SATURDAY’S RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18791, 28 May 1923, Page 6

SATURDAY’S RUGBY

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES CONTINUED OLD BOYS DRAW WITH PIRATES WANGANUI TEAM TO PLAY TARANAKI - RESULTS: PIRATES », OLD BOYS 6. MARISTS 13, RATANA 9. KAEERIU 31, WAIROA 3. A rain shower at one o'clock on Saturday afternoon cooled the air, which in the forenoon had been very warm, and the afternoon was nice and fine. A big crowd of spectators found their way to the Rec., and when the second games were commenced there were about 2750 present, which is the best attendance so far this season. Continuous infringements of the rules by Pirates and Old Boys players in the big game saw the play stopi>ed with monotonous regularity. The result of the match was a draw, six ]>oints each, which appeared to be the correct result on the play. The last twenty minutes of the game were thrilling and exciting, but previous to this stage the match was ail penalties against either side, and the play was consequently nothing to enthuse over. Marists redeemed themselves by inflicting a defeat on Ratana, who, however, gave quite a good display of open football. At Waverley, although not fully represented, Kaierau proved altogether much too good for Wairoa. The first representative match of the season is to be played today week. This is the Taranaki-Wanganui game, to be decided on Cook's Gardens. The Wanganui team appears on this page.

PIRATES AND OLD BOYS Hard match ends in a draw. EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF PENALTIES. The big crowd which surrounded the main ground on the Rec. were iisappointed with the Old BoysPirates game. They had every right io expect a high-class Rugby match, and instead they were served up with a display which never rose to great heights until the latter half of the second spell. Both teams were trained to the minute, fit to fight for a crown, and they saw a hard battle right out to the end, at which time excitement ran high. Whefl the teams started off the spectators, primed to the full in anticipation of a rare good game, were on tip-toes with expectation; but within three minutes of the kick-off they had settled down, those in the stands with a 'we-will-stick-it-out Look" on their countenances, the while they just hoped for the best. And the fencehugging onlookers, together with a big crowd endeavouring to flatten the terraced “wedding-cake,” not quite so dignified as their stand con freres. gave audible expression to their own inimitable views on Rugby, • amended rules, rafferty rules and interpretations thereof, not to quote A few entirely uncomplimentary remarks on the ignorance of players so far as the rules are concerned. From all of which it may be concluded that the game did not come up to anticipations, and it didn't. Far from it. The concluding twenty minutes saved the match from being labelled mediocre. At the outset tree-kicks were the outstanding feature, and the referee catching apparently every infringement, likelylooking movements were nipped in the bud. Despite the severity on breaches by the thirty-first man on the field, off-side by players on either side was a continuous feature. Early in the first spell Pirates were given seven free-kicks in as many minutes, one after the other, and then within the next few minutes Old Boys were awarded five penalties in succession. In fact the number of penalties throughout the match must hare constituted a record. The last twenty minutes was fine football, play fluctuating in bewilderiag fashion, and from a merely casual interest in the fortunes of the teams the spectators were thoroughly roused, being on their, feet throughout the concluding stages. The game ended just as it should have done on the actual play—six all—for there was absolutely nothing between the teams. Pirates’ half a dozen points were made up by a penalty goal and a try, as against two penalty goals by Old Boys. The lat :er also scored a third goal from a penalty which was' disallowed through a man being in front of the oall. The teams were as follows: Pirates (black). —Bowen. Temperton. Young. Phillipson; B. Delves, Williams; Robson; Smith, Aamodt, Healey. Anderson, Abbott, Phillips. Watt. J. Delves. Old Boys (blue).—Marsden, Deem, Jensen. Strachan; Campion (replaced early in second spell by Wilacey). Aiken; Baddeley; C. Smith, Green. Packer, J. Young, Wood. Cox. Weeks, Alabaster. Referee, Dr. Adams. THE GAME. Wood kicked off and B. Delves returned with a nice boot to touch, after which C. Smith came into prominence by cleverly marking. Then

