RUGBY FOOTBALL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16704, 23 July 1928, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

—•" SATURDAY'S GAMES RESULTS AT A GLANCE Junior representative game: Waii'oa 8 boat Povertv Bay 6. Seniors: Old 'Boys 18 beat. Rovers 0; Power Board 9 beat Y.A'LP. 6. Celtic 11 .boat H. 5.0.8. 3. Thirds: P.B. Third A representatives 5 boat Tolaga Bay juniors 3. Waikohii juniors 5 beat P.B. B Thirds 3. Fourths: High School A 6 beat Old Boys 3. Outstanding among the local football fixtures of Saturday afternoon was the junior teams' contest for the Barry Cup, in which Wairoa sub-Union fifteen proved superior to the Poverty Bay fifteeu. The latter were at sea in the muddy conditions, and their opponents, on the other band, were well accustomed to such conditions, yet the result was not unflattering to the home side, the score at the close of the game being B—6 in favor of Wairoa. Old Boys maintained their sequence) of successes, in the senior grade. Power Board and Celtic also winning: the Poverty Bay A thirds won at Tolaga Bay against the home juniors. and the B fifteen travelled to To Karaka and sustained a defeat at the hands of the Waikohu juniors. There was only one match in the fourth grade, and fifthgrade fixtures did not eventuate. POWER BOARD SHOW FORM Y.M.P. BEATEN 9—6 The match between "Power Board and I.M.P. was responsible for much open play, and resulted in another win for the former team, winch defeated their weightier opponents by 9 points to 6 after a close and interesting game. The superiority of the Maori forwards in the s'cruais ami line-outs was evident, although the green rearguard made up tor this deficiency. Many fast movements were initiated by the Power Board who threw the leather about in fine style, and showed stubborn defence at critical moments. Shortly after the commencement of play Duncan, the Bower Board and representative forward, broke through the Maori defence and raced to the opposition 25, where he lost possession of the leather, which finally reached Kelly's hands, and the green winger charged down the line to register a fine try wido out. Currie's kick fell short.—Power Board 3. Y.M.P. nil. Gathering the ball from Ui scrum, Piki Smith sent W. McKay away in a strong run for fh green goal-line, but the movement was held up through P. McKay dropping bis pass, and play was immediately "returned to the Maoris' end, where a' serum resulted through off-side play. From a line-out in midfield Kelly" secured the leather and raced across the field to put his backs on attack, but the exchange went wide. A pretty movement by the Maori backs was witnessed when Piki Smith sent Maynard, W. McKay, and P. McKay away towards the green end, where Columbus secured a stray pass and relieved with a short line-kick. KELLY'S SPLENDID RUN

.From the line-out Piki Smith sent Maynard away with W. McKay and P. McKay in support. The latter was smothered within inches of the goalline, however, and Currin returned the ball to midtipld, where Kelly gained possession and set off down the line with several opponents attempting to bring him down. He evaded these attempts and finally crossed the line to register a fine try, which Powell failed to convert, and half-time was reached with the score —Bower Board 6, Y.M.P. nil. Y.M.P. SHOW FORM

