NARROW WIN FOR PIRATES

Southland Times, Issue 23794, 17 April 1939, Page 3

NARROW WIN FOR PIRATES

OLD BOYS BEATEN BY 11 POINTS TO 8 BOTH PACKS SHOW GOOD FORM Pirates played good football in beating Old Boys by 11 points to 8. There was not much between the teams, however, and had Old Boys taken full advantage of its chances it might have won. Pirates was without the services of Saxton and McPhail, but played well enough to suggest that it will be the hardest team in the competition to beat. The forwards played dashing Rugby and although they were opposed to a fine Old Boys pack they gave the backs a good service. All round the play of the Pirates team was of a high standard and the team looks like developing into one of the best Pirates has fielded in recent years. Old Boys held the heavier Pirates team for the greater part of the game, but found the pace a bit too hot in the late stages when Pirates took command and did everything but score. The forwards packed well and at times regularly beat the Pirates pack for the ball

in scrums and line-outs. The backs did not link up too well. The five-eighths were unable to counter the quick breaking of the Pirates forwards and inside backs and more often than not Wesney was cramped for room when he received the ball. Mackie’s work at half-back was good. In spite of their showing, the backs as a whole looked as if they should develop into a good division. The teams were:—

PIRATES.—L. Beal, C. Harvey. R. Pickering, J. McKay, E. Calvert, W. Morrison, H. Peddie, A. McEwan, H. Fraser, T. Potts, R. H. Ward, F. McEwan, J. Ward, T. Metcalfe, A. Knight.

OLD BOYS.—H. Armour, E. Jackson, A. W. Wesney, J. Smith, D. Robison, W. Spence, T. T. Mackie, W. Fleming, G. Anderson, C. Wilson, W. L. Crawford, A. Marshall, J. Stevenson, G. Baker, E. Gumbley.

The game opened brightly. Old Boys’ backs opened up with a smart passing rush and made play into Pirates territory. An exchange of kicks favoured Pirates and after five minutes play Beal was given an, opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty kick. His attempt, a good one, fell just under the bar.

Pirates’ backs looked promising in two passing movements and Harvey raised the hopes of Pirates supporters when he used his feet cleverly and beat a couple of Old Boys backs. He kicked the ball over the line, and was first up, but the ball rolled into touch-in-goal. Failure to find the line with a kick by Beal almost cost Pirates a try. Anderson accepted the kick in his stride and opened up a movement at half-way, which was stopped only a yard from the Pirates line. Crawford, Baker, and Jackson all handled in turn. It was a bright side-line movement. Pirates’ forwards, led by Metcalfe and R. Ward, worked play back to Old Boys’ line, where Metcalfe picked up in loose play and dived for the line, but was held up by Crawford. Pirates opened the scoring a minute later, when, following a break-down in a passing rush, McKay secured the ball and broke through weak tackles by Smith and Armour and ran across unopposed. F. McEwan failed to kick a goal. Pirates 3; Old Boys 0. Old Boys’ forwards were associated with a splendid rush to Pirates’ line. The backs started passing and Jackson was given a run on the right wing. He was opposed by Harvey, whose pace cn-

abled him to get across to Jackson just when the latter was looking dangerous. Pirates was penalized a few seconds later and Wesney kicked a splendid goal. Pirates 3; Old Boys 3. Pirates held the upper hand during the next 10 minutes of play, but the defence of the Old Boys backs held and the line was not crossed. Beal attempted to kick a goal from a penalty and Morrison potted for goal. Both shots missed. PIRATES ON ATTACK

Pirates opened the second half strongly and within a few minutes threatened Old Boys’ line.

