COUNTRY DAY

Southland Times, Issue 25302, 4 June 1935, Page 8

COUNTRY DAY

SUB-UNION RUGBY EASTERN’S SURPRISE DISPLAY TOWN LUCKY TO WIN The annual Country Day fixtures were played under ideal weather and playing conditions at Rugby Park yesterday afternoon. There was a large crowd of spectators from all over the province. As in past years the Town-Eastern game provided the draw of the afternoon and as events turned out it was a wise move on the part of the S.R.F.U. to have arranged the draw as they did. Northern are the present champion sub-union, but on the form they displayed against Western yesterday they could not have extended the Town team as did Eastern. Northern defeated Eastern at Balfour last week, and many considered that they earned the privilege to meet Town. Yesterday’s games proved Eastern to be easily the strongest sub-union at the present time and when the Southland SubUnions’ team comes to be chosen it will cause no surprise to find at least half the Easterners in the side. Eastern deserved to win against Town. The latter were very fortunate to get away with a win, and unless some combination can be obtained before the Town-Country trial, it is probable that the country team will prove superior. There was more dash about the Easterners’ play and plenty of backing up by fast forwards. Three penalty goals turned the score in Town’s favour.

Central were too good for Southern, and Northern appeared to be lucky to succeed against Western. Outside the Eastern team none of the sub-union teams came up to the standard of previous years. Results were: Town 22 v. Eastern 17. Central 32 v. Southern 6. Northern 19 v. Western 12. ?

TOWN (22) v. EASTERN (17)

Eastern provided surprise opposition for the Town team and on the trend of play appeared to be unlucky to lose. As it was, Eastern scored five tries to Town’s three, the Maroons gaining more than half their points with three penalty goals and two conversions. It was an exciting game, fast and brimful of incident from start to finish. The Town forwards were beaten badly. They lacked the dash of the Easterners and did not show the same enterprise in supporting their backs. The game could be regarded as a moral victory for the Eastern team. Every man in the side played with dash. Town’s form on the other hand was not good. There were too many breakdowns in' passing rushes, although individually practically every back did something outstanding. As a combination they did not impress. The forwards packed an ill-balanced scrum and did not compare with some of the Town packs which have been fielded in recent years. The outstanding players for Eastern were McLennan (half-back), Barber (centre) and Forbes (wing), and Ward, Henderson, Southern, Spittle and Pawson (forwards). The teams were:

Town (maroon). —Beadle; Watts, Mitchell, Oliver; Nisbet, Sharp; Purdue; C. George, Smiley, Knight; Crawford, Berry, Willcox, McColl; Metcalfe. Eastern (black).—Tutty; Forbes, Barber, Milne; Crawford; Wallis; McLennan; Henderson, Renshaw, Spittle; Ward, Southern, Naylor, Pawson, Matheson.

Watts put Town on attack with a kick to Eastern’s twenty-five. Purdue secured from a line-out and went round the fringe of the ruck. He passed in to the forwards and a moment later the red backs went away. Sharp cut in and got his pass away, but Oliver had no room to work in and was collared. Berry and Crawford next broke clear and Forbes nipped in to clear a dangerous situation. Eastern were penalized, but Nisbet’s kick fell short. Oliver dived for the line and was pushed out, and Eastern scored a sensational try in the next minute. McLennan punted to halfway where Beadle failed to field cleanly and Forbes gathered the begging ball at full speed and raced away alone for a spectacular try. Wallis failed to goal. Eastern 3 Town 0

Eastern attacked again and the forwards bustled the Town backs. Nisbet, Sharp and George dribbled back to halfway, where Tutty saved well. Two movements by the Town backs were held up and Pawson broke away to Beadle, who made no mistake with his tackle. Forbes next put Eastern on attack again with a good line kick and the forwards, playing well, carried on. Purdue saved and raced away up the centre to pass to Metcalfe, who was brought low by Milne. The game was fast and there was plenty of incident to rouse the crowd. Town were finding it difficult to get through and were not having anything the better of the exchanges in the forwards.. Berry opened up play and gave the backs a run, but the tackling was too solid and the rush was pulled up a few yards from the Eastern line. There was no crispness about the Town passing and the dash of the Eastern forwards had them bustled. Spittle, Ward and Naylor were a hard working trio who raked the opposing backs several times. Purdue was also bustled and fumbled several chances to get his backs moving. Metcalfe and Pawson made bursts in turn and then McColl and Mitchell made play which resulted in Watts coming up fast and kicking the ball away from a defender’s hands to dribble over cleverly and score under She posts. Town 5 Eastern 3

