Football.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 253, 6 September 1928, Page 1

Football.

“ ALL BLACKS’ ” TOUR. Final Test. New Zealand 13 South Africa 5 WAIKATO WINS. 11 Points to 8. Waikato scored its second win of the season by defeating the Wanganui representatives by 11 points to 8. The visitors were handicapped by losing the half, Duncan, early in the game, and his substitute did not handle effectively. Even so, the play o e most of the visiting backs, when they were on attack, lacked sr.appiness, so that any movements made by them were defeated through the heme defence having time to get into position. The Waikato forwards played in patches. At times they played tigerish football in the tight md yet again on other occasions they seemed ;to ease. There did not seem to be | anyone of outstanding brilliance in the visiting fifteen. Carlson had a reputation, but was well looked after,

and only on one occasion did much out of the ordinary. Except on a snap score Waikato at no time looked like defeat. The teams were:— Wanganui (blue). —Fulton, Carlson, Hall, Smith, Darby, Walceling, Duncan, McLean, Pine, Walls, Leahy, Stewart (captain), Ross, Oxley, McCrea. Waikato (red, yellow and black). — S. Thomas, Story, Quin, Anderson, Tuck, Fitzgerald, Buckingham, Kay, C. Christie, Holmes, A. Cameron, Courtney (captain), D. Bourke, W. Bourke, Stubbs. Mr. Rabone was referee. The Game in Detail.

Immediately from the start Tuck ; gained possession and put in a good : run down the eastern wing. He kick- i ed infield and Fulton was twice '■ called upon for brilliant saves. Wan- j ganui were busy defending until Dun- | can initiated a passing movement j which was carried on by Hall to over the halfway. Waikato were soon down again, but were penalised. Wan- ; ganui then infringed, and W. Bourke i had a kick at goal from just inside i the halfway line, but the .player kick- j ed the ground. Wanganui were hooking the ball, but Waikato were smothering well and having all the territorial advantage. Buckingham, Fitzgerald and Quin handled well, but the latter passed forward to Story 7. Play 7 went into the home territory and McLean had a try at the posts which just fell short. At the other end Fulton had to stop a determined forward rush, but a moment afterwards Buckingham sent to Tuck to Fitzgerald to Quin, who cut in and passed to Ander--1 son, who beat Fulton to score. W. Bourke converted. It was a brilliant movement, well finished off by the winger. Waikato 5, Wanganui 0. Duncan went ofE through injury, his place being taken by Walls. Wanganui made tracks from the kick but Thoma's was home twice and sent back to halfway. McLean had another kick at goal which was nicely directed but fell short. Kay 7 took play to halfway, where Anderson was stopped solidly. Darby later had to stop a Waikato forward rush. Story 7 , by fast following, took play to within a few yards of the Wanganui line, and from a scrum Tuck sent to Quin, who cut in to beat three men and score. Bourke failed with the kick. Waikato 8, Wanganui 0.

A moment after Stubbs put in a good run down the line and passed to Story, who passed in, but the ball was knocked on. Waikato were attacking at the turn round. Thomas put in some solid defensive work in stopping Leahy and Oxley, and turned defence into attack. Wanganui were now playing up and again got right on to the home line. Thomas was caught in possesion, but the visitors were awarded an obstruc-

tion try against Fitzgerald. McLean converted with a good kick. Wanganui 5, Waikato 8. Wanganui were playing an improving game and Stewart, Ross and Walls put in some loose work to get well into the home 25. Fitzgerald sent to halfway in midfield for Hali to stop the Waikato forwards, headed by Stubbs and Cameron, with a mark. Mishandling by Smith allowed Courtney and Cameron to bieak through, but Fulton saved well and sent Waikato back. Play was reversed sensationally. Quin intercepted at toe and 1 e and Anderson continued on to the Wanganui 25 without handling. Kay 7 over from the ruck, but was held off the ground and Darby cleared from the resultant scrum play. The game was now exciting, being principally amongst the backs, with Waikato combining the better. The visitors next got into an attacking position through an infringement, but Cameron headed back and play was of a torrid nature on the Wanganui line when time was called. Waikato 8, Wanganui 5.

