FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19057, 9 July 1924, Page 6

FOOTBALL

THE RUGBY GAME LAST SATURDAY’S PLAY. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By “The Observer.”) The AU Blacks play Metropolitan at Sydney to-day, and as their opponents will probably be New South Wales second fifteen. the game should be an interesting one, with •BT boys scoring a nice win. • • • • Private advices from Sydney confirm the press view that the first Test on Saturday was a game of lost opportunities. That New Zealand had about their best team in the field does not make the reverse more palatable. • • • • The first and second Te Ante College teams arrived here last night. They are being billeted among friends, including several Te Aute Old Boys. To-morrow morning at 11 o’clock the Te Aute boys, also representatives of the Collegiate School will be entertained at morning tea by the Wanganui Rugby Union. , The Te Aute College—Wanganui ’ CoUegiate School match is to be j played on the latter’s ground to-mor-row afternoon, commencing at 2.30 j o’clock. The junior teams meet at one o’clock. There is certain to be a great crowd present, and it is hoped the spectators will remember the fact that they will be on a private ground and conform to any rules the School authorities may lay down.

following is the team to do battle for the Wanganui Technical College in the Moascar Cup match next Saturday: FuU-back, ST. Tabait; three-quarters, J. Crichton, E. Brown, P. Stiver; five-eighths, Rangi. Ruahine. G. Blyth; half, S. Ambrose; wing-forward, R. Cutelli; forwards: G. Thompson, F. Smith (front row). McKillop, G. Burrell (lock), K. Dixon, M. Winter (captain), S. Knight. The referee is Mr. Julian of Taranaki.

From all accounts Pirates were a bit lucky to obtain a decision over Waverley on Saturday, for the latter in the first half crossed the city team’s line on several occasions, only to lack the necessary skiU and initiative to force the attack right home. The only score was that obtained by Pirates in the latter stages, when a long kick was fumbled by the local fullback and Christiansen fell on it, being thus rewarded for his smart following-up. The outstanding player on the ground was without doubt B. Delves, who showed the same form that he displayed a couple of seasons ago. It is reported that Waverley will shortly be losing Sam. Cameron, who is returning to Taranaki to live.

If the writer could be as sure of Nukumai’s chances at Trentham this afternoon as he was that Ratana would beat Old Boys last week, then a modest ten shillings would he risk. Ratana won all right, but what a fright they got! All unheralded. Old Boys fielded a pretty good team, and for the first five minutes they put it well across the opposition. Then Ratana gathered in three tries and converted one, and it appeared as if the only matter that concerned the crowd was a mild wonder what their winning margin would be. Perhaps it was that Ratana let up a bit, or it may have been that Old Boys were suddenly possessed of the football devil, for they then swarmed over the native backs.

There was a race for the ball between a blue and a rainbow, and each player appeared to obstruct the other, finally to overrun the ball and for another blue to touch down. The referee (whose whistle evidently had a touch of a prevailing malady, a sore throat) awarded a penalty try to Old Boys, and whether this decision was an accurate one was really Immaterial, for the blues actually scored the try subsequent to the obstruction, so that no matter what the verdict the result was the same. Old Boys, no doubt surprrsed at their audacity, tried again and the crowd cheered them on, for are they not a popular team? A scrum took place near the line, they heeled cleanly to Baddeley and he came round the blind side plump into two opponents. He met them with the dummy, a feint to pass to the wing, and they swallowed it —hook, line and sinker. They dived for the winger and the diminutive half dived for the line to score as smart a try as one could wish to see. It was clever. Not even Darby could have handed out a more complete “fool-pass” which is how one spectator described the dummy.

It was left to one of the wingers, Duncan, w'hom one associates more with motor-cycling or the pursuit of the exasperating little golf-ball than of Rugby, to score the try which was to bring the scores to a level. Then Deem was over the mark, only to have the excruciating luck to drop the ball right on the line. The All Blacks were to do this several minutes afterwards in far off Sydney, so Deem was in good company. Ratana then rallied and the outcome of a fine game was that they scored the odd try out of nine and they won by that margin. In doing so Ratana can be accounted just a bit lucky. It was good to see Baddeley in his old position behind the Old Boys’ pack. Despite the fact that it was his first game for a time he gave a fine display, once again proving that he is in a class above other local aspirants for the half back position. Blyth was as solid as usual, Duncan showed that he has possibilities as a Rugby player, Cox was versatile as ever, and Marsden was safe. Of the forwards Young and Rowe were the pick.

