SEVEN-A-SIDE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 June 1926, Page 4

SEVEN-A-SIDE.

King’s Birthday Tourney. BIG DAY’S FOOTBALL. The South Canterbury Rugby Union, which has .held its tourney lor over JU years, has experienced remarkable Jorturn; in regard to weather, and yesterday proved no exception, an. almost perfect day for the winter season attracting a very large crowd’ to Eraser Park The attendance was estimated, at -about 5000, and the- gate receipts, although not quite a record,, were among the highest recorded in cornicetibn with the fixture, the gross receipts being well over £2OO. . The grounds were, in excellent condition, and with an absence of wind the only drawback from the players’ point- of view was the -bright sunshine, which very naturally was not considered a disadvantage by the spectators.- The usual complete arrangements had been made, and the games .were got off with commendable 'punctuality. The only flaw in the programme was a rather serious iniscalculation .in... regard to the number of games to be played on No. -2 ground, which was abandoned too eariy in the dav, the result being that- too many matches wore left for decision on No. 1. A return was made to the lower area, but this dislocated the order of events, two lower grade finals having to be transferred, and it also imposed some hardship on some teams, which were called upon to ■ play two . games without sufficie.nt interval. As it was, the senior final .was-contested in something approaching twilight,, and the junior final was fought in semi-dark-ness. i ■ ' The play, as is usual, covered a wide range, from rather poor to high grade, and there was sufficient of the best type of tournament football to compensate the onlookers for the dull spoils. The senitT matches were all fast and keenly contested. There was ir dramatic incident miring a semifinal, and a.rather disturbing situation was threatened, hut ultimately the p’ayers smoothed matters out, and the honours went to what was undoubtedly the best seven in the grade. Old Boys, whoso outstanding players were. Stewart , and Strang, had a- close call against Celtic, but won convincingly enough in the deciding game with Zingari, who largely owed their position in the final to the brilliant work of D. Fail-brother. Zingari had a spoil of only a dozen minutes between the semi-final with Wnibi and their meeting with Old Boys, and in addition Were called upon to play three games to their opponents’ two. High School repeated their last year’s victory in the'junior grade, McConnell giving a splendid exposition of five-eighths play. Old Boys were the other finalists in this division. and | their chances were not improved by the proximity of the final and their pre- | vious game. Bight- through the dav; | however, tliev played nice football, j The third grade medals were annexed 1 by Star, with a. team which in srio | cessive years has won the fifth, fourth, I and third grade tournament competi- ! tions. Temuka had a win in the fourth i grade, defeating Star in the final, and ! Celtic emerged successfully in the fifth I division after some strenuous contests. Tile South Canterbury Referees’ As- | sociation provided the referees who coni trolled the phiy, and in other departments the touf-Viampnt was controlled by the fol’owing officials: — Fraser Park.—Supervisor, Mr H. IT. Fraser; controllers. No. 1 ground, Mr D. Hertnon; No. 2 ground, Mr .T. Wilson: timekeepers, Messrs C. S. Fraser, B. Manning. H. Kennedy, ,T. O’Leary, A. ShirtclifFe, A. Hunt, Father . Kerlev;. teams stewards', Messrs .T. Henry. N. Moore, T. H. Langford. A. Fraser, J. Conn, T. H. Macdonald, Hindi Fraser; blackboards, Messrs G. A. Caldor. K. Maimer, W. Crawford, G. Cartwright, TV. Horwe'l. Anzac Reserve. —Control'er. Mr G. Fairbrothcr; assistant controller. ■Mr H. T. Washer: team stewards, Messrs K. E. Firkin, J. Tonevcliffe. B, Littloiohn. J. Mnrohv: timekeepers, Bro. Egbert. Mr W. F. Hall : blackboards, Urn. Philip, Mr .T, Gordon, Details were as follows:—.

TITW CTTYTOp «ECTICV\-. Celtic 8 heat Temuka. A. 0. Faii-I.V 3 heal: Waihi B. 0. O d Boys A. heat Temuka B. by default. Waihi A. 0 beat Old Boys B. 3. ' Ziurrnri 11 bent Star 0. Celtic 6 beat Fni'-lie 0. Semi-Finals. Old Bovs A. fi beat Cel lie 3. Zingari 3 beat Waihi 0. Final, Old Boys S beat Zingari 0.

