RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 20497, 28 May 1928, Page 8

RUGBY

SATURDAY’S GAMES LOCAL COMPETITIONS. RESUMED PIRATES DEFEAT BLUES SOUTHERN’S IMPROVED SHOWING After a lapse of one playing Saturday owing to postponement, competitions under the jurisdiction of the Southland Rugby Football Union were resumed on Saturday afternoon in perfect weather conditions. In the Galbraith Shield competition for senior teams the opening matches of the second round were got off and as the result of the day’s play, positions on the championship ladder remained unchanged, Star easily accounting for the Southern team and Pirates decisively defeating Blues (Invercargill). In neither game was the standard of football very high, but there were sufficient interesting moments to keep the large crowd in attendance to the last whistle. GALBRAITH SHIELD POSITION OF TEAMS. The following table shows the relative positions of the teams engaged in the senior competition:—

PIRATES (23) v. BLUES (6) By five tries (four converted) to two unconverted tries Pirates met and defeated Blues in a game that, but . for one or two correct passing rushes which materialized, resolved itself into a series of aimless scrambles, ragged handling movements and individual dashes. Neither set of backs could get going properly, and although th? ground was a bit heavy and greasy in places, the ball was dry enough to permit of a fast and open game. Faulty handling and bad passing, coupled with a lack of co hesion and no understanding between the players, took the lustre off any of the move ments which commenced well and from a spectator's point of view the game could be likened to a 1942 model Ford car trying to do good service on a steep grade—nothing but starts and stops. Whistle there was aplenty, pulling up the infringements on both sides. Pirates fielded a much stronger side than Blues and deserved to win. They made the most of their opportunties and took advantage of the Blues’ mistakes. Lighter all round the Blues battled hard and got a fair share of ball in the scrums. It was their failure to do anything with it after gaining possession that cost them the game. In this respect Pirates were little superior, but as the result of support when a movement broke down they were enabled to carry on with beneficial results. Terri tonally Blues had every bit as much of the game as Pirates. The game was played on No. 1 ground at the Park and the teams lined out as follows: Pirates (black). —Pay; Sherlock, Geddes ; Diack; Pickering, Thomas; J. Johnson; Car tert, Roberts; R. McKay, Batcheler, O’Dowda; Archer. Metcalfe; Bird. Invercargill (blue and black).—Calder. Wills, Frampton, A. McKay; Porter, Norris; C. Johnson; Matheson, Burnett; George Southern, Gibson ; Clark, Beaumont; Pilcher Blues lost the toss and kicked off facing a strong sun at five minutes past three o’clock—2o minutes late. A midfield scrum was ordered for the kick out and Pirates gained to take play to Blues’ 25. A line out favoured the Blacks and Thomas, getting possession, grubbed a sharp one through to Calder (Blues’ full-back), who resorted to speculation to clear. A free to Blues was welcome and Norris turned it to advantage by lining at half-way. Blue passing opened promisingly, but broke down at Frampton, the centre over running his pass For the next five minutes Blues took com mand of the play and launched several rearguard attacks. Faulty handling nullified the lot. Although much lighter in ti)e scrum the Blues hooked cleanly and. the forwards held their own in the loose. Sherlock chipped in on Blue passing and helped his side to beyond half-way, but Norris sent the Blacks back with a magnificent 50 yards’ liner which got touch a yard or so from the corner flag. Blues, eager, won the ruck following the line-out and Norris foot-passed across the Blacks’ goal. Sherlock was the stumbling block, however, and saved by intercepting and kicking. This was the turning j>oint in the game. Thomas furthered the clearance with a good punt and Pickering charged down Porter’s return, taking play to Blues’ goal-line. Here Wills secured, and instead of kicking, jink ed infield and threw a wild pass. There was a knock-on, a scrum and it was all over—Pirates had scored in a twinkling. A smart heel was rapped out by Joe Johnson to Thomas, to Geddes, who dashed over for a good try. Diack’s kick was abortive Pirates 3 Blues 0 Three minutes later after some give and take play, Calder, obviously affected by the strong sun in his eyes, fumbled a high kick, recovering only in time to be caught in possession by the fast following Sherlock. Batcheler supported Sherlock, the former securing from the ruck and making an opening before passing to Bird, who dashed over and almost lost his try by foolishly attempting to slip past Porter. The Blue man bagged Bird and Bird lost the ball, but fortune favoured him and he fell on it before Porter could touch down—a lucky try. Diack goaled. Pirates 8 Blues 0 Another try came to Pirates a few minutes later. Blues had set up an attack, but could not sustain it and the Blacks threatened. After some loose play at midfield the ball came to Wills, who in attempting to short punt past Diack, failed and Diack easily secured to give Geddes a clear 40 yards’ run to the posts. Porter made a great effort to catch Geddes, but the handicap was too much. Diack goaled. Pirates 13 Blues 0 Although the passing movements of both sides were breaking down all of the play was going to Geddes’ and Wills’ wings and Sher lock and McKay on the opposite wings were getting few chances. This pair was doing excellent solo work and extricating theii sides from difficult positions. Blues still held their own, and though ragged, the game was by no means one-sided. Pirates infringed in their 25, but McKay failed to improve the chance with points. Blues continued to hook cleanly, but their efforts to penetrate by passing were feeble. Norris next went alone and almost finished off a great piece of dribbling. The odds were too great, and as no support was forthcoming. the chance was lost. Sherlock raised a cheer by dashing up the grandstand wdng and taking play to the corner. Carter snapped up and flung himself over, but Framp ton held him up with a splendid tackle. The Blacks continued to attack and were now heeling better, but the backs were even worse than the opposition in their attempts to play handball. Play ranged up and downfield at a fair pace, both Sides attacking in

