League Rugby

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 770, 17 September 1929, Page 14

League Rugby

HUNTLY Rotowaro juniors are noted for their prowess and are the top team in local League games. On Saturday they clearly demonstrated their superiority over Huntly*, and piled up 46 points to nil before the final whistle blew. The winners of the Auckland junior competition should pay Huntly a visit and try conclusions with this team; for it would be a big draw locally and Devonport’s trip to Huntly last Saturday did not result in any financial loss to that club. The visit of the winning junior club from the Queen City would be welcomed here. Ngaruawahia colts beat Huntly B by 14 to 3 at the famous regatta township. Tittleton and Abbott, younger brothers of the well-known Waikato League players, were picked out doing yeoman service for their side, and with Nicholls (wing threequarter), Wells and Wilson (forwards), were the mainstay of the winners. W. Singer, Lancaster Brothers, Hughes and McEwin (backs), with Holland, R. Singer and J. McEwin (forwards) were solid workers for the beaten thirteen. Mr. D. Hall refereed. Devonport seniors, with Mr. T. O’Brien in charge, paid Huntly a visit on Saturday*, but did not take the honours home with them, for they had to acknowledge defeat by 20 points to 8. The Huntly players are no mean exponents of the code and it takes a good club team to upend them. Alf Scott retired hurt after the first half and Rule was breakaway in the second half. No players were seriously hurt on Saturday*, and Superintendent G. Green, of the St. John Ambulance Society, had only* five minor calls with his squad. The game was a treat to watch, weather conditions were perfect, with the result that a fast, open game, the most spectacular of the season, was witnessed. Mr. R. T. Hill refereed. Each man took the ball cleanly* and it passed through nine pairs of hands before beirig grounded. This was the best movement of the afternoon. Hooking honours were fairly even. St. George had nothing on Stephenson. who is noted for his tenacity in sticking to the ball. The promoted juniors, Knight and Broughton, half and fullback respectively, were sound, the former especially* so. He is keen on his game and will be a useful half, though only a youngster at present. The same remark applies to M. Scott, perhaps the most promising player in the League code today. A big-framed lad and last, with no tendency* to , selfish play, he is an All Black in embryo and anticipates his opponents’ play to a nicety. Stan Rayner turned out for his old love and lie and his brother George were both in the picture throughout. The former’s work was clean cut and reminiscent of his best play in League football. Wiri Mipi also was reliable. Soccer HUNTLY ' rrrrr t The scores in the school soccer series only show the eveness of the competitors. It is little wonder that s uch keen interest is maintained in the competitions, which are practirally only five years in existence. Parents and players alike share in the

enthusiasm. There need not be any fear for the future senior players while ; the youngsters are being reared in the i proper atmosphere. About five years ago a well-known and popular Huntly girl. Miss Tui Sheeran, painted a cushion, which was won in an art union by Mr. Andrew Ainslie, who, in turn, presented it to the local school. That considerate action started the movement which was the nucleus of the present association and the cup so keenly fought for in Waikato school soccer today. Saturday next will be the y*oungsters’ day out, for an Auckland team is paying a visit. On that match will depend who is to be selected from here to go to Australia. Huntly played Wanderers in the Howden Cup round, but although 20 minutes’ extra time was played according to the rules, neither team could add anything to the tally of four goals each. Under ideal weather conditions, play was fast and open, although it is a debatable point if Huntly improved its chances of victory by changing its players about. Ted Hall (two) and Hedley scored for Huntly. The other goal came off Caldwell. Nicholls, Kennedy and Caldwell scored for Wanderers, another goal coming off T. Dodds. Wanderers played up well, and hung on grimly to the end. Its right back was very solid in defence, while Smith, in the centre-half position, was the best of the line and the rear division. In the forwards, Kennedy, Nicholls and Caldwell, in that order, were the best. Hunter has played better games in goal. By defeating Pukemiro by 5 goals to 0, Junction United redeemed itself for a few recent failures. It surprised the spectators by its win. Thistle went down on the home ground by 4 goals to 0 against Glen Massey. The former’s combination is not what it should be, due to frequent changes in the team. It was a weak team on Saturday. Woodie, Stirling. Whitelaw, Stewart and Gavin battled hard to avert defeat for the Scots. Glen Massey fielded a well balanced side, with no really outstanding player. The back division was steady. Gear and Brockett did good work in front. HAMILTON In the knock-out competition for the Howden Cup, the premier trophy in senior association in Hamilton, Huntly and the local Wanderers drew four goals each, after a fast and exciting contest. Extra time was allowed. As a result of the draw, both teams will replay the match at Huntly before the season closes. The game was more vigorous than scientific, plenty of pep and keenness being exhibited on both sides of the line. In view of this it is difficult to single out any outstanding players, although the Ashton brothers were responsible for great work among the home backs. On the Huntly side Dodds, the Waikato rep., but in some strong defending in the left fullback position.