SATURDAY’S GAMES

Southland Times, Issue 20771, 11 May 1929, Page 18

SATURDAY’S GAMES

STAR V SOUTHERN.

(By

“Onlooker.”)

Star got the real 'Varsity habit against Southern and treated the spectators to a grand display of handball. It is almost a superfluity to state that Star were too good all round of the light blues, but Southern at least made good foils and thus helped to make for the spectacular game. The pace was on all the way and it was not until the dying stages that Southern caved in. Then Star put on the pressure and rang on three tries in quick succession. From the point of view of Star's display it must be said that the winners deserve their success and every credit for attempting to play modern Rugby. The 'Varsity style of Rugby is such a popular one that its adoption here was received with open arms by almost every follower of the game. Too long we have relied on honest forwards to carry the baby. Good back play had almost faded away and Southland Rugby had suffered accordingly. But at last the Stars have attempted and succeeded and their future efforts will be watched with interest.

Their success was primarily due to the work of Holden at the base of the scrum. On Saturday, partnered by a stranger (so to speak) in Bell, Holden moulded his style of passing to suit Bell. At first several transfers found their mark somewhere near Bell's head, but as the game progressed Holden found his length and not once was a pass missed or dropped by Bell. The pair combined beautifully and it is to be hoped the Star selectors will see fit to keep Bell in the first five position. Good outsides are useless without good insides. From now on we should see fair three quarters developed. Bell and Co. will certainly be able to make openings for them. Next to the splendid exhibit of chain passing came an unexpected demonstration of goal-kicking by Holden. It is reported that inside information about Holden’s goalkicking ability had been received by the Star men, but where it came from was not stated. Suffice to add that the information clearly wrong, was responsible for an opportunity that otherwise would not have been available. Holden will now probably take his share of the short shots, leaving the hard stuff to .1. Lilley.

“Wampy” Bell was a new man at fiveeighth. Granted that he has few equals as a rover, but his work on Saturday was convincing enough to have him left in this position. Bell is one of a few real first five playing football in New Zealand to-day, and provided he can keep fit, he is going to be a boon to Southland in this position. His first try against Southern was brilliant. While Bell and Holden did such a lot of good opening-up work for Star, the rest of the backs are to be applauded for carrying on the good work. Riddell, last year junior is improving with every game. He combined well with Bell and made some splendid openings for McAuliffe. Riddell takes well, runs strongly and possesses a good cut in while his defence is quite fair. McAuliffe could not do 'it right at the start. He was inclined to over-run his passes and, when in possession, cutting away too far and thus losing touch with his supports. McAuliffe often cut in to the centre in the hope that his forwards would come up the middle and carry on. The idea was sensed by the forwards, but McAuliffe’s pace was too great and by the time the transfer was due nobody was about to take

Stubbs showed up well at wing but spoilt a good display with a foolish act when about to score what should have been his first try. He scored a couple in the second spell and made amends. Near the line Stubbs is a hard man to stop. He was trying all sorts of things on Saturday. They were appreciated too, especially, his long pusses from the line which enabled play to be opened up in midfield and at a time when the attack was usually concentrated near the line. Melvin did not see as much of the ball as usual, most of the play going to Stubbs’s wing.

Oughton showed a return to form. His fielding and kicking were good and his following up excellent. Several times Oughton was able to get an opposing back in possession or bustle him into getting rid of the ball quickly. He also initiated passing rushes and was responsible for Shaw's try in this way. There is no doubting Oughton’s ability as a full-back but I reiterate that he would be a more useful man in the fiveeighth line, with Stubbs in the full-back position.

There were no shiners in the Star pack. Sinclair a new man toiled hard and with Lilley formed a “thorough shoving” back row. They put their weight in all right. The rooking of Donnelly and Agnew must have been good. They got plenty of ball for their backs. Both of these laris were hard workers in the loose also. Shaw, Mahoney and O’Toole showed to advantage in the loose rushes, line-outs also finding this trio playing a prominent part. Southern did not play as a team. They tried to, but found the opposition too good. All battled hard individually however and appeared to be fit enough to give Star plenty to do. The tackling of the light blues was solid. But for this the score would have been nearer 50.

