1928 Rugby Season Now Almost Dead.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 13

1928 Rugby Season Now Almost Dead.

WAIRARAPA FINISH UP WITH GOOD GRIP ON SHIELD, AND CANTERBURY ENTHUSIASTS HOPE FOR BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR. 1928 Rugby football season in Canterbury has now X closed. One or two interprovincial matches are still to be played in other centres, but the season is almost a thing of the past. Below is a review of the principal events of the season. The All Black tour in South Africa is not covered, as this has already been dealt with fully in the “ Star.”

Tour of New South Wales Team. The New South Wales Rugby team, which concluded its matches in New Zealand on Wednesday, had a fairly successful. tour, though it won only half of the matches played. New Zealand won the rubber, winning the first

and second tests, while the visitors were successful in the third. The three games were narrowly contested. Now Zealand won the first by 15 points to 12, but they were lucky for their total included four penalty goals, all kicked by Bradanovitch. In this game New bouth* Wales scored three tries to New Zealand’s one. Luck once again favoured New Zealand in the second test at Dunedin. The final score was 16 to 14 in favour of the home side, whose score included a penalty

Followers of the game were fully prepared for the defeat of New Zealand m the third test.. The visitors won by 11 i oints to S. but on this occasion it was they who were lucky. It was a poor exhibition of football, neither side reaving up to international form. New -Zealand were a bit unlucky. They narrowly missed scoring on two or three occasions in the second spell. A reliable goal kicker could have won the game for New Zealand. New South Wales opened their tour

auspiciously by beating Auckland bv /19 points to 8. Then they defeated Wanganui and Hawke's Bay, but they

Jest their next three matches, the first two tests and the game with Southland. Victory in the third test was followed by a win over Marlborough. Then by a single point the visitors went down to a Maori team at Wellington last Saturday, and Wairarapa beat them in the final game of the tour. In all the visitors played ten matches, won five and lost five. They scored 166 points compared with 141 against them. Following is their record:— V. Auckland, won 19 to 8. V. Wanganui, won 20 to 16. V. Ilawkes Bay, won 19 to 6. V. New Zealand, lost 12 to 15. V. New Zealand, lost 14 to 16. Y. Southland, lost 20 to 31. V. New Zealand, won 11 to S. V. Mariborotigh, won 27 to 15. V. Maori team, lost 8 to 9^ Y. Wairarapa, lost 10 to 17. The following table shows how the points scored for and against the visirors were made up (T signifies tries, iT converted tries, G goals from a penalty or mark, and P potted goals):— T CT G P For 30 12 4 1 Against .......... 11 H 2 These figures reveal that the visitors were apaprcntly weak in place kicking. Out of a total of 42 tries scored, nly twelve were improved upon, while jf the 22 tries scored against them half were converted. Another interesting point is that, while 15 goals, mostIv from penalties, were registered against the tourists, they scored only four. This was due, in a measure, to the fact that the visiting forwards indulged in a good deal of off side play, though in the third test it was the New* Zealand forwards who were the principal offenders in this respect. The following points were scored by members of the New South Wales team during the tour: — Towers, tries 6, tries converted 1, goals from penalty or mark 1 23 Louden, tries 7 21 Hemingway, tries 7 21 Croft, tries 4, tries converted 3, goals 1 21 Smairl, tries 4, tries converted 1 14 Rosenblum, tries 4 12 Bartley, tries converted 5 10 White, tries 2, goals 1 9 Abbott, tries 2, goals 1 9 O’Connor, tries 3 9 Malcolm, tries 1, potted goals 1.. 7 George, tries converted 2 4 Munsie, tries 1 3 Burge, tries 1 3 Inter-Island Game. The inter-island game was played at Christchurch this year for the first time since 1921. For the second year in succession it resulted, in a win for the South by one point. Last year at Wellington South won by 31 to 30. The score this year was 15 to 14. This year’s result again came as a big surprise, especially to North Island followers, who considered that the North Island forwards would prove more than a match for the South Island. The same argument was advanced last year, but was not borne out by the events of the game. The South Island forwards again held their own against those of the North this year. Neither set of backs went well, but in this department of the game South were superior. Ranfurly Shield. The contest for the Ranfurly Shield this season did not excite the usual amount of attention, though there was plenty of interest in the game for the trophy between Canterbury and Wairarapa. Canterbury won the shield from Manawhenua last season, and this season they were called upon to defend it for the first time against South Canterbury. Canterbury had a comfortable win by 29 points to 9, but in the next game for the shield they were beaten by Wairarapa by 8 points to 7 It was a closely contested match, in which there was not much to pick and choose between the teams. Several instances of faulty play were responsible for Canterbury losing the match.

Since lilting the shield from Canterbury, Wairarapa have staved off four challenges for it. They won three of these games easily. The closest of the four was with Welling ton. Wairarapa won by 9 points to 3.

Following are the results of the matches played for the shield during the season:

: anterbury 29, South Canterbury 9. Wairarapa 8, Canterbury 7. Wairarapa 57, Bush Union 11. Wairarapa 25, Marlborough 8. Wairarapa 9, Wellington 3. Wairarapa 31, Manawhenua 10. Canterbury’s Record.