Baddeley ran round and passed to Strachan, who dashed down the fine, a long return kick from the lineout forcing Marsden to get touch. Then the black forwards went away in a loose rush, but Old Boys retaliated. Campion and Coxjieading them into the Pirates' quarter, when the latter knocked on a high bouncing ball. Again the blacks swept back, and mishandling by the defending rearguard let Anderson away, be being tackled from behind. Strachan helped materially to alter the scene of play until Old Boys were caught infringing, and from a placed penalty kick between the twenty-five and centre-line B. Delves found the opening fairly between the uprights: Pirates 3 Old Boys . . ...... 0 The centre kick-off saw Bowen elude several blues and get his kick in from a difficult situation, and Green was at the head of a promising Old Boys rush that failed to be driven home. With the play once more round the centre chalk-mark Old Boys were penalised, and B. Delves had a shot at goal from the same position as his preceding kick, the bail going wide. A couple of minutes later Williams marked near the same spot, but he failed to get his kick in and through a breach Old Boys were awarded a penalty. The light blue winger was penalised for being too quick on the ball, and yet another penalty followed against Old Boys. B. Delves failing to goal with a kick from near the touch line, and followed this with another miss a minute later. From this kick the ball went almost straight across the field and that threatened trouble when Baddeley fell on the ball and forced in the nick of time. With a let up Old Boys went down to the attack and Baddeley missed a oenalty kick at goal. OLD BOYS’ NARROW ESCAPE. Play hovered on either side of half-way until Cox caught the Pirate half in possession and dribbled to the full-back, but Bowen rose to the occasion and got his kick in. This was followed by a sensational run by Watt, who broke through and ran to Marsden, who tackled him and the Pirate player’s pass back was taken by Baddeley, who kicked out right on the corner flag. The resultant throw-in saw the ball rushed over the line and a twenty-five kick was ordered. A series of short-line kicks enabled Pirates to get on to the attack once more, a penalty letting Jensen clear and he found the line at half-way, where more play across the field resulted. Baddeley ran round the scrum and kicked past Phillipson, who took the ball on the bounce and got touch, and this was followed by a centering kick by Jensen which went into touch in goal. A POT THAT MISSED. Watt and J. Delves next came away with the ball at toe, and a penalty' against the Old Boys assisted to keep the blues strictly on the defensive. A line-out saw the ball come out to Delves, who potted wide of the goal. Old Boys went over the half-

way with the kick-out, but B. Delves shot the ball away to Williams, who ran and kicked down-field to Marsden, the latter putting the ball out. A couple of penalties, this time against Pirates, were of little advantage to the blues and Williams, getting the ball from a scrum, cut in nicely before he was smothered. Deem picked up the ball in the open at. half-way and centre-kicked, Phillipson saving the situation with a speculator into touch, and half-time was signalled. SECOND SPELL. Green returned the kick-off to Bowen, and the black forwards shortly after wheeling a scrum sent tie blues back on their own quarter. The Old Boys’ forwards went away with the ball and B. Delves picked up and passed on to Williams, and to Young, but. the latter dwelt with the ball before passing to Phillipson, who was already well marked. The Pirates kept to the attack and Marsden was called upon to go down ou the ball, holding up the rush. A penalty to Old Boys was marked, and then Temperton was caught with the. ball and a penalty kick followed whereby Cox kicked a splendid goal and evened the scores: Old Boys 3 Pirates . 3 This livened the proceedings considerably, and from an attitude of absolute complacence the crowd became quite enthusiastic for the first tme since the first few minutes. Here Willacey came on to replace Campion, who had retired hurt a few minutes earlier. LUCK FOR PIRATES. Another penalty against Pirates saw Cox kick another splendid goal, but the blues were called back for a man being in front and the goal of course disallowed. This was a stroke of luck for the blacks, who promptly set up an attack, which offside play neutralised. Baddeley was tackled when getting round the scrum, hut Willacey was handy and booted through to Bowen, who was caught with the ball, which was eventually put into touch. The Old Boys started a passing rush whichsAiken stopped by kicking, and Bowen returning found a gap, and Strachan got his side in trouble by hesitating, but a penalty against Pirates for a technical breach here saved. Then Temnerton fielded the ball splendidly and made a dash along the line before centering, and Jensen marked nicely. PIRATES SCORE NICE TRY. In the following strenuous play which ensnued B. Delves got the ball in some loose play and ran straight ahead before passing to J. Delves, who transferred at the right moment to Phillipson near the line and he went over unopposed in the corner, a try being awarded Pirates. B. Delves made a splendid shot at goal, which fell just under the cross-bar. Pirates . . . 6 Old Boys . 3 In another impetuous rush immediately after Pirates were nearly over twice, good luck rather than good management letting Old Boys out of trouble. Play came back to mid-field, where Cox had a shot at goal from five yards within halfway, the ball going wide. An exciting interlude followed before Pirates were again penalised, and Baddeley landed a neat goal. Once more the points were even: Old Boys 6 Pirates 6 Exciting play continued with the latest interesting situation, and after Pirates had looked like making trouble J. Young put in a long solo run a few feet in from the touchline and then passed to Packer, who was tackled from the rear after a thrilling dash. The Old Boys backs set up a warm attack on Pirates goal and Jensen twice was almost over, he being smothered right on the line. COX 'S GREAT SOLO EFFORT. Tight and hard play followed this renture before Pirates relieved, but a penalty for offside let Old Boys on to the attack again. Cox then made a great run, outpacing the Pirates coming across the field to cut him off and getting rid of the ball for Packer to follow up and catch B. Delves, who found the line however, and ended a thrilling minute’s play. Then the blacks came away and were within a few yards of Old Boys’ line when there was a scrum gifan, and fighting hard the light Blue forwards drove back the attack. A little later, with the ball in mid-field, the bell rang out, with the honours evenly divided: Pirates ........ .. 6 Old Boys 6 RATANA IMPROVE IN MATCH WITH MARISTS. The Ratana players showed great improvement in their display against Marist, and gave a creditable exhibition. The .Maoris gave a far more spectacular exhibition than their pakeha opponents and had there been a bit more finish about their efforts they would have won by a comfortable margin. As it was—as often is the case —the team that made the less number of mistakes won, and that team was Marist. Right from the start the Maoris began the quick passing game, and upon Marist was thrust the role of defence, with retaliation by way of attack when opportunity came their wav. Forward the Maoris were heavier, but the two packs were well matched. All the Maori backs put dash into their play, while throughout the Marist rearguard display was particularly colourless, McAuliffe alone playing an outstanding game. A mistake by Wairemu, the Ratana full back, gave Marist their first score. Under pressure he kicked anyhow and short, and Crotty gathered to race through and score. The Maori backs threw the ball

