SOUTHERN’S PREMIERSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 23684, 18 September 1940, Page 2

SOUTHERN’S PREMIERSHIP

CLUB RUGBY SEASON REVIEWED INTEREST WELL MAINTAINED ADVENT OF PROMISING YOUNGSTERS [By Hooker.] Otago’s first wartime club Rugby season ended on Saturday with Southern’s victory over Pirates in the final to regain the senior flag lost last year to Union. The season, in spite of the difficulties faced by all clubs in keeping their sides at full strength because of enlistments, has provided one of the most keenly contested competitions for many years, and there is no doubt that the advent of a good deal of young blood has helped to make for enjoyable football.

The future, of course, is uncertain, but it may be taken for granted that the position facing the clubs next season may be accentuated, and the experience gained by many of the voungsters this year should stand them m good stead in the next season, when they in turn may bo called on to provide the backbone of teams further reinforced by other young players. The senior competition provided a record in the number of games played before finality was reached —Pirates and Southern each engaged in 19 matches—• and another pleasing feature was the evenness of the various clubs, so that as Saturday followed Saturday surprises and upsets assisted much in maintaining the interest that was taken in the competition. FIVE WINS IN SIX YEARS. Southern have had a fine record in the last decade, and have now won the senior flag five times in the last six years. They were runners-up last year, and before winning the flag went close on several occasions. This club lias always encouraged its younger players where possible, and the champion side this year contained a good sprinkling of younger players, though not all of them were making their first appearance in the team. Notable among them were A. Edwards (one of the most promising five-eighths in Otago), Tom Wallace (who reappeared in the cido after a season’s absence), I. Douglas, T. Milburn, C. Irvine, and D. Smith, and they were backed up by the experience of such men as Dave Trevathaii (who as the season progressed showed a return to his best form, culminating in an outstanding game in tho final), Eric Bolton (who lias given fine service over a period of lo years), A. E. Churchill, W. A. Black (who unfortunately met with more than his share of injuries), S. Robert (who has developed into a first-class half-back), K, Nieper (who captained the side), H. Holley, R. Edwards (one of the most consistent forwards in tho competition), G. M'Donald (who fully maintained his high standard of forward play of recent seasons), L. Hill, and H. J. Tyrie.

During the early part of the season the team did not show the cohesion which has usually been a characteristic of Southern sides, and although defeated by Taieri and Pirates early in the second round, their play and combination improved, the splendid work of the forwards, supported by steady hacks, enabling them once_again‘ to emerge as the senior premiers. The team which won the championship was almost wholly comprised of players who learnt their football in the club and progressed through the various grades. A PROMISING SIDE. Pirates again went very close to the premiership, only to be narrowly beaten in the final. For several seasons Pirates have often impressed as likely championship winners, but weaknesses in forward play in crucial matches have been the team’s undoing. In last Saturday’s final the forwards, although outplayed, nevertheless fought back splendidly, and a continuation of this class of "football by' the pack should ultimately take Pirates to the ion in the very near future. Throughout the season Pirates played attractive football, and, considering the youth of the team as a whole, the side has good reason to be satisfied with the results obtained. In W. I. Pernarn Pirates have one of the soundest backs in the country, and one who is a splendid goal kick. W. R. Campbell, who has played in several posi,ions, is one of the most versatile men; while the Blacks were well served in two excellent full-backs in T. Webster tone of the most promising seen here in that position for a long time) and J, Patterson (who took Webster's place when the latter underwent a serious operation, and .who played such a fine game in the final). A. A. Parkhill was an admirable pack leader, and bis knowledge of the game was undoubtedly of great benefit to the youthful forwards, of whom J. W. Clulee, J. Lanauze, F. Williams and O. B. Smith were prominent. VARSITY’S SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS. On their form in some games perhaps, Varsity A looked almost certain flag-winners, and undoubtedly their spectacular type of football helped to maintain interest in the competition. Varsity had a very speedy and determined back line ; who on numerous occasions scored trios in a way that was reminiscent of the heyday of Varsity football, men like J. W. Green and E. J. Paterson doing something to re"Dture the imagination of the public after the manner of such men as Dick Webb, Monty M'Clymont, and Co. The match which settled Varsity’s aspirations to the flag was the secondround encounter with Southern, and in this game the inability of the forwards to hold a vigorous pack proved the undoing of the Light Blues. Nevertheless, Varsity might well have won the competition, and although they finished third no one is likely to challenge the statement that they were equally as good a side as those which finished ahead of them. In Trevor Berghan, captain of the team. Varsity have one of the most polished five-eighths in the country, and his .generalship was responsible for the initiation of some of Varsity’s

