FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 3 May 1926, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

competition games regin. OPENING OF NEW STAND. In dull and rather gloomy Weather the South Canterbury Rugby Union opened its competitions yesterday. The grounds were all on the dead, ns the result of rain which fell in tne early morning, but this was probably appreciated by the players, who otherwise would have found the turf rather severe in their present condition. 'Jhere was a fair attendance at the Athletic Grounds, where the new stand was officially opened and brought into use. On No. I Ground Celtic defeated Star by 9 points (two penalty goals and a. try to nil), and on No. 2, which has been improved almost beyond recognition, Ziugari beat Temuka by 0 to 3. At Winchester, Old Roys accounted for Waihi by 14 to 7. At three o’clock the comfortable and commodious new grand stand, which the Rugby Union lias just erected on the Athletic Grounds,' was formally I opened by His Worship, the Mayor, in the presence of a large gathering.. Mr H. M. Eraser (president of the Rugby Union) said that it was a redletter day in the history of the Union in Tiniafu. A very substantial stand had been erected for the benefit of the public, and lie hoped and believed that it would be appreciated. Judging by the large attendance that day, it was going to be appreciated, and it indicated also that the Rugby Union had taken a step in' the right- direction.

Tlie statement was often made that the Rugby Union is a wealthy body, but j that was an erroneous idea. As a matter of fact, the Union had the heart of a lion to’ tackle this latest project. Originally the grounds had cost the Union £2850, and they had at first spent £BO2 on them, a total of .£'3050. Rut, against this, they had refunded to them £9BO by former shareholders in the grounds. They had aimed to get £IO2O refunded to them in this way, but some took the view that the Rugby Union did not want the money, and so flier kept their share of if. Added to the £2672 which the grounds Intel cost in the original purchase price and the first improvements, was £l4lO, which the new grand stand and the I alterations to the dressing sheds had cost, 'making a total cost of £IOB2. Against this the Union had had to borrow £3OOO to meet their liabilities, and

-ihc Union owed this amount at tlm present time. They wanted to reduce their indebtedness as soon as possible, and he hoped that the public would, by their support, enable them to do so. I (Hear, Hoar). | Tlie Mayor thanked the Rugby Union i for having given him the opportunity I to lie present that day at the opening | of their fine new stand, and lie ollered j his hearty congratulations to those who j had been responsible for its erection. r i lie Rugbv Union were to be praised for their enterprise, pluck and'determination in so improving their grounds, (he new grand stand adding the finishing tonc-h which made the Athletic Grounds one of the best sports grounds in Canterbury, He' .sincerely hoped

that the public would give fhnt_ lull measure of support to the Rugby Union which thev deserved. In the £1 season tickets which the Union sold, tno.y offered 30s worth of value, so that it was not a case of asking for something ior nothing, but of giving very libera value He hoped that everyone, would support the Rugby Union bv buying season tickets, and thus help the Union lo discharge their heavy financial liabilitv. His Worship also referred to the 'honour which had been paid b.l v . i i n..™Kv I ininil 111

the Now Zealand Hugo}- u™ l ' *.» electing -Air H. H. Eraser tlinr - dent for flu' year. *' ld ' sald ‘ verv fitting that the name of iM.mci, , which had so lone and honomsiblv been associated with sport in South Gantt - hurv, should be so honoured. Ihe ( Frasers had done a great deal '.or spoi t in Smith Canterbury and then- wo, k was appreciated. (Hear, Hear). T> conclusion. His Worship said he J°P“> that the public would make full u. ( of Cm new stand, and that players am it* 1,.wl «i jrood SOHSOII -allOiKl them * He then declared the new stand open for use. (Applause).

