THE NATIONAL GAME

Southland Times, Issue 20220, 4 July 1927, Page 8

THE NATIONAL GAME

Saturday’s Matches

Blues Draw With Star

A Stubborn Contest Perfect weather conditions prevailed en Saturday afternoon when the Galbraith Shield competition was advanced another stage, Blues and Star making a drawn game—l2 points each—of their contest, and Pirates securing a comfortable win over Southern by 30 points to II points. The results of the games now give Pirates a one point lead over Star in the championship.

BLUES (12) r. STAR (12) Great interest centred in the Park No. 1 game—Blues v. Star—stand patrons being provided with one of the most stirring contests of the season. Fortunes fluctuated from the first whistle, first one side and then the other taking the lead in points’ scoring, whilst the scores drew level on four occasions. Ten minutes from time Blues had established a 12—9 lead, and it looked as if they were going to run out winners, they were going so strongly, but Star made a supreme effort and managed to score the equalising try five minutes from time. It was a strenuous encounter, and while, owing to the greasy ground conditions, the standard of football was by no means superlative, excitement ran high, there being plenty of incident throughout. Star’s showing was inferior to that of Blues. They got most ball from the scrums and line-outs, but failed to make full use of it. The Blues rearguard handled well and made many telling thrusts by this means, over-eagerness on the part of some of the backs alone spoiling several likelylooking efforts. Each side scored four tries, none of which were converted.

The teams lined out as follows:—Star (Blue and White) —Campbell; D. Murray, McAuliffe, R. Oughton; G. Oughton, Bell; Connolly; Sheehan, Howden; Shaw, Cockroft, Padget; Hennessey, Lilley; Mahoney. Blues (Blue and Blacks—Cheyne; Wills A. McKay, Manson; Norris, Ottrey; C. Johnson; Mills, Burnett; Cummings, Southern, Dennis; Matheson, Smith; Kerse.

Blues kicked off in the face of a strong sun, and for the first five minutes kept Star busily defending. Manson secured and ran 15 yards before punting through to Campbell. Ottrey followed up strongly and bagged Campbell, ball and all. Star cleared their line but the Blue forwards came back, over-hard kicking enabling Star to force. Star transferred play to Blues twenty-five, following the drop out, Connolly ultimately picking up in loose play and potting unsuccessfully. Star again attacked but Kerse thwarted the movement by cutting off a pass from Connolly. Kerse was ordered to swap jerseys with Cheyne, the wing-forward’s colours having faded, which made them closely resemble a Star jersey. Scrambling ground football at midfield followed, Blues gaining territory with loose play. A free kick to Star relieved and they surged to Blues line where Cockroft and Shaw both made desperate efforts to force their way over. Good tackling by Cheyne saved certain tries. The game was fairly fast and play ranged from one end to the other in rapid fashion. Norris broke away in a solo dribble and beat Campbell, but the bounce favoured the Star fullback who cleared weakly to Cheyne. The Blue full-back gathered in his stride and sprinted through a maze of players to set up passing on the stand wing with Ottrey. In and out they went in a spectacular bout, Cheyne finally receiving to beat the defence and score a pretty try near the corner. Ottrey failed to goal. —Blues 3, Star o. Star passing twice broke down. Murray caught a clearance by Wills and raced for the line with only Cheyne to pass. Cheyne was equal to the occasion and nipped in on Murray’s in-pass to a support. Play swung smartly to R. Oughton’s wing where several players came to grief in the mud. R. Oughton managed to keep his feet and kick the ball through the ruck and over the line. He got there first to touch down for an easy try. Lilley missed. —Star 3, BI ups 3. Norris and Cheyne were showing up in good defensive work, Star forwards having dominated play for a period. Neither side could handle, the ball appearing to be like a lump of lead. Blues were forced. Immediately, however, the Star attack was rewarded, G. Oughton cutting in sweetly during a passing rush and changing direction to give Mahoney a try in a handy position. Lilley failed. —Star 6, Blues 3. Blues retaliated and took all before them in a sweeping rush, in which backs and forwards participated, to Star’s line. Another thrust was held up by Star infringing in front. Mills’ attempt just went outside. Ottrey then foolishly threw away a certain try by going too far on his own In a rearguard rush, he received and cut off everything to the full, but instead of handing to Wills for a clear run in, he elected to go on his own and was bagged. A scrum was formed a moment later and Burnett went over to score and equalise with both packs on top of him. Ottrey missed. —Star 6, Blues 6. Just before half time both sides attacked and counter-attacked, but bad handling nullified their efforts. Cheyne had given a grand display at full back. SECOND SPELL. Cheyne was in the picture again at the commencement. He took well from Bell’s punt and put in a great kick to line at Star’s 25. The pace was on and it was a question of which side would break up first. Matheson, Norris and McKay set up crisp passing and a try looked imminent for Blues, but a pass forward resulted. Sideline passing by Murray and Connolly next attracted Cheyne’s attention, but again he broke up the attack. Then Johnson secured and jinked his way past several opponents before handing on to Ottrey, to Burnett, who threw a lob to Wills when the latter was racing into position. It was a nice piece of work and deserved a better fate. Blues, despite the fact that they were not getting the ball from the scrums, were making most of the play but could not finish off their efforts. Shaw was badly spoiling his side’s chances by playing and hanging off-side. Star forwards took a hand and carried all before them. Scrums in Blues’ 25 with Connolly over-working the “blind,” saw Cockroft finally secure near the line and force his way over at the corner. LiHey failed to goal. —Star 9; Blues 6.

