Union Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 686, 11 June 1929, Page 13

Union Rugby

HAMILTON Marist Old Boys A and Technical Old Boys were level for championship points for the Sage Memorial Cup. in Hamilton, when the second round opened on Saturday. but Marist was the only team to gain a victory, and is thus two points in the lead from Old Boys A and Technical Old Boys. The main attraction was the Marist v. Old Boys A match, and an exceedingly even game eventuated. Marists coming out on top, with the tallies 6 to 5. The standard of play in this game varied, but the closeness of the tallies Kept the interest of the large crowd u p to the final whistle. The winners had the better of the first two spells, and Old Bovs did not operate successfully until near the start of the third quarter, when they decidedly had the advantage. Both teams missed scoring chances and from the start to the finish it was anyone’s game. In the other two senior games City had an unexpected win over Technical Old Boys by 8 points to nil. and Old Koys B had their first taste of victory when they defeated Frankton by 15 points to 11. ROTORUA The City-Kahakura match was a very evenly-contested game. City winning bv a try, secured by Kitchen, who played a good game throughout. This was the only score of the match. Kahakura made strenuous efforts to even matters in the last few minutes of play. The match between Waikite and Mamaku was a keen struggle until the call of time, the ball travelling up and down the field all the time, Mamaku eventually winning by the narrowmargin of one point (a penalty kick hy Bradshaw and also a drop-kick from field by the same player). For Waikite ‘Potene scored ai try, and also Courtney scored right on the call of time, neither being converted. WHANGAREi A slightly greasy ball made f»>r a forward game, when the undefeated City fifteen met Maungakaramea at High School Park on Saturday. The country team, contrary \o expectations, found no difficulty in handing out City a sound reverse in all departments. The number of spectators approached that of a representative fixture. These teams are the only ones which stand a chance in the competition. They are now even with a win and a defeat each. The referee. S. Weston. tailed to please the crowd, and when he ordered G. Kerr. City’s fullback, to the side-line many were of the opinion that one of the visitors should have taken his place. However, that was not all. Two players singled themselves out at .he back of the referee to stage a private wrestling contest on the catch-as-catch-can principle. Every scrum was the scene of fists flying mingled with a good deal of boot. At the outset the local men seemed to treat the opposition too cheaply, but the visitors quickly reminded them

that they intended to do their best. Play was fast and furious lound City’s goal, when Kerr in his eager--1 ness to save got off-side and McLennan put over an easy kick. Their remaining three points came from a serum near City’s line, where Walker snapped up and bullocked his way over. Tho kick was fruitless. Among the winning team, G. Morrissey and T. McLennan were outstanding at half and fullback respectively. The forwards were all at their best, with Morrissey brothers overshadowing the others a trifle. Smith, on the wing, gave a great exhibition, his sparkling bursts down the line bringing the crowd to its toes. On the City side, Finlayson was always the best of the vanguard, with Plenty of support from Dent and D. McLeod. The backs were very ordinary excepting for Ryan and Nicholls, who played good open football. Waterman, the All Black, kept well out of the way. He did not want to be injured before he leaves New Zealand and should have been replaced on that account. Kerr at fulback gave his usual firstclass exhibition until he took up the role of spectator shortly after halftime. However, that may not have been all his fault, as the incident happened near the side-line and many say that they saw a Maungakaramea Player punch Kerr three times before he retaliated. In fact, it was common talk after the match that the player in question was so disgusted with his treatment that he had decided to play under another code. The remainder gave only secondrate exhibitions and the absence of Morrison in the forward division was keenly felt. these two teams meet again the best contest of the season should ensue. MANUKAU th® Manukau ICugby Union competitions, Clevedon seniors defeated ■ff? a * ura by 3 to nil on iSatur»y at Clevedon. The game was not a ery good one, the play being very scratchy. Papakura did not combine at all well, wnereas Clevedon played more as a •J*®* The game was very fast, play pushing from end to end at a great In the first ten minutes W. Alexander scored a good try for Clevedon. *or the winners, Duder, at full, was safe, but overdid the long kick, rarely finding the line. M. Stevens was the best back on the field, his “elding, tackling and line-kicking being nrst-class. F. Luke, on the other wing. "” a * sound The inside backs played closer up u Were mort; effective than usual. A. e 8011 was the best forward on the ne la. heading all the rushes, and a solid srafter in the tight. W. Alexander closely followed Atcheson. A. Stokes Wa * also good, but not up to last mason’s form. L Wilson was the pick of the Papa*ura backs, although his kicking was not as good as usual, his tackling •onever was very sound. Barakat was the be a of the other backs. In the last 'quarter James made some briliant openings, which he spoiled by ng on to the ball too long, the forwards, K. Clarke, F. Scott and the Morrow Brothers were the Pick; Middleton was patchy. All uirough tho game the Papakura team snowed signs of being a very unhappy tamily, and thereby lost numerous chances. During the last quarter, the game

