RUGBY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16377, 27 June 1927, Page 3

RUGBY

SATURDAY’S LOCAL LAMES RESULTS AT A GLANCE Seniors: Y.M.R. 11 beat Rovers !); Okl Boys 6 beat Celtic 3. Juniors: Celtic B 42 beat Old Boys B 8; Y.P.M. ti drew with Rovers (>; Old Boys A 3 beat 1L5.0.8. 0. Thirds: Old Boys 43 beat Celtic B 0; High School 19 beat 1L5.0.8. (I; Celtic A 14 beat Rovers 0. Fourths: Old Boys 19 beat High School B 3; High School A 21 beat Celtic (>. Both the senior games played on Saturday afternoon were full of interest, and in neither v’as there a big margin of points between the respective contesting teams. The most exciting was the game between Y.M.P. and Rovers, for though Rovers seemed certain to win, and had their opponents very tired during the last few minutes, a sudden rally on the part of Y.M.P. threw the Rovers back on their own goal-line, and opened the way for a penalty goal, which decided the game in their favor. Old Boys and Celts played a less exciting match, which was enlivened, however, by some excellent play bv both sides. Old Boys accounted for their opponents by a margin of three points. The junior game between Y.M.P. and Rovers was a line match, and in this, too, the Maoris finished strongly, and drew by means of a penalty goal. Other games were played with keenness and a. good deal of skill, much interest being taken in the results. A LAST-MINUTE VICTORY Y.M.P. BEAT ROVERS IN HARD! GAME A penalty goal right on the. call of time gave Y.M.P. the victory by the narrow margin of two points (11 —9) over Rovers in a hard, evep game, which, by the reason of the closeness of the scores, was highly exciting, especially towards the dying stages. It would'be difficult to say whether there was a difference of two points between the teams on their merits. Although the Maoris were exceedingly fortunate in getting the. chance they did just before the final whistle, they were must unlucky in not opening their scoring account in the early stages, when they did most of the attacking. Rovers were able to gain the lead in the first half by three points to nil. They also h;pl slightly the better of the play in the second, and bad the Maori team worn down just before the close, but Y.M.P. were able to muster up sufficient dash for a final effort, which was the means of giving them victory. There was some bright play during the game, one of the brightest pieces of work being a spectacular run made by Fisher from past half-way right to the Maori goal, and his subsequent clever handling in the tussle which followed was the means of Rovers scoring a try. , MAORIS MAKE THE PACE

After some hard'mid-field work, in which neither team gained much advantage, Y.M.P. began to put on the pressure. Maynard picked lip just inside the 25 line, and appeared as though he would be able to open the score, but he knocked down the corner flag before ho grounded the ball. Y.M.P. were forced back into their own half for a time, but regaining Rovers’ territory, Tureia had a pot at goal, the kick falling short. Play was now livening up considerably, both teams being responsible for some tricky runs down the line. Rovers made a lively rush, which wps saved by Goldsmith kicking out. Y.M.P. were penalised in their own half, but the Rover kick went wide. Rovers’ backs brightened up the game by a good display of passing, but their attempts to break through the Maori defence were unavailing. In one of their attacks Rovers got right to the goal-line, where Whnitiri saved cleverly to half-way. Rovers got away again from the line-out, however, and a kick wont over the goal-line, when, by fast following, C. Stevens was able to get up in time to touch' down. * Walters failed to convert. —Rovers 3, Y.M.P. 0. , Whaiti.ri was making some good runs along the line, but could not quite get' there. The Maoris were now pressing hard, penalties holding them up, and they were repelled to half-way. They steadily regained their lost ground, however, and got almost as far as the goal line, where Goldsmith was grassed just before lie was able to throw himself over. The ball then went out to Whnitiri, who dived over, but was unable to -touch down. Rovers relieved the pressure for a time, but a fine kick by Pohatu changed the scone of play from the Y.M.P. 25 to Rover territory. Pohatu regained possession and, tried a drop-kick, which, although a good one, just missed. Then from a penalty Tureia took a kick, which went just a foot outside the post. Half-time arrived with the score: Rovers 3, Y.M.P. 0. SCORES COME QUICKLY The Maoris were early on the attack after half-time, and before play had' been resumed many minutes, the ball came out along the backs in a nice passing movement to Tureia, who passed in for Loach to get over and sepre. Tureia converted.