RUGBY NEWS SATURDAY’S PLAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 106, 6 May 1929, Page 4

RUGBY NEWS SATURDAY’S PLAY

PIRATE BACKS IMPRESS KEEN SEASON’S COMPETITION PREDICTED Saturday’s Rugby resulted as might have been predicted, Kaierau soundly defeating Eatana, Pirates accounting for Technical Old Boys, and Marist more than holding their own with County. What little surprise there was lay in the margin of difference County and Marist, a better showing having been looked for from the reds. With two Saturday’s of the season gone, play predicts that three, possibly four, teams will fight a hard battle for honours —Old Boys, Kaierau, Pirates, and either Technical Old Boys or Marist. Kaierau ’s pack has demonstrated that it is a solid force and the improvement in Pirate backs was a feature of Saturday’s play. Indications point to a keenly contested season.

GAME DEFENCE; FAST BACKS PIRATES’ SIX-POINT VICTORY. Summing up Saturday’s star game, played on Spriggens Park, two outstanding features come to mind—the vastly-improved Pirate rearguard and the game Technical Old Boys’ defence. The run of play indicates the latter point very clearly. Technical Old! Boys were penned to their own territory for the greater portion of the first spell and for a good part of the second, yet they were able, for three parts of the game, to keep level with the attackers. Even allowing for a degree of lack of finish manifest at times in the black attacks, credit for this must rest mainly with the defence, and at that with the last line. It ’ was noticeable, however, that at times the Technical Old Boys inside backs showed a disinclination to tackle at tho proper time. Kilby made a great difference behind tho black scrum, both as a general and a player. Duncan and he combined admirably, and there is no doubt that it was their quickness in initiating attacks that was responsible for victory in tho end. The teams were fairly even in the forwards, the blacks showing superiority, perhaps, in rallying and in exploiting the faults of their opponents.

Play hovered at halfway at the commencement, until the Technical Old Boys’ rearguard got the ball. Reid kicked up-field to McMillan, the Pirate winger finding the line nicely in his opponents’ twenty-live. From the ruck Kilby sent the black line away, Duncan, Lowe and Wakeling handling, to give Williams possession and a chance to use his speed and score. It was a nice movement. James failed to add the points—Pirates 3; Technical Old Boys 0.

A battle royal waged between the two packs, the blacks getting slightly the better of it. Over-eagerness spoilt their chances at one stage, a penalty against them enabling the defenders to clear. Coining back at the attack Lowe gave McMillan a quick pass The winger kicked high, followed up, regained possession and made a spectacular run. Unsupported, a promising movement broke down at Allen. Tasker led the defending forwards away from the danger zone, carrying the play back to half-way. The backs infringed, Tilley attempting to goal, but the ball went wide. Again the Pirate backs moved into action, Kilby sending them off with a characteristic scrum pass, Duncan. Lowe. Wakeling and Williams testing a defence which held true and forced the winger intc touch. Magpies’ Game Defence. A scrum got down on the Technical Old Boys’ line, from which Kilby was given the ball. Duncan’s pass to Lowe

was a little high, but Wakeling was quick enough to retrieve a rolling bail and send McMillan down the side-line into touch-in-goal. The defence was game. The defenders showed a burst of life at this stage, sweeping down tho field into the Pirate twenty-five. Brown was collared in possession and the blacks, exploiting the position, resumed the offensive. Three times in succession, as the result of Kilby’s lightning passes to a fast rearguard, they were within an ace of scoring. It was nothing less than a game defence that kept them uut. Tasker again headed the Technical Old Boys’ van, closely supported by Ward and White. They went unchecked until Lowe grubbered from his own twenty-five. Relief for the blacks was but temporary, however, Reid initiating a movement that was destined to bring reward. He got possession in midfield and nonplussed the opposition by passing infield to Tilley instead of to the wing, the attack changing direction suddenly to threaten the goal on the opposite side of the field. Ambrose, Caird, Tasker and White handled in sucession and the last-named, running with determina- | tion, found the objective. Tilley failed to convert, and the scores were even— Technical Old Boys 3; Pirates 3. Technical Old Boys showed life and again their backs attacked, Ambrose, Derbyshire, Reid and Tilley handling. The centre tried to cut in with Brown outside, but the black defenders anticipated the move and the attack came to naught Reid came away r after taking the ball from a speculator by Williams and raced to halfway. Brown carried on but McMillan’s tackle brought hirn down clean, the ball rolling infield to Tilley Brown was on his ieet to take the centre’s pass but the black defence had had time to rallv and the play was forced into touch. Ennis came out of the ruck and a long kick had Allen in trouble, the black forwards closing with him as he went down gamely near the goal. The defenders infringed, Kilby failing to profit, and half-time sounded with the scores still even Tho defensive ability of both sides had withstood stern tests.

