Maori Rugby Players Were Lacking In Combination,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19118, 10 July 1930, Page 14

Maori Rugby Players Were Lacking In Combination,

GOOD INDIVIDUAL FORM WAS SHOWN IN MATCH AGAINST STRONG BRITISH TEAM. (Special to the “ Star.’*) WELLINGTON, July 10. BUT for an over-plus of whistle the match between the Maoris and Britain at Athletic Park yesterday would have been most spectacular. As it was, the first spoil was turned into a whistling solo with all promising moves cut off. The second spell was not so had, and in the last twenty-five minutes both sides threw the ball about freely. Britain won and deservedly won, but the score (19-13) might have been a great deal closer had the native players been able to combine, more effectively. Their work was lacking in this respect, though individually it was top notch.

The native pack was practically an even match for the opposition. The lineout work was good and scrummaging was quite effective without being superior. As a matter of fact the British backs were a little better served with the ball. The most interesting features of the game though were the duel between Bassett and Nepia, and the new formation of the British backs, brought about by the defection of Murray from the base of the scrum. Spong’s Gruelling. Of all the available backs, Britain fielded her best for the match. Spong was played behind the scrum and though his work was good, it lacked the punch of Murray. Jones-Davies, originally selected as a half, was played in the three-quarter line. Considering that Spong’s brilliance was missed from stand-off half position, it seemed as though the British selectors overlooked a great opportunity of trying out Jones-Davies behind the scrum in an endeavour to work up some sort of combination between him and Spong. Probably this opportunity has been doubly lost through the fact that Spong was injured on two or three occasions during the game and will need a rest before the third test, lie took a severe drubbing from the native forwards all through the piece and the wonder to spectators was how he stood up to the gruelling after his knocks received in the second test last Saturday. The Best Back. Bowcott stood out as the best back on the ground. He is a most versatile player and can act equally as well in any position from fiy-half out to the three-quarter line. Bowcott was responsible for many good openings and besides handling the ball cleanly he fielded and kicked with brilliance. Aarvold played his usual solid game but Jones-Davies was a little on the slow* side for his speedy insides and wingers. Morley and Xovis were too fast fur the Maori wingers, though it must be said in favour of the Maoris that they were not given many opportunities of testing the British flyers in attack. Bassett played a great game as last line of defence. He was responsible for very few weak kicks and when lacing Nepia's high-kicking tactics in the face of a blinding sun, he never mis-fielded a ball once. Forwards’ Showing. Ivor Jones, of course, was the shining packman. Again he was responsible for some brilliant solo openings, but on these occasions his passes to his supports were not all that could be desired. Beamish, Dai Parker, Kendrew, and Farrell were the hardest workers. All the Maori forwards played good Rugby. They held the British pack all the way in the tight while in the loose they broke about even. A little more combination would have made them a match-winning pack.

