RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 19896, 15 June 1926, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TOURNAMENT AT BALFOUR. BALFOUR A WIN SENIOR EVENT. The annual seven-a-side tournament held under the auspices of the Northern Subunion took place at Balfour on Saturday, June 12. The tournament was conducted by the Balfour Club and the nett proceeds go to the funds of the sub-union. Excellent arrangements had been made by the club and a fine day was all that was needed tp make the tourney a success. However, the spell of good weather which was experienced during the week broke on Saturday morning and the games were played on a wet ground, the playing area being in such a state as to make a good display of football impossible. The weather cleared in the afternoon for a while but broke again later and many of the games were played in pouring rain. The boisterous weather did not deter the public from attending and a large crowd witnessed the games, people being present from all parts of the district. There were good entries for the three events, six entries for the schools competition, one team coming from Mataura— which won the medals. In the second grade competition, 12 teams were nominated, the only outside entry being Pukerau. This competition was won by the Lumsden Club. In the senior competition there were six teams from the northern district, there being no outside entries. Balfour A were the winners of this competition, in which there were* many interesting games, the teams being evenly matched. The secretary, Mr A. Scobie, carried out his duties in an efficient and obliging manner and was assisted by a strong committee who worked hard under adverse weather conditions to make the day a success. The gate takings were in the vicinity of £3O. In the evening a huge ball was held in Mr Rasmussen’s barn and was well attended, the trophies being presented to the winning teams. SCHOOL COMPETITION. (Winners, seven silver medals.) First round.—Riversdale 3 defeated Balfour nil; Lumsden 5 defeated Waikaia nil; Mataura 27 defeated Dipton nil. Second round.—Riversdale 8, Lumsden 3. Final.—Mataura 2, Riversdale nil. SECOND GRADE COMPETITION. (Winners, seven silver medals.) First round.—Waikaia A 6, Dipton B nil; Lumsden 5, Riversdale B nil; Mossburn A 3, Waikaia B nil; Balfour 3, Mossburn B nil; Riversdale 3, Dipton 1. Pirates and Pukerau, byes. Second round.—Lumsden 2, Waikaia A nil; Pukerau Mossburn A nil; Balfour i, Pirates nil; Riversdale, bye. Semi-final.—Lumsden 4, Pukerau nil; Riversdale 4, Balfour nil. Final.—Lumsden 2, Riversdale nil. Lumsden: Ogilvy, Tomlin, W. Clark, J. Clark, Johnson, O’Neil, Richards. Riversdale: Shallard, Wilson, Dawson, Wright, Jopp, Soper, Stanton. The game was played in semi-darkness and it was difficult to distinguish the colours of the teams. The Lumsden team had the better of the play in the first spell and handled the ball much better than their opponents. From a dribbling rush near the line W. Clark scored well out and the kick at goal was not successful In the second spell the Lumsden team played the safe game and were called upon to defend their goal line in the remaining few minutes of the game. The game ended with Lumsden defending and the scores unaltered. Mr G. Sprout was referee. SENIOR COMPETITION. (Seven gold medals.) First round. —Waikaia 1, Lumsden nil. The teams were evenly matched and a good game was witnessed. The Lumsden team was lighter but their backs were faster and more nippy than their opponents. There was no score until just on the call of time, when Waikaia were awarded a penalty, which Stevenson converted. Mr W. Leech was referee. Balfour A 5, Waikaia B nil. This was an easy game for Balfour A and the issue was never in doubt. For Balfour Adams and Feebly scored while Adams converted a penalty kick. Mr R. Hayles was referee. Balfour B 4j, Pirates 4. For Balfour Joyce and McGregor scored and for Pirates Cunningham and Smith scored tries, making the scores even, and the extra two minutes were played. There was still no further score and the teams were called on to play until one side scored and Pirates were obliged to force down, giving the opposing side 4 point. Second round.—Waikaia 4, Balfour B nil. Waikaia had little difficulty in disposing of Balfour B. Tries were scored by Stevenson and Maher, none of which were converted. Mr Leech was referee. Final —Balfour 2, Waikaia nil. Balfour: Adams, Crmcksfrank, Brett, Feebly, Stickles, Savage, Neilson. Waikaia: Moffitt, S. Lee, A. Lee, Hamer, Stevenson, Maher, Lindsay. This game was also played in semi-dark-ness. Balfour kicked off and forced their opponents into their own 25.. The forwards dribbled the ball to the Waikaia line, where Brett snapped up the ball and dived across to score. The kick failed. In the second spell Waikaia made desperate efforts to cross but the defence was too strong and with the failing light passing rushes were out of the question. The game ended with play in midfield. Mr W. Leech was referee.