CELTIC 9, V. STAR 0. From Star’s kick off, tlm Ce'tic Howards removed play to nndlwkL retaliated and cuo\o the O the r 25, where Mason saved a difficult situation with a force, Star ugau, continued to be the aggrcs.-ois, I ' down the lino placing them n. th i - i„.r line, and from a scrum, Head of the ball away smartly, but a Ly -y to the Greens brought reliel. -It \ Celtic’s turn to press, their vangua headed bv Harding and J)v «*', 1 *■ 1 ing upheld until Star s 2o was r mother Here Mason snapped up the l< at u.i cleanly and passed to Kane, who lm n, him-sc ( hcMiumid in, tin* hall • o” play. The throw m ''-suited Celtic being awarded a I roe Kulv, n>m winch Mason landed a nice goal. di•l '"Uu- 0 Phiv for some m.nutes hor-e’.-ed around halfway,, neither side bedig able to make niueb neadwaj . C< A--were awarded another D’oe huh a t outside halfway, Mason s M k time proving abortive. Ihonip.un sit bis backs in motion from a snappy Pj< k > from a line o.u, Head aim Cullen featuring in the rush, until they iieic stommd in the 25. Star s backs vac i.i<diin prominent, 'but, altnough Head, Forrester and Hislop did good worwav was returned to halt wa, . Ur-lop who was conspicuous for his djts.ms pdL in a great run, closely R'Uo.Md or Cullen, and the pair were null, wr -» not opening up Star s score CclL.e cturneil play to hall war, whole it it maineil uneventful lor some tune. I'rom exciting pb.v in Star’s 25, Celtic were awarded a free kick, from which Mason registered his second goal Or.Lw L, Star 0. Forward play at halt way dominated the game for sonic time, nut' the Green forwards, headed by Darcy and Fleet, made a sweeping rush wnii-.i terminated in a free being allowed the iilui-s Mason anil Roper misjudged the kick at line, and could not recover the leather until Star had swooped down into their territory. Celtic were . awarded two kicks m succession, but did not improve their position, anil nlav was confined to halt wav ioi .i. further term. Celtic began to wake up, and Cullen, delivering the bail into Kane’s hands, the Green winger, .with •i iinkv run, improved their position. Exciting forward struggles were again witnessed, until Star siigluly . unproved l,heir position, only to be driven back bv Flvnn and other members ol the Green vane-uard, who transleired operations to Star’s 25, where Mason. I rom *. nvii-k had an luisucoesshil attempt at qtar next tried a shot at koiil, Cullen’s kick going wide.. CeUu- rallied -main and a determined rush by Baxter, Flett and Darcy looked unii-e-erons just before the hall time bell sounded, with the scores unchanged. Celtic ~ Star ••• ••• 0 Roper and Baxter introduced some lively play from the kick oil, the former accepting a difficult pass, anil bavin tr an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Celtic continued to press, and were very near the Bln- line, when from a .scrum. Star forwards, headed bv Slcwi art, removed play to near halt way. From here. Star’s backs got into notion and some pretty passing nullified bv Head, who knocked on. Star continued to be- the attackers. but the Green defence was sound, and their line remained intact. A good kick In Bopei reversed the position and gave Co lic a short stay in Star’s territory. 1 he packs see-sawed from one 95 lo another for sonic fine, tlm d'a.v being fairlv willing Kane cam - " g'd the pack nicely, hut was brought down by Heail. The ball travelled out to li'.s-

lop, who made a nice run before being brought down by Ala.son. Following a Green rush, play was again centred around the half way. flag, until, I roni a kick infield Reilly gathered in the leather, and made a sprint for the line, where Collie were unfortunati' in not getting over. A line out wii.s signalled near tlie Rlue line, from which Howard got possession, and was away in an instant, with Kane hot on Ins trail. The Star man showed a fine burst ol speed, I and looked like outpacing the Celtic 1 winger and registering a try, but was ' overhauled near the line. The Star forwards continued to attack, and a general mix-up took place, hut a free kick to Celtic, brought relief. Alter a. series of line outs, Borgiu and Flctt began to show the way to Star's line, hut after a fine dribbling attempt a. serum impeded their progress. Celtic kept up a hot attack for some time, and Tlislop was called upon to force. Forrester got possession in the 25, and his run upheld would have been profitable only for Houlihan, "who was the cause of a line out. Celtic’s heavier vanguard were still aggressive, and moved up into the goal area. A line out in the 25 was the signal for Bergin and Dwan to break away with the ball at font, until the former dived over in a. melee and was awarded a try. Mason’s kick at goal was unsuccessful. Owing to an injury to a leg, ihnai retired at this stage, and was not replaced. Celtic were not having it all their own way, and the Star forwards came again. tins lime with a big rattle. Head had two unsuccessful shots at goal, hut these were both from difficult angles. From , a melee near half way. Mason put in a good run, and had his team in Star’s area when the final whistle sounded, with the scores : . Celtic .. .9 Star ... • ... A. 0 Air A. H Clemens -carried tlio whistle.

