RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 5

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

END OF KEEN FIRST ROUND FOUR TEAMS IN THE RUNNING FOR HONOURS (/3j> “CROSS-BAR’"). Three sternly contested matches brought the first round of the Metropolitan Union’s senior Rugby championship to a close on Saturday. Technical Old Boys head the ladder with eight points and underneath, each a point behind the other, lie Pirates (7), Old Boys (6) and Kaierau (5). Any one of these teams may yet win the cup and the opening of the second round next Saturday will find the four of them out to win at any cost. Saturday’s matches provided two surprises—Marist had sufficient strength to account for Kaierau and Ratana was only held away from a draw against Old Boys by a splendid kick from near the side line which converted the winners’ solitary try. Pirates left their dash too late to accomplish any thing better than a draw with Technical Old Bovs—nine noints nil

A DASH TO DRAW LEVEL PIRATES AND TECHNICAL 0.8. DRAW. Pirates must be given full credit for the very strenuous second spell, particularly towards the end, which enabled them to draw with Technical Old Boys. In the early part of tho match the blacks were continually pinned to defence, but as the call of time camo very close there seemed to wake within them a spirit of devilment. A relentless attack stormed Technical Old Boys’ line in the last, few minutes and the fruits of it lay in tho fact that tho blacks were able to leave the field with honours even. Had there been another five minutes to go it would have surprised nobody to have witnessed a Pirate victory. From that it may be correctly inferred that the black dash materialised too late to accomplish their opponents’ downfall. ’ Pirates used their backs twice in succession and tho play centred in Technical Old Boys’ twenty-five. From a line out the blue and whites came clear only to see a passing rush between Duncan, Plank and Lowe force them back. A wide throw by Stanley could not be gathered in by the black backs and

HOW THE. SENIORS STAND. END OF FIRST ROUND. Technical 0.8 8 Pirates 7 Old Boys 6 Kaierau 5 Katana 2 Marist 2

Reid kicked through. Smart's return kick was taken by Welsh and a fast following Signal drove ahead of Williams to smother the return on the biAck side of half-way. Peek worked the blind to Delves, to Brisco, the winger being unable to take the pass. Following the throw-in Pirates were penalised, allowing Delves to goal.—Technical 0.8. 3, Pirates 0. Another free kick came Technical Old Boys’ way and a black rearguard movement brought a note of retaliation and enabled Plank to kick upfield. Waiting for the* bounce let the blacks up to smother the return and the play went right to the corner ffag. Dunean was almost over for a try. Reid cleared momentarily, but the defenders were uenalised shortly afterwards. Lowe’s kick failed, but it was fielded by Delves who was challenged by Ennis He tried to struggle clear, but was firm ly held. When the ball dropped Ennis scored. Brown’s kick failed.—Pirates 3, Technical 0.8. 3.

The blue and white backs went away from a line-out, Peck, Delves, Reid and Dennis handling. The centre had some difficulty in taking tho pass and the blacks got out of difficulty for the time being. Another free kick put Technical Old Boys back on the attack. Delves made a run and dummied two opponents before letting the ball clear. The pass was dropped and Potbury was able to speculate to Welsh, the winger lining in the black twenty-five. Black forwards used their feet* to win ground and eventually heeled to Duncan whose grubber kick was taken by O’Keefe. Potbury was up to smother the return and from the throw-in which followed Stanley got the ball out to Lowe. A punt up field was misjudged and found touch-in-goal. Peek, Delves, Reid ani Dennis handled, the centre cutting in. Reid came round on the outside and accepted another pass, transferring to Welsh. The winger lacked the dash to carry him beyond Smart and the attack failed. Tasker passed to Fowler, to Delves, to Reid, to Dennis. The centre, with Potbury and Smart coming I at him, tried to use his pace to score. He lacked sufficient to get there and fell to Smart’s tackle near the corner flag. In the throw-in Pirates were penalised and Delves goaled.— Technical Old Boys 6, Pirates 3. This was the score at half-time. The Second Spell. Lowe and Plank changed places in the second spell. A splendid grubber kick by Williams put Pirates close up. Tasker’s dribbling brought the defenders clear a certain distance. Delves, Reid, Dennis, and Brisco handled, Williams being lucky to get his man down with a grab round the neck. The black backs changed tho trend of play, Duncan, Lowe and Plank handling. The last-named made an opening, but the defence was ready to frustrate Williams. Play went bark to the black danger zone, and Smart, failing to gather in, nearly let the attackers over the line. Ennis brought Pirates clear.

