FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 18928, 30 April 1923, Page 7

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES. MARIST CREATE A SURPRISE. PIRATES’ CRICKET SCORE. There was a nip of winter in the air at Rugby Park on Saturday, but the sun was strong, and it was not until evening that the atmosphere grew chilly, consequently the good crowd that assembled at the Southland Rugby Union’s headquarters had nothing to complain of in this direction. An off day series of matches was scheduled, but the unexpectedly fine display of the young Marist fifteen provided the spectators with a fast and exciting game, besides bringing to light what the crowd love, and what is more important, what wins matches—correct two-handed passing. By defeating Waikiwi by 11 to 8, Marist put up a performance to be proud of, and they may be congratulated on the success attending their efforts. The Waikiwi forwards worked like Trojans, but with an inffectjve rearguard behind them, the combination of their opponents proved too great a handicap. Pirates had a day out against Winton, piling on a big score against the newly-admit ted country team, who were considerably lacking in a knowledge of the fine points of the game. On two occasions, however, the visitors caught Pirates napping with dribbling runs, one of which yielded a score, while the other narrowly missed, thus illustrating the value of this form of attack, which seems to be fast becoming a lost art locally. Star journeyed to Bluff and although the seaport players led by three to nil at half time, and generally showed improved combination, Star emerged victors by 11 points to three at the finish. PIRATES (34) v. WINTON (3). (Black dnd Yellow) (Maroon). Pirates:—backs —Stevenson; Prain, McEwen, Ashley, Gilmour, Hazlett; St. George; forward—Smith, Thomas; Archer, Blanks, McQuarrie; Cockroft, Johnston; Jervis. Winton:—backs—Cole; Hagerty, Cleland, Lindsay; Jamieson, Collett; O’Neill; forwards—Egcrton, Clapp; Brown, McKenzie, Thiers; Gerrard, McConachie; Balch. The game commenced on No. 2 area. The Winton forwards attacked in determined fashion from the kick-off, and fumbling at the Pirate quarter way mark enabled the fast following Maroon forwards to charge down a kick and carry play on to the Pirate line where the ball went out in touch-in-goal. Play see-sawed in mid-field for a minute or two, and then the Pirate backs got going, dashes by Ashley and Prain being stopped in the nick of time by Winton. Splendid following up by Smith enabled Pirates to start a passing run from a good position, but the movement broke down within a few yards of the Winton line and the defenders cleared to touch. Play was in mid-field when a Winton back mulled a short kick, enabling McQuarrie to break away. The latter passed out to Johnston, who scored in a handy position. St George missed. Pirates 3, Winton nil. From a scrum at the centre St George secured and 1 went round the blind side, passing out on the open side again to McQuarrie, to Jervis. The latter fumbled, but Hazlett was handy and sent on to Gilmour, who put in a corkscrew run and left the opposition standing. Stevenson goaled. Pirates 8, Winton nil. McQuarrie, Thomas and Johnston started a loose rush into Winton territory. A weak return was fielded by Hazlett, who swerved through to the posts and scored. Cockroft failed to convert. Pirates 11; Winton nil. Archer was prominent in opening up the play for the Blacks, but an offside pass in the ensuing rush temporarily relieved Winton. However, Pirates were awarded a free kick a moment or two later, Stevenson’s attempt hitting a post. Blanks was instrumental in setting the Pirates going again, and St. George and Gilmour were associated in a brilliant dash for the line, the latter passing out to St George just as he was tackled within a yard or two of the whitewash. St George scored, but Stevenson missed the kick. Pirates 14, Winton nil. Pirates’ passing was weak at the centre, but soon after a fine transferring run from half to wing narrowly missed a score. Then Winton unexpectedly took a hand. Following fast after a kick by Jamieson, Thiers broke away from midfield and dribbled into the Pirate 25, where he sent the ball on to Edginton who scored well out. Cleland’s kick went outside. Pirates 14, Winton 3. Half time sounded shortly after. Play was resumed on No. 1 area. Glendining came on in place of Cockroft who had sustained a knee