SATURDAY’S RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 30 June 1924, Page 6

SATURDAY’S RUGBY

' WANGANUI DEFEATS TAIHAPE

CLOSE FINISH ON THE REC

V7ANGANVI .... 8 TAIHAPE 6 Footballers were at last favoured with an afternoon on Saturday such as they had been awaiting for several weeks. The sun shone brightly, and the attendance at the Bee. was about two thousand. Wanganui Sub-Union representatives met Taihape’s best, and after an exciting game the home team were victorious by a narrow margin. The match was fast and well contested throughout,, and the result was in doubt right up to the final whistle.

WANGANUI S NARROW WIN , VISITORS PUT UP BIG FIGHT. *HOME TEAM’S WRETCHED GOALKICKING ’ATTEMPTS. ▲t the onteet of Saturday’s game on Ue Rec., the Taihape backs were shortpg up better than their pack, but once fcey had settled down to what was to >rove a strenuous task, the visiting for, cards outplayed the home pact at duxes very badly. On the wnolc the .Wanganui forwards were rather weak, •judged on their efforts on Saturday, and the backs were not given the opportunities they should have received, in fact they had to make the most of the few chances that came their way, necessitating the making of their own openings. With Hartley and Cameron unavailable, a re arrangement of the local rearguard was essential, and Lids did not tend to strengthen; on the contrary, the attacking and defensive qualities of the two absentees were badly missed. Very few —a mere "handful —of the 2000 spectators left before the end of the game, which, although not spect.i- / cular, was of such a fast and interftsv- ' ing nature that the crowd waited on to see the final result, which was in doubt right to the last. To put it in a few words, it was a good game, a ding dong go between evenly matched fiiteens. The visitors scored a try and kicked a penalty goal in the first half, when the} had the sun at their backs; there was no wind. In the second spell Wanganui scored two tries, one of which was converted, and that goal was, to the spectators, what an oasis in the desert is to the weary traveller. boon after the match commenced Wanganui threw away half-a-dozen points through faulty attempts to kick easy goals from penalties, and the rut which subsequently set in in this branch of the game became at least monotonous and exasperating to the supporters of the home side. Apart from this there was little between the two teams, with perhaps a very small margin in favour of Wanganui." In other words, the scores just about represent the fortunes of the game. ( The teams lined up on the field of play as follows:■ — WANGANUI. (Blue and Black.) Full-back: -»iarsden. 'f-.u quarters: Haitana* Head, Ford. x ive-eighths: McAuliffe, Blyth. Half-back; Robson. Forwards: Back row: Healey, Kruse L. Stewart, Abbott (lock), W. Ross, Paki (wing), Boyd, Persson (hookers.) 0 Bellis (wing), J. Sinclair, Missen (hookers). Murphy, Hickey (lock), Bennett. Leahy, O ’Connell. Forwards. Hargreaves, Half back Jackson. £. Sinclair. Five-eighths. B. Collier, Hall, Dockery, Three-quarters. Peebles, Full-back. TAIHAPE. (Maroon). Referee, Mr B. P. London. THE PLAY DESCRIBED. The visitors at once commenced to *pen up the play, but the home forjrards were quickly on to them, and a couple of passing bouts were promptly smothered. Shepherding cost Wanganui a penalty, and Taihape were quickly in the home quarter, where Marsden lined. Play swung back to neutral territory, where Marsden received Peebles’ clearing kick, and running up into the threequarter line, sent on to McAuliffe, to Head, who lost possession, but Haitana recovered and put in a beautiful centre, placing the home team in a great position. Ford made _ two good dashes for the corner when' fed by Blyth, and from play in front of the visitors’ goal McAuliffe dropped a shot which went wide. EXECRABLE KICKING. A minute later the same player had an attempt from a penalty, with the same result, and then W. Ross did likewise—two easy kicks which should have gone over.. E. Sinclair put Taihape over Wanganui’s centre line, but off-side cost them the advantage thus gained. Then Bellis broke through the twenty-five *i/l McAuliffe cleared nicely for the maroon backs to take the ball down-