Mattingly, Leith, Rodger and McEwan were the pick of a band of grafters and in the backs Hughes, Meffin and McMillian showed up. Brown’s try was a good one and brought much applause. If that sort of work can be done once, why not more often ? The opposition had to be pierced. It wasn't a gift.

When it is taken into consideration that Holden never previously had the opportunity to place a goal in a match his performance in landing four out of six against Southern was something out of the ordinary. Holden’s average could easily ■ have been five out of six, for he missed a “sitter” in his last attempt. June 3 has again been set aside for Country Day, and until then it will not be known what material is available from the country districts. Southland has always been well served by its country unions in the past and there is no reason to believe that a number of sub-union men will not. be found in the Maroon ranks once again. Stubbs, Star wing-threequartor, received a rude shock when he found himself robbed of the ball when in-goal. It was a cruel lesson, but a good one and one is never likely to hear of Stubbs attempting to "go too far” again. The stand rocked with derision at Stubbs’s plight. This is the rule, not the exception, with the Invercargill football publice whenever a Star man is the “goat” in anything that borders on the ludicrous.

INVERCARGILL v. WAIKIWI

'Kiwis far from extinct. Blues nearly extinguished. Luck did not favour the Reds. But they have themselves to blame for not winning. Try after try was thrown away. Blues may have thought they had a soft thing on when the game began, but they were soon disillusioned. If the Red backs had been even halt as gooel as their forwards Blues would not have won. Mills rarely mulls. He is the best back the Reds have. Soper has plenty of dash but is a bit raw. I. Smith made one fine swerving run and appears to have good stuff in him. But it still needs a lot of bringing out. Montague did much good work and many idiotic things. Jazzing about with the ball is no good. 0. Watson did not impress on the wing though he displayed dash on occasions. Soper and possibly I. Smith are the only two backs who seem to have enough pep to score tries. For eight loose forwards commend me to the Recks. They got all over the Blue pack which has no mean reputation. Heatley was again the outstanding Red forward. He is rather a rough customer but it is a treat to watch the way he chases the leather and “hoes” into it whether it be tight work or loose work..He will be even better when he realizes that worrying about the man wastes valuable time. All the other Red forwards deserve congratulations on their play in the loose. At times, however, they did not pack as they should have. Charlie Johnson scored a useful try but his work behind the scrum was not impressive. Lowe and Frampton were very fair on defence but got out of position on attack. Frampton, however, made some brilliant solo efforts. McKay. Norris and Manson showed plenty of dash save when they went for a wander over the paddock. Porter's kicking was good, but once again his slowness in getting to the ball got his side into trouble. The Georges and Southern were the most hard working Blue forwards. The others were loafing as often as not. When it is remembered that against the heavy Pirate forwards the preceding Saturday the Blue vanguard performed so gallantly, the way they were outclassed by the Reds came as a surprise to a good manj- spectators. But the Blues are an in-and-out side and the Red forwards are great bustlers, so that it is not so amazing that they ran rings round their opponents. A fault I noticed among the Red forwards was that they hesitated too often whether to take the ball through on their own or whether to give it to their backs. The result of this hesitation was that the ball frequently hung at the back of the scrum where it was no good to either backs or forwards. I think it would have paid the Reds to keep the ball at, the feet of their forwards, but anything was better than the half-and-half business. There is one thing the Reds showed — they have a pack well worthy of playing A grade. When the backs reach the same standard there is nothing to prevent the Galbraith Shield having a resting place at Waikiwi. ’

