SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 298, 25 July 1929, Page 8

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Football.

WAIKATO ON TOUR.

Hawke's Bay Match.

A Good Showing.

The views of “ Back Off ” in the Tribune (Hastings) are lavish in praise at Waikato’s play. They are: No complaints were lodged as to the representative game on Wednesday when a great afternoon’s sport was provided in the WaikatoHawke’s Bay game in Hastings. Waikato were making their first appearance of their tour and they proved to be a very fast and resourceful lot. It was their opening*game, and they strove very hard to make it a •victory, i The Bay team was not as strong as it could be, but nevertheless a good team. They were on the day about equal to the visitors, and this made the game all the more interesting. In heigot and weight Waikato had it on the home team, especially so in the back line division.

“Keep Possession of the Ball.” The game was noteworthy for one aspect of the visitors’ play. Their maxim was “ keep possession of the ball.” Herein lay the success of their opening game. Seldom did their backs kick the ball, rather they tossed it about among themselves and the Bay team found it difficult to take possession from them. Hawke’s Bay might well take a lesson from the exhibition. It was indeed very pleasing to the open play after the overdope forw-’d struggles that now' appear to rule football generally. . Special interest centred round the game inasmuch that both provinces are to have a game for the Ranfurly Shield. Hawke’s Bay’s challenge is to be settled next Saturday and local fans were interested to see how some of the prospective Shield players fared. Fast, Nippy Backs. Fast, nippy backs are possessed by Waikato. Incidentally, they are a ■well-built let and proved very difficult to stop. Their combination was good and they were evidently in a confident mood for they threw the ball about in grand style. Their backing up was a treat, and in this •way scored two good tries. The first one was an excellent example. The ■whole line had handled and Anderson had almost run into touch when he passed infield. Vesper was there •waiting and he cut-in nicely for a pretty try. Vosper made an ideal centre. He always fed his wings and his straight, piercing runs were most useful. Anderson and Graham •were' outside him. The former is very fast and takes a lot of stopping. Graham was good, but did not have the 'opportunities to shine as fell to the lot of his confrere.

In the five-eighth line Story and Quin made a promising pair. Story was particularly so. His piercing "thrusts were invaluable. They were more than a match for the home pair. Two half-backs, were seen in action. Mitchell was replaced by Jack Mills (no relation to our re- - cently departed). Both knew their job and saw to it that the backs Received the hall r vJenty. Outstanding Figure. The outstanding figure on the ground was Thomas, Waikato’s last line of defence. He was safe, his kicking was faultless and his judgment excellent, but his priceless ability was in the direction of his resourcefulness. He it was who set Waikato on the move for the final try. It was the best movement seen in Hawke’s Bay for a long time and the credit lay with Thomas. He played a big part in making the game a draw. The visiting pack did not have things all the'” own way. They were better in the lineouts than the home team, but despite their extra weight they were beaten in the set scrums. The packing appeared at fault, and the pressure was directed on the one side. In the open they proved a very fast lot and could handle the ball almost as well as their hacks. Taken all through they about shared the honours. Kay. the visiting wingforward and captain, was prominent in loose rushes, but was too anxious to get on the move at times, and • consequently was frequently found offside. Bou”ks. Omeron and Robinson ably s' —‘oorfed their skipper. Bourke and Robi”’=ou were very prominent in the dribbling line and they proved a troublesome pair, ■piercing worked hard in the tight, as did Holmes and Leeson.

The Wairoa Match. Beaten in Forwards. Of the game in which the Waikato touring team was beaten by Wairoa by 8 points to 6 points, the local correspondent of the Poverty Bay irieraid hau the following comment to make:— Heavy rain on the previous night had thoroughly soaked the new Wairoa sports ground, and the playing area was covered with puddles of water when the teams, went out yesterday afternoon for the first representative Rugby football match locally between Waikato and Wairoa. Nevertheless the game attracted what would have been a record crowd for a mid-week match in Wairoa. The weather was fine during the match, which was predominantly a forward one, the fine Wairoa pack, supported by a safe rear division bringing Wairoa out the winners by 8 points to 6. Territorially, the home side had much the better of the game all through, but a fine exhibition was given by both sides, and had the match been plaved on a dry ground the public would have been treated to a much more spectacular display. The two fullbacks, Thomas (Waikato) and Hickling (Wairoa), were outstanding, each giving r splendid display. Ensor captained the visiting side, and J. Gemmell led the Wairoa team to victory. Home Team Show Up.

