RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 20202, 13 June 1927, Page 10

RUGBY

STAR ROUTS BLUES Easy Win for Pirates The Galbraith Shield games were advanced another stage on Saturday when under perfect playing conditions and before large crowds, Star outclassed Blues and Pirates had a runaway victory over Southern.

STAR (26) v. BLUES (8) Played on No. 1 ground, this game r£ suited” in a decisive win for Star. In the first spell, Blues held their own and had the best of the game territorially. A reversal of form was seen in the second, however, as the Star back machine got going and put over some brilliant movements. The Blues were weakened by injuries to several of their regular players, while Star were .strengthened by the inclusion of Mahoney and McAuliffe. The play throughout was sparkling and interesting and provided the spectators with more of the handball game than has been seen on the Park this season. The teams lined out as follows: Star (Navy and White) —Campbell; D. Murray, McAuliffe, R. Oughton; G. Oughton, Bell; Connolly; Adams, Howden; Padget, Cockroft, Shaw; Hennessey, Creaser; Mahoney. Blues (Blue and Black) —Cheyne; A. Todd, McKay, Wills; Norris, Ottrey; C. Johnson; C. Todd, Graham; Dennis, Clarke, Southern; Matheson, Burnett; Smith. Star kicked off facing a strong sun. In the first three minutes of the game, during which Star passing broke down, the Blue forwards rushed play to Stars’ line, where C. Johnson picked up smartly, and eluding two opponents, broke Campbell’s tackle to stumble just short of the line as he dived to score. Star were here penalised for picking out of the scrum and McKay had a shot at goal, but failed. Midfield play from the drop out and McAuliffe was given a chance to goal from a penalty but he also failed. Star were heeling cleanly in the scrums and set up passing which was broken up by Blues’ inside men. From some loose play Johnson sent McKay away, who transferred to Wills on the wing. The ex-Marist flyer put in a dashing corkscrew run and beat Campbell badly, but was grassed by G. Oughton just as he was clear to race for the line. Star were again penalised, and McKay raised a cheer from the stand with his attempt, but the ball dropped under the bar and Star forced. Blues maintained the upper hand for some time and although failing to win the scrums by clean heeling managed to get plenty of ball, consequently Johnson repeatedly sent his backs away in some good thrusts. Norris intercepted two counter rushes by Star, and from the second took Bell’s pass to G. Oughton and sprinted through to brush Campbell aside and score in a handy position. McKay converted. —Blues 5; Star nil.— Wills was again prominent in a dashing run at the end of a crisp passing rush, taking his pass at top and bustling his waypast opponents in easy style. Play was mostly in Star 25. Two penalties in fair position (against Star) were missed by McKay and Johnson. Star momentarily gained Blues’ quarter, the forwards being responsible, but Norris and Wills, in a neat in and out passing bout, re-established play in Stars’ 25. The smaller Blue forwards dominated loose play, and it was not their fault that Star managed to gain Blues’ 25 where a White passing rush threatened danger. BurnoH marked cleverly under the posts. Campbell took his clearance well and opened up passing, Mahoney and R. Oughton also handling, the movement ending in a dive between two Blue men by R'. Oughton who was awarded a try. The kick failed. —Blues 5; Star 3. This success spurred Star to further effort. From a loose scrum at halfway, Shaw picked up and sent on to Bell, to Creaser, to McAuliffe, the centre scoring a fine try. Campbell failed and half-time was called with the scores; —Star 6; Blues 5. The second spell opened disastrously for Blues, 6 points being registered against them in three minutes. Connolly set up a passing rush which went through the whole chain, D. Murray scoring a fine try in the comer. Cockroft failed to convert. —Star 9; Blues 5. Shortly after the kick-off, Blues were penalised almost in front and McAuliffe goaled from the second attempt, the Blues’ forwards having charged the first attempt. —Star 12; Blues 5. This reverse did not hinder Blues, however, as a few minutes later, Johnson secured and jazzed his way in and out to beat everyone but Campbell, who pulled him down at the corner flag. Two of Stars’ clearances were charged down and C. Todd barged his way over with a pile of Star men on him. Ottrey failed. —Star 12; Blues B. From this out Star took complete charge and overwhelmed the tiring Blues’ back and forward. Cheyne was called upon to do a lot of saving. His fielding and returning repulsed Star repeatedly. From a line-out in Blues’ half, McAuliffe received and short punted. He beat Cheyne to the ball and kicked over to race the Blue full-back and score. He failed to add the minor points. —Star 15; Blues B. The Star hookers were sending the ball back to Connolly with monotonous regularity and the Star half made good use of it. He sent his backs away time and time again. Only the good tackling of the Blue rearguard kept the score down. From one of these passing rushes McAuliffe received and cut off the opposition badly. G. Oughton was in support and received under the posts to ground just as Wills came across to collar him. Wills hit the post hard and was temporarily knocked out. R. Oughton failed. —Star 18; Blues B. Some good individual bursts were made by Blue men, but generally, the Invercargill men were called upon to defend. Mahoney next started a movement in which G. Oughton, McAuliffe and Bell handled, tbe latter scoring between the posts. McAuliffe goaled. —Star 23; Blues B. Adams was injured and retired. Campbell attempted a pot which failed. Blues were now badly beaten and the Star threw the ball about as they wished. In the last minute of the game, G. Oughton scored after R. Oughton had knocked on badly, but the play was allowed to go on. McAuliffe failed to goal and time was called with the score. —Star 26; Blues B. PIRATES (36) v. SOUTHERN (4) With several of their best players absent and their places filled by third grade boys, the Light Blues were not able to put up the fight against the Blacks that their supporters confidently expected they would. In the first spell there was nothing between the teams territorially, but thanks to scoring, backs Pirates had put on thirteen

