FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

N.Z. RUGBY UNION. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 24. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met today, and decided that in view of tlio early departure of the All Blacks for South Africa, the trial matches would have to be played this season. After lengthy discussion the following trial games were aranged:— September 27.—North Island Possibles v. Probables at Palmerston North at 1.15 p.m. September 28.—South Island Possibles v. Probables at Christchurch. October I.—North Island v. South Island at Wellington.

October s.—New Zealand Possibles v. Probables at Wellington. It was decided that only players who could make the trip to South Africa should take part in all of these four games, and that all the New Zealand selectors should attend the matches.

Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co notified the receipt of cabled advice from Sydney that 31 berths had been reserved on the s.s. “ Anehises,” Heaving Melbourne on May 12, 1928, for the New Zealand team for South Africa.

Canterbury Union notified having issued a challenge to Manawhenua Union for the Ranfurlv Shield, the match to be played at Palmerston North on September 17th. A request bv Manawhenua Union that the New Zealand Union should undertake the appointment of referees for all Ranfurly Shield matches in which they are engaged this season was referred to the Appointment Board. HAWKE’S BAY V. WANGANUI. WANGANUI, Aug. 24, On a greasy ground, before 4,000 Hawke’s Bay Rugby touring team fought, out a drawn battle with Wanganui ; six points all. The Bay forwards were formidable, but the homo vanguard played a sterling game, their condition holding to the end. For the greater part of the game they effectively chocked the determined play of the visitors. The greasy ball arid ground militated against good back play, but many bright incidents repeatedly brought the spectators to their feet.

Bay early pressed hard, but a dribbling rush, followed by a scramble near the Bay line, lot Wakelih score a fine try, which was not converted. Wanganui 3 Bay nil. The visitors set off again ill determined fashion, and a miskick gave the ball to Steere. wlio passed to Grenside, tlio latter evening the scores. His kick failed. Hard give and take play

folowed till half time. A few minutes after the resumption, the home team was penalised for off-side, and Grenside goaled. Bay 6: Wanganui 3. The vistiors’ vanguard seemed to lose some of their sting, and the home park shifted the game to Bay territory. Bay forcing a long kick. The visitors were penalised in a scrum soon after, and Leahy piloted the ball over to even the scores again, at the six all mark.

Exciting play followed, both sides missing narrowly on several occasions, but the score was unaltered when time was called.

TARANAKI V. SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 24. Taranaki defeated Southland by 23 to 18, to-day. Tlio game was played under ideal conditions. For the winners, Dennis (2), Brown. Robinson and Jhonson scored, Brown converting four tries. For Southland, Diacii. Geddos, W. Johnston and J. Johnson scored, Diacii converting throe tries.

WAIKATO V. MANAWHENUA. CAMBRIDGE. Aug. 24. Manawhenua mot Waikato at Cambridge to-day on a sodden field, rain falling for tlio greater part of the game. About two thousand witnessed what proved a most exciting match, and an excellent exhibition considering the conditions. Waikato won by seventeen to nine. Trios for the winners were got by Kemp, Ticli and Bayly, two being converted by Thomas > while Baylv potted a goal. For the losers Jacob kicked a penalty and tries were got by Parata and Hunt. The referee was Dir Manning. SYDNEY, Aug. 24. In the Rugby Union match, the Sydney Metropolitan representatives defeated the ’Varsity team from Japan bv 33 to 23.