SOUTHERN’S FLAG

Evening Star, Issue 23682, 16 September 1940, Page 9

SOUTHERN’S FLAG

PIRATES BEATEN IN PLAY-OFF SATURDAY'S DOURLY-CONTESTED FINAL TREVATHAN THE MATCH-WINNER Defeating Pirates by 10 points to 9 in a dourly-contested game at Carlsbrook on Saturday before a crowd of more than 6,000 spectators, Southern won the 1940-Rugby premiership, but as a spectacle the play-off was below expectations, resolving itself into a battle for supremacy between Southern’s solid •pack and the speedy Pirates back line. Actually, possession from the scrums and rucks was fairly evenly divided, but often after obtaining the ball the Blacks let the Southern forwards through on to their backs, and this, and the fact that the Southern backs stood up fairly close on the opposition crippled many of the,Pirates’ back movements. The teams were : Southern.—Backs: E. Bolton, T. Milburn, A. E. Churchill, C. Irvine, A. Edwards, D. Trevathan, S. Robert. Forwards: T. Wallace, C. Quaid, D. Smith, L. Hill, H. Holly, R. Edwards, H. J. Tyne, R. Xcipcr. "Pirates.—Backs: J. Patterson, A. R. Duff, R. G. Mahony, 1. L. M‘Lennan, W. I. Perriam, W. R. Campbell, P. A, Ongley. Forwards; J. W. Clulee, O. B. Smith, G. Laidlaw, W. Kaler, A. A. Parkhill, A. Maslin, F. Williams, J, Lanauze.

In the first spell Pirates gained possession from nine scrums, Southern from eight, and four were indecisive. Possession from the rucks was even, each side winning the ball 15 times, while 13 were indecisive. Pirates were awarded three penalties and Southern one. In the second spell Southern won H scrums to eight, seven being indecisive, while the rucks were even, each gaining possession 17 times, with 13 indecisive. Pirates were awarded four penalties and Southern one. The all-round work of the Southern forwards showed more cohesion than that of Pirates. Their backing-up was first-rate. H. J. Tyne played a splendid game in all departments, and he had good support from L. Hill in the tight, while R. Edwards was often noticeable in the loose rushes. Nieper was a source of trouble to the opposing back line, and did a good deal of spoiling work. D. Trevathan proved again that he was a real match-winner, and registered all Southern’s points—a field goal, a penalty goal, and an unconverted try—and, though perhaps a little inclined to overdo his penchant for potting, he was always steadiness personified, nursing his forwards admirably, and he also made several thrustfnl runs. His line-kicking was invaluable to the side. S. Robert played a most serviceable game at full-back, and of the others A. Edwards was sometimes dangerous, though prone to go a little too far. Parkhill worked hard in the tight in the Pirates pack, and J. Lanauze was usually seen at the head of the loose rushes, his backing up, too, being good. 0. B. Smith, the Pirates hooker, played well, and his dribbling was quite a feature. In the loose, however, the Blacks did not work so well together as Southern, nor did they show tho same understanding with their backs. When the opportunities offered, Pirates backs looked dangerous, and two of the brightest moves of the day led to tries by Mahony and Campbell, both of whom showed up in attack, with Perriam also noticeable for some clever attacking moves and good work in defence. P. A. Ongley tried to open up play, but his passing was a little erratic, while the full-back, J. Patterson, gave a very sound display, fielding well and kicking with judgment. Pirates scored a converted try, and an unconverted try, the way for the first being waved by Perriam. He jmt in a beautifully-judged cross-kick which found a gap, Duff racing up fast to gather in nis stride. The winger passed infield to Mahony, who finished, off splendidly with a try which Perriam converted. Pirates’ second try came from a movement initiated by Ongley, who worked tho short side cleverly to Campbell. The latter broke out of a tackle and crossed wide, Perriam missing with the kick. The referee was Mr E. H. Dickey. POSITIONS OF TEAMS. The following table shows tho positions of the teams in the senior competition after Saturday’s play-off:—

PREMIER CLUBS LIST OF WINNERS. Tho following table shows tho list of previous winners of the Rugby premiership in Dunedin since 1885:

CARiSBROOK CURTAIN-RAISER The curtain-raiser at Carisbrook was provided by the leading fifth grade teams, Southern and Zingari-Richniond, Southern running out winners by 29 points to 5. The winners gave an attractive display, hacks and forwards working well together.