ZINGAIU 6, TEMUKA 3. Zinguri met Temuka on No. 2 Athletic vi rounds, on Saturday, before a large gathering of spectators. The home team won tlie toss, lemuka kielcI ing olf from the northern end. The country players immediately assumed the aggressive, short passing taking play to Colours’ 25, where (inside play by the visitors gave relief to Ziugari.’ ’I he Timaru team instituted fast loose forward rushes, headed by E. Fairbrother and McGhee. Sound defence belli up the aggressors, and Temuka, with judicious one kicking, gained considerable ground. A passing bout by tlie Yellow backs saw Gillnian figuring prominently, but a. knock on spoilt a golden opportunity. Temuka came again Lo tiie attack, and Ziugari being penalised*’ for an infringement in a scrum, Dwan landed a line penalty goal. Temuka 3. Ziugari 0. The borne team resumed strongly, a tricky run by Wallis gaining eonsiderab'e ground. In a line out near the corner Bracefield smartly marked, hut his kick, taken wide out, was uusueeessfiil. Ziugari continued to attack, McGhee leading a good, forward rush. Temuka. headed bv McKenna, got wel- away through faulty handling by tlie local backs, and from a scramble in front of Zingari’s goal, Helem unsuccessful.',- potted. Zingari wen- on tlie defensive for some time ti l D. .Fairjirolher relieved with a great line kick. Further .scrambling play saw the ball kicked into Dore’s hands, and he outpaced all opposition, to score a brilliant try. Gibb railed to enhance. Temuka 3, Ziugari 3. The country players made determined eiforts to regain the lead on the resumption’of'play. McKenna; who was playing finely throughout, led a strong rush, which I). Fail-brother upset. Passing by BracefieldGi'linan. Wallis and Walker brightened up play considerably, but Teinukn’s defence was too good. The Magpies rugged forward work soon, put them in an attacking I position, D. Fnirbrothcr saving a cor- i tain try, with a mark, on the line. | Temuka continued liio o/l’ensive, being pulled up with an equally good .mark from Gilinvm. Towards the end of the spell, with honours even, Ziugari came to the attack, and at the interval bad Temuka hard pressed. Temuka 3 Ziugari 3

'f'he second spell was not impressive, Ziugari claiming the honours, in a serainb'ing contest. Gibb's opening kick was well returned to the 25. anil here Helem got smartly away, to be upended by Gillnian. Passing by L. Ward, E. Fail-brother, Wallis and Don: gained ground for Ziugari. Temuka had a, turn at attacking, bill the home team jooii came into the picture, again. A strong run by Dore went within alew yards of tlm line. .More- uninteresting forward work was brightened up by McKenna anil Bennett breaking through. .I).’ Fail-brother again saving tiie situation. A loose rush by the Yellow forwards resulted in Stewart gaining possession and breaking through the defence to score Ml a fair position. D. l-’airbrotlmr’s kick was fruitless. Z:ngari 6. Temuka 3. Determined cllorts by Temuk i to equalise, failed to mature. tlm Colours' defer,cc being equal to the occasion. Dore mad,- another solo run. but was well tackled, and McGhee met a similar Lite shortly afterwards. Ziugari .;-outinned to ilirnw the oval about, but tlm combination was not good. Bracefield sol his backs moving at cverv uppefUiiiitv, but tlm ball rarely -reached the wings, owing to slow pa- sing nr sou mi tackling. At the conclusion, though Ziugari were in a