A weak return by Ottrey let Star b&i-ks away. The movement flashed across Blues’ goal, from McAuliffe to Bell, to G. Oughton to Cockroft, the last-named being pulled down at the line. Blues had an anxious five minutes. Thrusts to the right and thrusts to the left by Star kept them very busy. Johnson and Burnett defended strictly and the tension was relieved. The pace was now a cracker. Neither side could handle perfectly, but each employed the speculator and loose rushes to gain ground. Bell made a good save but was penalised and Wills missed a

fairly easy chance to equalise. Wills next made a bold bid for the line. A scrum at midfield gave Blues their chance. For once the ball came back smartly to Johnson who whipped it out to Ottrey to Norris, to McKay, to Manson. The lanky winger put his ears back and raced for the corner. He out-paced R. Oughton and got to the corner just as Campbell threw him against the corner flag. A try was awarded. Ottrey missed. —Blues 9; Star 9.

Blues were now going better than Star and penetrated again. Campbell forced. Manson charged down a kick by Star’s full. Matheson was handy and dribbled to the line before Bell came quickly across and cleared. A scramble ensued on Star’s line. The umpire’s flag went up, but Cummings heeded not and picked up to place over the line for a simple try. Johnson failed. —Blues 12; Star 9. With but ten minutes to go and defeat staring them in the face, Star strained every nerve and put great dash into their work. It succeeded, as after three attempts to break through the defence by passing, Star forwards took a hand and Lilley barged over to score an unconverted try. —Blues 12; Star 12. Blues were not done, however, and charged back. They went within an ace of scoring before the whistle went with the final scores: Blues .. .. .. 12 Star 12 Mr. F. Daubney refereed. PIRATES (30) v. SOUTHERN (ID The most charitable person who ever stepped on a Rugby ground would find great difficulty in exercising his benignity in criticising the Pirates-Southern match. It was about the worst display of Rugby seen in Invercargill this season. The Pirates in the first half did not seem greatly interested, but the score of 8-all at the interval caused them furiously to think and they infused more life into their game, and scored freely by individual efforts rather than pretty play. Southern did not go as well as against Star. They certainly fully held their own in the first half, but they were not during the last forty-five minutes the bright, enterprising side they usually are. It almost seemed that each team was more interested in the big clash on the adjoining field.; and perhaps this lack of concentration on the business in hand accounted for the several collisions there were among the players. Pirates were not at full strength; but even allowing for this, they will have to display a totally different class of Rugby if they hope to have thfeir names on the Galbraith Shield for 1927. The teams were:— Pirates (Black) : Pay; Calder, Geddes, Mills; Faulkiner, J. Johnson; Thomas, Roberts, W. Archer; Hazlett, Cockroft, Batcheler; J. Archer, R. McKay; Bird. Southern (Light Blue) : Cavanagh; Lock, Hughes, McFadyen; Maher, Brown, Woods; Mannix, Patterson; Blair, Jack, McNeil; McCallum, J. McEwan; B. McEwan. Blacks kicked off against a dull sun and Blue forwards asserted themselves to good effect. Then their backs tried passing, which took play to Pirate territory but a free to Blacks gave relief. Southern had the better of play for ten minutes, the Black forwards losing by their poor tackling. A clever bout of passing with Faulkiner prominent put Pirates on attack, and in another rush Geddes at centre received and cut in sweetly to race past all opposition and score under the posts. Batcheler converted. —Pirates 5; Southern 0— The football was very crude, players going their own sweet way regardless of team work. Pirates were too fast in the backs, however, and before long a passing bout resulted in Calder crossing at the corner. This time Batcheler’s kick was a feeble one. —Pirates 8; Southern o. Blues came into the limelight with some neat passing which resulted in Pirates forcing. Cavanagh had to retire, his old foot injury troubling him. Hamilton came on. Southern’s passing was fairly good, but I lack of pace prevented their finishing the ; movements at the business end. McEwan had very bad luck in not scoring. He got away and booted hard over the line. He was easily first there, but just as he was going to touch down for a try the ball rolled into touch-in-goal and three points were lost by bad luck. Play was so aimless for a period that there were some head-on collisions. Southern got right under the posts and Woods sent out a nice pass but there was no one there to take it. A few minutes later, however, Southern were rewarded for their brighter play, and in a splendid bout of passing Hughes and Lock finished in good style, the last-named scoring. McEwan’s kick hit the upright but did not go over. —Pirates 8; Southern 3. Black forwards worked hard and got within striking distance. A drop-kick by Pay from a penalty missed and Southern swept play to the other end and after a few minutes’ pressure scored through the medium of B. McEwan, who was playing sterling football. The same player converted and the scores were level. —Pirates 8; Southern B. Half-time came a few minutes later. Each side attacked for a spell after the interval, but Pirates had more finish and Calder put his side ahead by scoring at the corner. Cockroft failed to goal. —Pirates 11; Southern B. Getting the lead seemed to brighten Pirates considerably and Faulkiner cleverly took a difficult pass from Johnson and scored a good try. No goal resulted. —Pirates 14; Southern B. The next Black try came from another passing bout which ended in Calder crossing at the corner. —Pirates 17; Southern B. Some bright play by Hughes and B. McEwan put Southern on attack and for five minutes they kept the Pirates hemmed in. They could not score, however, and a Pirate sortie ended in Johnson scoring and Mills converting. —Pirates 22; Southern B.

B. McEwan made another bright dash but was hauled down from behind when

clear. Pirates went up the field with Geddes in the lead. A scrum was formed on the line and Batcheler scored in a handy position but no goal resulted. —Pirates 25; Southern B.

Southern were not done with by any means and bright forward play saw Blair score well out. McEwan failed to goal. —Pirates 25; Southern 11. The last phase of the game was in favour of the Blues who narrowly missed scoring. Just at the end, however, Geddes received at half way and left the opposition standing. Batcheler goaled. —Pirates 30; Southern 11. The game ended immediately after. Mr. G. Dennis refereed. GALBRAITH SHIELD CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE. The following shows the position of senior teams to date:—