field again with good individual efforts, R. Collier, E. Sinclair and Jackson showing up. Leahy then caught the Wanganui rearguard napping, when W. Ross cleared by marking nicely, the ball once again going on to the visitors’ twenty-five after a period in which they had all the better of the play. Bellis broke away, and when grassed by Marsden sent on to Murphy, McAuliffe getting him with a flying tackle, thereby saving a certain try. TAIHAPE SCORE FIRST. Back to centre swung the play, and then a loose rush by the maroons (Taihape) carried all before it, and they swarmed over the line, but a couple of forwards overran the bull and in the resultant scramble Wanganui were lucky to get out of it with a force down. Once again the visitors pressed hotly and a line-out was given in the corner, Kruse and L. Stewart clearing with the ball at toe, but the relief was only temporary, for Bellis picked up in the loose and when held up a yard from the line, passed to Bennett, and all he had to do was fall over, which he promptly did. Jackson made a good but ineffectual attempt to add the major points. .Taihape 3 Wanganui 0 r A mulled pass by Jackson let Blyth . through and the ball swing out to Ford, • who failed to field it and offside play and a long line kick let Taihape clear. Nippy play by Haitana had the defending backs thinking, and then Bellis picked up in the open and bolted, to kick into touch when he came to Marsden. Jackson here went off with an injured knee and Roberts was sent on to take the left wing, R. Collier moving into centre. Kruse and Ford participated in a dual effort along touch, and Boyd went with the ball almost to the line and from the scramble the visitors forced. THREE POINTS FOR OFF-SIDE. McAuliffe picked the leather up in the open and sent on to Ford, who made a nice run before he was overhauled by R. Collier. Wanganui were pressing when Bennett marked, and from a line-out in midfield Bellis took the ball cleanly and made a break, Paki collaring him well. Then Wanganui were penalised right in front of their posts for offside and R. Collier kicked an easy goal.. Taihape 6 Wanganui 0 Half-time was taken a minute later. SECOND SPELL. A lot of scrambling play followed the resumption, until the visiting pack went away with the ball, a mark driving them back. W. Boss had a good shot at goal from long range and Taihape forced. Bad mulling by the home backs had them on the defensive, and twice in quick succession Marsden w r as called upon to clear his line, the Wanganui supporters having an anxious time meanwhile. A TRY TO WANGANUI. An exciting episode followed in front J of Taihape’s line, and McAuliffe passed I the ball out to Blyth on the open side, I and he cut in through the ruck and > passed to W. Ross, who fell over with I a maroon hanging on to him. Ross I took the kick himself and made a mess | of it, from an easy position, too. W; anganui .......... 3 ! Taihape C | A penalty and a mark put Wanga- | nui on the attack once more but the visiting forwards got’ the upper hand and bore down into the home quarter, where McAuliffe cleared with a good kick. Back on to Taihape’s twentyilivc came the Wanganui vanguard and a period of interesting piny ensued. Kruse fielded a bouncing ball and gave it to Ford, who went straight at. the full-back and was splendidly tackled by Peebles a couple of yards from the line. Once more it was the visitors’ pack who brought relief, and they gave Wanganui some anxious moments before Haitana and Ford changed the situation. The van broke through again and W. Ross was called on to clear, but he failed to line and Murphy had a good opening when he threw' a forward pass. FROM DEFENCE TO ATTACK. Several Taihape players had matters practically all their own way when Wanganui were penalised on their own line, and R. Collier made a fruitless attempt to goal, McAuliffe making a dash before sending on to Head, who reached half-way before he put in a short centering kick. The ball was sent along the line of home backs until three of them were hemmed in on the line in the corner, where offside play gave Head a chance to equalise the scores, but the kick failed. Shortly after the visitors forced, and then Taihape took

