RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 25306, 8 June 1935, Page 14

RUGBY

SEASON’S ENGAGEMENTS SOUTHLAND’S PROGRAMME. The following table gives the list of fixtures in which Southlanders are interested this season:— June B.—Possibles v. Probables (South Island trial), at Christchurch. June 13.—Possibles v. Probables (New Zealand trial), at Wellington. June 15.—Possibles v. Probables (New Zealand trial), at Wellington. August 3.—Otago sub-Unions v. Southland sub-Unions, at Dunedin. August 10.—Southland v. Otago, at Invercargill. August 17.—Southland v. Wanganui, at Invercargill. August 21.—Southland v. Wairarapa, at Invercargill. August 24.—Southland v. Otago, at Dunedin. August 28.—Southland v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. August 31.—Southland v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. September 4.—Southland v. Wellington, at Wellington. September 7.—Southland v. Auckland, (Shield challenge), at Auckland. September 11.—Southland v. Taranaki, at Stratford. I,AST WEEK’S SENIOR RESULTS. Pirates 24, Old Boys 0. Invercargill 16, Marist 4. NOTES AND NEWS. (By “Onlooker.”) Second round of Galbraith Shield matches commence this afternoon. South Island Possibles—Probables trial at Christchurch to-day. Metcalfe, Mitchell and Les George are Southland’s hopes. It is possible that A. Wesney, Old Boys five-eighth, will be seen out with his club in the near future. They can do with him badly just now. With men like Mattingly and Galt sitting in the stand on Country Day it was little wonder that the Town pack were made to look like a lot of novices against Eastern. Although the selectors said so, the pack was not nearly the best Town could have fielded. Smiley was not a good substitute for Bews and Knight did not make up for L. George’s defection. Several of the Country champions were absent from the games at the Park on Monday. J. Murphy (Central) was suffering with a leg injury, G. Purdue (Western) stood aside owing to elbow trouble, and M. Hamilton (Northern) was out with a tom ear.

After seeing Eastern and Northern going on Monday cne is forced to the conclusion that Northern’s victory over Eastern in the Grant Cup fixture must have been a bit of a miracle. Either that or Eastern were saving themselves for Town.

G. McLennan, the Wyndham colt, playing half-back for Eastern, was the surprise packet on Monday. He was selected in front of M. Ussher, and after seeing his play one could see the reasoning of the Eastern selectors. McLennan overshadowed J. Purdue on the day. He had the advantage of playing behind the better pack, but there was no doubting his ability as a scrum half. He was far and away the best half seen out in the country teams.

