RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 20209, 21 June 1927, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

BOUTHLAND UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS. The weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the Southland Rugby Football Union held last, evening was attended by Messrs A. H. Courtis (chairman), T. McCarroll, D. K. Torrance, P. Donnelly, P. Shaw, W. Robison, W. Duncan, W. Baird, A. H. Stott, P. Rice and C. A. Davis. CORRESPONDENCE. The Bluff Club complained of the Star second grade team’s lack of consideration in not advising the writers of their intention to default on Saturday last. They desired the union to request an explanation from the Star Club. The Star Club wrote stating that several of their players had failed to put in an appearance at the train and they had no alternative to a belated default. Further tney considered that they were suffering an injustice as they had played the Bluff team at Bluff only a fortnight previously. It was decided that the game be .held over and played at a later date if necessary. The Otago ’Varsity Dental Students' Association wrote thanking the union for allowing the use of Rugby Park for their match against the Southland Boys’ High School.—Received. J. H. Forde (Bluff), an ex-Southland representative, applied for a regrade on the grounds that he could do more by example in one or two matches than he could in a whole season of night coaching.—Application refused, the chairman stating that all rules doubtlessly pressed heavily on some player or other, and the union should beware of establishing dangerous precedents. The Radio Broadcasting Company (Christchurch) requested a complete list of the inter-provincial Rugby fixtures to be played at Invercargill this season. The writers explained that they were endeavouring to arrange with someone in Invercargill to forward the results of these matches as , soon as they were played so that they could be broadcasted during the evening.—lnformation to be supplied. The Invercargill Club applied for a regrade from first to second for C. Graham. —Referred to Regrading Committee. The Otago Union suggested that, the date for the annual Deacon Cup match (to be played at Dunedin) be Saturday, October I.—lt was agreed to accept the date. COUNTRY FIXTURES. The Eastern District Sub-Union wrote confirming the date, June 29, for the annual match, Town v. Eastern at Gore. The writers also suggested that the Town v. Combined Sub-Unions’ match be played on July 23.—Referred to the selectors for consideration.

The Northern District advised that its annual seven-a-side tournament at Balfour was fixed for July 16, and asked that the Town v. Country match be played on another day.—lt was decided to suggest that the tournament be held on Juiy 23. GENERAL. The referee (Mr. J. Latta) in the recent third grade match, Star v. Marist, in which the captain of the former team was ordered off for rough play and bad language, attended the meeting, as did also the player. After hearing the statements of both the committee commended the referee on the action he had taken and decided that the player stand down for one playing Saturday. Mr. Shaw, speaking from a personal acquaintance with the player agreed that doubtless it had been necessary to make an example of someone in the interests of cleaner football, but he regretted that a player of this person’s calibre and sportsmanship should have been the one to suffer. His amendment that no action be taken was lost. Mr. Shaw later suggested that in order to overcome a lot of the difficulty lately encountered in junior football it be a recommendation to the various clubs to send a representative to each match with their respective teams. He also suggested that Rugby Union officials might accomplish some good by paying visits to junior matches. The chairman agreed that Mr. Shaw’s proposal was a commendable one. The following regrades were granted on the recommendation of the Regrading Committee:—R. Creaser (Star) from first to second grade; and W. Torrance (Star) from second to third grade. It was resolved to inquire of the New Zealand Union as to the manner in which the touring Maori team’s itinerary was compiled. FIXTURES. The following fixtures were approved for Saturday, June 25: SENIORS. Pirates v. Invercargill, Rugby Park No. 1, 2.30 p.m. Star v. Southern, Rugby Park No. 2, 2.30 p.m. SECOND GRADE. Waikiwi v. Star. Biggar Street No. 1, 2.30 p.m. Pirates v. Bluff, Biggar Street No. 2, 2.45 p.m. Marist v. Invercargill, Queen’s Park, No. 1, 2.30 p.m. THIRD GRADE. Invercargill v. Star, Rugby Park No. 1, 1.15 p.m. High School A v. Bluff, Bluff, 3 p.m. Pirates v. Technical, Queen’s Park No. 2, 2 p.m. Marist v. Southern, Southern, 2 p.m. High School B a bye. FOURTH GRADE. Southern v. Technical, Tweed Street, 2 p.m. Marist v. Waikiwi, Waikiwi, 2.30 p.m. Invercargill v. High School, 2 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29. Canadian Match: Soccer (Canada v. Southland). NORTHERN DISTRICT GAMES. (From Our Correspondent). The weather was fine for the matches in the Northern District on Saturday. Playing at Riversdale the shield holders defeated the home side by 28 points to 8. The teams were: Lumsden:—U. Crosbie, Cunningham, N. Crosbie, A. Reidy, Wellman, Tomlin, Johnson, C. Tomlin, Small, Earl, Thomson, J. Ogilvy, L. Ogilvy, Richards. Riversdale:—Clearwater, McAuliffe, Dawson, Ryan, F. Shallard, W. Shallard, Lenon, Nairn, Ryan, White, Kelly, Ferris, P. Shallard, McNeil. The visitors proved to be too strong for their opponents, the backs in particular showing their superiority. Cunningham scored the first try from a passing rush. The kick at goal failed. Shortly after Lumsden were awarded a penalty and Tomlin goaled. From a passing rush N. Crosbie secured and passed to Cunningham who in-passed to Wellman, the latter scoring under the posts. Tomlin converted. Riversdale attacked and from a scramble near the line the forwards forced their way over to score. Shallard converted. Earl, Simms and J. Ogilvy were prominent in a forward rush which resulted in Simms scoring another try for the visitors. The Lumsden backs were receiving the ball from the scrums and some good passing rushes were witnessed, the backs handling well. Just before half-time was called Richards scored from a passing rush. The kick at goal failed and the spell ended: Lumsden 17, Riversdale 5. In the second spell the visitors added .11 more points to the total. Tomlin scored after a good run but the try was not converted. N. Crosbie scored the next try for the visitors as a result of a passing bout among the backs. U. Crosbie failed with the kick. The Riversdale team rallied and as a result of a forward rush registered a try which was not converted. The last score was got by G. Tomlin who received the ball from a scrummage near the line and dashed over to score in a good position. He converted with a good kick. The game ended with the score: Lumsden 28, Riversdale 8«