—Y.M.,P. 5, Rovers 3. After the Maoris had returned to the attack, Fisher gained possession in the Y.M.P. half, and, running through the Y.M.P. team, look the ball to the goal-line. In the tight work which followed,. Fisher was again prominent in passing the ball about until it readied Currie, who dived over near the corner. The kick failed. —Rovers (i, Y.M.P. Rovers were looking for more points, and gradually gained ground until Y.M.P. had to force. The Maoris, however, got- back to half way, whence, bv some good passing among (he backs, they forced their way to the Rovers’ goal-line, where they were held up by a mark. They kept Rovers busily defending, until a force relieved the pressure. By hard play Rovers were able to regain their lost ground, and from noar the halfway mark, Walters had a pot at goal, but the distance was too great. The Maori backs got going in another passing movement,' tlie Rover forwards replying with a dribbling rush. Woods got through the Maori pack and took the ball to the goal-line, where he transferred to Walters, who got across. The kick at goal failed. —Rovers 9, Y.M.P. 5. Piki Smith lead Y.M.P. to the attack, anti from a penalty a long way out and a difficult angle, Tureia kicked a gpal. —Royers 9, Y.M.P. 8. THE FINAL FLUTTER Rovers were quick to get gqing aguin, and had a penalty kick on a difficult angle, but although the at*

' tempt was a good one it failed to increase tin’ scores. Then Woods tried a drop-kick, which fell short. Hard play followed in mid-field, and the pace, appeared to be too hot for the Maoris, who were visibily tiring,] and Rovers were able to force their wav into the 25, where a likely attempt was nullified by a kick on. It appeared as though Rovers were going to increase their lead, but the Maoris gathered themselves for a last attempt and suddenly swept into the Hover territory. from a live yards scrum, Y.M'.P. were given a penalty kick right in front of the goal. Tureia made no mistake, and scored the winning points. The whistle blew for time immediately after, with the .scores: Y.M.P. 11, Rovers 9. Mr. E. Corbett was referee. A SMALL MARGIN OLD BOYS MAINTAIN LEAD. Already well ahead, of tlie, other teams in the senior competition, Old Buys added another couple of points to their tally on Saturday, by defeating Celtic in their engagement on the grandstand ground. The game was not as spirited as most of the meetings between these .sides, and Old Boys seemed to lie content with holding on to the lead they got early in the game. There was a decided absence of roughness, and though the tackling was generally brisk, only one or two players indulged .in unnecessary displays of force. Tlie decision went to Old Boys by'(> points to 3. The winners wore superior in the forward work, and carried out; many bright movements. Their backs- were given plenty of opportunities, and were generally good, though inclined to get bunched on the wings. Bramwell made an excellent showing at tlie base of the Old Boys’ scrum, and Langlands played a- restrained game at full-back, sure of the superiority of his forwards over their opponents. Bennett showed much of his old form in tho Celtic rearguard, sufficient to assure the spectators that liis knee injury was not affecting him greatly; and IV. Robertson shone in defensive work. Carrington and Webb wore always prominent in the Celtic vanguard, and Berry and Brady gave them good support;, Berry’s speed being used to good effect in following Carrington’s long kicks. The Celts should soon get their backs going well, and with combination will be a much harder team to beat. EAGER CELTS. , 'The whites won the toss, and Celtic followed -the kick into their opponents’ territory, where play continued for some, minutes, hard forward tussles following one a not her until Langluiuls cleared from right on the line, after Berry had just failed to get over. The kick found the boundary