RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 21092, 26 May 1930, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

STAR DEFEATED PIRATES WIN BY ELEVEN TO THREE LOSERS’ MAGNIFICENT FORWARDS BLACK BACKS TOO FAST A crowd of 2000 persons turned out in the cold conditions on Saturday afternoon to witness the first meeting of the Galbraith Shield leaders, Star and Pirates A. They were rewarded 'for their enthusiasm with a hard, interesting, and at times exciting game in which the losers (Star) showed to better advantage, but could not finish off the many sustained forward onslaughts which were fought in close proxim- ’■ ity to Pirates’ line. It was a gruelling duel between two packs, and apart from several flashing movements by the Pirates backs, the game was confined mainly to the forwards. Pace and cohesion in the backs won the game for Pirates. They handled the greasy ball in a surprisingly good fashion, two of their three tries being the result of concerted work. Star were without the services of Holden, Mahoney, Riddell and Murray, and Pirates took the field without Bird, one of their best forwards. As the result of Pirates’ victory the first round concluded with Star and Pirates A equal at the head of the championship. Both teams have lost one match apiece. There was little interest in the other two senior games, although Southern’s victory over Pirates B was a pleasant surprise to the many Southern sympathizers. Blues defeated Waikiwi in a very onesided game by 32 points to nil. GALBRAITH SHIELD POSITION OF TEAMS. The following table shows the positions of the teams at the conclusion of the first round in the Galbraith Shield competition:

PIRATES A (11) v. STAR (3) Ground conditions were fairly good for this game, and had intermittent showers not fallen during the game, the ball would have been reasonably dry throughout. As it was the ball soon became greasy and the game developed into a battle between the two packs. Pirates, however, endeavoured at every opportunity to open up the play and at times their handling was very good. The Star pack outclassed the opposition in the second half of the game and for long stretches had the Blacks penned on their line, but the defence of the Blacks’ inside backs was sound and Star could not cross , the fine. Pirates deserved victory by virtue of making the most of their chances, whereas Star failed to grasp their opportunities. Luck played a prominent part in the decision. Adams cross Pirates’ line in the first half of the game and scored a good try, but the referee ruled “tackled ball’ and ordered a scrum. Adams had broken through from a ruck and grounded the ball cleanly. Then in the second half, G. Thomas was awarded a try after Campbell had forced the ball. Luckily for Pirates the referee could not have seen Campbell force down. On the other hand Pirates should have scored another try in the late stages of the game. Falconer made a great break and sent Diack and Hazlett away with only the full-back to pass, but a fumbled pass threw a glorious opportunity away. Features of the game were the magnificent “tight” work of the Star forwards, the defence and handling of the Pirates’ inside backs and the individual displays of Campbell (Star full-back) and Hazlett. Campbell made not one mistake and gave a splendid exhibition of line kicking. Hazlett worked overtime in the Black pack and took part in much of the open work. • He is now right back to his best form and should have no difficulty in “making” the All Black team to play the British side.

The teams were: Star (Blue and White): Campbell; Creaser, Giller, Agnew; Stubbs, Bell; Adams; Lilley, Donelly; Galt, Clarkson, Aitken; Mattingly, Sinclair; O’Toole. Pirates A: (Black and Gold): Murray; Geddes, Diack, Webb; W. Thomas, Falconer; G. Thomas; Carter, Tinnock; Hazlett, Spencer, O’Driscoll; Batcheler, Metcalfe; King. Hazlett marked Star’s kick-off and found touch at Star’s 25. Pirates were the first to get going. G. Thomas worked the blind from a scrum, but threw a wild pass to Webb. The Pirates were packing a perfect scrum and hooking cleanly for Thomas to get his backs going. Their passing was met with solid tackling and the movements were broken up almost immediately. Falconer secured in a handy position and potted unsuccessfully, the ball just going wide. Creaser put Star on attack with a nice kick and Campbell, marking, found touch inside Pirates’ 25. Star continued the attack and Adams, the short side, beat a man and kicked over, Pirates forcing. The first 10 minutes’ play ended with honours even. Both sides were striving for position. G. Thomas forced Star with a long kick, then O'Toole broke clear in a great solo dribble which had the Blacks in difficulties. Agnew and Donnelly furthered the movement to near Pirates’ line, where by solid rucking the Black forwards cleared to half-way. Star forwards were going well in the loose and once again rushed play to Pirates’ quarter. Off side play by the Blacks in their own 25 gave Lilley a chance and he opened the scoring with a good goal against the wind. Star 3 Pirates .. nil