In the first spell the home team was much superior, the visitors taking som" time to settle down under the muddy conditions’. For ten minutes after the start Waikato was penned in its own 25 area, and good play by Beckett made the first opening for a score, J. Gemmell getting the ball from the Wairoa half-back, and diving over the line for a good near the corner. J. Smith took the kick, and goaled it from an awkward angle, the exploit being greeted with sustained cheering—Wairoa 5, Waikato 0. Shortly afterwards Smith goaled a venal tv kick from outside the Waikato 25, and made the score B—o in favour of Wairoa, the first half ending without further score. Visitors Da Better. In the second half the Waikato men seemed more at home, and they carried plav to Wairoa’s end, wher« a penalty for offside was awarded them, and Quin piloted the ball between the uprights. For a long time the game swayed this way and that, with Wairoa intent on holding the lead, hut just before th'e call of time the Waikato forwards launched a determined and sustained attack, which put them on the Wairoa lint*. Loose play was seep in that legality, and at last Robinson (Waikato snapped JO the greasy ball and nlunged over the line for a try. The kick was a difficult one, and Oufr> failed to convert the trv, the final whistle halting play immediately after the kick.

The East Coast Match.

Waikato’s Combination Superior

The Waikato touring team defeated East Coast at Ruatoria on Saturday by 15 points to 11, after a hard struggle. There was not a great deal between the teams. The visitors had a splendid pack of forwards, and this was a big factor in their win. The local hacks were quite up to the standard of their opponents, but their combined work was not as good. The weather was unpleasant, a slight drizzle coming on with the sfavt of the game, strengthening to fairly heavy showers later on. The ball was hard to handle, and many promising passing rushes broke down from this cause. Plav was fairly strenuous, and each team had to retire a man through injury. The Waikato team was as follows: Fullback, Johnston: threequarters, Anderson, Vosper, Litt; five-eighths. Ray Stoi-y: half, Quin; rover. W. Bor.rke; f”ont row, Robinson, Holmes; lock, Cameron; side row, D. B .url-e. Fleming; back row, Chapman, Ensor.

Within a few minutes of the start of play the home team had scored, Paroa goaling from a free kick.— East Coast 3, Waikato 0.

The visitors -rallied, and a strong forward rush carried the ball close to the Coast line, where a free kick was awarded Waikato for handling in the smum, and Quin evened the sen-es.—Waikato 3, Coast 3.

A series of dangerous thrusts by tho Waikato forwards were frustrated by deadly defence. Coast got away from a lineout, Walford made

a good run from midfield and Hikutaia scored from him.—Coast 6, Waikato 3.

Quin evened the scores again when Waikato were awarded a penalty for offside.—Waikato 6, Coast 6. In ensuing play the Coast team was kept penned in its own twentyfive. Litt slipped and fell when a score seemed a certainty, and Story just missed with a penalty kick. A good rush started by Litt was spoilt by a knock-on. Coast forced several times. Play then hung in the Waikato twenty-five for a time, but the powerful pack of the visitors soon rushed it back to local territory, where D. Bourke got over at the corner. Half-time found the scores: Waikato 9, Coast 6. Waikato kept up the pressure, and Kay scored from a ruck on the line, the kick being resultless.—Waikato 12, Coast 6. At this stage Quin retired hurt, his place being taken by Griffiths. The fortune of piay now veered and Waikato were given no respite. Waikato forced twice, and there were several scrums on the line. A free kick resulted in Coast’s final score, G. Ferris crossing after a smart bit of play, and Raroa goaling.—Coast 11, Wafkato 12. For the final few minutes Waikato attacked strongly, and from play in Die Coast twenty-five Chapman got o”er. The kick, a food attempt, failed.—Waikato 15, Coast 11.

