RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18345, 3 June 1931, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL

LATEST SAGE CUP PLAY. i OLD BOYS’ DEFEAT MARIST. GOOD PASSING OF WET BALL. Old Boys placed themselves In the lead in the Sage Memorial Gup competition for the Hamilton Rugby championship on Saturday when they accounted for Marist by 9 points to 3. It was a clear-cut viotory and a definite triumph for the Old Boys’ backs. Nevertheless it must not be forgotten that the winning points were gathered by entirely unorthodox methods. With a slippery field and still more slippery ball there was only one recognised line of action to follow—keep 'the ball at toe. Yet the Oid Boys’ backs picked up again and again and handled remarkably well. Their spectacular passing bouts brought them constantly within striking distance and it was here that Pratt was able to kick two splendid penalties. Marist were relegated to their owq twenty-five for most of the first half. Favoured though they were with a set of forwards no less effective than Old Boys, they could make little progress against Pratt's faultless line kicking and the rapidly onceived movements of the backs. After half-time, however, with a leeway of 9 points to make up, Marist played more intensively and showed a good deal more spirit 'than previously. The game developed into a battle royal between the opposing packs. Oid Boys possessed the weight and generally pushed the Marist forwards out of .the scrum. With the territorial advantage Marist was several times in a position to overtake the deficit, and on two occasions at least P. Clarkin was very unlucky with his penalty kicks, one striking the crossbar and bouncing outside. A Battle Royal. For the remainder of the second session play fluctuated, Marist gaining possession more frequently. The packs were too evenly matched, however, to get far and as a handling combination the Old.'Boys’ backs had exhausted themselves. The ground by that time was also very muddy. On the day Old Boys were clearly the better team because their backs relied ou speed and understanding to make the play open before conditions became too bad. The Marist backs, on the other hand, were fairly sound Individually, but lacked organisation and finish.

Old Boys Reviewed. Pratt gave an exhibition of kicking which delighted everybody. There was never a safer full-back and not a single attempt to find the line failed. Pratt is rapidly qualifying for higher honours. Of the backs, Mills at centre, while he was often prominent, spoilt a good game by over-running the ball, but I the conditions were admittedly unsuited to his style of play. Holmes, on the wing, was fast and resourceful, but his tackling was not above criticism. Collinge, the other winger, made more of his opportunities and refused to go off though badly knocked. R. Johnstone, secbnd fiveeighth, played an improved game and Fitzgerald, first five-eighth was an asset in the open play. Gilling made few mistakes at the base of the scrum and he opened up many attractive rushes. Malcolm, who played wing-forward, appears to have found his ideal position. He was always where most wanted. 'Bach and all of the forwards constituted a battling pack, able to stand up .to solid play. They all played well, the most notable improvement being made by R. Tombs and T. Johnstone. ~ The IVlarlst Side.

P. Clacldn continues to be the most useful back in the Marist team. He had a hectic time guarding the goal on Saturday and taking everything into consideration acquitted himself well. His cousin, L. Clarldn, showed plenty of dash 'on the wing and was strong on defence. G. McCormack, at centre, found the line with welldirected kicks, but was unsuccessful in attempts at goal. He was useful at all times. R. Johnston was not seen often, but like Howe and Grogan, the five-eighths, put in plr.nty' of hard work. Trotter did not iVave matters all his own way as half. He has the makings of a first-class half and should make progress.

Waters, though playing a quieter game than Malcolm, was of considerable value to his side as rover. The pack worked hard throughout. T. Cassidy got his side into trouble through offside play in the second half, but was a force in tight and loose. Remits, Pcacocke, Reynolds, Roach, Jl. McCormick and Hold were incessant toilers.

