SATURDAY’S RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19358, 13 July 1925, Page 6

SATURDAY’S RUGBY

RATANA’S SECOND BIG SURPRISE

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS DOWNED

RESULTS: Kdtaz.n Old Boys S Kaierau 13, Pirates 3 Tech. Old Boys .... 15. Marists 6 The Rugby matches played on the Rec. on Saturday afternoon were of a very disappointing nature. There was nothing inspiring about the play in the three principal fixtures, and the only cause the large crowd had to enthuse over was the defeat-of Old Boys by Ratana after an exciting finish. Kaierau beat Pirates, and Tech. Old Boys qualified for the third round by defeating Marists. The latter team, with Ratana (who have made their run too late) now drop out of the senior competition.

FINE DAY—DULL GAMES

I EXPECTATIONS NOT REALISED j After the first forty five minutes, despite a pronounced territorial advantage for four-fifths of the period, Kalt ama were only five points to the gooß. < >hi Boys, under strong pressure, had maintained with credit their usual i standard of defence. The tackling [was not consistently sound, but Ratana ; chose to wage their 'attack by long I kicking, and fast following forward 'rushes. It was thought that on changing over Old Boys would come to light, jand pull the game out of the fire. Such was not the case for there was lititle or no weakening in lhe play of the ■ natives, and tficy more than held their I own. Right well did they extract full toll from their weakening opponents, jThey called the tune with a vengeance, land had the finish been as good they [would have been still more points to the good. OLD BOYS’ WEAKNESS Tn direct contrast to their rivals’ remarkable recovery, the efforts of the blues were feeble in the extreme. Gone altogether was that inspired resource and determination which was witnessed the previous Saturday against Tech. Old Bovs. Cox and Darby wore the only Old Boys’ bticks who were going down to the rushes of the native forwards and they must, bo given credit for trying to maintain their team's refutation. At half-back Baddeley rejceivfed the attention of the Ratania. forwards on more than one occasion. The , understanding amongst the rest of the (backs was poor and the combination 1 exceedingly primitive.

KAIERAU TOO GOOD FOR PIRATES ,j HOW OLD BOYS WERE BEATEN. | f TECH. OLD BOYS DEFEAT THE * MARISTS. J : i Rugby fans and players could not L have had a more glorious winte r ' S r afternoon for the pursuit of their fav- ( ourite pastime than that prevailing on ’ Saturday. Consequently the enthus- L iasts rolled up at the Rec. in fine force, r and left the ground extremely disap- c pointed. Not one of the three senior < games was up to the standard set in 1 the last few weeks; indeed, it was the worst programme seen this season. In the Kaierau-Pirates clash the former led by two tries, one converted. . and another five points came their way after the turn over, with Pirates scor- * •ng a penalty try. Tech. Old Boys * were at times very much harassed by .he bustling tactics adopted by the ( ine Marist pack, although they won 1 Through by five tries to two tries. Ash was responsible for four of the winners’ tries. After tbeir victory over Pirates the I previous week, and in view of the fact I 1 that Old Boys were hard put to it to , place a good fifteen in the field, it was • quite, expected that Katana would run j the leaders close. Not only did the natives run Old Boy« close, but they I got into the lead early and kept it to I the end, despite a desperate struggle in j the second spell. Two tries, one con- I verted, to an unconverted try, was the advantage in Katana’s favour. The, o’ame was a strenuous one all the way. | These games concluded the second [ round, the points now being as fol- [ lows: — Kaierau D> Old Boys -I”’ ' Pirates 1,1 Tech. O. B I Marist 4 ‘ Katana 0 The first four teams in the above list | •cmain in for the third (and final) j round, which will not commence until I August 15—five weeks from last j Saturday. This coming week is a • blank, the two following Saturdays | there are inter-Sub-Union fixtures, and’ on the next Saturday, August S there are representative matches bore (Waikato) and at New Plymouth (Taranak.). RATANA’S SHOCK TACTICS TOO MUCH FOR OLD BOYS NATIVES THE BETTER TEAM Contrary to general expectations, Old Boys, the pride of Wanganui’s senior competition, whose consistency during the season had carried them to the premier position in the championship, failed in no uncertain fa.-hion on Ke<*. No. 2, when they went under to Katana to the tune of 8 points to 3. Katana’s victory was perhaps even more convincing than the margin of ive points would indicate. True, O 1 1 Boys were without the services of a couple of their regular forwards, including Adams, who is one of their best players, but they had the services of R. Murie, who arrived on the ground a few minutes prior to the commencement of the game. Katana were also at a disadvantage, playing without Hartley and Paranibi. Tn the first spell Kaluna had the good fortune to play with a strong sun at their backs and they utilised this to f.xyj ad van lage. tvid strange though it fra* seem, the rdaf*ve9 revealed a stronger resource after the interval, when tlcy were expected to be at a dis’iidvan Tag©. Possibly this great recovery of dormant determ na’ -.u had r Old Boys by surprise, ' ; th If observers, but th- ail i-rri--- : remains teat, during tl ir r »d d.-tri-niontr-l facers > ’ . i. I r i’f.rped Pu-ann ard c'-rresp u: i . given the Old P»oy.« c?u- >::r: gu'i.ent make the rcqirsite off rt t .• ■ id anoH victory to their crf.i t, tx.-jiy the reverse was witnessed.