about in great style, and—finally a really good passing ran gave Paki possession on the wing. The versatile Sam had Corliss and Sinclair ahead, but he cut in at ton speed, and although tackled at the last moment by Peterson, who converged from the other side, he dived across and levelled the scores up. Exploitation of the cross kick by Fromont brought Marist’s second score. The ball came on the full to Johnny Paki, but he fumbled it badly and it ricocheted off him into Peterson’s hands. The Marist forward sent it on to McAuliffe, who put. in a jinky run that carried him cleanly past Whai Pine and Wairemu. The Marist skipper also sorted out behind the posts to ground the ball, and the adding of the minor points followed as quite an easy matter.

Play in the second half was lively and entertaining throughout, and .Ratana stuck to the open, passing game, which spectators appreciate. The Ratanaites took all sorts of risks. Once from a throw in on their line theb all was sent to an unmarked forward well afield, and it came off, as the line was promptly cleared with a long kick. Whai Pine figured in a nice straight dash down the paddock, but there was no support when Sinclair tackled . him. Keeping the ball close the Marist forwards carried play into the Ratana 25, where F. Crotty got the ball away to McAuliffe. The Maoris made the mistake of waiting for the pass, and working out on a diagonal line McAuliffe got right into the goal mouth before handing the ball on to Sloane to slip across between the posts. McAuliffe piloted the ball across and Marist led, 13—3. A cross kick by Wairemu in his own 25—the same sort of misguided effort that brought disaster to the Wanganui representative team at New Plymouth last 'season—landed the ball into Tufiin’s hands, but the high flight of the bail enabled Sam Paki to follow it across, and by tackling resolutely he saved another trio of points going down to Ratana’s debit.