a turn. But back came Wanganui, and then Paki got away, to be well tackled by Peebles in front of the goal, and the latter was then penalised for playing the ball on the ground. DIDN’T WANT IT. The kick was entrusted to Haitana, and the crowd simply howled when a low shot saw the ball hit the crossbar and cannon beneath for Taihape to force. But Wanganui’s turn was to come after they pressed hard for some minutes. The forwards took the ball into Taihape’s corner, and Head threw in a long ball for Paki to take it cleanly and run past Peebles’ tackle to score between the posts. Ross converted, placing the home team in the lead to the accompaniment of enthusiastic cheers, for at last a goal had been kicked. Wanganui 8 Taihape 6 A little later Healey retired hurt, and Head put in a big kick down the line, Bill Pine coming on in Healey’s place a couple of minutes later. Then Head made a spurt along touch and passed infield to Kruse, who threw away a great scoring chance by knocking* forward. Then the Wanganui backs got going and McAuliffe cut out Haitana and sent a long transfer to Ford, who failed to gather in, and a possible scoring chance was thrown away. AN EXCITING TIME. Head failed at a penalty shot, and Taihape (they must have known time was just up), instead of forcing, kept the ball in play and with an impetuous loose rush, got on to Wanganui’s twenty-five. McAuliffe here marked but failed to get the line, and the visitors tried desperately to force a way through. There was plenty of excitement for the crowd, who recognised the fact that a little bit of luck on the visitors’ side would sec the tables turned. It was not to be, however, and ultimately the ball was sent to touch and Wanganui had won: Wanganui 8 Taihape 6 The visitors returned home after the match, connecting by motor with the train at Marton. DOWN THE GRADES JUNIOR. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL SHOW SPLENDID FORM. The principal attraction in the junior grade on Saturday was the game between the Collegiate School first fifteen and Rat ana. After a very evenly contested game School won by 14 points to 3. A pleasing feature of the contest was the splendid return to form of the School XV., and if they go on making the same improvement as during the past week, a great game may be anticipated next Thursday week when they meet their old rivals, Te Aute College. In the first half some very even play was witnessed. Ratana attacked from the jump, and only the deadly tackling of the College backs kept Ratana from crossing their line. After several onslaughts on the Collegians’ defence a hefty Ratana forward dived over and drew first blood. The kick was a 6iihire. —Ratana 3, College 0. This reverse only spurred on the School to greater efforts, and it was not long before they had Ratana penned in their., own twenty-five. After two unsuccessful kicks in front of the uprights, Duncan, who was playing a dashing game on the wing for College, eventually crossed the line after a splendid run from his own twenty-five, and the scores were level. Ormond had no luck with his kick.—Ratana 3. College 3. The score was unaltered at halftime. In the opening of the second half both sides attacked in turn, and after fluctuating play College bore down on Ratana’s territory and Ormond picked up and kicked a beautiful goal from the field. —College 7, Ratana 3. School continued to press, and from a scrum on the line Jury was over in a flash. The kick went outside the post.—College 10, Ratana 3. The Collegians were now throwing the ball about in a manner that was pleasing to see. From a passing rush Ormond obtained the leather, and with deliberate coolness kicked his second goal from the field. —College 14, Ratana 3. Ratana tried hard to score in the dying stages of the game and had hard luck in not crossing their opponents’ line on two occasions. The score was unchanged at the call of time. Old Boys and Kaierau fought out a very stubborn game on Racecourse No. 1, and after a ragged display Kaierau won by 3 points, a penalty kick by Bowen, to nil. This was the first occasion Old Boys fielded a full fifteen this season, and if they stick together and practise they should make a firstclass junior team. Aramoho and Pirates played a scoreless draw, neither side notching a point. Fordell were a shade better than Rapanui and won by 6 points to 3. THIRDS. In the Maoriland Cup game on the Rec. as a preliminary to the big senior fixture, Kaierau defeated Aramoho by 17 points to 6. Pirates, with a weak team, went under to College by 11 points to nil. Queen's Park were too good for Old Boys, and won by 14 points to 3. FOURTHS. Kaierau (62) overwhelmed Old Boys (nil) after forty minutes’ play. Old Boys were minus several players. Queen’s Park had matters all their own way against Aramoho and won by 22 points to 0. Pirates (30) outplayed Tech. B (0). Tech. A scored a win over College by 12 points to 0.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE / REP. MATCH. Wanganui 8 v. Taihape 6. JUNIOR. College 14 v. Ratana 3. Kaierau 3 v. Old Boys 0. Fordell 6 v. Rapanui 3. Aramoho 0 v. Pirates 0. THIRDS. Kaierau 17 v. Aramoho 6. (Maoriland Cup match). College 11 v. Pirates 0. Queen's Park 14 v. Old Boy? 3. FOURTHS. Kaierau 62 v. Old Boys 0. Queen’s Park 22 v. Aramoho 0. Pirates 30 v. Tech. B. 0. Tech. A 12 v. College 0. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, June 28. To-day’s results:— Old Boys 20, Linwood. 10. ’Varsity 53, Albion 3. Christchurch 25, North Canterbury 3. OVERWHELMED (Per Press Association.') WAIROA, June 28. Wairoa reps, overwhelmed Waikohu Sub-Union’s team in a Barry Cup challenge match played hero to-day under ideal conditions, before a very large attendance. It was a clean and fast exhibition of Rugby, but very one-sided, the Cup defenders scoring whenever they liked, the game ending in their favours, 42 to nil. The winners’ powerful forwards completely dominated the game, giving their speedy backs ample opportunities to score. AUCKLAND RESULTS (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, June 28. The following are the Auckland Rugby results:— Ponsonby 13, v. University 3. Marists 21 v. College Rifles 5. Grammar 8, v. Grafton 3. ’Shore 9, v. Newton 3. Grammar School 19, v. King’s 0. WELLINGTON GAMES (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 29. Rugby.—’Varsity 32, Athletic 14. Wellington 13, Old Boys 8. Oriental 14, Berhampore 7. Petone 6, Marist 5. Poneke 16, Hutt 7. MANAWATU GAMES (By Telegraph.