was held up on several occasions by minor casualties. A good deal of ill reeling was unfortunately shown on both sides and spoilt the game from the spectators’ point of view. Mr. D. P. Baird was referee. On Saturday next Papakura juniors will play Clevedon juniors at Papakura in a curtain-raiser to the Papakura v. ' alley match. Curtain-raiser starts at 1.30 p.m. sharp. THAMES The Marist Club, Auckland, put up a good performance against the Thames representative fifteen at Rhodes Park on Saturday afternoon. Six points to u was the score, and it is a fair criterion as to the relative strength of the teams on the day’s play. The Thames team was not so strong as the one that played Tauranga on June 3. Both sides endeavoured to make the game open, especially the Marist combination, though their passing was across the field variety. It was the determined tackling of the Thames men that prevented the inside backs making an opening, and consequently their frequent passing bouts ended on the touch-line. The Marist forwards held their weightier opponents in the first three-quarters of the game, but the final stage saw them a spent force. It was only the dashing play of Faulkner, Cornthwaite, Stoope and Walsh that drove the Thames pack back. Marist adopted screwing the scrum tactics, and. prevented Lomas and Smith hooking cleanly. On occasions Greig and Carroll, the Marist hookers, sent the ball back to Packman, at half, most perfectly: The latter had a lot of work to do, and stood up to the onslaughts of the Thames vanguard in a manner worthy , of Fred Roberts, of All Black fame. The one player that shone out in the Thames pack was G. Pollock. He was the outstanding forward on the ground, and his brother, rover, ably assisted him. It was the Pollock brothers who scored the only two tries of the game, and both had hard luck in not notching another one apiece. Dobson, the Thames fullback, never failed to field a ball throughout the afternoon. If he was a more powerful kick, the selector would find it hard to pass him by for the position. Harrison was another Thames back that played well, as also did the winger Buchanan. MORRINSVILLE By defeating Terriers on Saturday, Kereono made themselves almost secure for senior championship honours again this season. The surprise of the day’s play was the defeat of United by Tatuanui by 12 points to 3. The latter might, if everything went wrong with Kereone. have a chance of tieing at the end of the third round, but for that position to come about, Kereone would have to lose and Tatjuanui win their remaining two matches.

The Tatuanui-United game was a solid battle between two good packs, and Tatuanui gained the honours decisively. The last quarter was as exciting as anyone could wish it.

Terriers were without AV Robson in their match against Kereone, but included M. Anderson, who got into the All Black trial game last week. With Robson in, Terriers might easily have come off the field winners, instead of losers. Robson works well with Anderson, is a straight-running five-eighth, and a deadly tackier. A couple of games with the Waikato Union would bring this boy into the limelight. The opinion is general that he is the best back in the Morrinsville Union, and with that opinion tho Sun correspondent agrees.