Almost immediately Eastern had taken the lead again. Milne bustled the red backs and knocked on in recovering the ball, but the referee let it go and Barber came up to gather in and hand on to Crawford, who raced round behind for a spectacular try. Wallis goaled. Eastern 8 Town 5

Play was fast and furious and Town came again when Willcox broke clear and passed to Smiley, who went too far. A scrum in front of Eastern’s goal favoured Town and Purdue, Nisbet and Oliver handled for the last-named to dive over at the corner. Beadle failed to goal. Town 8 Eastern 8

Berry took the kick-off brilliantly in his stride and opened, up for the backs, but Sharp sent on a poor pass. Barber found touch with a big line kick and a moment later Town were penalized and Wallis 7 iled to goal. Half-time was called with Eastern on attack. Second Spell. The sun shone in Easterns’ eyes at the opening of the second spell. Mitchell made a good run apd Eastern were penalized, Sharp kicking a neat goal. Town 11 Eastern 8 Metcalfe next dived over the line, but was called back and from the following scrum the ball came back to Sharp, whose drop for goal went under

the bar. He then kicked another penalty goal from 30 yards out. Town 14 / Eastern 8 McLennan opened up the play and after fumbling by the red backs, Barber snapped up and cut the defence in two before sending in to Pawson, who scored in a good position. Crawford failed to goal. Town ! 14 Eastern 11 Eastern kept at it and Tutty improved the position with a jinky run. A line-out near Town’s line saw Henderson emerge from a ruck and bolt over for a good try. Crawford failed to improve. Town 14 Eastern 14 The Town passing was poor and many movements, which had commenced well, broke down at the centre and wings. Eastern were again penalized and Sharp completed the “hat trick” with a splendid goal. Town t 17 Eastern ' 14 It was Eastern’s turn next and after failing to goal a penalty Barber crashed through, only to be held up on the line. Not to be denied Eastern forwards raked the opposition and Barber and Milne went over together. Milne getting the try. Barber failed. Eastern 17 Town 17

Town were badly beaten at this stage. Milne made a run down the side-line, and Beadle failed to get his man, but broke his run. Town passing at last made ground and Smiley caught Tutty in possession. The ball came back to Purdue, who sent Nisbet away. A try was imminent until McLennan, coming up fast, threw Nisbet out yards from the corner flag. The play was more exciting than ever, and the crowd yelled as Forbes got a break. He passed in to A. Crawford, who was bagged ball and all by Mitchell. Oliver at last got a run and went over for a good try after Nisbet and Sharp had handled. Oliver ran round Tutty and scored behind the posts. Sharp goaled. Town 22 Eastern 17 Spittle, Henderson and Forbes provided the next thrill. A breakaway down the right wing saw the Town backs out-positioned. Forbes was the last to receive. He bolted for the line, but was stopped by Mitchell, who also

caught the forward in support and the ball went into touch. Mitchell saved a certain try here. Eastern held the upper hand and Renshaw dribbled to the line where McLennan was held up in diving for the line. Sharp cleared, but Eastern were back the next minute, a jinky run by Milne threatening danger. Fumbling let J. Crawford clean away. He was supported by Nisbet, who was brought down. Town failed to make the most of their opportunity here and Barber secured and. broke clean away. He started a movement which merited a try, but fortune favoured Town and the movement ended. Metcalfe had a chance in the dying stages of the game, but muffed a good pass, and the final incident in a bright game was another bid by the Eastern forwards who played dashing football throughout. The final score was: Town 22 Eastern 17 Mr J. R. Bell was referee. NORTHERN (19) v. WESTERN (12) Northern, holders of the Sports Trust Cup, were fully extended by Western who, with only five minutes to go, led 12—11. A strong finish saved the day for Northern but their display did not inspire confidence in their ability to retain the sub-unions’ premiership. There were some bright patches in the game, but it was chiefly notable for the number of stoppages for injuries. The afflicted players were nearly al-