Early in the second spell W. McKay gathered in a flying pass and made a strong run through the green defence to send to Horsfall, who forced his way over against stubborn opposition to register a fine try near the uprights. Maynard failed to convert.—Power Board 6, Y.M.P. 3. Rooke opened up play for Power Board with a beautiful line-kick, the leather going out in the Maoris' 25. From the line-out Kelly secured and raced awav for the Y.M.P. goal-line, with his backs in attendance, but in endeavoring to beat his opponent the Power Board winger was pushed out in the corner. Play was very ragged .during the following few minutes, and consisted of a series of scrums in midfield. Shortly after a beautiful piece of play was witnessed when W. McKay broke away in a line solo run. and, after fending off two opponents, was finally brought to earth by Rooke, with a low tackle. . The greens' score was. farther increased when the Power Hoard forwards carried the leather to the Maoris' goal-line, and while endeavoring to effect a save the Y.M.P. fullback fumbled the ball, and Wilson raced across to touch clown. Columbus failed to add the extra points, 'and the scores were: Power Board 9, YMP - 3 " . «ri i On play being resumed, Wilson, who had just"added'three points to Power Board's score, was penalised in front of the green goal, and Maynard goaled from an easy angle.—Power Board 9, Y.M.P. 6. Y.M.P. rallied towards the end of the' game, although overeagerness appeared to spoil their chances on several occasions. Prior to the whistle the Maori forwards transferred the ball to the green lino, and Currie just managed to force, saving an almost certain try. and the game ended with the scorePower Board 9, Y.M.P. 6. ]\l,-. o. It. Olsen conlrolled the match. SOUTHLAND DEFEATS WAIRARAPA (Per Press Association.) INVERCARUILL, last night. Southland defeated Wairarapa yesterday by 24 points to 23 after a keenly contested game, in which the result was in doubt until the conversion, of Southland's last try. The weather was dull, but line, and there was no wind, the ground being in good order. The attendance was between 6000 and 6000. The opening exchanges were not inspiring, but, towards the end of the first, spell, the home side gained- the upper hand and walked off at the interval with a margin of 11 points in their flavor. The second spell was full of interest and, although the home side's lead was increased, the visitors gradually reduced the gap until near the end they had the advantage of four points.

' A clever blind side movement initiated by the Southland halt. Johnson, in Wairarapa's 25 was capped with a. try m the ■corner and (be fate of the game hung on Diack's kick from the fouch- ' line. Barber in the game, ho bad failed with several easier ones, but this time ho rose to the occasion, giving las side viol'orv by one point. Neither 'side displayed much combination. Southland's win was due mainly to the fact that the backs were given a greater share of the ball than the visitnig rearguard. Another factor was the repeated successful marking of the blind side of scrurris—a ruse that eventually paved the way lor the defeat, of the Shield holders.' S. CANTERUBURY BEATS N. OTAGO (Per Press Association.) OAMARC, .last nightSouth Canterbury yesterday defeated North 01 ago by Hi points to 9 in a. bright spectacular exhibition of the code, the latter using the •"!2 — '.'> serum to advantage in the second spell. NELSON DEFEATS MARLBOROUGH (Per Press Association.) NELSON, last night. Nelson yesierday beat Marlborough after a rather uninteresting displayby IS points to 9. The local backs wore superior, but the forwards were evenly matched. In the first spell, Marlborough scored li to Nelson's 5, 'and in the second half the .Nelson backs held several good passing bouts. For the winners, tries were secured by Snodgrass (2), Wells and Bowler, Reed converting three. For Marlborough, tries were scored by Devine. Smith and Washington. AUCKLAND REP. MATCHES (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. In Rugby representative matches on. Saturday Auckland 20 beat Thames ti; Auckland B 24 beat South Auckland b <;. BULLER DEFEATS WEST COAST (Per Tress Association.) WESTPORT, last, night. In a return Rugby match between Bullor and West Coast, Duller turned the tables on their former victors, winning by 14 points to Li, after a game that was always full of interest. PLAY IN WELLINGTON (Per .Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. 11l the senior competition games yesterday 'Varsity beat Potonc 27 points to 0; Old Boys beat Athletic 7 to -'5; Poneke beat Marist 14 to .">; Oriental beat Eastbourne 13 to :>; Berhamporc and Wellington drew 1-1 all. Championship points now are: Poneke 22. -'Varsity 21, Oriental 20, Old Boys 15, Athletic. IS, Pctonc 10, Eastbourne 9, Marist 8, Bcrhampore (j, Wellington <>. N.S.W. DEFEATS VICTORIA (Elec. Tel. Copyright— United Press Assn.l MELBOURNE, July 22. At Rugby Union, New South Wales defeated Victoria by 22 points to 19. In the- senior Rugby contests on Saturday in the Taraiiaki Southern division, Okaiawa. 14 beat Kaponga nil; Opunake 9 beat Athletic 3; Waimate 9 beat Patca 5. The day's play leaves Okaiawa holders of the divisional championship for the third year in succession. The club will contest the provincial premiership with Stratford, the winners of the northern division.—P.A. In a junior Rugby match in Masterton, on Saturday, Wairarapa 17, defeated Hawke's Bay 9, after an, interesting game.T-P.A.