points. After the interval the Blacks clapped on the pace and rattled on twentythree points. Southern often got near the Pirate line, but there were no men capable of finishing off the movements. The credit <4 breaking the ice for the Blues belongs to Fletcher, who potted a neat goal. The teams were— Pirates (Black) —Thomas; Geddes, Diack, Calder; Pickering, Pay; J. Johnson; Roberts, Tinnock, Hazlett, Cockroft, Batcheler; R. McKay, Bird; W. Johnston. Southern (Light Blue) —Cavanagh; Hamilton, Philpott, Hughes; Fletcher, Brown; Wood; Patterson, Mannix; Hamilton, Jack, Lilley; J. McEwan, Blair; R. McEwan. Blacks faced the sun and Hamilton and R. McEwan led the Blue forwards in an invasion into the Pirate stronghold, where for five minutes Southern made the pace and had all the better of the exchanges. When the pressure was relaxed the Blacks tried passing, but Pickering went too far, and Southern took up the running. Hughes got across, but the whistle had gone and the hefty Black forwards swept play back from the scrum. W. Johnston did some jersey grabbing round the scrum that cost his side a penalty. Diack’s voice could be heard exhorting his men to “go it,” and the exhortation was certainly needed, for the Blacks were a lifeless crew, and had Southern not lost good chances by hard kicking, first blood would not have been the freebooters. As it was, however, Black passing produced a try after twenty minutes’ play. Joe Johnson sent a high pass to Flickering, who held it well and handed on to Pay. The five-eighths went too far and was collared, but his opponent foolishly let him go. Davie went on, passed to Diack, who let Geddes away. The wing had too much foot for Southern and scored in a handy position for Diack to convert. —Pirates, 5; Southern, o. Again hard kicking cost Southern a try. Joe Johnson had to retire and Bird amused himself behind the scrum till Ron Mills came on at full-back and Thomas went to half. McEwan made a fine breakaway, but kicked too hard, and the full-back easily cleared. Cavanagh was having plenty to do now’ at full-back and was doing it well. Southern’s tackling, usually so deadly, was weak, and when a Black got the ball he went a good way before being floored. Several times the Blacks made a lot of ground with passing, Hazlett coming in well at the end of the back chain. Offside play by Southern cost them three points, Diack’s kick going well between the uprights. —Pirates, 8; Southern, o. Very shortly afterwards Diack registered five more points—a gift from the Blues. The Black skipper came through and kicked hard along the ground. He and two Blues with a yard start had a race for the ball, which had gone over the line. The defenders got there first, but each waited for the other to force, and Charlie picked up and trotted behind the posts. It was money from home, and to show his appreciation he converted. —Pirates, 13; Southern, o. While the Southern men did a lot of coughing and looked seedy, Pirates made the play, but did not succeed in crossing before half-time. One pretty bout of passing was begun by Roberts in the line-out. McKay thought he was clear, but had his heels tapped. Otherwise a try would have resulted. SECOND SPELL. Burtenshaw replaced Hamilton in the Blue pack after half-time. Pirates came determined to throw’ the ball about. The forwards engaged in hand-ball that threatened danger to Southern and after one bout Hazlett galloped over near the posts and Diack converted. —Pirates, 18; Southern, o. Not long after from a scrum near the Blue line Thomas received and fooled the opposition in a bright flash. Diack again goaled. —Pirates, 23; Southern, o. Southern decided that the Blacks had had enough fun for a while and assumed the role of attackers. After Hughes and Cavanagh had failed to pot goals, the third

