SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 48

SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

DUNEDIN. Rugby football matches were played under excellent weather conditions on Saturday. Southern and University A are still unbeaten, and the former team has not so far had its Ihie crossed. Pirates and Kaikorai drew at Carisbrook with 9 points each after a rather colourless game, in which the poor place kicking of Kaikorai lost them the match. The" results were as follow: —

POSITION OF THE TEAMS. The following table shows the position of the teams engaged in the Senior Grade competition: —

PIRATES v. KAIKORAI. Pirates met Kaikorai at Carisbrook, and in an exciting finish the Hill just managed to equal the score of their opponents. The teams were as follow: — Kaikorai.—Backs: M'Farlane, Stewart, Barber. Johnston, Laing, Botting, Francis. Forwards: Lucy, M'Hardy, Watts, Sonntag, Allan, Bartlett, Watkins, Perry. Pirates.—Backs:- Walker, Easton, Allen, Robilliard, Milne, Todd, Giles. Forwards: Hook, Ritchie, Smith, Duff. Noble, Miller, Gordon, Fitzgerald. Pirates kicked off from the Cargill road end, and a line out followed in the Colours’ twenty-five, and from loose play Francis kicked with judgment to the line. The Colours’ forwards surged to the line, and a kick by Walker was charged down. The ball bounced over the line and a Pirates man got to it first and forced. From the kick out Francis potted, and the Blacks forced again. The Pirates now had a turn on attack, and Giles passed to Robilliard on the blind side of a scrum, but the movement did not gain much ground. The Pirates forwards were now coming through in dashing style, and Easton short-punted in a passing rush, Francis taking a mark “ in the air ” in fine style. The Blacks kept up the pressure, and then from a scrum Francis passed to Botting, to Laing—who cut in—to Barber, who was collared. Fitzgerald led hi s side back, and the Black rearguard linked up in a good bit of passing which went out to Robilliard on the left wing. A scramble followed, and Walker kicked a penalty from wide out. 3 —o. Thus encouraged, Pirates came again. A passing attack swung along their left wing, and after half a dozen players had handled in a dazzling movement, which went clean through the defence, Ritchie dashed over. Walker missed the goal kick. 6—o. b

The Black forwards, of whom Fitzgerald, Smith, and Noble were always prominent, were now playing with great dash and their loose rushes were taking them clean through the defence. Francis started a promising movement from a scrum, but Barber missed his pass, and Allen led a fine counter-attack which ended near the Colours’ line. The Kaikorai forwards were sluggish, and could not keep up the pace set by the Pirates vanguard. Barber missed with a couple of penalty shots from well out, and Stewart punted in one movement when he should have passed out. Walker drove back an attack with a fine line kick, but M'Farlane sent back, and a fumble by Easton saw the ball go out at Pirates right corner flag. From a scrum I* rancis tried to go over without success, and then the Colours’ backs broke down badly in a feeble passing movement. Indecisive play followed, and Stewart got in a nice kick, the ball going over the line near the Pirates right corner flag. Play swung across the field, and Walker forced The referee ordered a scrum five yards out, and from a penalty Francis tried a drop-kick without result. The half time whistle went. 6—o.

The Kaikorai forwards started with a rattle, and Walker had to run some distance behind his line to get in his kick. Allen drove back another attack immediately after. From a scrum the Blacks went clean away, Noble, Ritchie, and Smith being in the front, and Botting collared Robilliard well as he was moving through on the left wing. Back came the Hill team, and once again Francis set bis backs going, but Laing failed to take his pass, and Fitzgerald dashed in and carried play past the halfway. Robilliard marked

from a short punt, and drop-kicked a fine goal. 9—o.