RANDOM. NOTES “First test’’ to-day. Star and Pirates I clash. Team-work will help the blue and whites. If Pirates combine they will take a power of beating. Seven thousand spectators saw Kaikorai defeat 'Varsity A on Carisbrook last Saturday. Holden is a most unselfish half. He does not believe in holdin’ on to the ball. Young Falconer, of Pirates, is suffering from “potitis.” The disease is deadly when it gets a hold and may affect a team's play. Pirates I packed an eight scrum against the No. 2’s seven last week. Surely early door fans were not asked to believe that the “B’s” had a chance, or even tried, to get the ball. There were many complaints about the “curtain-raiser” on No. 1 area last Saturday. The public will not turn out to see the two Pirates teams-going again. A junior game is preferred for future curtain-raisers. Bert McEwan, Southern’s captain and wing-forward, may be lost to Invercargill football very shortly. It is stated that Bert has been offered a position in Gore and that he may accept it. Another first-grader who may be numbered among the missing is F. Melvin, Star wing three-quarter. Rumour hath it that Melvin is shortly to be transferred to a northern railway workshop. Referees put the ball in the scrums last week and everybody was satisfied. Why not endeavour to get this ruling made permanent? Looking bran’ new, referees made their appearance last Saturday in the special white regalia provided by Santa Rugby Union. They looked well, too, in their neat uniforms of white. The appointment of Messrs A. H. Stott, W. Baird and L. Lopdell as selectors of the Southland team this season should cause no heartburnings. All three are keen Rugby Union men, and judged on their work on the governing body, they should make a good job of their latest responsibility. Mr Stott, who will act as chairman, is an experienced selector, but Messrs Lopdell and Baird are acting for the first time. Both have, however, had plenty of experience of play and players. Well, Rule 38 was not rescinded after all. There is no doubt that the decision to keep it Rule 38 in the Rugby Union’s bylaw's will recoil upon its adherents sooner or later. Good players will not stay in the country districts, and whereas the rescission of the rule would have allowed ’country' men to play both in town and country its retention will tend to drive them into the town where their services will be lost to sub-pnions. . This season the New Zealand team will play in Queensland for the first time since 1914. The last time the All Blacks played there they won by 26 points to 5 and by 19 to 0 respectively, and it is interesting to recall that that New Zealand team included several Otago men, says the Dunedin Star. It was managed by an Otago player of other days, and one of the most brilliant backs on the side was the late Bobby Black, who was then only twenty. “Sal” Irvine was the lock, and “Jimmy’’ Graham was the othen Otago man represented in the team. Eric Cockroft, formerly of Otago, but then of South Canterbury, was cabled for halfway through the tour, and in his first match against Queensland he potted a goal from half-way. Other members of that New Zealand team included Teddy Roberts, who was included at the last minute owing to the defection of Clem Green. 11. M, Taylor, of Canterbury, was chosen as first half-back, but the exigencies of the tour compelled him to play on the wing, where he was very suecessful, scoring fifteen tries. Tommy Lynch,

of South Canterbury, and later of Southland, was another sterling back who scored sixteen tries on that tour. The full-back was J. G. O’Brien, of Auckland, who had his leg broken at Armidale. The forwards included Billy Lindsay (now of Dunedin), who was thirty-four at that time, the late Alex. Downing (a very fine ' forward indeed), Mick Cain (another well-known forward), Alex. Bruce, Rangi Wilson, Harold Murray, Tom Fisher (a West Coaster), the late Jimmv Me.Neecc (of Southland), and Billy Francis, then a youthful Wellington hooker. The side was captained by Dick Roberts, the brilliant Taranaki centre threequarter, and Jimmy Ryan was the deputycaptaifi. Ryan was another fine back who represented Wellington something like sixty or seventv times, and captained the New Zealand Army team that won the King’s Cup at Home. He is now in the Manawatu. That team was undefeated, but it had an unpleasant experience in Brisbane, having to be escorted off the field by the police. Mr R. M. Isaacs, now resident of Invercargill, was-manager of the 1914 team. Although the late Mr Syd. Nicholls was only seventeen when capped for Wellington at cricket, he was twenty-five when he first represented that province at Rugby in 1889 on the return of the New Zealand Natives from Great Britain. Three sons have been All Blacks—Mark (1921-22-24.-26-28), Harry (1921-22-23) and Harold (1923)—a record equalled only by the Brownlie brothers—Laurie, Maurice and Cyril. Of J. R. Page, the Southlander who was reserve for Scotland against Ireland in a recent Rugby international and was selected for the Army v. the 'Navy, the Athletic News has the following:—On the eve of their match with the Navy,'the Army have met with a severe loss through J. R. Page, who was to have partnered A. R. Aslett (the English international) in the centre, breaking a leg. Page, who is in the New Zealand forces and is over here on attachment to the King's Own Yorkshire L. 1., would have been the first representative of any of the dominions to have gained Army honours. It is uncertain if he will be available next year. THE POINTS GETTERS The following table sets out the points’ scorers in the senior games from week to week

