RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17783, 7 August 1929, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIKATO UNION. REPRESENTATIVE GAMEB. FOUR FIXTURES STILL LISTED THE SEASON’S RESULTS TO DATE. The Waikato Rugby Union has the following fixtures still listed fop Its representative team this season: » August 14 (Wednesday).— Hawke’s Bay« at Hamilton. August 17 (Saturday).—Thame? Valley, at Paeroa. - September 11. —Wellington, at Hamilton. . September 14.— -Walrarapa, at Masterton. The results of the games played this season are:— . .. Waikato 17 v. Auckland 25 Waikato 11 v. Hawke’s Bay 11 Waikato 6 v. Walroa » Waikato 15 v. East Coast 11 Waikato 3v. Poverty Esy 16 Waikato 8 v. Bay of Plenty 21 Waikato 0 v. Auokland 3° For 60 Against 122 CLARKE CUP CONTESTS. WIN FOR OLD BOYS. HOLMES’ MAGNIFICENT TRY. There were few interesting features in the senior match between Old Boys A and City, which preceded the school match at Rugby Park on Saturday. Old Boys were placed prominently in the Clarke Cup competition by defeating City -by 18 points to 9 It is true both teams were not at full strength owing to the engagement of the Waikato representatives, but Old Boys suffered more from the loss of their best players through this cause than City. . . There was a good deal of patchy play in the first session, mishandling being a com&non fault on both sides although the leather was not very heavy. City were utterly routed in the last spell, most of the play being waged in their twenty-five. Old Bovs’ win was chiefly due to superior handling of .the inside backs, to a larger share of the ball from the scrums, and to fast men on the wings.

Notes On the Winners. Speight saved on occasions but is rather inconsistent for a good fu back. He should shape well with more hard play and good advice. Holmes, who shone out well early in the season hut has lately suffered a football relapse, recovered on Saturday, no obstacle being too difficult for him. The second of his two tries was one of the most phenomenal occurrences of the current season. Few would believe a witfg could touch down after running three-quarters of the field with most of the opposition in front when he started. Yet Holmes did this and a good deal besides, I. Johnston, the centre, took 'a hand in all passing rushes and assisted the wings materially. Replayed a fairly good game. Sutherland was ready to essay a dash when fed. This junior player should make a good wing. Dick Kemp turned out again after a few weeks’ spell, being fret fiveeighth. While not reaching past standards, lie proved very useful on defence, tackling with determination. Martin, another junior, was not very impressive but handled well on occasions.

McDell still maintains his form and is probably the most promising halfback in the Waikato, A little more weight ■ and" experience and-he would be fit-for representative'play. Brough acquitted himself fairly well as rover, : but exhibited a - tendency -.to over-run the ball in loose rushes.

J. Graham and J. Bonham made a good pair of hookers,- while both toiled in' the tight.

Strong aupporting work in the van can also be credited to Wilson, Clough, Dent and Halstead. The latter’s kicking is still unreliable.

The City Players. Skeet was very sound as custodian and clearetl well to the line time and again. Corbett, first- five-eighths, was the pick of the backs and played a splendid game. He was prominent in nearly every rush which brought Citiy within striking distance and had his perseverance • rewarded with a try near the end., of the first half. Allen, as centre, was useful and could have done better with more support. Mansel put in some solid work as rover. The forwards, while not as formidable as the Old Boys’ pack, contained good material. A. Christie, Delaney and Shaw were hard workers.

ANOTHER DEPARTURE. While Old Boys A-have managed to draw on some pretty good talent from their juniors this season, they have been singularly unfortunate in losing several of their best players, Jack Tuck being the most notable. The latest to leave has been Jack Burn-Murdoch, who, having been here about 8 months, was transferred to Bay of Plenty last week. BurnMurdoch was a fairly reliable hooker and had been a very hard worker in the tight play. He will be missed by his many old associates.