Technical Old Boys remained on the attack by consistent line-kicking. The blacks conceded another penalty within range and Delves goaled.—Technical 0.8. 9, Pirates 3 . A kick to the centre of the field by O’Keefe was fielded by Smart. He ran up and sent Wakeling and Williams away. The winger grubber kicked to keep the ball in play and non-plus the defending full-back. Using his speed Williams flashed into an almost clear run in, coming behind a rolling ball Delves was back in time, however, and got possesion first, only to fall to Wil-

| liams* tackle. As he went down he threw the ball out and was penalised. Lowe could not goal. Williams, with another of his attacking kicks, sent the ball beyond O’Keefe and again his pace got him an almost clear field. Again Delves was round to try ami block the move and again he went down to Williams. From this favourable position a long kick out to tho wing resulted in a bouncing ball favouring the attackers and Potbury sailed over for a try which marked tho turn of the tide in Pirates’ favour. Brown’s kick failed —Pirates 6, Technical Old Boys 9. For Technical Old Boys it was now a case of “pull up your socks and give no quarter,” for the blacks were out to win and were using every power at their command. Smart, playing unexpectedly, ran up and gained a tremendous bit of ground before he sent Stanley bullocking his way to the line. Stanley was collared inches from a try and a free kick got the defence out of a sore position. Twice the Pirate backs tried to win the -P, Williams being blocked on eae' don. At. last there came the in*. ch caught ' the opposition napping. ...ikcling and Stanley handled in the twenty-five and gave Ennis the ball to complete a spirited dash to score. Although they were allowed a no-charge the blacks could not goal and win and so had to be content with a draw:— PIRATES 9 TECHNICAL 0.8 9 Mr J. Richardson was referee. The teams were:— Technical Old Boys (blue and white) —O’Keefe, Welsh, Dennis, Brisco, Reid, Delves (Ist.), Peek, Signal, Granville. Bassett, Fowler, Stewart, White, T> ker and Thompson. Pirates (black). —Smart, Potbury, Wakeling, Williams, Lowe (2nd.), Duncan, Brown, Tonks, Stanley, Agnew, Cotterill, Francis, Ennis and Friend. HONOURS TO MARIST PACK DEFEAT OF KAIERAU. Kaierau appeared to under-estimate the value of the Marist pack and, as a result, when the greens established a small lead, all the maroon dash in the van proved of little avail. Marist notched their first win of the season. To this club will be accorded full measure of praise for the manner in which they have strenuously battled against odds to maintain their side. They played with plenty of dash in the forwards on Saturday, but lacked resource in the backs. Kaierau appeared to take things easy in the first spell and were surprised to find themselves up against a solid wall in the second which frustrated them gaining a much desired victory. In the opening stages of play Kaierau pressed heavily in the van and with Gay Lockett and Tasker in the lead they almost scored. At this stage the greens did not have a full team, but when the fifteen were finally brought out the scene of play swept to Kaierau’s twenty-five, the maroon outside backs failing to stem the green forward rushes. Narbey made a great attempt to goal from a penalty well out near the touch line, the ball rising well but missing its objective. Pidwell was carried off the field shortly after with an injury to a leg. Lynskey replaced him at the base of the scrum. At this stage Kaierau were back on the attack. Offside play by the greens conceded a penalty. Chadwick was smothered as he took the ball, but from a subsequent scrum the green pack came away. Play was at half-way again when a long kick through brought trouble for J. Morgan. Cullinane was up with a rolling ball and kicked to frustrate the Kaierau custodian gaining possession. Though the maroons made a strenuous effort to close the gap Nelson got up in time to score. Narbey’s kick failed. —Marist 3, Kaierau 0. This was the score at half-time. Immediately following the resumption the greens were awarded a free kick, Narbey finding the lino not far from Kaierau’s corner flag. From the throwin Kaierau succeeded in smothering the Marist backs in possession and gradually worked play to half-way. A penalty against Marist let Kaierau come well back to the attack. W. Duncan was almost over on his own. North tried to cut in and play hung dangerously close to a score. An infringe meat in the scrum by Marist gave Simpson a chance at goal, but he failed to profit. From the subsequent drop-out Marist went back to the attack. When play was near Kaierau’s line a clearing kick from Duncan was charged down and from a determined closing with tho defence Maitland scored. Narbey’s kick failed.—Marist 6, Kaierau 0. The opening of the second spell found G. Lockett in the back row of the pack and Firmin playing rover. When Marist established their 6-point load J. Morgan went up to second live-eights and Simpson dropped back to the custodianship. Simpson had another shot at goal but missed. Lynskey passed to Cullinane who kicked over the scrum to Kruse. A long kick over Simpsoy,*head was followed up fust by the Marist challengers and Kaierau were back on defence. The Marist pack wore definitely holding their own, but. there was weak handling in the backs. The maroon van livened considerably in the succeeding few minutes and a rush

