FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18352, 24 August 1929, Page 10

FOOTBALL

The Beri Cup match this afternoon between Star and Temuka should be one of the best matches of the season. Temuka are keen to have their name engraved on the trophy, and a reproduction of last Saturday’s form will very nearly see a realisation of their hopes.

F. D. Kilby, one of New Zealand’s leading half-backs, has transferred back to Wanganui from Taranaki. He played for the Star Club in Taranaki, and when he was fdrewelied a token of esteem from the club was handed to him by Mr A. L. Humphries, who in his day was one of New Zealand's best half-backs.

A full record of the various matches played for the Ranfurly Shield is interesting at the present time. It is as follows: 1905-1913.—Auckland, the flrst> holders of the shield, defended it against Taranaki on 6 occasions, Wellington (5), Canterbury (2), Hawke’s Bay (2), Otago (2) and Southland. 1913- —Taranaki beat Auckland, Wairarapa, Canterbury Southland and Wellington. 1914- —Wellington beat Taranaki (twice), Canterbury (three times), and Auckland.

1922-1926.—Hawke's Bay retained the shield, meeting Wellington and Wairarapa Provinces on four occasions, Canterbury (3), Auckland (3), Southland, Taranaki and Otago once each. 1927.—Wairarapa beat Hawke’s ; Bay. Later Hawke’s Bay defeated Wairarapa on points, but lost the shield to Wairarapa on a decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Manawhenua beat Wairarapa. Canterbury beat Manawhenua.

1928. —Wairarapa beat Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington and Manawhenua.

1929.—Wairarapa beat Hawke’s 10—6, Auckland 17—14, Manawhenua 37—16.

It is good to have a little independent criticism occasionally. Apparently the selectors for the New Zealand team did not have a very high opinion of Cundy, the Wairarapa representative, as a five-eighths, on the the Australian tour. . Here, however, is what “Trailer” thought of Cundy after the match in Melbourne:—“During this half Burke landed a field goal for Australia, and New’ Zealand’s total was improved by tries by Grenside, Stringfellow, Lilburne and Tuck, two of which were converted by Cundy, and one by Tuck. Stringiellow, the All Black full-back, was safe all day, and showed some fine line-kicking, Grenside and Waterman were good wingers, the former being one of the most determined runners yet seen locally. Lilburne and Hook did many fine things, but were overshadowed by Cundy, who proved a real star. Cundy is a big man for a five-eighth, yet he is exceptionally fast. Times out of number he ran his backs into scoring positions and it was not his fault that more tries were not scored. In ‘Trailer’s’ opinion, Cundy, at any rate, welldeserved his place in the New Zealand team.”

Rugby enthusiasts in the this district have every reason to feel pleased with the display of the representative team against Southland on Wednesday.. When the visitors lingd onto the field it was obvious that they (would have the advantage in weight in the pack, but this did not worry the local players, who relied on their pace to off-set this disadvantage. South Canterbury started off at a great pace, and scored within three minutes of the start of the game. The ground soon became churned up, however, but an effort was made by the home team to alter their tactics, which werp those adopted on a day when the ground is firm. The visitors settled down to wet day tactics, which made i them prominent throughout the spell. ; In the second session, the Green and | Blacks altered their style to suit the j conditions, and Southland then found that they were up against an entirely different proposition. It took the home team some ten minutes to settle down, and during that period the visitors wiped off the deficit of the first half and added a further five points to their total. From this on, however, the game took on a different aspect, and Southland found themselves fighting an uphill battle. In the closing stages the Greens held the upper hand, and narrowly missed scoring on several occasions. The visiting forwards gave a, fine exhibition of footwork, but they did not receive the support they deserved from the backs, who, to say the least, were disappointing. Some of the tactics of the Maroons; particularly in the line-outs, when they resorted to a good deal of “jersey pulling,” will probably get them into trouble in the north. The whole of the S.C. pack justified their selection, and further success should come their

way before the season ends. King was the shining light, and was prob-

ably the best loose forward on the ground. Stewart worked like a Trogan, his kicking being a feature of the game. F. Stevenson (Fairlie) also played a great game. Strang varied his play nicely, exploiting the short punt with good effect. His two penalty goals from well out were splendid efforts, considering the heavy state of

the ball. Gaffaney was the weakest of the home backs, his tendency to wander out of place costing S.C. at least three points. Most of the home backs went down to the solid rushes of the Maroon forwards in convincing style, and they are deserving of credit for this fine display.

