FOOTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19933, 31 August 1927, Page 4

FOOTBALL

RUGBY VIEWS TOURNAMENT MATCH WITH WAIRARAPA (By “Cross Bar.” It is not surprising that sport-loving New Zealanders, with a just feeling of pride for their national game and keen te see its traditions worthily guarded, z should look forward with the keenest interest to matches on the playing lields of the Dominion's colleges and schools, for there, added to the traditions of the game, are school traditions just as old, just as important, which He in the safe keeping of the teams which take the field. In college games wins or losses count for little, the boys p.laying Rugby for the glory of the game, ind for the glory of the schooL Was it any wonder, then, that over three thousand spectators should gather at the Collegiate School grounds on Saturday to be present at the opening of the 1927 inter-Collegiate Rugby tournament between teams from Canterbury, Nelson. Wellington and Wanganui Colleges? Four games were played, two on Saturday and two on Monday, and on both days those present were treated to bright expositions of the code, fully in keeping with the best Rugby traditions and the history of the four colleges represented-. Wanganui Winners. •

The Wanganui Collegiate School fifteen played sterling football and by defeating Christ’s College in the Monday’s match won the tournament. Their win was as popular as it was meritorious. Wanganui v. Wellington. In their first game Wanganui met Wellington and won fairly comfortably their fast backs gaining a greater share of the ball Wellington opened strongly, their forwards playing with inspiring vim, but they lost colour with the progress of the game and except in the • iving stages failed to impress. The black backs handled as opportunity permitted, but their passing was too slow and their speed was not the equal uf that of their opponents, thus allowing the home wing-forward l , breakaway's aui inside backs to adopt effective spoiling tactics. Christ’s College and Wanganui. By defeating Nelson in the Saturday s game, Christ’s College earned the, right to play Wanganui for the championship and, as was anticipated, a good game resulted. The College forwards played a great game in the line-outs, scrums and tight play, but whenever the game opened up the fast home backs handled* and were a dangerous side whenever in action. Christ’s College backs gained possession on many occasions, but they * lacked the speed’ and attacking qualities of the school rearguard and. their passing wag erratic. Addoi to that Wanganui’s tackling was of the true Rugby type—clean and low—and attempts to pierce such defence were doomed to failure almost before they were started*. College had to thank their forwards for their one and only try. Reviewing the game, an impartial judgment would be that the final scores correctly represented the margin of difference between the teams, but it appeared as though College wouSi have been far better advised to make Tt a tight game, their forwards keeping the ball at their feet instead of heeling it to backs who were outclassed in speed, handling and attacking ability. The “Wooden Spoon.’’

Nelson won the “wooden spoon,” but were by no means disgraced. In Saturday’s game they showed game defence and kept Christ’s College at bay for a great part of the time. The final scores were 12 to nil, indicating that Nelson had played valiantly, for the Christ’s College forwards were by no means an easy sidje to hold. On Monday, Nelson played Wellington. It was expected that they would give the blacks a good game, and they did. Wellington, however, showed to better advantage than they did against Wanganui, and their forwards were too good for the blues. WANGANUI TOURISTS THE WAIRARAPA MATCH REVIEWED Casualties and a sodden ground did not enhance Wanganui 's chances in their game with Wairarapa on Saturday, and taking all things into consideration they performed creditably in fosing by a margin of only nine points. First Spell Wanganui’s. The first spell was in Wanganui’s favour, notwithstanding the fact that the team finished it eight points to the bad*. Had the original three-quarter line been intact it is doubtful whether Wairarapa would have scored. The home team dominated the second spell, but it was not by any means one-sidoi The blue hookers were badly beaten throughout the whole of the game and the home team gained possession from 95 per cent, of the set scrums. A Mud Scramble. Heavy rain fell during a great part "the game and the ground was a veritable quagmire. Despite this the visiting forwards played* up to form ind in the loose were a better side than their opponents. Leahy ShinesLeahy was the best forwand; on the ground, time and again impressing the critics with ‘his sterling play. Johnston and Jackson were outstanding in a very even pack which played solidly right through the game.

