GOOD RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 1, 26 September 1921, Page 6

GOOD RUGBY

WELLINGTON RETAIN THE SHIELD OTAGO’S STERLING FIGHT HOME TEAM HAVE ALL THE LUCK Wellington Rugby enthusiasts will long remember the struggle with Otago for the possession of the Ranfurly Shield. The match took place on Saturday afternoon at tho Athletic Park, in the presence of fully 10,COO spectators. The weather conditions were little short of perfect, and tho ground was in excellent shape. Wellington won by 13 points to 8, but it is open to question whether on the afternoon’s play they deserved their victory. The Southerners put up a magnificent fight, handicapped as they were by the absence of two of their star performers—Fea and Duncan. Both players took part in the third Test, and had they participated in Saturday’s match tho Shield would probably by this time have been on its way to Dunedin. M’ellington were fortunate in the toss, having the benefit of both wind and sun in the first half, which closed 13 points to £ in their favour. No points were scored by either side in the second half, but whereas Wellington were seldom dangerous, Otago frequently looked like scoring. Even in the first spell, with tliie odds in their favour, the home team maintained the lead only by virtue of their great run of luck. The Southern forwards early impressed the crowd, and: before long they had the apposing pack well under tho thumb, while the backs lalso knew their business. The Wellington backs also showed to considerable advantage, and in consequence the spectators were treated to some good football—fast, open and clean, with occasional flashes of brilliancy. Owles (the Otago centre threequarter) was easily the best back on the field, and was especially brilliant on tho attack. His performance was one of the best seen on the Park this season. M'Naughton, tho half, Hawk and Perry, the fiveeighths, and Stewart on the right wing, wore all excellent riiaterial. The two weak links in the Otago chain were Watson (the full-back) and Ward (on the left wing). The forwards worked in great style, and displayed good team work. Richardson, Highly, and Wilson (the latter an emergency) caught the eye most. Among the Wellington backs (hose most prominent were B. Algar, M. Nicholls, D. Algar, and H. Nicholls. Liddells was also useful. M. Nicholls showed considerably , improved form, while D. Algar again greatly pleased the crowd. Markham did some good work in the second spell, but was on. the whole unreliable. Jackson did a little bit of spectacular running, which canio to nothing. His trouble lies in his inability to cut-in, and his tendency to bore towards the touch-line. Standen, King and Ryan were to the fore when it came to forward play.

The teams were: — OTAGO. Full-back: Watson. Three-quarters. Stewart, Owles, Ward. Five-eighths: Perrv, Hawke. ‘ Half: M'Naughton. Forwards: Knox Harty, Davidson, Rlcffiardson, Patterson, Sonntag, ' Highly, Coombs. WELLINGTON. Full-back: Siddells. Three-quarters. D. Algar, Markham, Jackson, Five-eighths: M. Nicholls, B. Algar. Half:H. E. Nicholls. Forwards: , King. Muir, Parker. Bruce. Duncan, Ryan, S. Shearer, Standen. Fine Individual Work, Wellington won the toss and played with the wind and sun. The opening stages were marked by a line-out on half-way, which Otago carried, Richardson bursting through, the home team. Tho backs picked up on tin? move, and after traversing the orthodox line of attack the ball was sent out to Perry, who missed. In the ensuing struggle Wellington were penalised 40 yards back, but Harty’s'kick at goal failed to rise. Otago still pressed and were awarded a couple more penalties, from one of which Owles essayed to goal, but the ball went wide. Presently a long “speculator'’ by B. Algjir gave Wellington the advantage, and from a scrum near the lino the ball went out to Jackson, who was pushed into touch before he had made much progress. After a series of scrums, in which the home team were worsted, Otago cleared with a freo kick. IT. E. Nioholhs started a loose rush, but the Otago forwards, who were pushing the Wellington pack all over the field, set uo a determined attack. Sonntag and Ktwx got going nicely, hut M. Nicholls effected a timely save. The visiting baola then came into action, and Owles (the centre-three-quarter), sent out to Ward, after causing tho defenders some anxious momenta. Ward, however, -lacked sting, and he was easily smothored by Markham A good linekick by Hawke again placed Otago m a nice position, and in the ensuing scramble M'Naughton marked on the twentyfive lino, near touch. His kick nt goal failed, and was followed by a spell of plav In the vicinity of half-way. H. E. Nicholls secured from a. sorum and nassod to B. Algar, to'M. Nicholls, to Markham. The latter was not equal to the occasion, but D. Algar came in and got tho ball, only to be grounded. This was tho nrelude to a short passing rush by the Wellington forwards, following which King centred, but the full-back marked. Highly followed up his kick and, charging down, carried play to well over half-way. There Harty picked up from the loose nnfl transferred to Owles, who got over near the uprights. Richardson failed to add the major pointe. Otego s Wellington 0 Home Forwards Outclassed. This reverse galvanised Wellington into aggressive action, nnd during a sortie in, front of Otago’s goal Perry saved by snatching the ball out of the arms of Bruce! This brought Otago only temporary relief, and a minute later H. E. Nicholls completely nonplused them by snapping up the leather from the ruck and deftly potting a goal. It was a tricky piece of work, and the ciess-bnr was just cleared by a few inches. Wellington 4 Otago 3