The 1928 season was not a. very sue- • _rful one for the Canterbury repreentative team They played eight* marches, and of these won three and ' -=t five. A- Canterbury had eight men -.--th the All Blacks in South Africa, there was, perhaps, some excuse for them, but a disappointing feature of the season has been that few really promising young players have come to the forefront. Some players, who did well in club football, failed to fulfil their promise when it came to interpro v’incial games.

Canterbury made a poor showing on their southern tour this year. They beat South Canterbury by 21 points to 16, a good recovery in the final stages of the match giving them victory. They were soundly trounced by Otago by 31 points to 9.

The result of this match came as a big surprise up this end, especially as Otago’s record in previous matches of the season did not indicate that they were a strong side, rather the reverse. Southland beat Canterbury by a margin of S points. In the eight matches | Canterbury scored 125 points, and 134 were scored against them. Following :is Canterbury's record for the season:— jV. South Canterbury .. Won 29 to 9 'Y. Wairarapa Lout 7 to 8 jV. Auckland Lost 10 to 12 Y. Manawhenua Won 25 to 19 Y. South Canterbury .. Won 21 to 16 V. Otago Lost 9 to 31 V. Southland Lost 17 to 25 V. Wellington Lost 7 to 14 Individual Honours.

The following Canterbury players represented New Zealand against New South Wales this season:—F. Clark (all three tests), C. Oliver (first and third tests), G. Mehrtens (second and third test?). Toby Robinson (second and third tests), M. L. Page 1 third test).

The following Canterbury pla>a»» represented the South Island:—C. Oliver, D. Hay, Toby Robinson, J. B. Jackson and F. Clark.

In all twenty-five players represented Canterbury this season. They were as follows: — J. H. Harris, G. H. Mehrtens, jC. D. Chesley, C. Oliver, G. F. Hart, J. I Galbraith, L. G. Loveridge, N. Dorrcen, ;D. G. Grant, G. D. Innes, D. Hay, T. IF. Mullan, G. Cox, M. L. Page, S. F. [Fookes, A. Y. Montgomery, Tom and Toby Robinson, T. Lawson, F. Clark, |A. I. Cottrell, J. B. Jackson, J. Man Chester, R. Anderson, S. Baird. The new colours were:—Mehrtens, Chesley, Hart, Galbraith, Grant, Innes, Cox, : Fookes. Tom Robinson, Lawson, Cot- ; trell, Manchester, Anderson.

Senior Championship. For the first time in the history of the senior championship, the winners this season were Varsity. It was a well-deserved win that ' was popular with football enthusiasts. The students went through the season without a defeat, the only time that they failed to leave the field winning was when they drew with Christchurch. When the competition was declared closed Varsity were two points ahead of Old Boys, with Merivale third and Cliristi church fourth. Varsity played ten [games, won nine, drew one, scored 176 points compared with 83 against. After the senior competition was closed a knock-out. competition was played for the Rugby Union’s senior A challenge cup. Very little interest was taken in this competition, one reason for this being that there was an interval of four weeks between the first and second series of games. During this interval the majority oi the players did not have either games cr practice. The final for the cup was played between Merivale and Christchurch, and resulted in a win for Merivale by 11 points to 6.

The annual match for the Payne Trophy was played this year at Dunedin between Canterbury Varsity and Otago Varsity. After a well fought out game, Canterbury won by 17 points to 15, and the trophy was thus brought back to Christchurch after having found a home in Dunedin for two years.

The annual Town v. Country match was played this year early "in July. After the form shown by the Country players in the annual sub-unions match it was generally expected that Town would have little ditnculty in winning, but Country sprang a surprise and ran out the winners by 22 points to 18. It was a complete reversal of form compared with the previous year, when Town secured an overwhelming victory by 57 points to 5.

ALL BLACKS’ FORM CHANGES QUICKLY.

WINS AGAINST BORDER AND EASTERN PROVINCE.

(Written for the “Star" by Graham E Beamish).

PORT ELIZABETH, August 12. It is surprising how quickly a Rugby team can change its form. In the last two matches the All Blacks have played both good and poor football. On a ram drenched area against Border in the second match at Kingwilliamstown, they gave a sparkling exhibition while the ram made the ball a slithery thing that skidded here, there and everywhere. Down at Port Elizabeth against Eastern Province the New Zealanders played on a verdant green turf a wee bit on the soft side after rain,’ and comparatively, they gave a very poor account of themselves.

It <Vas a remarkably fine game the All Blacks plaved against the Border in the second match when they won by 35 points to 3. They started off rather badly by giving Border a try but they finished like a whirlwind! Strang mis-kicked in the first few minutes and the ball went into the arms of Duffy, the most dangerous man on the Border side. He beat Grenside and sent his wing man, Belton, down the line. Belton put in a fine run and went over m the corner. That was the first score and the last for the Border team. From then on they were never in the hunt. The New Zealand five-eights line Lilbume and Nicholls, together with Strang, were the keystone to conquest while the three-quarter line, Rushbrook! Carleton and Grenside, were rich in resource and versatile in consummation The wings always came with a deft transfer of the ball when the way to the goal line was blocked, with the result that'movements were seldom hindered until some of the backs had handled the ball twice during one move--ment. I-t was a feast of try getting Forward' Like B3ck?.

