RUGBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 50

RUGBY.

SOUTHLAND DEFEATS CANTERBURY.

TWENTY-FOUR POINTS TO TWELVE.

INVERCARGILL, September 17.

When Southland met Canterbury at Rugby Park to-day the large crowd of spectators witnessed a game which was full of interest from start to finish. Southland eventually securing victory by 24 points to 12. There was a fairly stiff south-westerly blowing. Canterbury won most of the scrums, but the Southland forwards showed more dash than in the game against Wellington, and, besides being superior to the Canterbury forwards in the loose, they made better use of their opportunities. The half time score was 13 —9 in favour of Southland. The teams were as follow:— Canterbury.—lnnes, Hart, Thompson, Carleton, Lilburne, Hazelhurst, Mullan, Kirkland, Pease, Robinson, Stewart, Manchester, Kearney, Chamberlain, King. Southland.—Porter, M’Kay, Diack, Geddes, Sharpe, Niven, Johnson, L. George, C. George, Southern, Purdue, Hazlett, Bird, Metcalfe, Bell. Southland kicked off facing the sun and a fairly stiff breeze. A sensational try came within a few minutes. Bell kicked through from a scrum at Canterbury’s twenty-five, and the ball went over the line. A Canterbury man dived for it, but missed, and Bell, who was following up fast, touched down. Diack failed to convert.

A fine try by Hart was the next tit-bit. Canterbury was attacking, and a scrum was ordered in Southland’s twenty-five line. The ball came out to Hazelhurst, yho passed to Carleton, who transferred to Hart on the right wing. The lastnamed made a good run towards the corner, and when blocked stopped suddenly and made as if to pass infield. The ruse succeeded, and Hart scored near the C °mis r ' Bilburne'a kick was a poor oue. ~ -the game had been in progress less than lo minutes. Southland immediately launched a vigorous attack, which culminated in Metcalfe scoring between the posts. Diack failed to convert. Kearney had to leave the field owing a** injured ankle, and was replaced by Wilders. Canterbury evened the scores when the ball travelled down the line of backs to Hart, who raced across at the corner and dodged round to touch down behind the posts. Carleton failed to place Canterbury in the lead with a sitter ” kick.

Within five minutes Southland was four points to the good as the result of a potted goal by Niven. Southland improved its position a few minutes later when a loose rush was capped by Purdue’s scoring. Geddes failed to convert. Just before half time Canterbury reduced Southland’s lead when Thompson dashed across following a loose rush. Lilburne was unable to convert. the scores at the interval being. Southland, 13 points; Canterbury, 9 points.

Stubbs was playing full-back for Southland on the resumption of play, Porter having received a head injury. Canterbury commenced throwing the ball about, and was gaining ground with crisp passing rushes. Suddenly M’Kay changed defence into attack, with a fast run down the right wing, followed by a centreing kick. From the ensuing play Geddes secured possession, and dived over near the posts. The same player converted. There was great excitement when Sharpe intercepted a pass in Southland's twenty-five, and made a great run to past halfway before turning infield, and passing to a supporting player. The movement was taken to within a few yards of Canterbury’s line before it was checked, but only momentarily, for it was pressed home shortly afterwards when M’Kay scored near the posts. Geddes's kick failed.

Canterbury’s next try came after the ball had been thrown about with abandon by the backs and forwards, Hart eventually scoring at the corner. No goal resulted.

Lilburne went to the full-back position, Innes coming up to the five-eighths line. The visiting backs swept upfield in a great passing movement, and looked like scoring when they were pulled up for offside play. Just before time a spectacular bout of passing by the Southland backs had the defence in difficulties, and a pass infield was gathered in by Sharp, who scored. Diack’s kick failed, the game ending:

Southland 24 points. Canterbury 12 points.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

OTAGO v. CANTERBURY.