turn. Just before half-time J. Johnson threw out a long pass to Geddes, who outpaced the opposition and ran round to score his third try. Diack goaled. Pirates 18 Blues 0 The sun was good to Pirates and on resumption had almost set, the rays giving the Blacks no trouble at ail. Both sides attacked in turn, with Pirates’ forwards showing to advantage. Pay fumbled under his own goal and the übiquitous Sherlock came to his rescue to clear. A. McKay accepted the return and potted, but; without success. Bird then burst through and looked as if he might score, but Calder’s tackle was sure. McKay then got ciear and made a good run, which was stopped in time by Bay. A plethora of marks and free-kicks occupied the next few minutes, Southern and Beaumont terminating it by leading a rush into Black territory. Bird came to the rescue and set up passing, a transfer to Archer going begging. Forwards and backs combined to make a scramble more ragged until Norris put the Blues on attack with a big kick. Porter gave it a go, but was collared inches short of the line. Blues kept at it, but could not get over. Roberts came away in a splendid solo dribble and the Black backs carried on, but Diack failed to take his pass and a try was lost. At last Blues were rewarded. McKay received from a scrum at half-way, beat Sherlock and Pay by punting and in the race to the line got there first by inches. He picked up at top and dived across with two defenders on top of him. This was a good try and was loudly applauded by the crowd. The scorer failed to goal. Pirates 18 Blues 3 Spurred on by this success Blues rushed play to Pirates’ line, but kicking too hard spoilt a good chance. For a brief period play was exciting, with Blues holding the upper hand. Southern and Burnett were prominent in an onslaught which bore fruit. Roberts endeavoured to stem by kicking, but the ball slid off his boot and went to Wills’ wing. The bounce favoured him and he dashed over for a good try. Porter failed to goal. Pirates 18 Blues 6 From this on fhe play brightened and some good exchanges were seen. Both sides indulged in plenty of passing, but always there was a break in the chain. Pirates attacked near the finish and a forward sortie headed by Roberts, O’Dowda and Carter saw the last-named fall on the ball under the goal-posts. Diack goaled, making the final scores: Pirates 23 Blues 6 Mr E. Kelly refereed. STAR (25) v. SOUTHERN (9) Although Southern had some difficulty in getting a team the light blues gave such a good account of themselves that they were loudly applauded on returning to the stand at the conclusion of their match. Southern began with their usual dash, but once again faded out half-way through the first spell. A big score by Star looked certain, but for the last 30 minutes of the game the Southern vanguard played as men possessed and kept Star hard put to keep their line intact. It was a welcome return to form by a popular team which has disappointed its supporters in its earlier games this season. On the day’s play the margin between the teams was by no means as great as 25-9, which was the score by which Star won. Although the match was not a good exhibition of Rugby it had the merit of being better than the Pirates-In-vercargill encounter. The teams w T ere: Star (blue and white).—Stubbs; R. Oughton, McAuliffe, Murray; G. Oughton, McKenzie; Connolly; Howden, Melvin ; Shaw, Hennessey, Mahoney; Manson; Lilley ; Bell. Southern (light blue) : Cavanagh; Thomas, Maher, Burtenshaw; Lock Brown, Frost, Burns, Mannix; J. McEwan, H. Jack, McCallum ; Blick, Roche; R. McEwan. At 2.30 instead of 2.15 the teams filed on to the ground and from the kick-off Southern made matters lively, the veteran Roche heading a forward attack. R. Oughton was conspicuous for heaving the ball out crookedly twice from line-outs. With R. McEwan leading them the Blue vanguard remained on attack for five minutes, but a speculator by Bell and passing among Star backs changed the venue of play. Lilley had a fruitless shot at goal after which McEwan led his men back to Star territory. Cavanagh also had a long shot at goal, but his drop kick was a skier. Stubbs was applauded for brilliant fielding, but the respite it gave was of brief duration. To cries of ‘Come on Joe!” Roche headed a good Blue rush that took play near Star line, but Bell with a series of hard ground kicks transferred play. The game was as ragged as the players could make it. Star’s first try came through passing initiated by McKenzie. He handed on to G. Oughton who after a short run transferred to McAuliffe. The centre cork-screwed in when he saw the Blues were making for the wing and scored near the posts. Lilley converted. —Star 5; Southern o. Immediately after the kick out McAuliffe cut off a pass and raced from his own 25 to Cavanagh, but the Blue full-back got him. Cavanagh gained further credit by a good save. Star nearly got another try through McAuliffe, but he could not find his supports at the critical moment. A strong Blue forward rush looked dangerous and gave Cavanagh a chance to goal from a penalty, but his kick was a poor one. Southern were securing from the scrums, but their inside backs could not do anything with the ball when they did get it. Bright play by Connolly who flashed in and caught Southern unawares gave Melvin a good chance and he used his weight to score well out. Lilley failed to goal. —Star 8; Southern o. Southern were evidently pinning their faith in penalty goals for McEwan was the next to have an ambitious shot. Like the others it failed. Melvin hung up the game with another long shot. Play was dull at this stage. A kick by Cavangah in the face of a Star rush was charged down and Mahoney snapped up. He ran to near the line and handed to Manson who scored. Lilley’s kick hit the upright near the bottom. —Star 11; Southern o. A pass between McAuliffe and R. Oughton went astray through the latter’s slowness and Thomas kicked out near the corner, but Southern lost their advantage at the line out. When the Star hookers were over-eager McEwan had a good chance to goal and this time made no mistake. —Star 11; Southern 3. At this stage a change-over to ground number two was made. Star soon added to their total when Lilley cut off a pass and ran 40 yards with three men in attendance. The old war horse was never headed. Melvin failed to goal. —Star 14; Southern 3. Roche was brilliant on the line-out and dribbled 20 yards after securing. A jinky run by Frost fooled many Star backs, but gained nothing. Just before half-time Cavanagh had a good, but unsuccessful pot. Star faced a troublesome sun in the second spell. The opening stages were evenly contested, but Cavanagh after five minutes play presented Star with a try. He mulled badly and Mahoney touched down. Lilley failed with a simple kick. —Star 17; Southern 3. Connolly ran right through the Blue backs shortly afterwards and Stubbs converted. Star 22; Southern 3. Southern had a turn on attack. R. McEwan made a brilliant run and there was some effective Blue passing which resulted in - J. McEwan scoring a good try. No goal resulted. —Star 22; Southern 6.--