brightest moves. Though L. H. Simpson suffered several injuries, he was again a very useful half-back, and his understanding with (Berghan was excellent. R. Skelley was, always sound at second five-eighth, while Ross Jones, although making some brilliant openings at centre, nullified some of his good work by a lack of finish. In the forwards, V. L. Smith, P. F. Foote, C. N. I). Taylor (one of the best hookers in the competition), and R. Logan were a useful and consistent quartet. Union, last year’s premiers, did not display the same inspired dash and vigour as in the previous season, hut they were always a side to be reckoned with, and in F. H. Vorrath and L. Werner the Maroons had two of the roost outstanding players in the competition. Of the younger brigade, I. Murdoch, a second five-eighth, showed himself as a player of resource and promise. DUNEDIN’S DEFINITE ADVANCE, Dunedin made a definite advance in the brand of football they played throughout the season. They fielded a very young team, and the maimer in which they endeavoured to plav constructive football pleased the public. The side had two very capable inside backs in A. Manion and M. Spillane, and a definitely promising wing threequarter in G, S. Reynolds. There were several likely youngsters in the pack, most notable among them being L. Marshall. P. Treacy did not show the advance expected after his form on the northern tour last year. Kaikorai were very in-and-out, at times impressing as a first-rate combination and at others playing like real wooden-spooners. BRIGHT RUGBY. Taieri finished in seventh place, just behiud Kaikorai, but the plainsmen undoubtedly deserved to occupy a much higher position. Without exception, they tried always to play a bright type of llugby. They possessed a particularly lively forward pack, of which W. Bissett, J. Grant, and K. Waldron were splendid leaders. G. A. Murray was again the mainstay of the backs, and W. Johnstone was another who turned in some particularly good displays. Zingari-Richmond, the old “Diehards,” were narrowly beaten in some of their games against the top teams, being always a difficult proposition, but their play was affected more than that of many’ of the teams by defections through enlistments of senior players. One of the most dependable full-backs in the competition was A. Mason, of Zingari, while L. Pollock was an outstanding forward. Another very useful side was Alhambra. The team’s football was inclined to be spasmodic, but considering the youth of the players, the Bamas’ effort for the season was quite a good one, most of the games being well contested. Varsity B, as usual, was the recruiting ground for the A’s, and as a result, a team which began well had little chance of working up a decent combination. TARANAKI’S AIR FORCE TEAM. One of the best forwards in the Air Force team in New Plymouth has been Les Jones, formerly a member of the Dunedin Club. He has been out of action for some weeks on account of an injured nose, but before that he was

going great guns in the Air Force pack* Against Okato he potted a great goal, running all out for the goal posts and making his attempt on the twenty five line. Ray Baker, who played for one of the Union junior teams and ran with Celtic United, played one or two games on the wing, .and shaped well. The Air Force team took part in a big day recently—Spitfire Day. Two senior games were played, and during the afternoon the Air Force played the Home Guard. The Home Guard team consisted of exrep. and international players, Stan Lay (Empire Games and Olympic representative athlete), K. Fookes, and Handley Brown being among them. Tho result was a 5-aIJ draw MEMORY OF FINE PLAYER.

In the ‘ Southland Times ’ “ Onlooker ” recalls memories of the lato Rupert Pyle, who represented four provinces and both Islands:—

“ Pyle came to Invercargill about the year 1907. He was educated at the Waijjaki High Scfiool, and by virtue of pos- . sessing a red and black jersey (Waitaki colours) he decided to play for the club which had similar colours. That club was Waikiwi, and what an acquisition, he was to the suburban club was shown in the following two years when he was chosen to play for Southland. About 1910 Pyle was transferred to Wellington (he was on the staff of the Bank of New South Wales), and he played fop both Wellington and the North Island. Another shift took him to Christchurch, and once again he graduated into the representative team; he also gained his South Island cap as a Canterbury player. His last transfer was to Dunedin, and in 1914 he came to Invercargill with the Otago 'team and played against Southland. Pyle was one of the wing three-quarters in the lino which consisted of J. E. Cuthill (now of Invercargill), Roy Harris, and Pyle. He thus played for four unions and both Islands, a record equalled by only about six players in New Zealand. “ The story does not end there. Both Pvle and Jimmy Forde answered tho call to arms in 1914, and they met on Gallipoli before a “ stunt,” as an offensive was termed in the last war. Pyle shook hands with Forde and asked him to remember him to his friends at Waikiwi. Forde replied: ‘ You .can do that yourself when you get back.’ Pyle’s reply was that one could never tell—some of them would 1 get it ’ that night. Next morning Forde saw his dead body, and later he visited tho grave under a tree where Pyle was buried.” FOOTBALLERS’ BIG DAY. Carisbrook will be en fete on Saturday, when the Public Service Football Committee will take charge of proceedings, “gate” takings going to tha funds of the Army Queen. No fewer than eight representative are included in the Combined Public Service side, which will, meet the Varsity A fifteen, and several of the Service players will be having their last game before entering camp with the fourth reinforcements. The curtain-raiser, too, should be a very bright-affair, a Maori side meeting a jockeys’ team. Among well-known players in the Maori fifteen, are M, N. Paewai, L. Broughton, H. Bennett, and H. Merritt, all of Varsity,, and one or two others who were prominent in sub-union football a few years ago.