RUGBY FOOTBALL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16949, 13 May 1929, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

P.B. COMPETITIONS SATURDAY’S LOCAL GAMES Seniors: Old Boys 19 beat H. 5.0.8. 3: 28 heat Muriwai 3; Celtic 12 beat Hovers 9. Juniors: Old Boys 18 beat High School 0; 11.5.0.8.' B 11 beat United 0; Pirates 6 drew with Hovers 6. I birds: Old Bovs A 33 heat High '■{School 0: 11.5.n.8 5 drew with Celtic 5; 11.5.0.8. A 13 beat Old Boys B 3. Sustained interest in the Rugby Union game was displayed on Saturday, I when the attendance of the public was rather larger than on the official opening day a week previously. Old Boys maintained their record of success by defeating 11.5.0.8. in the senior competition, and Y.M.P. had a good margin of victory in their game with Muriwai; Rovers led Celtic for the greater part of tho third senior match, but crumpled under the vigorous offensive launched by their opponents in the last quarter. Celtic winning by a margin of one goal. | In the junior games, High School did j well against Old Boys until the cluingcj over at half-time, when the much i superior weight of Old Boys, hacked by , a keen breeze, gradually heat down the I opposition of the students, and decided I the issue; H. 5.0.8. heat United point- ; less, and Pirates and Rovers fought a j good draw. The third grade saw Old Boys’ A I earn again the winners of their match, by a big number of points, High School * proving altogether too light for them: H. 5.0.8. B plaved a draw with Celtic, and H. 5.0.8. A bad a fairly easy time against Old Boys B. WEIGHT AND SPEED TELL OLD EOYS OUTCLASS H. 5.0.8. It- was not until the second half of | the grandstand game was well on its j way that the first- score of the match , was registered, hut after Old Boys had opened their account, they added to it witli an industry that completely baffled their opponents, H. 5.0.8. The game was bright and breezy practically throughout, but nevertheless there was a quality of determination in the winners’ display that was lacking from that of H. 5.0.8., and the issue was not in doubt at any stage With the breeze behind them in the first half, the reds were unable to score, though on several occasions they were within striking distance of the Old Beys’ goal line: and t when the change-over was made, it j seemed fo he onlv a question ot time before the weight and speed of the I whites would overpower (lie opposition. | All credit is due to the vanguard of cj the defeated side, for they d’d remarkably well to hold back- the punishing attacks launched bv Old Bovs repeated throughout the first half. It was in the ■hack division that the reds were weak, and this weakness became more apparent, ns the came progressed. The crying need of . the reds is an infusion of strength into their rearguard, and especially defensive strength. One can picture their rearguard working well in attack, against, a team of even quality, hut the division as a whole is weak in tackling, bulging hv Saturday's display, the exceptions to the rule being provided by Cameron and Aislnhie, who between them did three men’s work when rushes had to he stopped. Tf H. 5.0.8. had among their hacks a few more of the tvne of I hose two. tbev might look to their forwards to bring them out on top in flic majority of their games. LOSERS’ GOOD FORWARDS In the eyes of experienced judges of Rughv, the honors of the match went Ito the H. 5.0.8. forwards. There was not a passenger among the eight, so far as one could see, and even when things ! went absolutely against them, the red pack kept hammering away. Beaten in the majority of scrums, they broke quickly and raked the inside back formation of the Old Boys team, following the ball with a persistence quite reminiscent of the display givfen the previous week by the Rovers' pack. Spoiling for all their worth, they ran themselves almost to a standstill, and it. was not until they had lost their dash that Old Boys began to pile up the points. Richardson, Allan, Pittar, Spence, these were the outstanding players in a good forward division which deserved better support than was forthcoming from the rearguard Old Boys had the weight and other advantages in the forward work, but though their play was marked by a keener perception of position and tactics, the white forwards had to give the ball to the backs, in the majority of eases, before anything came of their advantages. Promoted from the junior ranks for the day, Dandy made quite a good impression on the right wing, and j he should he kept there iK possible, seej ing that he has size and speed to finish of a rush. W. Pocock, playing at five- ! eighths, made a promising opening, and * though he found difficulty at first in taking Bram well's fast passes, he moulded into the Old Boys’ hack divivision well, and was responsible for a lot of good work. There were other good juniors among the Old Boys, and with Langlands presenting bis well-known defence to anything that came past the inside, backs,' the white rearguard bad a comfortable knowledge of superiority over the opposition. In the forwards. :K. Tt. Thomas tore after the ball ' steadilv. bis work in the. open being well seconded by W. Thomas, while McGregor, MePhail. and other tall forwards did their best work in the lineouts. PILING UP THE SCORE