swept them close to the line. The throw-in was very favourable to Kai erau and H. Firmin had only to fall as he took tho ball to score. Simpson could not goal.—Kaierau 3, Marist 6. The maroons camo away in a passing rush, all the backs handling to Moore’b wing and infield again to Lockett. A staunch defence held the move at bay. Twice Kaierau in their eagerness were offside and the defending greens gained respite. Gamely holding to their task of keeping at bay a team that took things too easily in the opening stages, but were now fully alive, Marist were able to leave the field winners, gaining their first two points on the ladder, the final scores being— MARIST 6 KAIERAU 3 Air N. H. Reid was referee. Tho teams were: Marist (green): Chadwick, Nelson. Narbey, Casey, Cullinane, Matson, Fid well, Fennell, Kruse, James, Smith, Phillips, Maitland, Crotty. Reynolds. Kaierau (maroon): —J. Morgan, E. Morgan, Glenn, Moore, North, Simpson. Duncan, Lockett, Charles, Tasker, Wilson, Thorburn, Firmin, Firmin, Tasker. A TWO-POINT VICTORY KATANA EXTEND OLD BOYS. Ratana fully extended Wanganui and Old Boys on Saturday in tho three o’clock match on the racecourse. There was no score in the first spell and play was very willing at stages in the second. P. Bonnett notched a penalty for Ratana and Shaw scored a try for Old Boys. The fate of tho game hung in the balance as Bullock-Douglas took the kick from the side line. [t was a magnificent effort that he made which piloted the ball over and won the game. Old Boys 5 Ratana 3 Mr R. C. Hamilton was referee. WANGANUI MATCHES METROPOLITAN UNION FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY Next Saturday the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Unifin will commence tho second round of their senior competition, while the junior and fifth grade competitions will also enter on their second rounds The following are tho fixtures and grounds for next Saturday:— Senior. Technical Old Boys v. Kaierau, on Spriggens Park, at 1.30 p.m. Old Boys v. Marist, on Spriggens Park, at 3 p.m. Pirates v. Ratana, at Ratana, at 3 p.m. Junior A. Wangaehu v. Marist, at Wangaehu, at 2.30 p.m. Technical College v. Ratana, on Tech, ground, at 3 p.m. County v. Collegiate, on Collegiate No. 2 ground, at 2.30 p.m. Junior B. Kaierau v. Old Boys, on Racecourse No. 1, at 1.30 p.m. Aramoho v. Pirates, on Racecourse No. 2, at 1.30 p.m. Technical Old Boys have tho bye. Thirds. Tech. Old Boys B v. Old Boys, on Racecourse No. 1, at 3 p.m. Pirates v. Marist, on Racecourse No. 2, at 3 p.m. Kaierau v. Tech. Old Boys A, on Racecourse No. 3. at 3 p.m. Ratana have the bye. Fourths. Marist v. Tech. Old Boys, on Racecourse No. 3, at 1.30 p.m. Collegiate 11. v. Tech. B on Collegiate No. 3, at 3.15 p.m. Collegiate 111. v. Pirates, on Collegiate No. 4, at 3.lff p.m. Collegiate IV. v. Kaierau, on Collegiate No. 3, at 2 p.m. Tech. A have the bye. Fifths. Tech. A v. Pirates, on Racecourse No. 4, at 1.30 p.m. Tech. B v. Kaierau, on Te*eh. ground, at 1.30 p.m. Collegiate V. v. Vollegiate VI., on Collegiate No. 4, at 2 p.m. Sixths Tech. B v. Collegiate VII., on Collegiate No. 5, at 2 p.m. Tech. A have the bye. WANGANUI TROPHY SENIOR COMPETITION DRAW FOR SECOND ROUND The matches played in the Wanganui Metropolitan Rugby Union’s senior competition on Saturday concluded rhe first round for the Senior Cup. The second round will commence next Saturday, the draw for the five Saturdays on which play will take place being as follows: First Saturday. Tech. Old Boys v. Kaierau. Old Boys v. Marists. Pirates v. Ratana. Second Saturday. Kaierau v. Old Boys. Marist v. Pirates. Tech. Old Boys v. Ratana. Third Saturday. Old Boys v. Pirates. Tech. Old Boys v. Marist. Kaierau v. Ratana. Fourth Saturday. Tech. Old Boys v. Old Boys. Kaierau v. Pirates. Marist v. Ratana. Fifth Saturday. Tech. Old Boys v. Pirates, Kaierau v. Marist. Old Boys v. Ratana. MATCH AT BRISBANE N.S.W. AND QUEENSLAND Received June 7, 5.5 p.m. BRISBANE. Juno. 7. At Rugby Union New South Wales and Queensland drew, 18 points all.