DUNEDIN NOTES My Dunedin correspondent writes as follows :—

“Club foolball here promises to be unusually interesting this season, and the defeat of both University learns lasf Saturday not only means a big thing in the matter of encouragement to the other clubs, but the Rugby Union will also reap a harvest in the matter of increased gates. I saw the two games at Carisbrook on Saturday, and both were of an exciting nature, but the seven thousand spectators—this is no exaggerated estimate for the gate was over £274—had far more thrills from the match between ’Varsity A and Kaikorai than from the earlier match between Alhambra and Pirates. After the great games they had given the students the previous week, the ‘Barnas were probably favourites against Pirates, but the latter’s forwards dominated the game and Alhambra went down by 16 points to 13. It was not a very exhilarating game, however, and Alhambra’s pack was not comparable with the vanguard which gave 'Varsity so stubborn a tussle the previous week. The forwards taken as a whole played lifelessly for the greater part of the game, and while there were individual fleshes of brilliance, both back and forward, it was not sustained in concerted effort, and the Pirates forwards more than held their own, both in tight and loose. ’Varsity Decisively Beaten.

“While the football might not have been the most brilliant -in the world there is no doubt that Kaikorai well and truly whacked ’Varsity “A” after one of the brightest games seen here for a while, Kaikorai running out winners by 11 to 6—and ’Varsity’s tally was made up of two penalty goals. There'was plenty of incident in this match, and were I asked as to the meet outstanding feattire of the game. 1 would have no hesitation is saying that it was the magnificient forward play of Charlie Sonntag whose efforts were an inspiration to the rest of the- pack which thoroughly lined the ’Varsity vanguard, especially in the' tight, and Kaikorai had more than its share of ball. Sonntag gave one of the finest exhibitions of forward' play seen on Carisbrook for many a day, and the way he broke .through with the ball at hia toe time and again was a treat to watch. His line-out play was also first rate, and on the way he is playing just now he is going to be a hard man to keep out of the New Zealand side. Charlie is such an honest grafter that a lot of his good play goes by unnoticed while some of the shiners are given honours they have not earned. At times the Kaikorai backs combined well, and they were well served by Bolting at half, a.player who should be in the running for representative honours behind the scrum. But some part of Kaikorai’s success may be attributed to its skipper, I. Ross, the ex-Varaity player, showing to great advantage at second five-eighth. His well-directed kicking saved his forwards

time and again, and the saving work he did reminded me of that great little Southland inside back, Jack Hazlett, a player whom I contend did not get the credit often that was due to him. Olliver is a likely sort of three-quarter, and Clark, who played fullback in place of Jack Brown was very safe. The latter, by the way is a brother of the well known Southland centre three quarter, Herb. Brown. Kaikorai looks like developing into a pretty solid combination before the season ends, and with a little more combination in the back division some fireworks may be witnessed. “ 'Vargity A has the unusual experience for them of being on the defensive for a great part of the game, and on the run of the play they were lucky to get off as cheaply as they did. Holden is sadly missed behind the scrum and neither Brgdanovich nor Haughton showed a great deal of brilliance, their play being on orthodox lineal Horsley was not as good as usual at centre, and neither McClymont nor Webb got as many chances as usual. Stevenson at full back had a very busy afternoon and did not play up to his usual form, being caught too often with the ball in his possession. Stevenson’s greatest fault is that he is inclined to run up too far before getting his kick in and these tactics, while ail right perhaps against a weak team, did not pay on Saturday. He does not adapt his play sufficiently to circumstances. In the forwards, Hindenach and the Rhodes scholar, Henley, were prominent while Douglas toiled hard. “One of the biggest surprises of the day was Taieri's win against 'Varsity B by thirteen to six, and if the country side will only settle down to training it may upset some of the best teams before the season is over for it has a solhl pack and some useful backs one of whom is the ex-Star, Otautau, and Southland half back, George Grieve, who is now a veteran. Another member of the rearguard is Bathgate, an ex-Otago rep., and Finlayson, Otago rep. forward and brother of All Black "Bunny” Finlayson, is one of the best men in the pack. “Pirates now lead Kaikorai by a point, 'Varsity A, Taieri, and Southern each has four points (one behind Kaikorai), Varsity B 3, Alhambra and Dunedin 2, and Union and Zingari 0.” JUNIOR JOTTINGS AROUND THE GRADES. (By the Scribe.) CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS SECOND GRADE.