Collie 8 v. Tevnuka A. 0. Connolly (Temuka) opened lip play on Die lei'fc wing. but. was well tackled by Divan. Good kicking by Kane gained ground for the Greens, and from a dribbling rush Doper .scored. Kano failed to add. Celtic •'!, Tenmka 0. Doper opened np well, Fonnininc’.s kick going to the Ho. From scrambling play on the line Baxter touched down. Mason converted with a good kick. Half-time .score—Celtic 8, Temuka 0. On ebanging over Celtic, opened up brightly, a passing movement from Doper taking play to tile 25. Good following by Connolly placed Temuka on the offensive, but a good opportunity was lost through a bad pass to Dennett. Time .sounded with the scores. Celtic 8, Temuka 0.

Fairlie 8, v. AVnihi B. 0. The fu-11-baek Angla.nd, placed Fairlie. on the attack with a good kick, and immediately afterwards almost ran through the opposition with a strong run, his pass, however, going astray. Mainly by forward p'av, Fairlie worked down to the Waihi line whore a steady pressure was maintained. AVnihi retaliated with strong rushes, but .Gallon to fumed play to Hie AVailli 25, where. Sheldon elected to open up. A wide pass intercepted by the Fairlie three-quarter enabled him to cross on the corner. The try was unconverted. Fairlie .‘5, AA'aihi 0. Time sounded .shortly* afterwards with the scores unchanged.

AVaihi A. G, Old Boys B. 3. AA'aihi kicked off with the nun, and a period of give and lake play ended in AVaihi penetrating to the Old Bovs’ 25. Boys removed [day with a good run, 'the venue being removed to half-way. Bovs later attempted to repeal the performance, but. was well taekled, and with the AVaihi forwards coming through quickly A liken was compelled lo force. Old Hoys pressed holly, and Boys marked well in a handy position';' the kick, however, was unsuccessful. From a serum near the line Fleming secured and (lashed over. Boys failed ivitli tho kick. Old Boys 11, Waihi 0. AAA Quirke secured from a scrum in midfield, and after creating a line, opening, passed to F. Neutze, who, outdistancing the opposition, scored a splendid try. The kick was charged down. Waihi 3, Old Bovs 3. An extra spell was necessary, and proceedings opened willingly.' Fast following by AV. Quirke caught the Old Boys’ (iefonre out of jio.sit.ion, and Noufze picking up dashed across for a good try. AA’aihi G, Old Bovs 3.

Zingari 11. SLar 0. Zingari kicked off against (he sun, and attacked from the start. Two determined Zingari rushes eompelled .Star to force on both occasions. From a serum which resulted on the latter occasion, D. Fr'('brother dived in and srored. Gihli failed to eonverl. Zingari 3, Star 0. On changing ends. Zingari continued to aOaok, Walker speculating and placing the side in

a handy position in the corner. A free kick brought Star relief, "and they broke away at midfield until Do re intercepted nicely and outpaced the opposition to score an attractive try. Gibb’s kick was successful. Zingari 8, Star 0. Zingari’is next try came from a serum near Star's 25, Bracefield making the opening for D. Fairbrothcr to race away unopposed. The game then ended with the .score. Zingari 11, Star 0.

Celtic 6, v. Fail-lie 0. Immediately after the commencement Angiand. (Fair-lie) fielded, and running strongly, gained the half-way mark before he _ was well tackled by Divnn. Fountaine returned to the 25 with a good kick. . Baxter broke away .smartly from, a line-out and passed to Fountaine, the latter being beatcii ’in a race for the .touch-down.; Front a- penally near the 25, well out,-Mason kicked a good goal. Celtic 3. Fairlie 0. Angiand gained posses--sion and rail through with a fine run, but was well tackled near the , line. Mason snapped up, and after a run throo-cninrters the length of the field, scored a good try. The -same player failed with the kick. Celtic C, Fairlie I). '

