RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18405, 12 August 1931, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

CLARKE CUP SERIES. MARIST SUCCESSFUL. VICTORY OVER OLD BOYS. TEAMS’ CHANGING FORTUNES. For the first time for two months Old Boys were defeated last Saturday when Marlst accounted for them by 20 points to 13 In the Clarke Cup series at Rugby Park. Incidentally, it was Marist's first win since the first round of the Sage Cup competition on May 23. Despite several counter-attractions there was a good following of Rugby suporters at the Park. It was an interesting game chiefly because of its fluctuating nature and the changing fortunes of the teams. Summed up, .there was little between them, although when Old Boys had attained a scoring advantage early in the second spell they were inclined to under-estimate the strength of the opposition and relax their defence somewhat. Both sides fielded some junior players, all of whom made a satisfactory showing. There was little combined play among the hacks and most of the scores were the outcome of individual efforts. Old Boys found their passing movements frequently upset by the spoiling capabilities of the opposing forwards who were more than a match for Old Boys’ pack in tight and loose. After the interval, it is true, some of the younger members of the Old Boys' van put their best into it and had the backs been half as strong on defence Roach and Howe would have been unable to gallop over for the tries which turned the game into a win for Marlst.

Opportunities Not Exploited. Whether Old Boys were satisfied with winning the Sage Cup championship or whether the loss of the Peace Cup has affected local players, psychologically, is hard to say, but there was a noticeable lack of vim and spirit in Saturday's encounter. The game conveyed the impression that only half the players were exerting themselves and then only when opportunities occurred. In other words there was no conscientious search for opportunities. Grogan, the Marlst full-back, was not worried a great deal and was somewhat overshadowed by the opposing full-back. Howe made a good impression on the wing and appeared to better advantage than he has for .some weeks past. V. Waters, on the other wing, put in a few aggressive thrusts and usually stopped anything- In his path. P. Clarkln, at centre, maintained his form, especially in the kicking department, converting two tries and dropping a splendid goal which earned well-merited applause. In the three-quarter line he had the chance to do more and did not neglect It. J. Dempsey, who played second fiveeighth, is a diminutive junior with a fine burst of speed and any amount of pluck. In the first five-eighth position, C. McCormack was not as prominent as usual but worked the touch-line well on occasions. The half, Trotter, gave a bright display, feeding out smartly and defending well. An Improved Pack. \ The Marlst forwards, individually and collectively, showed a great improvement on recent performances. T. Cassidy was a particularly useful man in the line-outs. The best of the other packmen were Dold, E. Waters and L. Clarkin. Dold is a fine type of forward, indispensable In the tight scrummages. Patterson, full-back for Old Boys, effected many clearances under pressure and his side had a good deal to thank him for. Holmes, on the wing, came into the picture occasionally but he did not get much of the ball from Inside. The same applies to R. Johnstone, on the other wing, who, however, was a good stopper to some of the opposing rushes. Fitz-Gerald, at centre, was ■always where most wanted, and made good use of his pace. Some of the passes he sent out were erratic. Combination Impaired. Tuck, at second five-eighth, made his first appearance for several weeks and could have been more generous with the ball. He attempted too much cutting In and was always blocked by the opposing forwards. Had Tuck fed his outside men the game might have gone differently. As first five-eighth, Gilling was not as prominent as usual, but he was not to blame for the blemishes in combined play. McDell, behind the scrum, was bustled by W. Cassidy and the break-away forwards, but he toiled diligently throughout. Malcolm, the rover, collected ten of the 13 points, seven of them by goal kicking. He has played better games than on Saturday, however. Though dangerous in possession. Malcolm Is inclined to be too slow in fielding. W. Tombs and Thomas were the most Impressive of the pack. The former often broke away from the scrummages in possession and Thomas, considering he had just emerged from the strenuous junior final, was outstanding. He was in the van of every loose rush In the second spell. Caskey was another force in the loose, while Douglas, Bonham, Graham, and Gillett tolled steadily in the closer play.