near midfield and from -tho line-out the Old Hoys’ half, Brainwell, neatly opened up the gaipp with a pass to Winter, who kicked with good judgment to the other.line near the cornerflag. Old Boys again got the better of the line-out, and the ball travelled out to Allen, who took a quick pot at goal, missipg narrowly. From the drop-out, the greens came cl own field in great style, with Carrington and Brady in the lead,;, and tore through tho white defence until Sutcliffe got away a line-kick. Matthews' and Charles shone in tho Old Boys’ forward rush that again placed the greens on the defensive,, -but offside play spoiled the movement. Old Boys kept pegging away, however, and after Gregory had slipped through between the green five-eighths with a well-sold dummy, Winter took his pass and grassed on the line. A five-yard scrum was ordered, and Old Boys hooked the ball cleanly, Gregory crossing the line without a hand ‘being laid on him. Morrison kicked poorly, and missed. —Old Boys 3, Celtic 0. EFFECTIVE BACK PLAY Carrington and Webb were in the forefront of a line Celtic movement, shortly after, and .Old Boys’ captain, Langlands, was forced to kick short to tho line. Shcrratt and Matthews went away in a short passing bout from tho line-out, and eventually Winter and Allen joined the rush, carry-' ing it to the Celtic end, where Allen got offside and gave the defenders relief. Bennett returned play to the Old Boys’ end with-an excellent dribbling run. Ho was brought down by Bramwell, but the latter was penalised for obstruction, and Carrington tried for the- goal. The kick missed narrowly, falling just short. The white forwards brought play back again to the green territory, and though Carrington and Bennett worked like Trojans in defence, it looked as though the ■whites must get over again. A dropped pass at a critical moment spoiled the attack, however, and in a moment or two offside play gave a penalty to the defenders. Leslie made a fine interception of a white pass, and relieved the pressure for a while, but tho Old Boys’ backs swung into a fine rush from near midfield, .the ball travelling out from' Brainwell through Gregory and Winter to Sutcliffe, who scored in the corner. 'The kick was an awkward one, and failed.—-Old Boys (i, Celtic 0. Bright and at times spectacular lootball filled the balance of the first half, in which play was fairly even, though both sides suffered from a liability to drop their passes, and also to make slow, lobbing transfers. Winter turned his ankle in a collision with a Celtic attacker, and during the second spell was replaced by W. ,E. Maude. CELTS’ ONLY SCORE The whites went into attack on the resumption, and were stopped when Bennett gathered the leather and put a well-judged line Rick past midfield. From the lino out Brainwell got- the ball handed back to him, and scut it to Allen, who kicked it, down tho lino and then followed Inst, tho Celtic fullbuck being forced to kick short to the line. Gregory spoiled the chance of a. score by playing tlie ball on the ground, and the penally forced Hie attackers back; Allen got a swift pass from Brainwell again* shortly after, and made a good bid for the line, but was grassed by Berry, while Bennett, cleared. The game was rapidly moved to the other end of the field when Bennett intercepted a white’s pass'and gave to Webb, who punted hard, Berry following tho kick at great speed. Langlands got almost to tho ball, when Berry came down on him, and the green runner was penalised for playing the man. It was an unlucky miss, and Celtic strove manfully to retrietfo tho error, keeping

the whites busy in defence until Matthews .was penalised for picking up out of the scrum. 'This gave Carrington a. chance, ami the big Celtic forward goaled a fine kick from a ticklish angle.-—Old Boys (i, Celtic 3. The serum work in the succeeding minute was full of action, Thomas being noticeable with hi s front-rank mate, Woodward, in all the tight stuff. Shcrratt and Matthews were the most prominent of the Old Boys’ forwards in the open, while Carrington, Webb, and Brady were all doing good work for the Celts. W. Robertson was ably seconding Bennett in all tlie defensive work on the green side, and Murland was full of dash in defence and attack. The white forwards carried the game right to Celtic goal-line, with Hansen in the lead, at one. stage, but offside work by the attackers under the pusis led to a rally by the Celts, play ranging at great' speed all over the field. Brainwell was playing a rattling good game at the base of the Old Boys’ scrum and his exhibition of defensive work was the best lie has given this, season. 