RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18393, 29 July 1931, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SAGE CUP FINAL. OLD BOYS THE CHAMPIONS. TECHNICAL'S STRONG OPPOSITION. Old Boys became holders of the Sage Memorial Cup, the coveted trophy for senior Rugby honours In Hamilton, by defeating Technical Old Boys by 17 points to 3 In the championship final last Saturday. Twelve years have passed since 'Old Boys held the trophy, which was presented to the Hamilton Rugby Union in 1904 by Mr J. W. 11. Bright. Following is a list of the holders to-date:— 1004—No. 1 Football Club. 1905 —No. 1 Football Club. 190 6—Suburbs. too?—No. l Football Club. 1908—No. 1 Football Club. 1 909 —No. 1 Football Club. t •1910—City. ’ 1911—No. 1 Football Club. 1012—Corclonton. 1913 —City. 1911—St. Mary’s. 1915 — No competition (war). 1916 High School. 1917 City. 1918— City. 1019—Old Boys. 1920—‘Frahkton. 192 I —Frankton. 1922 Citv. 1923 City 192 I—City. 1 925—City. 1926 City. 1927 City. 1028—City. 1929—Marlst Old Boys. 193U—Frankton. 1931—01 d Boys. Did Boys’ win In the Anal on Satur,y prevented Frankton, the runnersw’ho were only one point behind the leaders, from having a further say in the matter. Meritorious though the win was, Technical put up a surprisingly strong opposition, and were unlucky not to have registered a bigger score. The game was fairly fast and open, not without its exciting moments, and the standard was a good deal better than some of the earlier games in the competition. Though beaten by a better team on the day. Technical were by no means disgraced. They showed quite as much vigour and energy ns their opponents up to the final whistle, but whenever territorial advantage came their way it was chiefly through the work .of Individualists. Receiving a liberal supply of ball from the scrum, the Old Boys’ backs were able to try all manner of passing experiments. They played their typical open game, the forwards frequently working in with tjio backs and creating havoc in the Technical defence. Within Aoe of Scoring. Technical came within an ace of scoring time and again, but always just failed to clinch a movement, not always because of the destructive work of the Old Boys’ backs but often through sheer bad luck. There was ono occasion when it seemed certain Technical would he awarded an oh • struction try or a freo kick and there was a clamour for it from certain sections of the crowd. Lou Hook, playing as rover, was the author and inspiration of practically all the attacking movements. He has never shown better form in local games, although It Is true that he had not had much ohanco to show any sort of form previously. Ho and Ilemt established a perfect understanding, but lacked the support of the inside backs. Had the remainder of the rear division risen to the ocoasion and combined with these two they would have been no whit inferior to Old Boys’ set of backs. The side was also hampered by the fact that Donaldson, the half back, had to relinquish the key position owing to injury soon after half time. Goal Kicking Poor. Of the six tries scored during tlm game only one was converted. The goal-kicking was of a very inferior order, but only In conformity with kicking throughout the series. Hamilton Rugby has been unable to produoe a really reliable kick this season, a fact which must be exercising the minds of the Peace Cup selectors. As Old Boys’ full back Patterson rarely fumbled when called upon and held off attack at times with some useful kicks.' Pearson was willing on his wing, and Lissetto accepted anything likely on the other. The latter has a safe pair of hands and alto-, gether is a promising back. FitzGerald, at centre, again showed himself the organising genius of the team and snapped up any chances offering. R. Johnstone, at second five-eighths, always dangerous in possession, made some good dashes, but his handling was weak. Before he went off with an injured shoulder, Gilling, at first flve-oighth, contributed a useful share to attack and defence. McDell fed out regularly behind the scrum and was a sound defensive player. Malcolm Was Cool. Though he did not make full use of his pace, Malcolm, as rover, was a tower of "strength, especially in defending. Ho is extraordinarily calm and collected In the faco of a desperato emergency. Tho forwards were a staunch hunch and a great spoiling pack. Bonham and Douglas proved an effective hooking combination, and together with tho remainder of the set never let up irutight or loose. Bell, the Technical full back, has played moro convincingly. 110 was caught onco or twico in possession on Saturday. Ifcmi exploited overy possibility on his wing, but seemed unablo to dodge Malcolm, who repeatedly forced him out. He worked in cleverly with Hook. 1.. St. George, at centre, shone individually. S. Glarke, on Iho other wing, an addition from the juniors, was not impressive. Potter and Portcous, the Iwo flveelghths, showed flashes of good play, hut were not the links they should have been between the half back and tho wings. A Holpful Half Sack. Donaldson was a most helpful half hack until a wrist injury caused him to retire after the interval. Hook's superlative play as rover has already bpen mentioned. Ho played in among hacks and forwards and tackled like a tradesman. The Technical pack had some weak moments, which was not unexpected considering it was some time before a serum could be mustered prior to file kick-oil. Bourne and Clough were brought on after playing strenuous junior games. Unice and Bankier were tho pick of til e forwards.

