FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19867, 15 June 1927, Page 4

FOOTBALL

RUGBY IN WANGANUI SUB-UNION MEETING ANOTHER MAORI SHIELD CHALLENGE The weekly meeting of the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Sub-Union was held last evening; present: Messrs C. H. Warden (chair), F. J. Burton, A. Takarangi, E. V. Laws, P. Wilson, G. Thompson, H. McFeeley, R. Blennerhassett, A. Pownall. Apologies were received from Father Mahony and Mr L. Fromont. Saturday’s Takings The treasurer reported that the takings at Spriggens Park on Saturday were £56 9s (gates £4B 8s and stand £8 Is), as compared with last year’s £77 8 3 6d. Visit to Taihape The Fixtures Committee reported that a Thursday would not bo a suitable day for a senior team to visit Taihape and it was decided to notify the Taihape Rugby Union that Saturday, July 23 would be the most convenient date. The match is, if possible, to have the Pownall Shield at stake. With regard to a junior match, it was agreed that the projected visit be abandoned this season owing to the question of expense, and the matter of having a home and home match* with Rangitikei was held over. Maori Shield. A third challenge for the Maori Shield, that of the Wainui-a-rua SubUnion was received and was left in the hands of Mr A. Takarangi to deal with. Mr Takarangi stated that June 29 would be a suitable date on which to stage the Taihape-Wanganui match for the Maori Shield and this was agreed to. The game with the Wairoa SubUnion will be played a fortnight later. Manawatu and Rangitikei The matter of fixtures with Manawatu (away) and Rangitikei (home) is to be deferred until August. Spectators on Playing Ground Complaint was made that spectators had been encroaching on the playing field at the racecourse during the progress of a game and it was decided that they be compelled to keep back to the railings.

Advertising Boards The question of keeping spectators back from the advertising boards was left with the Supervision Committee.

Players’ Passes It was stated that last Saturday two players had obtained admittance to Spriggens Park without producing their passes. These two are to be reprimanded and a notice is to be placed at the entrance to the effect that all tickets must be produced on demand.

Dogs Not Admitted Attention was directed to the fact that several dogs had wandered on to the playing field on Spriggens Park on recent Saturdays and on June 3. A notice to the effect that dogs will not be admitted to Spriggens Park is to be placed at the entrance thereto. No Man’s Land

The Rangitikei Sub-Union objected to D. A. Cameron playing in the Wanganui. Sub-Union’s area, but it was decided to inform them that the player named had elected to play in Wanganui and as he resided in “No Man’s Land” between the Wangaehu and Turakina rivers, no action could be taken. Playing in the Dusk

A suggestion was received that the second senior game on Spriggens Park be commenced earlier in order that it should be finished before dark.

A rule was quoted as follows: “That all matches shall commence nut later than 3 p.m. in town and 3.15 p.m. out of town. If for any reason play shall not commence within five minutes of

the time appointed the referee, having blown the whistle, inay declare the club unable or Unwilling to proceed with the match to have lost by default. The spells shall not be less than 40 minutes and 45 minutes whenever possible, except in early matches or with schools when spells shall be not less than 35 minutes when circumstances permit.”

It was decided that, for the next three Saturdays, spells should not exceed 40 minutes in the senior games, and also that the first game terminate at 2.55 p.m., players in the second match to be ready to take the field immediately. The first match must commence promptly at 1.30 p.m. Disputed. Score

A reference to an incident in a third grade fixture last Saturday was referred to in the following terms in a letter from the Kaicrau Club:—

“During the progress of the MaristsKaierau thirds game on June 11 the referee awarded Marists a penalty try, which they converted, under the following circumstances: Laing, the Kaicrau full-back took the ball iu the field of play and was closely pursued by several opponents. He then ran back behind the goal line in an endeavour to clear but, being collared and unable to force the ball, threw it into the dead-ball area, whereupon the referee ruled as above.”

Kaicrau considered the ruling unjust and averred that no rule could be quoted to confirm the ruling. Marists ultimately won the match with a margin of 4 points. Under the circumstances Kaicrau asked that the SubUnion order a replay.

The Sub-Union decided that the referee be called upon for a report on the match in regard to the facts and the law upon which he based his ruling.

