THE RUGBY GAME.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16624, 21 October 1925, Page 5

THE RUGBY GAME.

PAST SEASON REVIEWED. LOMAS’ GREAT RECORD. CREDIT TO THAMES. This has been one of the most successful Rugby seasons New Zealand in general, and Thames in particular, has experienced for many years. The outstanding event, of course, was the phe.nomenally successful tour of the All Blacks, who may be said to have established an even more definite claim to world supremacy than during the historical tour of 1905-00. That was twenty years ago, and the season just closing has shown that New Zealand is still able to field magnificent players, fully endowed physically and mentally, to uphold a splendid tradition in the playing of a manly game in which speed, courage, coolness and quick judgment are essentials. From time to time people arise in the land to say there is “too much sport in this country.” They are usually the type who excel at such fierce games as croquet and ping-pong, but would not know one end of a cricket bat from the other. No sane and reasonable man has ever been heard, to decry healthy outdoor recreation, vigorous or otherwise, especially the game of Rugby," and it will he a sorry day for this country wnen New Zealand loses its mana in the field of athletic prowess. The reasons for this are too obvious to need enumeration. Success of Thames Team. Other events of importance this season have been the visit of the New South Wales team, and the retention of the Ranfurly Shield by the Hawke’s Bay fifteen. Ranking next in point of interest locally, was the .success of the elect of Thames, who not only staved off all challenges for the Birch Cup, but made a triumphant return from Hamilton with the Peace Cup.

In fact, to such an extent did Rugby grip the popular favour, that the Rugby Union this year definitely initiated a movement for the purchase of a new playing area, to cost in the vicinity of £ISOO, and it is gratifying to record that there is a good prospect of players hoisting the oval on this area next winter. One Defeat.

Thirteen representative games were played, and eleven wins recorded. The only defeat was by Auckland, and it can be truthfully said that on that occasion Thames were by no means disgraced. The Aucklanders had sufficient respect for their opponents to field what amounted ,to a star team, containing as it did such well-known players as Lucas, Wright, Matson, Olsen, Knight and Peters. The record of games is as follows: Thames v. Plains-Piako, draw, 9 all. ” v. Plains, won, 6 —6. ” v. Piako. won, 17 —3. ” v' Waihi, won, 18—3. ” v. Hamilton, won, 16 —8. ” v. Waihi, won, 29—3. ”* v. Pulcekohe, won, 24—3. ” v. Plains, won, 3—o. ” v. Auckland, won, 3 —o. ” v. Newton, won, 13—5( * ” v. Waihi, won, 9—B.’ ' ” v. Coromandel, won, 25—0. ” v. Auckland, lost, 11 —;22. Wins, 10; losses, 1: drawn, 1.. Points for, 183; against, G 9. Junior. Thames v. Plains, won, 6 —3. ” v. Waihi, won, B—3.8 —3. ” v. Plains, won, 17 —3. ” v. St. Helier’s, won, 6—o. v. North Short, won, 11—3. ” v. Piako, 105t,,0—19. ” v. St, Helier’s, lost, o—6. Wins, 5; losses, 2. Points for, 48; against, 44.

It will be seen, therefore, that cur repi’esentatives have established a record of success that will take some beating in future years. Lomas’ Great Record. Any reference to players must necessarily be brief, but, in v:ew of his approaching marriage, and probable retirement from the game, no note of this kind would be. complete without mention of Lomas, the outstandingly successful player of the season. In view of this, his record is well worthy of review, and goes to show that although his merit as a hooker and loose forward is recognised by the New Zealand selectors, and enthusiasts of other provinces, he has not been appreciated at bis true worth locally. A Youthful Rep. Lomas learned liis football at the Thames Waioklaraka School, and first donned the blue and black representative jersey at the age of 18, in 1913. He represented Thames throughout the season, and that of the following year. In 1914, like all other good Rugby players, he left New Zealand to take part in the game of warring nations, for which liis Rugby training had so well fitted him. He was immediately selected to play for the Auckland Mounted Rifles, who won ,the Anzac Divisional Championship three years in succession.

Perhaps the greatest compliment paid him, during the years of his war service, however, was his selection for the Egyptian Expeditionary Force Rugby team in the “Theatre of War” championship series, held in England after the Armistice. This fifteen was chosen from ,the full strength of the Australian and New Zealand Forces, numbering many thousands of men, then in Egypt. Just Misses All Blacks.

Returning to New Zealand in 1919, he again wore the blue and black jersey for Thames, and in the following year for Auckland, representing both provinces, whenever available, continuously since that date. In 1921. he played for the Combined Provinces against South Africa. When the five selectors met to choose thirty players to tour England. Lomas’ name was one of the first sent from Auckland. He played in the first Possibles v. Probables trial, and again in the second at Wellington, and only the selectors know how close lie came to selection in the final “twenty-nine.” However, in 1925, he wore the All Black jersey with the silver fern throughout the tour of New South Wales, and it is significant ithat he received special mention in .the cabled reports of matches, as well as favourable notices in the Australian newspapers.

A Fitting Climax,

His greatest trumph came, however, with the return visit of the New South Wales team.

When the All Blacks left on their record-breaking tour, it wias freely stated that New Zealand could produce another fifteen from the remaining players strong enough .to .severely extend, if not actually defeat, the best fifteen men of the tourists. It was decided, on the return of the New Zealand team, and after the Shield games had been disposed of, to put the very best fifteen that the country could produce against the “Cornstalks” in .the final test at Auckland. Prior to the selection, Lomas played a' fine game at Auckland against Hawke’s Bay, incidentally scoring three of Auckland’s nine points. The selection was interestedly awaited. At least twenty-six of the “orginals” were available, as well as several other high class players, and it must have been a proud moment for Lomas when his name appeared as hooker in the final selection of a team subsequently described by the New South Wales manager as "the greatest combination of footballers that ever walked on to any field in the world.” Honour for Thames. Such a record is one of which any man might well be proud, and one that Thames should appreciate to the full. There have been many fine players to wear the blue and black jersey, including that great Rugby family, the Haywards, some of whom may not have had Lomas’ chances, but it is doubtful if Lomas’ record has, or ever will be, excelled when the history of the game of Rugby in Thames comes to be written.