On resuming McMillan swung in behind a scrum and sent tho black backs away, but tho handling was erratic and Ambrose nipped into it. Tilley and Brown assisted and the black goal was threatened. The defence hold, however, and scrambling play centred at half-way. White came through and kicked 1 ,ond Janies, a race ensuing between the black custodian and White for possession of a rolling ball. James’ neat handling saved the position and ho found the line. Derbyshire passed to Tilley and a short punt sent Brown and McMillan off in a race for possession. Brown smothered his vis-a-vis and the touch judge’s flag stayed the

onslaught. Technical Old Boys were the aggressors at this stage, Crichton making three sucessive attempts to score, but the black defence was sound]. Wakeling’s Try. Kilby frustrated tho Magpie forwards, however, and, taking the ball from their toes, let Buncan and Lowe away. Lowe found touch in the Technical Old Bops’ twenty-live and from the throw-in Kilby sent his backs away, JDuncan, Lowe and Wakeling taking passes in succession. The black centre beat the tackling and scored a nice try to cap a strong run. McAiillan s kick failed —Pirates 6; Technical Old Boys 3. The blacks attacked again, erratic ! passing by the defending rearguard letting Williams speculate follow up, gainer in and score. James could not goal—Pirates 9; Technical Old Boys 3. Pirates were more than holding their own at this stage, the hitherto game magpie defence appearing to wilt. ■McMillan scored again after a burst of speed, grounding the ball as he was tackled by Allen on the line. James’ kick missed—Pirates 12; Technical Old Boys 3. Just to show that they still had it in them Technical Old Boys showed th c lighting spirit. The forwards battled and Ambrose came away with a smart run He gave Tilley a pass, but the movement was smothered for a moment. Ambrose came at it again, passing neatly to Derbyshire, to Ward, ahead of whom lay a gap in the defence of which he took full advantage with a commendable turn of speed. Reid failed to add the points—Technical Old Boys 6; Pirates 12. The only incident of note from then to the end was an attempt, by Tilley, to goal from near hallway, the ball just falling short. The game ended with the scores:— Pirates 12 Technical 0.8. 6 Mr AV H. Rowe was referee. KAIERAU PACK IN FORM RATANA DEFEATED BY BIG MARGIN. ' The early game on Spriggens Park was between Kaierau and Katana, and the final scores, 27 to nil in favour of the maroons, about correctly summed up thc comparative merits of the two teams. Katana rarely looked dangerous, and Kaierau, using their pack to advantage, were aggressors for the greater part of the game. Tho Maoris boasted one or two individualists, but, as a team, they were lacking. Kaierau were hard up in front, but at times their backs lacked finish and were unconvincing in consequence. First blood was drawn when Leaeli crossed near the corner flag. He got possession after a smart passing rush, was tackled by Roberts, but was able to ground the ball The kick failed— Kaierau 3, Ratana 0.

Shortly after resuming, Ratana swept down thc line, Jetting Wereta away to fall heavily to Darby’s tackle, play swinging back into thc native’s territory. The reds using their pack to advantage. Narbey marked ten yards inside halfway, and attempted to goal, the ball going a little wide and Ratana forced. Tainchana fielded a kick by Narbey and sent his outside backs, away, but the defence closed with P. Pamou and the attack failed. Roberts got away at half-way, but Darby brought him down , Kaierau maintaining superiority. The Maoris showed a spurt of life and closed with Kaierau’s defence. Darby saving witli a long kick. When close to thc Ratana goal Glenn got possession and appeared to score, but the ruling was a five-yard scrum. Undismayed the Maoris came back at the attack and D. Ross crossed fairly wide out. Coupland added points—Kaierau 8; Ratana 0. Ross, Tremewan and Glenn handled in a passing rush, Ratana gaining relief when the ball went into touch-in-goal. There was no alteration at halftime. Shortly after thc resumption the Maoris forced the game close to their opponents goal, Lockett getting possession to force his way over. Coupland’s kick went wide—Kaierau 11; Ratana 0. Maintaining the pressure Kaierau penned Ratana to their twenty-five, Simpson neatly potting a goal—Kaie- • ran 15; Ratana 0. , The game developed into one of a scrambling nature, with Kaierau always in the ascendancy. Twice the attackers were within an ace of scoring, but the bounce of the ball in goal favoured the defenders. McCarthy at last found the objective, scoring near the corner flag. Simpson could not goal—Kaierau 18; Ratana 0. The Kaierau pack swept through the defence, carrying the ball half the length of the field, Roach crossing near the posts. The kick missed—Kaierau 21; Ratana 0. The Maoris had not yet looked dangerous. Wales, Coupland and Stacpoolc handled, the ball coming back to Coupland on the inside for him to score beside the posts. Coulston did not convert—Kaierau 24; Ratana 0. Coulston tackled H. Wereta on the line, enabling Darby to come up and score The kick failed —Kaierau 27; Ratana 0. The game ended shortly after without alteration. Mr N. Reid was referee.