Referees for International Matches The Referees’ Association forwarded the following list, in alphabetical order, of referees available for interprovincial matches:—Messrs F. C. Atkinson, L. Fromont, J. S. King and C. I. Spillane. On Tech. Grounds

The Kaierau-Tech. fixture set down for decision on Saturday next will be played on the Tech, ground at 1.30 p.m. that day.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By “Cross-Bar.”) Although the standard of Rugby shown by the senior teams participating in last Saturday’s games indicated I a marked improvement when compared with that witnessed the previous week, it could not be said that anything in ' the nature of a brilliant exposition of the code was given. A true description of the play was that it was good club football. Players Must Be Fit. Physical fitness on the part of players is an essential if Rugby is to be i played as it should be. Some players I train but unfortunately they arc in the I minority, and glaring examples of lack I of physical fitness show up week after ! week in local football. To what great heights of fame in the Rugby world could Wanganui lift itself if only there were a few more Brookies, Johnstons and Heinolds—players fit as fiddles and always on the ball. Footballers of the calibre of those mentioned—there arc some others too — serve to show up by their dashing play, especially in the final stages of the various games, the colourless efforts of the unfit players to stick it out until time is called. Torn Jerseys. Nothing looks worse on the Rugby field than torn jerseys. There is no excuse for a club allowing its players to j take the field with clothing in a dilapidated condition, and fortunately this > rarely, if ever, happens locally. There | is also little excuse ror a player to be allowed to continue on the field when his jersey has been almost torn in half during play. There were two examples of this on Saturday, and these only served to allow the spectators to express disapproval. Club officials on the touch line should not need the public to tell them when players’ wearing apparel needs replenishing. Spirit of the County Club. All Rugby enthusiasts have a word of praise to bestow upon the County Club, not only .because of its valiant attempt against the maroons on Saturday, but for the sporting spirit which it has shown from the commencement of the competition. Th e majority of this Club’s players were Fordcll juniors last year, and it was natural that they would find the more seasoned senior clubs a little too strong for them, this year. None the less they have met all their engagements to date, and on time. To them has fallen the lot of demonstrating the true Rugby spirit—the playing j of the game for the game’s sake. Rugby fans will wish them luck. € The Referee’s Job. * The man with the whistle has the most unenviable position on the field, 1 and locally the Rugby world can boast t of having available referees of a class 1 second to none in the Dominion.

Not the least noticeable of their qualifications is their ability to apply the advantage rule with sound judgment, but alas- Their efforts are often misinterpreted by spectators who, when they see a breach on the field of play, do not hesitate to criticise the referee loudly if he docs not immediately pull the game up. The advantage rule is one that helps to make the game, not to mar it, and when applied it should earn applause and not disapproval from those on the touch-line. The Marist-Old Boys Game. Last Saturday’s principal game, the clash between Marists and Wanganui and Old Boys, was a willing contest, even if it was a trifle scrambling at some stages. The green forwards showed plenty of dash, and in the dying stages seemed |to hold their condition better than the j blues. In the back divisions both teams seemed to lack cohesion. The Connecting Links. A comparison indicated that whereas for Old Boys Blyth (half) and Cameron (wing) outclassed their opponents, Vangioni and Jones, of Marists, were better than the opposing five-eighths and centre. The blues were without the services of Elliott, who usually plays in the fiveeighths line, and this no doubt accounted for an apparent weakness in the blue rearguard, although Ball and Udy, it must be remembered, had to stand up to the spoiling tactics of a rattling pack of forwards. Fulton is Safe. Cox, the blue rover, played his usual game, maintaining his reputation of being a great opportunist. At full back for the blues Fulton played a sound game, while Lee, coming in to replace MacFarlane on the wing, showed plenty of dash and his try was a good effort. In the blue vanguard, Murie, Burdett, Wcekes, and Calcott were prominent. The Green Backs. I'or Marist, Narby played a safe game at full back, and Jones, at centre, was always in the picture in any attacking movement. There was little to choose between the two wings, Darby and Murray. On the day Murray was, if anything, the better. Tackling a Feature. Vangioni was the star in the fiveeighths line, although the Crotty brothers, Eugene before he left the field injured, and Frank subsequently, played good games, their clean low tackling being a pleasing feature. Of the green forwards it might be said that all played well, and to them in the main must Marists credit their win. Maroons Take Things Easy. Kaicrau did not play at full strength, and appeared to hold themselves in chock throughout the greater part of their match with County. In the forwards Johnston, Brookie and Lloyd Stewart showed to advantage Brookie’s fast following up is an example which many participants in local football might well emulate. A Scoring Full-Back. In the backs W. Collier, H. Stewart and Thompson (full) were the pick. ’ The latter player is a dangerous man when within striking .distance of the uprights by reason of his capable dropkicking. County Earn Applause. The County team played a good game, and thoroughly deserved the demonstrations of appreciation made by the spectators. A fault which County should take steps to remedy however, is collaring round the neck. The try scored by W Collier against them in the second spell served forcibly to demonstrate I this weakness.

Not Defending the Line. Collier passed two County defenders, each of whom participated in tearing his jersey into shreds. Heinold, behind the scrum, played a rattling game for County. He relished the tight work and he and Burnett were about the best players they had on the field. His brother, C. Heinold, also played well. Slashing Play.

Considerable interest was centred on the Pirates—Technical Old Boys game on the Racecourse, and the spectators were not disappointed in their expectations of a hard struggle.

The game, while not showing any groat brilliancy, was nevertheless highly interesting, and was made all the more so by the close forward struggles. Tech. 0.8.’s Good Fight.

