RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 22074, 22 July 1933, Page 14

RUGBY

SEASON’S FIXTURES

July 22.—Town v. Sub-unions’ team. July 26.—Central v. holders of Sports Trust Cup. . , , July 29.—Sub-unions’ match (Otago V. Southland), at Dunedin. Aug. s.—Southland v. Otago, at Invercargill. Aug. 9 (or before).—Northern v. holders of Sports Trust Cup. Aug. 9.—Southland v. Marlborough, at Invercargill. Aug. 12.—Southland v. Otago, a* Dunedin. , « « Aug. 16.—Southland v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. Aug 19.—Southland v. Canterbury (Shield match) at Christchurch Aug. 23.—Southland v. Wellington, at Wellington. . Aug. 2b’.—Southland v. Wairarapa, at Masterton. , T , Aug. 31.—Southland V. Hawkes Bay, at Hastings. , . „ S e p. 9.— Southland v. Taranaki, at Invercargill. . Sep 15.—Pirates Jubilee celebrations. Sep. 23.—North v. South Island, at Wellington. Answers to Correspondents. “Doubtful” (Blues) asks: An attacking player in possession of the ball falls five yards short of his opponents goal line; he then goes over the goalline on his hands and knees, and grounds or touches down the ball. Should the referee give a penalty kick against him for rabbiting?—No, a try should be awarded. If a player is tackled (that is, so held that there is a moment when he cannot pass or play the ball) the ball must be brought into play with the foot. In the foregoing instance the player was not tackled, but had fallen down. “Sixteen Men” (Dipton) wants to know whether, when a team takes the field with 16 men and the referee knows, he (the referee) should order the captain of the side to send one man o ff _No not until his attention has been drawn to the fact by the captain of the opposing team. Any score made by the team with the sixteen would still be counted. NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“Onlooker.”)

The final trial for the two Southland teams to play against the Otago and Otago Sub-Union teams in the next two weeks will be played at Rugby Park this afternoon. Never before have the two teams (Town and Country) been so strongly represented. Pirates’ win over Star last Saturday left them in an unassailable position for the senior championship. They must now win the Galbraith Shield for the second year in succession. The Blacks have proved themselves easily the best senior team here this season. Southland was favoured in the matter of weather conditions last weekend, and consequently all Rugby games were played. In Dunedin and Wellington the boisterous weather conditions prevented the continuance of the club competitions for the afternoon.

The representative season commences in earnest to-day. Thames Valley meet King Country at Te Kuiti; Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa play a return game at Masterton; South Canterbury and North Otago meet at Oamaru, and West Coast and Nelson meet at Greymouth. Next Saturday will see the close of the Galbraith Shield competition. Pirates meet Old Boys and Blues meet star. Most interest will centre in the doings of the Southland Sub-Unions’ team at Dunedin that day, however, and it would not be surprising to see a big crowd of Southlanders present at Caris-

brook. Last year the Southland country team defeated Otago at Invercargill by 6 points to 5. It was a very even game played in the heaviest of conditions and by no means a real trial of strength. The Maroons will be strengthened this year with the inclusion of Purdue and Southern, two experienced forwards. Probably half of the Southland team will come from the country players. Gil Porter is almost assured of the fullback’s position; Grant looks likely to lead the team again, and in the forwards there are Purdue, Southern, Fowle, Murphy (all Southland representatives) and Pawson to be considered. In the team most likely to represent the sub-Unions at Dunedin next Saturday there are eight provincial representatives, viz., Porter, Crosbie, Grant, L. Graham (ex-Otago), Purdue Fowle, Southern and Murphy. It is probable that the emergencies for to-day’s teams will get a run during the game. The selectors are most anxious to see Ussher (Eastern) in action behind the Sub-Unions’ scrum. He has only to produce some of his 1931 form to be in the running in the final selection.

Canterbury play their first game in defence of the Ranfurly Shield against Ashburton at Christchurch on Wednesday week (August 2). The Red and Blacks leave immediately on their short northern tour, playing Wellington at Wellington on Saturday, August 5, Manawatu on August 9, and Wairarapa on August 12. The Shield holders then have a week’s spell before playing Southland on August 19. The Wallabies play the second Test with South Africa at Durban this afternoon. The 1928 All Blacks won their second Test by the narrow margin of one point, 7 to 6. Next Saturday the Wallabies play Border at East London.