ways Northerners, which would indicate that they are not as fit as they should be. Graham and Muir went well in the Northern pack, as did Southern and Irwin in the Western. McKay, at second five-eighths for Western, was about the best back- on the field. McNamee worked well on defence and Crosbie showed up in the dying stages of the game. Notable absentees from the sides were G. Purdue (Western) who received an elbow injury last week, and M. Hamilton (Northern) whose ear injury has not yet healed. The teams were: Western (Blue). —R. Lockett; J. Mouat, B. Mouat, W. Kini; A. McKay, R. Pickering; R. Knowler; F. Collis, W. Muir, J. Harding; J. McKenzie, S. Purdue, H. Southern, F. Greer, N. Irwin. Northern (Green).—R. Sutherland; A. Sutherland, U. Crosbie, B. Richards; T. McNamee, M. O’Shea;. H. Soper; W. Bisset, I. Agnew, C. Soper; G. Graham, F. Walker, T. Keown, W. Parker; J. Muir. Northern won the toss, placing Western against the dull sun. McKay set the game in motion, the Blue forwards carrying on well with their feet. They took play to the Green twenty-five where from a ruck heel Knowler sent back to McKay who scrum-kicked a neat field goal. Western 4, Northern 0. Western were showing better form than the Trust Cup holders whose backs seemed at sixes and sevens. Fast following up by O’Shea had McKay bustled. His clearing kick failed to go out and the speedy Green forwards were in possession going for Western’s line when the defenders were penalized for hanging on to the ball. McNamee goaled effortlessly. Western 4, Northern 3.

Northern were going better now. T. Keown received a nasty kick on the leg which caused him to retire, his brother (S. Keown) taking his place. Solid work by the Green pack and judicious line-kicking by O’Shea had Western defending hard, a force-down finally giving them relief. The Western backs indulged in passing, Mouat hanging on too ' long. Then Northern passing broke down through O’Shea’s erratic transfer. Play was fast but not of a high standard. The Greens lost a good chance of scoring when Soper worked the blind nicely. Richards took the pass but lost the ball as he was grounding it. Northern were not to be denied, however, a try coming a minute later. J. Muir centred judiciously and Crosbie, who went up fast in pursuit, took the ball cleanly and crossed in the arms of two tacklers. McNamee made a good attempt to goal. Northern 6, Western 4. McKay was prominent in the Western backs, repeatedly opening up play. Following a bright movement initiated by him the Blue forwards nearly crossed at the corner. Irwin failed with a long shot at goal. At the drop-out Crosbie worked the “wrongun,” he and A'. Sutherland taking play close to the Western line where crude play lost the Greens a scoring chance. In the next bout of Green passing A. Sutherland received when going at full speed and, aided by weak tackling, crossed beside the pests for McNamee to goal. Northern 11, Western 4. The Greens were suffering a lot from casualties. Muir and A. Sutherland went off, the former temporarily, the latter ipermanently. Wellman came on in Southerland’s place. For the remainder of the spell the Blues were hot on attack. One glorious chance of scoring went begging when B Mouat dropped his pass. There were two men

outside him unmarked. Just before the bell McKay broke through and sent a long pass to Kini, who after a dashing twenty yards run, sent in again to McKay who accepted a difficult transfer and scored a spectacular try which was not improved, the half-time score being:

Northern 11. Western 7.

The Greens were soon on the attack, penning Western on their line for the opening five minutes. A hard chance of goaling from a penalty was not taken by Western. J. Muir headed a good Noi-them forward rush but the Blues’ defence was sound. The Blue backs indulged in snappy passing, the ball travelling out to J. Mouat, who sent in again to McKay, but rather prematurely. Another pretty Western passing bout saw the ball go out to..Kini who was well tackled by R. Sutherland. Northern managed to repulse a sustained Western attack. The Blues then had the misfortune to lose their best back, McKay, through a shoulder injury. Mclntyre replaced him. The game lost a lot of its pace through lineouts and stoppages for minor casualties. The Western forwards stormed the Green line, but were sent back through a force-down. From the drop-out the Greens swept upfield, to be in their turn sent back by a force-down. Western were now playing much more vigorously than Noi-them. Greer led a rush in which some fine dribbling was seen, Greer coming in again to score beside the posts for Irwin to goal and place his side a point ahead. Western 12, Northern 11.

Hammering away at the wilting Northern line, Western looked the winners, but the Greens made a spirited rally which took play to the other end of the field. During a scrum near the line two over-eager Blue forwards got offside and from a handy position McNamee sent the ball over. Northern 14, Western 12.