injury. Loose play in the centre followed the kick-off, from which Hazlett and Ashley got away. The latter was tackled down not far from the line but “rabbitted” on for a few yards more, before returning the ball to Hazlett, who scored in a good position. Stevenson missed. Pirates 17; Winton 3. Play returned to the Winton line, where Glendining secured in a ruck and dived across unopposed, the Winton men making the mistake of thinking the ball was coming to Blanks. Stevenson’s kick again failed. Pirates 20, Winton 3. A loose dribbling rush by the Pirates’ forwards travelled to the post, where Archer secured and went across. Stevenson goaled, making Pirates 25, Winton 3. Play centred in mid-field for a time and then Blanks led a solid rush, but a penalty kick enabled Winton to stave off a dangerous rush. But it was not for long, and Prain and Smith were at the head of a movement which ended in Archer being heaved out into touch at the corner flag. Winton worked back to their 25 line, but Gilmour secured a mark well out, and narrowly missed placing a goal, Winton forcing. Pirates followed with some good passing, chiefly on the blind side. Over on the far side near the Winton quarter flag, Stevenson, following up well, charged down a kick by Cleland, and in the ensuing melee Johnston secured and ran over. Stevenson missed, Pirates 28, Winton 3. Pirates set out again on what had become a monotonous score-getting excursion, and the ball went over the line all right, and appeared to have been touched down by Hazlett, who had no one near him, but the referee decided against him, and play resumed. A scrum enabled Winton to get clear again. Winton’s turn came at last. They had worked out to mid-field, where Thiers broke away in a solo dribble, which Winton carried on to the posts, Pirates forcing. Resuming in mid-field a penal-ty kick to Pirates was given to Blanks who landed a good goal. Pirates 31, Winton 3. Breaking away from a line out Smith started a promising movement, but a foot pass to a support was mulled, and Winton came round and stopped the attack. Winton were penalised in a scrum and Blanks landed another good goal. Pirates 34, Winton 3. Brown and Cleland helped to shift play back to the centre, and Winton’s last effort was a drop kick which went a little to the outside of the posts. Mr L. Foster controlled the game. MARIST (11) v WAIKIWI (8). (Green and Black) (Red and Black) Waikiwi—backs: Boraman ; McGill, Cross, Acton ; Broad, Murray ; Wills—forwards : R. Acton, Clark: Richardson, Rua, White; Melhop, Maltby; Edginton. Marist—backs: Hiddleston; Robertson, Coakley, Wills; Kelly, Shepherd, O’Halloran —forwards: Sheehan, Fogarty; C. Ryan, J. Ryan, Stanton; Mahoney, Toomey; Timpany. The game started with lively play and both sides were evidently out for open football. For the opening play was located about half way, neither side gaining much advantage. Twelve minutes after the kick off the first taste of good football came from the Greens, O’Halloran secured the ball from a line out and got it away. It travelled through the backs to Coakley, who drew both the opposing wing and full back before sending Wills away. The wing scored in a handy position and Coakley goaled. Marist 5; Waikiwi nil. The Greens kept at the passing game and were soon back in the Red 25 where another line-out ended in Robertson streaking for the line. Near his objective he was stopped, but Coakley had come round for another pass which he gathered in safely and dived across wide. Hiddleston failed with the 1 kick. Marist 8; Waikiwi nib This re-

verse put some vigour into the Reds and with Richardson and White in the van the ’Kiwi forwards made a great effort and worked the play into Marist’s 25. A free kick to Waikiwi was taken by Boraman who landed a good goal from about 35 yards out near the touch line. Marist 8; Waikiwi 3. The kick off was returned to inside the Green 25, but here the Green ’ forwards opened a pretty short passing movement which swept the whole length of the field and ended in Timpany being collared by Boraman as he dived for the line. Across the Red goal mouth play surged, the defenders offering a stout resistance. Another passing rush by the Greens saw Wills (Greens) side-stepping towards the line with Coakley inside him. Near the line Wills sent the ball in, and Coakley scored his second try. Wills failed with the kick. Marist 11; Waikiwi 3. Soon after the whistle for half time sounded.