Pirates set up a strong attack and had the Whites busily defending. Some willing' rucking followed, the Blacks having the best of matters. Metcalfe picked up in a melee and hurled himself over, but fell short by inches. Star were having an anxious time and were hard put to keep the Blades out. After a series of scrums right on the line, Star gradually forged their way back to the half-way line. Pirates were again penalized for off-side play and Lilley’s attempt at goal just dropped under the bar. Light rain commenced to fall and the ball, becoming very greasy, was causing the backs some trouble. Campbell and Bell, with well-judged kicks, kept Star on attack and O’Toole headed a rush which threatened the Black line.- Adams made two bursts round the side of a ruck and succeeded in crossing the line, but was called back and a Scrum ordered. Pirates again infringed and Lilley missed an easy chance to goal. After a strenuous spell of defending Pirates cleared their line, Webb running infield and clearing to half-way. Pirates got going in the backs the next moment and put on a

great piece of passing which ended in O’Driscoll scoring behind the posts. Diack . • started the movement „and, running across to Webb’s wing, he despatched the winger up the line. Webb sent in a long pass to W. Thomas, to Falconer, who in turn transferred to Metcalfe. Metcalfe was bagged, but managed to get his pass away to O’Driscoll, who broke through a tackle and crossed amid wild cheering. Diack goaled. Pirates .. .. 5 Star ... .. ... .. .. .« ■■3-

Giller badly fumbled. a long kick by Hazlett and the Black forwards swept down, but Stubbs go.t back and cleared well. Pirates were now commencing to throw the ball about freely. . They were hooking from almost every scrum and G. Thomas was getting the ball away cleanly. Several passing rushes gained no ground, however, and the play simply swung from wing to wing. G. ThOmas put in a big line kick to Star’s 25 and half-time went shortly afterwards. Heavy rain was falling as the play resumed; Star gained the advantage from the kick-off, Mattingly finding touch in the Blacks’ 25. Falconer electrified the crowd with a sharp cut in and he flashed through the Star defence. Diack and Hazlett were in support and, with no one to pass, Hazlett knocked on. Pirates scored a try the next minute, however. Campbell forced down as the ball was kicked over from a scrum and G. Thomas, dived over to get his hands on the ball. The referee awarded Thomas a try. Diack’s kick was charged down. Pirates 8 Star 3

This spurred Star to greater effort and some slogging forward play saw the Whites gain Pirates’ 25. From this position several attempts were made to get over. The Black defence held and G. Thomas, securing under his own goal, punted to safety. Star were having much the best of the exchanges, but they could not break- through. For a long period the Black defence was sorely tested, but it held. Star forwards were going great guns and had the Blacks penned on their line for several minutes. Adams made two attempts to dive through the maze of forwards, but was held up each time. Pirates got relief with a free kick, but Star were back the next moment and a passing rush ended in Giller misjudging his corner kick by inches. The ball tvent into touch-in-goal. The Black backs were using the line better now and gradually worked play back. Not for long were they out of trouble, however, for Agnew sent them back to the corner with a line kick. Pirates were forced down and broke through from the kick off, but could not hold the position. Giller broke in on Black passing and, with Agnew, followed up to charge down Murray’s clearance. Agnew was just clear, but slipped when he gathered the ball. Play became exciting, but neither side could get very far. Star were having all the advantage territorially. They were too strong for the Blacks in the tight. A great rally ensued on Pirates’ line, and after some hard work between the packs the ball came out to Agnew', who dived over under the posts, but lost the ball and Pirates forced. The venue changed in a flash and for the first time since Pirates scored their second try they gained Star’s 25. Metcalfe broke through and bagged Campbell in possession and the ball went out to Webb, who was collared by Agnew when a try seemed imminent. Not to be denied, the Blacks kept up the attack, and securing possession, Falconer sent out to Diack, who. cross-kicked to Geddes’ wing. Geddes beat Creaser for pace and kicked over at the corner and raced through to score a good try. Diack failed. Pirates U Star 3