SECOND GRADE. PIRATES (9) v INVERCARGILL (8). A very fast and interesting game took place on Biggar street ground No. 1 when Pirates met Blues and after a game which was perhaps the hardest seen on Biggar street for a very long time defeated them by the narrow margin of one point. The scrum work of the two teams was very hard and each pack came out about square in honours for the day. The Pirates’ backs, however, had a better idea of handling, and although they seldom got the chance to do any really effective work certainly showed up to advantage over the opposing rearguard. On the whole the game was fought between the forwards, and as a consequence very little open play was indulged in. Casualties_jvere numerous, fortunately none of them being of a serious nature, but they served as a good indication as to the strenuous nature of the game. Mr A. H. Stott refereed the match. BLUFF (3) v WAIKIWI (3). Waikiwi travelled to Bluff and drew with the home team ofter a very hard game. The game was noticeable for the free handling exhibited, both sets of backs throwing the ball round in good style. Waikiwi gained their points in the first stages of the game, while Bluff’s score came almost at the final whistle. Mr J. Durham was referee. MARIST (5) v STAR (3). On Queen’s Park Marist defeated Star by two points after a close and interesting game in which the issue was in doubt till the final whistle. Star kicked off and play hung in midfield. Marist started passing from the commencement and played the open game right through. Just before half-time Hislop secured near Star’s line and ran round to the posts. Kelly converted. Marist 5, Star nil. On the resumption Star commenced well but the backs hung on too long and many good chances were lost. Star were now awarded several free kicks but Walker failed. Play was transferred upfield and Kelly had a penalty kick in front of the posts but failed badly. The next thing of interest was Walker goaling from a penalty and the game ended with Marist winners by two points. Mr McStay refereed. THIRD GRADE. INVERCARGILL (21) v PIRATES (3). Invercargill again asserted their superiority in third grade football, this time decisively defeating Pirates by 21 points to 3. Blues were too fast for their opponents, and only on rare occasions allowed Pirates to break through. Mr W. Stott refereed the game. HIGH SCHOOL (20) v STAR (5). On the High School ground the home team defeated Star after a fairly interesting game, by 15 points. For High School Macdonald and Murray scored two tries and Tuck and Burke one each. D Strang converted one. For Star D. Agnew scored. The try was converted. HIGH SCHOOL B (53) v BLUFF (6). Bluff fielded only eight men at the commencement of their game with High School at Biggar street, consequently the school boys quickly piled on the points, having a score of 30 to Bluff’s three at the end of the first spell. During the first half two more Bluff men put in an appearance, but High had too many men for Bluff to make anything like a determined stand against. School’s packing and handling were superior to Bluff’s, indeed all their scores came from passing rushes against which Bluff were unable to cope. In the second half High added 23 more points and Bluff kicked a penalty goal, the game ending, High 53, Bluff 6. Mr E. Kelly was the referee. FOURTH