HAMILTON UNION.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS. Mr A. S. Cllffo presided at the weekly meeting of the Management Committee of the Hamilton Rugby Football Union which took place last evening. Fourth Grade Representatives. A letter from the Walpa Rugby Union asking for a visit from the Hamilton Fourth Grade representatives to play the Waipa Union Third Grade was referred to the Junior Advisory Board for favourable consideration. Regrading. The application of Old Boys Club to have regraded to Junior A rank of A. Lissette and W. Pearson was agreed to after some discussion. Raglan Finlay Cup Match. The manager of the Finlay Cup team to Raglan reported very favourably on the hospitality accorded the Hamilton Union representative team on the occasion of its visit to Raglan. Training Shed Charges. It was decided to charge the clubs half fees only on the club nights on which the representative teams are training. Registration. W. Boneham was registered as a senior player for Old Boys Club. Peace Cup Fixture. Tho principal fixture at Rugby Park on. Saturday next will be the first Peace Cup fixture of the season, with the Morrinsvllle Union. Arrangements for the match were considered at the mecling of the committee, and everything is well in hand lor the fixture. Finlay Cup Fixture. The second Hamilton representative team selected to play the Finlay Cup fixture versus Waipa will, subject to confirmation of the venue of the match by -the Waipa Union, leave the C.P.0., Hamilton, by bus at 1.15 p.m. on Saturday next. JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD. Mr A. P. Nelson presided at the weekly meeting of the Junior Advisory Board, which was held at the Union Rooms on Monday evening. The application of the Old Boys Club to have regraded to Junior A rank A. Lissette and W. Pearson was directed to he sent forward to tho .Management Committee without comment. Permission was granted to the Technical School Club to travel to Thames on August 8, and to play Pukekohe High School at Hamilton on ■August 15. Similar facilities were given to the High School Club in respect to playing Thames High School on Saturday, August 1. Clearances were produced from Cambridge United for M. Gane (Technical School), from Gisborne High School Oul Boys for 11. R. Fisken (Ruakura), and for C. Pipson (Ruakura) from the Rotorua Rugby Union. The secretary of the Cambridge Union wrote accepting the offer of the board to send the Fourth represents ■ tives to Cambridge "on, August 8, bul regretting that owing to prior engagement it was not possible to accept the Third Grade offer on August 1. The secretary was directed to write suggesting a new arrangement—namely, that the local thirds should play Cambridge Juniors on the Btn and that the fourths should play Cambridge thirds on the 15th, and that if this suggested arrangement prove to be not suitable the original arrangement In regard to the Fourth Grade should stand. The board agreed to ;the transfer of J. Prlsk from Old Boys 118 to Frankton lIA, it being noted that the special circumstances prevailing are the only reason for the board’s action, and that no precedent is regarded as being created.