The absence of low tackling from the repertoire of most of the H. 5.0.8. backs gave Old Boys their first score, for which E. R Thomas ran about a third of the length of the field, breaking away from a loose tussle outside the H. 5.0.8. 25. The next score was Dandy’s, this player finishing off a good passing rush bv getting over well away from the posts; tho ball came out- like a shot from the scrum through Bram well, to Pocock, and on to the scorer. Next came L. Hansen’s try, in which Pocock figured as the prime mover, Hansen getting the ball in a safe position; Dandy converted this one, the score standing 11—0 in Old Boys’ favor. Yet another scoring movement was opened up by Pocock, with a nice cut in after receiving the hall from Bramwell; he ran deterininedly, and downed the ball by the

left-hand post, Dandy taking the kick! and converting the try. j With tlie score 16—0 .against them,! H. 5.0.8. looked well beaten, but the forwards put up a,great rally, in which! they carried play almost to the Old Boys’ goal line. MePhail got possession, hut was immediately tackled, and conceded a penalty through holding the hall after the tackle. Oaulton goaled the kick, notching the first points for his side. The game received its apparently necessary stamp when Langlands got .a. pass near midfield from Braimvell’s substitute at half-back— Bramwell having retired just before—and ran light through to score the final try for Old Boys. The try was not converted. and tiic game concluded with the score 19—3 in favor of the whites. Mr. ('• Yeung controlled the match, which was of a quite friendly character. Y.M.P.’S DAY OUT MURIWAI AGAIN DEFEATED W. McKAY IN GREAT FORM Perhaps the most enthusiastic and willing encounter of the three senior fixtures at the Oval on Saturday was the match between Muriwai and Y.M.P., tho latter side outclassing their opponents by a margin of 25 points. The game was interesting for its bright and open play, although both teams spoiled many good opportunities through individual players holding on to the ball too long. Nothing of a very exciting nature occurred during the opening spell, and the interval arrived with the scores 4—3 in favor of the Maoris. They more than dominated play in tho second hall, and Muriwai was unable to do anything with the leather. In most eases tho forwards paved the way with nippy, well-timed movements, while the hacks took advantage of every available opportunity, and throughout the latter spell participated in numerous combined attacks. Both the forwards and reardivision threw the ball about in splendid style, while their superior teamwork enabled them to completely outclass the Muriwai fifteen. Undoubtedly, it was a day out for Y.M.P., and the victory should prove of value to the team in future matches.

One of Poverty Bay’s crack inside backs, “Watty” McKay, who has again turned out for Y.M.P., was the best player on the Held. He displayed splendid initiative, and participated in several spectacular solo runs. Never letting up for a moment, McKay appeared to ho always ready to lend a hand, and in the combined movements he was thestrongest link. Peter Kaua was a tower of strength in the first five-eighth position, while Piki Smith was sound at tho base of the scrum. Other players in the Y.M.P. team to show up were Morris (wing), Pohatu (full-back), Petherick (centre), and Horsfall (forward). There was no player of really outstanding merit among the losers, though Gray (forward) and Greaves were perhaps the best. Lack of combination and tactics was responsible for tho team’s failure, and when someone did get away with the leather ho was allowed to carry on unsupported. Mr. N. Tasker proved a capable and efficient referee.

