HIGH SCHOOLS AT RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 23548, 30 June 1938, Page 11

HIGH SCHOOLS AT RUGBY

SOUTHLAND BEATS OTAGO VICTORY BY NINE POINTS TO SIX The annual Rugby match between the Otago and Southland Boys’ High Schools, played at Rugby Park yesterday afternoon was won by Southland by 9 points to 6. The teams, though not of the standard of previous years, played good football. They were fairly evenly matched and were prepared to play the open game at every opportunity. Southland had a slight advantage in.the forwards, and after the first 10 minutes of . the game made much of the play. Southland’s back division was not an effective combination, but individually the backs played well. L. V. Blaikie. a diminutive full-back, made a good impression with his clever saving work. Otago’s backs looked likely to score on several occasions and had Southland’s tackling weakened Otago must have scored more than once. The ground was in good order and there was very little wind. The attendance, which included visitors from Dunedin, was a good one. The teams were: — OTAGO Full-back.—C. Overton. Three-quarters.—R. G. Gough, R. P. Partridge, J. A. Macpherson. Five-eighths.—J. M. Wilkinson, K. W. Paterson. Half-back.—N. A. Frew. Front-row. —D. I. Chisholm, R. W. Pile, D. A. Miller. Middle-row. —F. K. Rennie, M. L. Wren, R. D. Gillespie, D. C. Stephens. Back-row.—M. J. L. Phelan (captain). SOUTHLAND Full-back.—L. V. Blaikie. Three-quarters.—E. P. Parcell, L. F. Ward, F. H. Soper, Five-eighths.—l.' R. Muirson, T. W. Swale (captain). Half-back.—H. R. Walker. Front-row. —A. E. Lawrence, H. N. Longley, J. J. Oughton. Middle-row.—W. S. Barrett, D. E. Watts, P. K. H. Smyth, W. R. Mayhew. Back-tow.—J. R. Cameron.

Otago kicked off facing a strong sun and immediately set up an attack on Southland’s line. From the first three scrums Otago secured the ball and began passing rushes which looked promising. They were well stopped by good tackling. After 10 minutes of more or less even pla’y the Southland backs got going and twice went away in passing rushes which gained ground. Ward, the centre three-quarter, made good openings, but the defence was ready, and the danger was averted. The forwards were fairly evenly matched in the loose. Several breaks were made by both teams, but the open game was favoured and the ball was quickly heeled to the backs. Paterson (Otago five-eighth) made a dash up the middle of the field and Southland was put on the defensive. The ball came back from a ruck near Southland’s line and Paterson had a drop-kick at goal. The kick went across the front of the posts and Otago’s right wing, Macpherson, raced after the ball, but was beaten by Soper, who kicked the bail into touch. Stephens (Otago forward) was injured and retired and was replaced by J. E. Goodyear. The Southland forwards were playing with great dash at this stage and winning the ball for their backs The backs, however, showed little dash and lob-passed too much to get results. Southland was the first to score, Muirson kicking a penalty goal from about 30 yards out. Southland 3, Otago

0. Southland was now having the better of the game and Muirson was given two more chances to score from penalty goals. He missed both, but Southland’s score was increased by three points a few minutes later when Swale dived over the line following a scrum right-on Otago’s line. A few moments before this Southland’s left-wing, Soper, lost the ball as he went for the comer. Muirson failed to convert the try. Southland 6, Otago 0.

Good work by Lawrence, Barrett and Cameron enabled Southland to attack once more, but the whistle fqr halftime went without further score. The scores at half-time were: Southland 6, Otago 0.

Otago scored after 10 minutes’ play in the second half. From a scrum about halfway Frew sent the Otago backs away. Paterson cut in smartly and threw a lob pass out to the centre three-quarter, Partridge, who gathered in the ball as it bounced from the ground and Iraced 40 yards and scored. It was the best movement of the match and showed that the Otago backs were dangerous on attack. Partridge failed to goal. Southland 6, Otago 3. Within two minutes Otago scored again. Southland was penalized and Partridge kicked a goal. Southland 6, Otago 6. Both Otago and Southland had chances to take the lead with penalty goals. Otago’s chance was from a fairly easy position, but Partridge was unable to goal. Then Muirson hack his chance for Southland, but he, too, failed. With 10 minutes of play left, Southland’s forwards went away in a rush which pushed Otago back to its Several players tried to score on the left flank. They failed, but play swung across to the other wing and Parcell made a determined bid for the corner. He outpaced two men and was collared as he grounded the ball at the corner. It was a good try, Parcell having little room in which to break through the defence. The kick at goal failed Southland 9, Otago 6. Otago worked hard to equalize the scores and although Blaikie (Southland full-back) conceded a penalty in the last minute of play and gave Otago, its chance the kick at goal, taken by Partridge, failed. The final scores were: Southland 9, Otago 6. Mr R. G. Webb, former Otago and Southland representative three-quarter, was the referee. A curtain-raiser played between Southland High School and Technical College sixth grade teams was won by Technical College by 13 points to six. PLAYERS IN OUTSIDE COMPETITIONS DISCUSSION BY EASTERN SOUTHLAND SUB-UNION “There is one matter we should get cleared up and that is the matter of players residing in this district and playing in outside teams,” remarked the chairman (Mr J. W. Aitken) at