Southern were giving Star plenty of defensive work, and were infusing more life into their play. Star had to force several times, Star forwards worked play back and Bell snapped up, ran to near the line, in-passed to Murray who handed to-Melvin. The last-named flung himself over. Lilley failed to goal. / 25; Southern 6. /Southern were not at all daunted and after a slashing forward rush J. McEwan notched his second try. No goal resulted. —Star 25; Southern 9. Play was much brighter with Southern doing the bulk of the attacking. The Light Blues were giving easily their best display this season and their vigorous forward onslaughts were keeping Star penned in their 25. Lack of finish among the Southern backs alone prevented a score. The game ended —Star 25; Southern 9. Mr. J. Durham was referee. SECOND GRADE PIRATES (23) v. OLD BOYS (0). In a hard fought game at Queen’s Park, controlled by Mr E. Fogarty, Pirates proved superior to Old Boys, their forwards being too heavy for the Old Boys’ pack which was further placed at a disadvantage by the loss of C. Harrington who was injured and was obliged to leave the field. The game concluded with Pirates winning by 23 points to nil. WAIKIWI (11) v. STAR (3). Waikiwi playing on their home ground defeated Star by 11 points to 3. The game throughout was very hard and fast. Waikiwi were superior in the scrums, Star’s back play being ragged. The score for Waikiwi consisted of three tries and one convert with Star gaining one try. Before the game ended, however, Star narrowly missed two more tries. Smith appeared prominently in the Waikiwi backs while Gilson, Sheffelbein and Busby played well in the forwards. The game wqi controlled by Mr W. Swale, MARIST (6) v. BLUFF (3). Marist defeated Bluff at Bluff yesterday by six points to three. The game was dull in the first half, but livened up considerably in the second spell. No tries were scored, the points being gained solely from penalties. Marist were on the defensive for the greater part of the first spell, but Bluff fail, ed to take advantage of many opportunities provided. The Marist defence was fairly sound, but concerted work would have made an opening to score as the Bluff backs showed more combination than those of their opponents. The visiting forwards had the advantage in weight. Hamilton kicked the goal for Bluff and Maher secured all the points for Marist. Mr McStay refereed. INVERCARGILL (14) v. RIMU (0). Playing on the Biggar street reserve Invercargill defeated Rimu by 14 points to nil. A clean hard game was provided, the referee, Mr E. Budd, congratulating the teams on their performance. Both packs were evenly matched, Blues’ backs being slightly superior. For Rimu the O’Connor brothers played well while Scandrett was the best forward in the Invercargill team. White, Frampton, Scandrett and Grant were the scorers for Blues, Grant converting a try. THIRD GRADE HIGH A (77) v. PIRATES (0). Playing on the school grounds High A inflicted a crushing defeat upgn Pirates, the school backs having matters all their own way. Mr J. Oughton w’as referee. WAIKIWI (9) v. SCHOOL (8). Played on No. 2 ground at the High School, an interesting game resulted between Waikiwi and School. Davidson and Henry were the scorers for the home team. The first two tries for School were obtained from clever, open rushes. The forwards of both teams played with