Diack next showed up in a great run, but lost his supports. He sent out a long pass to Webb, but it went astray. Stubbs put Star on attack with a kick which gained 50 yards and Murray was pressed to clear. He kicked into hands and a great opening presented itself, but Adams’ pass was forward. Bell speculated when within striking distance and Pirates were again forced down. In the final stages both Campbell and Diack essayed “pots” and missed and Pirates wound up with a good thrust which fell short of the objective by a few yards. The game, an interesting one, ended: Pirates Star 3 Mr D. Leckie refereed. BLUES (32) v. WAIKIWI (0) This game, which was the curtain-raiser on the No. 1 ground, gave the spectators little to be enthusiastic about, and the sooner the Rugby Union consider putting junior or school teams on the Park, the better. Unfortunately Waikiwi could field only 12 men in the first spell and this had much to do with making the game so onesided. Blues won by 32 points to nil, but showed little form to suggest that they possess more than outside chance of deposing the leading teams (Star and Pirates A) from their position. Since the opening game of the season Blues have fallen away and their display on Saturday was not too convincing'.' Against 12 men they ran up 27 points but in the second spell, against 14 they could add only one try. Waikiwi were completely disorganized and made a poor showing. Montague was their sheet-anchor and without him there would have been no opposition at all. Waikiwi can do better and it is hoped that this lapse is only temporary. Waikiwi took the field with 12 men and with this disadvantage could not hold the Blues who literally ran over the reds in the first 10 minutes and rang on 13 points. Niven scored in the first half minute of the game and Porter followed up with two tries as the result of some good passing. Grant converted both of Porter’s tries and the score stood at 13-nil.

Waikiwi gained the halfway line for the first time, but could not hold position and within the next five minutes Blues overwhelmed them and put on two more tries; Frampton and Clode scoring. Both attempts to convert missed. Blues 19-nil. Niven was the next to score for Blues. He ran through the Reds to score under the posts and converted the try to make the score Blues 24; Waikiwi 0.

The game was very one-sided and just on half-time Burnett increased Blues’ total with another try. Grant failed to goal. Blues 27; Waikiwi 0. Waikiwi dug up two more players at the interval and made a better showing in the second half. They could not keep the Blues out Jrowever, and after a series of passing rushes McKay ultimately finished off a nice movement and scored in a handy position. Niven goaled. Blues '. .. .. 32 Waikiwi 0 There was no further score. Mr H. R. Willcox was the referee. SOUTHERN (12) v. PIRATES B (3) On the No 2 ground Southern secured their first win for the season by decisively beating Pirates B by 12 points to three. The win was a very popular one and should do much to revive interest in this team which has been struggling for some time. The game was warmly contested and although it never reached a high standard, there was plenty of incident to keep the small knot of spectators interested. All of the points were scored in the first spell. Morgan opened the scoring for • Southern by goaling from a penalty and Craig equalized for Pirates in a similar c manner. Southern’s forwards played dashingly and they staged several rallies which swept all before them to the Pirates’ line. Over-eagerness in their defensive tactics cost Pirates another three points for Moragn made no mistake with the kick awarded for offside play. Keeping up the attack Southern essayed several passing rushes, one of which ended in Mannix scoring wide out. The kick failed. Burtenshaw, who was playing good football, scored the final try. The try was not converted and the score at half-time was: Southern 12 Pirates B .. ■ .. ... 3 The second spell saw Southern continue to dominate the May and on several occasions they went close to scoring. They were not successful however and “no-side" was whistled with the scores unchanged. Southern 12 Pirates B .. .. 3 Mr W. Pay refereed. JUNIOR MATCHES The forwards were prominent in Saturday’s junior matches, the ball being in roost qases a slippery one. Further wins were re-