The opening exchanges of the second half were in Wanganui’s favour, play going to the home 25 by 7 a good kick by Fulton. Thomas sent back, but bustling tactics by 7 the Wanganui forwards were effective until a promising back movement by 7 Tuck and Fitzgerald broke down at Quin. Tuck, Courtney and Stubbs were again prominent in good movements which failed through erratic passing- Dan Bourke sent the red and blacks to the attack, and play 7 went across to Quin, who passed to Anderson to Kay, who made ground and gave to Tuck to get over. Thomas’ kick failed. Waikato 11, Wanganui 5.

The next niece of smart play was from Buckingham, who sent the ball into the viators’ 25, where Wanganui gave W. Bourke a chance at goal through an infringement. The kick missed. Walceling next had to mark cleverly in his own territory, but the kick gained no relief. The Waikato forwards were now putting in some hard scrummaging which kept the visitors continually on the defence. Leahy headed a clearance from h;s line, but Thomas sent Quin away. The centre threw a low pass with Tuck and Fitzgerald handy. Buckingham secured from the scrum and Tuck and Fitzgerald went on to be stopped on the visitors’ line. A force resulted. In midfield Tuck stopped the Wanganui forwards brilliantly. The quarter had been mostly in Waikato's ! favour, the blues being scarcely out of their territory after the first five minutes.

In the first half minute of the last quarter Waikato were penalised right under their posts for hanging to the .ball on the ground, and McLean added three to Wanganui’s points. Waiganui 8, Waikato 11. McCrea was prominent amongst the Wanganui forwards and at this stage sent a long kick out near the red and black line. Matters were dangerous for Waikato until Buckingham cleared to over his 25. From here Waikato made progress by 7 a free kick. Wakeling put in a nice long kick which was spoilt by Pine being offside. Kay had a kick at goal which missed, but play remained in Wanganui territory and a move of Courtney to Anderson made ground. A punt by Carlson seemed to have Thomas in trouble, but the *u!l beat Hall to it and transferred play to the other wing. Lee had a shot at goal which missed, and Tuck sent back to halfway. Kay 7 continued on, but Wanganui forced from a scrum. Play 7 gradually 7 veered back and Story was alone in stopping three blue forwards. Then Wanganui had a brilliant chance to at least equalise. Most of the blue backs handled but th° passing was too slow. Waikato were in the visitors’ territory when the bell sounded: Waikato 11, Wanganui 8.

Notes. Before the game at Hamilton on Saturday it was known that the Wanganui team would be short of two or three of its best players and that it was expected that these would come north for the match against Auckland next Saturday. It

was also whispered that the tourists expected to go near beating Auckland. On Saturday’s play, even with, a little Wanganui strengthening, Auckland will have to have another “ day off ” to lose. The match at Rugby Park was bright in parts. It was certainly fast and hard throughout and generally was in Waikato’s favour. The home team commenced wel! and at one time looked like running away with the game. (However, as it went on the Wanganui rover was allowed to - come round quickly, whilst Buckingham was "not as sure as Tuck would have been behind the scrum. Th 77 t openings -for the Waikato bac’ ■

clearly the superior set, thus only came occasionally. Another deterrent to Waikato scoring more tries was the selfishness of Quin. On several occasions the centre ran out to his wings when they were favourably placed and then failed to in-pass when he was supported. It is possible at least two more tries would have come to Waikato had the passes been given at the right time. The Wanganui backs were not impressive. As a set they 7 only really got into action once and that was in the closing stages of the game. Quite six of the visitors handled near the Waikato line, but not one made any ground. The visiting forwards played well, and were quite fifty 7 -fifty with the home pack. They 7 played hard, followed fast and were inclined to mix it. It was unfortunate for the visitors that Duncan, the halfback, went out of the game early 7 . During the time hp was on be gave the impression that, with Fulton, be was one of the best of the Wanganui backs. His substitute was poor.