last night’s meeting of the management committee of the Eastern Southland Rugby Football Sub-Union. “These players probably have good excuses, and if they have, they should submit them to the sub-union,’ Mr Aitken added. He said he knew of a player at Mataura who would be representing Central against Northern next Saturday. Mr J. A. Edwards said he considered it was time the sub-union took a firm stand in the matter. “We have but to enforce our rules, said Mr Aitken, “and any player residing in this district cannot play for an outside team.” The secretary (Mr S. B. Taylor) read the sub-union’s ruling as follows: “Players residing within the boundaries of the sub-union district must play for a club affiliated to the sub-union only, except with the permission of the management committee.” Mr F. M. Murray remarked that it was rather late to do anything this season. There was no further discussion and the subject lapsed. Those present at the meeting were: — Messrs Aitken (chairman), Edwards, M. McLeod, J. Cunningham, Murray, T. K. Clarke, A. H. Davidson, L. T. Cockerill, F. J. Townsend and W. Forbes. WESTERN DISTRICT SUB-UNION MEETS MATCHES AGAINST TOURING TEAMS The chairman (Mr A. H. Lindsay) reported to a meeting of the. Western District Rugby Football Sub-Union at Otautau that he had interviewed the president of the Southland Rugby Union about curtain-raisers to the provincial matches. The president would not promise anything definite, he stated, but said that the matter would be kept in mind.

A letter was received from Mr S. B. Taylor, secretary of the Eastern Southland Sub-Union, about the possibility of touring teams meeting sub-union teams. Delegates favoured the idea and it was unanimously decided to support the proposal. Mr A. J. Hamilton, secretary of the Southland Union, advised that the annual Town v. Country match would be played on Saturday, July 16, at Rugby Park and that the sub-unions’ match, Otago v. Southland, would be played at Dunedin on Saturday, July 23. Mr Lindsay was congratulated on his appointment as manager of the subunions’ team.

A vote of thanks was passed to the Waiau Club for the loan of jerseys. The chairman reported that the recent seven-a-side tournament had been successful, there being a big number of entries from clubs in the Western District, as well as some from Invercargill. He thought that another year it should be confined to the Western District, as it was only possible to complete the tournament by the use of two grounds. Western had met the No. 1 team in Invercargill on Country Day, and although it had been beaten by a representative team it had put up a wonderful performance. He congratulated the members of the team on their behaviour and also on the manner in which they had played. Mr D. Couchman, secretary of the Ohai Club, wrote protesting against extra time being played in- the match between Ohai and Riverton at Riverton on Saturday, May 28, stating that after time was up Riverton had scored a. try, but failed to convert. At the meeting the secretary said that Ohai did not want to replay the game, but asked that it be declared a draw.

Mr A. F. Webb (Riverton) said he was official timekeeper for the match and when time was up he called to the referee, who did not hear him. Shortly afterwards he went on to the field and told the referee that time was up, but he was under a misapprehension that the ball had to go out of play before the game was stopped. In view of the circumstances it was decided that the game be declared a draw, and that the protest fee be re-' funded. Mr Webb moved as a recommendation that in future referees at all matches carry a watch. An amendment that the game be replayed if it had any bearing on the competition at the end of the season lapsed for want of a seconder.