CELTS BEAT H. 5.0.8. AN UNIMPRESSIVE DISPLAY There was nothing impressive about the senior game, in which Celtic, beat H. 5.0.8., for both teams were under strength, and had to lill their ranks with juniors to present the appearance of a full side. The course, did not lend themselves to she- style of Rugby usually played by H. 5.0.8., and when it came to hard scrummaging in the mud and quick following of the kicks, the Celts proved superior. Once or twice there were witnessed some quite creditable movements, but for the most part the game was .scratchy. Like the other senior fifteens, these teams had had little practice in the mini this sea son, and were unable to settle down to mudlarking at once. The final score was 11—3 in favor of Celtic For Celtic, Minland opened the scoring account with a try near tho corner, The Celts had won their way across the ex-students' twenty-live line with good forward work, and Leslie had attempted to goal a. kick from a mark, the kick being blocked. Turbitt took advantage of tho opening presented, gathered the. ball in, and swung a pa.ss to Murland, who was off like a shot. Ho turned and twisted in great style in the niud, and the defenders had no chance of stopping him. The try was not converted. Having curbed tho H. 5.0.8. forwards' eager rushes, Celtic returned to the attack, .and before long a high punt and a fast follow-up gave them another chance, Brady diving on the ball for a good forward try. Leslie took the kick, and succeeded this time in adding the extra points.-<'Celtic 8, H. 5.0.8. 0. Refiling strongly, the H. 5.0.8. forwards 'succeeded in gaining ground againstf their opponents, and carried the game deep into the Celtic end, where the bacjks got -possession through Aisiabie, ap'd Caul ton flashed over the line for the ex-students' only score. Tho attempt a't goal foiled, and Celts led B—3. There 1 , was a lot of good work done by the red forwards during the succeeding stages, hut they could not keep control, and eventually Murland got away with the ball, and ran 30yds. to give Lewis a good run in. Lewis touched down near the corner, and the kick proved too difficult for Leslie, the final score being: Celtic 11, H. 5.0.8. 3. BARRY CUP MATCH POVERTY BAY BEATEN B—6 A DETERMINED STRUGGLE The chief attraction at the Oval on Saturday was the return mutch between the Poverty Bay junior representatives and Wairoa for the junior Barry Cup-. The fixture attracted a large attendance of Rugby enthusiasts, wno displayec. keen interest throughout the game. The condition of the field, which was wet and muddy, favored the cup challengers, and. the home side's rearguard was unable to produce the usual degree oi combination and finish. On a dry turf they might have won. In Saturday's issue was published a description of the first half of the game, the second half being as described below. At half-time, the score was Wairoa £ Poverty Bay 3. Early in the second spell E. Smith broke away from a line-out, and, with Tier and Thomas in support, transferred the ball to midfield, where Steed, the Wairoa winger, gained possession and cleared to tho reds' twenty-live line. Airey failed to take the ball on the full, and Christie and Taylor raced through to kick the leather further back to Kennedy, who failed to clear, and in attempting to send the ball out of play underestimated the distance. Taylor, following up fast, raced over to score the visitors' second try. Stewart failed to convert: Wuiroa tt, Poverty Bay 3. The cup defenders liveried up after the reverse, and in a determined forward rush carried play to their opponents'- goal-line, where, Jeune forced his way over to regisafer a fine try, well out from tho posts. L. Smith failed to add the major points, and the score stood: Wairoa 8, Poverty Bay 6. From a line-out, Lowndes secured and delivered a fine kick, which just fell short of tho line. Steed gathered in the ball, but Lowndes, following up his kick, caught the winger in possession, and forced a line-out. Tho red forwards secured from the line-out and carried play to tho visitors' territory. Good scrummaging ■ play by Wairoa cleared their end, and a penalty against the cup defenders gave the visitors a kick from the home side s twenty-five line. Although the attempt fell short, the greens continued to force playj to their opponents' goal-line, but owing to the stubborn defence of the homo pack the challengers were unablo to cross the line. Through a strong sally on tho part of the red forwards, the leather was returned to the 'green end, wnere a succession of line-outs occurred.