The following comment on the game is made by the sporting writer in the Gisborne Times: Waikato won because their forwards worked untiringly and followed up well, while their backs made the most of their opportunities, and tackled better. East Coast though playing well in patches rid not show the same combination as the visitors, while the forwards attempted to handle the leather instead of keeping it at their feet. For Waikato Johnston, Vosper, SU.rv and Kay were the most conspicuous, Johnston esnecially playing a sterling game at fullback, while Vosper was repeatedly making openings for : his rearguard. The wingers. Anderson and Litt, h"d few opportunities, but did well with a greasv tall. Of the forwards, Robinson, Chapman. Ensor and Bourne were most conspicuous.

Mat oil Against Poverty Bay. Defeat by 18 to :s. The Waikato team was as follows: Fullback, S. Thomas; threequarters, M. Anderson, J. Vosper, J. Litt; fiveeighths, I. Johnstone (captain), A. Story; half, P. Quin; rover, L. Kay; hookers, C. Robinson and D. Ensor; lock, J. Fleming; sides, A. Cameron and R. Chapman; back row, W. Bourke and D. Bourke. The conditions were not conducive to hard and open play, there being a number of pools of water scattered about the playing area, the surface offering no hold for short sprigs. Both goal quarters were fairly free from water.

Following the kick off Waikato carried play into the Bay territory, and for a few moments things were rot bright for the Bay, the home players finding trouble in standing up to the slippery conditions. The visiting backs got the ball from a ruck at the twenty-five line, but the leather was dropped by Johnstone, and a clearing kick went upfield. A free for the visitors for offside went astray. Midfield play was fairly even, with the home forwards full of sting. Plav was brought hack to the home 25 line, where the visitors heaved the home rack off the ball and dribbled through to a dangerous nosition. where a scrum was given for a knock on. The ball came out on the Bay side and the home fullback cleared.

Kpv proved a thorn in the side of the Bay, his work from the side of the scrum' being particularly effective. but the visitors’ efforts to handle the ball in short passing rushes repeatedly failed. Their dribbling rushes, however, had more result, and for a while they held Poverty Bay on their own line, where at last a penalty to the home side relieved the situation. The Bay were the first to score. Caulton crossing at the corner for a fine try.—Poverty Bay 3, Waikato 0.

Waikato equalised within a few minvtes from practically an identical movement to Poverty Bov’s. The hall travelled from the lineout on Poverty Bay’s twenty-five through Quin, Johnstone, Story and Vosper to Anderson, who raced ac~oss In the corner. Quin failed with the kick.—• Waikato 3, Poverty Bay 3. The tnckling of the visitors was very solid, and the rushes of the visiting forwards kept the home packgoing for all they were worth. It was noticed that the Bay was getting its share of the ball in the lineouts and the home hacks wore served in great style by their halfback. For

a quarter of an hour the Waikato men hardly left their own end, and for the greater part of that time they were defending within fifteen yards of their goal line. When they did break away they found themselves up against solid tackling. Mainly through the aid of Vosper, Waikato drove the attackers back into their own twenty-five. There they got the ball from two scrums in succession, the backs handling in great style, but failing- against the hard tackling. Quin, Waikato’s halfback, gave a first-class display, despite the fact that he was subject to very close attention. The two packs were well balanced, and neither seemed to get away with dribbiing rushes.

A hot Poverty Bay attack took play to the Waikato line, where Thomas dived over for the Bay’s second try, Caulton converting. —Poverty Bay 8, Waikato 3.

Ensor was at this stage replaced by Mansell owing to an injury. Thomas played a sound game at fullback, though much handled by the Bay forwards. In the second half the home team added two tries, one being converted. A great rally by the visitors renewed the interest of the crowd toward the finish, and it was then that Fleming just missed scoring, while other attacks also just fell short of success. The game ended, Poverty Bay 16, Waikato 3.

Bay of Plenty Match.

A Big Defeat.

The Waikato team concluded its tour of the East Coast on Saturday with a match against Bay of Plenty, the latter winning by 21’ points to 8. Waikato were showing the effects of the previous matches and a weak team was fielded. The team was:— Fullback, Johnston; threequarters, Anderson, Everest, Griffiths; fiveeighths, Vosper, Story; half, Mitchell; rover, W. Bourke; forwards, Leeson, Holmes, D. Bourke (lock), Cameron, Chapman, Mansel, Robinson.