Two wing three-quarters who impressed were South pnd Thornbury, the Central pair. Other good ones were seen in Forbes and Mouat but the work of Thornbury and South stood out. Both are dashing runners and good handlers. The decision of the Rugby Union to limit the Galbraith Shield competition to two rounds was the only practicable one in the circumstances. Many of the Town players will more than likely find places in the.. Southland team to tour, and if the competition were continued the difficulty would be to field teams. Pirates’ victory over Old Boys last Saturday was more decisive than anticipated by the team’s most ardent admirers. Earlier in the season the Blacks had given ?, taste of their qualities and it was then seen that they had the material capable of moulding into a first class combination. They apparently saved their good game for Old Boys, at least the last quarter of it, and on the day it is doubtful if any club side would have stood up to them. It was an exhilarating display of open Rugby, and if the public could be assured of similar displays each week they would turn out in their thousands instead of hundreds. Pirates are to be congratulated on their performance in re-establishing bright Rugby in Invercargill. Their future displays will be watched with interest, and as the next round, commencing to-day, is to be the final round for the championship there are sure to be some good games. The Invercargill—Pirates return promises to be a great draw. At this stage, however, despite Invercargill’s defeat of the Blacks in the first round, it is difficult to see any winner but Pirates. It was pleasing to see the combination of Gervyn Thomas, Peddy and Sharp. This trio compared favourably with Purdue, Nisbet and Grant, of Invercargill, whose work has created such a good impression this season. Peddy’s work as the link between fhomas and Sharp left nothing to be desired. For a colt he gave a very promising display, one which will give him confidence to go on to better things. I liked his handling and smart running very much. The star of the Pirates backs was Oliver, champion wing three-quarter who has apparently been turned down by the N.Z. selectors. There were many in the crowd who had never seen such brilliant try-getting, and on this account wondered if there were really many better than Oliver in New Zealand'. His handling at top speed, his dash and swerve left nothing to be desired in wing three-quarter play, and if he can get similar opportunities when on tour with the Southland team then the Maroons should be able tb impress the northern people. Pirates are very fortunate in securing Oliver to take the place of Bert Geddes. On the other wing for Pirates C. Watson shaped like a three-quarter, and scored a very good try. His work had a finish about it that is lacking in other three-quarters and for this reason alone it would appear that he had better claims for a position in the Town team on Monday that Watts (Old Boys). Watson is an experienced footballer. Some critics have discounted-his ability in past years because of little characteristics and eccentricities, but there is no doubt whatever that the former Waikiwi player is a good footballer. He deserves consideration when the next Town team is to be selected. Glen Thomas, at full-back, was on his best behaviour and did not put a foot wrong throughout the game. His fielding and kicking were of a high standard. Thomas appears to have fully Recovered from the injury which put him out of court? last year, and now looks more robust to fill the more important position of representative full back. He will doubtless have opposition for this position, but so far this season he has shaped as well as any and better than most of the full-backs seen out on Rugby Park. Perhaps he will be given the post of honour when the next Town team comes to be chosen. I have received the following from a Dunedin correspondent:—Dear “Onlooker”: As one who has always keenly followed the good old game of Rugby, I wish to congratulate you on your excellent report and criticism of the trial match held in Dunedin last Saturday. The local critics are evidently out to boost only the Otago players

and in particular, keep the spotlight on McDonald, who is quite a sound player, while they completely overlooked the fine game played by L. George. George in my opinion, gave one of his best displays of rugged forward play, and his tackling in particular, was of a high order. The writer would like to see Cyril George display his wares as a front row forward in at least one trial. One local report named four forwards as outstanding in the southern side, yet strange to say, Vorrath was not included in those four. I expect Vorrath to be one of those in the final trials.—“A.G.B.”

R. Donnelly, making a reappearance for Wellington last Saturday, played fine football, being at home in the tight and he was never far from the ball in the open.—N.Z. Sporting Life. All Black skipper Frank Kilby, after a fortnight’s rest-through injuries, took his place behind the Wellington pack and in partnership with Page gave a dazzling exhibition. In the first half behind a beaten pack, he turned up trumps and his defensive play was gameness personified. He went down to anything and everything, and when the ball eventually came his way he showed that he was by no -means a spent force. Crisp and neat passes were the order, with play sufficiently varied to keep the opposition thinking all the time, while his understanding with Page was perfection.—N.Z. Sporting Life.

While there were many good forwards in the trial match at Carisbrook last Saturday, there were not many backs of outstanding ability, comments the Dunedin Star, At the same time, as the game went, there were some backs who got practically no chance of showing of what they were capable. The wings, for instance, seldom received the ball in a good position, and it would not be altogether fair to judge of their calibre on the game. Generally, the match was a disappointing display, and it seems clear that, with perhaps four or five exceptions, most of the backs for the New Zealand team will come from the North Island.

An old representative player and present day enthusiast writes: “A performance that the Pirates Club should be proud of and which should stand as somewhat of a record was registered by their members playing in the different grades last Saturday, when the total number of points scored was 94, without a point being scored against them. The first fifteen scored 24 to nil, the second fifteen played to a pointless draw, the third fifteen scored 30, and the fourth fifteen notched 40—a total of 94 points to nil.’’ MARIST’S IMPROVEMENT. ■While it must be admitted that the Blues did not play with the brilliance of the previous week, the showing of the Greens was a great improvement on their opening games. It may well be that Marist will fill the bottom place in the Galbraith Shield competition; but it will be generally conceded that they have jusified their claims to promotion. Their forwards are a solid lot; their backs seem to have got over the stage fright which overtook them at their emergence into the cold, critical light of senior grade. McKenzie, a husky Green forward, has representative possibilities. He may be a bit raw yet, but there is great material here to work on. He weighs about 16 stone and has a fair turn of speed—not bad assets when coupled with keenness. Chisholm is a useful man in the loose, but does not relish the tight, which is in contrast with most of the Greens who pack excellently.