New-Zealand's big forwards plaved a game like backs. They passed and handled and swerved with precision, and there were always some of them who started spectacular passing rushes. All the tries scored were pretty to watch and worth while. The first came from a fine piece of work by the backs. Strang whipped the ball away from a

scrum. It went out to Carleton, who beat his man. Stewart came in as an extra centre, and he sent Rushbrook over far out. The second try was even better.. Strang opened up play again. This time Lilburne made the thrust. When Nicholls got the ball he sent a beautifully timed lob pass over the head of Carleton to Grenside, who sprinted all out for. the corner, broke infield again, finishing off the movement with adept individualism.

The prettiest piece of individual work during the was done by M.’Williams. He shot out from the tight with the bail at his feet. He dribbled brilliantly for twenty yards, snapped the ball up and dived over by the posts. Another pretty attack by the New Zealand backs came shortly after hall time. Swain gave Strang the bail from a line out. Away it went from hand to hand along the chain until Rushhrook took his pass going all out.. He simply flew over at the corner. Nobody could catch the Wellington flier, and he raced round behind the posts. A clever blindside movement by Strang in which he beat three men, gave Stewart the next try. M’Williams, who was the outstanding forward on the field, came into the limelight again when he broke from the ruck with the ball tucked under his arm. After he had beaten two men, he found his way blocked so he passed infield to Snow, who scored. Ward showed himself to be a fine place kick in the next couple of minutes. He was given a penalty kick from thirty yards out. With a heafty boot he sent the ball sailing fair between the posts and well over the specially built grand stand. There was a cheer from the New Zealanders on the side line, for it was Ward’s first score of the tour.

Fine Tackling- by Eastern. Province. Against Eastern Province at Port Elizabeth (won 16-3), the All Blacks played a disappointing game. Several times during the match the backs got away in typical attacking movements, but taken all round, the display was a long way from convincing. The forwards went back to their old tactics—quick breaking from the scrums, which is fatal in South Africa. There seemed to be little “devil” in the play of the forwards, and except for Lilburne, there was little thrust in the back line. Somehow, there seemed to be no sting in the whole team yesterday. Even M’Williams and Hazlett, who usually play with any amount of dash, were content to jog along instead of getting on with the job. Strang was hampered somewhat by a watchful loose head forward who led the half-back a merry dance all the afternoon. Lilburne made things hum when he got half a chance, but he had to contend with the opposing half and the first five-eighth. Johnson took and gave his passes accurately enough. That was all. lie made no openings and his defence was inclined to falter at times. The three-quarters were not impres-

A Brilliant Try, Easily the best try that, has been scored against the All Blacks so far on the tour was notched by Dower, tho centre three-quarter on the Eastern Province side. Eastern Province forwards were attacking vigorously and from a scrum the backs started their first passing movement. Dower had changed to second five-eighth in the meantime. When he got the ball he drew Johnson skilfully, raced past Lucas on the inside and then set sail for the corner. Lindsay's pace could not get him there in time and Dower scored a brilliant try. One of the biggest features of the match was the brilliant tackling of the Eastern Province backs. Every one oi them went for his man resolutely and got him. And when a man was tackled he knew all about it, for he was dumped hard. There were two men on the Eastern Province side who were even faster than our. own three-quarter line, Rushbrook, Lucas and Robilliard, and that is a speedy trio. Once Lucas broke through the defence and a try looked certain, but before he had gone fifteen yards, he was beautifully tackled from behind. On another occasion Robilliard got away, and it seemed that, an easy try would be scored, but he too had gone only a short distance when he came to grief in the same way as Lucas. Eastern Province surprised everybody in the fight they put tip against the All Blacks. They were a lighter pack, but they won the ball from the scrums, getting possession from thirty as against the All Blacks’ twenty-five. That was because there was no weight in the All Black pack. TECHNICAL COLLEGE CLUB. Under Seventeen v. Merivale under Seventeen, at Show Grounds, commencing :»t 2.30 p.m.—The team will be selected from the following:—Heybourne, Hyndmnn, Coutes, Bennetts, Schou, Wray, Tallon, Harvey, Wise, Logie, Bedelph, O’Callaghan, Carpenter, Almond, Barndon. Will man. Collins,. M’Cullough, Kelly, Black, Cock burn, Ma-fr-h.-dL Evans. CHRISTCHURCH CLUB’S SPORTS. The wind-up of the Rugby football season is being celebrated by the Christchurch Rugby Football Club by the annual athletic sports gathering to-mor-row afternoon on the New Brighton acecourse, commencing at 2.30 p.m. a big programme of events has been arranged, including the ** Red and Black Bolt,” goal-kickmg and dribbling competition, alao the final races for the M.’Cully challenge cup. As this gatherling is always enjoyed by Rugby 'enthu-