for the injured player to receive attention; thereafter the injured person to be carried to the side line. That rule is frequently violated every Saturday. It was agreed by members of the committee that Rugby was becoming increasingly rough in New Zealand, and that there was a tendency noticeable of being too lenient with offenders ordered off the field. It was decided to circularise unions, requesting that all cases of players ordered off the field for rough or foul play should be strictly inquired into and stringently dealt with. THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. ..ARRIVAL IN DOMINION ON AUGUST 21. WELLINGTON, August 3. The New South Wales Rubgy team is to leave Sydney on August 17, and is due at Auckland on August 21. It is likely that the team will extend its visit a week to enable the playing of a match against the Maoris. Mr Ernie Morgan has. been appointed manager of the team, and the president of the New South Wales Union is coming across to discuss the terms of a new agreement between New South Wales and New Zealand.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. ■ DUNEDIN. TRIAL MATCH. A trial match was played at Carisbrook on Saturday before an attendance of •abou' 1500. The teams were a« follow: Dark Blues. —Baeks—Wilson (Kaikorai), Graham, Churchill, Fountain, Giles, Horsley, Dotting; forwards—Hook, More, Murphy, Clark, Dunne, Stevens, Cleland; wing-forward, DeLahunty. Light Blues. —Backs —Hayes, Wallis, Faulks, Wilson, Laing. Bathgate, M'Lean; forwards—Souter, Douglas, Carnegie, Collett, Findlay, Finlayson, J. Lewis; wing-forward, C. uewis. At half-time Matheson replaced Faulks, Procter replaced Wallis, and there were one or two other changes. The game was very evenly contested, and there were some bright passing movements. It was only in the last few minutes that the Dark Blues’ score topped that of the Light Blues. The first score came to the Light Blues, Wallis running strongly at the end of pass--ing and going past Wilson who was caught napping, in a flash. Wallis missed the goal kick. The Light Blue hookers were at this stage getting most of the ball from the scrums. Fountain was given the ball with only Haves to pass, and after hesitating he set off, fended off the Dark Blues’ full-back, and scored. Cleland converted. Faulks was not playing well at centre, but the ball was sent out to Wallis, who ran along the right wing to pass infield, C. Lewis scoring and J. Lewis converting. The Dark Blue forwards attacked, and- Giles cut clean through the opposition, and was lucky to score, as he elcqted to go on his own, although well supported. Giles missed an easy shot at goal. Half time score:! Dark Blues 8, Light Blues 8.

Horsley was playing a good game for the Dark Blues, although he was stumbling too much when coming into passing, and Bathgate, on the opposite side, was also haping well. M'Lean was the better of the two half-backs. Horsley opened up passing, and Fountain’s speed enabled him to score, Churchill missing the goal kick. The Light Blues, for whom the tireless Douglas was playing well, attacked. Stevens punted high to the side line, but Matheson. dashing in, took the ball beautifully in the air and shot clean over the line.

Souter missed the'goal kick, and left the scores equal. The ball went out on the eit wing to Fountain, whose speed took mm across, Churchill converting, but the Bight Blues came again, and clever play between Laing and Matheson saw the ast-named score at the right corner. Collett missed the goal kick. In the. last stages of the game the teams began to tire, the Dark Blues the most. Souter, Douglas, and Procter came into passing, the last-named scoring, Souter missing the goal kick, and Fountain was given a clear run in for his fourth trv, Churchill converting. The ganu ended:' P. Bhies 21 points. Light Blues 17 points.

SECOND GRADE. Zingari I], Southern 6. Kaikorai 3, Union 3. Rayensbourne 15, Training College 3 University D 14, Pirates 83. ’

THIRD GRADE. Kaikorai 3, Alhambra A 3. High School 10, Zingari 8. FOURTH GRADE. Port Chalmers 21. Technncal nil. Alhambra A 20. High School nil. Dunedin 15, Alhambra B nil. FIFTH GRADE. Zingari 6, Pirates 6. Southern 57, High School nil. SIXTH GRADE. Ravensbourne 9, Alhambra A 3 High School 8, Union 5. Southern 19, High School 6. WELLINGTON. The senior Rugby games resulted as Poneke 17 v. Oriental 6. University 30 v. Marist nil. Athletic 14 v. Berhampore 11. Old Boys 11 v. Petone 6. Wellington 12 v. Eastbourne 6. The championship points are as follow:— Poneke 26. University 25, Oriental 20, Old . Boys 17, Athletic 17. Petone 12, Marist 10. Eastbourne 9, Wellington B,’ Berhampore 6.

INVERCARGILL. Saturday’s football resulted as follows: Star 27 v. Invercargill 3. Pirates 8 v. Southern 3. The latter game wag abandoned in the second spell owing to the unfavourable weather conditions. SOUTHERN HAWKES BAY DEFEATS MANAWATU. DANNEVIRKE, August 4. The annual match between Manawatu and Southern Hawke’s Bay was played in a heavy westerly gale, and was won, after a very ragged exhibition, by Southern Hawke’s Bay by 20 points to 13. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ GAME. AUCKLAND, August 5. King’s College retained the Auckland secondary schools’ Rugby championship bv ■defeating Mount Albert Grammar School by 16 points to 10. OTAGO UNIVERSITY v. CHRISTCHURCH UNIVERSITY. Holden will not be able to play for Otago University against Christchurch University, as he is suffering from an injury to the knee. It is a matter of doubt, moreover, whether he will be sufficiently recovered to play against Auckland next Saturday. AUCKLAND v. CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, August 4. Auckland beat Canterbury at Lancaster Park to-day by 12 points to 10. The game was not nearly so bright or so good all round as might have been expected. The handling of both sides was often weak, though at intervals flashes of good plav was seen. One of Auckland’s tries ami two of Canterbury’s were the result of excellent play. The ground was in fast order, and about 14,000 spectators witnessed the match. The teams were:— Auckland—Full-baek, Paewai; threequarters—Minns, L. Hook, and R. Hook; five-eightns, Falwasser and Jenkin; halfback, Carter; rover, Linton; forwards— Knight, I. Cathcart, Batty (captain), Anderson, Panoa, B. Palmer, A. Finlayson. Canterbury—Full-baek, Harris; threequarters—Dorrcen, Oliver, Hart; fiveeighths, Grant, Hay; half-back, G. Cox; wing-forward, Fookes; forwards—Manchester, Tom Robinson, Tobv. Robinson, Jackson, Lawson, Clark, and Cottrell.