Transfers were granted as follows:— R. J. Watson, from Old Boys to West-ern-Star; L. Klemick, from Pioneer (Gore) to Nightcaps; G. Cleveland, from Invercargill Club to Waiau; W. Jones, from Rimu to Nightcaps. The action of the president and treasurer in procuring a cup for competition at the annual seven-a-side tournament was approved and it was decided that it be inscribed. The treasurer reported that the amount received towards the accident fund to date was £4 17/6, and it was decided that together with £5 voted from the general funds this be put into a separate account and that the secretary and treasurer be signing officers. It was decided that all matches be postponed on July 2 and 30, but that the usual fixtures be played on July 23. The chairman said he had received an application for Western to play a match on July 9 on the occasion of the Southland ploughing match, but after consideration this was declined. There were present:—Messrs A. H. Lindsay (chairman), W. Shaw (Orepuki), J. Duncan and P. Grant (Nightcaps), J. Laurie and J. Chamberlain (Western Star), A. F. Webb and J. Fitzpatrick (Riverton), H. McDonald and L. Brumby (Waiua), R. B. Whitehead and K. McKenzie (Otautau), D. Couchman, W. McKenzie and R. Murray (Ohai), D. C. McCrostie (Referees’ Association) and A. Fisher (treasurer). WESTERN TEAM TO PLAY EASTERN The following team will play for ■Western District Sub-Union against Eastern in the first Sports Trust Cun match of the season at Otautau on Saturday :— Backs: W. Ferguson, W. Cleaver, E. Mclntyre, J. Mouat, B. Whelan, H. Dixon, G. Carr. Forwards: G. Mason, W. McKenzie, E. Sheehan, D. Ford, T. Fordyce, D. Dixon, T. Smellie, J. Mclntyre. Reserves: A. Smeaton, E. Ross, C. Hope, P. Powley, R. Pettitt, D. McKay, L. Greer. The team is asked to assemble at 2 p.m. SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUB-UNION MATCH FOR SPORTS TRUST CUP The Southern District Rugby Football Sub-Union, at its monthly meeting, decided to play for the Sports Trust Cup on July 16 at Otautau if the trophy is held by the Western District, or at Gore if it is held by Eastern Southland. No action was taken about the Eastern Southland Sub-Union’s proposals for sub-union matches against touring teams, as it was felt that visiting teams would play no more than one match against sub-unions in Southland because of the expense. Mr C. Carlow was appointed manager of the team to play for the Sports Trust

Cup. The team will be announced after Saturday’s games. The following transfers were granted:—J. W. Wesney, Otautau to Waimahaka; C. Smith, Central Star to Chaslands; A. H. Poultney, Alhambra to Chaslands; R. Rae, Catlins to Tahakopa; W. Smith, Central Star to Chaslands. Mr Casey, the manager, reported on the Country Day game against Wakatipu. The completion of the competition was left in the hands of the president and secretary to arrange as necessary. It was decided to play the inter-section final for the district premiership on a neutral ground at Niagara in the southern section. Last year the final match was played in the northern section. The game was tentatively set down for Saturday, July 23, the Referees’ Association to appoint the referee.

It was decided to discuss the holding of further competitions after the Ranfurly Shield game against Otago at another meeting to be held on Monday, July 25. The table of points is as follows:—

The secretary was insliucted to write to the Southland Rugby Union about the sub-union’s jurisdiction over a spectator who had been cautioned and reported to the sub-union. The president, Mr C. Casey, was chairman. TARANAKI BEATS KING COUNTRY (United Press Association) TAUMARUNUI, June 29. Taranaki scored a convincing win over King Country today by 14 points to three. The visiting backs had most of the ball, the forwards hooking cleanly from 90 per ’ cent. of the scrums. Only great tackling by Robinson, the King Country half-back, and Crossman and Cameron, the two fiveeighths, prevented Taranaki from making a much bigger score. J. L. Sullivan played brilliantly, scoring two spectacular tries. Arnold, the Taranaki half-back, and C. Brown also played good football. Richards and Coull, for Taranaki, were outstanding among the forwards and Trussttum for King Country. For the winner Sullivan scored two tries and Richards and Pepperell one each and Young converted one. Ward kicked a penalty goal for King Country.

NORTHERN SECTION P. W. D. L. Points Ch. F. A. Pts Waimahaka 7 7 — 89 40 14 Oteramika 7 5 — 2 61 36 10 Seaward Downs 8 53 82 27 10 Gorge Road 7 34 106 89 6 Morton Mains 8 1 — 7 39 71 2 Waimatua 7 1 - 6 19 133 2 SOUTHERN SECTION Points Ch. P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts Chaslands 8 6 — 2 78 43 12 Haldane 8 4 2 2 55 36 If Southern Star 8 4 1 3 63 36 9 Tahakopa 8 — 1 7 31 112 1