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. ITS NEW ZEALAND TOUR. A LIKELY SIDE. That the Australian Rugby -team for New Zealand will play good, honest football, with more than a dash of brilliance, and will prove a hard side to beat, was the opinion expressed to a Post representative by a local business man who returned to Wellington recently from Sydney, and has not only seen practically all the selected players in action, but has also played against some of them. The team will welcome grounds which most nearly approach the hard grounds Io whkMi they are accustomed at home, and will be seen at their best on them, but it is expected that they will be fully able Io adapt themselves to whatever conditions fall to I heir lot. The reporter was also given some, interesting sidelights on the indivi-

dual players. “I have played against Ross,’’ said the former Sydney man, “and I have never played against a full-back who breaks the opposing forwards’ hearts as he does. He Is not as powerful a kick as Nepia, and he Is not so spectacular, but the moral effect of his absolute safety is difficult to imagine. “Every time that I have seen Steggall (the reserve full-back from Queensland) play,” he continued, "he has played an absolutely champion game, though he is not as good as Ross.” 'Hemming way, a Sydney University wing three-quarter, was described as a powerfully-built player who never played badly. Possessing a fair amount of speed, he was more of 'the solid, plugging type than brilliant. Towers's Century. Tolhurst had yet to make his mark in the game, but Palmer, “the old man of the side," was probably the pick of the wingers. His high-step-ping action made him a very difficult man to tackle, and if he was unable to get through on his own he took care to see that the ball was transferred to a team-mate in a better position than himself. Cyril Towers was playing at the top of his form this season, and had been doing particularly well in the matter of scoring. He had scored in every club match this season, and required only a single point to pass the century. Herd was a new man to big football, but Cowpef had plenty of experience, and was a utility back, being able to play anywhere from fiveeighths to wing three-quarter. Prim rose had caused more argument in Sydney than any other player. Ils was for a long time passed over by the selectors, although many considered him the best five-eighths playing in Australia at the present time. Tolhurst, Herd, and Primrose all owed a lot to Malcolm, their captain , in the Manly Club team. From ordinary club men they had developed into Ilrst-class players under his guidance. Malcolm was said to be playing better than anything he has produced in New Zealand. Bennett, the other half-back, was held to be a champion In the making. Some Good Forwards. Among the forwards, the man liable to attract the most notice during the tour was Cerutti (pronounced “Serotti), who was doubtless the best forward in Australia to-day. He was formerly an Association code player, and had a remarkable control over the ball with his feet. Blair was not as fast as Cerutti, but was a good, solid, hard-working forward who would never be found very far from the ball. He was an adept at opening up passing rushes. He and Judd | were two of the 1927 “Waratahs," and both invariably pulled their weight throughout the game. Perrin was a big husky forward who came Into the limelight this year and stepped into the gap left by the retirement of Ford, New South Wales’ well-known lock. Palfreyman was one of the best breakaways in Australia, but it probably came as a surprise to find Love included in the team. Love was a Sydney University player who played against the New Zealand University team in Sydney earlier this season. HAMILTON UNION. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS. Mr A. <S. Cliffe presided at the weekly meeting of the Hamilton Rugby Union Management Committee, which took place last evening. Marlst Brothers’ School Matches. The director of the Marlst Brothers’ School asked for the use of two grounds at the Showgrounds on Saturday at 10 a.m. to play two teams from the Morrinsville High School. The permission asked for was granted. Training Shed. ' The Frankton Club notified its disuse of the Rugby Park training shed for the rest of the season. Law v. Banks. Mr R. Sweet applied on behalf of the committee controlling the game for permission to use No. 1 Rugby Park on Thursday, 13th Inst., for the annual match between Law and Banks. —The permission requested was granted subject to the permission of the Grounds Committee as to weather on the day. Matamata. It was decided to ask the Matamata Sub-union to pay a visit tc Hamilton on September 5. Player Ordered Off. The referee in control of the Marlst Brothers' Old Boys v. Old Boys’ match on Saturday, Bth Inst., reported having ordered off T. Cassidy, of the former team during the progress of the match. The player appeared and gave his explanation. It was decided to administer a severe caution and to require a personal apology from the player to the referee. Registration. The application of the Technical Old Boys’ Club to register J. Finlay as a senior player was agreed to. i Clarks Cup. j It was decided to postpone next Saturday's round of the Clarke Cup. Morris Cup. The entries for the Morris Cup will close at the end of August. Accounts. Accounts to the extent of £2O 15s lOd were passed for payment.

JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD. Mr A. P. Nelson presided at the weekly meeting of the Junior Advisory Board, which took place at the Union Rooms on Monday evening.

The Fourth Grade representative team, which is to travel to Cambridge on Saturday, 15th Inst., by bus leaving the Chief Post Office at 12.45 p.m., Is to train at the Rugby Park training shed on Thursday, 13th Inst., at 7 p.m. Attendance is compulsory at this practice. The manager of the Third Grade representative team which played the Cambridge Junior representatives at Cambridge last Saturday reported that the team had sustained a defeat by 9 points to 0. but lhat though outweighted tiie team had played well and up to expectations. The referee in the Frankton v. High School Fourth grade game reported a Frankton player for using abusive language Io him after the conclusion of the match. The player, who had been ordered to appear did not do so, and was ordered to stand down until lie complies with the order. The referee is Io be asked for a full report of the conduct of players of both teams both during and after Ihe If was agreed to Intimate fo the Waikato Union that a start of Hie Waikato junior championship on the 22nd Inst, would be agreeable to Hie

Junior Advisory Board. The secretary was Instructed, subject to the consent of the Management Committee being obtained, to write to the Waipa Union asking for a game for the Hamilton Third Grade representatives. The game Pukekohe Technical School v. Hamilton Technical School was recommended as a curtain-raiser for the 15th Inst. FOURTH GRADE TEAM. GAME AT CAMBRIDGE. The following players comprise the Fourth Grade representative team which is to train at Rugby Park training shed on Thursday evening, 13th Inst., at 7 o'clock, and to leave by bus for Cambridge from the Chief Post Office on Saturday at 12.45 p.m Full back, F. Davy; three-quarters, Grace, Cassells, Hunter; five-eighths, Comer, Martin; half back, Everest; rover, C. Morris; forwards, Reynolds, Sanderson, Lymburn, Griffin, Bath, Ogilvie, Haines. Reserves: Backs, Seccombe and Carr; forwards, Crawford and L. Jones. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Auckland Grammar v. Hamilton High School. No. 1, Rugby Park, 3 p.m. (Mr Davies.) Third Grade—Pukekohe Technical | High School v. Hamilton Technical j High School, No. 1, Rugby Park, 1.30 1 p.m. (Mr Burgess). Junior A —Technical Old Boys v. I Old Boys, No. 3. Rugby Park, 1.30 ! p.m. (Mr Aickln) ; Frankton v. Marlst, I No. 3, Rugby Park, 3 p.m. (Mr Wat- j kins). Junior B —Old Boys v. Technical I Old Boys, No. 2, Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m. (Mr Laii'il. ; Te Kowliai v. Huikura- —Iluakura wins by default. Fourth Grade representative, match v. Cambridge Third Grade, at CamFifth Grade —Technical B v. Marlst - -Ileferred. High Schoo! A v. Technical A. No. 4. Rugby Park, 1.30 p.m. (Mr Clegg;.

Morrinsvllle District High School v. Marlst School 111., No. 1, Showground, 10 a.m. (Mr Cliffe). Morrinsvllle District High School v. Marlst School V., No. 2. Showground, 10 a.m. (Mr Sergei).