Sub-unions in South Auckland and Waikato are awaiting an announcement as to the order of play of Peace Cup matches. Under the rather vague rules the option of the time of commencing the fixtures and the order of play is in the hands of the holders of the cup. The Morrinsville executive has net yet really discusssed dates, having been awaiting the draw for the Finlay Cup order of play. As it has now been declared that it will be at least two months before their challenge match for this trophy can be played it is probable that an announcement regarding the Peace Cup will be made after the next meeting. Morrinsville is the holder of the Peace Cup, and Matamata of the G. P. Finlay Cup. HUNTLY Quite the best exhibition of the season so far, was the verdict of the fans who witnessed the senior match at Taupiri between that town and Huntly. It was a typical Rugby game, hard —too hard for some—and fast. In going under by three tries (one converted) and two penalty goals, to a penalty try, the losers had a day out tackling and stopping the rushes of the Taupiri fifteen. However, the Huntly boys up to the gruelling well and played a great defensive game. The outstanding player was J. Litt, who played a masterly game throughout for the winners. He was in everything, and is a hard man to stop when under way. Davis and Smith were sound also, but the whole of the rear division can safely have that term applied to them. Their weakness is in front and were it not for Cronin and Bishop they would fare badly. These two kept the vanguard together. The first quarter was finished with no score, and the half with Taupiri eight up. Of a good defensive set of backs, Wilcox w'as out on his own, and K. Welch, though not brilliant, made no serious mistakes for the losers. while Pollock and Simcock were solid battlers in front. The winners will be heard of again, as their backs are not afraid to throw the oval about, and with advantage, too. DARGAVILLE While no senior matches were played on the Dargaville ground on Saturday, a good contest was witnessed between Dargaville and Ruawai juniors. The former won by 9 points to 3. At Kaihu, United seniors played a drawn game with Public Works, neither side scoring. Another drawn game, without score to either side, was played at Tangowahine between Ruawai and Tangowahine. Northern Star scored its first victory this season by defeating Southern at Te Kopuru by 9 to 6. United maintains the lead in the competition, being the only undefeated team, although it has played two drawn games. Saturday’s match with Public Works was probably the keen- j

est and hardest it has yet experienced, but a solid back division was in this team's favour. Public Works showed better combination in the forwards.. BAY OF PLENTY ' Spectators thought that they would be treated to a close game in the first match in the Bay of Plenty inter-union competition for the Hurunui Apanui Memorial Shield. between Opotiki (holders) and Te Puke (challengers). The Te Puke team had already been together in several representative matches with other unions at the western end of the Bay, while the Opotiki team had never been together previously. The match was really a : fiasco, Te Puke players being knocked out frequently and holding up the | game continuously.” It was conceded

; oh all hands that the match was not a ; hard one, and the only explanation was I that the visitors were in very poor | training. The only score by the Te Puke team was a penalty goal by Dare. Opotiki infringed repeatedly and were lucky not to have had more points scored against them. T.Kelly was undoubtedly the hero of the match, crossing the line on three occasions. He was always dangerous and was well marked. His scores were all secured by fearless dashes. Mackay, for Opotiki, played an outstanding game as fullback and never made a mistake. Clem Black (captain) and ex-Maori All Black player, was a of strength to his side and scored a great try from half-way. There is no doubt that it will have to be an outstanding team to lift the shield from the holders. WAIUKU "A good number of spectators was present at Massey Park on Saturday to witness the match between City and Aka Aka. At half-time City was six points to nil, but after half-time the City forwards were much superior to their opponents and City ran out winner by 23 to 3. From a fairly even City pack, Reg McNaughten time and again came through the opponents to set up forward rushes and was probably the best forward on the ground. Pleydell, as rover, played his best game this year and got through his work well. Although there w'as no spectacular play the game was very fast from kickoff to final whistle. The tackling in the majority of cases was very good. TAUMARUNUI The first representative Rugby match played in Taumarunui this season was a thriller. Otorolianga and Taumarunui Sub-unions put their best men into a good clash, and in ideal weather a large crowd of spectators were treated to a great display/ Brilliant back movements on both sides caused great excitement, and Roddick (Taumarunui - ) did some fine goal-kicking. Early in the game Otorohanga set up a forward rush that went right through the Red-and-Black line, Lee scoring and Underwood putting the kick in the right place. Play -was pretty even till the last 10 minutes, when Taumarunui proved superior and ran the score up to .15 against 8. What is regarded as the best individual effort of the match was made by Haddon (Taumarunui), who beat the field for the leather, but was cleverly downed by Sweetman (Otorohanga), who made a striking cross rush. TE AWAMUTU Anticipating a close game, a good attendance assembled at Albert Park on Saturday to witness the match between Te Awamutu and Korakonui seniors. The former proved the better team, and won by 14 points to 6. The game was keen and was confined chiefly among tho forwards, who were evenly matched. Te Awamutu made the most of its opportunities, P. Quin being responsible for opening-up the game. There were weak spots in the rearguard of the Korakonui team, and while they worked hard individually, they lacked the combination necessary to win. Quin scored two tries and kicked a penalty goal, also converting one try. Sinclair was also successful in crossing for Te Awamutu. For Korakonui Kay and B. Turner kicked penalty goals. United and Nguhunui game was not very spectacular, the former winning by 15 points to 0. WAIHI On the Waihi Recreation Ground qn Saturday Mataura met its first defeat of the season, when the lowly Athletic team trounced it to the tune of 13 points to 6. Admittedly Mataura was without several of its best players, but Athletic deserved its first win of the year if only for the gallant work of its forwards.