Twelve minutes of the spell had gone, and the prospects of the Hill team equalising or exceeding their opponents’ score were not promising. Gordon led a Pirates’ rush and Robilliard made a good attempt to kick a goal from a mark, Kaikorai forcing. Scrambling play followed till Laing dribbled through, Walker picking up smartly and saving the position. The Blacks kept up the attack. One of their forwards was caught right on the line, and the Colours were being kept very busy. Allan was hurt and had to go off and Miller came on. The spell had been in progress 24 minutes, and Kaikorai began to realise that if they did not soon make a start with their score it would be too late. Botting made a dash and cleverly cut through, but his pass went astray. Stewart made a run along the left wing,- and Laing went over in a tackle. The Kaikorai forwards were getting the ball from the scrums, but their backs could not do much with it. Exciting play followed in the Pirates’ twentyfive- The Hill backs could not finish off the attacks, and at last Francis dodged round a scrum and over. Francis missed the fairly easy shot at goal. 9 —3. Sonntag led his forwards back to the Pirates’ twenty-five, and Laing made a dash, but the passing of the Kaikorai backs left much to be desired. The Hill forwards were now playing with plenty of life. Walker failed to take a short, high punt, and another Pirates man also fumbled and Allen scored at the goalposts. Barber missed with an easy kick. 9 —6. Pirates were not done yet, and Kaikorai had to force. Wild pl a}’ followed. Stewart was well collared as he raced to the left corner at the end of passing, and Botting potted without success. Play went back to the Kaikorai twenty-five, and then Botting, Laing, and Stewart came away with a good bit of passing. Stewart put in a long, low kick, which Walker failed to field, and following through fast, the Hill wing three-quarter scored. Barber missed the kick, which was wide out. and left the scores nine all. With two minutes to go both sides battled their hardest, with the spectators cheering on their particular team. Pirates attacked, and Barber saved with a punt. The ball went across to the open, where Easton (who had been shifted to centre) took it and potted. Had he passed out there was a chance of a score. The whistle went with the ball at the Kaikorai twenty-five:-— Pirates 9 points. Kaikorai fl points. Mr J. Peat was the referee. SOUTHERN v. TAIERI.

After a stern struggle between the opposing packs of forwards with very little back play, Southern maintained its undefeated record by beating Taieri at Tahuna Park on Saturday by 9 points to 6. Neither team showed to its best advantage, though it must be admitted that Southern had much the better of the game, play being for the most part confined to Taieri territory. It was rather surprising, therefore, that Southern only sufceeded in crossing the country team’s line once, the remainder of the score being made up of penalty goals. The following were the teams: — Southern.—Bolton, Strang, Smith, Sutherland, Davis, Wilson, Simon, Hill, Hore, Wilson. Hill, Inglis, Niven. Carnegie, Cavanagh. Taieri.—Stevenson, Duff. Pearce, Bathgate, Stevens, Lindsay. M'Donald, Burt, Moffatt, M'Leod, Findlay, Bfoadley, Beattic. Scott, Finlayson.

Taieri kicked off from the Tomahawk end. Cavanagh marked smartly in the face of a forward rush, and. from about 40 yards out he had a shot at goal, but the ball struck the crossbar. Southern were soon on attack, and from a scrum at the Taieri twenty-five Simon received the ball and went round on the blind side, but his pass was thrown forward, and a good chance was lost. A minute later, from a penalty awarded well out near the touch line, Bolton kicked a beautiful goal. Southern 3 points, Taieri nil. Simon broke through from halfway, and weak tackling by the Taieri backs had their team in trouble. A series of scrums was formed in Taieri territory till Broadley cut off a pass and kicked well upfield. The Black and White forwards were soon hammering away on the Taieri line, giving plenty of the ball to Simon, who was feeding his backs well, but the passing genera Uy* went straight across field. Strang knocked on at the end of a passing rush with practically a clear field in front of him, but Taieri was unable to lift the pressure, and a few minutes later Simon snapped up the ball from tight play and dashed over. Bolton’s attempt to convert was a failure. Southern 6 points, Taieri nil. From the kick off Taieri started witli a rush, but a welljudged line kick had the country team back defending on its line. Finlayson threw the ball across the scrum to Pearce. Stevens then gained possession, and put in a strong run to halfway before he was brought dowu. Once more Southern came to the attack, and Taieri was in difficulties till Finlayson broke through and passed, the ball going out to Stevens, who was pushed into touch. Play swung across field with Taieri still on attack, but the Southern forwards cleared, and the half time whistle went with the ball at halfway.

