RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 23001, 22 September 1936, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Visit Of Springboks (United Press Association.) Christchurch, Stepember 21. Speaking as a member of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr F. Glasgow, of Wellington, a member of the 1905 All Black team, advised the Canterbury Rugby Union to prepare for crowds of 50,000 and upwards when the Springboks played in Christchurch next year. Mr Glasgow remarked that a great deal of work and worry was involved in arranging a visit by an overseas team, and finance always had to be seriously considered. “It is all very fine to say that when the British team came through in 1930 the New Zealand Union made so much, but in these cases we have to be prepared for an outlay of about £30,000,” said Mr Glasgow. “Supposing one of the tours fell flat through the players not proving up to standard, we would lose on the whole thing and be down £lO,OOO or so. That would be a serious thing for Rugby in this country. It is therefore necessary that visiting teams should prove their ability on the field. The South Africans, I understand, are bringing 32 players and a manager and an assistant manager. The original proposal was that they should bring 29 players, but they are quite willing to pay the expenses of the extra men. It is a wise precaution, and I think you will agree, a sporting attitude.” SOUTHLAND UNION. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The Management Committee of the Southland Rugby Union met last evening, Mr H. S. Strang (president) presiding over the following members: — Messrs A. J. Geddes, A. H. Courtis, T. R. Pryde, J. Smith, W. Baird, N. R. Brown, R. G. Kitto, W. A. H. Oliver and L. R. Lopdell. The secretary of the Bluff Club wrote stating that the club intended making application for admission to the senior competition next season. He made provisional application for transfers for the following players:—O. Wares (Pirates), J. Hamilton (Old Boys), L. Nixey (Star), T. Heads (Star), and H. C. Robjohns (Old Boys). Mr Kitto reported that all arrangements for the schools’ gala day and seven-a-side tournament at Rugby Park next Saturday were well in hand. The tournament would start at 1 p.m., and during the afternoon sweets and ices would be distributed to the children. The special jubilee souvenir ruler would be distributed later on. It was decided to play a curtainraiser, High School v. Old Boys fifth grade on Wednesday prior to the Wellington—Southland match. SOUTHLAND v. WELLINGTON. VISITING TEAM ARRIVES. The Wellington Rugby team which meets Southland at Rugby Park tomorrow afternoon arrived in Invercargill by the afternoon express from Dunedin yesterday. The personnel of the side is as follows: Mr H. Murphy (manager), J. R. Lamason (captain), E. W. Tindill, A. Upchurch, W. Crisp, J. Fleming, M. Devine, E. Barry, L. Edwards, F. Leahy, | J. Kennedy, K. Guy, H. P. Baldwin, M. Wright, F. H. R. Nees I and J. Vartan. H. A Pollock, the All I Black full-back, is expected to join the | team to-night. I Yesterday afternoon the team had a j practise run at Rugby Park. To-day j the visitors will be taken on a motor tour to Bluff or Riverton. Mr A. E. Austin has been appointed referee. OLD BOYS’ TEAM FOR TO-JSIORROW. The Old Boys’ team to meet High School at Rugby Park to-morrow is as follows: Feam, Robjohns, McDowell, Strang, Slocombe, Gumbley, Stevenson, Bird, Wyatt, Anderson, Soper, Cowie, Jackson, Watson, Shepherd, Bamford, H. Strang, Lockie, Uttley. MITCHELL CUP MATCH. RIVERTON DEFEATS WINTON. The Rugby football season was brought to a close in the Central district when Winton and Riverton, the respective club premiers of the Central and Western districts, played at Drummond for the Mitchell Cup, a trophy I annually competed for between the leading teams of the two districts. Riverton won by 10 points (two tries and a field goal) to 3, (an unconverted try.) The game was ragged and few concerted movements were carried out by the back lines. Both backs were seen to advantage in the loose. Winton held the upper hand in line-out work, but in scrummages and tight work Riverton dominated play. The Riverton backs made a more dangerous line than the Winton backs. Mishandling was frequent. The Riverton pack was a well-bal-anced one, and Collis, Keeler and Bannatyne in the front row always secured most of the ball. In loose work Hopwood and McKinnon were seen to advantage. Cleaver behind the scrum | played a serviceable game, and A. and i D. McKay did quite well. J. McKay, as wing threequarter was given few chances, but he made the most of what came his way. His handling was not very accurate, but he put plenty of dash into his work. Lockett at fullback was always reliable. In the Winton pack Burke, J. Murphy and McDougall played soundly, and were always' in the van in loose work. O’Neill was prominent in lineouts, and Boyle and Lodge were also prominent throughout. J". Robertson gave a very polished display at full-back and time and time again extricated his side from awkward positions. For a promoted junior he gave a fine exhibition, his accurate handling and solid tackling being quite a feature. Challis and Anderson the wing threequarters, were given few chances, but both impressed the spectators. Souness behind the scrum played soundly throughout, but was given little protection. The teams were:

Winton (Maroon): J. Robertson; Challis, E. Robertson, Anderson; Pierce, Forde; Souness; C. Lodge, Boyle, Fahey,