Pirates are a heavy and experienced [team. This Technical Old Boys quickly realised, and by valiant defensive work and counter-attacks set out to keep the blacks at bay

It was a grim, fight, and the ex-stud-ents were successful in their efforts in the first spell. In the second section, however, the strain told its tale, andthe Technical defence was compelled to give way to the strong black invasions, with the result that Pirates emerged winners by 1G points to 3. Keen Enthusiasm. A good feature of the contest was the keen public enthusiasm. The first half, during which both teams rose to great heights, brought round after round of applause. Stars Set in Black. The Pirate backs played solidly and instituted numerous penetrating rushes. Interest was taken in the performance of Potaka, the Maori All Black. Though not by any means brilliant, ho played a handy game, J. Duncan, Fitzgerald, Potaka and Wakeling made a strong back line. Good Pirate Forwards. The Pirate van played a hard bustling game. Bennett was always conspicuous, but he was well supported by his followers. Stolid in Defeat. Praise is due to Technical Old Boys for their good performance. They fielded a weakened team, and in the course of the struggle lost the services of Pino and Boyd. Despite this, however, they continued to contest every inch of the ground. Good tackling was the magpies’ forte and many dangerous movements wore broken up solely by means of this weapon. It Pays to be Handy. Reid and Stiver were the best of the backs and the former appeared to have lost some of his onetime selfishness. Ambrose played pluckily despite his lack of weight, and scored a try through being handy at the correct time. AH the other backs got down to their work in good style. The Magpies’ Forwards. Dyke was of good account in the forwards. Despite the excellent support given by the remainder of the magpie pack, however, the Pirate van broke through by their superior weight. A Thrill For the Public. One solo effort which caught the eye, although it did not result in a score, was a dash by Potaka, From scrambling play in Technical’s twenty-five near touch he snapped un, and forced his way through the bunched defenders toward the Imo. Three or four men, however, stopped his effort within a yard of success. Let There Be Light! It is to be hoped that some effort will be, made by the Wanganui Rugby SubUnion to prevent a recurrence of the position which arose on Saturday. The two senior teams in the late (very late!) game on Spriggens Park battled at the end in a veil of smoke with the visibility further affected by the fast-falling dusk, making conditions anything but pleasant.

IN ALL BLACK CLASS

OUTSTANDING WANGANUI PLAYER JOHNSTON’S CREDENTIALS J. Johnston, the Kaierau captain, if the best forward in Wanganui to-day, and his play has already been commented upon by the Wellington critics, who predict his inclusion in the All Black team to tour South Africa next year. In the match against Taranaki on June 3 he played a sterling game. He was always in the thick of the hard stuff, and was noticed repeatedly breaking in the loose. His work in the line-outs was splendid, as he invariably took the ball cleanly, and he shone iu cleverly controlling the leather with his feet. Twenty-three years of age, Johnston stands six feet in his shoes, and- turns the scale at 14st. 21bs. He first played Rugby at Queen’s Park school undei the tuition of Mr C. Browning. Owing to overweight, he was not included in the primary schools’ representatives. On leaving school Soccer claimed his attention, but he eventually joined the Queen’s Park Rugby Club, playing for

two years. As that club did not field two years. As that club dirl not field a junior team in 1921, ho donned the jersey for Kaierau, winning his way to the forefront of senior football after one season’s play. In 1922 ho was selected to represent Wanganui, and

since then has gained representative honours every season. Ho %’aycd a dashing game for the combined Wanganui-Taranaki team, against the New South Welshmen in 1924.

He is playing at the top of his form this season, and by reason of his weight, clever footwork, clean handling, and physical fitness his claims to inclusion in the New Zealand „ team for South Africa are outstanding, and all local Rugby fans will endorse his nomination. PRACTICE REMINDERS THE PIRATE CLUB Members of the Pirate Club are requested to be in attendance at an allgrades practice arranged for 7.15 o’clock this evening at Spriggens Park. KAIERAU CLUB All members of the Kaicrau senior* team are requested to attend practice at. the training shed, Spriggens Park, to-night and to-morrow night. A full attendance is imperative. ARAMOHO CLUB AH members of the Aramoho Football Club arc reminded of the training practices at the Aramoho Boat Club shed at 7.30 to-night and on Thursday. A NEW RULING FBONT ROW OF SCRUM LONDON, Juno 13. Tho International Rugby Union Board has made it illegal to play more than three in the front row of the scrum, but referees will not penalise unless the breach is wilful and persistent. The Board has also decided to permit scrum halves to call out how the ball is being put in. The decisions apply to all games ithe British Isles. TOUR OF BRITAIN NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM WALLACE APPOINTED CAPTAIN SYDNEY, June 13. The New South Wales Rugby Union has appointed Wallace captain of thSw team to tour Britain and Franco. Four was appointed, vice-captain. Tho additional member of the team has been chosen. He is Bland, a forward.