Western’s handsome victory over Eastern was a bit of a boil-over in some quarters of the province. Eastern’s improved form against the Town team at Gore gave rise to hopeful results, but the Westerners were ready and apparently never left the issue in doubt. The result bears out the contention of many who were present at Gore the previous Wednesday that the Town team’s form was deceptive. Several of the Maroons were decidedly off colour that afternoon.

Up till Saturday Central and Northern were the unbeaten sub-union teams. Northern’s victory at Dipton clinched the argument and the Greens are now entitled to style themselves the unofficial sub-union champions for the year. There is no reason why they connot be the official champions too. They and Central have yet to play challenges for the Sports Trust Cup. Central’s chances must be regarded as rosy seeing that they already have disposed of Western (holders) twice.

Central play Western on Wednesday, and the final challenge, between Northern and the holders of the cup (Western or Central) is to be played on or before August 9. A suggestion has been made to the writer that the final Sports Trust Cup game be played at Rugby Park as a curtain-raiser to the Southland— Marlborough game. The idea, is commendable and would mean an increased gate, which, of course, would require to be split between the S.R.F.U. and the defending sub-union.

The Old Boys—Blues game provided some interesting Rugby, both teams trying to open up the game whenever possible. However, on most occasions both sets of backs ran across the ground. Old Boys drew first blood, Mitchell scoring after he and Derbie had indulged in a bout of cross kicking for Mitchell to score in a handy position. It was fine work on Mitchell’s part. He was brought down short of the line, but reached over to score a try. Old Boys did not see as much of the ball as one would have liked to see

them get, but when they did get it from the scrum Peterson invariably sent it out smartly and Wesney cut in cleverly to give Mitchell his second try. Up to this time Blues had done a lot of attacking, but were unable to finish off their movements. McKay did not have his kicking boots on, missing three penalties in quick succession. , , In the second spell Blues showed more dash. Their forwards, led by the George brothers and Tapley, got most of the ball which they threw about to some advantage, putting on 18 points in the spell. Old Boys forwards tired and their backs were often found out of position. Nesbit, who could do nothing wrong on the day, repeatedly beat Old Boys’ five-eighths and paved the way for Blues success. Lindsay Niven played his usiial good game for Blues. He was successful in converting three tries. Angus McKay at centre did not show up in the first spell, but when he got plenty of ball in the second he gave a taste of his quality, his try from his own twenty-five being a particularly fine effort.

Old Boys were a disorganized side on the day, having many junior players in their ranks. Bob Henderson at full-back was a bit slow for the job. Mitchell was the outstanding back in the side, yet he did not have matters all his own way with McKay, who played well on top of Mitchell and gave him little latitude.

Three selectors were appointed at the referees’ meeting on Thursday night, Messrs H. R. Willcox, J. Murray and W. Pay, and immediately after the following referees were selected to go into strict training for the annual match with the Otago referees at Dunedin on August 12: F. Cheyne, W. O. Ward, J. Murray, H. R. Willcox, J. Ewart, M. P. Sheehan. L. Cockerill, C. A. Kerse. J. Smith. S. Batchelor, W. Smith, W. Pay, S. Frampton, T. Findlay, L. V. Bryant, J. R. Bell, W. Thomas. H. G. Sproat, R. McKay. Training will commmence on Thursday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at Rugby Park. Southland meets Marlborough at Invercargill on August 9. In 1928 the Southland Sub-Unions’ touring team met and defated Marlborough by 26 to 8. G. G. Aitken, the ex-Wellington and All Black footballer, who, after gaining a Rhodes scholarship, played for Oxford and Scotland, has been lately passing through trying times. His wife died recently, leaving a very small child, and he himself is now in very poor health. Present indications point to the task of the North Island selectors, Messrs E. McKenzie and F. Sutherland, as being fairly simple so far as backs are concerned (telegraphs the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Star). The forward job is the one which is going to take a lot of thinking out. Kilby appears to be a certainty for the half position, while Page and Griffiths should not' have a great deal of difficulty in winning five-eighth honours. Caughey, of Auckland, will retain the centre berth, while BullockDouglas, who is playing brilliantly in Wanganui, should go into one of the wing positions. The Rugby championship is gradually drawing to a close in Wellington, and as surely as it is closing so are Wellington College Old Boys strengthening their grip on the premiership. But Old Boys’ track will be over tough propositions which have yet to be surmounted. The propositions are represented by Wellington, Hutt and Poneke. Wellington, who meet Old Boys to-day (telegraphs the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Star) are now one of the hardest sides in the competition. But for a failure to show form in the early stages of the first round, when they were defeated in successive matches by Old Boys, Petone, Hutt and Eastbourne, they would,. in all probability have been disputing leadership with Old Boys. HOW POINTS WERE SCORED SENIOR COMPETITION. The following table shows how the 558 points in the senior games to date have been scored and by whom they have been scored.