CAMBRIDGE UNION. • MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. At the weekly meeting of the Cambridge Rugby Union Management Committee the president, Mr 11. Cubis, presided over a good attendance of delegates. The secretary of the Auckland Grammar fourth grade wrote agree.ng to send a team to Cambridge on Augus-t 29. Arrangements were made for Ihe Cambridge senior representatives to play Morrlnsville for the Fin’av Cup match at Morrlnsville next Saturday. Arrangements for the annual ball on the 27th Inst., were made. Teams for Saturday. Finlay Cup.—The following team will represent Cambridge against Morrlnsville:— Full-back, Hamilton: three-n'.iariers, Gibbons, Stacey. H. Shaw; five-elghrhs, Byrne, R. Shaw; half-back, Tapper; rover. Dagg; forwards, Miller. Reid, Tamati, D. Wilson, F. Shaw, W. Cooper, McDonnell. Reserves.—Backs. Holmes, Aymes; 1 forwards, R. Wilson, R. Cooper. The Junior •team to play Waipa fo* the Boyce Cup at Cambridge is:— Full-back, Randall; three-quarters, I Gregory, Richmond, E. Shaw; five--eighths, Garland, McKee; half-bick, ■ Kamoa; rover, L. Hooker; forwards. Hooper, Miller, Werner, O. Hooker, Turnbull, Croft, Bryant. Reserves —HJorth, Ridgway, Gtlfmils. The third grade team to pi.iy | Hamilton fourth grade is:— Full-back. lOanter; Ithree-quarß?rs, Smith Wilson. Power; five-eighths, Carland, Easter; half. Brett; rove", j Calvert: forwards. Coster. Shaw, j Robertson, Wiles. Burke. Hewitt. I. I Wiles. Reserves. —Petersen. Chard, Clow. [

WAIPA UNION. The usual weekly meeting of the Waipa Rugby Union Management Committee was presided over by Mr J. E. Lowe. The referee tn the High School v. Rovers third grade game reported that he had ordered off a Rovers player for striking an opponent.—The player is to be warned to attend next meeting. Te Awamutu Club protested against Pirongia thirds playing M. Bell last Saturday, claiming that he had played three senior games this season.—The matter was adjourned for a week. A similar adjournment was decided upon In the matter of a pro-test by High School against Rovers playing . two lads last Saturday who were unregistered and one was over weight ' and age limit. Hamilton Union offered to send its fourth-grade representative team to Te Awamutu on the 22nd Inst, to play Waipas third grade representatives. —Offer accepted. Protest Against Play. It was decided to lodge a protest to the Waikato Union against the delay In finalising the Elnlay Cup comped tlon, and also to ask that the game bi i played at Te Awamutu on the 29tl> I Inst. It was stated that the eastern i section has not yet been finalised, fo I Cambridge have yet to play Putaruru. Matamata lias four points. Morrlusj vllle three, and Camhridg two. If ■ . Morrlnsville beats Cambridge It wins the section; a draw would mean that Morrlnsville and Matamata would have to play oft the section tie; while If j Cambridge defeats Morrlnsville the former would have to play off with 1 Matamata. I It was decided that the Doyle Cup i competition be commenced on the 22nd Inst., and that Te Awamutu and Owairaka Clubs be left out of flic draw on that date. The manager for the junior repre | sentatives reported that the team > selected last week would he the team to traiel next week to Cambridge. |

THAMES VALLEY BEATEN. (By Telegraph.—Prsss association.) GISBORNE. Tuesday. East Coast beat Thames Valley by 5 points to 3. Thames Valley, playing against the sun, scored an unconverted try early in the first half, Lysaght diving over near the corner after the forwards had bustled play to the line. Soon after. Walford scored for East Coast, Nepla converting. Nepla's splendid defensive play at second five-eighths was chiefly responsible for the Coast maintaining It* lead. ___________