REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17805, 2 September 1929, Page 8

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

A VISIT FROM CANTERBURY. GAME WITH WAIKATO' FIFTEEN. THIS AFTERNOON’S PLAY DESCRIBED. The representative Rugby fifteens of Canterbury and Waikato met In Hamilton this afternoon under favourable conditions for p Th is the first occasion that a Canterbury team has visited this centre and the appearance of this South Island provincial side created more than average Interest, there being a good attendance to witness fixture.

The teams lined out as follows. Canterbury. Pull-back: T-. Mullan. Three-quarters: G. Hart, J-. Harris, W. E. Merritt. Five-Eighths: G. Innes, D. Hay. Half-back: T. HodglJnson. Rover: G. Scrimshaw. Forwards: A. Carson, J. Kirkland, J. Manchester; T. Robinson, W. Thompson, T. Manning and J. T. Burrows. Waikato. Fullback: S. Thomas. Three-quarters: M. Anderson, R. Kemp, W. Allen. Five-eighths: A. St. George, J. R. Fitzgerald. Half-back: A. Buckingham. Rover: It. Chapman, Forwards: A. Cameron, P. Kelk W. Bourkfe, D. Simpson, E. Halstead, L. Scott, J. Hooper. Burrows captained the. visitors and Thomas had charge of Waikato. The game was twenty minutes’ late in starting, Two spells of 45 minutes each were arranged. The visitors kicked off, Thomas getting in a good line finder early on in the game. Belated work by the home custodian a little later on saw Canterbury approach the north-eastern corner, when Hodgkinspn, Hay and Merritt worked the short' side for the latter to score. He forfeited the kick through letting the ball touch the ground. Canterbury 3 Waikato 0 On the resumption Waikato took charge, Buckingham registering a good breakaway through the Canterbury 25, but the movement was stopped. Canterbury were penalised for an infringement within the next few minutes, and Halstead kicked a goal. Waikato 3 Canterbury 3 In the immediately following play Chapman got clean away and fed into Kemp, but the latter knocked on. Scoring Alternates. Waikato kept up the pressure in the south-western corner, where Anderson picked up in the loose and dived over to score. Halstead failed with the goal shot. Waikato 6 Canterbury 3 Canterbury invaded the home twenty-five, where St. George turned them off with a good kick. Fast following by Halstead and Buckingham saw Waikato bring the play back to the visitors’ twenty-five. Harris was the means of checking the advance, but Thomas retaliated with a ground gaining clearance for Waikato. Harris again came into the picture when the home pack was taking charge.. Merritt put in a useful run on his wing, the play reaching Waikato’s half. The visiting backs handled effectively, Hart beating Anderson in a run down the wing. Matters were looking bad for Waikato when Fitzgerald rushed in and forced. From the immediate following play Scrimshaw secured at the twenty-five, and the Canterbury rover bolted for the line, getting there to score With a couple of homesters holding on tj him. Merritt kicked a good goal.

Waikato Leads at Half Time.

Second Half Opened

(Continued in Stop Press Column.)

Canterbury 8 Waikato 6 The play swayed between the twenty-lives for some time. Scrimshaw gave his side an attacking opportunity but Merritt dropped his pass. A penalty, taken by Halstead, was well returned by Mullan. Halstead’s Two Goals. Waikato, by quick following, got inside the visitors’ half where the latter were penalised. Halstead landed a great goal from about five yards short of half-way. Waikato 9 Canterbury 8 f Halstead was given another opportunity within the next few minutes and again the flags were raised. Waikato 12 Canterbury 8 Thomas, the home full back, retired injured at this stage. Delaney replaced him. Buckingham made good use of the line and Waikato were soon the invading force. Canterbury were ruled against for a scrum infringement but Halstead’s shot failed. The home forwards carried the attack to the vicinity of the visitors’ goal where Halstead had a stiot from the field but it failed. Harris, who was playing well, burst through to the home-twenty-five where he fed infield but /Halstead intercepted the pass and changed an awkward situation. Fast following by Allen gave the opposition some trouble but Harris was again useful in stemming the tide. More Points to Waikato. St. George opened up a home movement at the visitors’ twenty-five with Buckingham, W. Bourke and Anderson In support, the latter scoring. It was a bright movement. Halstead’s shot went to the right of the posts. Waikato 15 Canterbury 8 Canterbury drove the home team back to defend. Hay put in a good kick close to the corner. Successes to the Visitors. From the subsequent play Innes : took a good one-hand pass and dived for the line, but fell a yard short. Canterbury touched down, but were called back for a five yards scrum. From this Manning secured and bustled his way over, Merritt’s shot failed. Within the next few minutes the visitors were over again, Merritt, Innes and Scrimshaw handling, the latter scoring. Mullan missed an easy shot. , e Waikato -• Can terbury •• • • * *

Play had been very fast up to this stage. St. George put in a strong run, which brought play into • the visitors territory. Andqrson and Kelk both improved the position for Waikato. Buckingham sent his backs off, and a centring kick by Kemp caused Mullan to get the touch hurriedly. Waikato were attacking as half-time came with the scores: Waikato •• 15 Canterbury 14

Harris, who was full-back at this stage, earned applause for a fine linekick early in the second half. Mullan had gone behind the scrum, while Hodgkinson went to the wing and Merritt to centre. The early stages were marked by solid forward play.