Old 'Boys A. 0 v. Celtic 3. . Celtic kicked 'oil' agai, list' the isnn.. Good work by Tate took play to the Celtic line, where Ntewarf. obtained possession and handed to Gerard,- who touched down. A. Lawson failed with the-kick. Old Boys 3, Cel tie-0. Stewart got well away, but was -brought low with a splendid tackle by Fountaine.Breaking away from a line-out Gerard set the Blues in motion, piny--' going across field. G. Lawson secured, and passed to Stewart who knocked, on. " Fountaine effected ‘a timely' force. Logan was instrumental in’ removing play to half-way. On changing over Dwan brilliantly fielded-the kick, taking play .to the 25; with a determined run. G. Lawson extricated his side from a dangerous position by sending W. Lawson away on a tricky rim to the opposite 25, where holding on too I'iiig lost a .splendid opportunity, and afforded Celtic timely relief. Strang opened up smartly, but Baxter intercepted and returned play to half-way from where Fountaine made further , progress to the 25. Boper opened up his back's, Kane taking play to the corner as the bell sounded. The referee, apparently not hearing the bell, the game was continued, with exciting results. Dashing through ' nhar the linc-ont. Mason raced over for « try. 'Mason's* kick, upon which the outcome rested-, narrowly missed, the kicker obviously being affected by the tension. Old Boys 3, Celtic 3. Spell throe commenced amidst great excitement. Tate secured possession, and wiLh a good run took play to the 25. Logan incurred a penalty for offside play, ,'t A. Lawson missed with a difficult kick. Strang attempted to sot his backs in motion from a. scoring post-, tion, but Divan and Boper broke up the movement and removed the pressure. G. Lawson picked up in midfield, and after a fine run decided the issue by a pass to B. Stewart, who crossed well out. Old Boys 6, Celtic 3.

Zingari 3 v. Waihi A. 0. "Waihi kicked off against the sun. Fairbrothcr gained ground 'with a tricky kick, and the Yellow and Blades rushed to the Waiiti corner. Ward took play to the Waihi 25, and Dove coming up fast snapped up and touched down. Gibb failed with tlui kick. Zingari 3, Waihi 0. Bracefield broke away well, passing: to ' Ward'; "ho transferred to Bitefiie, the latter being well away when • -ptfitetl•’•Wfl'ToF a minor infringement upheld. Neutze transferred the scene of operations - with a good kick. - Ritchie broke through with a good dribbling’, fnii,' but O. Quirlte lined out at the 25. Neutze was nearly away in a ehaj-acteristic run, hut Fairbrollier saved: well.. From, a ' free -kick against Zingari. Neutze went close with the kick. A moment later the samel olayer attnmnted a pot, but the ball [ell short. Wnibi continued to press, and when the bell sounded' were attacking hotly.

FINAL. , Old Boys A. 8; v. Zingari 0. The final was eagerly awaited, and both teams took the field amidst., keen excitement. Ritchie led a strong rush rn the Old Bovs’ line, but Gerard with a good solo effort- returned to half-way. G. Lawson came, through with a strong run, which promised well until Fairbrother wa.s encountered. AVard and Bitehie then returned. the scene of operations to. half-way. A good run by. AV. Lawson' effected a speedy change, and play hovered in the vicinity of Zingari's 25 until Dore by fast following removed to midfield. Stowe"! opened up smartly from a scrum and handed the leather to Strang, who capped a splendid run with a fine try. A. Lawson missed with the kick. Old Bovs 3. Zingari 0. Stewart fielded the kick out, and wa.s quicklv away with a strong run, hut was brought to earth by two opponents. G. Lawson next e-saynd a. gallop, but Fairbrother's defence was sound. Bitehie and Gibb came into the picture, taking plav into Blue territory with a fast rush. Dore carried on, but at the crilicnl moment failed to gather up Ibo b'iH. A period of tight, play on the Old Boys’ line ensued until Stewe rt obtained possession and relieved the pressure with an opportune kick. AVilhin kicking distance Cibli al teumled to pot, hut failed to carry the distance. A high kick by Gibb well followed up appeared dangerous, biit A. Lawson, evading cleverly, ,sot Mrane in mnlion. Die laiter runninn* through from ne"r|y half-way with a great effort. A. Lawson was ,successful wbh Dio kick-. Obi Boy ; 8. Zingari 0. Time sounded almost immediately afterwards. TI'O winning team was as follows: B. Stewart, 0. AL Gerard, A. Strang, AA r . Lawson, A. Lawson, G. Lawson' and D. Tate. ’