Play was very tame during the opening stages, hut both sides eventually settled down. Kaua attempted a potted goal, though his effort failed owing to the strong head-wind. The Maoris were caught napping shortly afterwards, when Greaves intercepted and took the leather to within five yards of the Y.M.P. goalline. Ho was well tackled, and Smith gained possession of the ball, finally transferring to Kaua. The latter set off down the field with McKay in attendance, hut the movement was held up in midfield through a forward pass. Tho blues again carried play to their opponents’ line, and Kaua saved a critical situation with a beautiful kick as he was going down. With a series of short thrusts the, Muriwai forwards forced the Maoris back to their own territory, and from a scramble on the goal-line the leather rolled clear. This gave the blues a splendid opening, and before the Maoris could force ,T. Walker had thrown himself on the ball. Gray’s kick went astray; Muriwai 3, Y.M.P. 0. POHATU POTS A GOAL. Immediately, after starting, Y.M.P. went to the attack, but after Kaua and McKay had handled 1 the “'leather Morris was caught in possession. This upset the Maoris’ tactics for a while, though the leather eventually reached Pohatu, who was . successful with a fine dropkick: Y.M.P. 4, M-uriwai 3. Kaua, Dennis, and McKay were then seen in action, the trio being called to a standstill when tho latter’s pass went wide. Through the Maori inside backs, the leather travelled across the field until it reached McKay. He was well marked, however, and tho effort fell through. The Maoris were throwing the ball about in a pleasing manner, with McKay, Kaua, Petherick, and Morris always prominent. Unfortunately, the winger was starved to a great extent in tho first spell, and a number of likely scoring chances were missed on account of this. Horsfall broke away with the leather at his toe, but owing to the movement being without support it was of little advantage, and half-time arrived with tho scores unchanged. On resumption the Maoris went to the attack with the wind at their backs, and it was not for the want of trying that they were unable to penetrate the blues’ defence. However, after several unsuccessful attempts YLM.P. changed their tactics, with the result that tho Muriwai goal-line was endangered time and again. McKay took possession, and swerving past two opponents, gave Morris a clear run'. The winger raced across near the corner to finish off a good movement. Pohatu converted : Y.M.P. 9, Muriwai 3. „ MAORI BACKS SHOW FORM.

The bal] had hardly been set in motion again, before Morris received a

’ short, crisp pass, to touch down wide' out. From a difficult angle Pohatu’s ( 1 attempt went astray; Y.M.P. 12, Mini- > ’ wai 3. . j | A promising blue attack was inter- ’ cepted by McKay, who participated in a spectacular run from half-way, and, zig- ! 1 zagging Iris way through the opposing ’ backs, dived over near the corner. ; Pohatu added the major points: Y.M.P. j 17, Muriwai 3 • , Spectators were treated to a pretty j piece of work, which was promoted by . ! Kaua. Beating his man, ho sent the j leather out to ’.J. Edwards, who put up j an equally good performance, and finally returned to Kaua. The Jast-nien-t tinned was well in motion when lie re- ' ecived, and raced down the line, .scoring' in the corner. The kick fell short: Y.M.P. 20, Muriwai 3. Another bright movement, in which Kaua, Morris, and McKay took part, saw the iatter race over, hut the try was disallowed. A scrum kept play in the blues’ area, the Maori hookers beating their opponents for the ball. Smith gained possession, and was over the line in a flash. Dennis’ kick hit the cross-bar: Y.M.P. 23, Muriwai 3. At this stage Y.M.P. dominated play, which Very seldom left the blues’ twenty-five. Morris started a good attack, with Kaua and Nipi handling tho leather. McKay also took a hand, and gave a really line exhibition. Commencing from near mid-field, he ran straight up to his man, side-stepped, and cut in between two other opponents. A further effort failed to bring him down, and lie raced on past tho full-back and winger, to score under tho uprights. Dennis was successful with the kick : Y.M.P. 28, Muriwai 3. , The Maoris continued to press strongi ly, breaking down every blue attack. Horsfall broke away, transferred to Kaua, and the latter drew his opponi cuts towards the centre of the field before giving Morris a long pass. Tho ; winger raced across, but lost the ball, and the match ended with the scores : Y.M.P ... 28 Muriwai 3 CELTIC’S LATE RALLY < ROVERS BEATEN 12 TO 9 > For a good two-thirds of the game . between Celtic and Rovers, the latter , team had a lead on points, and looked ■ like carrying off the game, but .Celtic • came to light with a good rally during l the latter stages of the match, and > eventually won by the margin of an uni converted try. It was a match full of action and interest, and there was ■ hardly a dull moment at any part of it, the teams being so evenly matched , that neither could afford fo let down for i a space of a few minutes. Both teams > had their barrackers, and there was . almost as much excitement on the sideline as in the case of the Muriwai- . Y.M.P. game. i Opening with the wind in their favor, . tho Rovers were nearly placed at a disL advantage in the first few moments, , owing to a. fumble on the part of one of | the backs allowing the Celtic forwards . to get up on the ball from the kick-off. Celts came through almost to tho , Rovers’ line, with a good dribble, and Carrington toed the ball over the goal- . line, hut a defender got down on it for • a force. From the drop-out, the yellow [ forwards came hack downfield. and the , Celtic fullback, caught in possession, , tried to get a pass away to Bennett. ( The pass was knocked on, however, and . the attacking forwards went over the line in a heap, McKinley being awarded , a try. The extra points were not added, and the score stood Rovers 3, Celtic 0. 5 Spurred on by the reverse, Celts made another sortie, into the Rovers’ , territory, and offside play on the part k {oF a, defender gave them a .chance with a penalty kick, just outside the Rovers’ 25. Carrington made a good bid for the ! points, against the high wind, hut missed, and the ball was forced. A , series of attacks launched by the Celtic , forwards had no better fortune than ’ the earlier ones, and eventually the . Rover pack cleared their quarter, and ranged down-wind with the ball at their ' toes to* threaten the green line. An endeavor to beat the attack bv passing near their own goal-line cost the Celtic backs another three points, for the attacking forwards tackled one of tho backs in possession, and a loose serum was formed over the ball, Rovers hooli ing it out. Swiftly it was snapped to i Proudfoot. on the wing, and the fast Rover hack dashed in to score a nice try. Again tho kick missed, the scorehoard reading: Rovers 6, Celtic 0.

