THE RUGBY PASTIME.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17409, 23 May 1928, Page 11

THE RUGBY PASTIME.

HAMILTON COMPETITIONS PLAY IN THE SENIOR GAMES. CITY'S WIN OVER MARIST. (By "Drop Kick.") City, winners of the senior championship in Hamilton last season and the club with that honour to its credit on several occasions, share with Old Boys the record of being unbeaten in the two games they have played this term. Their latest success was achieved against Marist on Saturday last when City were leading 12 —9 at the final whistle. » Although 'the ireoently promoted Maris* fifteen, which carried all before it in the junior ranks last season, put up a very creditable showing and promise to do a lot better with the experience gained In .the higher grade, City carried too many guns for them. It was the brightest display that has been witnessed in the competition to this stage of the season. Where Blemishes Were. While the Marist forwards played a fine game and were particularly aggressive in the loose, frequently carrying the play over long stretches of ground, the City backs were invariably masters of the situation over their rivals. Marisi's chief blemishes were the lack of consistently combined efficiency in their rearguard, the ball •handling and tackling: of certain players there from time to time getting them into serious trouble. The City - backs, although not always free from error in their efforts, /'were often capable of making profit through the.«e weaknesses and therein lay a salient avenue towards the success of their side in the game. Will Do 'Better. •On the day Marist had to strike their colours to a side that combined more effectively but, profiting by the mistakes of Saturday, they will be in a line towards making renewed efforts in the direction of turning the tables next time. The material in their ranks is young and virile and they promise to always be a force to be reckoned with seriously. If their back line had played with the same collective ability as their forwards on Saturday there may have been a different story to tell.

The Winners Under Review. Skeet, whjo filled the role of full back for City, was a little uncertain in his work at times but on the whole gave a useful display. Of the three-quarter line Clemett and Revell both got through a fair measuxfi of work in capable style. Allen, a Wellington player who was having his first game here, shaped attractively at centre but He could have been made more use of with profit to his team. He proved very nippi on occasions and understands what is required when a scoring opportunity offers itself. „ „„. Of the five-eighths, Brown and Revell, the former's display was the more effective of the pair. He frequently came into the picture and the>re was a versatility in his play that made it attractive and, at the same time, tantalising to the opposition Sohultz played a solid game behind the pack and did not lose any-op-portunity of opening up the play to Sis backs. He had plenty of stopping to do as well but he did not shirk it. The pack was a hard working one of whom it is difficult to singe out i any lor special mention, but Courtnc}, A. Christie and C. Christie were solid and consistent toilers. Ths Marist Players. While ho shirked nothing and was suffering from a knock sustainedl in the latter portion of the game, 0 Hallian, the Marist full-back, was on the Sow side to achieve the .maximum results in the position. His kicking was not always effective, either in length or direction, but he tackled the centre, got through more work than any member of the rearguard. He frequently turned off S& danger and **™™£ using the line to gam l°ng wretches of ground put over a couple of goals gave City a lot of ■trouble. Mills and McCormack, 'the me out, ifSore prompt, would be benefice to his support, while they worked well in an ul pSA« fir j« Prirhonour,°tarSeinter^,bclong.ed to Marlrt ana port from the backs wwb & been more * gSmickl and and if Marist remedy this .1 will add to the future effectiveness ot then play- , .

FRANKTON-TECHNICAL GAME. THE FORMER'S FIRST SUCCESS. THEIR FORWARDS SHOW UP. Frankton were not set an easy task when thev went into the field against Technical Old Boys on Saturday. Had the latter's defence been more solid the Anal score of 13—0 in Frankfon's favour might have been different. A good measure of the play was of a patchy character; there was the most sustained effort in the last quarter, when th# Frankton forwards made several soM onslaughts on the opposing goal. in spite of this the game was fast and neither side gave evidence of tiring. Frankton'* tackling was a feature of the game, and with a little improvement future opponents will find it difficult to break through the forward division. There were few occasions when injunctions to tackle him low" were necessary. The forward combination showed a good deal of speed and, if anything, were slightly superior to Technical in tins resP 0 f the Frankton rearguard Parkcs was prominent with well-directed kicking, and when in possession of the ball he was responsible for no mis-

takes. In the first half his smart passing and llnal clash-over. allied with a competent kick, put his team ahead of the Technical score. Sterrett was another useful back who knew how to use his weigh!;, lie kept in position and was always ready when called upon. While there Avas good work done by Skelton at fiveeighths, cutting in seemed to he inherent with him, and however advantages it may be at times it did a lot to check promising advances on Saturday. Samson played a good game when he was brought in from first five-eighth to half;