GRADE. MARIST (65) v TECHNICAL (5). Marist met Technical College at Tweed street and inflicted a severe trouncing to the tune of 65 points to 5. The Greens were too fast for the college boys and gave them few opportunities of getting away with the ball. Mr Burton was the referee. DRAWN GAME. On the Waikiwi ground Invercargill and Waikiwi drew after a close and interesting game. The scorers for Waikiwi were, Walters, Atkinson and Wilson. One try was converted. MARIST (5) v TECHNICAL (4). A close and interesting game was played on Queen’s Park between Marist and Technical, the former team winning by the narrow margin of one point, Donnelly scored for Marist after a great run from practically his own twenty-five. Halpin converted Technical’s points were gained from a potted goal by Wallace. Technical almost scored when Grant made a good run, but Barrell chased him and pulled him over on the line. IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND. College Rifles 3 beat Marist 0. Training College 6 beat North Shore 0. Grammar Old Boys beat Grafton 4. Ponsonby 6 beat ’Varsity 3. WELLINGTON. Saturday was bitterly cold for the continuation of the club matches and a keen southerly was blowing. The grounds were on the heavy side. ’Varsity 14 beat Wellington 3. Old Boys 14 beat Marist 5. Petone 17 beat Berhampore 11. Poneke 23 beat Hutt 8. Athletic 9 beat Oriental 3. CHRISTCHURCH. The annual Rugby match Boys’ High School v Christ’s College, played on Saturday, was won by Boys’ High School by nine to three. In the senior competitions—’Varsity (6) beat Albion (3). (20) beat Linwood (3). Old Boys (32) beat Technical (0). DUNEDIN. Pirates 15 v. Kaikorai 6. University A 21 v. Zingari 6. Alhambra 13 v. University B 0. Union 11 v. Dunedin 9. Southern 18 v. Taieri Rovers 3.

RANFURLY SHIELD. WAIRARAPA DEFEATS BUSH UNION. Masterton, July 3. Wairarapa successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield to-day against a weak challenge from the Bush Union, who were defeated by 53 to 3. Wairarapa, who were without the services of Jim Donald, took a while to settle down, but thereafter gave a fast open display which overwhelmed Bush in almost every rush. The Bush forwards at times showed up, but were in the main hopelessly outclassed, while the backs were not sure in attack and faulty in defence. The weather was fine but cold and the surface of the ground greasy from recent rain. The opening exchanges were quiet till Cooke secured at half-way, sold the dummy to about five Bush players and raced through to Siddells. He kicked past the full-back and, regaining the ball, scored near the posts. Cundy forfeited the kick. Wairarapa 3; Bush 0. Bush then pressed to the Wairarapa line, bue Cooke broke through with a dribbling rush to half-way. Stringfellow gathered the ball on the Bush 25 and scored near the corner unopposed. Cundy goaled. Wairarapa 8; Bush 0. With handling an uncertainty, Wairarapa at this stage adopted loose rushes in which both backs and forwards participated. Then Cundy secured on the blind side at half-way, raced past Siddells at the corner and scored behind the posts. The scorer converted. Wairarapa 13; Bush 0. From a scrum at half-way Hiroti sent Cundy and Cooke away and a nice pass to Yates allowed the winger to cross at the corner. Yates failed to goal. Wairarapa 16; Bush 0.