Rule 15 points out quite plainly that there can be only two happenings. Either the ball is in and hooked or else there is a free kick. Biit time and again Air Sutherland allowed scrums to be reformed and the ball put in a second time. This interpretation is not peculiar to this one referee. It is happening all over New Zealand to-day. In the first twenty minutes of the game there were 25 tunes on the whistle and in the second spell 36. The percentage of real infringements was not as high as this, not even to the best judges present at the match. REFEREES APPOINTED FOR PROVINCIAL GAMES Per Pres? Association. WELLINGTON, July 9. The New Zealand Appointment Board has appointed the following referees for the remaining matches against provincial teams to be played by the British Rugby team:—Hawke’s Bay—Napier, Mr W. Grantham, of Wairarapa : Poverty Bay—East Coast. Mr G. A. Maddison, of Hawke's Bay; Auckland, Mr J. Moffitt, of Wellington: North Auckland. Mr N. Kronfield, of Auckland: Waikato, Mr S. Weston, of North Auckland. HAWKE’S BAY TEAM. Per Press Association. NAPIER, July 9. The Ilawke’s Bay team to play the British team at Napier on Saturday next is as follows.— Full-back— E. Evans. Three-quarters—J. Ruru, L. South, B. Grenside. Five-eighths—ll. M’Donald and J. Seaford. Ilalf-back —R. Lambie. Forwards—W. Wilson, A. M’Kay, S. Gemmell, C. Brownlie, E. R. Steere, C. Campbell J. Gemmell, R. Wanoa. Wing-forward, M. J. Brownlie. Reserves—Forwards, B. Cairns, W. Ileffernan; backs, A. Grant, BotherSPECULATiON IN TEST TICKETS COMMENCES. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, July 9. Whether the ordinary law of supply and demand has already finalised the disposal of 10s tickets for the Britain v. Auckland game at Eden Park on July 19, or whether any holders purchased for speculative purposes, remains to be seen. At any rate, a man who publicly offered IT apiece for two tickets for aged visitors received onlj’ two replies, and promptly closed with the seller nearest his place of business. Perhaps the • speculators (if any) are holding out for something even better than 100 per cent. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. The match on the Oval at Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon will be provided by Christchurch and Varsity, who played a very even game in the first round. On the south ground Merivale will meet Sydenham, and on the west ground Merivale Senior B’s are drawn against Training College. At Rugby Park people living in the northern districts will have an opportunity of seeing Old Boys in action against Linwood. Albion and Technical will occupy the No. 1 ground at the Show Cl rounds, while on the adjacent ground a senior B game between Varsity B and Albion is set down for decision. The president’s 2 grade match, Sumner v. Technical Old Boys, on Saturday, set down to be played at Sumner, will now be played at Opawa Park, .No. Merivale Club. Senior A v. Sydenham, at Lancaster Park South—l. Brown, N. Brosnan, R. Flewellen, N. Dorreen, G. Rhodes, C. Oliver, A. O'Connor, R. Norrie, J. Kirkland, G. Suckling, B. Champness, K. Kearney. P. Serra, L. Maginness, T. Rountree, G. Francis, J. Johns. Senior B v. Training College, at Lancaster Park West—R. Wallburton, H. Goodman, A. Bullivant, M. Blaekmore. A. Billens, F. Dahlberg, A. Browne, C. Rich, A. Malcolm, G. Campbell, A. Woodham, G. Sealey, C. Wheeler, J. Rennick, H. Rapley, W. Murphy. Junior 1 v Training College, at Training College ground. St Albans Park—R. May, K. Hartland, M. Cordner, A. Johnston, G. Flower, J. Maxwell, It. M’Fadgen, R. Harrison, G. King, W. Duff. L. Dromgoole, H. M’Kenzie, J. Reynolds, A. Peddar. J. Quane, W. Steere, S. Hendry, G. Hutcheson. Junior 2 v. Albion, at Albion ground, No. 21 South Park—F. Haase, J. Ashby. D. Bari'on, J. Chisnall, J. Gapes, J. Hamer, E. Nee, S. M’Donald, J. M’Malion, H. Cooper, A. Vivian, G. Doig, O. King, 11. Lawrence, T>. Costelloe, W. Rhodes, K. Mather, C. Barrell, J. Timbs, W. Cooper. President's 1 v. St Bede’s College, at Tnnes Road Reserve—R. Adams, C. Barwell. L. Hamilton. L. Nealt?, W. Stevens, .T. Steele, R. Raines. T. Harland, R. Orsborn, T. Hill. A. Stevens, L. Clarke, P. Donovan, J. Wenmoth, G. Briggs, G. Aurisch, A L. Stevens, A. Collins. President’s 2 v. Old Boys, at Merivale ground. St Albans Park—W. Arthur, O Forsyth, W. Wilson. A. Thompson. H. Barker, C. Barker, W. Hurrell, W. Lum-

Toby Robinson, the Canterbury forward, was in the thick of all the heavy work and was not noticed a great deal on that account. J. Gemmell was a shining light. All through he kept the opposition thinking with his lightning like breaking through. Harrison was just a little slow behind the scrum. He served his backs fairly well nevertheless. The five-eighths, Robinson and Ropata, were more individualists than team men. Robinson persisted in kicking when fed with the ball and for quite a period in passing rushes the ball never went past him. Ruru Closely Watched. Ruru was watched with great interest in view of the fact that he has been mentioned as a likely All Black winger. It was his bad luck that he was rarely served with the ball in passing rushes. He scored a brilliant try when he crashed over at the corner after being served by Pelham for practically the only time during the match.

Outside of Nepia Ruru was the only player to show form which might warrant consideration from the New Zealand selectors. He is the goods all right and should improve into a real t.op-notcher. Nepia was in his usual good form. His kicking was done with an eye to tactics in the first spell. Instead of trying to find the line he preferred to kick high down-field in the hope that the sun would disconcert the British players fielding the ball. In the second spell he got wonderful length into his line kicking which was a real bright spot in the game. Nepia also came to light with some brilliant goal-kicking. His conversion from the side-line from Ruru's try was a gem. Too Much Whistle. Referee Sutherland, of Auckland, controlled the game well but overdid iuc whistle. He never made any serious mistakes but allowed the scrums to get him down.