The Reds started strongly in the second spell and a loose rush forced the Greens soon after the opening. Play ranged between the twenty-five flags until Cross put the Reds in a good position with a straight run, Murray and Richarson improving. Near the line White gathered the ball and tried to register, but a five-yard scrum was ordered. A hard kick allowed the Greens to obtain relief by forcing. Back came the Red horde, hammering away along the Green line but without success. The Greens, taking advantage of the slow passing by the Red backs, cleared to half. Another attack by the Reds was stopped by an off-side penalty given against them, although the kicker of the ball was many yards ahead of those ruled off-side. Boraman came through and mixed it with the forwards, but was beaten for the ball as he crossed the line. Greens forced. A few minutes later Boraman attempted a pot but the shot was not allowed and the Greens forced. The Greens mustered up their reserve strength and with a great rush swept downfield, but ’Kiwi got out with a force when things looked dangerous. White had to leave the field at this stage having received a knock on the hip. Attack and counter attack followed each other in rapid succession both sides being within inches of a score, but the defence always managed to repel the invasion. The Red pack was being continually pulled up by the referee, and at one ruling the crowd hooted that official. Time and time again the Red pack forged its way to the line, but something always went wrong and the Greens cleared. A centre by McGill landed in front of the Green goal mouth and Clarke, snapping up the ball, was across under the nosts. Boraman goaled. Marist 11; Waikiwi 8. Time was sounded soon after with Marist 11 points (one converted and two unconverted tries) ; Waikiwi 8 points (one converted try and a penalty goal). Dr Brown had charge of the game. STAR (11) v. BLUFF (3). (Black and White.) (Red and Gold.) STAR:—Backs: Lilley; J. L. Oughton, Brown, R. Oughtcn; Shand and D. Murray; J. S. Oughton; forwards: Smith, J. Murray; Agnew, Leggatt, Naylor; Aitken, Hall; Bell. BLUFF: —Backs: Phillipson; W. Harris, Forde, Soper; R. Harris, Norris, Clarke; forwards: Winter, Cooper; McQuarrie, Budd, Moffitt; Tall, McKenzie; Potter. Bluff kicked off against a strong sun, and, Soper following up fast, secured the ball and got through the opposing forwards with Budd alongside him, but Lilley took the ball almost from their feet and cleared. From a close forward tussle near the Star line, Norris, Bluff first five-eighth, securing from the ruck, dived fcr a score, but was stopped by two opposing forwards. After a lot of tight work in which Bluff had the upper hand, Lilley relieved with a strong line-kick. From the line-out Agnew came away at the head of the Star pack, and in a loose rush carried the play to half-way. A hot forward struggle ensued, Star giving ground slowly. Star were in a tight corner when at a scrum for a kncck-on from a line-out Potter was penalised for off-side play. Star attacked, and from a strum five yards from the Bluff goal-line, the ball was hooked to J. S. Oughton, who ran for the line, but could not get through the opposing forwards. Moffitt, at the head of the Bluff pack broke through, but kicked too hard, and Shand securing had an unsuccessful attempt to pot a goal. From another scrum the ball went from J. S. Oughton to Murray to Shand to Brown, who also tried to pot, the ball going wide. Bluff forced, and from the drop-out their forwards came away in a concerted attack, but Agnew stepped them with a mark. During a forward tussle at half-way, Clark, the Bluff half, was hurt, and was replaced by Crawford after considerable delay. Star had a brief spell of attacking, and then Budd, Moffitt and Potter put in a fine dribbling rush, which seemed likely to result in a score, but a penalty for illegal tackling stopped them. Shortly afterwards Bell was caught off-side, and from the kick Bluff again attacked. A scrum took place inside the Star twenty-five line, and Bluff heeled cleanly. The Bluff backs handled unfalteringly. Forde secured, and deceiving two Star men with dummy passes, dashed over the line near the corner and scored. Soper just failed with a fine kick.