Waikiwi sees Stars! Third defeat in succession. Are Kiwis extinct birds? The cowboys come to town. Rimu, after a good hard tussle at Biggar Street, defeated Marist by three points. The country players are husky fellows. On the other playing area at. Biggar Street a closely contested game resulted between Old Boys and Invercargill, Old Boys being a vastly improved team to last year. At times flashes of good back play were seen but hard tackling soon pulled these efforts up. On the day the Blues were slightly superior, back and forward. The Old Boys team consists of young, keen players strengthened by a few seasoned old heads. Harrington Hamilton and Squires are all well up to senior standard and were playing for High School some years ago. When Old Boys were leading 9—5 in the second half the Blues forwards came to life and playing desperately carried the game well into the Old Boys’ territory time after time.

There is a weakness in defence somewhere in the Blues rearguard. Perhaps it is because they do not keep in position. Back one another up, Blues, and you will soon remedy this. Of the forwards it would not be fair lo single any individual player out as they all played in unison and with good coaching, will develop into a splendid pack. In the backs Grant displayed good form while E. Checketts (captain) played his best game to date. Star, playing at Waikiwi, inflicted a verysubstantial defeat upon the home players. It was a case of run across and score and Star knocked up 41 points before they were finished with Waikiwi. The Kiwi players' still new to second grade football, had their hands full all the time and did not manage to break their duck. The Waikiwi players will need constant practice and coaching to elevate themselves out of the unenviable position of being at the bottom of the ladder. Stick to it, Kiwis, and show the others what you are capable of doing. Lee showed up very prominently in Star’s ranks and was responsible for ten of Star’s 41 points. Burke and Giller were also seen to advantage during the course of the game and Townsend gave a good all-round display. Old Boys’ third grade team is apparently in for a good time this season. Out of the three matches so far played in the junior competitions Old Boys have gained three wins, two by default from Marist and Star respectively. One of the finest games seen this season was the match between Borstal and High School which took place in a playing area at the showgrounds. A sparkling exhibition was given by both teams and the match was worth while watching. Unfortunately the spectators were few. Both teams were even until within a few minutes before the final whistle Borstal made the score which gave them the victory. Despite the rain earlier in the week practically all the grounds were in good order. Queens Park No 2 playing area was no exception and a clean- hard tussle resulted between Invercargill and Pirates, the game resulting in a win for Blues by 27 points to 12. Invercargill was superior to Pirates, thia being manifest in the second half when the Blues carried cut most of the attacking. There is some promising material in the Pirates team, however, and with more training Pirates should be a force to be reckoned with. Pirates were a man short when they travelled to Bluff. Last Saturday they had a man over in their game with Blues. Lee's kicking was a feature of the game, this player compiling a good few points for Blues. Brandford and Thompson showed up prominently in places. Southern’s victory over Marist in their game on the Southern grounds was a- very narrow one and the light Blues had to keep going all the time. Martlew scored a try for Southern and a penalty kick by Sutherland brought the score up to six. Try as hard as they could Marist could not beat that score although the five points compiled by a try by Ryan and a conversion by Wybrow, went close to beating it. , The Marist club retaliated however when its fourth grade team defeated Southern by 25 points to three after a strenuous game at Biggar street. Lynch was a most handy player for Greens, scoring three tries and converting two. Hallamorc, Stone and O’Halloran gave a bright display and caused their opponents no little trouble. The distinction of gaining Southern's sole try fell to Cavanagh.

EASTERN DISTRICT NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.) Wednesday's Results. First grade: Edendale 6 v. Pioneer 3; Mataura 56 v. Seaward Downs 0. Second grade: Pioneer 9 v. Albion 8; Mataura 5 v. Pukerau 0; Wyndham 9 v. Edendale 6. Third grade: Albion defaulted to Mataura; Edendale defaulted to High School; Pioneer 5 v. Wyndham 0. Edendale thirds have withdrawn from the competition.