■ The Frankton forwards showed improvement on their previous efforts and the work of Barford and Priscott was well above the average. Kenipthornc backed up well and showed himself to be indispensable with the pack. Scott, the rover, acquitted himself well and followed up in fine style. On the Technical side the backs are still a little weak collectively, raany good passing rushes being foiled by interceptions. Lipscombe justified the confidence placed in him earlier in the season and appears to be an all-round centre. Able support to tbe backs was given by Latta in the threequarter line. He made the most of every opening and collared effectively. For a light-weight Gunn was excellent as half, and he certainly bore more hard play than most of the other backs. Progress on the lines of Saturday's play should see this young plaver high up the ladder. Martin, as full-back, is still a bit slow in his clearing work. ' Roberts, G. Attwood and Gilmour featured among the forwards, who as a company, showed flashes of sterling football occasionally. Indecisive handling, however, marred many of the forward rushes. It is evident that both these teams ore improving with the games they arc getting. The Frankton side, par-ticu-larlv, is now settling down and their forwards, who proved particularly good last season, promise to be a thorn in the side of some of the leading teams from this out. The hacks are also fitting into their Positions better and an improvement in their support to the vanguard can he expected with each game.

SENIOR FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Old Boys v. Frankton, No. 1 Rugby Park, 3 p.m. . „ City v. Technical Old Boys, No. l Rugby Park, 3 p.m. Curtain-raiser, City v. Old Boys Junior A, No. 1 Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m. JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD. BUSINESS" DEALT WITH. The usual meeting of the Junior Board was held on Monday evening in the Rugby Union room. It was decided that a copy ot the constitution be given each club delegate and club secretary. Registrations and re-gradings were granted on behalf of Marist, Technical Old Boys, Te Kowhai, Frankton, and Old Boys clubs. The game Old Boys B v. Ruakura juniors was awarded to Ruakura, as Old Boys played two men who had been stood down for two playing Saturdays, the-club having received notice to "this effect prior to the game. The two players were also stood down for two plaving Saturdays from 26th inst, A player having been ordered off the field by a referee on Saturday last for questioning his decision, both the referee and player will be asked to attend the next board meeting on 28th inst. The Weighing Committee will attend at the Rugby Union room on Friday next, 25th inst., at 1 p.m. for the purpose of weighing in further players. Saturday Fixtures. Fixtures for 26th are as follows: — Junior A. —Iloroliu v. Te Kowhai, at Te Kowhai, 2 p.m.; Old Boys v. City, No. 1 Rugby Park, i. 30 p.m.; Frankton v. Technical Old Boys, No. 4 RugbyPark, 3 p.m. Junior B.—Newstead v. High School, No. 3 Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m.; Old Boys' B. v. Marist, No. 1 Showgrounds, 3 p.m.; Old Boys' Colts v. Ruakura, No. 3 Rugby Park, 3 p.m. Thirds. —Frankton v. Old Boys, No. 4 Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m.; City v. Technical School, No. 1 Shawgrounds, 1.30; Technical Old Boys v. High School, No. 2 Rugby Park, 1.30. Fourths.—High School v. Marist, No. 2 Showgrounds, 1.30; Technical Old Boys v. Frankton, No. 2 Showgrounds, 3 p.m. Fifths.—High School D v. High School C, mid-week; Technical School A v. Marist, No. 3 Showgrounds, 1.30; Technical Old Boys v. Technical School B, No. 4 Showgrounds, 1.30; High School A v. High School B, mid-week.