Realising that their forwards were of no avail against the stalwart southerners, the Wellington backs made several attempts to break through. Once Owles tackled B. Algar in fine style, enabling Hawko to secure pcssei-siou and cut: a dc.-p swathe in the Wellington ranks before: ho was downed by M. Nicholls. During a countor-attaek by tho home team Jackson got well away on tho left wing, but negatived his own effort by boring info touch. About this time Coombs (one of the Otago hookers) retired from the game on account of an old injury io his wrist. lie was replaced by Wilson, and the change was for tile better. . Headed by tho new-

comer, ths Otago forwards swept through the opposition, but when they wore nearing the goal-line 8. Shearer managed to stem the tide of attack Ths Wellington b-acks counter-attacked, and when they had manoeuvred into position M. Nicholls set them at the (Infcmders. He passed to Markham to D. Algar, whp ‘reverse-parsed to the Mniisl rei>resentative. Theneo ths ball went back to the ruck, where the offensive was held up by a brilliant mark by Perry. Wellington returned to the attack with, a loose Tush, in the far corner, during which King broke through and scored after surviving a tackle on tbs line. The same player failed with the kick at goal, but it was a good effort. Wellington 7 Otago 3

Among the incidents in subsequent Wellington attacks was a passing rush from Jackson to Standen to S. Shearer to B. Algar, who fell short when tackled and Otago forced. W. Ryan was prcjninent in a forward rush, while from a line-out H. E. Nicholls sent the ball to Jfarkham, who in turn gave a bad pass to Jackson, enabling Stewart to intercept. The Otago wing raced up the was just pushed into touch by Siddells in the nick of time. Otago were row affacking in a determined manner and a score looked imminent. From a throw-in Knox passed to Wilson, who got <ver. but there were two hands on the Ixalf. Eventuallv B. Algar cleared, but before long the Otago backs kicked the ball ii to Wellington's twenty-five. Siddells was in the act of taking the Kall when Markham also made for it. The result was a collision, and Hawke, who had followed up smartly, gathered up and Massed to Owles when tackled from behind by Jackson. The Otago centre made the most of his opportunity and scored between the posts. Richardson goaled. Ota zo ® Wellington ” With the end of the first half in sight Wellington strove to make the idost of the odds winch with the change-over would no longer be in their favour. Two more >ies come their way. Duncan scored the first from a pass on the lino by W Ryan, who had received from Muir, anil M. Nicholls failed to goal. "Wellington Otago 8 The other try wn« attended by un J usual incident. The ball went out in Otago’s twenty-five and the time bel rang. At the same instant H. E. Nteh oils appealed for a free kick the ball having been thrown deliberately njto t,„l, Th. WJI “VeSStIS rJ« I’SS ™ K X vn- T ™ M t N vert and tho first spell ended. , Wellington Otago 1 Visitors’ Great Effort. The second spell opened up in favour of Otago, who except r . vale remained continuously on the attack. Tbo ■Wellington line was frequently crosseri but the visitors played without any the breach nnd^ saved. by T means of but he 1* OU - excellent a s the outcome of an ixe line-kick by Perry, Hawke cut in. te tn Iw downed near the Imo by Nicholls. Alternating { raids and passing rushes by their backs, Otago gave Wellington no resptte. Rich ardSm Wilson, and Highly were all get‘ting in good work amongst the while Owles was doing great ’ n bringing his backs into action. Watso varied method of attack by bating n long-range drop-kick at goal, which