WIN FOR THE

Otago completed her programme of interprovincial matches on Saturday, when the local side decisively beat Canterbury at Carisbrook under the very worst weather conditions. Heavy rain at mid-day had the ground surcharged with water, and before the match started small lakes were to be seen in many parts of the ground. To make things worse, rain fell.heavily during the course of the game. The ground had been well churned up through being played on bj* the junior representatives, and when the seniors came on it quickly became a quagmire. Good, combined football was out of the question, but the spectators were apparently not much distressed at its absence, as they appeared to obtain, judging by the roars of laughter which oftimes swept the ground, full value for their money, by the entertainment provided by slipping, sliding, mud-bespattered humanity. The Otago forwards adapted themselves better to the conditions, and they outplayed the opposing pack for practically two-thirds of the game, doing particularly well in the line-outs. Of course, in the loose work, luck played no small part, and a hard ground kick often turned a defensive position into an attacking one. Thompson, who came on as full-back in the second half, played a remarkably fine game, his kicking and handling being alike excellent. He fielded the heavy,

slippery ball on a slush-covered ground, oftentimes in the face of forward rushes, in great style, and kicked with strength and judgment. Mullan (half) was the only other back to catch the! eye, and he had a strenuous afternoon’s work. He was hurt in the second half and had to go off. Wilders, Simpson, and Chamberlain were a trio of solid workers. Stewart is palpably carrying far too much weight to be able to play a hard, fast game of football. Faulks (full-back) fielded the ball in the air and on the ground beautifully, but in the second spell, when the Colours were pressing hard, he got right out of his place, playing up to the scrum and causing supporters of the Otago side some anxiety. M’Skimming seemed to like the heavy ground, and played a very serviceable game, and so did M'Kenzie, on the opposite wing. Bathgate fairly revelled in the play, and was well on his game right from start to finish. Fookes also played a good all-round game, and Giles made full use of the chances which came his way. Bradanovich was not suited by the state of the ground. Souter, Finlayson, Hore, and Sonntag were a quartet ot solid workers. , ~ When the field lined out for play the visitors gave three cheers for C. Sonntag, who was playing his fifty-eighth game for Otago—a record number for a local player. Sonntag thus takes the record from “ Steve ” Casey, who had heldl it up to Saturday with 57 games. The teams were as follow: — .. Canterbury (Red and Black). —Fullback. G. Innes 13.3; three-quarterbacks— G. F. Hart 11.8, S. R. Carlton 11.9, W ; Brown 11.3: five-eighths—R. Haselhurst 10.11, H. Lilburne 12.0; half-back, 1. F. Mullan 11.2; forwards—J. Kirkland 12.4, W Peace 12.7. J. Manchester 14.0, IJ. Simpson 14.2, R. T. Stewart 16 2, J. Wilders 13.0, J. Chamberlain 12.11, K. K Otago 3 ’ 3 ’(Dark Blue) .-Full-back, S. Faulks 12.5; three-quarterbacks—H. M’Skimming 12.4, L Giles 12 0, J. M’Kenzie 11.7; five-eighths—H. F. Fookes 11.4. N. M. Bradanovich 10.2; half-back, W Bathgate 11.0; forwards—R. Souter 12.8, J. Stichbury 13.0, N. Miller 13.0. C. Sonntag 14.0. C. Finlayson 13.9, J. Hore 13.4, R. Allan 12.8, R. Laing 12. b

Bradanovich kicked off from the Cargil, road end, and the Colours at once started to throw the ball about. Passing went across to Hart, who centred, raulKicoming into the play and getting the line at midfield. Simpson broke away from a line out, and a hard ground kick by Haselhurst also helped th e Colours. Good play at a line out by Sonntag and a dash alon" the right wind by M'Skimming had the Reds in trouble. From a scrum Bath»*ate passed to Bradanovich, who sent to Fookes. Fookes put in a well judged ohort punt, and Giles slipped and tei, near the line with a score in sight. Bathgate dodged round the blind side ot a scrum, and the ball was dribbled to the Colours’ line, a force down following. Innes did not field the kick out well, and the Blues attacked hotly, and a hard kick by Faullks* again forced the Keds Another hard kick by Laing forced them once more immediately after. A good line kick by Brown pulled up an attack by the Blue forwards, led by Finlayson, and then Fookes short punted in front ot the Colours’ goal. M’Kenzie and Giles came through quickly when an opponent tried to grasp the greasy, elusive ball, and Giles kicked over and followed through to score. Souter kicked a good goal. Otago 5 points. Canterbury .. Nil. The Colours’ forwards had a turn at attack. Faulks fielding finely in the face ol a rush, and then hard ground kicking shifted play to halfway. Mullan was doing good work for the Colours, and Bathgate had plenty to do behind the Blue "pack, though neither half-back was getting the ball hooked to him from the scrums. Heavy rain commenced to fall, and twice Bathgate showed up with saving line kicks when the Colours' forwards were trying to break through. The Blues were awarded a penalty in front of their opponents’ goal, and Souter sent the ball over the bar. Otago 8 points. Canterbury Nil.