Clark, inspired* by his success in the previous match, again registered a field goal. Nesbit did likewise—and the epidemic broke out, From all angles pots were rained at the goal posts which withstood the attack. Potting is certainly a most contagious disease. The Greens were fairly well served behind the scrum by Forde and the greater confidence displayed by the inside backs enabled them to indulge in more effective passing than hitherto. There is still a lack of thrust, but this may come before the season ends. Warring gives it a go on the wing, but his in-passes are wild. Forde at fullback kicks well, but his ground fielding needs improving. Ferris has undoubtedly strengthened the three-quarter line. Blues were inclined to be lackadaisical, particularly the backs, whose handling left a lot to be desired. Henry was their best back. He invariably makes sure of the line—which cannot be said of many backs playing in Invercargill. Furthermore his rush stopping is sound. An unusual feature of his kicking is that when one expects him to use the right foot he uses the left, and vice versa. COUNTRY DAY GAMES . THE PLAY AND PLAYERS. When the first four teams paraded in the Country Day games on Monday there was plenty of evidence to say that the standard of Rugby in the sub-unions had suffered a setback since last and previous years. Neither Northern nor Western looked the parts they have played in past games, while Central’s second half showing against the weak Southern team spoiled the good impressions gained about them by their play when in front of the grandstand. It was left to Eastern to provide the surprise of the afternoon by opening out against a reputably strong Town side and calling the tune practically throughout the' game. Eastern’s was refreshing Rugby, and if there were mistakes in abundance there was a welcome introduction of dash and pace. The result made for a good test, and in turn gave food for thought concerning the forthcoming representative games to be played by the Southland team.

In view of their reported strength (or weakness) and the poor showing of the Easterners against Northern the previous week, many of the big crowd at the Park were prepared to see the speedy (sic) Town backs do just as they wished and throw the ball about at will and score tries any old time. It was a very pleasant surprise then when Eastern, adopting a bustling attacking game, made the play to suit themselves, and. at the end of a hard and fast, and interesting game, had the Town elect doing their best to keep their lines intact. To the Eastern forwards the utmost credit is due for a sterling performance in outplaying the Town pack. In all departments of play they were definitely superior, and had the handling of the backs been at all up to standard, the scores might easily have been reversed. As it was Eastern crossed Town’s line five times against Town’s three tries. The Black forwards shone particularly in the loose. Their fast breaking had the Town backs making mistakes, and more than once the Town defence was shown.up in a bad light. There was devil in their work, and when they were not raking the opposition they were ever ready to back up and support a back movement or. a solo break. This backing up was one of the features of much good work. «

The most prominent forwards were R. Ward, A. Spittle, C. Pawson and K. Henderson. Their pace gave them an advantage over most of the Town packmen, while their deadly tackling many times aided the backs to stop promising work by the Town backs. Ward’s dash was exemplary in every way. He worked hard in the tight, but got away quickly whenever necessary to head a break or smash up the opposition passing. Pawson, too, shone out in this respect, but was inclined to spoil his good work by holding the man tackled and incurring penalties against

his side. It was this particular infringing by the way which gave Town the opportunities to keep their score up with penalty goals. W. Southern and L. Naylor were the “solid” men of the scrum. Southern kept the pack together and formed the spearhead of many a ruck. He is playing as good football as ever and should be found in the Southland team again this year. Matheson and Renshaw did their share of the work too. Renshaw is only a handful, but his hooking was so good that he obtained more ball than Smiley in set scrums. Behind the scrum the blacks were just as efficient, and if their combined work was not as well executed as that of Town it was just as effective. Eastern had the advantage of speed in their backs, and this enabled them to overhaul many good breaks by Nisbet, Sharp and Mitchell and check them before they did great damage. Many a time Mitchell cut in between Barber and Crawford only to be brought down by Crawford. For a five-eighth Crawford displayed extraordinary pace. On attack he looked well, but often went through minus the ball. Apart from this he shewed up and was always dangerous. His try after Barber had picked up in the first spell was the result of splendid backing up of the play. McLennan was probably the most prominent of a' good set of individualists. Behind the scrum he fielded smartly, and in open play he was ever ready to feed his supports. Of the halfbacks seen out this season McLennan looks, with Gervyn Thomas, Purdue’s most serious rival for the representatives half’s job. For his inches he is wiry and plucky. His stopping of Nisbet when the Blues five-eighth made a break for the corner was grand.