Wilcox (P), Bailey (I), Giller (S), Cuff (S), Donnelly (S), Smiley (O.B.), Thompson (W), R. Henderson (O.B.), Morrison (O.B.), Girvan Thomas (P), Mclntyre (I), Frampton (S), I. Smith (W), I. S. Galt (S), M. Ward (S), McColl (S), Berry (P), Bews (I), and Lock (S), each scored one try, while Thompson (I), and Anderson (O.B.), each converted one try.

JUNIOR NOTES

(By "

“Onlooker Jun.”)

Saturday was an off day for those who follow the fortunes of junior Rugby, and of the three games, set down for decision only one required the services of a referee. A list of casualties in their senior ranks left Old Boys with a depleted side and they decided to default to Pirates. Waikiwi have long ceased to fulfil their fixtures and Blues secured a win by default. The remaining fixture, the Star— Marist clash, was played at Rugby Park as a curtain-raiser to the senior games. The Star team were compelled to field a weakened side through many of their leading lights having to turn out later in the day for their seniors. After their good showing against the championship defenders the previous week, the Greens were favourites, but once again they proved that their form was as in and out as a concertina. With a five to nil lead at one stage it appeared as though they might avenge their former narrow defeats, and although the result of the game was in doubt until the final whistle the Greens could not save the day, Star running out winners by the narrow margin of one point. Saturday’s encounter could not be classed as colourful; in fact for the most part it was ragged and very even as the final scores, 6—5, would attest. It is a well-known fact that the Greens play their best games when up against it; on the other hand they have been responsible for some very indifferent performances when matched with teams considerably weaker than themselves.

The honours of the day were with the Star fifteen, who fought very inch of the game, and when the Greens began to tire their persistence was rewarded. Territorially Marist had the better of it, but their rear division lacked thrust and finish, while the rock-like defence of the Blue and Whites kept the score down. , , , The Star forwards showed more dash than their opponents, who do not use their full quote of weight in the tight. In the loose the Greens display individual brilliance, but their lack of cohesion nullifies their efforts. Forwards hunting on their lonesome are easy prey to any back division, and so it proved with Star, who were able to retrieve much of the lost ground by clearing to the line. Until the Greens learn to hunt at least in pairs they will not be a successful attacking unit. An outstanding feature of the game was the powerful and well directed line-kicking of the Star players which undoubtedly saved the day for the Blue and Whites. Few juniors realize the value of finding the line, and repeatedly run their forwards off their feet. , . At centre Hallamore played his usual sound game for Marist, his kicking showed judgment, while his taking and giving of passes left little to be desired. It is a pity this player does not see more of the ball in his matches as he is the most promising of the Greens’ rear division. Campbell, as the last line of defence for the losers, has a safe pair of hands, and is a fairly accurate kick, but he dislikes being bustled. That is where the Greens’ weakness lies. When the Star forwards began to bustle them they were at sixes and sevens, and displayed a reluctance to stop dribbling rushes. With four successive losses Marist are now forced to relinquish their claims to the 1933 championship and it is left to Rimu, Pirates and Blues to fight out the major honour. Rimu are confident they can upend last season’s champions, but Blues are not to be taken too cheaply. Few of the present day juniors realize the value of using their feet. It was pitiful to see the Marist backs trying to pick up the greasy ball in their match with Star on Saturday. Had they used their feet with discretion they would have saved much valuable ground and remained in an attacking position instead of being returned to the defensive by losing control of the ball. That powerful weapon of attack the dribbling rush, which has made New Zealand teams such an aggressive attacking unit under many skies, is not cultivated to the extent it . should be, the present day junior being content to secure distance with his grot nd kick irrespective of the disadvantages of losing possession of the ball. SHORT KICK-OFFS

AN ABSURD PRACTICE IN RUGBY.