The closing stages of the game saw Ratana—on the day—at their best. J. Paki, with a burst of speed and straight running, made a glorious opening, and when he sent the ball on his colleagues handled it perfectly. With fast running and quick passing, the ball reached the other Paki on the wing, and then came the reverse pass and Rewetu, otherwise Davis, racing for home and glory with nobody to stop him. Cheered on by the crowd, Ratana came again. Several times their combination broke, but once again it held, the Marist defence was shattered by a fast movement and good passing, and Pine reached the coveted line. As on the other occasions goal kicking was not the Ratana long suit. There were some kaleidoscopic changes in the game near the end, but the Pakeha defence prevailed against Ratana’s perseverence, and when Mr G. H. Pownall whistled full time the score read: Marist 13 Ratana 9 KAIERAU V. WAIROA Kaierau opened with the sun in their faces. The first incident of note was a brilliant run by Dillon and L. Stewart, but Bennett at full back proved a stumbling block. Wairoa cleared and a rush headed by Ridge and McDonald looked dangerous, but Ansley at full cleared for the maroons. W. Ross capped a fine bit of play by sending a long pass to Darby at wing three-quarter, who dummied his way across at the corner. J. Stewart kicked a poster. From the kick-off Pairman and J. Lockett by clever in-passing took the play’ to Wairoa 25, but good defence by Train and Finnimore held them up. J. Dillon secured in his own 25 and showed a clean pair of heels to the field, Scott converting a brilliant try. After the resumption from an infringement Bennett kicked a penalty for Wairoa, who now infused more life Into' their play, Compton and Hooper being very prominent, but Ansley was playing a fine game at full. From an infringement W. Scott kicked a magnificent goal from the touch-line. Kaierau backs now asserted themselves and after every back had handled well, Darby, with a fine burst of speed, scored. Scott failed to convert. Wairoa now commenced pressing the reds very hard, and only by sterling defence by Ansley Darby and H. Stewart were they prevented from scoring. A big rush headed by W. Ross and Dillon—the former by the way being the best forward on the groundresulted in Dillon scoring, and Scott failing with the kick. Kaierau now held the upper hand and J. Lockett set his backs going in a great rush and Bropkie backing up, capped a brilliant piece of Rugby with a sensational dive, scoring well out. Dillon missed the kick. The Kaierau backs were now throwing the ball round, and further tries were gained by Pairman and W. Ross, the latter converting one. The game ended in semi-darkness: ' Kaierau 31 Wairoa 3 Mr. Clinkard controlled the game. SENIOR FIXTURES DRAW FOR NEXT SATURDAY. Kaierau v. Old Boys. Pirates v. Ratana. Marists v. Wairoa. THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP IN AN INTERESTING STAGE. HOW THE TEAMS STAND.

JUNIOR CONTESTS

Considerable interest was "taken in the appearance of Collegiate School XV., and their match with Aramoho was keenly followed by a number of spectators. Unfortunately the School did not have services of their best team, but nevertheless they put up a splendid fight against a strong Aramoho team. The suburbans showed very fair combination, and this in the main contributed to their success. Aramoho won by six points to three, and as the scoring indicates, there was certainly little between the fifteens. The Collegians put up a very good fight, considering that they had only returned from their vacation the previous day, and yhen they get their full first fifteen in action, bright and clever footmay well be anticipated. Technical College met and defeated Old Boys on the Rec. by 14 points to 8. For the winners Stiver, Thompson. Winter and Dowsett scored tries, and the last-named converted Stiver’s try. For Old Boys Russell kicked a goal from a mark, and also converted a try by Tilley. A very keen struggle took place between Kaierau and Technical Old Boys, also played on the Rec., the ex-students winning in the end by 6 to 5. Pirates journeyed to Rapanui and defeated the home team by 19 to nil, in a game in which the town fifteen predominated throughout. ■ A GAME CANCELLED. Pirates IV. were set down to moot College IV., but it is stated that one of the goal-posts had no crossbar. The leferee cancelled the game, and he was quite within his rights in doing so. LOWER GRADE RESULTS SEEN AT A GLANCE. JUNIOR: Aramoho 6, College 3. Pirates 19, Rapanui 0. Tech College 14, Old Boys 8. Tech. Old fioys 6, Kaierau 5. THIRDS. Old Boys 9, Aramoho 3. Kaierau 37, Marists 0. College 8, Pirates 6. I _______ ' FOURTHS. Marists 9, Aramoho 6. Kaierau 3, Queen’s Park O. B. 3. Tech College 38, Old Boys 0.

P. W. D. L. Pts. Kaierau 4 3 1 0 7 Old Boys .. 4 3 1 0 7 Marists 4 2 — 2 4 Pirates .. 4 1 2 1 4 Ratana 4 1 — 3 2 Wairoa .. 4 0 ——• 4 0