TECHNICAL’S GOOD WINGAME WITH MARIST. When Technical Old Boys met Marist on Saturday a fast game was expected, but the heavy nature of the field resulted in a very medium exhibiiton. Technical were first to score, but honours were fairly even in the first half. In the second half Technical centred play in the opposition twenty-five for the greater part of the spell, and although Marist worked hard their opponents overwhelmed them. Technical won il—3. Gunn and St. George were the outstanding players for Technical, and initiated most of the scoring movements, The forwards combined well, and, although their passing was somewhat .wild at. times, they penetrated the Marist defence on many occasions. The backs made the most of their opportunities, and supported the forwards well. Tho Defeated Side. Marist were at times unfortunate in not registering higher points. Their passing was very poor at time. Dekiny, at fullback, piayed his usual good game, and cleared on many occasions. The hacks followed up well, but their combination with the forwards was not as effective as it might have kien. McGee and Fitzgerald .worked well together and were pro-

minent in several movements. Bowler threw the ball out smartly, and several times saved in tight corners. As rover, W. Cassidy played a sound game, and followed up all his opportunities. The forwards did not combine very effectively, although there were occasional flashes of, brilliance. They worked hard, and packed round the ball, but could not get. it going with effective result.

FRANKTON’S SUCCESS. DEFEAT OF - OLD BOYS B. Frankton won the second of the two Clarke Cup games they have played, when they beat Old Boys B on Saturday, 13—0. The whole of the points were scored in the first half of the match. The line rally of Old Boys B in the second half had Frankton thinking and many times Old Boys went close to scoring. The Old Boys backs handled the ball too cleverly for Frankton and made good use of every movement. Frankton’s play in the second spell was very erratic. The team appeared to play Into Old Boys hands. A. H. Griffiths,, on the wing, was playing in good form for Frankton, and with the aid of his pace scored a good opening try. Park, at fullback played well and his kicking was a great asset. His speed saved his side on numerous occasions.

Bayly played a good game and was on the ball continually.

Scott and Hooper, were seen to advantage in the first two spells, but lacked “sting” in the second half. Priscott, playing rover, did not impress ,in that position. He, however, played his usual keen game. Allen Griffiths was a disappointment. He failed to show his usual dash. Denz, Welch and Ron. Griffiths all played well. The Beaten Side. Patterson, at fullback for Old Boys B, played soundly and was a tower of strength to his side. Madili was the pick of the backs and he was always ready when wanted and he carried out some ejever work.

All the backs handled the ball well and their combination in passing bouts! should have given them some points, but luck was evidently against them on the day. The forwards worked with a vim and it would be hard to nidividualise. Although beaten, Old.. Boys B have the satisfaction of putting up a good light and are to bo congratulated on their persistent effort to turn the tables on their opponents.

BRIGHTER RUGBY. SMART COLLEGE MATCH. HIGH SCHOOL OUTCLASSED. GREAT DEFENSIVE WORK. In a flrst-class college match at Hamilton on Saturday a fifteen representing the Auckland Grammar School lowered the colours of Hamilton High School. It was clean, fast and open play that acted like a tonio on the big crowd after some weeks of dull senior play. Although responsible for splendid defence, High School were intimidated by the Grammar attacks from the start and were unable to turn several likely scoring movements In the last half to profitable advantage. The visiting backs showfed the home side many wrinkles in passing rushes, handling with a crisp decisiveness and speed which were a delight to watch. While High School obtained a fair share of the ball, the handling bouts lacked finish, the Inside backs delaying too long in possession. Individually, however, the rear division displayed many flashes of brilliancy, strong d[ashes and frequent break-aways providing an abundance of thrills. When it is remembered that over 600 Grammar School Boys play Rugby, compared with about 120 at the High School and that the visiting team averaged a stone heavier than High School, the performance of the Hamilton lads can, in no sense, be regarded as disappointing. It can best be described as “a glorious defeat.”

Hlgh Sohooi’s Form. Cann, as fullback, was called upon time and again and rarely failed. His kicking' and general defensive work was sound and heady. Reid and Chi tty, the wings, were swiftly nailed when they got the ball and had little chance to penetrate the almost invulnerable defence of tihe Grammarians.

Westwater was one of the best backs and broke through the ruck many times. He played a good, attacking game, but could have shown more speed.