Thomas at fullback for Waikato played one of his best games. He demonstrated that he has more pace than is generally thought when he had to race an even go with the Wanganui centre, Hall, from his 25 to get to a punt of Carlson’s. He won by a yard and cleared well out to the opposite wing. Thomas also got down well to the forward rushes and often turned defence into attack: by crashing through- his opponents. Story 7 on one wing was solid in defence, but was practically 7 ignored in attacking play. Anderson, the otherwinger, "was brilliant on attack, but his defence was weak. The two fiveeighths were brilliant. Fitzgerald is right back to form and did some beautiful cutting in. With Tuck he did a lot of combined work with snappy passes which were effective. Most of the Waikato attacks came from this source. Of the forwards, Cameron, Courtney, Dan Bourke and | Stubbs impressed most. Cameron and Courtney were the best of the forwards in lineout work, whilst Cameron was fast in the break throughs. Stubbs fitted in well In the open work. The visiting fullback. Fulton, gave a good display 7, bis kicking being a feature of the game. Stewart, Oxley and McCrea were the hardest workers amongst a good set of Wanganui forwards.

Five of the Wanganui points came through an obstruction try. The causes leading up to the final incident were difficult to trace. Thomas had stopped a Wanganui rush and the ball went loose. Then the whistle sounded. A moment later the whistle sounded again and the referee signalled a try to Wanganui. Questioned at half-time the referee said he had given the try 7 against a Waikato play 7 er for shepherding.

PUTARURU 14, MORRINSVILLE 11 The visit of the Peace Cup holders to Putaruru attracted a fair attendance of spectators, who were rewarded with a fast, open game which ended in favour of the home team. The ground and weather conditions were ideal, but both sides suffered many defections from the original selections. The game was played at a fast pace throughout, especially during the last quarter, when both sides opened up the game at every opportunity. Tries were scored for Putaruru by Patterson, Belcher, Morton and McClelland, Patterson converting his own try. For Morrinsville tries were scored by Fraser and Harnett. Fraser converted Harnett’s try and Marshall kicked a.,.penalty goal. The teams weref f Putaruru '(red).—fullback, Billiot; threequarters, R. Dunlop, Patterson, Morton; five-eighths, McDonald, Nuku; half, Robinson; rover, Belcher; forwards, Redfern, Pepperill, McClelland, Shepherd, Henderson, Belcher, Dunlop.

Morrinsville : (blue and black). — Fullback, J. Smith; threequarters, Campbell, Mallett, L. Marshall; fiveeighths, Harnett, G. Marshall; half, E. O’Brien; rover, Mulcahy (captain); forwards, J. Brown, Pretty, Fraser, F. Jack, J. Leeson, Haycock, Grigsby, q Referee: Mr A. Graham. Play started at a great rate, and Harnett and Patterson stood out with good defensive work for their respective sides. A blue rush, headed by leeson, resulted in a force. Seven, minutes from the start Campbell secured from the ruck near touch at halfway and running to the open side served Harnett to Marshall, but Patterson whipped in and, intercepting ran to , the fullback, whom he beat with a clever swerve to score under the posts. The same player converted- . ' ■ iS. I: \£, : ' Putaruru 5, Morrinsville 0.

A Morrinsville attack was cut short by Patterson kicking half the length of the field to touch. Hereabouts Grigsby lay on the ball and the free went to the blue line, but G. Marshall cleared and play was shifted to the red half. O’Brien opened out,, but the home backs standing up compelled Marshall to kick, , Bullot fielded the ball brilliantly from amongst a crowd of blues and found touch well past halfway. Robinson set his backs going from a scrum near his own 25 and the ball went via Nuku and McDonald to Patterson. The last-named cut through the defence and when challenged by covering forwards served Nuku and McDonald, who had. come round. A stab kick would hate done the trick, but the movement fizzled out in touch at the other 25. The red forwards rushed the next