DETERMINED MARISTS COUNTY GO DOWN HARD. County were outclassed by Marist in a hard game, played on the Wangaehu ground. The country team played hard, but lacked finish. Marist, on the other hand, showed marked determination and in the end, beat their opponents in all departments. County won the toss and elected to play with the sun behind them. Play hovered in midfield until the greens’ forwards sent the ball out from a scrum, for Adams to pass to McKinnon, to Gallagher, to Carter, to McKinnon, who failed to accept and the attack broke down in County’s danger zone. Thompson, who had moved up to centre three-quarter, was conspicuous with good defensive work. Intercepting a pass from Carter to Gallagher, he returned play to Marist territory with a nice kick. Tho bounce beat Carter and a knock-on was awarded. Marist gained the advantage and play returned to mid-field. A long kick by Kruse took play to the red’s twentylive . A passing rush initiated by McLean saw- the play swept across the field in a fine movement, all the city team’s backs handling-. When in a dangerous scoring position, Gallagher failed to accept a pass and a golden opportunity was lost. A beautiful kick by Thompson caught thc greens unprepared, and activities remained in their quarter for some time. County Forwards Attack, A forward rush, led by Harding, gained considerable ground for County and play was kept within green territory, but a hard kick by a County player sent the ball into “dead” area. Play then swung to the County line and McLean was noticeable for a lot of useful work. A free kick to County gained considerable ground. The Marist forwards were now superior. A cross kick by Gallagher when he had drawn the defence, saw Maitland accept the chance, and he scored wide out. McLean converted from a difficult angle—Marist 5; County 0. From the kick-off Murray rushed play back, but tho ball w-ent into “dead” area. Thompson kicked off for County, and the prettiest movement of the game commenced From a scrum Adams passed to McKinnon to Carter, to McKinnon and back to Carter, who’ beat two men nicely and went over beneath the posts. Carter converted— Marist 10, County 0. Stung by the reverse County commenced a desperate attack and play hung on the green line until McKinnon succeeded in relieving by kicking from a mark. A speculator by Hanon, gained ground for the reds. At this stage a good opportunity to score was lost by Fromont, being caught in possession and play was stopped through a leg injury to Osborne, which necessitated his removal from the field. Marist were now beating their opponents in all departments but nevertheless lacked finish. The reds, however, made a determined effort to take play back to Marist territory and Thompson gained a lot of ground with a_kiek.. From a line-out, in the Marist 25, Maitland interrupted a pass from Osborne to Hannon and after a sensational run of 75 yards he scored beneath the posts—Carter failed with the kick—Marist 13; County 0. There was no alteration at half-time. A Forward Battle. An attack on the green lino wai. made on the resumption of play. A free kick was awarded to the red but Thompson’s kick lacked direction, and Gallagher returned play to midfield. 1 lay remained there for some time, but County appeared to gain the best of tho exchanges. Another offensive was commenced by Phillips, and the reds kept hammering at the green defence until Thompson had an unsuccessful drop-kick. Here Harrison saved an awkward situation by claiming a mark. Offside play by McLean gave Thompson another chance and this time he made no mistake—Marist 13; County Despite the fact that County were playing with a brilliant sunshining in their eyes they were beating Marist, and time and again they were in favourable positions to score. The nectn-

sary finish however, was lacking and many promising movements failed to bring the desired scores. The game developed into a forward scramble and a penalty try was awarded to TauroS through Murray obstructing him when Thompson failed to convert and the game ended—Marist 13; County 6. Mr J. B. Rowe was referee. A FIASCO OLD BOYS’ BIG VICTORY. The match between Wanganui and Old Boys and Imlay was a fiasco, the blues winning by 30 points to nil, and play was stopped at half-time An Imlay player named Doughty had the misfortune to break a collarbone in this match