An unusually solid defence was exhibited by the Temuka backs last Saturday, Strang, Priestly and Gaffaney combining to good effect. Arnold, on the right wing scored two splendid tries, and gave his best display. A fourth grade player, Gribble, played v/ell on the left wing, and scored a try that required a good deal of dash. Blyth performed well behind the scrum.

Bassett and Ledingham were the pick of the Old Boys’ pack last Saturday, the former especially,, showing good form. Black and Simmers were the pick of the rest. The whole pack played well, however, but their work was marred by the mediocre display of their rearguard.

An opproximate estimate of the All Blacks’ tour, submitted at last week’s meeting of the New South Wales Rugby Union, shows the taking in the Sydney games to have been £6364, and from minor matches (Newcastle, etc.) £425, making a total of £6789. Expenditure was about £3500, so that net profit would be in the vicinity of £3289. Accounts of the Brisbane games had not been settled, but it was probable that Queensland would receive £3OO and New South Wales £IOO. *T had the pleasure of seeing all the matches played by the All Blacks In New South Wales, and I have had the privilege of travelling to New Zealand, with them, and I would like to say they are a fine team, good sports, good company and a credit to New Zealand,” said the Hon. E. Farrar, Minis ter of Labour and Industries In the New South Wales Government, who arrived by the Ulimaroa recently. “The position of manger and captain of such a team must surely have been very pleasant with such a fine body of men.”

Wellington are well served with fullbacks of the best interprovincial standard says the “Post”. Heazlewood, besides playing behind the Wellington team, has shown good form In All Black trials. Now he has a serious rival for his position in Cormack, the University full-back. Last season Cormack was Wairarapa’s second string, and a good second string, too. This season, playing behind the University scrum, his form has been excellent. He fields cleanly overhead or on the ground, kicks with power and precision, and tackles ruthlessly.

By his display on Saturday, Leo Connolly firmly established himself as the best full-back in South Canterbury. His handling, in the wind, was perfect, and his heady kicking saved his side on numerous occasions. No one was allowed to pass Connolly if within striking range.

Beimett, Phillips and Orton were the pick of Temuka’s forwards on Saturday. Bennett is a born “spoiler,” the big fellow being especially useful in this respect. Of the pack Orton worked the hardest. He is a dashing type of forward who has so far escaped the notice of the selectors.

“Says “The Cynic” in the Sydney Referee:—“Without delay New Zealand ought to adopt the eight pack, master it, and play it against the British team. If they play the seven pack, with the wing-forward, the visitors may not leave the Dominion with such glowing impressions of their Rugby as they should take away with them. It is my strong conviction that if New Zealand does adopt the eight pack she will make a big succes of it, after the system of packing in and getting possession of the ball is mastered. In that case, too, the two outside backrow forwards will probably be a greater menace to opposing backs than the one wing-forward in these days; and that, too, without hurting the feelings or jarring the sentiments of their opponents, Who on this occasion come from a country Where the wing-for-ward of the All Blacks—no matter how legitimate his football may be—is anathema to so many men who write for the Press.”

The opinion w r as expressed last Saturday that Old Boys w r ere unlucky to lose against Temuka. As it was, the Blues went dowm by one point, and had their backs shown any degree of combination, with the innumerable opportunities they were given, the score might have been different. The handling of the Old Boys’ backs was very weak, although amends were made by good tackling. Temuka took more advantage of the wind, and began the final quarter with a commanding lead. Old Boys then appeared to “w’ake up” however, but the lack of accurate handling, and a much needed “kick” in their attack could not supply the necessary points. Perhaps one of his best displays to date was given, by R. Stewart last Saturday. Although apparently carrying too much weight, Stewart played up to best form, and w T as in the picture all the time. With a little luck he would have added two more tries, as the result of sweeping runs. On one occasion he was pushed out behind before he could ground the ball, and on another he appeared to ground the ball under the posts. A subsequent scrum suggested an Infringement, how r ever.

A general speed limit of thirty-five miles an hour for motor-cars, with I twenty miles In certain areas, is a suggestion put forward by Scotland Yard.