scrum, and Smith fumtling, three of them went over together for Belcher to secure the ' oudi. Patterson failed to convert. ’ ' .. . Putaruru 8, Morrinsville 0. • On the change over the reds were caught napping on the resumption, and the blues rushed to vhe home line and secured a gift try. After two abortive scrums Putaruru heeled. Robinson side-stepped the blue rover, hut the ball was knocked out of his hands by another player. Belcher secured on the line and kicking hastily the ball squirted straight up and into Brown’s hands, who simply put it down at his feet. The kick at goal failed. Morrinsville 3, Putaruru 8. Stung by the reverse the home team rushed to the blue quarter and Robinson opened up to Nuku to McDonald, who cut in brilliantly and heating six players in great fashion got to the line, but could not ground the ball. Morrinsville heeled and a force was given. A short attack by •Campbell was repulsed by McClelland and from a scrum at halfway J. Belcher shot clear. The Arapuni player lacked over Smith’s head and Morton coming up at a great pace secured and cut in behind two defenders to go ever with another two blues clinging to him. Patterson missed a dolly ’nek under the posts. Putaruru 11, Morrinsville 3. O’Brien and Mulcahy led a loose .rush and following a free against McClelland, Fraser missed a shot from near touch.

On the resumption of play after half-time Morrinsville rushed to the ~’ed line, and O’Brien opened up play near the 25. The ball shot along the 7lacks to T>. Marshall, who assisted by shocking tackling waded past six defenders and looked like scoring until J. Belcher picked'him up and carried hall and man back eight or nine yards. A penalty against the reds saw <3. Marshall kick a good goal from MU OUf. " ■rr f.- 1 -. ,;l ; [V

Morrinsville 6. Putaruru 11. The blues, evidently playing to instructions, were keeping the ball tight, and away from the home backs. For some time they kept the reds penned to their line. Henderson relieved with a long lack downfield. Harnett fumbled and then kicked hard to the wing. McDonald fielded the ball brilliantly in his stride and in-ter-passed with Patterson to the line, where the latter got well over but allowed the ball to be bumped from his hands as he went to ground it. Morton next initiated a movement from the loose which Patterson and McDonald carried to the blue 25. A scrum resulted, and Henderson kicked through to Smith, and following hard charged the kick for McClelland to pick up and touch down near the flag. A fine kick by Belcher just shaved the post. Putaruru 14, Morrinsville 6. Two frees followed to the home side, one of which was for appealing. ;The reds then swarmed to the visitors’ line, but a free drove them back and the third quarter ended without further score. The last quarter opened with a fine effort by Mulcahy, who ran to near halfway. Patterson downed him hard and thinking that was the end of it, turned his back. When falling the rover threw to Mallett, who galloped straight on to the posts, just outdistancing a . couple of defenders. Fraser goaled. Morrinsville 11, Putaruru 14.

A lively red rush was pulled up by Harnett in very clever fashion, and play was then temporarily stopped through an injury to the referee, which compelled him to leave the field. Mr. Gasparich took the whistle. Belcher got Smith after the latter had fielded brilliantly, but the ground gained Vas not held. The home forwards, who tired somewhat in the third quarter, were now playing with great dash and one movement led by Dunlop and Belcher covered half the field. Near the 25 Robinson opened out to Nuku to McDonald, who cut in to serve Patterson to Morton. The winger was left with little room, but he rounded two defenders and got over at the flag only to see the flag hoisted for a foot going out. The ball flashed across to the other wing, and Patterson stab kicking three home backs got Smith with the ball a few yards from the line. The Ball rolled loose, but Dunlop eould not gather with the ball at his mercy. The reds were now clearly having all the best of play, but over-eagerness spoiled much of their work. In the last few minutes McClelland marked with a clear field and could nc‘. fi d +he bar from his kick.

Comments. The game throughout was fkst and keen, and played in excellent spirit. Both sides played the “ up-ball ” game at every opportunity though in the second half the blues endeavoured to keep the game tight as the home backs were so much superior. Morrinsville players, who are noted for their open game, were disappointing in the backs, though the forwards controlled the ball well. The blues secured from most of the scrums, the ball coming out cleanly and quickiy. There was a weakness at five-eighths, however, and when the ball did travel along the line the bulk of the backs took it standing and little ground was gained.