Stewart put in a great line kick from a penalty. From the ensuing play the ball was kicked back to M’Skimming. who fumbled, but recovered, and dribbled well into the Colours’ territory. _ Faulks held up dribbling rushes twice in succession, and Mullan made a good run, the Colours forwards dribbling through to Faullks, who picked the ball off the ground in fine style and kicked out. Most of the players were now beyond identification by the spectators, who shrieked with laughter when Brown ®hot across the side line and fell on his face in a small lake of water. Good play by Bathgate and then Souter saw the Colours busy defending, and they had to force shortly after. The Blues kept up the pressure, and the ball was kicked to Innes, whose return was charged down by Giles. Giles got the ball in his hands, but he could not hold it, and a certain try was lost. Once again the Blues attacked, Haselhurst saving with a line kick, and then from loose play Laing kicked bard over the line and got to the ball first in a good race. Souter missed the goal kick. Otago 11 points. Canterbury Nil. The half time whistle then went. SECOND SPELL.

Lilburne did not take the field in the second spell. Hodgkinson came on as half-back, and Mullan went to first fiveeighth. Otago secured from the first scrum, but Mullan came round quickly and intercepted. He kicked through to Faulks, who saved well, but a speculator put the ball out at the corner. In the ensuing play Otago was penalised, and Mullan failed with a shot at goal. Play went to halfway, where the Ota<jo forwards combined in a solid rush, but an exchange of speculators saw the ball go out at halfway once more. Another scrum was formed, and the Otago forwards pushed the visitors for some yards before breaking away in a dribbling rush. Laing, however, was offside, and the movement did not gain much ground. When Mullan tried a cross kick the ball was taken by M’Skimming instead of one of his own men, and the Otago winger set off at top pace. He was soon brought down, the Canterbury forwards taking the ball to Otago territory. They broke away in a solid mass for the corner, and the backs were set in motion, but Giles

brought the movement to an end by marking in fine style. Mullan was injured in the rush, and had to go off, Thompson coming on as full-back and Innes going to five-eighth. Sonntag showed up in a solo effort, but the ball was soon returned to Faulks, who was quite equal to the occasion. Then M’Kenzie took the ball along the wing at his toes, but Thompson sent it back. Scrambling play followed until Stewart put the ball out at the corner with a penalty. The Otago forwards tried to dribble the ball to safety, but it was soon in the hands of Thompson, who sent it into touch. A Canterbury forward kicked over the line. Faulks touched the ball as it passed him, but failed to stop it, and he had to run back to force. The referee ordered a scrum five yards out. and a dash by the visiting forwards ended in Stewart scoring at the corner. Innes took the shot at goal, the ball hitting the crossbar and bouncing underneath. Otago 11 Canterbury 3 Thompson figured in another good save immediately afterwards, and then Faulks’s defence was tested, and he saved well. Fookes sent the ball well up the line with a penalty. When the ball at length went out to Hart he pushed off two of the Otago men and tried to centre. The ball, however, went into touch. The Red and Blacks tried passing again, but Giles intercepted and kicked to Thompson, who put in another fine line-finder. Quick following up after a kick by Innes saw Fookes collared with the ball, but Laing picked up and ran. He lost possession, but Bathgate secured and kicked to safety. Souter soon afterwards failed with a shot at goal from a penalty, and the ball went to Faulks, who dodged a couple of defenders and again found touch. The Canterbury forwards combined in another rush, but Stewart was caught deliberately obstructing Giles, and the free kick enabled Faulks to gain ground. Canterbury still pressed the Blues, but Bradanovich picked up and ran well before sending out to Bathgate, who could not take the pass. Then Stewart broke away and sent out to Hart, who gave a wild pass. A free kick helped the Blues, but soon afterwards Faulks nad to go back at top pace to force. Stichbury went off, but was not replaced. When Thompson kicked and followed up fast Faulks saved by marking, and then Hodgkinson lost a chance by passing forward. After the free kick had been taken the final whistle was sounded with the scores:

Otago 11 Canterbury 3 Mr Kelly, of Invercargill, was the referee. THE JUNIOR MATCH. A WIN FOR OTAGO. Heavy rain fell throughout the game between the Otago and Canterbury juniors, which was played as a curtainraiser to the principal match. The ground was sodden and the ball heavy, with the result that the game was decided mainly on speed and good, footwork. During the first three-quarters of the game there was no doubt regarding the superiority of the home players. They were faster and more resourceful than the visitors, who were beaten in the scrums. In the final stages, however, Canterbury played with increased vigour, the final result being 9 points to G in Otago's favour. The teams provided a typical wet weather game, which, however, was by no means uninteresting.

