RUGBY

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 18

RUGBY

NEWS AND NOTES.

“Onlooker.”)

(By ‘

Star suffer first defeat. Pirates’ pace wins the day. Holden was badly missed from behind Star’s scrum.

Star and Pirates now equal at the top of the championship. Falconer is fast developing into a goodclass five-eighth. Sharp, ex-Wellington, will be seen out with Pirates to-day. G. Purdue is reported to be linking up with Pirates. He will strengthen the Black pack.

Hay Nichol could be likened to a Nomad. He has gone back to Ohai. Riddell and Mahoney will be out again shortly. The British team plays' Wairarapa today; Wellington on Tuesday (King’s Birthday) and Canterbury next Saturday. Country Day on Tuesday. There will be three games. The Town team will be announced to-night. All local games will be postponed on June 21, the occasion of the first test at Dunedin.

Various estimates ranging from 7000 to 20,000 were made of the number of spectators present at the Taranaki-Britain match in New Plymouth last Saturday. The opinion that it is the largest crowd that ever assembled in Taranaki is borne out by the official returns. The gate receipts were £1550, compared with about £l2OO for the Springbok match in 1921. The attendance is computed by a member of the Rugby Union management committee to be 17,000. Commenting on the Taranaki-British team game, a Taranaki Daily News writer payhigh tribute to the visitors in the following manner: —“Of the British backs one can only say that in form they are an attacking brilliance. One left the field with the memory of an amazing meteor of a Spong bursting with a trail of sparks through the firmament and as often as not forgetting that there were other stars on his side of the heavens who would also like to be in the picture occasionally; of a couple of faithful statellites in Aarvold and Murray; and of two comets near the touchline. One will not soon forget the powerful Reeve, whose potential try-getting was nullified only by the grim tackling opposite, or the crafty Morley, specialist in cunning side-stepping and artful cross-kicking to a joyous and expectant band of giant forwards.”

If history did not repeat itself in one direction in the Taranaki-Britain game last Saturday, it did in another. Dr E. F. Fookes, New Plymouth, and W. A. Guy, Matapu, Taranaki’s sole selector, who represented the combined Taranaki-Wanganui and Manawatu team against Bedell Sievwright’s British team at Pukekura Park on August 17, 1904, in a pointless draw, were on Saturday, nearly 26 years later, represented by sons against the first All British team to visit New Plymouth since that date. Dr Fookes filled the role of full-back on the first occasion, while on Saturday his son, K. Fookes was wing three-quarter. W. A. Guy was rover, and his son had truly followed in his footsteps as he on Saturday filled a similar role. J. Hunter,’ the versatile five-eighth who captained the combined side on the first great occasion, was represented by a nephew.

Mr A. F. Harding, the Welsh international forward who first visited Taranaki with Bedell Sievwright’s team and in 1908 brought an Anglo-Welsh team to Taranaki, being defeated by 5 points to nil at Pukekura Park, later settling in New Zealand, was in New Plymouth to witness Saturday’s match.

PIRATES v. STAR

Pirates did not have matters all their own way to defeat Star. On the contrary they were required to call up all their resources to stem the continual forward onslaughts which shook their line in the second spell. There was only one pack in it at times, and all the honours of the game go to the Star forwards for their magnificent work. Their determination and tenacity were remarkable. The Whites died hard, and it speaks volumes for their fitness to last such a gruelling trial.

The game produced a battle of tactics. Star adopted the tight forward game and Pirates decided upon open play. For the first ten minutes it looked as though the Blacks must prevail. They packed a perfect scrum and hooked the ball from practically every set, but, hampered by the greasy ball, they failed to get very far with their passing.

Possessing a superior set of backs it is difficult to understand why the winners did not make more use of the long line. Theirs was to hurl the ball out as far as possible, but instead they chose to exploit the short throw-in, and as a result, they lost possession two out of three. Here was a tactical blunder. It was as plain as a pikestaff that the Blacks could not go with the Whites in this department. Yet they persisted with this right to the end. Pirates carry a rearguard division above the average, and to succeed it will pay them in future to play a long line whenever they win the throw-in.