Southern attacked from the resumption of play, and the ball came out to Strang, who passed infield, but the movement broke down and Taieri cleared. A penalty to Southern gave Boulton a chance to kick a goal, but the attempt failed. For the next 10 minutes the Black and Whites were almost continually on attack, Taieri having the greatest difficulty in keeping their line intact. Niven went clean through the country forwards to the fullback before he was stopped, and then Simon failed in an attempt to land a goal from a penalty. Gradually Taieri worked play upfield, Bolton being caught in possession after fielding a high kick from Findlay, but the Southern backs came round and saved. Play hung for a time at halfway till a good kick by Sutherland placed his side on attack. Davis cut in well after getting-the ball from Wilson, and sent on to Smith, to Sutherland, who was pulled down before he could get across. A few seconds later Southern was nearly across on the same wing, but the Taieri forwards came with a rush, Moffatt carrying on with a good solo

dribble. Smith, however, kicked into touch near the twenty-five, where, from a penalty. Bolton kicked a good goal. In the closing stages of the game both sets of backs were doing a good deal of more or less fruitless kicking. Stevenson marked in the face of a Southern rush, and found the line, the final whistle sounding immediately after with the scores:— Southern 9 points Taieri Nil Mr F. Swete was the referee. UNIVERSITY A v. DUNEDIN. University A and Dunedin met on Logan Park No. 1 Ground. The teams were as follow:— University A. —Lindsay, M'Kenzie, Dunne, Sutherland, Irwin, Cook, Lowndes, Service, Bannatyne, Hartnell, Borrie, M'Farlane, Strang, Abel, Hamilton. Dunedin.—Hayes, Hayes, Fulton, Brown, Bain, Toomey, Taiaroa, O’Reilly, M'Kewen. Herbert, Coughlan, Martin, Miller. Karatai, Amos. While the game was not of a very high standard it was interesting until well into the second half. University had to rearrange its side owing to eight of its players being on tour with the New Zealand University team, and Dunedin also had four of its regular players absent. For the first 15 minutes Dunedin played 14 men, and when the fifteenth man came on, Hayes (three-quarter) was hurt and had to leave the field. Another emergency was not forthcoming until half time. Taking the game all through, there was not the margin between the two teams that the score would indicate. University was the better served by its backs, and the forwards were too solid for their opponents. The referee, Sir Reardon, showed admirable restraint with the whistle; indeed, had he not done so the game at times would have become a whistling solo. University kicked oft against the sun, and Dunedin rushed play to halfway, where it was penalised. Lindsay, making his first appearance this season, essayed a long shot, but missed. From a line out Sutherland, who was playing well in, received from Cook and ran across for a good try. Lindsay converted. University A 5 points, Dunedin nil. University continued to press. but Lowndes was sending out some erratic passes. A free kick to Dunedin on its own goal line gave temporary relief, but the Light Blues came again, Dunne giving M'Kenzie a chance, but the winger dropped the ball. Dunedin was penalised, and Lindsay kicked a fine goal. University 8 points, Dunedin nil. University continued to press, but Toomey, Brown, and Martin were putting in a lot of hard defensive work, the last named, though a little wild in his tackling, saving his side repeatedly. Dunedin had University in difficuties, the ball screwing past Lindsay. He recovered, however, but smart following up bj- Amos, O’Reilly, and Martin resulted iu Lindsay being tackled in possession. • A free kick against Dunedin for playing the ball on the ground raised the siege, and play swung to the other end. University was awarded a free kick, but Lindsay missed from a difficult angle. The Light Blues were almost over a moment later, but Hayes saved his side. In stopping the rush he was injured and had to leave the field. Just before halftime Hartnell broke away, and when tackled gave to Cook, who sent on to Dunne. The last named sent a difficult pass to M'Kenzie, and the movement broke down. Half time was then called with the score—University A 8 poiuts, Dunedin nil.

