RUGBY NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 102, 3 May 1938, Page 4

RUGBY NEWS

ITEMS FROM N.Z. CENTRES LAST SATURDAfS MATCHES (Compiled by “Cross-bar.”) In nearly every centre of the Dominion the Rugby Union code opened its 1938 comnetiLions on Saturday. Auckland Matches. Something slipped in the famous Ponsonby back attack on Saturday, says the Auckland Star, and in the opening game of the Rugby season, last year's champions Jost to Grafton by 11 points to 12. In the final stages of the game, played on the main ground at Eden Park, Ponsonby made desperate but unsuccessful efforts to cross the Grafton line. When the final whistle sounded, Grafton were struggling hard to smother the driving rushes of the Ponsonby pack. Without the services of their star forward, T. Pearce, • Manukau went down to Grammar Old Boys by 14 points lo 8 on No. .2 ground. This game was notable for several clashes between the forwards, one Manukau player being ordered off. At Otahuhu, Marist outclassed the local team by 28 points to 6, and at Devonport the young North Shore fifteen beat 'Varsity, winners of the Jubilee Trophy, by 17 points to 4. As expected, there was an exciting struggle between Suburbs and Technical, one of the three senior teams relegated to the second division. The result was a draw, 6-al J. There was marked enthusiasm everywhere. (Auckland Star.) Taranaki’s Opening. Club Rugby opened in Taranaki on Saturday with the defeat of both last year’s divisional winners, Stratford ' and Opunake, by Clifton and Athletic, though botli the losing teams had to travel. Inglewood’s six-point win over Eltham was another result with an important bearing on the championship. On the whole football was not of a high standard, teams not yet being properly in form. There were,, however, indications that bright football will be played this season. (Taranaki Daily News.) At Wellington. Brilliantly fine weather greeted the official opening of the 1938 Rugby season in Wellington, but, after the recent heavy rains, grounds were soft and their condition was to some extent a handicap to players. The first series of senior championship matches

attracted quite a lot of interest. Senior games, in the main, were keenly contested. Last year’s champions, Athletic, were held to a draw by Marist Bros. Old Boys in the top division, and Poneke scraped home with only a point to spare from Hutt. A good win was scored by Petohe over Wellington, but, if surprises are to be expected at the start of a season, the most notable result was the convincing win by Johnsonville over Wellington College Old Boys. (Sports Post.) All Black Ordered Off. Although the weather was warm, and sunny on Saturday, all the grounds were heavy after the floods lor the continuance of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union's senior competitions. The most exciting match of the day was that between Maori Agricultural College and Napier High School Old Boys. It was a hard game all through but was marred by the ordering off of the AH Black E. Jackson after the referee had given several warnings to the players generally. Jackson, however, was called back by Clothier, the Old Boys’ captain. Last year’s champions, Marist Brothers Old Boys, were soundly beaten by Pirates. The All Black Ward played his first game for Hastings, celebrating the occasion by scoring a good try. (The Dominion.) The ordering off of Jackson and his subsequent taking of the field at the wish of the opposing captain was discussed by the Wanganui Referees’ Association last night, when it was reported that the action of the referee in allowing the player to return was wrong. Once a player is ordered off. his return to the field can only be permitted by the Rugby Union which holds jurisdiction over him, and to which the referee must report. Rugged Play in VVairarapa. The Wairarapa Rugby Union's senior competition opened in fine weather. Wins were scored by Carterton, who defeated Red Star, Greytown, who romped away from Martinborough, and Masterton, who, although seven points down at halftime, turned the tables on Gladstone for a surprise win. Almost without exception play was ragged and the small attendance had little about which to be excited. (The Dominion.) Tindill as Half? With B. S. Sadler now out of football, and most other New Zealand half-backs on last season's form never better than good club men, the return of E. W. Tindill, 1935 All Black fiveeighth, to his old position at half, must give him a great chance of selection in the team to tour Australia this year, assuming that he is available. Tindill has not a great deal to beat, and if he plays as well in this position again as he did before he was misled into believing that he was better suited as a five-eighth, then the selection of an international half should not be the occasion for any weighty deliberation. When Sadler *•■ vp.ro bnth nlovintr as

halves there was little if any difference in the ability of the two men. Indeed, Tindill was, if anything, a more constructive player than Sadler. Many worse half-backs than the Athletic player have found their way into New Zealand sides. (Sports Post.)