A loose forward rush followed, in which Irvine was responsible for play ending on the Bush line, where Reside picked up and scored. Wairarapa 19; Bush 0. At this stage Cundy retired with injuries to his hip and was replaced by Williams. Cooke next fooled the opposition by short punting into a gap. He regained the ball/ raced past Siddells and scored unopposed under the posts. He goaled, making the score Wairarapa 24; Bush 0. The spell arrived with play at halfway.

After the resumption Reid gave an offside infringement in his 25 and Udy goaled. After a period of desultory scrumming, Williams centred to his forwards and Harvey made a solo run of 40 yards to score under the posts. Cooke goaled. Wairarapa 29; Bush 3.

The Wairarapa combination improved to a very marked degree, backs and forwards participating in successive bright and penetrating rushes and a very sparkling movement in which the reverse pass was successfully exploited saw E. B. Booth, Harvey, S. Willoughby and Stringfellow handle for Booth to cross and score under the posts. Cooke goaled. Wairarapa 34; Bush 3. Cooke’s opportunism was responsible for the next try under the goal, which he converted. Then Stringfellow crossed, Cooke again adding the major points. Yates was the next to score after Cooke had carried play from half-way on his own. Q. Donald topped off a fine loose rush with another try and R. Booth closed the proceedings with a fine score in the corner, making the final score 53 to 3. NORTH OTAGO MATCH. (Special to the Times.) Oamaru, July 3. By defeating Maheno by six points to nil Old Boys virtually won the shield for 1927. They still have to play two matches but there is little likelihood of any other team overtaking them. BARRY CUP. RETAINED BY WAIROA. Wairoa, July 3. The Barry Cup match was played here to-day between East Coast Union representatives (challengers) and Wairoa (defenders) under wretched weather conditions. The whole ground was under water and heavy rain squalls swept the playing area throughout. It was a strenuous struggle in the mud, good back movements being impossible. Play was very even no score resulting, Wairoa thus retaining this fine trophy principally through the great work of the forwards. PRIMARY SCHOOL MATCHES. GRADE I. —Tuesday, July 5, at 3.30 p.m.— Middle v North. Park School. St. George v High B, Biggar street. Waihopai v High A, High School grounds. Marist v South, Tweed street. GRADE 11. —Friday, July 8, at 3.30 p.m.— Middle v St. George, Tweed street. Waikiwi v High, Park School. South v Marist, Tweed street, No. 2. GRADE 111. —Friday, July 8, at 2.45 p.m.— Marist v Waihopai, Eastern Reserve. Middle v North, Park School. South v St. George, Biggar street. EASTERN DISTRICT FIXTURES. REFEREES APPOINTED. The following referees have been appointed to control Eastern District fixtures on Wednesday next: — First grade: Albion v. Mataura at Gore, D. Mulvey; line umpires, G. Whittingham and R. S. Green. Pioneer v. Edendale at Edendale, J. J. Shanks; line umpires, F. Murray and R. Blair. Second Grade: Pioneer v. Albion at Gore, W. Leitch. Pukerau v. Mataura at Pukerau, F. O’Kane. Third Grade: Pioneer v. Edendale at Edendale, G. Bogue; Wyndham v. Albion at Wyndham, A. Wilson, jnr.' Fourth Grade: Mataura v. High School B at Gore, L. G. Thomson; United v. High School C at Gore Hostel Ground, M. Fowler; High School A v. High School D at Gore, E. M. Christie. TOUR OF ENGLAND. NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. ALTERATION IN PERSONNEL. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, July 3. W. Mann has been selected for the Rugby Union team to tour England in place of Palmer who is unable to make the trip.—A. and N.Z.

P w D L Points For Ag’st. Ch. 'Pts Pirates .. . 9 7 — 2 220 64 14 Star .. .. . 9 6 1 2 139 84 13 Blues .. . 9 4 1 4 127 122 9 Southern . 9 1 — 8 81 228 2 Marist .. . 4 1 — 3 27 96 2