Shortly after, Lowndes took a mark in midfield, and, following up his kick, charged the visiting full-back. Tho latter received a bad knock, and the game was held up for several minutes. Following this incident, Webb secured from a line-out and sent to Lowndes, who set oft' for the line with Airey, Kennedy, and Hepburn in attendance. The latter dropped his pass, and spoilt an almost certain try. Shortly biter, the reds were awarded a penalty in front of the vistors' posts, but Webb failed 'to goal the kick. A beautiful passing movement was carried out by two of the Wairoa backs, Stewart and Steed, who exchanged several passes before Walker (P. 8.) intercepted and eventually kicked the ball out near the halfway line. The superiority of the visitors in the mud enabled them to keep play in their opponents' territory, where a succession of line-outs occurred. Eventually Steed gathered in a clearing kick and returned the ball to the defenders' twenty-five, where Owen, in attempting to clear, allowed tho leather to roll out. A few moments prior to time being called, Kennedy opened up play with a fine punt to midfield. L. Smith and Airey raced after the ball, but Steed relieved with a short line-kick, and the match ended with the scores: Wairoa 8, Poverty Bay 6. Mr. Oorbett refereed the match. ONE POVERTY BAY WIN i THIRDS BEAT TOLAGA JUNIORS In one of the matches played by district sides on Saturday, Poverty Bay proved victorious, for the A third grade fifteen gained a success in its game with the Tolaga Bay juniors by 5 points to 6. The match was fast and even for the greater part, and each side crossed tho other's line once, the Poverty Bay advantage lying in the success of the converting kick. The home side was a little heavier than the visiting team and in the set serums and hue-outs they had the advantage, which, however, was offset by the superior speed and combination ol the Poverty,..Bay backs. At the final whistle there vy'as not much to choose between the two teams, though the visitors were by far the more finished in the general'run of th piny.

First blood was secured by Tolaga Hay after 10 minutes' play, when after a brisk passing rush by the home backs i Sukunuku went over in the corner. The kick at goal failed.—Tolaga Bay 3, Poverty Bay 0. The Gisborne boys rallied strongly, and for a few minutes more than held their own in the forward play, Campbell and Whiteley giving a good lead to the loose rushes which marked this period of the game. The visitors gut their opportuity before the end of the first half, when, after hard scrummaging had put them on the| Tolaga Hay 25 yard line, they secured the hall from the scrum and Jenkins whipped it across to Kaua. The latter gained some ground before transferring to Duneombe, who in tirm drew a tackle and switched the ball to Dandy. The latter put in a good finishing effort, and, outpacing the nearest of the defenders, went over halfway between the goalposts and Hie corner flag. Barrett put nver an excellent kick, and the Gisborne (earn led 5—3 at half-time. On the resumption, the pace was maintained by both sides, and play ranged from one end of the field to the other, and from side lo side as each team endeavored to establish command. The Tolaga Hay scrum-haifl, Hinaki, was working well, and sent his backs away mi several occasions, but the openings thus made weie sacrificed owing to faulty handling, and repeatedly the movements broke down. Even so, the home team would have scored more than once but for the deadly tackling of the visitors, who brought down their men in great style Neither side could resister a further- score, thowgh hpth goallines were in danger at intervals. The final whistle brought the game to a close with the score unaltered. Poverty Bay thirds winning 5—3. The game was clean and eniovnble, and the referee, Mr. Alf. Singe, a brother of the N.Z. Army team wins: forward, had no difficulty in keeping if goinsr to the satisfaction of the good gathering of speelators. His control of fhe game was above the ordinary. WAIKOHU JUNIORS WIN Playing at Te Karaka against the Waikohu sub-Union juniors, a B third grade team was beaten 5 to 3 on Saturday afternoon. The match provided an even tussle, and it was anyone's game right up to the final whistle. Bradley scored for Waikohu, the try being converted, while Robinson kicked a penalty goal for Poverty Bay.

