FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14767, 5 October 1921, Page 9

FOOTBALL

THE RUGBY PASTIME. MEETING OF THE UNION. At the weekly meeting of the. Hamilton Rugby Union Management Committee, it was decided to send teams to play at Tc Kowhai and Iluntly on Saturday. The former will travel by motor 'bus, leaving the “Dollv Varden” at 12.43. The team for Huntly will leave by train from Hamilton at 12.45. It was decided to postpone the benefit match for disabled players, the match to be considered at next meeting. A vote of condolence was passed to the chairman of lire committee, Mr F. .1. Binnic, in his recent bereavement. It was decided to send a team to Tc Aroha on October 15 to play a benefit match at that centre, if the date be united to Te Aroha. A smoke concert, to wind up the season, will be. held at the Toorak v'harnbcrs on Saturday evening. The Wing Forward Question. Is the practice of playing a wingforward responsible in any way for the apparent decline in hack play in Rugby football in the Dominion? Mr H. C. Bennett, manager of the Springboks, is not unite so sweeping in his condemnation of Hie. wing-forward as was Mr T. H. Bosward, manager of the New Sonlh Wales leam. Mr Bennett largely attributes an adverse effect on back play to the latitude allowed players in fids position by referees. However. Mr Bennett sums up Hie wing forward as a spoiler, purely and simply. Yet in a defence of tiic, wing forward system, •published some years nvo in “The Art of Rugby Football,” T. B. Ellison, who claimed to be. and probably was, the originator of Hie system. eonlended that Hie system rondures to fast, open, hack passing play. Objections lo the wing forward system, saiit Ellison, are the result of Hie ignorance of many who play in the position. A wing- forward, -when the opposing pack secures possession, should keep on-side and close to the scrum, and compel the opposing half-back to pass and also prevent him from running round Hie scrum, hi defence. Hie back piny of the opposing side must be stopped to avert defeat; and if this is not effected by Hie wing forward, someone else will do it. The wingforward must also protect his own half-back from off-side play or unfair interference by advancing opponents things which are not always seen by I ho smartest referees. Otago's Groat Fight. Otago put up a great contest with Wellington for the Banfurly Shield on Saturday. Although Wellington retained the trophy by 13 points to S, the fame was a fitting conclusion to one of the most historic Rugby football seasons that have been held in New /■■aland. The Dm lliai the visitors were beaten does not adequately indicate the respective merits of the teams. II is safe to assume that the great majority of |tm five thousand persons who witnessed Hie struggle were fully convinced that Hie local fifteen had Hie rnosl of Hie luck in Ilnur favour. It may be said thal the indifferent goalkicking of Otago lost that side the honours of the afternoon, and prevented it from carrying back I he trophy lo Dunedin. The first interprovjneial match between Otago and Wellington was played in 1577, Otago securing a decisive victory by 10 points to nil. In the next match MB7'.i), Otago again won, 0; but in 1383 Wellington gained their first win by fi fixtures i *.«;», I SS7. arid 1891 —all ended in favour of Otago, and it was not until 18!)7 that Wellington again secured a win. The match against "(ago was a very hard-fought and memorable game, and ended in favour of Weiiinirlr,n py to—o, in isos. Of a cr, .irain j.vft tj] e field Vietonei) • to th- tune of o—o, but in thi next thre«. y«-ir» Wei-

liuglon hi I ii succession of virt'oriefl. Tin- year I'.'oo is remarkable lor the f,-!.•! ; lal :.:i :!::;! •' casi'mi W. .1. Walhic-ivp.-vsenlnl Dl;ii:-ti. Ih.u being the only your In"- |i.i.'i.-'i''l ■•MI.-'iiK' "I N'.'-'iiin -I n. Prom I'.K.'i hi lf'fV.i 11 in honours wen' evenly dislribwii >l. ea.-h >-"*]•• winniiv: three match ■- whil" iwn wjv draw i:. Prom litHl Un' i' i-i;;i.> un'.- !:■■ inly i-i favour of Wellington. X" - >:>; - «'■'!■■' played during t-lie war i■."■!■!' i* 1. iin! 1 1- ; year, when matches wi n- iv.- nmed. Wellington again won, 10—5. There have been several close contests between the two provinces, e.g., in 1900. Wellington won S—G, an.l I'.iOl they again won, 10—9. The latter contest was most, exciting, as Ota go were leading 9—."> until just on the call of Lime, when Wellington scored a try, which was converted by ".Morry" Wood. In 1901, Wellington won, ID —J 3, and in 190.3 Otago won, 17—13. In all, 27 matches have been played, of which Wellington has won ii and Ota go 'J, while four have been drawn. The points record is: Wellington 21:5, Otagj THE LEAGUE GAME.

MEETING OP EXECUTIVE

A meeting of the South Auckland Rugby League executive was held last evening, when there was a full attendance of edlegatcs. The president •Mr W. If. Stevens) occupied the chair.

The West Coast League jyrole that it was impossible for them to visit Hamilton this season, and intimated that they would endeavour to make the trip early next season. An account from the WaikatO Rugby Onion for part payment hi preparing the ground at Claudelands was presented, the members disclaiming any liability, but deciding to donate £3 to the Show Association for use of the ground and £1 to the caretaker for assistance given. Arrangements for next Saturday were reported to be well in hand, and as the executive are too widely scattered to be called together again this season, final matters to wind-up the season were left in the hands of the chairman, secretary and treasurer.

A vote of condolence was passed to Mr and Mrs Lorimer, of Cambridge, upon the recent loss of their son. Accounts amounting to £75 were •passed for payment. Th. 3 treasurer's balance showed £55 in hand after allowing for accounts not, yet, presented. The meeting closed with an exchange of complimentary remarks between the delegates, and optimistic reference was made to the future of the code in the Waikalo. Fixtures for Saturday. The League authorities have arranged a bip programme for Saturday at Steele Park. It will include an exhibition game by two sixth grade teams from Auckland. Those thirteens arc considered by the Auckland public to play better League than the seniors. North Shore Juniors will play Hamilton Juniors, and Auckland Junior representatives will meet a South Auckland team selected from those who have not yet represented the district. The first two games will start at 2.15, and the principal game at 3.35. A smoke concert will be held in the evening in the Town Hall supper room.