Showing their exaltation at this success the Northern backs went away in bright passing. Crosbie ran strongly and passed to Richards almost on the line, the wing crossing at the corner. Crosbie’s kick hit the bar and fell over.

Northern 19, Western 12. Western were hot on attack when the whistle went. Mr C. A. Kerse was referee.

CENTRAL (32) v. SOUTHERN (6)

In the first spell Central piled up their score at a great rate, their backs going through Southern with ease. Southern did better in the second half, however, and kept Central’s scoring down to two tries. Central were too good all round and as Southern were more or less a disorganized side a true indication of their merits could not be obtained. All of the red backs shaped well, Thornbury (wing) and Driscoll (five-eighth) standing out for good work. Roscoe, Robertson and McDougall were the best of the forwards. Southern’s hardest workers were H. McKenzie, Miller and Chisholm, the first-named displaying versatility by playing in the pack in the first half and in the five-eighth line in the second. The teams were: Central (red and black). —Robb; Thornbury, Jolly, South; Pierce, Driscoll; Calder; Thomas, Chilton, Roscoe; McDonald, McDougall, Casey, Crengle, Burke. Southern (green and white). —J. McCallum; McDonald, Millar, Ericson; S. McCallum,. Morrison; Robertson; Shaw, McKenzie, Kerse; Fleming, Holms, Morton, Hardie, Chisholm. Central opened the attack, but fumbling by the Red backs let Southern away and failure to find the line by a defender gave Southern a chance. The ball was kicked over Central’s line and in a race for the ball McDonald touched down. No goal resulted. Southern 3 Central 0 Within five minutes Central had taken the lead, a neat piece of passing by the Red backs ending in Jolly cutting in sweetly and giving Thornbury a clear run in behind the posts. Thornbury converted. Central 5 Southern 0

The Red forwards packed well and secured the ball from the scrums, and the backs were given several runs. The handling was not too good, however, and Southern kept their line intact. They were forced down and got further relief with a free kick when penned right on the line. From a scrum at halfway the Red backs swung into action and Jolly, running strongly, got through the defence with ease. He passed to Driscoll, who scored an easy try. Thornbury failed. Central 8 Southern 3 Central scored again in the next minute, South making a strong run on the right wing. He was stopped and play was carried on to under Southern’s goal where Driscoll was given a pass from the ruck and went over untouched. Thornbury goaled. Central 13 Southern 3 Central were clearly superior to the Greens and had matters much their own way in the ensuing play. Roscoe headed a rush to Southern’s line, but Pierce failed to gather in and the chance was lost. Thornbury missed with a penalty shot, but McDougall made amends by dribbling through the defence and making play for Burke, who scored. The try was converted by Robb. Central 18 Southern 3

Another try came from good passing Pierce took a bad pass cleverly anc Jolly made the opening for South, whe brushed through a tackle to score wide out. No goal. Central 21 Southern 3 Southern rallied and H. McKenzie had a shot from a penalty. Central forced down. Thombury next jinked through the defence and scored. Robb converted. Central 26 Southern 3 Thombury and Driscoll were associated in a bright run just before halftime, but no further score resulted. Second Spell. The second spell was played on the No. 2 area and resolved itself into a scramble. Southern offered some resistance in this half and Central’s form felk away badly. After 20 minutes of indecisive play H. McKenzie forced his way over for Southern. No goal resulted. Central 26 Southern 6 Central increased their score after good forward play, McDougall securing from a line-out and going over wide out The kick failed. Central 29 Southern 6 McKenzie broke clear for Southern, but was overhauled from behind and Driscoll started a counter-attack which ended in E. Robertson scoring. Central 32 Southern 6 There was no further score. Mr D. F. Leckie was the referee.

ALL BLACK TRIAL AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL TEST. MANY DISAPPOINTMENTS. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 3. Only a moderate standard of Rugby was revealed in the Auckland provincial All Blacks trial match played today. It was the only game of the trial series set down for decision in Auckland, and a crowd of about 15,000 saw the combined Auckland-North Auckland team, which included 11 city representatives, defeat Waikato-Thames Valley-King Country fifteen by 18 points to 10. The game could hardly be classed as a reliable gauge of current form. Several members of the southern team showed up favourably as individuals, but the northern players seemed to suffer from half-heartedness. They played neither as a team nor as individualists, and in some respects were rather lucky to win. Very few of the local candidates for All Black honours improved their chances on to-day’s showing. Bush and Corner were notable exceptions. The former played a typically sound game and his touch kicking, although hardly as strong as usual, was always accurate; he stopped rushes in resolute fashion and on occasions ran powerfully himself to break his way through a crowd of opponents. His potted goal in the second spell was a particularly fine effort. Corner was at his best and played an admirable all-round game. His passes from the scrum were perfect and time and again he saved his forwards with judicious kicks to the line, i Disappointments were provided by Hedge and D. Solomon. There was no penetration about their work on attack, chiefly because Hedge appeared to have one thought—of getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible. Solomon, too, lacked initiative, and the result was that the southern players were almost invariably on top of the northern threequarter line. Caughey, who started off as an individualist, later tried to open up play for his wings, but they were crowded and their handling was faulty.