Early in the second half University attacked, and Strang, receiving from M'Kenzie, scored a good try, which was not converted. University 11 points, Dunedin nil. The Light Blues were now dominating the play both fore and aft. only a stubborn defence keeping the score down. Lowndes, whose passing had improved, made a pretty opening for Sutherland, but the winger hesitated instead of using the field and was brought down. He made amends a moment later when, receiving from a scrum five yards out, he shot over the line for a smart try. Lindsay kicked a great goal from the side line. University 16, Dunedin nil. Cook then broke through cleverly, but was well tackled, and a moment later Sutherland all but scored. Martin was putting in some heavy defensive work for Dunedin at this stage, saving his side time and again. Another penalty against Dunedin saw Lindsay raise the flags. University 19, Dunedin nil. Irwin next broke through cleverly and gave to Hamilton, who missed a certain try when he knocked on. However, Lowndes got his backs going, the ball going to Cook, to Irwin, to Dunne, to M'Kenzie, the last named scoring in a hands- position. Lindsay hit the post with his kick. University 22. Dunedin nil. Hamilton was next prominent in making an opening, the bail going to Sutherland, who passed to Dunne, who crossed for a good try, which was not converted. University 25, Dunedin nil. Irwin, playing heady football, broke through the centre cleverly and then gave to Hamilton. The wing forward carried on and scored a splendid try. Abel missed an easy kick. University 28, Dunedin nil. Dunne missed a pot, and Lindsay caused amusement when he tr ; ed to sell the dummy and was brought down. O'Reilly rallied his men, Amos, Herbert, ai.d Karatai, rushing play to University territory. The effort was short-lived, however, and M'Kenzie, snapping up the ball at halfway, completed a brilliant run by scoring near the posts. Lindsay added the extra points. Immediately afterwards the final whistle went, the scores being:—

University A .. .. 33 points. Dunedin Nil. Mr N. Reardon was referee. UNION v. UNIVERSITY B. The University B and Union teams, which met on Logan Park No- 2 ground, were constituted as follow:— University B.—Backs—Nicholson, Burt, Phillips. Salt, Dovi, Hoyle, Jagusch; forwards—Yule, Blue, Chapman, Gifford, Small, MTlroy, Begg, Allan. Union. — Backs—Silver, M'Cullough, Churchill, Allen, Garden, Lurnb, Stokes; forwards —M'Queen, Lamont, Collier, Grant, Morgan, Johnston, Lang, Henderson. Soon after the commencement Union were awarded a penalty, from which Churchill kicked a nice goal. Union 3, University B nil. The Light Blues had a turn in their opponents’ part of the

field, but Union worked the ball out, and well inside the halfway line secured another penalty, from which Churchill kicked a second goal. Union 6, University B nil. Again the Light Blues retaliated with a rush, and from a p°nalty just outside the quarter-line Nicholson had a shot at goal from a considerable angle, the ball falling wide. University made a solid attack, but Union replied effectively, and gave the Light Bues a hot time within their quarter-line. Twice Union were within an ace of scoring, and two kicks at goal by Churchill went wide of the mark. Give-and-take play followed near the centre; then Union took charge 1 and placed University on the defensive. Churchill had yet another attempt to place a goal from; a penalty, but with no success. University forwards headed a, rush and the ball was kicked to the Union, twenty-five line, where Silver took a good mark, which resulted in play centring. Play was in Union ground for a while. 1 In the second spell University made strenuous efforts to score, and several times they had the Maroons hemmed down on their goal line. A kick to University for an infringement by a Union forward was expected to yield points, but the ball travelled well outside the posts. Up and down went the ball until the Light Blues made another resolute attack,- and Dovi, in a scramble, got over near the corner. The kick failed- Union , 6, University B 3. An exchange of kicks was settled in favour of Union, who rushed towards the opposite end, and M'Cullough got over. Churchill’s kick was short. Union 9, University B 3. Nothing daunted, the Light Blues came away again and, aided by a free kick, once _

niore threatened the Union line. Following a scrum some open play took place within 10 yards of the line, and Gifford picked up and forced his way past several opponents to score in a good position. The kick at goal by Allen added the major points. Union 9, University B 8. From this point to the finish the ball went all over the field, but no further score eventuated, and the game ended: Union 9 points. University B 8 points. Mr T. J. Kirk-Burnnand was referee.