It is undoubtedly to Ratana that the thanks of the Rugby fans arc due for the raising of the standard of play in Wanganui. They are all for the open game, and it is a peculiar trait of native players that they prefer this style, a fact for which we are duly thankful. On Saturday Ratana tossed the ball about to a considerable extent, al most recklessly, and against good opportunist players this will be dangerous. Their forwards are hard grafters. everyone putting in his weight and energy, with no place for shirkers. Every day in every way the Ratana pack arc becoming more formidable. Paki, on *ne winging game, appears to do better with each game, and in the pack it is difficult to pick on any one player as shining above his fellows. Their most promising forward is undoubtedly Bill Pine (the programme has him in as “Wiremu Pine,” and maybe that is right, but “Bill” he will always be). Raukawa (at half), J. Paki (fiveeighth), and the whole three-quarter line, Wiremu, Hartley and Haitana, make up a solid rearguard, quite the best lot of backs prossessed by any club. The three-quarter line is almost up to representative standard.

Beaten, but not disgraced. This in a nutshell describes the game between Technical College and Kaierau last Saturday. The colts did well. At times they actually had the better of the play, but in the end they succumbed to sheer weight, which even skill cannot prevail against. Forward, .against heavy forwards who did not hesitate to put all their energy into tackling light opponents, they were outclassed, but in the backs “Tech” more than held their own, and they were unlucky on several occasions in that they did not score. Some of the passing was bright, but the attack, as far as the inside players were concerned —E. Reid an exception—lacked in penetrative power, and the wings had no chance.

Ford worked hard, and is one of the best attacking wing three-quarters in the district, but it was his misfortune to be served by a centre who had but a rudimentary knowledge of the position. E. Reid did some brilliant solo work, and Cameron’s play was likewise good. The Tech pack was nippy and bright in its work, but the weight is lacking. Kaierau do not deserve any bouquets on the day, and have given many better expositions. F. Collier and McAuliffe were prominent in the backs, likewise W. Ross and L. Stewart in the forwards.

It is probable that the next season “Tech.” will be the strongest of the local teams. They would be a much stronger team this season were they able to enlist the services of several of their old boys, who are associated with other clubs. One, a representative player, when approached at the begin-, ning of the season, said he wanted to play with a stronger team, a sportsmanlike spirit’which can be appreciated at its due worth. But apart from this, it is an extremely poor principle to build up a team of any description by approaching players of other clubs.

The annual triangular College tourney, to be played this year at Wanganui, has been set down for August 23, 25, and 27, the schools competing being Wanganui Collegiate, Wellington College and Christ’s College. There should be some great football seen upon this occasion. It is unfortunate that the first date clashes with that arranged for the Nelson-Wanganui representative fixture.

Footballers in Taranaki were apparently on their best behaviour last Saturday and no players were ordered off. The surprise of the day was the defeat of Hawera, their first reverse of the season. Results were as follows: — Tukapa 20 v. Patea 3; Eltham 18 v. Waimate 8; Old Boys 12 v. Opunake 3; Stratford 12 v. Hawera nil; Inglewood 12 v. Okaiawa nil; Star 17 v. Clifton 3. The results of these games leaves Tukapa at the head of Groip one with 16 points, being followed by Eltham 14, and Kaponga 11. In Group two the positions of the three leading teams are: Hawera 18, Stratford 16, Inglewood 11.

The first Moascar Cup match of the season is to be played at New Plymouth next Saturday, the local High School being called upon to defend the trophy against Wanganui Technical College. The Wanganui team proceeds to New Plymouth by train on Friday afternoon, and will return on Monday. Unfortunately they will not be at full strength, Jope and Linssen at the present time being on the injured list, but they will certainly be strong enough to fully extend the New Plymouth boys.

The little lady knew all about Rugby, because she had never missed an Old Boys’ dance since she had “come out,” (says Christchurch Sun). At a match at Lancaster Park, she was busy explaining the game to her unversed friend. 11 And what are those big poles for?” asked the friend pointing towards the goal posts. A moment’s hesitation, and then, “Oh, they 'are the fixtures. Surely you have heard the boys talk about football fixtures, my dear.”

During the controversy at Home over the question of having two referees, one for each half, many views have been expressed. Mr Thomas Jay, the Punch contributor, did his bit, by expressing the view that two referees were necessary, so that one might give evidence at the inquest held on the other.

The general impression that when a player falls over the line he has scored is scarcely correct. His work, particularly if he is carrying the ball in the crook of his arm or under it, is not finished then by any means, for listen to this: “A try is gained by the player who puts his hand on the ball on the ground in his opponents’’ goal.” A further note states in this connection, “So as to press the ball on the ground.”

Gregory, one of last season ’a Auckland backs, has gone over to League. An interesting practice followed by the League in Auckland is the payment of 30s per playing Saturday to good senior players, an ‘‘ honorarium ’ ’ that no doubt is a fairly strong attraction for impecunious footballers, and accounts for a large measure of the quondam popularity of the game in Auckland (says the Napier Telegraph).

