RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16812, 2 June 1926, Page 15

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WAIKATO’S OPENING GAME. "meet AUCKLAND TO-MORROW. (By “Dropkick.") The first of the games in big football at Hamilton for the season will he played at Rugby Park to-rnorrow afternoon when the representative fifteens of Waikato and Auckland will meet. The match is creating a good deal of interest and if the weather keeps fine there should lie a large attendance by patrons. If the Auckland fifteen takes the field as originally selected it will be xvcllup lo the best strength of Rugby at provincial headquarters and the public should be rewarded with fast and open football by the visiting hacks. So far as the fifteen selected io represent the Waikato is conc.erncd it will be at a handicap through being drawn from a scattered area, with the consequent disadvantage to attaining cohesion. Nevertheless is the pack should be able to hold its own with Auckland and while the samfi brilliance can hardly be looked for front the rearguard, if they are reliable individually and lacklc determinedly the side should give a creditable account of itself. SENIOR COMPETITION. POINTS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The following table shows the position of the teams in the senior corn-

FRANKTON PACK WIN DAY,

Old Boys, who had put up good scores in winning their two previous games on country grounds made their first appearance at headquarters on Saturday last when, despite the expectations of the greater number of followers of the game, they were beaten by Frankton by 11 points to 6. It was bright football, although the game was by no means free from mistakes. Frankton owed their success to the superiority of their pack who eventually wore their lighter, but game opponents down and, as the outcome, kept the Old Boys’ rearguard in subjection. The scene of play frequently changed throughout the game hut Frankton had the greater measure ol attack during the second half of playBoth sides missed opportunities ol points gathering. Some rosy chances of improving the shining hour by goal kicking were missed, particularly b> Frankton. . . .. Hooper, who was injured m the opening game, was again in Frankton s front rank and the sturdy pack man played a solid game. Scott, who hooked well with Hooper, had the misfortune to get a bad knock from a fellow forward and this took much of the steam out of him. AVarrcn held his men together well while Ardern roved with a good deal of success in a front line that toiled effectively on this occasion. . . , . . Snodgrass was very active behind the Frankton scrum but displayed the fault of running too far at times before sending out. Snodgrass is a - ways dangerous near the line. His try was an observant piece of work, while its main value was that it gave the side victory. ■ Castles made a re-entry into the game at first five-eighth. Naturally, he was not in the best of football form but went particularly well m patches, doing a lot of effective spoiling work among the opposing hacks and introducing several solj dashes into foreign territory. ... Bravo, a promoted third grade plajcr was not particularly strong on attack in this game but he gives some promise. His kicking was weak in tliis game. , , . «territt, at centre, was slow to get off the mark but individually shaped fairly well, using the line with advantage on occasions. Griiliths displayed some dash at limes on the wing and could have been made more use of as lie has a lot of pace and is dangerous near the line. Bayly’s game, on the other wing, was marked by some determined spurts but better use could be made of the weight and pace lie possesses. Matheson was very sound at fullback and the veteran made many clever saves when danger was threatening. His tackling was particularly good and the lesson could be lakeu to piofit by several of his supports. The lighter Old Boys pack toiled hard hut the solid advances by the opposition eventually caused them to wither a little. Chapman caught the p VC for all round prominence. He was always in the thick of it, handled the hall well and used Ms height and reach to advantage. Finlayson roved with success, especially in the opening half of the game. Garter is not in c condition yet to see a hard game right out but he still knows how to dribble the hall. Boneham and Head were solid grafters. The half, Madill, stood up well lo a heavy measure of hard work in front of the Frankton forwards. His tackling was very sound. Kemp was a much more effective five-eighth Ilian Fitzgerald and would have been better placed inside than outside the lalicr. His solo runs were again in evidence while he hacked up well and generally look Ihc heavy share of the toil. McCormick, at centre, failed to rise lo Hie occasion. Recognising Hie position was new lo him, Hepburn shaped well when he look McMiken’s place us wing

three-quarter. The public were disappointed at not seeing the latter in action.