MINOR UNIONS’ MATCH.

NORTH ISLAND DEFEATS SOUTH,

PALMERSTON N„ August 4. TT . le North and South Islands Minor Unions Rugby game, the North Island ■proved victorious by the big margin of 39 points to 6. The weather was dull cii a -n strong wind blowing down the field. I our thousand people were present. J he game was patchy and one-sided, the Jxorth Island holding the upper hand throughout. North, playing with the wind and sun in the first half, registered 25 points, and was never seriously challenged. In the second half South improved and secured two tries, North adding 14 more points. South was very weak in the backs, Snodgrass (Nelson) and Day (Ashburton) being the only two who showed up. Kent (North Otago) was very weak, and as a result the South inside back line was almost useless. The South forwards saw little of the ball, North gaining possession from both scrums and line outs in tlie first half. The second spell saw the South pack playing better in the loose and forcing play at times. W. Cameron (North Otago), Frietas (West Coast) were two■ good, forwards in the South team. M'Cleary (West Coast) had to go off at half time, being replaced by Last (Golden Bay). The North team was considerably altered

from that selected. Nepia and Mill (East VRIp2» and Pr ’S e and Hobinson (Thames k-itn v y <• n7° l abs f l,tees ' Thomas (Waiaiso h did ’ b 7?’ P ay n d a grcat ganie > as also did Brammell and Langlands (Poverty Bay). The North back line ° u gh patchy, worked nicely at times and was well fed by the forwards who tUvl” 0 !.! tlle b s n ‘ Thomas (Poverty Bay) Mahoney (Bush), Leaehv (East Coast) were good forwai’ds. ( ‘ i. ?. rst balf North was attacking seeu'red 0 two” 1 ?;' Lanfi ! ands aud v - Thomas ! lles a P'ece, and Bramwell / Waika to), and Skelton (Kffig Country) one each. Langlands and Kemn each converted a try. The half time score Island P °- ntS t 0 nil in favour of ,lu: North rJ n * ti, 10 ® econd spell Hislop (Kin<Country) Anderson (Waikato) Kemn and Langlands scored for North Lane’ UMortn Otago) and Dav (Ashburton > Slftw*** * "»»"■

OTAGO COUNTRY TAM.

MARLBOROUGH EASIi / DEFEATED.

Thn m BLKNHKIM. August 4 raSid ° £?„ ’J « "L i a e x nort hern end of the South verted try. 3 ng an unconWith the conditions in their favour •' e launched smashing attacks mrnediately on resumption, and had the lome team badly demoralised for 10 minutes. Stewart scored from a fine «Hrt nS b i° U ei lalf a min ”te after- the start, and three minutes later Marslin convening” T 1 rush ’ F ’ r > onl ’elly converting. Then Olli ver scored, and Donverted C °trv rt f d ' 9/ 11 ~s eore< l an uncon.V 7 f°. r Ufarlborough. Olliver Placed the seal on the visitors’ success by again scoring. The latter portion of the spell was even. CANTERBURY B V. ASHBURTON. ASHBURTON,. August 4 Canterbury B drew with Ashburton imntocK* 3 ecorn ?! ? , l6 Points in an open and interesting match. A strong wind gave each side the advantage.in turn. In g the favour P hv I?’ 111 -* / n l ,ed in Ashburton’s tavour bj 13 points to 5, the tries were SC °7 d I [° r Ashburton by Brown converted by Davison), Kennedy, Davison (Davison converting): and for Canter bury by Welsh (Stephenson converting). In the second spell several replacements were necessary owing to casualties of a minor nature. The scorers for Canterbury were O Brien and Stephenson (Merritt converting) and a penalty goal bv Stephenson. Lor Ashburton, Davison scored a try.

WANGANUI DEFEATS MANAWHENUA.

For ti r WANGANUI, August 5. / e fi T S T t • time since ManawatuHorowhenua Unions combined Wanganui scored a win, when it defeated the combined team by 22 points to 6 on Saturday It was a convincing victory, and the home team gave a good account of itself in all departments. The visitors impressed on occasions with their dash and speed, out their efforts were not sustained. Vanlocal half-back, gave a display full of merit, as did Lilley, centre threequarter. Once they settled down the backs of the local team played good Rugbv, throwing the ball about in fine style. On the day s play it was the best set of backs Wanganui has fielded for several years. Ihe forwards contributed to the success of the home team’s victory by their dash and enterprise. In the set scrums the honours went to the visitors, and their backs were given plenty of chances, but found the defence rock-like. All the Manawhenua forwards grafted hard, and Roberts and Parata were outstanding in the backs.