The Black forwards as a whole were disappointing. In scrum work they commenced very well and Carter and Tinnock were enabled to out-hook the opposing pair, but after the first quarter, the Star scrum held its own and in the second half more than made up for their loss of possession in the first spell. It was anticipated that the Blacks would be a good match for the Star pack. That they were not was forcibly demonstrated the further the game went, and it is not too much to say that the White forwards overwhelmed the opposition at times.. The Blacks failed to pack solidly. Why, it is difficult to suggest. They had just as much weight as Star. It is pleasing to record that for once the Pirates inside backs showed cohesion in their work. Without it the Blacks would probably have occupied Star’s position in the game. From G. Thomas to Diack there was a good understanding and here their success lay. Two of the three tries were the result of combined work. G, Thomas, Falconer, W. Thomas and Diack added further laurels to their crowns by their stubborn defence when Star were pressing so hard in the second half. Several Star thrusts in the centre were held up by this quartet. Pirates owe their victory to their ability to take advantage of the opportunities which came their way. They were lucky with one try, and unlucky with another possible one, but clinched matters by topping off two good thrusts. The first was spectacular and showed both backs and forwards up in a good light as sure handlers with an elusive ball. The value of fast following up—support of the backs by the forwards —was also demonstrated in this try. There was a suspicion of a pass forward in the movement, but it was so well, executed and at top speed that it was deserving of success. Diack’s cut in paved the way; then Webb made a further opening by sending across - a good in-pass to his supports. The opposition was out-positioned, and O’Driscoll had little difficulty in finishing off.

Geddes's try was also the result of clever work. ■ Diack again made the opening, but this time ■he judiciously cross-kicked to Geddes’s wing. Pace did the rest. Still the try had to' be scored and Geddes could easily have over run the ball. He had to go all out to get there and might have rooted his kick past Creeser too hard. Geddes and Diack work this open movement very well. They have scored many tries between them in this manner.

Without wishing to take any of the credit away from Pirates’ win, it would not be too hard to say that Holden’s absence cost Star victory. Holden would have been at home under the conditions and would have had several chances to bring his field goal into play. There were numerous opportunities in the second spell right under Pirates’ goal where Holden would have potted. Adams, playing to instructions, dived tor the line on'these occasions, but he was too light to make any impression on the defence. Further, had Holden been present, he would probably have opened up the play when Star were attacking so persistently. Star were unlucky not to have been awarded the try scored by Adams in the first spell, and doubly unlucky to have a try awarded against them when Campbell forced the ball. This was the turning point in the game, and although Star continued to make the play and get opportunities, the moral effect must have, been disadvantageous. Both sides had their fortunes and misfortunes, and as stated previously, Pirates, by virtue of having made the most of their chances, came out B was bad luck for Star to have, so mfiny men away, but that was not Pirates’ fault. The boot could just as easily have beep on the other foot. As it was Pirates had'Bird away, and that they missed him was quite clear,. He would have been a great mate for Hazlett, and would probably havOmeant the difference between a sound sctiil’m and a weak one, especially when the Blacks were feeling the strain near the end.

In such a hard-fought game in which every man strove his hardest, it would be invidious to particularize, but one or two were outstandingly conspicuous. The “small” men in the packs, Carter, Tinnock and Sinclair, toiled as hard as any and were always where the play was thickest. Sinclair made his first appearance this season for Star and hopped into his stride at once. His tackling was deadly. Of the “big” men, Hazlett, Clarkson; Galt, O’Toole, and King were the’most prominent. Hazlett played hard football and was not afraid to get in front of the many Star rushes which threatened to materialise at any moment. O'Toole’s dribbling was a feature of the play. This player seems'to go better with every game. In the backs Campbell and Falconer were the most consistent. Campbell got,through a vast amount of work and never put a foot wrong. Falconer was solid both on attack and defence. He made a good link and varied his play nicely by kicking cleverly and going alone at the right time. His passes were an improvement on past games. The conditions were not conducive to a high standard of Rugby, but what was lacking in brilliancy was made up in the determined manner in which the game was played. Both teams were surprisingly fit and with both at full strength in the second meeting a rare battle is promised.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

(By “Whawhai.”)