FIFTH GRADE. Alhambra 30, Dunedin 3. Kaikorai 9, Mosgiel High School 5. IN OTHER CENTRES CHRISTCHURCH. Albion 34, Christchurch 9. Varsity 10, Technical G. Territorials 17, Old Boys 0. Limvood 11, Air Force 8. Merivale 24, Southern 3. New Brighton 18, Sunnysido 6. AUCKLAND.. Training College 14, Technical 3. Suburbs 16, North Shore 11. Takapuna 11, University 3. Marist 19, Otahuhu 3. Grafton 22, Ponsonby 0. AUCKLAND BEATS WELLINGTON [Psk United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 14. Securing almost a monopoly of the ball from the set scrums and showing plenty of penetrative ability in the backs, Auckland defeated Wellington by 12 points to 10 at Athletic Park, thereby maintaining its unbeaten record. Each side scored two tries,, a, field goal by'Haro (the Auckland fullback) from 40yds out being a substantial contribution to his side’s winning margin, AVellington played solidly, but on the day Auckland were clearly masters of the game. Conditions wore, ideal, and the attendance numbered 14.000. Play at all times was fast, and on a, number of occasions was so willing among the forwards that the referee (Mr H. Simmonds) had to administer a number of cautious. At the same time it disappointed as a spectacle, although there were some bright scoring movements. Schubert, the speediest ba'ck on the field, scored Auckland’s two; tries, and they served to show his groat; possibilities. SEDDOH SHIELD The Seddon Shield changed hands in the third game in succession when West Coast beat Nelson on the latter’s ground by 19 points to 12. The heavier West Coast forwards held a territorial advantage, and gained far the greater share of the ball from the scrums. The Nelson hacks were better than their opponents, and early in the second half two tries placed them within striking distance, but the West Coast forwards dominated the last 10 minutes. MANAWATU BEATS WANGANUI At Wanganui Manawatu defeated Wanganui by 14 points to 5.

.s cd fcfl C3 i . tS i % •IS •2 tfl J9 o £ 1 J cl k. Q c2 'o Cu Southern ... 19 15 3 1 232 111 31 Pirates 19 14 4 1 276 152 29 Varsity A 18 13 3 2 291 169 28 Union 18 11 7 0 179 162 22 Dunedin ... 18 9 8 1 198 202 19 Kaikorai, ... 18 7 10 1 161 178 15 Taieri ... 18 6 12 0 159 214 12 Zingari ... 18 5 12 1 154 159 11 Alhambra 18 4 12 2 168 233 10 Varsity B 18 2 15 1 131 369 5

Year. Club. Year. Club. 1885 Duuediu 1913 Zingari 1886 Pirates 1914 Kaikorai 1887 Union 1915 Southern 1888 Kaikorai 1916 Union 1889 Kaikorai . 1917 University A 1890 Union 1918 Pirates 1891 Alhambra 1919 University 1892 Alhambra 1920 Alhambra 1893 Kaikorai 1921 Kaikorai 1894 Kaikorai 1922 University A 1895 Kaikorai 1923 University A 1896 Kaikorai 1924 University A 1897 Kaikorai 1925 Pirates 1898 Kaikorai 1926 University A 1899 Kaikorai 1927 University A 1900 Alhambra 1928 University A 1901 Kaikorai 1929 University A 1902 Alhambra 1930 Alhambra 1903 Alhambra 1931 University A 1904 Southern 1932 University A 1905 Alhambra 1933 University A 1906 University1934 University A 1907 University 1935 Southern 1908 Dunedin 1936 Southern 1909 Alhambra 1937'Southern 1910 Alhambra 1938 Southern 1911 University 1939 Union 1912 Southern 1940 Southern