Another disappointment in the play of the northern team was the work of the forwards. There was more than a suspicion that not all the available weight in the pack was going into the tight, and Cooper, a North Auckland forward, seemed to upset the balance of the front row. McLean played brilliantly in the loose and in lineouts, while Ross and Pepper were consistently prominent. Ross was probably the best forward on the ground. F. Solomon revealed something of his old form, but his was almost an exclusively roving game.

The southern forwards, capably led by Leeson, Wynyard and Cathey, played more compactly than their opponents and by their combined work saw to it that Hadley did not have a monopoly of the ball from scrums. Russell played an enterprising game and showed distinct promise at half, and Barton and Carlson, at five-eighths, were better than the opposing pair. Carlson, on the day, was the best inside back on the ground. Allen showed flashes of real brilliance on the left wing, while McLeod, at fullback, was not far behind Bush’s standard. Tries for the northern team were scored by Caughey (2), Hadley and Hedge; Bush converted one and kicked a field goal. The scorers for the southern team were Leeson, Carlson, Allen and Wynyard. Carlson converted two tries. NEPIA BRILLIANT EAST COAST TRIAL GAME. OUTSTANDING DISPLAY. (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, June 3. A preliminary All Black trial for players of Poverty Bay, East Coast and Bay of Plenty was played to-day in an almost continuous drizzle. A feature of the game was a brilliant display by George Nepia, who gave every indication of returning to top form with a few more good class games. His kicking and tackling were as good as ever and he provided the climax to a surprisingly fast game by potting a goal from near halfway and close to the touchline. C. McKinley (Poverty Bay), E. Howell (Bay of Plenty), R. Lees (Bay of Plenty) and Webb (Poverty Bay) were the best of the other backs. The outstanding forwards were’ Reedy (East Coast), Matheson (Poverty Bay), Martin (Poverty Bay), Wright (Poverty Bay), Kershaw (East Coast), and Porohiti (Bay of Plenty). OFFER REJECTED FAMOUS ALL BLACK. NEPIA DECIDES NOT TO PLAY LEAGUE. (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, June 3. When Nepia took the field to-day in the Poverty Bay-East Coast-Bay of Plenty trial game to select the combined team for the Napier All Black preliminary match the stands buzzed with the news of the latest offer made to the famous Maori All Black to join the League code. Interviewed to-day, Nepia corroborated the statement that a stranger visited his home at Ruatoria and offered him a considerable amount in notes to sign an agreement to playthree League matches as a New Zealand representative against Australia. Nepia is a member of the Maori dairying community and money does not flow like water in the settlement, but he rejected the offer, indicating a preference for finishing his career in the code which gave him early prominence. WEST COAST MATCH CANTERBURY~WIN BY 16 TO 12. C. J. OLIVER PROMINENT. (Per United Press Association.) Greymouth, June 3. The Canterbury Rugby representatives defeated West Coast by 16 points to 12 in the presence of over 2000 spectators.

Ideal conditions prevailed and play was hard and even, the score at halftime being 11—9 in favour of Canterbury, for whom Oliver (2), Hart and Rankin scored tries, Deavoll converting two.

For West Coast Mann scored two tries, Gilbert kicking two penalties. The Canterbury backs were markedly superior, Oliver originating all the scoring - movements, Hart and Brown both co-operating with him. Nolan was a good full back. The outstanding West Coast backs were Mann and Gilbert.

The West Coast forwards prevailed in the loose, while tight play was even. King, McNeight and Freitas showed excellent form, while the best Canterbury forwards were Rankin, Howell and Deavoll.

WAIRARAPA DEFEATED

MATCH AGAINST HAWKES BAY.