berton, J. M’Cracken, R. Moore, G. Le Brun, J. Tatam, I>. Weir, J. Aspell, W. Milliard, T. Carrodus, M. Ashby. Under 17 grade v. Bromley, at Merivale ground, No. !> North Park—W. Castles, N. Sutton, H. Bamford, G. Hannah, H. Forbes, E. Selwood, G. Hadley, L. Lightfo’ot, .T. Burns, J. Lees, N. Henderson. A. Oliver, A. O’Roark.:, R. Perkins, M. Dunn, J. Hughes, R. I’olkingITnder Hi grado v. Sydenham, at Sydenham Park—A Grav, <l. Boanas, F. Roberts, G. "Wilson, O. Densen, Jfl. liarbaker. R. Clarke, E. Turton. 11. Thomas, W. Murphy. G. Hitchings, P. Hathaway, A. Smith, C. Ma Izard, W. Rhodes, S. Rhodes, J. Stammers, P. Bryson, W. Jennings, E. Walker, D. Mahoney, R. Lucas. Under 15 grade v. Boys’ High School, at Christchurch ground. No. 7 North Park—A. Whittington. R. Denson, R. Fuller, R. Kelly, J. Shaw. D. Nome, T Gee. W. Goodger, D. M’Fadgen, N. Bryson N. Forward, H. Wilson, G. Noonan, P. Dow, G. Price, E. Bennetts, F. Cusack. Old Collegians’ Club. Senior B v. Christchurch, at No. 27 North Park—Svmes, Middleton, Aldridge, Bundle, Dawson, Hewlett, Beckett, Maddison, Black, Stark, Jlewland, Cox, Young, Wynn-Williams, Clarkson, Macjunior 2 v. High School Old Boys, at Eimwottd Park—Banks, M’llraith, Stevenson, Morris, Owen, Williams, D. O. Cooper, Vincent, Eastgate, Flower, Williams, Walshaw, Pascoe, M’Elwee, Arneaori, Binns, Buchanan, Orbell, Newton. Sydenham Club. Seniors v. Merivale, at Lancaster Park South—G. Brown, W. Brown, J. Young, .T Poison, L. Howarth, R. Hazolhursr, O. Serra, B. Lapslie, L. Duiunill, Line, C. Gibbs, G. Willis, It. Thomas, J". Gibbs, C. Greatbateh, R. Smith, F. 'junior I. v. High School Old Boys, at Waltham Park No. 2—F. Fox. Jt. Sneddon. W. Ralstrick, .T. Ellis, G. Crockett, G. Beaumont, C. Williams, A. Dahlberg, IT. May, P. Wisker, V. Blackler, < Barnes, P. Pullar, K. Bird, R. Clive, E. Dean, W. Butcher, F. Grenfell, F. Britt. Junior ID. v. Aranui, at Polo Ground No 2. South Park—C. Cox, B. Cox, I’. Haddon, R. Walker, W. Jackson. W. Sparks, .T. Smith, J. Moran, D. Gunn, It. Walklind, L. Austin, G. Greenway, J. Shasky, F. Baker. A. Walker, L. Martin, A. Sarchett, C. Black. President's IT. v. Christ’s College, at Christ’s College—J. Noonan, L. Brown, IT. Bunting, A. ITambergcr, N. Cumberpatch, G. Brown, M. Patrick, I. Crockett, A. Brisk, W. Allen, E. Evans. J. Neeley, H. Munro, 11. Smith, E. Fanning, L. Hocking, W. Adams, W. Hobden. President's 111. v. Papanui, at St James Park— It. M’Caw, E. M’Caw, T. Clegg, W. Ilill, L. Rosanowski, I-I. Kerr, N. Brown. A. Martin, A. Allen, A. Squires. M. Knight, J. Seelen, N. Hewinson, J. Sheehan. R. Byron, W. Hennessy, L. Thompson. N. Horne. Under 17 v. Kaiapoi. at Kaiapoi—L. Gavin, W. Grenfell, Don Lynn, T. Calder, A. Boyd. J. Hogarth, E. Seelen. L. Wehner, T. Kerr, J. White, .T. Simpson, J. Raistrick. J. Burrows, E. Legg, E. M’Farlane, A. Mitchell, L. Scott, 11. Robertson. Under 3 G v. Merivale, at Sydenham Park—lt. Brown, W. Boniface, R. Gray, C. Harbott, C. Hylans, S. Harry, W. Sumner, A. Lapslie, F. Le Compte, N. Munro, L. M’Ewin, W. M’Cammon, E. Williams, J. Worley, W. Smart, B. M‘Lachlan, .T. Williams, J. Duke, R. Warren, S. Barnes. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SEVENTH ROUND. Yesterday the Christchurch secondary schools advanced their Rugby football competitions a further stage, when the seventh round of matches was played. The standard of football was distinctly high, especially in some of the lower grades, and the majority of the games were very keenly contested. The following were the results:— Senior Match. Lincoln 11. beat College 11. Yesterday the Christ’s College second Ilf teen travelled out to Lincoln to play their annual game against the Agricultural College second team, hut found the 'opposition too strong for them, and lost by 48 points to 0. The ground was a trifle heavy, but not in really bad condition. The teams were as follow: Lincoln College—Full-back, Graham: three-quarters, Acton-Adams, Adair and Freeman: live-eighths,. Batchelor and Van Asch; half-back. Chapman: forwards, Patterson, Orbell, Oswald, White, VVestenra, Chamber-lain, Brown and Rpgers {wing). Christ’s College—Full-back, IT. F. Flower; three-quarters, T. A. Gresson, Wilder and A. K. B. Williams; fiveeighths, Spence and Norris; half-back, Alison; forwards, M’Fedries, M’Alpine, Sedgely, Buchanan. Pitts, Denham, Neville and Ormond (wing). The first spell was fast and open, both sides throwing the ball about freely. Lincoln were rather sounder in their handling, and showed more determination in their running than did their opponents. To these factors they owed the majority of their tries, and although, during this half, there was not very much between the two teams, they ran up the score to 19-0 before the end of the spell. Freeman secured a couple of tries as the result of passing amongst the Lincoln rearguard, whilst Brown, Adair and Acton-Adams also crossed the line, two tries being converted.