Mr Baxter’s latest utterances make one wonder if he is such a gallant sport as his initial gesture regarding jerseys led one to believe. He keeps harping about the wingforward and has now gone so far as to describe him as a cheat. It is not surprising that this term is being strongly resented by players throughout the Dominion. There are certainly a good many people who advocate the discarding of the wing-forward, but Mr Baxter is, I think, the first of our manager-guests who has used such impolite expressions concerning the unfortunate rover What other criticism will Mr Baxter be making when the visitors meet some of the best provincial teams and encounter defeat? Possibly he will object to all sorts of things the New Zealanders do and may find something wrong with our playing a full-back. If Mr Baxter’s description of a wing-forward is a cheat is true of the first two matches in which the Britons have been engager!, then all I can say is that there must have been two very feeble referees controlling the games. Even worse than the British manager’s criticism of the wing-forw'ard is his attempt at insisting that the. teams shall not leave the field at half-time. Of all the idiotic rules this is the most senseless. It has nothing to commend it and everything against it.. Mr Baxter would have been a much wiser man to have preserved a discreet silence on the subject. The New Zealand Rugby Union is not without blame in the matter. Why this lily-livered body of men did not have the matter adjusted before the tour began goodness knows, though it is in keeping with a lot of their weak actions. International rules or not, the New Zealand teams will be wise if, rather than stand shivering .on the ground quite possibly in pourino' rain, they do what the 1924 All Blacks did in -the historic test against England—walk into the dressing room at half-time, despite the frowns and protests of Mr Baxter. If the Britons prefer to suck their oranges in the arena let j them do so by all means, so long as they : don’t leave the peel on the ground. I It would be interesting to know the I reason for the rule having been framed. Making the teams stay on' the ground at half-time will not prevent their being coached or advised during the interval. And, anyway, why shouldn’t players be coached at half-time? It will not prevent orange-sucking or liquid refreshments. It will not even prevent massaging, if this were held to be a half-time offence by the conservative English. All that the ridiculous rule achieves is to give the public a view of the tired giants during the interval and give the tired giants pneumonia. Reverting to the wing-forward question here is the gist of an interesting conversation I had this week with a local resident who has played both in England and New Zealand: “If the -aim of playing football is to win matches, then retain the wing-for-ward, for I think he undoubtedly is a match winner through his harassing of the opposing backs. If you want to make Rugby more spectacular, do away with the wing-forward, for undoubtedly he ruins pretty, open play. Personally I would like to see him done away with. If he isn’t, I would like to see referees wake up to the fact that wing-forwards have no more right to fight and obstruct each other than have any other forwards. Yet most referees allow the opposing wing-forwards to maul each other as much as they like. What is there in the rules- to allow this?”

Next Tuesday five sub-union representative teams and a town team will be seen in action on Rugby Park. The selectors no doubt will be keeping their eyes wide open .for promising material in the country teams and will not be misled by that much favoured but ill-begotten expression “too green” as applied to the rural player. Southland can still do with some of these brawny, country forwards of the ‘Purdue, McKenzie, Galt and McCoy type. Then there is no reason why the centre threequarter position should not be filled by a country player, for there is no one outI

standing in this position in town. Bearing in mind his fine performances on tour last year the selectors will find it hard to go past Anderson for one of the wing threequarter positions. May June 3 be fine and may all in the running for rep. honours get a chance to show their ability. After all the country players have, so far at any rate, had only this one opportunity to catch the selectors’ eyes as against half a dozen opportunities for town players.

THE WING-FORWARD

HIS ABOLITION URGED.