Matters did not improve during the game, as Mitchell and Anderson had to retire. In the first 20 minutes the Bay rattled up 13 points, but thereafter Waikato improved. Getting the ball from the scrum more frequently than their opponents, the Waikato backs had plenty of openings, but the finish to the movements was lacking. The Bay scored five tries, three of which were converted. Leeson scored for Waikato, Everest converting. In the closing stages of the game Everest kicked a penalty goal. Everest apparently was a reinforcement, as he was not included in the 22 players who left on the tour.

Interesting: Sidelights. Writing to one of the Matamata Record staff, a member of the touring party throws some interesting sidelights on the trip. In the course of a long letter he says:— “ The East Coast trip turned out far better than we expected. They told us at Hawke’s Bay and again at Wairoa that we were mad going to Ruatoria. They reckoned the mob would eat us if ever we got there, as the .road and rivers were almost impassable. We were not too keen on the trip after that. However, we found quite the reverse as far as the road went, and the creeks were mostly concreted on the bottom about a chain long and provided good, smooth running. Ruatoria was reached about 6.30. The ‘ pub ’ had fifty bedrooms, and is up-to-dqte in other departments. There was also a farmers’ general store billiard room, blacksmith shop and garage one or two other shops. The post ether is about half-a-mile away. There were very few people to be seen when we arrived and how the union was going to give us £SO puzzled me. However, we were told that we would be surprised on the morrow—which we were. They took £132 odd, which is a record and far above their expectations. The Maoris started to come in to the village soon after breakfast and by match time there were between four and five hundred horses in the street and round the ‘ pub.’ The riders mostly wore wide brimmed and high crown hats, high canvas leggings and spurs galore. We will never see such a sight again plenty of cars of all descriptions—very few females. Where the natives came from and where they went to was hard to figure out as the nlace was chock full right up to bed time. They treated us well gave us a wonderful spread, ribbons crackers and evervthing possible to eat and drink. Maori hakas were performed everywhere. They had a dance hall about a mile away somewhere, hut none of the boys saw it. The police (there were eight here all fine big men) told the boys they

would like them to keep inside after the dinner, which - they did and got into no trouble. By jove! they are a fine race up here; all big men—far better than our Waikato natives—bur wild as buffaloes. The row at the * pub ’ where they were in hundreds was great. The barracking at the match was great also. They had a good team up against us, all college boys but the fullback, and they gave us a good go.

“We had to play Quin half at Wairoa, as Mitchell and Mills got hurt at Hawke’s Bay. Mills got his finger broken, and Graham got badly hurt also, and is off for the rest of the tour. We wish we had a half here. The next team (Poverty Bay) is going to be hard and fast. Thomas, we hope, will be able to play—not sure yet. Jack Vosper got badly kicked at Ruatoria, but continued playing. Quin had to come off in the last quarter and Story took his place at half. Quin and Story have been our most consistent backs up to the present, and Chapman our best forward. Jack Vosper has been doing fairly well, like a little bulldog, but has been taking his passes badly, especially at Ruatoria. Thomas played a great game at Wairoa in the mud and water, a terrible game. These were the hardest forwards we have met so far. Tom French has a great team, kick and this came in handy up the They taught our forwards how to coast.”

A DISASTROUS TRIP.

Waikato’s Tocr.

The tour of the Waikato team a disastrous one. It was a comoinution ox bad luck and bad management in arranging the trip, ouus which no team can overcome. It was

extremely unioitunate cnat so many piaye.s should nave met with acciuenxs, and tnat so early in tne trip the two halves should have been injured. It points to the need in the selection of travelling teams ot picking several utility men, players

who may not be as urilliant as others in special position, but can be played anywhere. Quin and Story were the utility baexs, and thenvalue to the team was enormous. Quin came to the rescue as half, and from all accounts shaped very well. There must be plenty of all round •players in the Waikato who would have been of service. But it is impossible to totally guard against accidents and the injury to the important cogs of a back machine must affect the play of a side.