—Special to Chronicle.) PALMERSTON N., June 29. Woodville (5), defeated Old Boys (3), the leading team in the Manawatu senior championship. As Kia Toa (12), beat Feilding (nil), all but the lastnamed team are running level for the championship. Woodville (the 1923 champions), and Kia Toa have w-on three successive games. Western United, lying fourth in the junior championship, again defeated High School, whose only two losses have been inflicted by the hyphenateds. RAFFERTY’S RULES MATCH ENDS IN FREE FIGHT. Received June 29, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 29. A football match under Australian rules, at. Paddington, developed into a free light among players and spectators, including women. Fists apd umbrellas were freely used before the disturbance was quelled by the police. TE KAWAU RUGBY SUB-UNION The following fixtures have been drawn up for the third round:— SENIORS. July s.—Sandon v. Awahuri, at Sandon. United v. Rongotea, at Oroua Downs. Ohakea, a bye. July 12.—Ohakea v. Rongotea, at R*rigotea. United v. Awahuri, at Aw.huri. Sandon, a bye. July 19.—United v. Sandon, at Oroua Downs. Ohakea v. Awahuri, at Ohakea. Rongotea, a bye. July 26—Rongotea v. Awahuri, at Awahuri. Sandon v. Ohakea, at San ion. United, a bye. TUNIORS. July s.—Rongotea v. Ohakea. at Rongotea. Awahuri v. Kaimatarau, at Awahuri. United, a bye. July 12.-—Rongotea v. United at Oroua Downs. Awahuri v. Ohakea, at Oh.ikea. Kaimatarau, a bye. July 19.—United v. Kaimatarau, at Kaimatarau. Awahuri v. Rongotep., at Awahuri. Ohakea, a bye. July 26.—United v. Ohakea, at Ohakea. Kaimatarau v. Rongotea, at Rongotea. Awahuri,bye.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SHIELD WON BY Y.M.C.A. Y.M.C.A. 3, Eastbrooke 3. This makes Y.M.C.A. winners of the Shield. There was a large crowd on Victoria Park to sec Eastbrooke and Y.M.C.A. fight out the final of the Shield games, and they were treated to as fine an exhibition of the game as has been seen on the hill for many years. The result, a draw which gave Y.M.C.A. the shield by one point, was a true indication of the run of the play, although. on the day Y.M.C.A. were the lucky team. The dashing way the Eastbrooke forwards rattled on three points within half an hour of the start made things look black for the leaders in the competition, but at halftime they had reduced the lead of three goals to one as the result of two penalty goals which. Killeen piloted through. In the second spell Eastbrooke settled down to a defensive game, and despite Y.M.C.A.’s attack, kept them out until a few minutes off time, when Stoddart’s sensational run down the line and centre enabled Killeen to equalise. From then to the finish, both sides tried hard to add to their score; the final figures, 3 —3, giving Y.M.C.A. the Shield. Y.M.C.A.—Haddow, Allen, Rhodes, Fyfe, Lecky, Ritchie, Taylor, Curtis, Killeen, Law, Stoddart. Eastbrooke.—Cropper, Webster, McLeod, Hampton, Glover, Barker, Langslow, Beckett, Langslow, Currie, McCracken. Referee: Mr. Stirrat. THE GAME. Y.M.C.A. won the toss and elected to play with the sun, Eastbrooke kicking off. Right from the kick-off the ball went out to Langslow, who made a nice run down the line to hit the crossbar with a hard shot, the ball going behind. Eastbrooke secured from the goal-kick and came down again, but Haddow ran well out to clear to Taylor, who took play to Eastbrooke's goal where McLeod cleared well. A foul against Y.M. put Eastbrooke in a good psition, but Lecky cleared. Play came back again and hung near Y.M.'s goal until offside by McCracken gave temporary relief. Eastbrooke were not to be denied, and McCracken came away only to put behind. Stoddart now took a hand and a passing rush between Stoddart, Law and Killeen saw the last-named put behind. Eastbrooke brought play back again, then a beautiful passing bout between Langslow, Currie and Langslow saw Gordon centre for brother George to score the opening goal. Eastbrooke 1; Y.M.C.A. 0. McLeod and Webster wore both proving stumbling blocks for the Y.M.C.A. forwards, and McLeod cleared when Stoddart, Law and Killeen looked dangerous, sending McCracken away to put a good centre in to Haddow, who just managed to turn the ball along the line. Langslow brought the ball into centre again and Currie put behind. Play now travelled from end to end rapidly and McLeod sent Barker away, and he beat his man and passed to McCracken. Boating two men, the latter put in a beautiful shot that gave Haddow no chance. Eastbrooke 2; Y.M.C.A. 0. Eastbrooke kept up the pressure, and frm a corner the forwards secured for Geo. Langslow to score Eastbrook’s third goal. Eastbrooke 3; Y.M.C.A. 0. With three goals against them Y.M.C.A. livened up and took play to the goal-mouth, where Cropper saved. Play hung in midfield until the ball travelled to Law, to Killeen, to Taylor, to Stoddart, who put behind. A penalty for handling the ball against McLeod gave Y.M.C.A. a chance to wipe off one goal, and Killeen made no mistake with the shot. Eastbrooke 3; Y.M.C.A. 1. From the kick-off, play travelled from end to end and a free to Eastbrooke when Y.M. were pressing gave them relief. Y.M.C.A. continued to press and took play to Eastbrooke's area, where hands against Webster gave Killeen another shot and again he put Y.M.’s score up one. Eastbrooke 3; Y.M.C.A. 2. Y.M.C.A. were attacking again when half-time was called. SECOND HALF. Eastbrooke settled down in the second half to defend, and McLeod and Webster again and again kept the Y.M. forwards out. Offside against McCracken spoilt a promising movement by Eastbrooke, and Lecky rent his forwards away again. Play was suspended for a few minutes when Currie got a nasty knock. From the bounce down Beckett secured and put in a good run for Alien to clear, sending Curtis, Law and Killeen away. Webster sent them back again and Fyfe cleared well down the line. From the throw-in McLeod cleared well and play was again held up for a few minutes while a player’s injury was attended to. Eastbrooke secured from the throw-up and Barker sent in a beauty from well out, but Haddow was safe. Stoddart was being well watched by Barker, but the right winger beat him in a race for the ball and centering when right on the line, had Eastbrooke in a tight corner when Cropper cleared. From the goal-kick Stoddart again secured and getting off at top speed, tricked Barker and Webster nicely to pass infield to Killeen, who equalised the scores, giving Cropper no chance. Eastbrooke 3; Y.M.C.A. 3. With fo. -■ minutes to go both sides tried hard to get another goal, but the defence of each side was sure and the whistle blew without further score.