F. Wallis was solid at first fiveeighth. He made a goo’d link without showing up and generally got away good passes to Crawford. His defence was also good and Nisbet only once cut him off.

Eastern’s three-quarter line was fast and solid. At centre, Barber, an experienced player, went very well both on attack and defence. For a big man his pace was surprising. Here is a possibility for the Southland selectors. Barber made three of the five tries scored by Eastern. His place as centre in the sub-unions’ team appears to be assured and if he is not wanted for the New Zealand Maoris team he looks like playing himself into the Southland side. Milne and Forbes were hard men to pass. The former side-stepped three men in one run and Forbes earned himself fame by his sensational try in the first spell. He appeared to play above himself on Monday. Tutty, at full-back, won the honours of this position. Usually played in the five-eighth line he filled this important role with success. His pace got him out of much trouble, and his handling and kicking were very good. The Town side seemed to be rattled by the dash and bustle of the Easterners, and much that was expected of it did not materialize. J. Purdue started off on the wrong foot and the rest of the backs suffered accordingly. Later Purdue settled down and got his passes away well. On the day, however he did not compare with McLennan.

Nisbet appeared to stand too deep. At least he was too deep when it came to taking passes. Had he been racing up the result might have been different. Nisbet’s handling was good, and he cut in nicely once or twice, but he might have drawn his marker a bit more. He was not always well served however, by the half-back. R. Sharp did some bright things, but spoilt his display by his inconsistency of handling. His racing into the play was commendable, but he sometimes went too far after making splendid openings. Sharp’s handling has not been uniformly good this season. All the same he is a dangerous attacking five-eighth while his defensive play cannot be faulted. He might have got some of his passes away to Mitchell a bit smarter. Of Sharp’s goal-kicking one can only give praise. It saved the Town side from defeat.

Mitchell was well marked, but he got through a lot of work very well It could be said of him that he was too often caught in possession. At the same time there were several times when he was caught that he could not have given the ball out to advantage. His handling was not always of the best.

Oliver was the best three-quarter on the ground, his try-getting showing his class. He is the best winger Southland has had here for years. Watts was out of his class. Apart from a very good try his work was not up to senior standard, and it is very problematical whether he should have been honoured with selection before men of the type of Watson and Frampton. He was too slow in most of his work.

Beadle was disappointing. In senior football he is a good full-back, but when it comes to a test he lets himself down. He had plenty to do and brought off some good saves, but his failures were just as many. The forwards were beaten mainly through an ill-balanced front row. Galt was needed to hold the rucks and scrums. Crawford, Berry, Smiley and Metcalfe were the best in the loose. McColl is worth another trial, while Willcox’s line-out work should keep him in the running. NORTHERN’S LATE RUN. By a late run the Sports Trust Cup holders saved their prestige against Western who five minutes before time had a one-point lead and who were still hammering away at the Green line. It was a good finish by Northern but they are not by any means a wonderful team and will have a hard task to retain the cup, though this should not be beyond them. Their forwards are good and Hamilton’s return to the backs may make a lot of difference. Northern have usually been a rugged lot, but the number of casualties in their ranks on Monday would encourage the belief that they are either soft this year or are nursing old wounds. At one stage the game deteriorated into a succession of line-outs and knockouts.

