RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19600, 12 June 1935, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SAGE MEMORIAL CUP.

FRANKTON’S COMMANDING LEAD.

TECHNICAL’S FIRST WIN,

(By “Drop Kick.”) With the second matches in the second round 'Of the Sage Memorial Gup competition completed, Frankton have a lead of five points and the competition has, to some extent, lost some of its interest. Frankton, however, have by no means dominated the competition and with four more matches yet to be played the finish 'can still be close land exciting.) The result of the Old Boys-Frankton match on Saturday was not a true Indication of the run of play as none will deny that Old Boys had the territorial advantage for 'easily 70 per cent of the game. Technical Old Boys, who have been unlucky on several occasions, gamed their first success of the season when they defeated Marist on No. 2 ground ,on Saturday.

Rugby Union Unfortunate. The Hamilton Rugby Union has, indeed, been unfortunate this year. Realising they were in a sorry condition the players and .officials bad a stocktaking early in the season, with the result that the class of football that has been provided 'has been of a much higher standard than 'the Rugby of tho past three or four years. 'Other, big sporting fixtures (racing and trotting) clashed with the .Rugby Saturday after Saturday, and last week-end, the first time there was no other major attraction in the district, the weather was distinctly unfavourable. The games that were provided, however, merited wider support.

The Championship Table. The following are 'the positions of the teams competing in the Sage Memorial Gup competition:—

Standard Very Bright. 'The standard of the 'Rugby provided on No. 1 ground on .Saturday was particularly bright considering the slippery ball and -greasy ground, the majority of the Old Boys’ backs, especially, 'handling very well- There was never more than three points between tbe teams and the game was always close and exciting. When Frankton gained a lead of three points their supporters were still on “.pins and needles," as Hie other team had had so much the better of the game that they were not sure whether they could hold their advantage. The game on No. 2 ground was not as exciting in the early -stages, hut later this game was also bright and interesting.

Second Half Revival. Dull, scrappy play, with few combined movements characterised tho Marist-Tec'hnical game on No. 2 ground on Saturday in the first half. After the interval, however, both teams 'became more .spirited and play became fast and open. Technical’s backs made the most of it and held their own against the Marist rearguard till the finish. Rough Play Again. The rough play that was apparent in tho Hamilton senior competition last season was again noticeable on Saturday, and the refereo had occasion to order two players off the field in the Frankton-Old 'Boys match. The feeling that exists between these two teams is more than club rivalry and this is responsible for the regrettable incidents that occurred. If the high standard of Rugby is to be maintained the club hostility must cease.

Superior Hooking. Although Marist, 'by 'superior hooking, got possession from most of tho .scrums their hacks failed to take full advantage of it against Technical. Though the Marist backs were capable individually there was a lack of understanding among them collectively. Trotter, the half, and the two fiveeighths, varied their tactics so frequently that 'the 'Other backs were kept guessing.

An Altered Team. With so many of their players out with injuries Old Boys had a 'greatly altered ‘team on Saturday, IC. Barling turning out again, while W. 'Cann, who was injured; in the second match, filled a place on 'the wing. Although not properly fit Barling showed that if he could only handle he would he one of the : best backs in the competition. He has football “brains,” hut spoilt much of his work by very poor handling. The Old Boys’ rear division worked well and had the centre handled better the result would probably have been different. Cann was not in form but made few mistakes. The Marlst Pack. Some useful work, especially in the ruck, •stood to the credit of the Marist forwards in their match with Technical on Saturday. T. Cassidy, F. Cassidy, Dovcich and'Nicol were the pick of the pack, all of whom got through a strenuous day very well.

Two Good Fullbacks, ■ The two fullbacks on No. t ground played good football. .1. 1 loops for Old Boys impressed far more in this position than ho did on flic wing, lie went down on the ball in commendable fashion and was always, accurate with his kicking. Edwards had far more to do Ilian Ilceps and he also made few mistakes. Technical’s Fullback. Technical Old Boys, who had their first win of the season on Saturday, have had more than their share of had luck, and have never been beaten by anything hut a small margin. They owe a good deal of credit for their latest win to their fullback, Dalhelh, who kept the opposition in cheek lime and again by well-aimed line-kicks, lie played a line, defensive game.

Handled Splendidly. Fed regularly from serums and lineouts Ibe Old Boys’ insides bad a least •of the ball in their match against Franklon. McDell at half was clean and crisp with bis passes and defended solidly when required. Ciilcspie was again outstanding on attack while lie, McDell and .Millar ■combined very well, handling the greasy bail excellently. Voice on flic wing had few chances on attack, but defended solidly. Backs Perform Well. All the Technical hacks shone well at some lime on Saturday. Though Smart could get little behind the scrum he opened up In the loose. Liddy and Gibb took their share in passing movements, while the wingers, Allen and Porteous, were nothing if not willing. Allen was well marked, but Porteous got away for 'some pretty runs which ■had thaii: reward |o£ dim,, .

That I,n-pass. Allen, the Technical winger, is rather tardy with the in-pass and was frequently forced out on Saturday with his inside backs starving.