Thorpe, on the other wing, did not get a great deal to do. He acquitted himself fairly well.

Hawke made no serious blemishes at full back. The Old Boys' custodian took the ball and tackled well but was practically useless in the closing stages or the game through having one of his legs injured. As a consequence this did not help the defence at the stage when Frankton secured the winning try. CITY REMAIN UNBEATEN. City, Hie premier fifteen of„asl term, are so far the only team unbeaten in Ihc three games this season. They accounted for Whiliora by the wide margin of 20 points on Saturday in game which, lo say the least of it, was poor football. The run of play was fairly even for a term but there was more finish to the City work. From a comfortable margin at the interval they scored practically as they liked in the very closing period of play. The commendable passing movements in the game were decidedly rare. Going was in form at full back for the winners. He mixed good taking and effective kicking, with a try at one stage and put on several points during llio game by reliable goal kicking. Buckingham and Clcmett played useful games at wing three-quarters, but Brown was patchy at centre, making errors both in taking and giving his passes. Still lie showed that be has ability and is a young player with the opporlunily to improve. Schultz and I. Johnston, first and second five-eighths respectively, got through a lot of work, ihc former, but it was principally of Hi o' solo order. Johnston effected an attractive movement when lie scored a Icy early in the piece, the quickness of hfs dash completely placing the opposition off their guard. Hadfield, although not brilliant, never flinched his work behind the pack and was often seen heading rushes during the game. It indicated his fitness even if it was hardly ms duty. Courtney and W. Christie were missing from the City pack through injuries. The Maroon forwards were dashing in the loose but this xvas often at the expense of their scrum worv, when they broke up too quickly m their over-cagcrncss to get out. uno job at a time is a good motto in football, as City may find to their cost if tliev do not take Hie hint. Mac Johnston had a roving commission for most of this game and he filled it with some success 100. Lon Christie and A. Christie were among the real toilers in the forwards, while 11. Johnston played well in the loose Mitchell at five-eighths, had to bcai Die brunt of the attack for His leni While the Whiliora skipper stood up to it well, the task was 100 exacting f ° Surgenor^w as safe at full hack for Whitiora. It was seldom that it was his fault the side got Into serious lr °Buckland plodded along sturdily behind the Whitiora scrum and the ban back had plenty of work to do. TUc Whitiora forwards held thci own in the tight play and drove occasional long sallies into the rank, of the opposition. They lacked scoiing ability, however , and had enough of it in the closing quarter when Litj put on: the points in quick order. AN UNINTERESTING GAME. The game at Whatawhata last Saturday between United and Hunt-i was uninteresting. Concerted pla was conspicuous by its absence. United had the better of the same and were unlucky to lose, lluntly scoring with a few minutes or time as the lcsult of fumbling by United players Both teams lacked initiative, though the. made the game willing. United hook ed the ball from the majority of the scrums, but whatever advantage then hacks obtained from that was offset by their inclination to speculate, which involved them in serious difficulties at times Both sides lacked finesse and the result was a scrambling game. McNamara was the pick of the Unit ed forwards. He led several dangerous rushes and was not easy to stop 11. Lee, on the United wing, made several good runs, hut failed to finish off his efforts, while Ormsby, the -elitre, showed a tendency to cut in more often than was prudent. The United backs indulged m lobpassing, while that of the lluntly rearguard xvas often inaccurate. Capamagian played perhaps the best game m the United backs. The lluntly forwards were an even lot and H. Mason showed that lie has ability as a goal kicker Paki; an O’Sullivan, were the most cntcipnsi „ of the backs. Mild, on the wing,. possessed both weight and pace but du not turn them to the advantage that lie should have done. MCDELL BHIELD. MILL 9, TRAFFIC 8. Th C Railway Competition for the McDell Shield xvas continued at the Rifle Range ground at Hie week-end xvhcii the Mill team met and defeated Traffic by 9 to 8. The xveather and ground were perfect for football, and a large croxvd assembled to see the contest . Mill opened the game shorthanded but putting an astonishing amount of vim into Hie contest, had traffic busily defending, much to the delight of the spectators xvlio evidently appreciated Hie plucky offensive of the meagre Mill numbers. Lang for the Mill had a couple of unsuccessful shots at goal from penalties while Staunton for the mill came near scoring with a sensational run down the line.

