Rughy

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1007, 25 June 1930, Page 15

Rughy

_The Game and its 1 Player#. _

\ distinct improvement has been noticed in tho form of llaslam, the fast heavy centre-threequarter fcr Technical Old Boys. A determined runner with weight to back him up, he I- d rou itta« king plaj • r because of swerving, penetrating dashes which open up good chances for his wings. Ho has a good pair of hands Saturday his perform-i nee was nical backs. In a Fogi The playing of the first test at ! Dunedin on Saturday with snow falling recalls a match which the ISS? | >’ew Zealand native team touring the- j United Kingdom played in a lieaw f 0 g. The atmosphere was of the ••pea soup ’ variety and when the bar was kicked more than 10 yards intb tho j air the players stood iound not Know- j ing where tho ball would land. Need j less to say the game was a fiasco. Unbeaten Record On two successive Saturdays Pon- j sonbv. the senior competition leader, ( iias won by ono point 12-11 against Varsity and 13-1 U against Technical Old Boys. Followers are now’ wondering if Ponies can perform the ‘hat- | trick” or whether the third match will be their downfall. L«ist season’s champions have an unbeaten record in the first round which concluded on Saturday and are two points ahead of Grammar. League Convert A notable absentee from Mnntikau’s ranks on Saturday was “Teddy” Brimble, the five-eighth, who has forsaken Rugby for League. Brimble has joined the Newton League team, and his absence was particularly noticeable on Saturday when Jones had to fill the vacancy. 11c (.lid not show ti.o same dash in a position to which he is unaccustomed, second “five” giving him more space in which to use his speed. Bush Kicking Well Training College’s skipper, Ron Bush, was in great form on Saturday in the match aga.nst Manukau at Onehunga. His line-kicking against a high-velocity wind had plenty of distance and good direction, and he showed his tackling ability on many occasions when danger threatened. On present form the selector will find it difficult to judge between Bush and Butler for fullback of the Auckland team to meet British. Kieks Both Feet Few wing-tlireequartors in Auckland possess tho’ ability of Couper, the Technical threequarter, who has shown such conspicuously good form this year. Nugget yin build, he looks more liko a typical half, but he has an exceptionally speedy, jinky run, and gets off the mark almost at full speed, which is a great a-sset lor a threequarter. In addition to having a safe pair of hands he kicks with both feet, which tho majority of backs cannot do. Back to Form Lou Hook has come right back to top form in the past three or fou r j games, and is now playing spectacular j football. Infusing plenty of dash into his running, he is tricky with it and works the side-step if he is not travelling too fast with good judgment. II»is still apt, however, to make stupid errors of mlsjudgment in kicking and in the past two games has thrown away tries in this way. On form, however, he. is the logical choice fo-* one wing for tho Auckland team against Britain. Gillespie’s Comeback After being a passive player on the sideline thus far this season, “llec” Gillespie, College Rifles’ last season’s popular fullback, signalised his return to the game on Saturday when he turned out against Marist. “Hec” had a “day out” at goal-kicking, piling up six points with two fine penalties. Jim Steere, the rangy forward, must find his height both an advantage and a drawback. When he loafs it is plain to everyone, and the same applies when he leads the pack. In Saturday’s game he appeared head and shoulders, figuratively and literally, above his fellow*-forwards. He also helped substantially with a good penalty goal. * * * "Wampy” Today tho British tourists will face Southland, ostensibly the champion provincial fifteen of New’ Zealand by virtue of holding the coveted Ranftirly Shield. Although the South--1 tnders will be led by Bill Hazlett. who gained his All Black jersey in 1926, the most picturesque member of the team will bo the veteran, “Wampy” Bell, whose advent as a Southland representative player of exceptional positional ability, dates back to about 191 S. "Wampy,” who gained his All Black jersey in 1023, captain SouthKind when it annexed the shield from Wairarapa last season. If he is back in his old position today he may upset Mr. Baxter’s applecart again. Anyway, with snow and sleet falling in the South, the web-footed Southerners should be at their best. Meteoric Rise Few who saw’ Corner, Grammar Old Boys’ clever halfback, idling up and down thp lino noting as touch judge for his team at Eden Parle on Saturday would have believed he would be an All Black on the Monday. But it is so, and on July 5 will step out at Lancaster Park in an endeavour to help New Zealand win the second test. His rise to international fame has meteoric. A year ago ho was recognised only as a diminutive but smart club half, and then last season, aided by a big pack of forwards, he impressed so much that he got the Job at the base of the scrum for Auckland. His size and elusiveness, and ability to take a drubbing on defence caught tho public’s fancy in the rep matches here last year, llis great asset is. of course, the quickness with which he sets his back division in action with clean, crisp passes from the ground, but he has also the ability to vary his work smartly on the ‘‘blind.” it may well be he will produce All Black standard at Christchurch with a big pack in front of him. but he will probably require a good deal more shepherding than Jimmy Mill apparently received on Carisbrook ground against the fas* British forwards.