Carrington’s good kicking opened the scoring account for Celtic, well on in the first half, when from near tho 25yd linn in tho Rovers’ territory, he goaled a penalty kick. The effort was made against the wind, and from a not too comfortable angle, so that the points were well deserved. An equally welldeserved success waited upon a grand rush made by the Rovers’ forwards, who from their own end of the field carried the game back to the Celts’ end, in a fine movement in which backing-up was one of the principal features. Over the Celtic goal-line the pack went, in full cry. brushing aside the defensive efforts of the greens, and giving McLaughlnn the third Rovers’ try of the game. The Celts came back again, and for a long time they hammered at the Rovers’ line, without success, until another penalty was awarded for a Rover hanging on to the ball. This gave Carrington another opportunity, and he made the most of it, gonling the kick without much trouble. The first half ended with the scores, Rovers 9, Celtic 6.

On tho resumption, Celtic had the wind behind them, and they sent in a series of furious rushes, many of which failed principally because of lack of control and over-eagerness. Two penalties for offside play gave Rovers relief at different stages, but at last the sustained force of Hie Celtic attacks began to tell. More than once, the green pack tally-hoed down the field, sweeping through tho Rovers’ defence to bring up at last because of some infringement, but ultimately, a serum was called 10 yards out, and the greens got) the ball; Airev snapped it across to llume, and the latter dived over in tho corner for tho first try credited to Celtic. Tho try was not converted, and (he scores were even.