But there was no excuse for the arrangement of the tour. To play on a Wednesday, travel 50 miles and play another hard game on the Thursday, and then to journey another 100 miles to play a match on Saturday—and all the travelling by motor car—was to court trouble. It was expecting too much of the players. No wonder they say the “ trip was alright but far too strenuous.”

The aim or policy of the management committee should be to advance the Waikato union from the B to the A unions’ grade list. It was not by making a trip of this nature that this would be achieved, even if all the matches were won. There are plenty of strong unions Waikato can play and work the trip by train and have prospects of return visits. As it is the only effect of the tour is to deplete the -funds and to still further lower the playing prestige of the union. A disastrous trip in every sense. Impressions of Tour. Waikato’s Form. One who was in close contact with the Waikato team during the tour expresses the opinion that if the team that played against Hawke’s Bay could have been kept intact, t l ** i tourists would not have had a loss. At the end of the tour there was hardly a fit man. All were suffering from knocks, bruises or sickness, and it had been hal'd to put out a team for the last game. A curious fact about the team was that it took 20 minutes to warm up. Most of the mistakes were made in the opening exchanges. When settled down the team revealed itself as being a very hard one, with good bustling forwards, who combined with a set of tricky and fast backs. If the same team as turned out against Hawke’s Bay met Auckland on August 3, it should win.

Referring to the Hawke’s Bay match, the speaker said Waikato was unfortunate in not winning. The backs combined perfectly and dominated the game, being continually on attack. On two occasions Waikato backs were pulled down within inches of the line.

Praise for S. Thomas. Commenting on the match Wairoa, which Waikato lost by 8 points to 6, Mr. T. French, selector of the Wairoa team, in a letter to a member of the Waikato Rugby Union, states: Thomas, the Waikato fullback, gave the finest display seen in Wairoa, including George Nepia. Summary of Tour. The summary of the tour is : One win, one draw, three losses. The results were:— Drew with Hawke’s Bay, 11—11. Lost to Wairoa. s—B. Beat East Coast, 15-.11. Lost to Poverty Bay, 3—16. Lost to Bay of Plenty, B—2l- - : For 43, against 69. Waikato’s next fixture is with Auckland at Auckland or August 3. MATAMATA RESULTS. i Seniors. Matamata 9, Walton 8. Patetere 21, Waharoa 0. Juniors. Matamata 0.8. 11, Patetere A 0.. Hinuera 17, Patetere B 6. Wardville 5, Matamata 0. Thirds. Putaruru 6, Patetere 0. Wardville defeated High School by default. RANFURLY SHIELD. y, Wairarapa Still Holders. At Masterton on Saturday Wairarapa (holders) defeated Hawke’s Bay (challenger's) |n a Ranfurly Shield match by 10 points to 6. x REP. MATCHES. Morrinsvilla 12, Can: bridge 0. Both the Morrinsville and Cami bridge teams were short of several players, mainly those away with Waikato Morrinsville had rather the belter of the game, the forwards being superior. The Morrinsville backs were more Egg: e.ssive unfit handled better. Campbell scored three trio. and W. Cameron one., none of which was converted. Morrinsville juniors lost Lo Cambridge by 8 to 9. SUB-UNION OR CLUBS. Which is the Better System ? At the commencement of the season there was some discussion concerning a proposal to abolish the sub-union system and substitute therefor the club system of Taranaki. The proposal met with very strong opposition in Morrinsville. One of the principal grounds of hostility was that the sub-union system at present in vogue tended to encourage football by making provision for the maximum number of players. Justification of this is provided in the details of last Saturday’s football in South Taranaki. There were four senior matches, three second grade, two third grade and two fourth grade. Ail the senior matches were , played. In the second grade only * one was played, two being won by default. Only one match in each of the third and fourth grades was played, the ether one being a default win. Thus on Saturday there were only 14 teams playing in the South Taranaki championship. In Morrinsville, under the sub-union system t»n teams took the field in the seniors and juniors, which was equal to the number playing in those grades in South Tarana,ci. There were no third grade matches in Morrinsville on Saturday.

It is also noteworthy that in the sub-unions the junior footbaU appears to be a great deal more healthy numerically than under the c ub system of Taranaki.-Morrins-vllle Star.