(Per United Press Association.) Hastings, June 3. The Hawkes Bay Rugby representative team defeated Wairarapa by 29 points to 14 to-day at McLean Park, Napier.

The home side was better equipped in the rearguard, making the most of the opportunities that came their way. Hawkes Bay easily had the best of the first spell, when they led by 16 points to nil, but the second half

fairly even, though Wairarapa scored only one try, the remaining eleven points coming from goals kicked by Fuller. INTERESTING GAME DRAWN GAME AT ASHBURTON. (Per United Press Association.) Ashburton, June 3. An interesting Rugby match was witnessed when Ashburton drew with the Canterbury B team, the score being 19—all. Bright open play was seen throughout, with the teams scoring alternately. At half-time the score was 16—11 in favour of Ashburton. The home forwards were superior and the backs gave a good display, while the Canterbury backs threw the ball about but not always to the best advantage. Canterbury were attacking strenuously at the final whistle. NORTH OTAGO MATCH TOWN BEAT COUNTRY. In the first North Otago representative Rugby match for the union Town defeated Country at Oamaru to-day by 32 points to 8. NARROW WIN < - WANGANUI DEFEATS TARANAKI. (Per United Press Association.) Wanganui, June 3. In the annual Rugby match Wanganui beat Taranaki by 21 points to 20. The game was the fastest and brightest played for many years. WIN FOR~N.S.W. VICTORIA DEFEATED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) Sydney, June 3. In a Rugby Union match, the New South Wales Country team defeated Victoria by 23 points to 17. RUGBY UNION MEETING TWO ROUNDS OF SENIOR FIXTURES. SATURDAY’S DRAW.

At the weekly meeting of the Southland Rugby Football Union management committee last evening, presided over by the president (Mr H. S. Strang) it was decided to limit the Galbraith Shield competition for senior teams to two rounds. This was adopted on the recommendation of the selection committee, who requested that certain dates in July be set aside for trial games. On behalf of the selectors Mr A. H. Mitchell said that without postponements the second round of matches would be completed on July 13. It was hoped to play a trial match on July 20, and the Town-Country game on July 27. The first trial would be a Possibles-Probables game, Town and country players mixed, and the second would give the sub-union’s team a game together before the match with the Otago Sub-Unions. After these games the representative programme would be commencing and it would hardly be worth while carrying on the senioi- competition.

Messrs W. Oliver, H. J. Brown and J. L. Oughton said they thought the season for senior players was being cut down too much.

Mr Oughton suggested that as a consideration to the players all senior players should be admitted to the trial games free of charge. They were not getting much football for their “subs” and uniform outlay. Mr A. J. Geddes said there was no way out. They had tried holding over the completion of the competition until after the Southland team returned from its tour, but it had not proved satisfactory. It was finally decided to close the senior competition on July 13 and set aside the -dates as suggested by the selectors.

A suggestion by Mr Pryde that a seven-a-side tournament be held for senior players on August 3 was held over for consideration later. Sports Trust Cup Games.

July 6 was set down as the date for the first Sports Trust Cup match between Northern and Southern, and July 17 for the second game between the holders and Eastern. July 24 was suggested for the third challenge game and July 31 or August 6 for the final game, subject to confirmation by the sub-unions affected.

In response to a request from the Taranaki Union it was decided to play the Southland-Taranaki game at Stratford on Thursday, September 12, instead of Wednesday, September 11.

Mr G. D. Anderson, secretary of the Southland Men’s Hockey Association, wrote as follows: “I have been instructed to write expressing our warm appreciation of the manner in which the Rugby Union has considered our requests renting to our game against the Indians. The knowledge that we have in the Rugby Union, a body of men who are willing to sacrifice their own game to assist a kindred sport for that day gives us good cause to be pleased.” Advice was received that the following gentlemen had been appointed to confer with the Southland selectors: Mr J. Forde (Central), Mr J. T. Gardiner (Southern) and Mr C. Mill's (Western). High School were awarded the fourth grade match High School v. Clifton to have been played last Saturday, by default.

Referees For Interprovincial Games. The Referees’ Appointment Board submitted the following five referees for representative fixtures: Messrs J. R. Bell, C. C. Kenward, J. Ewart, C. A. Kerse, M. D. Clarke. A. Lightfoot was granted a transfer from Rimu to Invercargill.