—Bluff, 3; Star, 0. Half-time came shortly after. From a line-out the Star backs got away and Brown put in a good run, being grassed near the Bluff line. In a loose scramble that ensued Tall secured the ball and kicked, but failed to get the line. Lilley secured and dropped for a goal, but the kick went wide. Bluff forced, and from the drop-out brought play to the Star twenty-five. From a loose scramble Budd threw the ball to Forde, who was finally brought down almost on the Star goal-line. Aitken and Agnew then broke through and brought the ball to half-way. Shand, following up fast, secured and passed to Brown just as he was collared by Forde. The Star centre, running strongly, scored near the posts. Agnew converted.—Star, 5; Bluff, 3. Bluff came back to the attack immediately. The kick from half-way was returned and Norris fielded well and got away with Forde in attendance. The movement ended near the Star line. In a scrum in the Star twentyfive the defending side were penalised for handling. Soper took the kick, but short. Norris had an unsuccessful drop for a goal, and Star forced. From a scrum in a good position Star heeled, but Potter bustled J. S. Oughton and his pass to Murray went astray. Bell, who was waiting in the rear, snapped up the ball, and diving like a flash through the Bluff forwards, scored. Agnew failed with the kick. Star, 8; Bluff, 3. Headed by Moffitt, the Bluff forwards carried the attack into Star territory and compelled them to force. From the drop-out the Bluff team was steadily forced back to within its own twenty-five. Oughton secured, and sent the backs away. Shand cut in and actually reached the line, but was held up by Bluff forwards. There was a scrum five yards out and Crawford kicked but failed to get the line. Lilley returned the kick and put Star on the attack again. From a loose scramble the ball was kicked back along the ground, and before the Bluff backs could get to it Aitken gathered up and scored easily. Agnew failed with the kick. —Star, 11; Bluff, 3. From a loose ruck following the kick-off Brown was given the ball and was finally grassed a yard from the line. Bluff forced. Shand marked the drop-out and kicked the ball back ever the Bluff line. Bluff forced again. Star was attacking at the close. Mr W. Duncan refereed. IN OTHER CENTRES. (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, April 28. University A. beat Zingaree 12 to 8. University B. beat Southern 14 to 9. Pirates beat Taieri Rovers 29 to 3. Alhambra beat Union -30 to nil. Kaikorai beat Dunedin 28 to 9. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. Marists beat Christchurch 9 to 3. Old Boys beat Linwood 14 to 8. ’Varsity beat Men vale 18 to 15. Albion beat North Canterbury 17 to 3. TIMARU, April 29. The football season opened in Timaru to-day in bright weather and on fast grounda

before large attendances of spectators. Old Boys beat Temuka by 26 to 5; Waihi (Geraldine) beat Celtic (Timaru) by 18 to 3, and Zingari beat Star 22 to 11. WELLINGTON, April 29. Athletic beat Hutt 35 to nil. Berhampore beat Oriental 12 to 5. Wellington beat ’Varsity 16 to 3. Petone beat Selwyn 21 to 12. Marist beat Old Boys 11 to 3. Poneke a bye. AUCKLAND, April 29. Grafton and Marist Old Boys drew, 8 all. Grammar Old Boys beat Newton 21 to nil. North Shore beat Eden 18 to nil. College Rifles beat Ponsonby 9 to 8. University beat Suburbs (last year juniors) 35 to nil. LEAGUE FOOTBALL IN OTHER TOWNS. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. Addington beat Sydenham 7 to 2; Woolston beat Linwood 11 to 6; Kaiapoi beat Hornby 6 to 5. WELLINGTON, April 29. At League Hutt beat Newtown 16 to 5. 2. ENGLISH TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 27. The Council of the Rugby League decided to accept the New South Wales League’s offer for a team to tour Australia in 1924. SOCCER CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. (Per United Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, April 29. Western beat Lyttelton 2 to 1. Nomads beat Villa 3 to nil. Sunnyside beat Thistle 3 to 1. IN NORTHERN PLACES. WELLINGTON, April 28. Thistle beat Philomel 5 to 3; Nortcote beat Y.M.C.A. 6 to 1; North Shore beat Brotherhood 5 to 1. WELLINGTON, April 29. Senior A: Y.M.C.A. beat Thistle 3 to 1; Watersiders beat Gas Co. 13 to 2; Marist and Diamonds drew, one all; Hospital beat Karori 5 to 2. Senior B: Island Bay beat Swifts 2 to 1; Institute beat Y.M.C.A. B. 6 to nil; Porirua beat Brooklyn 4 to 2; Scottish Wanderers beat South Wellington 2 to nil.