strong position, lm further score ensued. after a particularly uninteresting nrcond ImT. Ziugari 6 Temuka 3 Air L. 11. Buchanan was referee. o.tlin V. OLD ROYS. Sheldon kicked oil’, for Waihi. Y\ . Jjiiwmn marked and i eturr.ed lo muilield. Wood, getting Urn ball irom a scrum, sent in oaf. to ins backs, but the ball was booted out of touch by A. Law,ini. A rush by Old Roys’ forward:, took play to Wailii's line, O. Quirkc saving with a force. From the kick out Waihi took the play to Did Rons' 25, and J. Alt-Bride wont on to the goal line. A kick by Xcut/ie (U. 8.) sent play to midfield. A r mb by I). Stewart and R. Neutxo vent Lo tild Roys 25, and forward work by W. Quirke, Stcwari, Uysaglit, ami Robertson kept the Blues busy defending. Strang relieved with a timely kick- Lo centre. 011.-ide by Stewart gave Waihi a free. Sheldon’.x kick at goal failing. A passing rush by IV. Aleßride. D. Stewart, and Ne.utze took play lo tin 1 Blues 2u. whore Waihi wore awarded a free, but L. Nculxe’s shot at goal lailed. A rush by the Blues was stopped by Augland snapping up the ball and sending it well up lhe field with a holly kick. A rush by Berry, Sevb, ami R. Stewart took play to \\ ’aibi'.s quarter. A parsing rush by Old Roys was pulled up by Wood, who sent the bail to A. Lawson, who marked butfailed in an attempt at goal. 1). Stewart, AY. Quirke, and R. N'oulzo took play lo tlm Blues' 25. whore G. Law-sun relieved with a long kick. Sheldon secured a mark inside hallway, but Ins kick at goal went out-

side the post. A passing rash l.y Strang, Lawson (2), and Fraser went, to W’aihi’.s 25. and R. Neutxo relieved with a kick - to midfield. Ofi'sido by J. Ale-Bride gave Daw.-.on a .shot at goal which failed. A rush by Waihi (vent past liallYray, then .1. Mcßride ran to Old Boys’ 25, and passed to I). Stewart, who wax tackled by Berry. From tlie scrum Blues took tlm play to near the Greens’ line, and R. Stewart scored. A. Lawson converted. Old Boys 5. Waihi 0. A run by G. Lawson was stopped, by Wood, who tackled • well. A rush by t!i_• Blue fin ..arils ended ill LtewaiT again

scoring, hut this time A. Lawson’s kick at goal failed. Half-time was then called. Old Boys ' S Wailii 0 Stewart kicked oil' for the Lines, and Slierratt returned past half-way. A run by Gerard, Soyb. Dodd, and Berry took play to AVaihi'.s line, 0. Quirke saving with a. good Jackie. Anglaml kicked up field, and X. Robertson, Stewart and Lysaght took play past midfield. A long kick by 0. Quirke, who followed up, went veil inside the Blues’ 25. A kick hv A. Lawson was taken by Priest, who tried to get over, but was stopped by Xeutze. A run by Sheldon ended in a try, but his kick at goal failed, dd Boys 8. Wailii A. Prom the kick out the (Locus rushed to the Blues’ 25, W. Lawson relieving with a hefty luck past ball-way. A passing rush by Strang and Lawson (2) ended in A. Lawson .scoring, and the same player converted. Old Boys li, Wailii A. Prom the kick out Strang .secured and sent Lawson (2), and Arnold away, uiglaud pulled them up with a good tackle. A forward rush by Stewart, flora rd, and Seyb took play to the Greens’ 25, then ’W. Quirke, R. Noutze and Wood returned to midfield. A forward rush by I). Stewart, W. Quirke, and Robertson invaded the_ Blurs’ 25, Xeutze (Old Boys) saving the sit u-lion with a long , liner, forward rush by Gerard, Stew,a id, and Berry took play back to Wailii s 25, but O. Quirke relieved with a line kick - . Stewart, Quirke, Xeutze. and Wood shifted play past midfield. A forward sally by the Bines took play to Waihi’s ' lino; Wailii were awarded a free, and Sheldon put the leather out at midfield. A passing rush by Strang, Lawson (2), and Stewart ended v ,'Fh the big forward notching his third try. Strang's kick at goal failed. Oid Boys 14. Wailii A. .Prom the kick-out Sheldon secured and ran past halfway, the ball going to AA’ood. Xeutze, Slierratt, and Priest, who was tackled near the Blues’ line. A long kick by Slierratt put play well inside the visitors’ 25, but Stewart, Gerard Ledington, and Aitken transferred it to AA'aihi's end. A rush by j) Stewart, Quirke, and Xeutze vent past the centre, and L. Xeutze getting the ball potted a .splendid grid ’ld Boys 14, AVaibi 7. A long kick In’ D. Quirke put the Blues on the defensive, but the score was not altered. Old Bovs - 4 Wail,; '. ;;; ;;; ;;; .Mr X. Phillips was referee.

