NIGHTCAPS NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22043, 16 June 1933, Page 12

NIGHTCAPS NOTES

RUGBY.

NIGHTCAPS v. WESTERN STAR.

(From Our Correspondent)

The first round of club fixtures was concluded on Saturday when Nightcaps maintained their unbeaten record by defeating Western Star on the local grounds by 9 points to nil. This match attracted a large number of spectators and was contested under ideal weather conditions.

For the greater part of the game play was confined to the forwards, the visitors having a decided weight advantage. Both packs played well and were fairly evenly matched in the tight with Nightcaps showing up better in loose rushes. Neither rearguard showed much initiative in the first spell in which there was too much indiscriminate kicking. Both sides obtained a fair share of the ball from line-outs and scrums but the respective back divisions did not link up well, the passing being too slow and lacking thrust. A change of tactics in the second spell saw Nightcaps play better football, and, with a re-arranged back formation they fairly outplayed the visitors towards the close of the game. F. Greer, Forde and Irwin were conspicuous throughout in the home forwards, Grant, Dempster and Alex Dixon playing well in the backs. For Western Star, Fowle, Findlay and Brick worked hard .in the pack, while Carr, McKay and L. Wilson were the pick of the backs. .The teams lined out as follows:—

Nightcaps (red). —W. Dixon, Arch Dixon, N. Grant, C. Hunt, G. Cappie, Alex Dixon, H. Dempster, D. Dyet, E. Excell, F. Greer, J. Mair, D.. Forde, W. Pope, W. Greer, N. Irwin. Western Star (blue and black). —K. Wilson, W. Chamberlain, J. Chamberlain, Alex Cochrane, McKay, L. Wilson, J. Carr, E. Fowle, D. Hope, O’Brien, M. Brick, T. Bates, D. Cochrane, J. Findlay, W. Findlay. Nightcaps kicked off and Western Star carried play downfield, Nightcaps rallying to half-way where N. Grant received and kicked through. Blues pressed but the home backs lined well. Irwin who was taking cleanly in lineouts sent his backs away in a good break, Blues defending solidly. A period of solid rucking followed Orawia eventually carrying play downfield where Blues lost a good scoring chance by weak passing. Reds were prominent in a vigorous loose rush and the position looked dangerous when a clearing kick by a visiting back was blocked by the fast breaking home forwards, a score being narrowly averted. Neither side was holding a definite territorial advantage, play centring about midfield with both packs striving hard for control.

Following the interval Blues set up an attack, a penalty allowing Reds to clear.'Blues were again prominent W. Dixon relieving to touch. McKay, at five-eighths, was playing a sterling game for Blues and was saving repeatedly. Back to their accustomed formation the Nightcaps backs were linking up better as the game progressed. The local backs handled in good passing, Alex Dixon receiving to make a spirited bid for the line and crash across in the arms of several defenders. F. Greer failed to goal. Nightcaps 3, Western Star nil.

Nightcaps backs again showed out, a difficult transfer pulling up the movement. L. Wilson failed to stem a Nightcaps rush and the forwards worked through. N. Grant, at half, sent out nicely from a scrum, Arch Dixon receiving to go over in a fair position. Grant’s kick missed narrowly. Nightcaps 6, Western Star nil. Playing with great dash Nightcaps were lasting better than their opponents and Forde led a slashing loose rush deep into the visitors’ territory. Western Star were penalized, Grant making no mistake with the kick. Time was called with the scores: Nightcaps 9, Western Star 0. Mr George Andrews (Ohai) was referee. Town Board. The monthly meeting was held on Monday night, the following members attending:—Messrs T. Thomson, A. Y. Cook, D. Sinclair, A. Prendeville and J. C. Wilson. In the absence of the chairman Mr T. Thomson occupied the chair. The Horticultural Society was granted use of hall for Friday and Saturday, June 23 and 24, for the annual show. Mr J. J. Lynch, secretary, Wreys Bush Jubilee Committee, wrote applying for hall seats for jubilee celebrations.— Granted, fee of 5/- to be charged and Messrs Wilson and Thomson to arrange distribution. It was decided to apply for 3000 trees for planting in reserves. The surfaceman’s report for the month was received and the monthly accounts passed for payment. Personal. Miss K. Martin, Invercargill, was the guest of Mrs G. Tinker for the weekend. Misses Evans and Dash, Ohai, spent the week-end as the guests of Mrs P. Grant. Miss R. Park, Oamaru, was the guest of Mrs W. McKenzie, last week. Miss I. Johnstone returned from Dunedin on Monday. Mr A. Grant, Wyndham, is visiting Mr and Mrs H. Gazzard.

Mrs McKay, Riverton, is the guest of Mr and Mrs J. Callow.

Miss Eileen Muir, Waikouro, has been staying for a few days with Mr and Mrs A. Laidlaw.