The forwards wore mon of mood —ht their strongest when they were opposed io the full strength of their opponents. and at their worst in the open. In addition to these failings, Old Boys began to tiro. Maybe they were compelled to accept the inevitable with the [best grace possible, but it was doubly disappointing when eomphrisions are I made with the dash displayed in their previous games.

On the other hand Ratana, to a man. played with a determination thfit spell success from the jump, and every credit must bo given them on their clear-cut victory. THE PLAY AND SCORERS Early impressions of the play were distinctly favourable to Katana. Brom U scrum inside Old Boys’ twenty five the ball was heeled to Hi roti, who shot it out to Het it, to Roberts, who cut past. Cox and Blythe in a flash. The dashing centre sprinted with only the full-back ahead, but his pass to Paki went lastray and a great chance was lost. Baddeley was trying his best to swing his backs into action, and at the critical moment something always went wrong. The natives worked down to the left corner, and from the Tuck the ball was whipped out to T. MOHOANUT. who dived over in U good posit’or. WHAT. PINE converted with a. neat kick and Ratana were five points up. Ratana 5 Old Boys 0 Playing with extraordinary dash, Ratana were gr. ing Old Boys more than they bargained for. S. Paki elecI trilled the crowd with a sensational sprint, and Darby gained applause by bringing him to earth with a low d:ving tackle. Fluctuating play saw the remainder of the spell out with the scores unaltered. A STIRRING SECOND HALF Evidence of Katana’s determination was Soon apparent in the second spell. In the first live minutes the backs, by smart combination, got the ball tc Haitana, who set off diagcrrilly down [the field, cutting clean through the Oh; Boys’ backs, but Darby, who ca nu I across field quickly, magged to past him out at the corner flag. A.fter th* I let up, penalties were awarded tie. jblues in fair to good positions, 1 ut tin I kicking lacked direction. I S. Paki got away on the left wing fut w: s overtaken and hurled ini« I tc-uand on the other flank Wircrni •sr.i-c.’ an op-ring bv failing to accep [a ;i n f S':-: ‘.’tii*.’. • eoul l not In . J-* I, a.’-d ufter -• gf’ii.-vs run l»i .II . i ■’ • *.. v r <r >- i i : tl'C 11 i v.orient, the ball was s cored ! • S FaKL. and he scored wide out. Tic ,k : ?k at goal from a difficult-aagl ; Fotina 8 | lb-.- Boys 0 i 7'i-c-i 01.1 Beys for ten miri.'iis pen • , nc<i IV.■ r.llves in t?• e : ,• q. rL r. I ! 1;eld up en I.i:e Ene, an ?f r. :.n <?. <r- • hie tl -1„ II w: - han b? 1 t vL( ' •'' iwb.G forced his way r.rr'rts in d -i r. [’ition. Al th..'” ugh it w-.v. Cox’s \ I' She failed with, the kick. i I ] | Ratana S I Ohl Boys 3