'The closing stages of the game were played mainly in Celtic territory, .with Old Boys pressing steadily, but no further score, was made, the game ending with Old Boys leading (i—3. Mr. A. E. Bileliir was the referee. THE JUNIORS OLD BOYS A BEAT 1L5.0.8. Old Boys and 1L5.0.8. had a. hard, even struggle, the former gaining the victory by 3-0. by a, penalty goal kicked by King yielding the points. This score, came before Half-time, and in the second .half 1L5.0.8. were unfortunate in not opening up their account. A couple of likely rushes were pulled up for knockspn, while in a dash along tho line one man broke the corner flag and missed a. score only by a matter of inches. In tho closing stages both sets of backs opened up the game well, but the forwards were too often caught with the ball. Y.M.P. AND ROVERS DRAW The principal interest centred on the Y.M.P. v. Rovers match in the junior grade, for while Rovers have been strong throughout the season, the Maoris have only recently found their way up among the first four in the grade, and have in the earlier stages of the season taken some heavy beatings. On Saturday the teams were so even that each was lucky to score* nt all, and those movements which resulted in tries were especially good. For the Rovers Thomas scored a try and Sharp goaled a penalty kick, and for the Maoris Hepburn got a brilliant' score, running through the Hovers with remarkable dash. Within the last, minute or two the Y.M.P. side gained a good position, and Brown scored a penalty goal, the final score being (> all.

1 CELTS PUT UP BIG SCOPE The Celtic B juniors put: up a big score against Old Boys B, who turned rut in short strength and failed altogether to cope with the rush and combination displayed by the winners. The Celts ran up 42 points, against Old Boys' 8. THIRD GRADE GAMES A score of 19 points to nil was complied by High School against H. 5.0.8., in the third grade, combination counting strongly for the winners. Old Boys made the record score of 43 to 0, in their match with Celtic B. Rovers went down to defeat at the hands of Celtic A, who scored 14 to 0. FOURTH GRADE In the fourth grade, Old Boys 19 beat High School B 3; ami High School A A 21 beat Celtic 6. MATCHES IN OTHER PARTS WEST COAST ‘GAMES. (Per Press Association.) WESTPORT, last night. • The annual fixture between Karamea Murchison sub-unions of the Buller Rugby Union was played in Westport in the presence of the largest gathering Of spectators of'the season, the enthusiasm on the side line being reminiscent of that of Rugby's best, days of the past. Karamea won by nine points (two penalty goals by Coutts and a try by Barry Simpson) to 3 points (a try by ,1. Beard). Burry Simpson, in making his try, had.' the misfortune to sustain a broken leg. The club fixture between Moklhinui and Cosmopolitan also created a lot of interest. Cosmopolitan winning by 8 to 3. McNeight, who is regarded as certain to win All-Black honors this season, also McCabe and Lamont, played outstondifng games in the forwards, while Harris, Coutts, “Snowy” Griffiths, O’Brien, and Dunn were prominent in the backs. SCORE AFTER TIME BELL RUNG. PALMERSTON N., last night. A .unique experience in the history of football occurred yesterday. Western United senior (8) led Old Boys (5) when the time bell rang, and the ball continued in play, enabling an Old Boys' three-quarter to score in the corner. The try was converted, thus giving Old Boys a victory. AUCKLAND RESULTS. AUCKLAND, this day. At Rugby King’s College 3, defeated Grammar School nil. ! In the senior grade tournament, ’Varsity 10. boat Grafton 3; Grammar Old Boys S, beat Training College 3; Ponsonny 13, beat College Rifles 0; Diarist 8, beat North Shore 5. PLAY IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, this day. Saturday’s Rugby results: Senior A grade:— Poneke 13, lost to ’Varsity 37: Oriental 8, lost to Wellington 11; Athletic 51, boat Hutt U: Rorhnmuort fi. lost to Marist .19; Old Boys 22. beat Petone 35. Senior B grade: Training College 6, lost to Johnsonville 14. ’ .