RUGBY LEAGUE SECOND TEST. ENGLAND DEFEATS AUSTRALIA. Received June 29, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 28. The second Rugby Longue Test, England v. Australia, was played in soaking rain in the presence of 33,000 people. In the first half Australia forced the game, carrying the attack into the visitors’ territory and scoring a try during the first few minutes. Owing to the muddy field the game was confined to the forwards, wherein the local players showed to advantage. The scores at half time were: Australia 3; England nil. The second half of the game was more open, but play was again mostly confined to the forwards, with occasional dashes by the backs of both sides in attempts to open up the game, but the advantage was always with Australia until a few minutes before the close, when England scored a try, which was converted, making the final scores:— England 5 Australia 3 The weather wns against spectacular play, but the game throughout was hard and forceful. The teams were most evenly matched, although the visitors were slightly superior in the scrum. Play throughout was clean. THE SOCCER GAME CANADA AND AUSTRALIA DRAW. Received June 29, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 29. The fourth Soccer Test between Australia and Canada was played at Newcastle on a sloppy ground in showery weather, and resulted in a scoreless draw. The match was strenuously contested but lacked dash. In front of goal work both teams wore weak. The second half was played in heavy rain.

POSITION OF TEAMS. Y.M.G.A. p. 6 W. 3 L. 0 D. 3 F. 22 A. Pts 10 9 Eastbrooke 6 3 1 2 11 16 8 St. John’s 5 1 3 1 9 17 3 ’Shops 5 1 4 0 10 9 2