Memories—and Mark Shivering in the grandstand at Carisbrook ground on Saturday watching the battle between New Zealand and Britain in the first test match, memories must have come back to Mark NichoHs of the great struggle in which he participated nine years ago on the same ground the first test against the Springboks. It was a memorable game for Mark, because not only did his boot help to win the match for New Zealand with two conversions, but also for .Tack Steel’s magnificent try, which amazingly like Morley’s on Saturday, will always be remembered as epic feats on Carisbrook. Murk was all alone on Saturday—at least he alone was the only member of the 1921 All Blacks, who was still wearing the silver fern.

Consistency in Kicking Out of 39 trios scored by the British touring team in all matches to date, 27 have been converted. Black converted 11, Parker 7, Prentice G, and Ivor Jones 3. In addition there have been three goals from penalties and one field goal. Of the 117 points scored, more than half—67, to be exact—have been from the boots of the three players mentioned. The records of the teams the tourists have met are not so inspiring in this respect, at least as far as conversions are concerned. There have been 12 tries registered against the British leant, | but only four were converted. There j have been, however, a useful 21 points scored against the team from penalty goals, a fact that is rather duo to the over-zealous British forwards than to marked good kicking by the New Zealanders. So far the team has played nine matches and won seven. Points for are IS4, and against,

DUNEDIN V. PHILOMEL TASMANIAN TROPHY GAME A Kugby challenge match for the Blackwood Shield was played between the teams of the Dunedin and Philomel on the Devonport Domain yesterday afternoon. The trophy was presented to th© New Zealand Squadron during its visit to Hobart last winter, when the Diomede beat Dunedin as initial holder. In the absence of the Diomede, the Philomel challenged the flagship, and a liard-fought tussle ended in a narrow win for the senior ship by 11 points to 6. The teams were: Dunedin.—Leech, Cameron, Roper, Hooker, Somerville, Ralph. Boston, Jessel, Dockerill, Sims, Sheley, Marshall, Craig, Bowyer. Philomel.—Cruickshank, Le Bas, Thomas, Somerville, Stephens, Fitzgerald. Wright, Fordyce. Benseman, McNeill, Whiteman, Simpson, Coburn, Davidson, Stephens. Tho ground was in ideal condition for a hard game, and with the ship's companies assembled in strong force, there was some fierce and furious urgings fron\ both sides. Both teams were trained to the hour, and a hard .and fast game kept the barrackers on tiptoes from start to finish. The game was keen and willing, but played in tho best spirit without a stoppage for casualties. In the first quarter a free against Dunedin for an infringement in tho scrum saw Benseman pilot a penalty goal safely over the bar, but Dunedin equalised in the second quarter when offside against the ‘Phillies’' gave Ralph an opportunity of squaring the account with'a nice shot. “Phillies’' continued to harass tho senior ship with some strong forward rushes and deadly tackling, Fordyce finally diving across in the corner, but tho shot at goal failed. Half-time: Philomel „ 6 Dunedin 3 Play was very even in the second spell, the Dunedin gradually getting the measure of its younger opponents, and in a sweeping forward rush Marshall bullocked his way across, for Somerville to put the flagship ahead by two points. The “Phillies” made some hot rallies, but solid tackling kept them out, and a dodgy run by Ralph narrowly missed a try at the other end. A fast burst of passing among the Dunedin backs gave Hooker a chance to fly across just before time, but a good attempt to convert fell short, and Dunedin won by 11 points to 6. Mr. W. El worth gave every satisfaction as a very efficient referee. HAMILTON COMPETITION FRANKTON WINS SAGE CUP From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. The senior Rugby championship at Hamilton for the Sage Cup has been closed, leaving Frankton the winner and Old Boys runnerup. Tho following team, exclusive of Frankton, which will be engaged at Raglan, has been selected to meet Taupirl at Taupiri next Saturday: Fullback, N. Delaney; threequarters. Allen. Fitzgerald, R. Johnstone; fiveeighths, A St. George, Mathieson; half. Mitchell: rover, Tuck; forwards. Dold, W Bonham, Reynolds, Courtney, Robinson. J. Bonham, Mansel. Emergencies: Backs, Going, B. Mills; forwards, A. Monteith. Parsons. The following team has been selected to represent Hamilton against Matamata at a benefit match at Hamilton on July s:—Fullback, N. Delaney: tlireequartors, Allen, Fitzgerald, A. H. Griffiths; five-eighths. A. St. George, Mathieson; half, Mitchell; rover, Tuck; forwards, IT. Charleston. W. Bonham. Bayly, Courtney, Reynolds, Hooper and J. Bonham. Emergencies: Backs, Going. R. Johnstone; forwards, Robinson and Weatlierley. GRAMMAR SCHOOLS CUP A handsome silver cup, the Diamond j Jubilee Cup, has been presented by ; Mr. Robert E. Isaacs, one of the earli- j est pupils of the Auckland Grammar j I School, for competition among the j | Grammar Schools. It will be awarded j ; annually to the Grammar School stand- j | ing highest in the secondary schools’ j [ Rugby competition.