Notice of motion was given to rescind the resolution passed at last meeting of the board to lengthen the one-round Third Grade competition into two rounds. ' A bad case of injury to a Junior A player through unduly sharp sprigs was reported, and the Referees’ Association is to be asked to have another inspection before the commencement of the games next Saturday, and to order from the field any player whose footw’ear does not comply with the rules. The registration as a junior player of J. Scott for Technical Old Boys was accepted, subject to the usual conditions. The following players have been selected to form tho Fourth Grade representatives to play Cambridge Third Grado representatives at Cambridge on a dato to he notified:— Full back, F. Davy (T. 0.8.), Three-quarters, Graco (T. 0.8.), Cassells (Frankton), Hunter (O.B.). Five-eighths, Comer (O.B.), Martin (T. 0.8.). Half back, Everest (Frankton). Rover, C. Morris (T. 0.8.) Forwards, Reynolds (Frankton), Sanderson (T. 0.8.), Lymburn (T. 0.8.), Griffin (Frankton), Bath (T. 0.8.), Ogilvio (Frankton), Haines (T. 0.8.). Emergencies: Backs, Seccombe (O.B.), Carr (Frankton); forwards, Crawford (O.B.), L. Jones (T. 0.8.). FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Representative matoh (Peaco Cup) : Morrinsvillo v. Hamilton. Junior A-—Technical Old Boys v. Marist, No. 2, Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m.: Frankton v. Old Boys, No. 3, Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m. Junior B—Old Boys v. To Kowhai (Old Boys win by default); High School v. Ruakura, No. 1, Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m.; Technical Old Boys a bye. Third Grade—Technical School v. Technical Old Boys, Showgrounds, 1.30 p.m.; Frankton v. High School (deferred). Fourth Grade—Technical Old Boys A v. Technical Old Boys B, Hayes Paddock, 1.30 p.m.; Frankton v. Old Boys, Hayes Paddock 2, 1.30 p.m.; High School v. Technical School, Showgrounds 2, 1.30 p.m. Fifth Grade—Marist v. High School, No. 3, Showgrounds, 1.30 p.m.; Technical A v. Technical B (mid-week). Sixth Grade- —Technical B v. Marist and High School A v. Technical A (postponed), High School B a bye. Thames High School v. Hamilton High School 111., No. 1, Showgrounds, 10 a.m. Thames High School v. Hamilton High School A'., No. 2, Showgrounds, 9.30 a.in. MORRINSVLLLE UNION. At a mooting of the committeo of the Morrinsvillo Rugby Union, advice was received that the To Puninga and Springdale Clubs wished lo withdraw from the junior eonipclilions. An application from the Tauhci School

Committee for a subsidy on a football was granted, the Union to pay half the cost. It was decided to see if a return match with the Te Aroha third grade team could be arranged.

CAMBRIDGE UNION.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the management committee of the .Cambridge subunion, Mr 11. Cubis presided. The Morrinsvllle Sub-union wrote requesting that 'the Finlay Cup match with Cambridge on August 1 be postponed to a future date owing to Morrinsvllle being engaged In a match with Hamilton for the Peace Cup on that date. —The request was acceded to. The Auckland Grammar Old Boys offered to send their fourth-grade representatives to Cambridge on August 29.—Offer accepted. The Matamata Union submitted the names of three referees for the Boyce .Cup match against Cambridge on Saturday.—Mr W. Aocke was selected. Mr T. Shaw was appointed manager of tho junior representatives for Saturday’s match, with Mr J. Bourke as assistant manager. Tho Matamata Sub-union wrote offering to play the Peace Cup elimination match against Cambridge at Cambridge on August 8. —Offer accepted. Tho Hamilton Sub-union offered to send their fourth-grade representatives to Cambridge to play the local third grades on August 8. This offer was accepted. Hamilton also offered a match at Cambridge on August IS between their third grades and the •Cambridge juniors. This offer was declined owing to the local juniors being engaged with Matamata for the Boyce Cup on that date. It was decided to send the third grade representatives to Te Awamutu on Saturday next to play the Waipa third grade.

The Teams. Boyce (Cup (juniors): ’Fullback, Randall; three-quarters, Gregory, Bridgman, E. Shaw; five-eighths, Garland, McKee; half, Kamoa; rover, Hooper; forwards, Miller, Werner, O. Hooker, Turnbull, Croft, Bryant. Reserves: Iljorth, Rldgway, Griffiths. Third Grade, to play Waipa.— Carter, Power, Chard, Smith, Garland, Wilson, Brett, Calvert, Wiles, Robinson, Burke, J. Wiles, Hewitt, Shaw’, Hague. Reserves: Petersen and •Clow.