Traffic noxv put a bit more life into the game and an infringement by Mill under their posts gave Wilson an easy opportunity to open the score for Traffic xvhicii lie xvas not successful in doing. Traffic continued to attack and Roisterer got over near Hie posts and Campbell improved xvilh a beautiful goal.—Traffic 5, Mill 0. At the change over Mill whose numbers xvero now strengthened, opened an offensive and W. Marlin got over at the corner. Dempsey made a good attempt to convert but xvas not quite the goods.—Traffic 5, Mill 3.

Mill continued lo press and Dempsey getting possession cut in and healing opposition scored well out. His own shot at goal was unsuccessful. Half time showed the scores at —Mill C, Traffic 5.

Upon resumption Traffic xvero more in 1 lie picture and Wairipo ended up a forward movement by scoring near the corner. The shot at goal being successful the score stood —Traffic 8, Mill 6.

The last quarter xvas a ding dong go and Dempsey finally got, over for Hie Mill, Rroxvn's shot at Ihc goal being unsuccessful. No side xvas soon after called Hie final score standing at — Mill 9, Traffic 8.

The Railway Football Club is indebted lo Mr F. Buckingham for

refereeing the game, xvhich he con- i trolled In a very capable manner. 1 The fixture for next xx'cck end xvill be Loco. v. Mill. WAIPA SUB-UNION. The star attraction in Waipa football xvas the mooting betxvcen those old rivals, Te Axvamutu and Pirongia. Te Axvamutu had rather the best of the game, hut towards the finish seemed t.o have lost it, as they xvero three points behind and time xxois almost up. It xvas only just on time that While scored Hie try that made the points equal. The last quarter of an hour saw Te Axvnmutu continually on the attack, but xx'lien all seemed lost, the hall came out and passed from Quin to Winter to White and Hie latter got over Hie corner. Quin’s kick failed. Pat Quin was playing second five-eighths and acquitted himself well. Winter, as usual, played a heady game, but seemed to lose his head for a moment when Pirongla scored their try. Brcmncr xvas changed from rover lo xving three-quarter, and made some dashing runs. He is a hard man to stop. Kay xvas safe at full-back. E. Holmes xvas one of the mainstays of tiic forwards. For Pirongia, the txvo Bells showed up well, Eric kicking txvo nice goals. They also play xvith their heads. Wilson scored their try, but his methods of play will bring him under the eye of Ihc referee. One or txvo others could greatly improve their tactics. Rovers v. Methodists. in the Rovers and Methodist match, Mabbctt playing xving three-quarter for United, received a caution from Hie referee. Hovers earned their xvin; bul one xvislies they sometimes xvould indulge, in ullcnipls at opening up the game. Storey resumed his place in the learn, and they seemed to play much better, Wcrnham, playing half, xvas also in the picture. Elliott, late of Ohaupo, seems lo improve as lie goes and xvas one of the mainstays of the team. United v. Parawera. For United Johnson and Shepherd as usual bore the brunt of the work amongst the hacks and Maddern xvas prominent in the forwards. Dare, for Paraxvcra, xvas xvcll in the limelight, and as he seems to be developing into a place kicker xvill be knocking at the door for rep. honours. Campbell and Crawly were also showing out, but the opposition xvas very xveak. Junior Matches. The junior matches seem to he getting closer each xveek. Both PuahueDliaupo. and Unitcd-Paraxvera ended in draws; and on the day there xxas nothing between them. In Hie first match, Puahue seemed to get hustled several times and backs xvero trying wild speculators, xvith xvliat ought to have been disastrous results. "Both sides xvero touched xvith it. Caullon maintained his reputation for Ohaupo and notched a nice try. Paraxvcra came with a great rattle at the end of their match and seemed as if they xvere, going to score a xvin. Jackson shone out welt for them. Old Boys xxcrc too heavy and fast for the High School, xvlio played their usual plucky game. Hay used his pace to score a nice try. For Old Boys Mcnsforlh was doing xvcll and got two tries for them.