Inspiring thought from Mr F. T. Evans (says Christchurch Star): “Just please remember that, as 70,000 Welshmen are singing ‘Land of Our Fathers,’ 70,000 New Zealanders are whispering ‘Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha! ’ (Fight on, Fight on, For Ever!). Yes, and what are we going to sing for the match against England, now that the English Rugby Union has so shrewdly arranged this fixture for the tail end of the tour, when staleness and injuries may be expected to have left their marks on the New Zealanders. ‘For they are Jolly Good Fellows,’ What?”

A Sydney paper after the first League Test recently: “If yesterday’s match is a fair indication of the sportsmanship with which it is intended to play the 1924 Rugby League tests, it would be better if the remaining two were cancelled. There was little for the players—or some of them—to feel proud of. And the climax, when the referee was the centre of a brawl in the members’ stand—in the members’ stand, let it be repeated—disgraceful as it was, was only in keeping with the game itself. Whether the rulings of the referee were correct or incorrect, whether he favoured one side or the other, or neither, one does not expect to see brawls in the members’ stand. It is impossible to say who was to blame; but the incident is a big black blotch on the records of the sport. As a result of a remark passed by one of the spectators, a melee occurred, during which the referee, one of the touch judges and an elderly man were struck with fists.

“Australia was defeated, and soundly defeated, by 22 points to 3. Australia has been defeated before, but its people, who have a world wide fame as true sportsmen, have not shown bitterness over it. The defeat, therefore, in itself cannot have been the cause for the wild outburst such as that which occurred at the termination of the game, when the referee, returning to the dressing-room in the members’ stand, was hooted by thousands of people who waited expressly to hoot, rather than leave the ground without giving vent to their feelings. There is not the slightest doubt that the rulings of the referee offended the vast majority of the spectators, who frequently said a lot of things to him and about him. There were many instances of inexplicable decisions which. the crowd bitterly resented, and on two occasions England scored tries as a result of the referee not seeing breaches they had committed.

“One of the tries scored by Parkin was an instance. The referee had ordered a five-yard scrum, but the packs went down not more than three yards away from the line; and long before the ball was ready to be placed in the scrum the Australian pack was over its own line. All Parkin had to do when he got the ball at the side of the pack —and he didn’t retire behind the scrum, as the rules say he must—was to put the ball down. That should never have been possible. The referee seemed entirely to lose control of the game. Punching in full view of the stands was common. Darwell and Burgess were cautioned several times, and yet they still persisted in swinging their closed hands. Darwell actually knocked out Aynsley with a heavy straight right to the eye. Whether it was intentional or accidental only Darwell knows; but he was not cautioned for it —or, at all events, it wasn’t apparent to the onlookers. How Parkin got away with some things is a mystery. The crowd was amazed that the referee did not send two or three Englishmen from the field, especially as Potter had been given his marching orders—for the first time in his life—a few minutes earlier.” ALL BLACK TEAM FOR TO-DAY SYDNEY, July 8. The All Blacks team to play the Metropolitan fifteen to-morrow will be —Nepia, Lucas, Svenson, Hart, McGregor, Nicholls, Dailey, Irvine, McLeary, Masters, the Brownlie brothers, Cuppies, White and Porter. THE METROPOLITAN FIFTEEN Received July 8, 9.10 p.m. SYDNEY, July 8. The Metropolitan team is completely different to Saturday’s team. It is regarded as a fast and weighty combination. The team comprises Whipp, C. Walker, G. Walker, Mortissey, Foote, Athon, Georgeson, Elliott, Douglass, Twohig, Taylor, Holdworth, Erly, Ray-Smith, Thompson. A NEW ZEALANDER’S VIEWS. Writing to the Press, Ernie Booth, one of the 1905 All Blacks, says the All Black defeat must have given New Zealand such a shock as they have rarely e'xpeiienced. Defeat in Sydney was never expected, not even thought feasible, but though totally unexpected it is likely to be a good wholesome medicine, even if nauseous in the taking. It will steady this young team for the remainder of the tour. He describes the play of New South Wales as superb, and the whole game as a wonderful exposition. He adds: “It is palpably plain to any qualified to judge that the All Blacks are much better than present circumstances suggest. They possess all the attributes of great performers, and with judicious coaching will worthily uphold the great reputation of the previous All Blacks and Wallaby teams.” PLAYERS INJURED. Richardson sustained some damage and Badeley a bruised leg in Saturday’s play, and though not serious it may possibly prevent them playing any further matches in Australia.