Oxley Rivals DonaldPlaying wing-forward Oxley was more than a match for Jim Donald, and time and again his play stirred the spectators to enthusiasm. Darby’s Day Out. Darby was on the job, and when “Mick” is that way inclined he. pleases everybody. His handling of a wet ball wag splendid and he trickily extricated himself from many tight corners. Wangaimi’s Backs. Duncan, Vangioni and McLennan were the pick of Wanganui’s backs. Cameron on the wing was weak. and. Amorangi, who held out until half-time, was practically useless. It was fortunate that Narby was available. He played solidly on defence and was a tower of strength when Wairarapa were aggressive in the second spelL Strong Wairarapa Team. Wairarapa fielded perhaps the strongest team they have had out this season. Cooke was undoubtedly their best man, and the attacks in the main pivoted on him. The three-quarter line was not impressive. Quentin Donald was the home team’s best forward, with Reside close in support. Harvey, Irvine and Parker were only fair. NOTES AND COMMENTS RANDOM JOTTINGS At the weekly meeting, last evening, of the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Sub-Union there were present Mr A. J. Weekes (chairman), Father Mahony and Messrs R. Bl rhwapft A Taka rangi, A- Pownall, P« Wilson and L. _ Fremont. Messrs K G. G. I Pownall and EL P. London attended to discuss with the Sub-Union arrangements with regard to the All Black trial match at Spriggens Park on September 21. Next Saturday’s Visitors It was notified that the Hautapu Club, the Taihape junior champions, would visit Wanganui next Saturday and play Pirate juniors on Spriggens Park at 1.30 p.m. At 3 p.m. the Manawatu juniors will commence a match with the Wanganui junior representatives. Wanganui Champions The third round of the Wanganui senior Rugby competition was declared closed, with Kaierau the winners of the championship, at last evening’s meeting of the Sub-Union. The matter of decided on the contestants for the Charity Cup fixture will be decided at the next meeting of the Sub-Union. Junior Representatives The following are the Wanganui junior representatives selected to piny Manawatu juniors on Spirggens Park at 3 p.m. next Saturday: —Harrison (A), Newman (K), James (Q-P-), Jackson (QJ*.), McGregor (O.B.), Beaven (K), Raynor (K), Grenside (A), Thwaites (C), Thurlow (Q-P-), Broad (O.B.), Kearns (Q.P.), Mill (A), Gias* gow (K), Parkes (K). Reserves:— Purnell (K), Gordon (O.B.), Brownie (K), Crease (O.B.), Pargeter (Q-P-). These players are requested to attend Spriggens Park to-morrow at 7.15 p.m. Owing to Pirate players not being available new players have been seclected to fill vacancies. Any player unable to play is requested to notify the selector the secretary of the Rugby Union.

All Black Trial Bookings It wa s (decided last evening to altot the following tentative bookings of seats for the All Black trial match:— Taranaki 75, Manawatu 50, Wellington 50- With 50 officials and 200 season ticket holders to receive preferential booking, some 530 seats in the Spriggens Park stand will be available for booking by general public. Attack or Defence?

It would appear that coaches have a tendency to pay all their attention to training players to attack and in doing so are apt to overlook defence. It is not suggested that any slackening in coaching on attacking features should occur but if better tackling is to result the younger players in the lower grades should be taken in band and taught to “go slow.”

OTAGO ON TOUR REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Aug. 30. McClymont and Roy Callender (backs) are unable to accompany the Otago team leaving on Thursday on the northern tour, and their places will be taken by Ron. Callender and Wilson. PRACTICE REMINDERS PIRATES CLUB An all grade practice of the Pirate Football Club will be held in the training' shed. Spriggens Park, at 7.15 tonight. In view of forthcoming important matches, all members of the Junior, Third and Fourth grades are particularly requested to attend. The Juniors will play Hautapu for the McKee Cup at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday at Spriggens Park. QUEEN’S PARK CLUB. Members of the Queen’s Park Club are requested to attend practice at the Recreation shed to-morrow night at 7.15 o’clock the shed being available by the courtesy of the Old Boys’ Club.

RANFURLY SHIELD TABANAKI AND MANAWHENUA TO-DAY’S GAME AT PALMERSTON Dominion-wide interest centres in the big game at Palmerston to-day when Manawhenua will defend Taranaki’s challenge for the Ranfurly Shield. Both teams will be at full strength, and a stirring contest is predicted. Th game will be the first in which Manawhenua appear in the role of defenders of the trophy, and it is only natural that they will make a determined bid to retain it. Taranaki, on the other hand, is quietly confident of success and will make every effort to give the shield a new home —the third it has had this season —and few will be surprised if the trophy goes bock once more to a resting place in the dairy province. Mr F. E; Sutherland, of Auckland, who controlled last Saturday’s Auck-land-HawkeVs Bay match, will referee the game. The game has an added interest as far a» Wanganui is concerned, in that the result of it will determine the venue of the game in which Wanganui will contest the shield. If Manawhenua is the trophy will be at stake when Wanganui plays in Palmerston on Saturday next, but if Taranaki lifts it ?the local team will not contest it until they meet the latter at New Plymouth on September 17. Prior to to-day’s game the shield, which for nearly two months, has been the subject of a Rugby dispute, will be presented to the Manawhenua Rugby Union. The Taranaki team will be as follows: —Collins, W Hokaia, Brown, Dinniss, Johnston, Owen, Morey, Dean fwing-forward), Young, Robinson, Ward, O’Keefe, Walter, Ki veil and C. Wills I Reserves. —Back*: C. Hokaia and Goodwin; forwards: Murphy and Sturney. The Manawhenua Team The following are defending the Ranfurly Shield against Taranaki:— Brophy, Roberts, Hunt, McDonald, Goji'ifinch, Mullins, W. Parata, Jacob, Anderson, Tremewan, Payne, Galpin, Crawford, Heatley, Miles.