CAMBRIDGE UNION. At Cambridge on Saturday a further stage In the senior Rugby competitions was played at Victoria Square, when Ilautapu met and defeated City by 0 points to 5. The afternoon was line and the ground in good condition and there was a large number of spectators present. The teams were evenly matched and tlic onlookers were given a good exhibition. After some good passing just on the call of time, City looked like scoring, which would have won them the gamo, but an infringement spoiled the effort. For Ilautapu, C. Thompson and A. Mart were the best of the backs, while K. Lloyd (rover), M. Lloyd, J. Bourkc and Paton did good work in the forwards. For City, Batchelor, who was tried out at full back proved a great success, llis kicking and Holding were all that could be desired. Morrice (threequarters), and Murphy (five-eighths), were also a great strength to their side. Milburn, Connell, Keeley and Wilson did splendid work in the forwards. J. Voysey played a tine game as rover for City. Mr H- Va.use was referee. No competition matches were played in the junior grade on Saturday, but with the object of selecting a team to play against AVaipa on Saturday next, a match, City and Ilautapu x. Leamington and Karapiro was played, after which the A. and B. team chosen by the selector (Mr .1. Keeley) played two short spells. The B. team won by 3 to 3. The following rep. team was subsequently chosen: —Pull-back, McFarlane; three-quarters, Mann, Peterson, Woods; five-eighths, Darrow, May; half, Marx; rover, Warren; forwards, Morse, Harris, May, Shaw, Curie, Head, Miller. MORRINSVILLE v. MATAMATA. Matamata representatives put up a good fight against Morrinsville on Saturday, the contest being fairly c\cn throughout. It was not a one-sided game by any means, Matamata invading the opposition territory on numerous occasions, especially in the second spell. Matamata forwards, generally speaking, played a good game, the team’s weakness being in the back division. The Morrinsville backs were a nippier set, and made more use of the ball when they secured it. Matamata’s chief weakness was behind the scrum. Adams, though playing a sound defensive game, was indecisive anil erratic in attack, in fact, his play was nowhere near his usual club form. Yanks for Matamata stood out .on His own as a forward, and 11. Sutherland at full back was saving his side again and again. Vospcr, one of the most promising of the younger players, an ex-King’s College back, was playing well, and it was largely due to his efforts that Fausclt crossed the line for Matamata’s one and only try. Fausclt was safe right through the game, his kicking being very accurate. Storey did not play up to his usual game. Morrinsville showed much more combination, and threw the ball about with confidence. Campbell was a treat to watch, and was quite the best player on the field. Matamata’s scores were a penally goal by Sutherland and a try by Fausclt. Morrius-

villle’s honours were wen distributed, Anderson crossing the line twice and Campbell and McNaughton once each. Hobson scored a goal from a mark. The game ended; Morrinsville 17, Matamata 6.

Judging by the match Matamata’s chances in the Finlay Cup will not lie of (he best, unless they show considerable improvement.

petition under, the Hamilton Union :— P. W. L. D. for ag. Pis. City 3 3 ■ — 1 54 6 G Old Boys 3 2 1 — 55 22 A Franktori 3 2 1 — 20 31 A Huntly 3 o 1 — 23 33 A United 3 — 3 — 16 39 — NVhitiora 3 — 3 — 15 25