ALHAMBRA v. ZINGARI-RICHMOND. The match between Alhambra and Zingari, played at Bishopscourt, provided a good game, and, although it was mostly confined to the forwards, there were one or two rallies by the backs. Although Alhambra emerged victorious by 12 points to 3, Zingari put up a good fight and the Red and Blacks had to fight hard against a strong pack of forwards, ably led by the veteran Garside. The teams took the field as follows:— Alhambra.—W. Griffin, Wilson, Flint, T. Griffin. Williamson, Johnston, Booth, Souter, Stichbury, Earle, Davis, Rammage, Berry, Campbell, Frood. Zingari-Richmond.—Heazlewood, Proctor, Stevenson, Barbara, Foote, Caradus, Rapson, Garside, Sanderson, Standring, Douglas, Morrison, Rivett, Calder, Deuchrass. , Alhambra kicked off, and Caradus received and cut through the defence, but was grassed at the Alhambra twenty-five. Alhambra retaliated, and after a passing bout, T. Griffin was nearly over, Zingari forcing in time. From the twenty-five the Colours’ forwards worked play to the Red-and-Blacks’ territory, where Heazlewood received and essayed a drop kick, the ball going right across the field and into touch. The Red-and-Black forwards, led by Earle and Souter, carried play to the Colours’ line, where from a scrum Booth received, and handed on to Johnston, to Williamson, to T. Griffin, who was pushed out at the corner. The Alhambra backs were going well at this stage, Booth getting the ball smartly away from the scrum and setting his backs in motion. Caradus found temporary relief for the Colours with a good line kick. Not to be denied, the Alhambra backs once more made a dash on the Colours’ line, and T. Griffin got over at the corner for a good try, which Souter converted with a fine kick. s—nil.5 —nil. From the kick off Heazlewood kicked out on the full and from the resulting scrum Flint cut in and passed to Wilson, who knocked on when within striking distance of the line. Alhambra hooked the ball from the scrum, and Booth sent Johnston over for a nice try. Souter missed the kick at goal. B—nil. Stung by this reverse, the Colours’ backs set up an attack on the Alhambra line, and Proctor and Caradus were nearly over, W. Griffin finding the line in time. After some give-and-take play round halfway the half-time whistle went without alteration to the scores. Immediately upon the resumption the Colours set up an attack on the Red-and-Black line per medium of Proctor and Caradus, but the defence held, and Williamson lifted the pressure by cutting into the Colours’ passing and kicking out at halfway. Campbell led the Red-and-Black vanguard to the Colours’ line, where Earle was nearly across. Rivett and Deuchrass headed a counter-attack and Caradus, picking up smartly, removed play to the Alhambra twenty-five, where the Colours were awarded a free kick, and Heazlewood made no mistake. Alhambra 8 points. Zingari 3 points. After the. kick-off Alhambra had to force twice in quick succession. Stevenson and then Barbara being nearly over. Booth picked up in the open and made a nice run before passing on to Wilson, who was nearly over at the corner. From a scrum five yards out Alhambra hooked the ball and Booth sent back to Flint, who potted a neat goal. Alhambra 12 points, Zingari 3 points. With only about five minutes left for play both teams took a turn on attack, and Alhambra were hammering away at the Colours’ line when the final whistle went with the scores:— Alhambra 12 points Zingari-Richmond .. 3 points Mr R. Herd was referee.

SECOND GRADE. Ravensbourne 10, Training College 9. Pirates C 27, Pirates B 0. THIRD GRADE. Pirates 9, L’niversity F 0. Alhambra 26, Kaikorai 6. Southern 29, Port Chalmers 0. FOURTH GRADE. Union 27. Pirates 3. Alhambra A 22, Kaikorai 0. Alhambra B 10, Port Chalmers 0. FIFTH GRADE. Alhambra IS, Dunedin S.

SIXTH GRADE. Southern 8, Zingari 3.

Pirates . 9 Kaikorai .. . 9 University A . . 33 Dunedin . 0 Southern . . . 9 Taieri . 0 Alhambra . 12 Zingari-.' Richmond . 3 Union . 9 University B . . 8

Points Flag p. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Southern 4 4 — 48 6 8 University A 4 4 ■ ■ — 96 17 8 Alhambra 4 3 1 — 56 30 6 Kaikorai 4 2 1 1 61 26 5 Pirates 4 2 1 1 59 38 5 Zingari 4 1 2 1 24 33 3 Taieri .. 4 1 3 — 20 57 2 Union .. 4 1 3 — 20 71 2 University B 4 — 3 1 30 53 1 Dunedin 4 — 4 — 11 91 —