time proved lucky, for Fletcher’s neat dropkick went well and truly between the posts. —Pirates, 23; Southern, 4. Southern kept at it, Bert McEwan battling hard in the forwards. A new Blue passing rush failed to bear fruit when Hughes dropped a pass just near the line. Pirates re asserted themselves and “Rat” Johnston neatly picked up a grubber from Wood, ran to the full-back and handed to Bird, who scored under the posts. Geddes oaled. —Pirates, 28; Southern, 4. Pickering went off with an injured ankle and was replaced by Faulkner, who soon showed that he had the goods. In one passing movement he cut in sweetly, but did not copy the man he replaced and go too far. Just at the right time he handed to Diack, who raced across and let Geddes add the extra points. —Pirates, 33; Southern, 4. Cavanagh made one or two mulls—an unusual thing for him, and on the second occasion tried to recover by playing the ball on lhe ground. Diack, however, did not goal. A few minutes later the Black skipper cut off a pass and proved much too fast for his pursuers. Geddes missed an easy kick, for which his club-mates cheered ironically. —Pirates 36, Southern 4. McEwan was injured in splendidly tackling Diack and went to full-back for the last few minutes of the game, the only feature of which was a nice blind-side movement by the Blue backs, with Hughes prominent in a dash that just failed. The game ended with the score——Pirates, 36; Southern, 4. Mr G. Dennis was referee. CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS GALBRAITH SHIELD COMPETITION. The following table shows the position of senior teams to date:—

* Marist withdrew from the competition at the conclusion of the first round. SECOND GRADE. MARIST (16) v. BLUFF (13). Considering the fact that Bluff commenced the game with Marist on Biggar street ground No. 2 with only thirteen men, and lost another man before half time, the final result, a defeat by three points, was quite meritorious. In the first half of the game, Marist displayed more dash and kept Bluff fighting hard to defend their line. Marist scored an unconverted try in the first few minutes of the game and followed it up by another try a short time later, the second goal being kicked. Just before half time Bluff made a determined sortie into Marist ground and Harris snapped up to beat the opposing backs and score between the posts. The kick succeeded. Half-time scores were Marist 8, Bluff 5. Marist again attacked strongly in the second half, and, from a bunch near the Bluff line, crossed to score a converted try. Bluff then livened up and after some nice passing got across, the kick failing. Marist 13, Bluff 8. Immediately afterwards a determined rush by Marists saw them score wide out. The kick at goal failed. The game towards the end became very fast and after some even play in which Marist were slightly superior, Harris picked up near the side-line and dashed across. The try was converted. The game ended shortly after with the scores;—Marist 16, Bluff 13. INVERCARGILL (9) v. STAR (5). Blues and Star played a hard game on No. 1 Biggar street ground, the former team winning by four points, all the scores being gained in the second half. During the first half neither team could secure any advantage and although at times both sides appeared to be close to scoring, play was brought back to mid-field. In the second half Blues showed up to advantage and had it not been for the good work of the Star full-back, the margin in favour of Blues would have been much greater. On one occasion Star broke away and crossed, the goal being kicked, giving them their only score for the match. The work of the Blue team as a whole was good, the backs handling cleanly and the forwards putting in good work in the tight stuff. THIRD GRADE. INVERCARGILL (60) v. BLUFF (3). Invercargill travelled to Bluff and gained a crushing victory over the home team by sixty points to three. Tries were scored for Blues by J. Low four, R. Frampton three, Ladbrook, Pomeroy, G. Frampton and White one each, O’Kane’ one try and one potted goal. Lee converted ten tries. Mr E. Kelly was referee. STAR (20) v. MARIST (12). On Queen’s Park Star met and defeated Marist by eight points. The game was very willing and interesting. The scorers for Star were: Lee three tries, Don Agnew one, and a potted goal. D. Agnew and Lee converted one each. For Marist Walsh scored twice and Milne and Wybrow once. No try was converted. A Star player was ordered off by the referee. Mr J. Latta refereed. TECHNICAL (7) v. HIGH SCHOOL A (3). On the Herbert street grounds High School were defeated by Technical by four points after a close and interesting game. Technical points were gained from a potted goal and a try. Hamilton kicked' a penalty goal for High school. FOURTH GRADE. WAIKIWI (15) v. TECHNICAL (5). On the Queen’s Park Waikiwi defeated Technical by ten points after a very ragged game. MARIST (20) v. HIGH SCHOOL (8). Marist met and defeated High School on the latter’s ground by 20 points. The game was ragged, but some good back play was witnessed. Mr H. F. Miller was referee. IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND. Grammar (14) beat 'Varsity (13). Ponsonby (14) beat Marist (3). College Rifles (10) beat Training College (8). Grafton (13) beat North Shore (0). Du Chateau, the College Rifles half back, continued his run of bad luck by receiving a cut over the right eye, necessitating his retirement for the second Saturday in succession. In the course of the Ponsonby-Marist game, two Ponsonby forwards were compelled to retire from the game as the result of injuries received. McWilliams damaged his ankle and McCarthy got a hand badly spiked. WELLINGTON. ’Varsity (14) beat Marist (12). Oriental (16) beat Hutt (3). Old Boys (26) beat Berhampore (9). Petone (18) beat Athletic (9). Poneke (13) drew with Wellington (13). Rough play was fairly general, in some cases the referees treating offenders quite unconcernedly. In the Petone-Athletic match, two players were ordered off. CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch (21) beat Merivale (8). Albion (9) beat Linwood (3). ’Varsity (19) beat Technical (11).