Backs Strengthened. The inclusion of L. Denz in the Frankton rearguard undoubtedly strengthened their team materially. A rugged defender, he has always been prominent in this department of the game, and, behind the losing pack, ho had plenty to do on Saturday. The Old Boys' forwards broke away time and again, only to be stopped by L. Denz going down on the ball. Marlst Backs Surveyed. Among the Marist backs W. J. Cas.sidy, a't centre, played his usual sound game, while Lewis made few mistakes at fullback. McCallum proved a willing winger and was more prominent in attack and defence than Kilpatrick. Jordan was keen, but he mishandled sometimes. Clark’s only mistake seemed to be a tendency to kick and kick too far every time he was in a passing rush, but apart from that he was a tower of strength to his side. Although Trotter played a sound game as half he could not reach Mills’ standard.

Defence Very Sound. Snodgrass, Everest and J. Denz were handicapped by seeing little of the ball, but they all played as well as was possible on attack, while the quality of their defence was evidenced by the fact that though Old Boys were pressing strongly for more than 70 per cent of the game they could not score. Griffiths had several opportunities on the wing and although he ran determinedly he made the mistake of attempting to come inside his man.

A Bustling Pack. Playing a bustling game the Old Boys’ forwards overshadowed Frankten on Saturday. Whittaker hooked the ball regularly, while Bryant and Potter fed McDell regularly from the line-outs. In tight and loose they all went exceptionally well and they had Frankton bottled up most of the game. Henderson held the set scrums well, while Goomhridge and Bryant were conspicuous in following up. Near the end of the game Whittaker sustained a broken -rib and A. Lissette came into the pack. Usually a fullback or threequarter, he showed the right spirit in filling a vacancy in the forwards.

St. George Improves. St. George, the Technical first fiveeighth, was one of 'the best backs on Ihe field when his team defeated Marist on Saturday. His dummying and cut-ting-in was the best ever seen from him. He was 'quick off Ihe mark and combined well with his col'eagues. A Useful Forward.

If dribbling is a lost art amongst most present-day forwards, Davies, of ■Frankton, can certainly show them some points. On Saturday he impressed by his splendid dribbling, while he was also a very useful forward in the tight. The pack were overshadowed toy Old Boys most of tho game, but Tristram, Gilmer and Goodall were always prominent in tho Frankton rushes. T. Ileeps, Frankton’s wing, who dribbled the ball the length of the field to score against Old Boys in the first round, repeated his performance on Saturday, again instancing the advantage of dribbling on a wet day. Forward Assists Backs. Pardington (Technical) is one of the few forwards 'who exploit the possibilities of combining effectively with bis backs and lie did some good work in 'this connection on Saturday. Templer, Clough, Robinson and Brown were other Technical forwards who made good in tight and loose. CAMBRIDGE PLAYERS. FORM AT TE AROHA. Cambridge’s first firteen won their first representative match of the season at Te Aroha on Saturday by heating the local elect by 27 to 25, In what was regarded by local enthusiasts as one ol' the brightest and most open displays of Rugby seen thero for many a day.

Played* Up Well, The .Cambridge backs played up well in the llrst half and with plenty or the hall put on 24 points to 0. Unfortunately

tho line-kicking or some of the Cambridge backs was raulty and they ran the forwards off their reot. Te Aroha's pack stood it well and had the measure or the Cambridge vanguard in the concluding stages. There will have to be better linefinding by Cambridge hacks if they are to continuo in winning vein.

Among tho Players. Tipping gave a rather weak display at rullbaek, and although ho kicked several good linc-ldcks, ho was Tar too casual, and was orten beaten to the force. The Cambridge hacks were a source or worry to the opposition, every man giving a sound demonstration of football. Reed, on the wing, was seen in many solo runs, and his determination resulted in a splendid try. On defence Ills tackling was deadly, and very little passed him.

Wilson’s Great Wing Game. “ Bub” Peake played his usual dashing game In the threequarter line, and with “ Billy” Wilson proved to he a splendid combination, the latter s.coring 12 or Cambridge’s 27 points.

Five-eighths’ Bright Play. Holmes and Hogan at five-eighths, again lived up to their reputations, and gave a dashing display of passing and cutting-in. Holmes was on kicking form on Saturday, lacking one penalty and converting two tries. Had It not been Tor Stuart, the halfback, the backs would not have had the same chances, as he appeared to snap up the ball rrom nowhere and send It out from the scrummages. Like Reed, Stuart is a sound defensive player, as well as a nippy man on attack.

Cambridge's Forwards. In the rorwards Percy Beer, Ned Hall and “Sandy” Miller were the most prominent, Beer leading several rushes, and always being supported by Hall and Miller. Bryant is an eager break-away, but perhaps a little too keen, as he was orten penalised l'or olfside play. Hewitt played well above his usual club form, and he was never l’ar from the tight work. The rest or the pack also worked well, and with a little more practice they should prove to he a hard pack to heat.

Team P. w. L. D. F. A. P. Frankton 5 5 0 0 67 49 10 Old Boys .. ., . 5 0 2 1 59 56 5 Tech. Old Boys , '5 1 3 1 52 53 3 Marist . 5 1 4 0 64 84 1