WAIPA MATCHES. NOTES ON SATURDAY'S PLAY. The class of football seen in the senior match at Albert Park, Te Awamutu, on Saturday was certainly not convincing. Iluamai were not up to senior strength, and their defence generally was deplorable. Though Te Awamutu won by a large score, they cannot be congratulated on their standard of play, it seemed to be a day for individual play, and what combination was attempted was weak. Passes were dropped right and left. Thus a match that gave Te Awamutu ail excellent chance to work up some combination was a series of individual efforts. Pat Quin was in good form both in running and kicking, but most of his goals were from right in front of the posts. His held goal, however, was a very fine effort, from towards the side line about the 25yds mark. Griggs' field goal was also a fine effort. Kay showed up in individual dashes, hut will have to play more to his mates when they encounter some of the other teams. Winter showed a touch of his old nippincss, hut was very much out of condition. L. Lawson was almost the only one for Huarnai to show up at a.Ua

The junior match between Mangahoe and Rovers was a surprise. For the most part Mangahoc had much the best of it. Rovers, however, made the most of every opening and toward the finish were very sure in defence. Young Pollard showed a safe pair of hands, and also shone as a place-kick. The Jacksons of Mangahoc were also passing well, but did not always seem able to press home their advantage. Mr P. Freeman, who refcrccd the senior game, seems likely to develop into a good man with the whistle. MATAMATA V. PATETERE. This senior match was played at Mutamata, and resulted in a defeat for the home club by 19 to 8. This was the first time in the season that Matamata had failed to win in the competition games. Patetere still hold an unbeaten record. Only two tries were scored, one for each side by G. Wil--son and R. Devey. The balance of the score was made up of penalty goals kicked by Main (3) and McKenna (i). McKenna also converted once. Symes, for the winners, dropped a goal from the field. Patetere were the heavier team, but did not dominate the game as much as the scores indicate Matamata backs were weak in defence and on several occasions were lucky that their opponents did not cross the line. The value of good kicking was emphasised more than usual in this game, and Main was applauded by friends and foes alike for some of his efforts. The teams were as follows: —Patetere: Shaw, A. Brown, G. Wilson, G. Symes, J.- Stewart, Battlcy, G. Ruru, Robinson, B. Main; B. Symes, Morrow, Hargreaves, J. Main, Fraser and Owen. Matamata: McKenna, Kncebone, Vosper, Crabb, Story, Egan, Campbell, Ensor, Bulkley, Hope, Long, Devey, Bassett, Murray, Hitchcock. Mr W. Clover was referee. ORINI v. QORDONTON. The interest of the local people in the football team continues, no fewer •than eight cars making the trip to the Orini-Gordon ton match on Saturday. An amusing incident happened, when two very much interested lady supporters, who weVe closer to the play than was wise, suddenly found themselves up-ended, one of whom thought she had been tossed on to the ball, but found, to her surprise, it was a small boy, who fortunately was not hurt. Dave Laidlaw was out for Orini, playing against his old team. It is a pity more use is not made of Bay O'Conna, selfishness and solo play losing many chances of sending him away.

Off-side play spoilt any chance Orini had, Christopher being the chief offender. Alf Thomson is a weak •spot in the hacks. His place is in the van, where he is hard to beat. 11. Humphrey played well as full-back, but must learn not to use the touchline so much. C. Trebs played his best game to date, tackling his men in good style. A. Faville is a heady player, and it is certain we have not yet" seen him at his best. R. Taylor Is an improvement and should prove useful. R. Maunder, J. Smith, and T. Carswell are a good trio, and keep the opposition busy. Wally Davidson plays a hard game as hooker, but there is something wrong in the front row. A. Smith and F. Peach combined well, and were good in defence. Tut Henry will be assisting his team on Saturday next. TAUWHARE v. HAUTAPU. The football competitions in this district were continued on Saturday, •the Juniors winning by default, Haulapu failing to put out a team. The Seniors journeyed to Cambridge, to suffer defeat at the hands of a much stronger team. After a very willing and well-contested game Hautapu won by 16 points to 8.