DUNEDIN. ’VARSITY A DEFEATED. Alhambra 5 v. ’Varsity A 3. ’Varsity B 16 v. Dunedin 3. Pirates 11 v. Southern 8. • Zingari 11 v. Union 6. Kaikorai 13; v. Taieri 5. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURE. HAWKE’S BAY DEFEAT POVERTY BAY A DULL GAME. (Per United Press Association.) Napier, June 11. The second representative match of the season was played here to-day before an attendance of 5000 when Hawke’s Bay defeated Poverty Bay by 14 to 3. The match was tame for the most part, the play of both sides lacking enthusiasm. The home team’s play improved towards I the end and the opposition were hard put I to keep them out. The visitors were not impressive, their attacks lacking sting. The home side seemed to be taking things easy but now and again a flash of their old form was seen. For the winners Corkill scored two tries and converted one and kicked a penalty and J. Gemmell scored the other try. Waiters secured the visitor’s only try. Mr P. R. Smyrk, of Napier, refereed. AUCKLAND TEAM. PLAYERS TO TRAIN FOR THAMES MATCH. The following Rugby players have been selected to keep in training to represent Auckland against Thames next Saturday:— Backs—Ruru, Sheen, Barclay, Lucas, Berridge, McManus, Paewai, Matheson and C. Badeley; forwards —Palmer, Righton, S. Hadley, Keene, Batty, Knight, Wanoa and Findlayson. SCHOOL FIXTURES. This week’s games will be.as follows: —Grade I.— —Tuesday, June 14, at 3.30 p.m.— St. George v. Marist, Tweed street. Middle v. High B, Eastern Reserve. North v. Waihopai, High School. High A v. South, Tweed street No. 2. —Grade ll. —Friday, June 17, at 3.30 p.m.— Middle v. High, Eastern Reserve. St. George v. Marist, Tweed street. South v. Waikiwi, Park School. —Grade lII. —Friday, June 17, at 2.45 p.m.— Marist v. South, Eastern Reserve. Middle v. Waihopai, Park School. North v? St, George, Tweed street. NORTHERN SUB-UNION. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. (From Our Correspondent.) A meeting of the Northern District SubUnion was held on Friday. Mr C. Belsham presided, and the following delegates were also present: Messrs T. Small, Lumsden, B. Clearwater, J. Kelly (Riversdaie), M. Rasmussen, A. Scobie (Balfour), T. Mitchell, T. Chamberlain (Waikaia), J. Watson (Mossburn) and G. Sprout. The secretary Southland Rugby Union wrote asking if any entries might be expected for the proposed seven-a-side at Invercargill.—Referred to the various clubs. Letters were received from the S.R.F.U. enclosing the tentative programme for the season and also copies of the latest rules. The boundaries as decided on by the Southland Union were explained, and a letter relating to the Amateur Sports Cup, which is to replace the Sports Protection banner, also received. The secretary of the Northern District Hockey tournament committee wrote stating that it had been decided to hold a tourney on the 25th inst. subject to the approval of the Sub-Union. —It was decided to postpone the football fixtures on that date and to hold the matches set down for that day on Wednesday 22. Mr C. Belsham reported on the meeting of the S.R.F.U. at which delegates from the sub-union were present to discuss the boundary question.—Mr Belsham was thanked for his report. It was decided to hold the first seven-a-side tournament at Balfour on July 16, arrangements to be made by the Balfour Club, The following transfers were granted: R. Dawson and J. Hazlett from Pirates to Mossburn; William McKay from Nightcaps to Lumsden; E. Paterson and W. Paterson from Heriot to Waikaia. The transfer of R. Smith from Pirates to Lumsden was granted subject to his clearance being in order. Accounts amounting to £2l were passed for payment. The matter of holding a schools competition was held over in the meantime.

Team. M.P. w. L. Points. Chm Pts For. Agn Pirates .. . . 6 6 0 181 36 12 Star . 6 4 9 96 61 8 Invercacgill 6 2 4 74 104 4 Southern . 6 1 5 62 143 Mari-st . . 4 1 3 27 96 2