There has grown into Rugby a practice that appears likely to continue, though it is a very bad one, writes “W.G.G.” in the Christchurch Star. I refer to the short kick-off at the start of the game or after a goal has been scored. In the old days, the kick-off was made to go as far up the field as towards the opponents’ in-goal as possible. This necessitated opponents (1) taking the ball; and (2) finding touch. For some reason—totally inexplicable—the usual kick-off to-day is made a few yards forward towards one or the other touch lines. The action is invariably obvious to everyone, and frequently results in the ball being called .back because it does not reach ten yards forward as required by the rules; either that or it goes into touch, necessitating a scrummage at the centre of the field. Why this practice is continued is known only to those who practice it. Obviously the best way to begin the game is to gain ground and therefore the short kick-off as often adopted is a bad one. * ...... The proper method of kicking off is to send the ball well forward in the centre of the ground and as high ,as possible. This affords the kicker’s side more chances: (1) To get there in time to prevent a return, or if this fails (2) to force a hurried kick to the line preventing the return kick reaching the centre. If either of these succeed ground is gained. It is very seldom that the cross-kick towards either of the touch-lines is successful, although in one of last year’s Ranfurly Shield games it resulted in one of the best movements seen at Lanchester Park. Everyone will remember a kick-off being fielded by Manchester. He secured the ball, threw a long reverse pass and set the Canterbury team in action for a score.

This is a very rare occurrence and in nearly every case the kicker’s side fails to gain any profit. The kick-off should be straight down the field.

“TOUCH”

MR WARD’S INTERPRETATIONS.

The following lecturette, on “touch”, prepared by Mr. W. O. Ward, a member of the Southland Referees’ Association was delivered to referees recently:— If the football is kicked or accidently passed so that it touches or crosses the touch-line, it is out of play, and can only be brought into play again by one of the two methods as laid down laws governing the game, namely, by throwing the ball into the field of play so as to alight not less than five yards from the touch-line, or the non offending team may at their option, claim a scrummage which must be taken ten yards in the field of play opposite the place where the ball went into touch. Many players, and the public too, are not aware of the fact that if the ball is kicked across the touch-line and is blown back into the field of play, the ball is considered out, and in this case probably the touch judge is the only one who can definitely rule wether the ball actually crossed the touch-line. Some time ago a referee of good standing mentioned that in Iris opinion the best way to learn the touch rule was to regard the game as being played within four walls and any player or the ball touching them they are to be considered out of play. But this idea is not now absolutely correct according to the new rules.

It is not generally known that a player may be in touch or touch-in-goal and may play the ball with either hand or foot, providing of-course that he has not got the ball in his possession. If the players be in touch-in-goal he may reach out and score a “try” or a “touch down”. Touch-in-goal must be regarded as in touch and if a player _ is carrying the ball and touches the’ corner post (not the flag) he must be regarded as in touch-in-goal. If a player wilfully throws the ball touch or touch-in-goal from the field of play the non-offending team shall have at their option a scrummage or a penalty kick at the spot or ten yards in from the touch-line whichever is the greater distance. In the case of throwing into touch-in-goal from the field of play, the spot shall be ten yards from the goal line and ten yards from the touch-line. If however in the opinion of the Referee that a try would have resulted but for the infrigement he may award a penaltyßefe'rees must always be alert when three balls are being used, as a player might easily take up and play the wrong ball, and work a quick throw in. When the ball is thrown in from a line-out the player throwing the ball into play must stand with both feet in touch or, to put it plainly, outside of the field of play. The ball must be thrown in straight and must alight

fully five yards into the field. I wish to particularly emphasize the word must because in the cases mentioned the advantage does not apply, but in the case of a knock on from the lineout and the opponent gain an advantage such may be allowed to go.. No player is allowed to stand back from the line and charge a player in the line but may charge into a gap providing he does not touch an opponent. Should a penalty be awarded for any infringement in the line-out work the penalty must be taken ten yards from the touchline. CLUB COMPETITIONS. POSITION OF TEAMS. Mr J. L. Oughton chairman of the Flag Committee), has compiled the following tables, showing the position of all teams in the various grade competitions, for publication:—