In the dying stages of the game Old Boys tried desperately hard to even up the score, but it was not to be. for the final whistle wont with the score board reading: Ratana 8 Old Boys 3 Dr. Adams controlled the game. ANOTHER WIN FOR KAIERAU PIRATES DEFEATED BY 13 POINTS TO 3. Followers of the code who anticipated a sterling contest as a result of the dashing of Ihc old rivals, Kaierau and Pirates, were sadly disappointed at. the game they put up, especially as the match was starred as the principal attraction of the day. The game was anything but brilliant, and resolved itself largely into a. struggle between the forwards. The maroons held a slight advantage in this department. while their backs were infinitely superior to lhe opposing rearguard, although they could not get going in characteristic style, probably due to the fact that Stead replaced Chisholm behind the serum. There is no gainsaying the fact that Kaierau were the better side on the day, and their ultimate, victory by 13 points to 3—after having an advantage of eight points at half time — was thoroughly deserved. THE PLAY. The. initial kick by the maroons was fielded by Hurley, who dashed through and short, punted 1o put Pirates on the offensive. The blacky threatened to storm their opponents’ citadel in the first few minutes of play, but H. Stewart staved off the forward rush with a nice mark. The Pirate backs were now seen in action, Mathieson sending the ball along Ihe chain to J. Delves, who fumbled when a likely chance presented itself. The maroons hustled their opponents on to the defensive for the first time in the match, and Stead worked the blind side to AleAulifTe and Carrell, who overran the pass. Persson eventually directed operations away from the blacks’ citadel with a good solo effort, an infringement by the blacks shortly afterwards enabling McAuliffe to find touch near the corner flag. From a heated melee about ten yards out, Brookie broke through the ruck, but lost possession when a score looked imminent, and Pirates forced in the nick of time. Kaierau maintained the pressure, a long pass by Stead allowing Wakcling to beat McAuliffe for the ball and relieve the pressure. Give and lake play eventuated, both sides having their turns of offensive and defensive play. When Kaierau were again besieging, L. Stewart, sent the ball from the loose to McAuliffe, to Stewart, to Titter, to Collier, who was nicely grassed by .1. Delves. A sustained forward attack by the maroons resulted in Collier nearly forcing his way over in the corner twice in quick succession, but Hurley eventually returned play to neutral territory with a kick that found touch well down.

THE SECOND HALF. On resumption of hostilities the blacks attacked strenuously and Brookie was penalised for off-side play. Bowen’s shot from well out, however, failed to find the uprights, and McAuliffe effected a clearance. Loose play near mid-field saw Wakcling kick through the ruck to clear. AV. ROSS gathered in nicely, beat off the high tackles of the opposing forwards and backs and raced half the length of the field to touch down under the posts. The kick presented no difficulty 1o W. COLLIER: Kaierau 13 Pirates U Flay of little moment eventuated until Stewart broke away when Kaierau were defending and transferred to Titter to Carrell, who passed forward in trying to in-pass to McAuliffe. Fortunes fluctuated repeatedly in the play that followed, but the game became devoid of interest. Mathieson eventually worked his backs, the ball going to Robson, who fumbled the high pass and W. Boss dribbled through only for Bowen to save with a good kick that found touch, interest in the. game grew less and J ss as the game progressed and the majority of the grandstand patrons were attracted to the game on the No. 2 ground. When Kaierau were again defending in the dying stages of the game, an infringement gave BOWEN an opportunity to pilot the ball over the bar from outside the twonty-llve. The kick was a beauty, and Pirates’ had registered their only score of the, match. The game terminated shortly afterwards with the scores reading;

At this stage Collier was apparently obsessed with the idea that he could drop goals from the most difficult angle, his shots being lamentably poor attempts. Kaierau had the better of exchanges until lhe black forwards hustled play to the other end of the field, where Carroll, in trying to relieve, fumbled.* Hurley was upon him like a shot, and he kicked too hard over the line and w ; as beaten in a race for the leather. AVhakarau, Persson. Hurley. Healey and G. Ross were now associated in a dribbling movement, which saw the first-mentioned player nearly over in the corner. Kaierau were penalised, but Brown’s kick —a poor one —failed to reach its objective. When the maroons were again attacking Stead sent the leather to Collier, who came around the scrum to pass to McAuliffe, the latter being nicely grassed when endeavouring to cut in. The first score came about twentyfive minutes after the commencement, a loose concerted rush culminating in LOCKETT forcing his way across. COLLIER added the major points with a nice kick: Kaierau 5 Pirates U Persson followed up the s-:bscq-.ieot kick and charged down Titter’s clearing return. As a consequence in-.ngs looked critical for the mcrbut Simpson saved 1!..'; si.-.cation with a good kick. Kri.'.e-'a’i 1 • *wt.grad-i ually tr red opvatior- io tl. ; oppo.-:;.‘ c’ d c,t’ I};.? fi ’ld. wb-'ie Stead AVI •k« d liL’ b.icku ineftOct ;;ally. He subsequcctly whlnpcu r- und the scrum to be p’.bcd utrwn on lhe line, and <• (. Eijy settled down in ncu:r:;l teiri ? e:y, until concerted moveL I ween the maroon forwards and h’.i-ks resulted in the blacks having Io i-if-e down to keep their line intact. A sustained forward attack immedi:-lely afterwards saw J. JohnI stun pick up from the loose near the blacks’ last line, and he sent the IT-a.l out to L. STEWART, who dived j over well out. Collier’s kick —a beauty —-did not have the required direction: Kaierau 8 Piiates 0 The black forwards retaliated strenuously —Hurley, Ennis and Persson beinu most conspicuous, and carried play to Kuiotau’s lice However, the combined work id’ the Jiogs brothers, Lockett and John.-ton g’a-.'ually forced them back to midfield. Here Stead got the oval smartly away from the ruck, to Collier, to McAuliffe, to H. S'.- -v.-.rt. to Titter, to Carrell, woo race I »! wn i the line, but was nicely tackled by :II > ■'. Hurley, coming up L- i ppert, j’brld the maroon forwards up o."’ , tnrrebel: was s c.ddY.do. Too spell j fuv.nd the teams battl.mg oa even terms.