In marked contrast was the work of the home backs, who fielded the ball at all angles, took it at top speed, and passed quickly. McDonald, Morton and Patterson were superior to any three backs On the visiting side, and with Nuku combined in great fashion at times. McDonald played easily his best game of the season, and at times played havoc with the blue defence. He gathered Nuku’s passes, which towards the end became somewhat erratic, in wonderful fashion, whether they were above his head or down at his knees, while his flying tackles seemed to put the visiting fiveeighths right off their game. Always running straight, he also employed the stab kick to advantage, and ran round to handle twice in several rushes. Had this young player received half the chances that some other Waikato players, on whom interminable changes are rung by the selector, have had, the writer has no doubt but that he would have made a name for himself.

Nuku at first five-eighths proved a good connecting link and was more solid in the tight than usual. Patterson, playing for the first time for six weeks, shone out in all round play, but should have stopped Harnett when he scored and kicked the “ sitter,” The neatest player on the field it is only his lack of weight which prevents him playing in higher company. Morton improves with every

game, and the ex-Bay of Plenty man is far superior to several wings that have played for Waikato. One feature of Morton’s play is that besides being at times brilliant, he is thoroughly reliable He is also fast losing his habit of hanging-* on to the ball. Henderson as a forward shone out-and charged three kicks in gooa style during the game, one of which resulted in a try. Belcher, McClelland and Dunlop played their usual hard games, though the others were r.ot so impressive. Bullot at fullback played a perfect fullback game, and easily outshone his vis-a-vis. For Morrinsville, Mulcahy worked hard, but found his opponents generally too nippy, though he smothered Robinson on a couple of occasions. O’Brien did well at half, but his inside men were weak, though Harnett did some smart work in the loose. L. Marshall on the wing proved lie knew the shortest way to the line, but Campbell, even after making allowance for a weak shoulder, played like a brek number. Smith, at fullback, fumbled a lot, and appeared To lack confidence. However, he fielded veil on occasion and should improve. The forwards were well locked and solid in the tight, but displayed little speed in the open. Leeson and Haycock were the pick.

PUTARURU V. WAIPA. The following team will represent Putaruru against Waipa on Saturday. The team is one of the strongest that has represented Putaruru this season : Full-back, Buliott ; three-quar-ters, R. Dunlop, Patterson, Morton > five-eighths, McDonald, Wharetine ; half-back, Robinson ; rover, Henderson ; forwards, Dunlop, Parker, Hodge, Ensor, J. Belcher, S. Belcher, G. Brown ; reserves, Nuku, F. Brown, McClelland, Redfern. - Mr. A. Ecklund will referee. HONOURS EASY. After the defeat of the All Blacks in the third test match and in the Western Provinces game their decisive victory in the fourth test came as a very pleasant surprise. Surprise it was. Very few New Zealanders were so optimistic as to believe that the All Blacks would win. ’

From the cabled reports it would seem that the New Zealand forwards more than held their own and that they got possession of the ball more often than they did in the earlier games. The backs had therefore a better chance to show out and they were enabled to have a bigger say in the style of game played. A question" which is bound to agitate the football world is why Nicholls was not played in the previous tests, or if he had played would the results have been different? Such discussion will get nowhere, but the fact will remain that Nicholls’ name will always be associated with the fourth test, just as Bennie Osier’s is with the first.

In scoring tries the sides were equal, but Nicholls was in form with his place kicking. Probably greater than this was his value in his knowledge of the game and his strategy in varying the tactics. For Nicholls is the greatest general in the team.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. N.S.W. 19, Hawke’s Bay 6. Inter-provincial. Waikato 11, Wanganui 8. Auckland 23, North Auckland 22, Wellington 20, Taranaki 17. Sub-union. Putaruru 14, Morrinsville 11. Thames 16, Auckland B 11. Pukekohe 11, Hamilton 11.