8 C H c 0 u s Ph 0 Ph o H J. H. Geddes (P.) 13 — — — 39 R. Sharp (P.) 5 5 4 —• 37 R. Pickering (P.) 12 — —. —- 36 T. Riddell (S.) 2 7 4 — 32 F. Beadle (O.B.) — 6 5 1 31 N. Mitchell (O.B.) 10 —■ .— —— 30 A. McKay (I) 3 4 4 — 29 B. McDonald (W.) 6 1 2 — 26 J. Mattingly (S.) .— 3 5 — 21 T. Metcalfe (P.) 5 1 —■ — 17 R. Smith (P.) 4 1 — — •— 14 M. Pasco (S.) 4 —— — — 12 L. Clode (I.) 4 —• —- — 12 C. Watson (W.) 2 — 2 — 12 H. Sylvester (S.) 4 —— — 12 E. Tapley (I.) 4 —. —- 12 Glen Thomas (P.) ——• 5 —— —— 10 H. R. Watts (O.B.) 2 — —— 1 10 J. Sievwright (S.) 3 — —— — 9 E. P. Hawke (O.B.) 3 —— —— —— 9 H. Smith (S.) 3 —- . — 9 J. Fairweather (I.) 1 —- 1 7 W. Nesbit (I.) 1 .— 1 7 D. Morrison (P.) 1 2 —— —— 7 W. Hislop (O.B.) 2 — —• — 6 N. McCorkindale (S.) 2 —— — — 6 D. Stott (P.) 2 — — —— 6 T. Richardson (P.) 2 —• — — 6 L. Stubbs (S.) 2 — — •— 6 A. Derbie (O.B.) 2 — — — 6 A. Grant (I.) 2 — — —— 6 L. Henderson (I.) 2 —■■ —— 6 R. Ferguson (W.) 1 — 1 — 6 L. Niven (I.) — 3 — — 6

GALBRAITH P. W. D. SHIELD. . L. Points Ch. For. Ag. Pts. Pirates 9 8 — 1 181 65 16 Star 9 5 - 4 128 124 10 Invercargill 9 4 2 3 96 106 10 Old Boys 9 2 3 4 103 106 7 Waikiwi 8 - 1 7 50 157 1 Second Grade. Invercargill 9 7 1 1 63 48 15 Rimu 9 7 1 1 96 48 15 Pirates 10 6 2 2 69 47 14 Marist 10 5 - 5 110 76 10 Star 9 3 — 6 42 66 6 Old Boys 10 2 - 8 44 79 4 Waikiwi 9 1 - 8 32 92 2 Third Grade. Pirates 11 10 1 218 51 20 School 11 9 1 1 242 48 19 Borstal 11 7 1 3 116 87 15 Clifton 11 7 1 3 127 60 15 Railway 11 6 2 3 84 88 14 Invercargill 11 3 2 6 81 110 8 Bluff 11 4 — 7 66 82 8 Star 11 2 1 8 61 174 5 Old Boys 11 2 ■> 9 75 157 4 Collegiate 11 1 - 10 36 249 2 Fourth Grade. Invercargill 10 9 1 166 25 19 Marist 10 7 2 1 143 45 16 Technical 10 7 ■. 3 46 47 14 Borstal 10 5 1 4 125 79 11 Bluff 10 5 - 5 61 95 10 School A 10 4 1 5 93 121 9 Pirates 10 4 - 6 75 61 8 Rimu 10 4 6 51 56 8 Clifton 10 4 ' - 6 101 85 8 Waikiwi 10 3 1 6 67 74 7 School B 10 - - 10 — 240 —— Fifth Grade. School 9 9 - - 150 31 18 Marist 9 8 1 149 45 16 Technical 9 4 — 5 38 82 8 Invercargill A 9 3 1 5 66 66 7 Pirates 9 1 1 7 21 97 3 Invercargill B 9 - £ 7 15 118 2