missed 8 and later Markham twice saved bv marking. H E. Nicholls also. avertcd two tries by characteristic efforts Wellington were clearly up against it. On two occasions M'Naughton who was showing, to considerable advan^ e ’ c } t ' kicked into touch-in-goal, rind later Owles cut in at half-way and passed to Stewart, finished up a hrtihant run bv grounding in the corner Unfortu nately,- in falling he knocked over the corner flag, and a touch-in-goal was the onlv result. Temporary relief forded Wellington when Standen-whc was in great form-carried play to oiei half-way. and then passed to Jackson The latter put up a spectacular Tun, but that was‘all. Eventually M Nauzhton cleared to S. Shearer who marked well back from the uptigh<B- His kick at goal was charged down. The. Otago park ’ then bore down on Wellington, and Sonntag crossed the line, but was recalled for a scrum. Otago still pressed. and had hard luck when M'Nauirhton who had two men with him, got well away, onlv to he recalled through King having been penalised for off ’ side plav. Richardson took the kick it was a lovely position, close to the goal—bn t he missed through taking it too easily. , , . On another occasion M'baughton sent tho ball out ,to Hawke, to Owles. The centre-three-quarter cut in brilliantly, but lost out through throwing forward Owles organised anothef raid, but Stewnrt ran into tho ruck after receiving. DI Algar cleared, and Owles marked just inside half-way. but his kick at. goal wds charged down by Bran. Em nib Markham converted defence into attack •by Tnean<? of a line-kick, ana in the ensuing play a. fine save by Stewart was retrieved bv Siddells in spectacular fashion. The Wellington fullback raced up the centre of the field, and carried play well over half way. There Otago we-e penalised for obstruction. and M. Nicholls had a fruitless shot at zoal nt a range of thirty-five yards. The remainder of the rame saw Wellington continually in difficulties, but their luck held good. Once Hawke bullocked liis way acrc«s the line from a scrum, but was recalled for a scrum five vards out. Eventually Wellington forced. ■ And so the game wore on. nnd the visitors were still strongly attacking when time sounded,, leaving Wellington victors bv 13 points to 8. xr- H. M'Kenzie, of Wairarapa, was referee. THE CURTAIN-RAISER Teams representing the Wellington and Christchurch Presbyterian Bible Class Unions met as a preliminary to the Ranfurly Shield game. Play, on the whole, was very ragged. The home team, for the greater part of the game, maintained the upper hand. The local rearguard handled tho ball really well, at times, most of the passing bouts in tries.* B. Gibson nnd Hester did some effective cutting-in work for the local side. The Canterbury fifteen were much lighter than the Wei lingfon team. In the first half. tho local men obtained a lend of 18 points, and had increased their score to 37 when "time'’ was called, while the visitors notched a penalty goal in tho first spell, and ran up a score of 11 points. Mitchell (3), Hester (2), Prater, D. Scott, "Warwick, and Todd eecured tries for Wellington, while G. Gibson (2), B. Gibson (2), and Hester converted tries. For tho visitors Watson kicked a penalty god. while Jones and Edwards scor’d tries. Johnson converted one try Mr. 11. E. Brooker refereed. SHIPPING COMPANIES’ MATCH The annual Rugby match between the combined shipping companies and tho Union Company was hold at Seatoun on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the combined team by 16 points to 3. It was a fast, open exhibition. The Combined drew first blood, Burke kicking a penalty. Shojite afterwards, Hutchinson scored and Burke converted, making