Otago attacked immediately after their kick off. and a scrum was formed on the visitors’ line, a penalty enabing the Red and Blacks to kick to safety. Again Otago went to the Canterbury line, but kick-and-follow-up tactics enabled the visitors to return to halfway. Otago was soon on attack again, and when the visitors were penalised Beil kicked a goal from beyond the twenty-five line. Otago 3, Canterbury nil. From another Otago attack Canterbury forced. By good following up Simon and Watson took play well into the Canterbury twenty-five, where they were again penalised. The visitors then took a turn on attack, and the spell ended with the ball at halfway. Otago held the territorial advantage at the beginning of the second spell, and after a scrum on the line Simon secured and dived over to score beside the nosts. Beil’s kick failed. Otago 6, Canterbury nil. The Canterbury forwards came away with a fine rush, and Otago was in danger until Nicholson fielded in grand style. The ball was thrown to Watson, who transferred play to the other end of the fiebl with an excellent line kick. After another Otago rush the ball went out of bounds. Otago again attacked strongly and Richards went across at the corner. Watson’s kick failed. Otago 9. Canterbury nil. Canterbury now began to play with more vigour and after a forward rush Vincent kicked a fine penalty from the twenty-five. Otago 9, Canterbury 3 The visitors attacked strongly again, and scored after a serum at the corner. The kick at goal failed, the game ending with the scores:

Otago 9 Canterbury 6 Air N. Reardon was the referee. WELLINGTON BEATS WAIRARAPA WELLINGTON, September 20. Wellington scored a runaway victory against Wairarapa at Athletic Park this afternoon by 42 points to 19. At half time the home side was leading by 17 points to 3, and though Wairarapa made up some of the deficit, and at one period was only nine points behind. Wellington produced a great last 15 minutes’ spurt and rattled on 14 points in as many minutes.

Cooke played a magnificent game for Wellington. He was in nearly every attack, and on. defence he save his side time and again. The scorers for Wellington were Oliver (three tries), Mackay (3), Ball (2), Julian, Price, and Cooke, The last-named player kicked a penalty goal and converted three tric.3. Reid, Fuller, and Jury scored a try each for Wairarapa, and Fuller kicked two penalty goals and converted two tries. Mr J. A. Scott was referee.

MANAWHENUA v. HAWKE’S BAY. PALMERSTON N., September 20. Manawhenua defeated Hawke’s Bay by 4 points to 3 —a field goal to a penalty goal.

GAME IN WELLINGTON. September 20. Wellington Colts 21 points beat Nelson 13 points. AUCKLAND GAMES. September 20. Ponsonby 23, Grammar 10. Marist 9, Grafton 3. University' 10, City 3. Training College 14, College Rifles 11. Technical beat Manukau by default. Ponsonby are the 1930 champions. MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH. September 20. The last match of the Rugby season was played at Lancaster Park to-day, when the Canterbury B team defeated the South Island Maoris’ team by 23 points to 6. 'Tries were, scored for Canterbury by Cottrell. Perkins, Scrimshaw, Porterfield, and Oliver, and M’Anliffe potted a goal. Cottrell and Loveridge each converted a try. Manihera scored the Maoris’ two tries. OTAGO RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION. JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. The Otago Rugby Football Union will hold its jubilee this week, commencing this evening, when a smoke concert will be held in the Early Settlers’ Hall.

On Thursday. September 25, a ball will beheld in the Pioneer Hall, and on Saturday, September 27, the senior and junior seven-a-side tournament and several athletic events, including a footballers’ championship and senior and junior relay races, will be held.

On Sunday, September 28, a church service will be held in the Town Hall at 3 p.m. Past and present members of club® will assemble under their club banners at the Queen’s Gardens at 2 p.m., and will march from the Queen’s Gardens to the Town Hall.