CANTERBURY NOT SURPRISED AT LILBURNE’S OMISSION MERRITT OUT FOR SEASON Special to THE SUN CHRISTCHURCH, Today. Canterbury is neither surprised nor alarmed that Herbert Lilburne has been dropped from the New Zealand team. Lilburne has not shown as a five-eighths in club matches this season his briliant form of the Australian tour of last year and he has been much too fond of kicking for the line. He certainly played splendidly as a fullback for Canterbury against the British team and the way he came through the British forwards then to start counter-attacks suggested that ho was regainng the penetration which is essential to a five-eighths. However. tho fact that he was then playing as fullback and had to use the lino caused his tendency to kick too much when he is closer to the scrum to b© forgotten temporarily. But the memory of it has returned in full force as a result of* the first test. Lilburne, however, should be given credit for excellent defensive play in Dunedin. A. 1. Cottrell, who first wore the silver fern leaf in Australia last year, has developed into an excellent front row forward. lie is not only a very good hooker and a hard worker in all tight play, but is very dashing in the loose, in which his fine tackling and good dribbling are very useful. Cottrell is a solicitor by profession and so a description of him as a good charging forward may not be inept INTER-PROVINCIAL PROSPECTS As Canterbury will not have any inter-provincial matches until late in tho season, interest in the representative prospects of individual players, . apart from those of All Black standI ard, has abated, although the result of the match with the British team has left a quiet confidence in the province’s prospects against the other unions. It will have good, fast, hard-working forwards and a set of nippy backs, even if! several of the more prominent players are unable to go on the southern tour when the time comes, though tho choice of one of the wing threequarters is going to give the selector of the backs—Canterbury has two selectors, one being for the forwards and the other for the backs —a lot of concern. C. Oliver, New Zealand cricket and Rugby representative, was disappointing as a winger against the British team. Still, he probably would go very well against provincial wings. W. E. is out of Rugby for the rest of mo season. He dislocated his left shoulder rather badly in a match the other day and after it recovers he will have a spell, so that he may not run the risk of injuring it again before the cricket season. Merritt represented Canterbury last year. Jack Steele, who came back this vear in the hope of playing against the British team and who was disappointed in that ambition, has not appeared in club Rugby since the British match. His Albion Club mate. It. Thompson, who showed bright promise earlier in the season, has played Indifferently lately, so Canterbury’s selector of the backs has to watch keenly for another wing. JUSTICE TOO GOOD LANDS AND DEEDS WELL BEATEN In a game that was much better than the usual scratch match, the Justice Department defeated the Lands and Deeds Department at Rugby by 2L points to 0. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, but the Justice backs were quicker to take advantage of their opportunities. Malcolm son. at fullback, was a good man for the Lands team, and saved his side from a still greater score. Garrett, the Justice fullback, was also playing a good game. McCarthy, in the backs, and "Kereopa and Hardman, in the forwards, played good games for the losers. McCarthy, Davis and Graham were tho best forwards in the Justice pack. McArthur and Meredith were the best of the backs. Tries were scored by McCarthy (2), Pressley, Barrett and Whatman. McCarthy converted three tries. Mr. C. Stitchbury was referee. WAIKATO RUGBY NEW' ASSOCIATION FORMED From Our Own Correspondent TAUPIRI, Today. A meeting of teachers representative of the district was held in the Tattpiri school, on Monday evening, the purpose being the i consideration of school football. Tho meeting was called as the result of suggestions made to the sub-union at its last meeting. It was unanimously decided to form an associated body of all the schools in the district, stretching from Huntly to Ngaruawahia, the association to be known as the Lower Waikato Primary Schools’ Rugby Football Association. The management of the association, was placed under the control of the teachers whose schools jointly form the association. Mr. F. C. Day, headmaster of Taupiri, was elected president, and Mr. B. Davies, of Huntly District High School, secretary and treasurer. It was decided that an executive committee be formed, consisting of the president, secretary, and three others, these for the present season being Messrs. J. Christie (Ngaruawahia), D. Smith (Orini), and Strong (Huntly Native). The chief difficulty to be experienced appears to be that of transport. In the first draw, Huntly Convent plays Raukamanga; Taupiri, Ngaruawahia Convent: Orini, Gordonton; and Huntly, Ngaruawahia. INTER-HOUSE COMPETITION Following is the draw for the first round of the inter-house Rugby football competition, to be played at Victoria Park tomorrow: Milne and Choyco v. Ross and Glendining; John Court, Ltd., v. Macky Logan Caldwell; | Smith and Caughey’s v. Sargood Son I and Ewen.