Ray Sutherland did not have as much to do as in the Grant Cup match, but did it well. A. Sutherland was improving as the game proceeded, but an injury caused his premature retirement. McNamee was sound, Crosbie good in patches, O’Shea slow but sure, and Soper plucky but mediocre. Muir showed a lot of dash in the forwards, his experience as a back also assisting his fielding and kicking. Graham and Parker also caught the eye while Bisset’s honest toiling could not be questioned. A kick on the elbow kept George Purdue out of the Western side, but a younger brother of about his weight was there to show any amount of keenness. Western are not as good as two years ago, but have the makings of a fair side. McKay was always in the picture. Had he not sustained a shoulder injury which caused his retirement Western might well have won. The three-quarter line had dash, but were prone to mishandle. JUNIOR JOTTINGS AROUND THE GRADES. (By “Searchlight.”) Biggar street saw two exciting second grade games decided last Saturday. The Pirates—Bluff match was easily the best in this grade for this season. Contested in good spirit, the scoreless draw was a good indication of how

well out and Barnett failed to turn it to advantage. Fraser, half-back for Pirates, played a heady game. The Blacks had their full share of the ball and the man behind the scrum lost no time in whipping it out to his backs. Hunter and Acland functioned well in the five-eighth line. There was no fumbling in this quarter. Rattray also showed good form. Calvert, who usually plays centre, was solid at full-back. His play showed up all the better considering that he was suffering from a foot injury when he took the field. The Pirates’ forwards all toiled so hard that it was a little difficult to single out players for special mention. Clarkson, Luke, Tinnock and Metcalfe were perhaps the best. Ballantyne, half-back for Bluff, was an opponent worthy of Fraser’s steel. It was well for Bluff that they had a good man in this position. Hawkes, full-back for Bluff, showed up well. Matheson and Barnett played well in Bluff’s solid pack of forwards. The game between Old Boys and Star was an interesting one, play being fast and open. The Old Boys backs showed more combination and fairly early in the game disclosed that they would emerge with a win. The forwards were evenly matched. According to the referee, last week’s third grade game between Borstal and Invercargill was better than the usual standard in this grade. There was no lack of incident, and frequent changes of fortune made the contest an interesting one throughout. The Clifton third grade team proved too solid for High School, who put up a game fight but were badly handicapped by two players having to retire with injuries. A. D. Fyffe, captain of the School team, was accidentally kicked in the stomach when he was charging a player with the ball. The injury was a fairly severe one. R. Bamford had to retire with a slight leg injury. Their places were taken by fifth grade players. Fyffe played on Wednesday, but Bamford will probably not take the field again this week. Star seconds will travel to Bluff today, while Blues meet Old Boys at Queen’s Park and Pirates play Marist at Biggar street. The two home games should be both interesting and wellcontested, particularly the MaristPirates clash.

SECOND GRADE. P. W. D. L. Pts. Ch. F. A. Pts. Marist 4 4 0 0 40 6 8 Pirates 4 2 11 35 15 5 Bluff 4 12 1 21 26 4 Invercargill .4112 20 35 3 Old Boys 4 112 21 33 3 Star 4 0 13 20 42 1 THIRD GRADE. Pts. Ch. X P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts. Clifton 4 4 0 0 60 17 8 Borstal 4 3 0 1 59 19 6 Invercargill 4 3 0 1 46 18 6 Pirates 4 3 0 1 82 13 6 High School 4 2 0 2 45 33 4 Rimu 4 10 3 14 63 2 Star 4 0 0 4 14 110 0 Woodlands 4 0 0 4 11 58 0 FOURTH GRADE. Pts. Ch. P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts. Marist 4 4 0 0 107 23 8 Invercargill 4 3 0 1 63 17 6 Bluff 4 2 11 12 29 5 Technical 3 2 0 1 83 24 4 High School 3 2 0 1 10 45 4 Pirates 4 2 0 2 66 19 4 Old Boys 4-112 35-26 3 Clifton 4 10 3 12 28 2 Star 4 0 13 17 88 1 Collegiate 4 0 0 4 6 95 0 FIFTH GRADE. Pts. Ch. P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts. Invercargill 4 3 0 1 51 11 6 Marist 4 3 0 1 51 15 6 High School 3 2 0 1 41 16 4 Collegiate 4 2 0 2 35 24 4 Technical 2 0 0 2 0 57 0 Pirates 3 0 0 3 3 63 0