Calvert’s place in the Pirates backs was taken by Beal, who was replaced at full-back by R. Barnett. G. McLauchlan took Stevenson’s place in the Old Boys forwards. Passing by Pirates’ backs swung across the goal-mouth and Beal cut in nicely, but threw a wild pass when within a few yards of the posts and a good scoring chance was lost. Soon afterwards Old Boys was penalized and Barnett kicked a good goal from 35 yards out. Pirates 6; Old Boys 3. Good forward play by Pirates had Old Boys busily defending once again and twice within a minute the line was

in danger of being crossed. R. Ward, Metcalfe and F. McEwan made breaks and were held up right on the line ; Some exciting play followed. Old Boys backs attacked and Robison made a good opening for Wesney, who ran Jackson into position, but thre a ■wild pass which the winger failed to gather in. Pirates countered with a good rush and McKay was just racing clear when Wesney brought him down from behind. The pace of the exchanges was delighting the crowd, which applauded vigorously. Old Boys’ backs were seeing more of the ball at this stage and were throwing it about in bright style. . Pirates’ next try came from loose play at midfield. A breakdown in Old Boys’ passing was capitalized by Peddie, who sent Pickering away on the left wing. He had R. Ward and another forward in support and only the Old Boys fullback to pass. Ward took the ball at

top speed and easily broke Armour s tackle to race round and score in a handy position. Barnett kicked a goal. Pirates 11; Old Boys 3. Old Boys was rewarded for persistent attack when Crawford made the most of an opening following a scrum near Pirates’ line and got to within a few inches of the line. Baker was in support and dived on the ball as it rolled over the line. Wesney kicked a good goal. Pirates 11; Old Boys 8. Pirates had the better of the later exchanges and at the bell was definitely on top. R. Ward finished off a good exhibition of forward play by dribbling through the defence and being beaten for a try when the ball rolled /into touch-in-goal. The final scores were: — Pirates 11; Old Boys 8 Mr E. Barron was referee. WINTON CLUB HOLDS OPENING DAY PROPOSAL FOR TWO TEAMS DISCUSSED The Winton Football Club held its opening day on Saturday afternoon and there was about 18 players present. Sides were picked and a short game played. Mr W. W. Sands was the referee. The proposal made at a meeting of the Central District Rugby Football SubUnion that Winton endeavour to enter two senior teams instead of a junior and a senior team in the competition was freely discussed in the dressing sheds by the players. It was mentioned that five senior players from Dipton and about three from Limehills would link up with Winton to strenPthen the second team. The general opinion was that if Winton accepted these players it would mean the displacement of eight juniors, and as there would be no possibility of making up a junior team also it would be a case of them standing out for the season.

It was suggested that Limehills enter a senior team. Counting the five from Dipton, only about seven more players would have to be found. It was thought that some of the Limehills juniors could be promoted and also that some of the Turi players who were reported to be seeking transfers to Drummond should be asked to join Limehills. The proposal for Winton to enter two senior teams is to be discussed at a special meeting of the club tomorrow evening.

EASTERN SOUTHLAND FIXTURES SIX TEAMS IN SENIOR GRADE The Eastern Southland Rugby football inter-club fixtures are announced as follows:— APRIL 22 First Grade: Balfour v. Pioneer, at Balfour; Mataura v. Pirates, at Athol; Lumsden v. Albion, at Gore. Second Grade: Mataura v. Wyndham, at Mataura; Pioneer v. Albion, at Gore; Pukerau, a bye. Third Grade: High School v. Mataura, at 1.30 p.m.; Wyndham v. Albion, at Wyndham; Pioneer, a bye. Fourth Grade: Mataura v. Pioneer, at Gore; High School, a bye. , APRIL 29 First Grade: Pirates v. Pioneer, at Gore; Mataura v. Lumsden, at Mataura; Albion v. Balfour, at Balfour. Second Grade: Mataura v. Pukerau, at Pukerau; Pioneer v. Wyndham, at Wyndham; Albion a bye. Third Grade: High School v. Pioneer, at Gore at 2.15 p.m.; Wyndham v. Mataura, at Mataura at 1.30 p.m.; Albion a bye. Fourth Grade: High School v. Pioneer, at Gore Hostel, 2.15 p.m.; Mataura a bye. MAY 6 First Grade: Pioneer v. Mataura, at Gore; Albion v. Pirates, at Athol; Lumsden v. Balfour, at Lumsden. Second Grade: Albion v. Mataura, at Mataura; Wyndham v. Pukerau, at Pukerau; Pioneer a bye. Third Grade: High School v. Wyndham, at Wyndham, 1.45 p.m.; Pioneer v. Albion, at Gore; Mataura a bye. Fourth Grade: Mataura v. High School, at Mataura, 1.30 p.m.; Pioneer a bye. MAY 13 First Grade: Pioneer’ v. Albion, at Gore; Mataura v. Balfour, at Mataura; Lumsden v. Pirates, at Lumsden. Setond Grade: Pioneer v. Pukerau, at Gore; Albion v. Wyndham, at Wyndham; Mataura a bye. Third Grade: Wyndham v. Pioneer, at Gore No. 3; Mataura v. Albion, at Gore Hostel; High School a bye. Fourth Grade: Mataura v. Pioneer, at Mataura, 1.30 p.m.; High School a bye. MAY 20 First Grade: Balfour v. Pioneer, at Balfour; Mataura v. Albion, at Gore; I Lumsden v. Pioneer, at Lumsden. Second Grade: Pioneer v. Mataura, at Mataura; Albion v. Pukerau, at Gore; Wyndham a bye. Third Grade: High School v. Albion, at Gore, 2.15 p.m.; Pioneer v. Mataura, at Mataura, 1.30; Wyndham a bye. Fourth Grade: Mataura v. High School, at Gore Hostel, 2.15 p.m.; Pioneer a bye. In the event of the Balfour ground not being available on April 22 the Northern Sub-Union will arrange the venue of the Balfour-Pioneer match. •