MR BAXTER’S REMARKS;

The wing-forward, who has for years been the bugbear of New Zealand football as far as the British teams are concerned, came in for some further criticism at the complimentary dinner to the British team in New Plymouth on Saturday night, states the Taranaki Daily News. ' Mr J. Baxter, manager of the visitors, said that he had given his views on the wing-forward so he would not refer to it that night. He understood, however, the New Zealand Union had pronounced against wing-forward play and he gathered that it had thrown the onus of counteracting any malpractice on the part of the wing-forward on the referee. With all due deference to the paramount ruling body, he thought that was too much responsibility to throw on the •referee, because no one could control effibientlj' a man who was out to beat him and, moreover, the referee had too much to do to control the game at the present time.

The onus of correcting malpractice should be on the club. If a club had. a wingforward who was a good wing-forward, that, club should go down on its knees, but the ordinary man who tried to play wingforward was nothing more or less than a cheat—he was trying to beat the referee deliberately by unfair tactics. It was up to clubs to stop this and not sully their fair name by playing these men. It was borne home to him that day when Ivor Jones, who was sitting beside him, forcibly remarked, “Why do they play him; it is no good to them.” Mr Baxter added that wing-forward play was no good to the side that played him. It certainly-.stopped the opposing side, but did not help his own side, and after all attack was the best form of defence, so why stultify their own play? He was out for Imperial football. He wanted to get all to think alike and play the game the same way. Mr H. H. Sterling, N.Z.R.U. representative, said he could not help being struck with the various aspects concerning the wing-forward, who was considered by many to be an excresence if not a pest, and whose abolition was urged. He pointed out that as far as the New Zealand Union was concerned, the position was that clubs were entitled to play 15 men in certain positions as long as those men did not infringe the rules under the referee’s jurisdiction, and therefore the responsibility fell on the referee. Whether the wing-forward was to be played or not was a matter for consideration by the clubs. It was, however, a difficult question. He pointed out that the question of speeding up the game had been a burning question in New Zealand and various rilles had been adopted for that purpose such as the kick into touch. What was wanted was for some genius to arise who would tell them how to speed up the game. The referee (Mr Rowe) said that referees looked to the New Zealand Union for guidance in the matter. He considered that if they circularised the unions favouring doing away with wing-forwards it would be better than placing the onus on the referees, who had enough to do already. The wingforward did beat the referee once or twice that day. Mr J. McLeod said that on that day if play he was not prepared to say that the 3—2—3 formation was better than the 2—3—2. If the British could get the ball awav as quickly as they did that day, thus rendering the wing-forward ineffective, clubs could be depended upon to find another place for him. They would not keep a man where he would be of no use.

JUNIOR JOTTINGS

AROUND THE GRADES.

(By the Scribe.) CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

Blues junior grades still hold unbeaten record.

The Waikiwi-Blues second grade game played at Waikiwi was not an outstanding exhibition of football. The Blues appeared to be having a holiday. Nevertheless it was a clean haqd tussle in which the Blues backs proved too good for the ’Kiwi backs, the forwards being more or less .evenly matched.McKay, Blues full-back, played a great game and should go far in Rugby football. Bruce was about the pick of the other backs. He played a sound game at second five-eighth and appears to be everywhere when most wanted. This boy should go close to rep. honours, in a year or two. Lee at centre would do well to look, where he is passing the ball as some of his transfers last Saturday went astray when in a good position to score. He is a good kick but the wind was tricky and his efforts were usually just outside the post. Chapman, who played wing-forward on Saturday, is one of the best line-out men in grade football. He gets the ball almost every time it comes near him. Strickman, a new man on the wing, shows promise of developing into a good threequarter. He has the weight and the speed. The Blues backs received plenty of ball but they were on many occasions unable to do anything with it. They form a hard combination, though, and it will take a good team to beat them. The forwards performed well, Bews being prominent. Although not very big it is a treat* to watch this player worm his. way through the opposition. He and Foster make a fine pair of hookers. Tapley was also conspicuous among the forwards. His try after a long run was a fine one.

