RUGBY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17854, 24 May 1926, Page 5

RUGBY.

CLOSE GAMES IN SYDNEY. In view of the visit to New South Wales of the All Blacks next month, Sydney form will be of interest. Commenting on the play' in the Rugby' matches on May 1. the Sydney correspondent of the “Sporting Globe” has the following to say:— The outstanding feature of the first round of Rugby Union competition matches was the brilliant form revealed by A. C. Wallace. The Rhodes Scholar and former Scottish international three-quarter gave a scintillating display 5 for the premiers, GlebcBalmain, against Eastern Suburbs, at the Sydney Grammar School ground. Wallace is going to be a, great draw card for the union, and he is one of New South Wales’s “hopes” in the attempt to beat the All Blacks and the Maoris when they come across from New Zealand. Players of his class are few. indeed, and the game will benefit by his return to Sy'dney. Noting his form to date this season, it is easy* to understand why English critics regarded him as one of the greatest three-quarters they had seen in , recent years. Glebe-BahYiain defeated Eastern Suburbs by 17 points to 9, and the work of Wallace was in a large measure responsible for the success. Oiv one occasion he intercepted a pass near his own goal-line, and, running strongly', tricked several opponents before passing to E. Ford, who ran across for a try. The Rugby Union was affected more than other codes by the head of the river race, as it enjoy'S great support from the great Public Schools. Nevertheless, the matches in the first round were watched with keen interest. Crossman, who scored 15 points of Randwicks 21 points, was another player to star oil Saturday. He is the State's best winger.

At Coogee Oval Randwiek defeated Y.M.C.A. by a single point—2l to 20. North Sydney surprised Manly at Manly Oval, winning by 22 points to 18, and Western Suburbs, through the good work of goal-kicker Rossel, beat University at University Oval by 15 jjoints to 13.