Kaierau 13 Pirates 3 Air L. Eromont was referee. TECH. OLD BOYS v. MARISTS The early game, between these teams, was remarkable only for the mediocrity of the play throughout. The opening few minutes were, cer tainly desultory. After Tech. 0.8. had tried a couple of passing movement-, Afarists’ forwards took charge and for a good five minutes they had their opponents hemmed down. Ultimately Delves attempted a clearing kirk, and F. Crotty, beating Ash for the cal ch, the Alarist winger easily ran past, bis vis-a-vis and set sail tor lhe corner. Coming to .Skeen, CROTTY hurdled him and somersaulted to touch down for a smart try. Corliss’ kick was short: Afarists 3 Tech. 0.8 o Nettled by this reverse and realising that he would have to depend on his backs to counter the Alarist pack. Delves set the Tech. 0.8. rearguard moving, and the second attempt bore fruit. Delves, Reid, Stiver and ASH handled for the last-named to score well out, and Delves’ kick missing, the scores were even: Tech. 0.8 3 Afarists 3 Once again the magpie backs got on lhe move, and Stiver, coining up nicely to take a lob pass from Irwin, he passed to ASH, the winger evading weak efforts at tackling and scoring near the posts. Delves’ kick failed again: Tech. 0.8 G Afarists 3 A few minutes later ASH was given a clear run in for his third try. Delves had three failures written down against him in his attempts at conversion:

Tech. 0.8 9 Marists 3 A loose rush by the green forwards saw Skeen smother up his man, and from the ensuing scrummage Tech. 0.8. cleared, and shortly at ler they forced when again pressed. There was no further score at half-time, the board reading: Tech. 0.8 u Marists ;; SECOND SPELL. In the first minutes of lhe second half Grubb sent the Tech. 0.8. backs away, a fine opening proving of no avail when Ash fumbled his pass. The winger made amends shorth after by scoring near the corner, making the fourth try for ASH. Delves missed with the kick: Tech. 0.8 J2 Afarists ;; The green forwards changed the situation, and finally their efforts were rewarded, when KRUSE went over rhe line to gain Afarists’ second try. Hammond’s kick missed: Marists 6 Tech. 0.812 The greens should have scored again, for the chance was there, but Dow.sett ' saved the situation, and then Kerr missed with a shot at penalty goal. Play fluactuated for a period, and towards the end of the spell AlcLauchlan dribbled down for SEWELL to fall on the ball over the line for a soft try. Reid’s kick missed, and the game ended: Tech. 0.8 J 5 Afarists 6 Dr. Hutchison refereed. DOWN THE GRADES JUNIOR. Fordell 17 v. Tech. College 5. Tech. Old Boys -won by default from Collegiate School. Kaierau 16 v. Wanganui Old Boys 0. Pirates JI v. Duricvalc 0. Aramoho J 1 v. Ratana 9. TH [RD. Queen’s Park Old Boys 9 v. Pirates Tech. Old Boys forfeited to Fordell. Wanganui Old Boys 9 v. Kaierau 0. Aramoho 6 v. ’Y.AI.C.A. 6. FOURTH. Queen’s Park Old Boys 12 v. Pirates FIFTHS. Pirates 21 v. Tech. A. 0.

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