The selectors (Messrs A. H. Mitchell, L. R. Lopdell and A. J. Geddes) submitted the following names of Maori players eligible for the New Zealand Maoris’ team to tour Australia:—G. B. Purdue, S. E. Purdue, J. McKay and W. G. Kinin (all of Western) and J. R. Barber (Eastern). It was decided to send the nominations on to the South Island representative of the Maori team (Mr Parata).

Messrs W. Warring (Wakatipu) aid J. McMath (Northern) were present and were welcomed to the meeting by the chairman. Both made requests for visits from a Town team, a matter which the chairman promised to keep in view. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Senior Grade. Invercargill v. Star, at Rugby Park at 3 p.m.; Marist v. Old Boys, at Rugby Park a 2.15 p.m. Pirates a bye. Second Grade. Bluff v. Star, at Bluff at 2.45 p.m.; Invercargill v. Old Boys, at Queen’s Park No 2 at 2.30 p.m.; Pirates v. Marist, at Biggar street No. 4 at 3 p..m. Third Grade. Clifton v. Pirates, at Clifton at 2.45 p.m.; Borstal v. School, at Rugby Park at 1.30 p.m.; Star v. Rimu, at Kennington at 2.45 p.m.; Invercargill v. Woodlands, at Biggar street No. 2 at 2.45 p.m. Fourth Grade. Technical v. Bluff, at Biggar street No. 1 at 2.30 p.m.; Clifton v. Invercargill, at Biggar street No. 3 at 3 p.m.; Collegiate v. Marist, at Queen’s Park No. 1 at 2 p.m.; Old Boys v. School, at School No. 1, at 2.15 p.m.; Star v. Pirates, at Biggar street No. 3 at 1.30 p.m. Fifth Grade. Marist v. Pirates, at Tweed street at 3 p.m.; School v. Invercargill, at School

No. 2 at 2 p.m.; Collegiate v. Technical, at School No. 3 at 2 p.m. FOURTH GRADE RESULT. From information received it was stated in yesterday’s issue that Star beat Old Boys in a fourth grade match by 17 points to nil. This was incorrect, the game being won by Old Boys. WESTERN DISTRICT NIGHTCAPS v. OTAUTAU. (From Our Correspondent.) Fine weather prevailed for this match which was witnessed by a large gallery of supporters of both teams. This game practically decided the winners of the first round of the Western District competition. The teams were as follows:— Nightcaps (red): C. Hunt; W. Klemick, G. Cappi, J. White; A. Cushnie, W. Callow; Lex Greer; W. Greer, L. Greer, E. Thompson, D. Forde, J. Allan, F. Greer, M. McCoy, N. Irwin. Otautau (red and white): Collie; J. Bates, M. Chilton, Stearn; Gonley, Chisholm; Collie; F. R. Muir, W. Muir, Campbell, Whitehead, Brick, J. Chilton, T. Bates, Mannix. Nightcaps kicked off against a strong sun, but otherwise perfect football conditions prevailed. Quite early an Otautau player got off-side and from an easy position Irwin kicked a goal. Nightcaps 3; Otautau 0. From the kick-out Otautau attempted to open up the game, but the reds hemmed them , in. The whites were getting the ball from the scrums, but their passing movements invariably broke down among their inside backs. The white forwards broke through and Hunt was nearly caught in possession. From a scrum the ball went to Callow and a promising red back movement broke down here. J. Gonley put in a fine solo effort but a free-kick to the reds saved. McCoy gained some ground from the line-out with a good dribbling effort, but Chisholm picked up and with a good kick put the ball out near half-way. Play veered up and down field for some time with the reds pressing hard and more than holding their own. F. Greer went away only to be held up within 10 yards from the line and the spell ended without further score.

Upon resuming play was held in midfield with much scrummaging and many line-outs. Irwin, who was playing a great game, went well through, and after kicking regained possession, passed to D. Forde, who making a bad pass allowed the whites to stave off what appeared to be a certain try. Chisholm had a kick from a penalty, but it fell she.i and almost immediately afterwards Otautau were awarded another free-kick and Whitehead goaled to equalize the scores, 3 all. The whites were now playing far better than in the first spell, but could not get over. The red forwards rallied and from a sortie Lewis Greer went over and Irwin converted. Nightcaps 8; Otautau 3.

The reds worked hard, but were unable to finish off many promising efforts, the game ending Nightcdps 8, Otautau 3- Mr T. C. Duncan was referee.