Last year’s senior and junior champions (Pioneer and Pukerau respectively) both defeated on Wednesday. ' Good luck to Edendale. Nobody grudges them a win, and further success for them would be popular. Edendale fielded a good pack, which dribbled, bunched and packed well. Ex-rep. L. Norton led them, after a few season’s absence from the field. He seemed hardly fit, but is still fast and dashing. Even allowing for the greasy state of the leather, the handling of the Edendale backs was bad, and a constant source of trouble. Too many of the Edendale back division's kicks failed to rise. The members of the rearguard were also a little slow to move off the mark. The team is young and light, but distinctly promising. The Pioneer pack was not good enough, but experienced backs and the sure handling of Fitzgerald, Martin and others, made a big difference. There was also more alertness among the Red backs, barring perhaps one man. The place kicking was, as usual, “pretty middling," and even the punting was frequently haphazard, on both sides. Referee Alex. Wallis gave, a good display. Results to date are as follows. First Grade.

fl o o ■-H Cj o rr> CD fl fl Cl ft O Ph >—t Diack (Pl ) 1 ti 0 21 0 9 9 18 McAuliffe (Sr) 1 3 1 0 12 Fitzgerald (Pl) .. .. 4 0 0 0 12 A. McKay (Blues) .. . 1 3 1 0 12 Pickering (Pl.) .. .. 4 0 0 0 12 4 0 0 0 12 Falconer (Pl.) .. .. 1 0 0 1 7 Agnew (Sr.) 2 0 0 0 6 Lilley (Sr.) 9 0 0 0 6 B McEwan (Sn.) .. .. 9 0 0 0 6 Metcalfe (Pl.) .. .. 2 0 0 0 6 Busby (W) •j 0 0 0 6 Bell (Sr) 9 0 0 0 6 Stubbs (Sr) 2 0 0 0 E. L. Cockroft (P2.) .. I 0 0 Melvin (Sr.) .. .. 1 0 0 p 3 Manson (Blues) .. .. 1 0 0 0 3 Frampton (Blues) .. 1 0 0 0 3 Stephens (W.) .. .. 1 0 0 0 3 L. Smith (W.) .. .. 1 0 0 0 3 Bird (Pl.) 1 0 0 0 o King (Pl.) 1 0 0 0 3 O’Toole (Sr.) 1 0 0 0 3 Riddell (Sr.) 1 0 0 0 3 Pay (P2.) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 W. Gibson (W.) .. .. 1 0 0 0 3 Pryde (P2) 1 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 3 Brown (Sn. 1 1 0 0 0 3 O'Driscoll (Pl.) .. .. 1 0 0 0 3 Norris (Blues) .. .. 1 0 0 0 3 C. Johnson (Blues) .. 1 0 0 0 3 Heatley (W.) .. .. 1 0 0 0 3 Morgan (Sn.) .. .. 0 1 0 0 ■J McDonald (W.) .. .. 0 1 0 0 2 Murray (Pl.) .. ■■ 0 1 0 0 aMills (W ) 0 1 0 0 9 R. McKay (P2.) .. . 0 I 0 0 9 ■ Totals 50 20 6 3 220

Pls I). F. Pts Ch. P. W. L. A. Pts Pirates .. 9 9 — — 41 8 4 Bluff •7 0 — — 26 12 4 Marist .. 3 2 1 — 76 IS 4 Star ,. .3 O 1 — 64 4 Ohl Bovs .. . . 3 I 2 — 26 46 2 Invercargill . 1 — 33 33 Rintu . 3 1 2 — 24 34 2 Waikiwi .. . . 3 3 — 3 120 0

Played Won IjOSt Pts. Pioneer .. o 1 1 2 Albion .. i 1 (I 2 Mataura .. i 1 0 2 Edendale 9 1 1 2 Seaward Downs .. • • 0 2 0 Second Grade. Played Won Lost Pts. Mataura 2 0 4 Edendale 9 1 1 2 Wyndham 2 1 1 2 Pioneer 9 1 1 2 Pukerau . . 2 1 1 2 Albion 9 0 9 0 Third Grade. Played Won Lost Pts. High School .. ... • . A 2 0 4 Pioneer 2 0 4 Mataura .. 2 2 0 4 Albion 2 0 9 0 Wyndham .. 2 0 2 0 Edendale .. ... ,.. 2 0 * 0