Mathers, of Athletic, carried off the honours of the day, his tackling, handling. and kicking being without fault. Walker, Henry, Warne and Allen also did good work for the winners, while Saunders, McNamara, Henry, Craig and McConnell were the pick of the Mataura team. Athletic's points were scored by Walker and Henry, a try apiece, Mathers, two conversions and a penalty goal. McConnell and Shergold each scored a try for Mataura. Mr. R. Walsh was referee. MATAMATA The match between Matamata and Patatere on Saturday should virtually decide the championship, and a good crowd assembled to witness it. Neither team was up to full strength, Vosper being a notable absentee in the Matamata backs. The game resolved itself into a grim struggle between two willing packs, with Matamata getting more assistance from their backs. Neither rearguard showed much combination, but Egan, Storey and Davis were superior to the men opposed to them, and this won the game for Matamata by 11 to 0. Davies, Gordon and Storey scored tries, and Egan converted one. D. Simpson was the best forward playing, and Shaw played well at fullback. Stevenson and Malligan were the pick of the Matamata rcrumrners. The Finlay Cup fixtures commence next Saturday, when Putaruru meets the holders at Matamata. BAY OF ISLANDS The Bay of Islands Union started its second round of fixtures today in fine weather, when some good back play was seen. Ohaiawai visited Kaikohe with a depleted team and were defeated by 9 points to 3. The Kaikohe team lacked combination generally, and the pack was. beaten for the ball in 9o per cent, of the scrums. The few times the ball came out to Amos he sent Penny and Williams away, to be joined by Wrathall and Hows, who threw the ball about in good style. The losers showed to advantage with a pack that could heel the ball out, and the backs gave some good bouts of passing. Lemon holding on too long spoiled all the good work. Ludbrook and White, at full, played

good defensive games. Mason, Morris, H. Herbert were the best of the visiting forwards. PUKEKOHE One solitary point was the margin by which United defeated Ramblers in the Pukekohe senior competitions on Saturday. The score was 9—B. The result was totally unexpected in Rugby circles, for it was considered that Patumalioe. the runner-up in the championship points to date, would be the only team that could down Ramblers, the leading side. Good forward work by a strong pack gave United the win. Ramblers’ forward division is a weak one, and has been so throughout the season. The backs, however, are a good set, and they repeatedly effected saves for their side on Saturday. Of the winning fifteen. Nathan. May, and R. Grotty were among the best of the forwards, while Walters was the star back. Ramblers’ outstanding pack-man was Fulton. Mills, Crosbie and Wilkinson did a lot of useful work in the forward division. Chubb, the rover, performed consistently. Fallows was an acquisition to his side. The absence of Ramblers’ skipper, G. Brownlee, was felt by the side. White Star seniors defaulted to Patumahoc. FRANKLIN In tho Franklin competitions, Pukekawa continues to maintain its lead, and will, no doubt, be hard to deprive of the championship laurels. On Saturday it defeated Tuakau by 3 2—3. It again demonstrated the superiority of its backs, who are fit to grace any sub-union representative teams in the South Auckland Union. Pukekawa has also a battling forward in the person of Bert Short, who last year wore the Drury Club and the Manukau representative jerseys. The previous season he played for the Ponsonby fifteen. A drawn game was played between Bombay and Onewhero, each side compiling six points. The game was hard, fast and uninteresting from a spectators’ point of view. Bombay’s points were scored by' W. Lowrie from an unconverted try and a penalty. For Onewhero, Cr. Logan kicked a penalty goal, and Rau -scored