o JUNIOR, Star 9 bent Ziugari 5. Old Boys 0 drew with Y.M C. -V 0 bc-hool 3 drew with Pleasant Point 3 THIRD GRADE. Tenmka 0 drew with Washdvko 0. School 8 beat Old Roys 3. FOURTH GRADE. Geraldine ]() beat Star A 6 School 15. 11 beat Ziugari 9.' Temuka 14 beat Star R. H. FIFTH GRADE. Slur A. 25 beat Celtic 0. Ziugari 0 drew with Temuka G Geraldine 13 beat School R. B.’ OPENING OF SEASON IN' SYDNEY. By Cable-—Press association—Conyrivlu. As itrslian .-uul N run. \«soW»t.r,a (Received Mav 2, 5.5 p m ) SYDNEY, Mav 1. All codes of football got into'swineyesterday, and the attendances even" where were big. The season promises to be a biwv one.

THE TRANSFER QUESTION. By Cable—Press Association—Copy rigiit. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. April 3d. A special meeting. eal’ed In Dm W igan Coib, to Lest tlm opinion of other clubs as regards the proposed atlenipt to lemove the two year qualilii-ati-in bail on the, transfer of /'d-mml footballers. was attended by delegates from sixteen iMtiw. who praec. xi.y i armed unanimously a resolution seeking tlie removal of. file ban and pledging to support it at the animal meetings. AUCKLAND ■ PREAII KRSHTP.

By v s,, n . AUCKLAND, Ala.v 2. Rugby premiership games yesterday resulied as follows: Ronsonhy 37 boat Grafton 8. Grammar 9 beat University 5. College Rifles 1-1 bent Alarists 3. CH RISTCH URCII R FSI'LTS. By m -'-...-i-.mn CHRISTCHURCH, ALiv 2. 'Senior Rugb.v games on Saturday resulted :—■ Old Boys I 1 heal Christchurch 6. Albion 11 beat Linwooil 5. Aierivale 2-1 heal ’Varsity 9. HIGH SCORING IN WELLINGTON. By v WELLINGTON. Alay 2. A grade Rugb.v games on Saturday were played as i'oiiov. s : Ath otic 25 heat Rcrluuupnvc 9. Old Boys 23 heal I’oneke 9. University 34 beat Mult 3. Retime 19 beat-Selwyn 3. Oriental 25 beat Wellington 6.

SENIOR 15. Rorirua 8 beat -Johnsonville 6. Eastbourne 8 bear 'Varsity 11. MAORI 'TEAM FOR FRANCE. By ’i’clc-:',-oo- .■ ii. WELLINGTON, Ala.v 2. Air S. S. Dean. chairman of the Alaiiagement Committee of the New Zealand Rugb.v Union, states that arrangements are eomp'eted for the touiol France by a Maori team. According lo present intentions, the Alaoris will leave by the Tninui on July 28, l'oi England, via I’iuiama. This means ilm elimination of matches which were to have been played by tlie Alaoris in Australia.