WAIROA TEAM'S WIN NAPIER-HASTINGS BEATEN (Herald Correspondent.) The return Rugby match between _\apier-Hastings and Wairoa was played on the new sports ground, Wairoa, in line weather on Saturday. There was a large attendance. The ground was in comparatively good order, and the glassing in of the south side of the stand was much appreciated by patrons. The teams were :

Napier-Hastings : Farquhar, Huxtable, South, Russell, Macdonald (captain), Botherway, Anstis, Durney, Pearson, .Single, Heffcrnan, Campbell, Steere, J. Gemmell and Marshall. ,

Wairoa: J. Smith, S. 'Smith, Bennett, Lawton, Corkill (captain), Mercer, Williams, G. Ormond, S. Gemmell, Jackson, Wilson, Ropitini, T. Higgs, Robinson, and Dennis. Wairoa won the toss and kicked off, but there was no particular advantage to either side as regards wind or sun. In the first spell there w.as not much difference in the play, but, if anything, the home team had a slight advantage, both sides apparently being overaager to score. On the wholo the play might be summed up as being fairly even, though Wairoa came very near scoring oh several occasions, but the visitors were not to be denied.

Tho visitors scored a field goal, and shortly afterwards Huxtable got over to touch' down between the posts. The try was converted. by Farquhar. S. Gemmell scored the other try and the spell ended—Napier-Hastings 9, Wairoa 3. ' In the second spell both sides went at it with determination, Wairoa especially livening up considerably. Sam Smith was "placed as five-eighth and Mercer' took his place on the wing. Play was fast for a time up and down the" field, both sides throwing the 'ball about in .good style. The home team often attacked arid only the solid defence of the Napier-Hastings combination kept Wairoa from getting oyer on many occasions. The first try 1 in the senn'd spell was scored by Corkill, which he converted. Soon after F. Bennett got over after a fine run and scored in the corner, but Smith missed at a difficult angle. The game continued to swing up and down the field, the forwards on both sides playing hard. The ball was swung out to Mercer, who scored a try which was converted by J. Smith. The visitors kept the local men penned in their territory for a short while, but eventually Mercer scored again. Ormond then secured a try, and the spell ended—Wairoa 22, Napier-Hastings 9. |The outstanding players among the visitors were Huxtable, Farquhar, Anstis, Macdonald, and South (a former Wairoa boy). The forwards played up well, especially Campbell and J. Gemmell. Of the home team, those prominent in the forwards were Dennis, Wilson and S. Gemmell. Tho other forwards also plaved up well, Ormond doing K ooft vvork ns wm R lovwar d- * n the back division Bennett played up to his usual standard, his judgment being always sound. S. Smith did good work at five-eighths, and Corkill showed an improvement on his recent form. J. Smith did ?ood work as fullback. On the whole tho local men deserved their win. ATter the jnatch the teams dined together, and in the evening the visitors were the guests of Mr. Ishester. The visiting players returned home yesterJav. ~, . It uoes without saying that although Wairoa was successful, our men will need to excel Saturday's efforts if they are. to lift the Barry Cud next Saturday from the strong'combination from the north.