CONGRATULATOR? CABLE (Per Press Association) •AUCKLAND, July 8. The president of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr. H. Frost), received the following cable from the president of the New South Wales Rugby Union (Sir Henry Braddon): There was a splendid game and attendance at Saturday’s match. Your representatives played frie’y. and will play still better as their combination is perfected. Rugby Union here has definitely come into its own, thanks largely to the admirable sportsmanship and consideration of your union. REFEREES FOR SATURDAY SENIORS. Tech. Old Boys v. Pirates, on Rec. No. 1, at 1.15 p.m.—L. Fromont. Old Boys v. Waverley, on Rec. No. 2, at 2.45 p.m.—R. M. Millard. Ratana v. Kaierau, on Rec. No. 1, at 2.45 p.m. —F. C. Atkinson. Line Umpires: Rec. No. 1, Messrs Price and Greenwood. JUNIORS. College v. Fordell, on College No. 1, at 2.45 p.m. —C. I. Spillane. Kaierau v. Ratana, on Rec. No. 2, at 1.15 p.m.—Dr. Adams. Old Boys v. Rapanui, at Rapanui, at 2.45 p.m. —J. Pauling. Aramoho v. Tech. Old Boys, on Racecourse No. 1, at 1.15 p.m. —H. Hiroti. THIRDS. College v. Marists, on College No. 2, at 1.45 p.m. —A. Williams. Old Boys v. Aramoho, on Racecourse No. 2, at 1.15 p.m.—P. Hodges. Queen’s Park Old Boys v. Pirates, on Racecourse No. 1, at 2.45 p.m. — J. B. Rowe. FOURTHS. Pirates v. Kaierau, on Racecourse No. 2, at 2.45 p.m. —W. J. Eade. College v. Marists, on College No. 2, at 3 p.m.—W. H. Rowe. Old Boys v. Aramoho, on Racecourse No. 3, at 1.15 p.m. —R. P. London. Tech. College A v. Tech. College B, on Tech. College, at 2.45 p.m.—J. Richardson. METROPOLITAN SUB-UNION The weekly meeting o£ the above was held last evening. Present: Messrs F. Haywood (president), Burton, Blennerhassett, Takarangi, Thompson, Faber, Weekes, Warden, Hurst and Shearman. Apologies were received from Messrs Atkinson and Fromont. At the request of the Wairoa SubUnion it was decided to arrange a junior match Wanganui v. Wairoa, to be played at Wanganui later in the season, Mr P. Wilson to be invited to act as the local selector. The date of the Wanganui-Rangi-tikei representative match, to be played at Marton, was held over. The explanation of Ratana Club re the residential qualifications of G. Hartley was accepted as satisfactory. Fordell's protest against Ratana playing senior men in its junior team was held over until next meeting. The secretary reported that, if sufficient inducement offered, the Railway Department would be prepared to run a special train for the All Blacks' match at Palmerston North on the 26th inst. A deputation from the Agricultural Association waited on the committee with a view to enlisting their support in the running of the Queen Carnival to be held in October-November. The committee accorded the deputation a sympathetic hearing and afterwards decided 'unanimously to support the sports queen. Messrs Haywod and Atkinson were appointed to represent the sub-union at a meeting of representatives of sports bodies. THE SOCCER GAME AMERICAN FOOTBALL POACHERS There is concern both in England and Scotland, owing to the presence here of representatives of American football clubs who have come over to persuade leading players to accept posts as trainers and coaches (says an English writer). Their offers include payment of all travelling expenses and wages on a much higher scale than it is possible to pay here. Already half a dozen men have been secured, and still the demand does not appear to have been satisfied. The position is serious, as will be appreciated from the case of Hill and the Burnley Club. Hill is a centre half, and last year Burnley paid nearly £6OOO to Plymouth Argyle for his services. At the end of last season the player made a demand which it was not possible for the club to agree to. He wanted a benefit, and the rules do not permit one to be given until a player has been with a club a certain length of time. ‘‘Very well,” said Hill, ‘‘l shall go to America.” He had been offered a coaching appointment. The Burnley club are powerless to prevent him doing so. Their -contract with him ended, on May 1. As a matter of fact, the rules allow a club only to engage a man for one season. Hill, of course, knew that he would be reengaged. I do not think the player will carry out his threat, but as America has embarked on a wholesale poaching crusade, the position is now clear. The authorities will have to take steps

to protect the clubs. One way in which this can be done is by giving the right for players to be signed on for more than one season. In all probability this will be done. At the same time, there is likely to be a substantial reduction in the value of the player. Club directors will not invest money lin men unless they can obtain a guarantee that they will got value for it. For two years an attempt has been made to enforce a maximum transfer fee. The proposal was that it should not be higher than £1650. The same proposal is again to be made, and there will be no surprise if it is now accepted by the clubs. CHINESE ON THE WAY. SYDNEY, July 8. The Chinese Soccer footballers arrived at Sydney in the Tangao Maru, and leave for New Zealand on Friday.