BEBBINGTON SHIELD DEFEAT OF DEFENDERS. BUSH AND DANNEVIRKE. [Per Press Association.] DANNEVIRKE, June 6. The Bobbington Shield resulted in a win for Bush, the challengers, who defeated Dannevirke, the holders by 8 points to 3. The ground was dry and it was mostly a forward struggle. The first spell was fairly evenly contested. Olliver scored a try for Bush and Reeves converted, and D. Ellingham scored a try for Dannevirke. The second half was generally in favour of Dannevirke but towards the end Holland broke sway and ran from one end of the field to the other and scored for Bush. The try was not converted. FOOTBALL INJURIES CHRISTCHURCH PLAYERS PROTRUDING NAILS IN BOOTS I Per Preaa Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, June 6. Several payers were injured while playing football this afternoon. A. T. Campbell, playing for Training College, was admitted to hospital suffering from concussion. E. Huston, a ’Varsity player, with an injured ankle, G. Northcote, with knee and ankle injuries, and D. Sutherland, a soccer player, with head injuries, were admitted to hospital. Sutherland’s injury led to the game being declared off. He suffered a cut ou the head when attempting to head a ball. He was struck in the face by the boot of an opposing back. After examining the injury the referee inspected the back’s boots and found nails protruding through the leather studs and sent him off to remedy the defect. During the interruption the referee examined the boots of the other players, found them all similarly at fault and declared the match off. ’VARSITY TOURISTS NEW ZEALAND AT SYDNEY TEST MATCH DRAWN Received June 7, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 7. New Zealand drew with Sydney jyi th*. University test, 11 points all, after leading by 6 to nil in a very fine game. The ground was dry and fast. Both sides played open Rugby. The home backs were in better individual form and showed more enterprise and dash than in previous tests. King replaced Stephenson Wright, who was hurt in the first half. King, who suffered a minor injury in the second half, was replaced by Peacock. The captains had previously agreed to replacements throughout the first half. Tho game was fairly even, due to the improved form of the Sydney forwards, also the better defence of tho backs. Bush opened the scoring with a long penalty goal and Ruru was responsible for a brilliant try shortly before the interval. After the resumption Gibson and Booth gained tries for Sydney, Hemingway converting the latter goal. The first was the consummation of a threequarter rush, the New Zealand defenders being outflanked. Booth’s was the result of a cross kick leaving the goal-line open. Peacock obtained a try from a forward scramble and Bush converted it, regaining the load for New Zealand. Joyce equalised at the end nf a passing rush by the forwards and backs. Sydney was still attacking in the last five minutes. Bush was again the outstanding figure. Ruru, who was well marked throughout, was again resourceful. The teams were as follows: N.Z.—Bush; Mackay, Thomas, Williams; Ruru, Ewart; Prydc; Stephen-son-Wright; Edwards, Barker, McVeagh, Dixon, Hodge, Perkins, Dcidrich. Sydney played the same team as last Wednesday. THE LEAGUE CODE N.S.W. AND QUEENSLAND Received June 7, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 7. Tn the Rugby League match New South Wales beat Queensland by 39 to 17.