Snodgrass was another baok who bore a large share of the work. This five-eight led many promising rushes which might have proved successful but for the deadly tackling of some of the visiting players. It was a pity Snodgrass spoiled an otherwise sound game by risking a dropkick from a penalty right in front of the uprights in the last quarter. Tombs was not up to requirements In the five-eighth line. It is understood lie’ is not accustomed to a position among the backs. He has Ilia makings of a good player although this position does not lit him. Choat, Hie half-back, while in no way so prominent as his vis-a-vis, nevertheless fed his backs whenever the ball was heeled and was quite snappy at times. Whittaker, who held the roving commission, was fast and fairly reliable.

Howe was the best of the forwards. He was a regular battler, in artel out of everything, and using his weight to advantage all the time.

Taylor was another who was responsible for excellent work in the tight and loose. He followed up well.

Anderson’s kicking could have been a little more accurate but he came in very handy. Some Fine Players.

Not one- of the Grammar backs let his side down and they were such a sturdy set that it is difficult to differentiate.

McFarland put in some very good work as fullback and defended splendidly. Savory, Slyfleld and Collins all handled capably. Harnmon was the only back perhaps a little less prominent that his colleagues.

Newton, the half, fulfilled all requirements and was probably the best player on the field. The forwards were a solid, bustling pack who had the advantage over High School in scrum and out. New Plymouth High School will meet Hamilton High School at Hamilton on August 2"/. It is expected that the visitors will be much heavier than the local boys.

JUNIOR GAME. OLD BOYS B AND MARI ST. A elose and interesting contest eventuated when Old .Boys B met Marist at the Showgrounds on Saturday. The former side proved the superior combination and won the match by 9 points to 6. The game was by no means a brilliant exposition of the code, the reason perhaps being that both sides played short, this deficiency tending to spoil the combination of both backs and forwards. In the first half Marist forwards had by far the better of the game, being superior to their opponents in all departments of play. Their hooking was especially good. The two sets of* backs were more evenly matched, though Old Boys were seriously handicapped by the retirement of Hare, the half, who left the field injured. He was replaced by Mitchell, who being new to the position, could not do himself justice. Old Boys opened the account by kicking a splendid goal from a free kick. In the second quarter, however, after much ragged play, the score was •evened up by Ryan, the Marist winger, who snapped the ball up at practically half-way and ran up the line to score a brilliant try which was not converted. In the second spell Old Boys improved considerably and their hard, pushing play quickly tired their opponents, who, however, still proved superior in the set scrums, Old Boys being better in the linc-out play. A feature of the game at this stage was the manner in which Old Boys kept the ball at toe and literally rushed Ihe opposition off its feet. Ibis mode of attack, combined with clever passing bouts by the hacks, eventually won the game, though when no-side was called Old Boys were by no means having it all their own way. Comments. Of the victors, Bruce, at full-back, played a safe game, being exceptionally steady ancl accurate with his line kicking. , Voice, on the wing, played good football and fully merited the try which he scored. • Griffiths, at first five-eighth, played well, but was Inclined to hang on too long’. Wilson played a good forward game, being prominent both in the tight and loose. Morrison played a good game and was perhaps the pick of the forwards. For Marist, Lewis, at full-back, was quite safe. His place-kicking was off. Duffy, at first five-eighth, showed great promise and with a bit more speed should go a long way in the same. . Waters, at second five-eighth, was a tower of strength and was responsible for getting his side out of more than one tight corner with his heady kicking. . Baker, at centre, played . a fair game but was not brilliant. Of the forwards Emerson was perhaps the pick, though Roach ran him a close second.

PRIMARY SCHOOL GAMES. COMPETITIONS VERY KEEN. There has been a revival in Primary School Rugby and the competitions among the local schools this year are exceptionally keen. Four schools have never at any time won or lost with more than three points between the scores.

Whitiora and Hamilton East are leading in the A grade, while Forest Lake is on top in the B grade. The two outstanding teams in the C grade are Whitiora and Hamilton East, while Whitiora A are leading Whitiora B in the D grade.