JUNIOR. t Zingari 3, beat Pleasant Point B. 0. High School boat Allenton B. by default. Star B. 3, boat Y.M.O.A. B. 0. Star A. 3, beat To Ngawai 0. Old Boys B. 3, beat ITayfiekl 0. Y.M.C.A. A. 8, beat Albury 5. Southern (AVe.), boat ’Varsity (Dn.), by default. High School B. 0, beat. Aorangi 3. Point A. beat Fairlie by default. Okl Boys A. 11, beat Temuka 0. High School A. 13, beat Star B. 0. Star A. 3, beat Zingari 0. Okl Boys B. 3, beat Allenton A. 0. Third Round. High School A. IS, boat Star A. 3. Y.M.C.A. A. 3, beat Okl Boys B. 0. Southern (We.) 3, beat High School B. 0.. Old- Boys A. 3, beat Pleasant Point 0. Semi-Finals. High School A. 8, boat Y.M.C.A. 0. Okl Boys A. 11, beat Southern (AVe.) S. Final. High School A. G, beat Old Boys 0. This was (he last game of the day and was got. off in semi-darkness, the players having groat difficulty in following Die leather. The game was a good fast one, however, and resulted in School running out winners with tries scored by Morrison and King. The winning team comprised-—S. Blue, .1. Manchester, It. King, It. Arnold, I-I. McConnell, .1. Morrison, and IG. Halstead.

THIRD GRADE. Star A. 11, beat Zingari B. 0. Pareora A. G, hunt High School P. 8. Pareora B. 3, beat AVnsiulyke B. 0.

Zingari A. 13, beat Geraldine 0. High School A. 14; beat Alienton 0. Old Boys B. 3, beat Temuka 0. Waslnlylte A. 3,‘- beat Athletic (We.) 0.- v High School (We.) 3, beat Old Boys A. 0. Star B. o,> beat AorangP 3. Star A. 12, beat Pareora’A. 0. Third Bound. Zingari A. 3, beat High School 0. Old Boys B. S, beat Washdyke A. 3. Star B. beat. Waimate H.S. Star A. 23, beat Pareora B; 0. Semi-Finals. Sfar.A. 3, beat Zingari A. 0. . Star B. 3, beat Old Boys B. 0, !■ ; Final. Star A. G, beat Star B, 0. The sun bad disappeared when this game, yvas commcfticed. Hillary was cau-gUTra possession and allowed the B. to: move;.itp,:;untri Dudley made, a -good” -Tun, and but for oyer-run-ning the .ball, might have opened the A.’s account. Following.a rush by •the A’s, Meikle picked up a difficult ball a-iul outpacing tiled opposi-. tion scored a well-deserved try.' He failed to convert. 3—o. The B.'s tlien forced their way into A. territory, where a penalty kick ' failed. Despite strenuous efforts the B.’s could not, equalise, and as the bell went .the' issue 1 was put beyond doubt by Dudley, who scored from a line out in the 25.'. 6 —o. The (winning' team was—J. Home, R. Taylor, J. Prqvan, .A, Brown, D. Ellery, M. Dudley, and J. Meikle.

FOURTH GRADEU High School, B. 3, -beat Washdyke 0. ' " Celtic B. G, 1 - beat; Star B. 3. Celtic A. 9, -beat'-Star A. 0. Star C. 13, beat Zingari 0, High School 6, beat St. Andrews 0 Celtic B. 13, beat School B. 0. Star C. 9, beat Celtic A. 5. ; School A. 5, beat Geraldine A. 0. Temuka 5, beat Geraldine 0. Semi-Finals. Star C. 3, beat Celtic B. 0. TemuJui 8, beat High School A. 0. -, ' Final. - . ... TemukS 8, beat Star GAO.. ; J; j;:. •’This game, which’.was contested on No. 2 ground, before “a small gallery, resulted in a good win for the Temuka boys, who played attractive football. Freddy and Johnston were the try-getters, and the latter converted on one occasion. <■ - The winning team comprised : K. Blyth, G. Gaffney, D. Johnston, N. Preddy, J. Gaffney, A. White, and A. Hope,

Fifth Grade. Celtic 3, beat Pligh School B. 0. Pareora G, beat Star C. 0. High School A. IG, beat Star B. 0. Temuka 18, beat Zingari S. Fairlie 3, beat Geraldine 0. Star A. 6, beat High School A. 3. Celtic 6, beat Pareora 0. Semi-Finals. Fairlie 6, beat Temuka •0. Celtic 3, beat Star A. 0: Final. Celtic 12, beat Fairlie 0. This was a fast, open game, but good combination and pace enabled the local lads to run out winners. Plever potted a nice goal, Henry scored a try, and Sullivan scored and converted, ; ": . . •' ' The winning team' comprised:-—> T. Faith, T. Sullivan, W.-Henry, E. -Tslevarv-,M. O’Leary.