U. Crosbie at full-back gave a good display. Wellman and Cunningham were also prominent in the backs. The home team was outclassed in the backs but it possesses some good forwards, especially Shallard and White, who should have strong claims to Northern District rep. honours as the season progresses. Mr L. Guyton was referee. Balfour defeated Lumsden B at Lumsden by 21 points to 8. The sides were fairly evenly matched, the visitors having the advantage in weight. A very ragged game was witnessed by the large number of spectators and the play was not up to first-grade standard. In the first spell Balfour attacked and from a ruck near the line Alexander secured and passed to McGregor who scored under the posts. Rutter converted. Shortly after, from a rush by the Balfour forwards, Alexander scored near the corner flag. Rutter failed with the kick. From the kickoff Savage received but was well tackled by Senior. Menzies, following up closely, gathered the ball and made for the line und was nearly across. A free kick relieved the visitors. Lumsden was awarded a penalty and D. Ogilvy goaled. The spell ended with the score B—3 in favour of Balfour. Lumsden opened the scoring account in the second spell. Ogilvy fielded a kick by the opposing side and returned to Savage, the Balfour full-back, who mis-kicked acrossI field. Ogilvy, following up closely, was able [ to gather the ball and score under the posts. He also converted, making the scores level, j The weight of the Balfour pack began to I tell on the lighter forwards and the visitors ; received the ball from the scrums. Rutter : kicked a penalty and put the visitors in the i lead. Balfour continued to attack until McKay marked. Keown fielded the kick and dropped a good goal. From a scrum near the line Rutter scored another try for the visitors but. was unsuccessful with the kick. The last try was scored by A. McGregor from a scramble near the line. No goal resulted, and the game ended: Balfour 21, Lumsden B. 8. The game was practically devoid of any back play or passing rushes and was a tussle between the forwards. Senior and McGregor were the pick of the Lumsden pack, while M. Menzies and L. Patterson showed promise in the backs. Alexander, in the forwards, and Thomas and 8. Keown in the backs, were the outstanding players on the Balfour side. Mr C. Belsham was referee. The fixtures set down for Saturday will be played on Wednesday, 22nd., in view of the hockey tournament at Waikaia. The following referees have been appointed by the Sub-Union for Wednesday’s games:— Lumsden A v Waikaia, at Waikaia; Mr D. Thomas. Waikaia A. v Riversdale, at Riversdale; Mr L. Guyton. Moesburn v. Balfour, at Balfour; Mr J. McMath. Lumsden B. v Pirates, at Lumsden; Mr G. Johnson.