■The deciding try followed a strenuous period of play in which first one side and then the other appeared to have gained the upper hand. Celts were harrying the Rover defence at one moment, and the next moment would-see the defenders turning defence into attack with a vengeance, K. Walters dorng a lion's share of the work at this stage. Tt was he who led a rush almost the full length of the field, dribbling accurately all the way, and placed In’s forwards in a grand, position near Hie Celtic goal-line, and it was only when the ball crossed Hie line and was forced by a Celt that the attack was stopped. Bennett found the line with a line long kick from tho drop-out, and flu’s in turn put Celtic in a most favorable position, lining-out a few yards from the Rovers’ goal-line It was Carrington who got possession in the lineout, and fought his way over for tho

decisive try. scored near the corner. The kick failed, but Celts had. the margin of points, and they settled to hang grimly oil to them. In this they were successful, though the Hovers again and again attacked with wonderful spirit, and for minute.-: on end forced their opponents to a most determined defence of their line II seemed that the Hovers’ impetuosity would bear fruit, so well did they sustain their effort, hut eventually Aircv got the hall from the heels of the Celtic sciinn, and flashed a wav a kick that leliovcd the pressure. This was the last occasion on which a try looked at all likely, for neitliei side had a sufficient reserve of strength to take advantage of opportunities that presented themselves, so far had the battle on the Celtic line, exhausted tho players. The game finished shortly afterwards with (lie score 12—9 in favor of the Celtic side. Mr. A. C. Swan was the referee. the junior grade Selected as promising the best foothall for the grandstand patrons, the match between Old Hoys and High I School in the junior grade, resulted in a good win tor the whites. They had too muclj weight for tiie students, and though there was no score at half-time, the school team had to give way before their opponents’ determined rushes in the second half. Old Boys’ first try was to Mdvor, who got a pass from McConnell. near the line: G. Pocock converted tho try. Arother forward rush saw McConnell himself over the line, no conversion resulting. Next G. Pocock finished off a passing rush and scored between the posts, converting bis own try, and later Dandy’s speed carried him round the school wing tor n tvy behind the uprights; Dandy, like Pocock, added the extra points, bringing the score to: Old Boys 18. School 10. ROVERS AND PIRATES EQUAL The match between Rovers and Pirates was more or less a wild scramble from beginning to end, and resulted in a draw, the score being six all. Both sides spoilt a number of good movements through someone holding on to the ball too long. However, one team was ns strong as Hie other in defence and it was the determination shown in this department that kept the scores low. Pirates’ points were'compiled from two penalty goals. Bell and Bartlett being successful. Walters registered a fine try, and Kingi kicked a penalty for Bovers. Mr. Cook controlled the game. HONORS TO H. 5.0.8. Playing on the domain ground, High School Old Boys defeated United by eight points to nil. 'lhe old students hacks participated in several combined attacks, two of which were rewarded with success. R. Aislabie notched both tries, Webb converting one. Mr. C. Sutcliffe refereed the match. THE THIRD GRADE High School proved too light for Old Boys C A in the third grade engagement played off on the Domain. Old Boys van up a score of 33 points to 0, their forwards) ajnd backs worthing very smoothly throughout the match. An even match was played hv H. 5.0.8. B and Celtic, the game ending'in a draw with the score 5 points aU. , Old Boys B could do with a little of the surplus strength apparent in the A team, for against H. 5.0.8. A they suffered defeat to tho tune of 13 points to 3WELLINGTON CONTESTS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. In the senior Bugby matches at Wellington on Saturday, Athletic 23 hear Oriental 12; Varsity 12 heat Wellington 3, Old Boys 32 beat Berhampore 8: Poncke 23 beat Eastbourne 3; Pctorie 17 beat Marist 12. SOUTH TARANAKI GAMES : (Per Press Association.) HAW ERA, last night. In the South Division of the Taranaki senior Bugby contests on Saturday llawera 18 'beat Athletk nil; Ukaiawa 12 beat Waimate 6; Opunake 9 beat lvaponga 5; Paten 13 beat Elthain 3. AUSTRALIAN ’VARSITIES TEAM FROM NEW ZEALAND (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) SYDNEY, May 11. The Australian University Bugby team to visit New Zealand is announced to leave Sydney in the Mamma on ’Friday. Several stars, including Boss, Gibson, Hemingway and Mann are not available, but the side, is said to be a good one. Backs: McMullan, Danger, J. Kennedy, Barker, Kennedy, Nicholas, Lamport (captain). Forwards: Ramsden, Wiseman, Morton, Clay, Neild, Dezarnaulds, Morey, Cunningham. Reserves: Nairn, Flynn, McLean, Beveridge, Aherns, Robertson, Joyce.