the half-time Combined 8, Union Company 0. In the second epell Stick scored for the Union Company, Williamson failing; with the kick. Tilyard scored a little later and Burke converted Just on the call of time Brown kicked ' a penalty. The final scores were: Combined 16, Union Company 3. The two teams and supporters were taken to Sea-’ toun and back by the 1 tug Terawhiti. Mr. A. C. Kitto was referee. REDMOND CUP MATCH By Telegraph —Press Association. Masterton, September 24. At Carterton on Saturday Gladstone boat Red Star seniors by 8 points to 3. •. They therefore retain the Redmond Cup for the eeason. SEDDON~~SHIELD RETAINED BY MARLBOROUGH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Blenheim, September 24. Summery conditions to-day for tho final Seddon Shield game of tho ' season. West Coast (challengers) were defeated by Marlborough by 19 points to 9. Tho play was interesting, and tho, Biiocessj of the homo team quite justified. In the first spell Marlborough scored, 11 points, mads up of tries by J. : O’Brien, Byrne, and R. O'Brien, the last one being converted by Fitzgerald. : The visitors opened their scoring early , in the second spell, Deere re- J gistering en unconverted try. J.' O’Brien -scored again for Marl- ; Ixirough, Fitzgerald converting. Short- ' ly afterwards Gunn crossed and registered. a try which waa not converted. Coast made several rallies in the latter pert, of the game, Mouat and Steel scoring tries which were not converted. The visiting backs were prevented from operating freely owing, te tha vigorous of the home forwards, who were much, superior in the loose. Marlborough v**' tain the shield for tho season. taranakiTTauckland AN INTERESTING CONTEST WON • BY TARANAKI. Br Telegraph.—Preu Aißoelntlon. New Plymouth, September 24. A match between. Taranaki and Auck-' land was played to-day at Park under perfect weather conditions and on a dry ground, in the presence of about 3000 spectators. The All Blacks, Kingston, West, and Fogarty, played in the Taranaki team for the first thus since the week, before the first Test, and, with Ifwersop (Auckland) gave additional interest to the match. The game wa9 keenly contested and hard-fought throughout, both sides making it aa open as possible, with the result that there was a good deal of spectacular play, Tho game was full of incident, and interesting throughout, the spectators often being roused to enthusiasm by for-: ward rushes and passing bouts on both side?. Taranaki gained the victory by ■ 21 points to 10, and .on the day Taranaki were much the letter team, cutclassing the visitors in most departments.

The local team played a great game, reminiscent of their Titanic struggle against the Springboks. The forwards were superior to Auckland in tha loose and on the line-out, whilst in the scrum work honours were easy. The Taranaki; backs gave a surprisingly good exhibi-; tion in attack, whilst their defence was, sound, with the result that the Auck-; land rearguard did not get too many; chances to drive home their attack, though they were very dangerous at; times. The game was played throughout in the friendliest spirit, but was hard, and there were several minor casualties, Lusk and Coutte (Taranaki),, and Ifwereon (Auckland) having to retire. Kingston, tho New Zealand full*, back, started playing as wing three-' quarter, but retirements caused him to. play centre three-quarter, and then full*; back, where Ke gave a great exhibition. Auckland won the toss, and played the first spell with the sun and a slight breeze against them. Play throughout, the spell was fairly even. Each side was within an ace of scoring, but there was no sooro until near the end of spell, when Kivell got over from a for. ward scramble, and Kingston failed to gaol. Ths epell ended: Taranaki, 8j Auckland, nil. Taranaki attacked hotly in the open, ing stages of the second spell, nnd ortef being nearly over, Hickey potted a beautiful goal from well outside Auckland'* twenty-five. This roused Auckland, and a beautiful passing bout through all th* backs to Williams on the wjng, saw WilHams in-pass to Ifwerson, who scored. Badeley goaled. Fast up-and-down play followed, until Hickey secured, and potted a second fine goal. Later, from a for* ward rush, Eryday got over, and Kingston goaled. The Auckland forwards now took a hand, and from the loow. Nicholas got over, and Bndeley goaled. Auckland again attacked, but Kingston picked up in his own twenty-five, and galloped past half-way, where he put in a flicking in-field kick, enabling Hooker, who followed up fast, to score between the posts. Kingston again goaled, and. the game ended soon afterwards with the score: Taranaki, 21; Auckland, 10. Mr. F. Julian was refetee. Kingston, Hickev. and Robertson wer# the pick of the Taranaki backs, and West, Masters, and Campbell the pick of the forwards. Ifwerson, Badoley, nnd Earle were the most conspicuous players in the visiting rearguard, and Nicholas. M'Cullough, and MJ.ean in the visiting vanguard. „