corded by Blues juniors who so far arc unbeaten. Following are the results of the various games:— SECOND GBADE INVERCARGILL (17) v. WAIKIWI (0). Invercargill .proved too many for Waikiwi in a match on the latter’s ground, defeating the home team by 17 points to nil. A bright exhibition of football generally was given by the Blues forwards, some fine passing movements taking place. For the winners Tapley and Keast were prominent, each two tries. McKinnon also scored one and Lee made a conversion. Mr. W. O. Ward was referee, OLD BOYS (6) v. RIMU (6). Old Boys journeyed to Rimu and played a drawn game with the home team, the final score being six all. The game was a hard one and several players were injured. The scorers for Old Boys were Patterson and Hawke, and for Rimu Fairweather and Henderson each kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. Durham was referee. STAR (32) v. BLUFF (3). Star journeyed down to Bluff and experienced little difficulty in defeating the home team by the substantial margin of 32 points to 3. Mr. M. Sheehan controlled the game. THIRD GRADE INVERCARGILL (12) v. HIGH SCHOOL (8). A hard, fast game resulted between Invercargill and a scratch High School team on the Herbert street grounds, Blues winning by 12 points to 8. For the winners Blue scored two tries and Stevens and C. Johnston one each. For High School Henry scored two tries, one of which was converted by Pickard. Mr. A. Angus refereed. OLD BOYS (26) v. PIRATES (3). Playing at Biggar street, Old Boys defeated Pirates by 26 points to -3. Although Old Boys thoroughly deserved their win, the score can hardly be taken as an indication of the game, as Pirates were much more in the picture than it would appear at first glance. The match was fast and open, with many fine dribbling rushes, while the backs of both teams were moving at every opportunity. The Old Boy team had an advantage in weight which turned the scale in their favour. For Old Boys scores were made by N. Derbie (2), Gumbley, Gardner and Davidson, A. Derbie converting one and kicking three penalties. McGregor crossed the line for Pirates. Mr. J. P. Elley was referee. BORSTAL No. 1 (23) v. BORSTAL NO. 2 (8). In a game played on the institution grounds Borstal No. 1 team defeated Borstal No. 2 team by 23 points to 8. Mr. F. Findlay controlled the game. Bluff defaulted to Southern. WESTERN DISTRICT The junior match between Ohai and Nightcaps played at Ohai resulted in Nightcaps defeating Ohai by 13 points to 3. Mr. A. Prendeville refereed. Playing at Otautau Ohai seniors defeated Otautau by 9 points to nil. Playing at Otautau, Otautau juniors defeated" Orawia juniors by 16 points to nil. Playing at Thornbury, Orawia defeated Thornbury by 11 points to 3. NORTHERN DISTRICT The first grade match played at Waikaia between Lumsden and Waikaia, resulted in a win for Lumsden by 10 points to 6. Lumsden’s score was compiled by two converted tries and for Waikaia L. Heenan kicked two field goals. Mr. J. Allen controlled the game. The second grade match between Athol and Waikaia played at Athol resulted in a draw, each team scoring 18 points. CENTRAL DISTRICT Limehills seniors travelled to Dipton and were defeated by 21 points to 3. The halftime score was 13 —3 in favour of Dipton. IN OTHER CENTRES DUNEDIN. ’Varsity B 12 beat Dunedin 3. Pirates 22 beat Union 9. Alhambra 9 beat Southern 5. < Kaikorai 12 beat 'Varsity A 0. Zingari 5 drew with Taieri 5, CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch 12 beat Old Boys 6. Linwood 30 beat West 8. Sydenham 12 beat Technical 11. Merivale 9 beat ’Varsity 3. AUCKLAND. Ponsonby 16 beat Manukau 13. Training College 24 beat Grafton 9. Grammar 20 beat City 6. 'Varsity 17 beat Marist 3. Technical Old Boys 6 beat College Rifles 3.

Pts. Ch. p. w. L. D. For Agst. Pts. Star .. ..... 5 4 1 — 102 25 8 Pirates A . .. 5 4 1 — 124 54 8 Invercargill .. o 3 1 1 109 40 7 Pirates B . .. 5 1 3 1 38 81 3 Waikiwi .. .. 5 1 4 — 40 121 2 Southern .. .. 5 1 4 — 34 126 2