dash, a try against School at the last moment losing them the game. Mr G. W. Dennis controlled the game. BLUES (41) v. STAR (0). As a result of hard training, Blues proved superior to the lighter Star team as the final score indicates. The winners put up a very creditable performance and overwhelmed Star completely. Mr H. Miller was referee. MARIST (38) v. BLUFF (0). Playing on Biggar street ground Marist had an easy victory over Bluff. Marists’ backs were too fast for the Port team and brought off some very fine passing bouts which generally ended in points being scored. The Green forwards were superior to their opponents also, but the later played w r ell in spite of their disadvantage. Mr H. Wilcox controlled the game. OLD BOYS DEFAULT. Old Boys being unable to field a full team accordingly defaulted to Southern. FOURTH GRADE WAIKIWI (8) v. HIGH (6). Played at Queen’s Park, an interesting game resulted between Waikiwi and High, the former team winning by 8 points to 6. Although their combination was gooo the School boys were too light for their heavier opponents. Mr E. Mannix refereed the game. SOUTHERN (11) v. MARIST (3). Playing on the Tweed street ground Southern defeated Marist by 11 points to 3 Marists’ backs were very weak, Hardy however, being a promising player. Southern were too heavy for the losing team. Mr D. Leckie controlled the game. BLUES (16) v. TECHNICAL (11). Played on the Eastern reserve, a well fought game between Blues and Technical College resulted in the former winning by 16 points to 11. McKay showed up prominently in the Blues’ forwards, H. Frampton being the best back. Aburn was an outstanding player for Technical. Mr D. Dyer was referee. FIFTH GRADE TECHNICAL (12) v. HIGH A (3). Playing on Biggar street No. 2 ground, Technical defeated High A by 12 points to 3. The game although ragged in places, proved very interesting throughout. Mr C. Angus was referee. MARIST (25) v. HIGH B (6). Played at Biggar street No. 1 ground, a match between Marist and High B resulted in the former winning by 25 points to 6. Marist proved superior To their opponents throughout. Mr W. Gellately controlled the game. IN OTHER CENTRES DUNEDIN. ’Varsity A 6 beat Southern 3. Kaikorai 29 beat Pirates 9. Alhambra 3 beat Zingari 0. ’Varsity B 15 beat Dunedin 6. Union 10 beat Taieri 9. CHRISTCHURCH. Old Boys 14 beat Linwood 6. University 22 beat Albion 5. Christchurch 15 beat Technical Old Boys 14. AUCKLAND. The weather was wet for to-day’s football. Results were: — City 11 beat Grammar 10. University 11 beat Manukau 6. Poneonby 25 beat College Rifles 6. Marists 16 beat Grafton 8. North Shore 3 beat Training College 0.

WELLINGTON. Oriental 12 beat Poneke 11. Marist 6 beat ’Varsity 5. Berhampore 17 drew with Wellington A 17. Athletic 14 beat Petone 3. Old Boys 25 beat Eastbourne 6. REFEREE KNOCKED OUT. STOPS GAME AND CALLS AMBULANCE. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, May 26. In the Christchurch-Technical Rugby match, the referee, Mr. E. G. Watkins, was knocked out by a heavy Technical forward colliding with him. He fell, lay still for a second or two, whistled for the game to stop and for an ambulance, and then left the field. Another referee took over the game.

P. W. Points. Ch. L. For. Ag’st. Pts. Star . . . . 4 4 — 77 28 8 Pirates . . . 4 3 1 74 35 6 Invercargill . . 4 1 3 44 63 2 Southern . . . 4 — 4 31 100 —