WAIPA UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. Mr G. W. Malrs presided at the weekly meeting of the Waipa Rugby Union management committee. The secretary reported that the spectators who had obtained illegal entry to Albert Park on two recent charge days had since paid up, and he requested that no further action be taken.—Agreed to. As a third grade player who had been notified to attend the meeting had failed to do so, it was decided that he bo suspended during tho pleasure of the union. Puketotara Club was reported still in default of affiliation fees, and consequently that club is automatically suspended from competition. Finlay Cup. Hamilton Union offered to play Waipa the Finlay Cup game for next Saturday at Te Awamutu, instead of at Hamilton, as originally drawn.— The secretary’s action in accepting the offer was approved. Tho secretary reported that a conference between the Otorohanga and Waipa Union delegates had been held at To Awamutu over the disputed boundaries, and ho reported the agreement arrived at.—Agreed to. It was decided to invite the Cambridge Union to semi its third grade representative team to To Awamutu on Saturday, if possible, failing tills, that tho junior representative selector he asked to arrange for an A and B 'game, as a curtain-raiser to the Finlay Cup match. Alleged Unfair Treatment. Tho secretary reported having attended the Waikato Union meeting, when Kalpakl Club wrote asking that tho whole question of north-eastern boundaries be re-opened, and complaining of unfair treatment at tho hands of Waipa sub-union. Waikato Union had referred the lotter to Waipa for a report.—Tho letter avas referred to Messrs Shepherd and Ilaselden to reply to. It was decided lo suspend all club fixtures on Saturday, when the third game in the Finlay Cup series will bo played. In acknowledging the Union's thanks for Hie use of a set of jerseys for the third-grade lrepresentatlvo team recently, [lie superintendent of Waikcria Institute wrote: “May I point out that wo appreciate the assistance and courtesies extended by your Union in regard to our .Rugby football, ami are always willing to co-operate lo the fullest, possible extent in the promotion of the Union's activities."

SUB-UNION BOUNDARIES.

AGREEMENT REACHED. The terms of the agreement reached at the recent conference of delegates from the Otoro'hanga and Waipa sub-unions over the boundaries dispute were reported to the Waipa Union on’Monday evening as under: — From the Waipa River along Te Kawa road to the north-eastern end of Ourawhera Block No. 304; across country in a direct line to the northeastern boundary of Wilson’s section No. 4, .Block 15, Mangaorongo Survey district; thence in a direct line duo south to Rangitoto A No. 21 A2<B; thence due east to the Mangatutu stream, following that stream. NORTH ISLAND TEAM. WELLINGTON NOMINATIONS. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. -* r The sole selector of the Wellington Rugby team reported at this evening’s meeting of the union that he had recommended the following players for consideration in the selection of ttio North Island representative team: — E Jessop, E. Barry, H. F. McLean, F. D". Kilby, M. Nlcholls, 11. Lilburne, N. Ball and J. D. Mackay. COLLEGE MATCH. -EASY WIN FOR TIMARU. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TIMARU, Tuesday. The annual Rugby match between St. Andrew’s -College, -Christchurch, and the Timaru Boys’ High School was played to-day. The Timaru High School team won by 48 points to 3.

THAMES TOURING TEAM. A trial match between teams selected from the various Rugby unions affiliated to the Thames Valley Rugby Union was played at Paeroa for the purpose of selecting the Thames Valley representative team, which is to go on tour during the next three weeks. The following team was selected:— Full-back, Gibbs (Te Aroha) ; threequarters, Pilkinglon (Te Aroha), Lysert (Waihi), Rooche (Te Aroha); fiveeighths, Garvey (Waihi), Walford (Waihi); half-back, Moore (Paeroa); rover, Thomas (Paeroa); forwards, Matthews (Haurald Plains), Street (Te Aroha), Walford (Waihi), Riddle (Haurakl Plains), Jennings, Carriok (Paeroa), Palmers (To Aroha). Emergencies: Laverick (Paeroa), Burgess (Te Aroha), Jacobs (Te Aroha) and Johns (Waihi). The team will play King Country at Te Kuitl on August 1, Gisborne, at Gisborne, on August 8, Tolaga Bay on August 11, Opotlki on August 13 and Waikato, at Te Aroha, on August 22. AUSTRALIAN VISIT. POPULAR MANAGER). Selection of Mr T. C. Davis, president of the Western Suburbs (Sydney) Club, to manage the Australian Rugby team on the New Zealand tour, should givo universal satisfaction (states the Sydney Referee). He was elected at the weekly meeting of the New South Wales Rugby Union on Monday night, tho only other nomination being that of Mr 11. Hay, of Manly. Mr Davis has been a particularly hard worker for amateur sport, and has been a tower of strength In botu Western Suburbs cricket and Rugby football clubs. Until last season tie was an active member of the cricket side, hut an operation wrote finis to his cricket career. With players and officials alike, Mr Davis lias proved very popular, and lie should make an ideal manager, where his personality and good fellowship should stand him in good stead.