All matches are to be of 40-minute halves and first-grade games will commence at 2.45 p.m. FRIENDLY MATCHES A friendly Rugby football match was played on the Gore show ground on Saturday afternoon between the Pioneer Club and a team from Balclutha, the match resulting in a win for the visitors by six points to five. The game was of rather a ragged nature. Shand and McPherson scored a try each for Balclutha and Crawford scored and converted a try for Pioneer. The visitors fielded a very heavy pack of forwards.

In a friendly match at Balfour the home team beat Albion by nine points

to three. Both teams threw the ball about freely and gave good exhibitions. Balfour was the superior team on the day. D. McLean, Pringle and Magee scored for Balfour and D. Smith scored for Albion. 1

WESTERN DISTRICT COMPETITION DRAW ANNOUNCED Following is the draw for the first round of the Western District competition, the last-mentioned place to be the locality of play:— SENIORS April 22.—Orepuki v. Otautau, Riverton v. Waiau, Nightcaps v. Ohai, Western Star a bye. April 29.—Western Star v. Nightcaps, Ohai v. Waiau, Otautau v. Riverton, Orepuki a bye. May 6.—Riverton v. Orepuki, Waiau v. Otautau, Ohai v. Western Star, Nightcaps a bye. May 13.—Otautau v. Western Star, Riverton v. Nightcaps, Orepuki v. Ohai, Waiau a bye. May 20.—Western Star v. Waiau, Nightcaps v. Orepuki, Ohai v. Riverton, Otautau a bye. May 27.—Orepuki v. Western Star, Otautau v. Ohai, Waiau v. Nightcaps, Riverton a bye. June 3.—Riverton v. Western Star, Nightcaps v. Otautau, Waiau v. Orepuki, Ohai a bye. JUNIORS April 22.—Waiau v. Riverton, Ohai v.‘ Nightcaps, Western Star a bye. April 29.—Nightcaps v. Western Star, Waiau v. Ohai, Riverton a bye. May 6—Ohai v. Riverton, Western Star v. Waiau, Nightcaps a bye. May 13.—Western Star v. Riverton, Nightcaps v. Waiau, Ohai a bye. May 20.—Ohai v. Western Star, Riverton v. Nightcaps, Waiau a bye. MATCHES IN BRITAIN (Received April 16, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 15. Rugby matches resulted:— Cardiff 21 v. Plymouth Albion 0; Coventry 34 v. Old Blues 7; Devonport Services 6 v. Redruth 8; Harlequins 6 v. Gloucester 3; Headingley 0 v. Bedford 13; Leicester 10 v. Blackheath 23; Llanelly 9 v. Bristol 6; Neath 20 v. Bath 3; Northampton 18 v. Old Alleyn - ians 11; Torquay Athletic 12 v. Richmond 6; Aberavon 5 v. Newport 0; Phill Harriers 6 v. Cross Keys 3; Pontypool 7 v. Swansea 8; Weston-super-mare 9 v. Bridgend 3.

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