After half-time, tlie College tackling failed somewhat, with the result that the heavier Lincoln team had things all their own way, and rattled on a further twenty-nine points. Patterson scored two tries, whilst Brown, Batchelor. Chapman, Adair and White were the other scorers, four tries being converted. Adair and Freeman were the outstanding members of the Lincoln rearguard, whilst Acton-Adams, Chapman and Batchelor also showed pleasing form on the attack. Patterson, Brown and White were the best of tlieir vanK For College, the best backs -were Flower, Spence and Norris, whilst Buchanan and Ormond went well amongst their forwards. Mr W. Weston was referee. Second Grade. Playing at the Technical College ground, Ensor’s Hoad, Christ’s College defeated Technical High School by 8 points to G. Mr J. B. M’Bride was re6At the St Andrew’s College ground, Strowan, Boys’ High School A defeated St Andrew's College by 11 points to 3. Mr B. L. Hunter was referee. The match between Boys’ High School B and Itangiora High School was not played. Third Grade. Playing at the Boys’ High School ground, Straven Road, West Christchurch District High School defeated Boys’ High School A by 11 points to 0. Mx- 11. M. Bruce was referee. At the Christ’s College cricket ground, St Bede’s College defeated Christ’s College A by 6 points to 5. Mr T. W. C. Tothill was referee. At the St Andrew’s College ground, Strowan, St. Andrew’s College defeated Technical High School by 13 points to 0. Mr C. E. Iverson was referee. The game between Christ’s College B and Boys' High School B was not Fourth Grade. Playing at Boys’ High School ground, Straven Road, St Andrew's College defeated Boys’ High School B by 33 points to 3. Mr H. W. Gourlay was referee. At the Christ’s College cricket ground, Christ’s College A defeated Technical High School by 30 points to 0. Mr W. J. NT. Glover was referee. At the Boys’ High School ground, Straven Road, Boys’ High School A defeated Christ’s College B by 25 points to 0. Mr H. S. Baverstock was referee. The postponed match between Boys’ High School A and Boys’ High School B took place on Friday at Straven Road. Boys’ High School A winning by ft points to 0. Mi- H. S. Baverstock was Fifth Grade. Playing on the St Andrew’s College ground, Strowan, Christ’s College A defeated St. Andrew’s College by 3 points to nil. Mr C. R. Mayne was referee. St Bede’s College won by default from Boys’ High School B, who have withdrawn from this grade. At the High School Old Boys’ ground, Ricearton Corner, Boys’ High School A defeated Technical High School by 22 points to nil. Mr J. Struthers was referee. Christ’s College B had the bye. Sixth Grade. Playing at the Cathedral Grammar School ground. North Park. Cathedral Grammar School defeated Christ’s College by Ift points to It. Mr T. M'Kt-n----zie was referee. At the Boys’ High School ground. Straven Road. Boys’ High School A defeated West. Christchurch District High School by 11 points to 6. Mr M. N. Rogers was referee. At the Technical Old Bovs’ ground Rlcoarton Corner Teolintc.il High School B defeated St Andrew’s College bv 25 referee l ° niL * Mr U ’ A - was At the Varsity ground Ricearton Corner, Technical High School a defeated Boys High School R by 24 points Seventh Grade. (Under 7st 71b.) Playing at the High School Old Boys’ ground, Carlton Corner, Technical High School A defeated St Bede’s College by 15 points to nil. The Rev Father

P. Scanlon, S.M., was referee. At the Polo Grounds, Boys’ High School B defeated West Christchurch District High School by 8 points to 5. Mr W. Moffat was rteferee. At the Polo Grounds, Boys’ High School A defeated Technical High School B by 34 points to nil. Mr J. T. Burrows was referee.