FRANKTON—TECHNICAL. A DRAWN MATCH. FAST FORWARD PLAY. Technical Old Boys and Frankton played a drawn game on No. 2 ground, Rugby Park, on Saturday, Technical scoring two unconverted tries and Frankton securing a penally goal and an unconverted try. The score, 6 all, was a good indication of the game, although Frankton were perhaps unlucky not to score during the second spell. They were within ten yards of Technical’s goal line for a quarter of an hour and during that time were awarded several ‘penalties. Everest elected to use the'line cacti time and as tils team had the host of the play and the ball was too heavy to ensure a kick going over Die cross-bar lie took Die wisest course. Several times there were line-outs wilier. two yards of Technical's line but Die attackers could not finish 01T their movements. As would he expected, considering the state of Die ground and weather conditions, play was mainly confined to Die forwards. The Technical forwards and barks were the hardest loiters during the fist spell and had the advanlago G nil just before halftime. However, Everest, by good following up, reduced the margin when he scored a good try. After half-lime the Frankton team played with much more vigour and had Technical continually defending. Tech-

nical made one or two strong bids for another try but the efforts were never really dangerous. Frankton sesured the points which equalised the scores just before time was called and they battled hard to gain a victory. Tho Frankton Team. R. Skeet, the full-back, played one of his best games in Hamilton. He took the ball well, tackled solidly and used the line very effectively. He was valuable to his team. A. H. Griffiths and J. Denz, the wing three-quarters, had little to do on attack. Neither was over-pro-minent, Hook escaping Denz on occasions.

E. Everest, the centre, was not. as outstanding as usual. He missed several passes and held on too long when he did gain possession. His line-kicking was very effective. Neither Voyce nor Cotter was very impressive. The former is a strong runner, but he does not use his head and holds on to the ball too long. Cotter’s handling was poor, even considering the state of the ball. L.Denz, behind the scrum, was a hard’toiler. He stood up to a lot of work and was the most consistent back on the field. His ground gaining kicks were the right tactics with ■the ball as greasy as it was. Barlow, the rover, was in anything likely but he could anticipate with better effect. Weatherley, Priscott 'and Simmons were the pick of a bustling pack. Technical Reviewed. Bell, the full-back, was usually safe., but he was caught out of position once or- twice. Hemi and Hook, the wing threequarters, made several bright Individual dashes, but these lacked support. L. St. George was not a hard worked attacker at centre but he accepted everything that came his way. With his brother, A. St. George, he formed a strong defensive line. The latter was always in the thick of the game and was Technical’s best player. Potter never shirked any work and did all that could be expected of him. Donaldson, the half-back, had a gruelling day. He was continually harrassod by the opposing forwards, but stood up to the work well. Dalbeth, the rover, did not get many opportunities, but he led several promising rushes. The forwards toiled well during the first spell, but after the interval were beaten by the Frankton pack. Tho pick of them were Stewart, Robinson and Banlder.

HAMILTON UNION.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS. Mr A. S. Cliffe presided at the week’y meeting of the management committee of the Hamilton Rugby Football Union which took place last evening. Insurance Claims. Two belated insurance claims were received. One was referred to the insurance committee and the other was referred back to the club secretary, with an Instruction to have the mjured player submit to medical inspection by the Union’s surgeon, and for the club’s secretary to say how far the claim accorded with the rules of the Insurance fund. In connection with Insurance claims it was deckled to officially request the Referee’s Association to officially note on tho team cards, the names of injured players leaving the field through injury and if possible a brief statement of the injury sustained.

School Football. The headmaster of the Forest Lake School acknowledged receipt of a school football. Representative Caps. Messrs Campbell, Ehrenfried and Company, wrote giving details of the conditions relating to their gift of representative caps donated by them, through Mr Geo. Gillett. No. 2 Ground, Rugby Park-. The secretary of the Referees’ Association wrote requesting the cooperation of the management committee in the matter of preventing spectators crowding on the playing field of No. 2 ground. The letter stressed the awkwardness of the referee’s duties when encroaching on the field was indulged in. Spectators were requested to study the referee’s and players’ requirements and to generally co-operate in the Interests of the game. The Clarke Cup. The notice of motion given at last meeting to rescind a previous motion providing that the semi-final and final of the Clarke Gup be played in the second round of the Sage was moved and agreed to by the committee. The position now is that the question of the time of playing the semi-final and final of the Clarke Cup is left open.

JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD. The usual weekly meeting of the Junior Advisory Board took place last evening, Mr A. P. Nelson presiding. Two players—one each from Technical Old Boys and Old Boys' Junior A teams, the former reported by the referee for overmuch talking and threatening opponents, and the latter ordered off for striking an opponent, came before the hoard. The former received a severe caution, and the latter having already stood down one Saturday, received the additional punishment of having to stand down another Saturday. Two players warned by the referee in the fourth grade match on Saturday 30th. ulto. for wrestling on the ground after a tackle, are ‘to be warned by letter against a continuance of. similar tactics.

A Technical Old Boys player took part In a fourth grade game on the IGth. ulto., against Technical School, knowing that he was over-weight for the game, was ordered to stand down for two playing Saturdays. Messrs L. Day and D. Annett were appointed joint third grade selectors vice Mr W. Williams, resigned. The old Boys’ Club in a letter to the Board giving an explanation' of its action In playing a player, who had been registered as a senior and had played one game in that grade, In the Junior A match, Old Boys v. Technical Old Boys on the 23rd ulto., stated that the player was played in the junior match mentioned because It was thought that he had been registered in that grade, and that the registration of the player in the senior grade was a secretarial error. The Board after some discussion decided to accept Old Boys’ secretary’s explanation, and to allow the result of the match to stand as played. The management committee of the Union Is to be asked .to remove the player's name from its senior registrations, and the Junior Board accepted him as a junior player. 1 Mr L. Day (Technical' High School) moved the notice of motion given at last meeting to rescind the minute of the meeting of the :18th. ulto., awarding the match in the fourth grade of IG/5/31 Technical Old Boys v. Tech-

nical School (which, was won by 35 to nil by Technical Old Boys) to Technical School, owing to Technical Old Boys playing a player who was overweight for the grade. Mr Day expressed the view that to take the match away from a team that had won by such a large margin was too severe a punishment, and that the punishment should rather fall on the player who had taken part in the match, knowing he was ineligible. The Board agreed to reverse its former decision, and the result of the match in question is lo stand as played. Clearances were accepted for the following players.—Ponsonby to Frankton, C. G. Smyth; Parnell to Technical Old Boys, P. Speedy; Marist to Technical Old Boys, L. Murray;'Marr Ist to Frankton, G. McDonald. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Seniors. —Old Boys v. Technical Old Boys, No. 1 Rugby Park, 3 p.m.; Marist v. Frankton, No. 2 Rugby Park, 3 p.m. Junior A.—Marlst v. Old Boys, No. 1 Show Grounds, 3 p.m.; Frankton v. Technical Old Boys, No. 1 Show Grounds, 1.30 p.m. Junior B.—Te Kowhai v. Old Boys, Te Kowhai, 2 p.m.; Ruakura v. Technical Old Boys, No. 2, Show Grounds, 1.30 p.m.; High School,- a bye. Thirds.—Technical Old Boys v. Technical School, No. 2 Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m.; Frankton v. High school, No. 3 Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m. Fourths.—Technical'Old Boys B v. Old Boys, No. 3 Rugby Park, 3 p.m.; Technical School v. High School, No. 4 Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m.; Technical Old Boys A v. Frankton, No. 1 Rugby Park, 1.30 (curtain raiser). Fifths.—Technical A v. High School, No. 1 Hayes’ Paddock, 1.30 p.m.; Technical B v. Marlst, No. 2, Hayes’ Paddock, 1.30 p.m. Sixths.—Technical School B v. High School A, No. 4 Rugby .Park, 10 a.m.; High School B v. Technical School A, No. 3 Rugby Park, 10 a.m.; Marist % bye.