RUGBY AT ITS BEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1077, 15 September 1930, Page 6

RUGBY AT ITS BEST

BRITAIN BEATS VICTORIA AT MELBOURNE HIGH SCORING MELBOURNE, Sunday. In a Rugby match yesterday Britain beat Victoria by 41 points to 3G. The teams were as follow: Britian. — Back, Bonner; threequarters, Aarvold, Jones-Davies, Novis, Jennings; halves, Murray, Poole; forwards, Welsh, Beamish, Wilkinson, Hodgson, Black, Dunne, Martindale, Farrell. Victoria.-—Back, A. Beyers; threequarters, J. O’Hair, D. Cowper, E. Millwood. J. Blackall; halves, G. S-turt-ridge, .1. Taylor; forwards, W. Green, J. Goodsell, G. Ward, R. McDuff, J. Sinclair, A. Burns, Fallow, Lombard. The referee was Mr. F. Mayne. There was an attendance of 7,000. The Governor-General. Lord Stonehaven, shook hands with both teams. At the commencement Britain lacked dash, but held the fast Victorian side. O’Hair secured, but was caught in possession. However, he again secured and touched down at the corner, the try being converted. Jones-Davies was then instrumental in securing a try for Britain, which Black converted. OPEN AND DASHING O’Hair’s brilliance then put Victoria in the lead. His try was converted. Britain rejtlied shortly afterward with a penalty goal. It was Rugby at its best now. open and dashing play being countered with determination and initiative. A heavy shower checked the pace. Britain's strength in the scrums held the local side in check. At the interval the scores were: Victoria, 21; Britain, 17.

On the resumption of play Britain played with the wind and the sun behind. They were soon in full stride and before many minutes had added two tries, one of which was converted. This tended to check the local enthusiasm. Bonner was brilliant for Britain and Ward stood out for Victoria. Britain, with the Victorians rattled, scored several times and the score reached 41 points. Victoria at last settled down to smother Britain’s passing rushes, and was soon on the attack. Cowper scored two brilliant tries for the home side, both of which were converted. Victoria was now playing surprisingly good Rugby against highclass opponents, and was five points behind with five minutes to go, but failed to win.

A HARD GAME DRAWN WELLINGTON V. HAWKE’S BAY SIX POINTS TO EACH SIDE Press Association WELLINGTON’, Saturday. After a hard, gruelling game that for the most part waj contested by the forwards, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington drew, 6 all, at Athletic Park this afternoon. Until two minutes from the end the Hawke’s Bay side was leading by three points, having scored two tries in the second spell, whereas Wellington had scored a try late in the first spell. It looked as though the visitors had every chance of coming out victorious until, from a drop-out from the Hawke’s Bay twenty-five, at least half a dozen Wellington men handled in a last-minute spurt that ended in Ball scoring well out, amid great excitement. Wellington was rather lucky to avert defeat, for on today’s play the Hawke's Bay team deserved to win. Ball scored twice for Wellington, neither try being converted, and Wanoa and Sheriffs scored for Hawke’s Bay. the kicks at goal failing. Rolls and Ruru, both Hawke’s Bay players, had to go off during the game, Ruru receiving an especially severe [ injury. j Mr. J. Moffitt, of Wellington, was j referee. ! MATCH FOR PAYNE TROPHY CHRISTCHURCH TEAM WINS Press Association DUNEDIN, Saturday. Christchurch, winners of the Christchurch competition, defeated Alhambra, Dunedin’s premier team, at Carisbrook today in a match for the Payne Trophy by 20 points to 3. It was a fairly ragged game, neither side showing great combination. SEDDON TROPHY MATCH BULLER RETAINS SHIELD Press Association WESTPORT. Saturday. On Victoria Square, in the presence of a large gathering of spectators, in beautifully fine weather, Buller retained the Seddon Shield against Nelson (challengers), winning by 21 points to 8. Nelson had the advantage of the sun and a very slight breeze in the first spell, and led at half-time 5—4. Fowler scored a beautiful try for Nelson, Reid converting. Gilbert potted a. goal for Buller. Buller made it a hard forward game, while Nelson indulged in passing attacks among the backs. In the second spell Gilbert, with a penalty' kick, gave Buller the lead. Greer and Connolly added tries, making the score 13—5 in favour of Buller. Snodgrass kicked a grea't goal from a penalty for Nelson, but in the closing stages Buller was all over the challengers. McNeight scored two tries, Holder converting one, making the final score: Buller 21, Nelson 8. Mr. T. Fletcher was referee. In curtain-raiser games Pirates defeated Westport Juniors, 3 —o, and Old Boys Juniors defeated Waratah (Reefton), B—4.8 —4.