George Mac Ewan, better known as a boxer, played his first game for several years and showed fair form. Like all boxers he is a clean hard player. All the other forwards went well but probably missed the usual junior forwards who were playing for the seniors.

Wilson, 'Kiwi full-back, is a comer. His kicking, fielding and tackling were a treat. The other backs could well take a -lesson in tackling from this boy. Low and hard gets your man every time. Cook/ first five, also played a good game and in a good back team would show, up much better.

Hogan, Kelly and Wale, three-quarter line, played fairly well and gave it a go. They must learn to go low instead of round the neck. Hogan would do well to keep his feelings under control better. More practice will give 'Kiwi backs the combination they lack. Kitson in spite of a beautiful cauliflower ear, played a fine game. Firpo is fit and that counts for a lot..

Challis and Aitken were others in a good pack who went well. Jones did a tremendous amount of saving work for ’Kiwi.

Blues were undoubtedly the better team but ’Kiwi characteristically battled it out to the bitter end and are improving fast. No matter how far behind any ’Kiwi team is, the boys are always triers. That is the true spirit. Playing against Bluff- last Saturday Star continued to improve on their displays of previous weeks, and with practice and a revival of past keenness, should give the leading teams some anxious moments. Each week sees some players required to replace casualties in the first fifteen, making a reshuffle of players necessary. Despite these difficulties the players are showing increasing interest and also signs of team work.

Pigling in a new position, L. Burke as a half-back showed up well and put in some valuable work for his side. A dangerous man when the line is handy, he eluded the Bluff defence and scored a nifty try.

Campbell, a recruit from Marist, promises to develop into more than an ordinary inside back. Light hard work appears to be the diet he thrives on. E. Lee, Star’s skipper, is a resourceful player who understands the game thoroughly yet at times does some very crude things. Few players have it on “Shorty’’ in the matter of selling dummies, and his boot is an asset to any team. .

Sievwright as wing three-quarter, played well and althougn the Bluff defence may not have been over-strong, the manner in which he went for the line was pleasing. His fielding and general display also showed improvement. When this player acquires more confidence in himself, there should be room for him higher up. The forwards all played good solid games, making it difficult to single out individual players. McColl as wing-forward is improving with every game and becoming more familiar with the position.

Cuff, front row, is the'type of forward no team can do without and with experience and perhaps a little more weight shcftold find a place as a senior. O’Shaunessey sets an example other forwards would do well to follow. Following up kicks may not appeal to some as a strong point in a player, but nevertheless has been responsible for winning many matches. Keep at it, Jack, there is always a try for the trier.

Blues thirds had a hard game against High School and. were fortunate in encountering them when they had their holidays as School were short of their usual men.

Stevens played a great game behind the pack but a lot of his work was lost in Nesbit who hung on until he was grassed, thus spoiling some good movements. Doug appeared to be badly off his game. Like the seconds the thirds have a great pack of forwards—hard working forwards who are not afraid to get into the hard stuff.

Southern did not have a match last Saturday, Bluff defaulting.

Judged on his showing so far this season T. Styles is a Southern forward who is good in the tight and follows up well. He is inclined to chase the man instead of the ball at times.

B. Marshall is another forward. He shows up prominently in the tight and line-out. Sutherland on the wing, is a good kick and follows up well. He is apt to be a little bit too eager, getting round the opposing side’s scrum at times.

Crowther, another forward, has weight which he uses to advantage. He also does good work in the line-outs. Oliver is a forward who generally plays a sound game. He can be depended upon to do the right thing at the right time. D. Kerr, half-back, is good on defensive work. He does not get the ball out to the first five-eighth quick enough and seems to pause, losing many opportunities. Couling, first five-eighth, is good on defence but does not get many opportunities to show his true ability. F. McEwan on the wing, is a good kick and is fairly fast. He does not turn to good account all the opportunities that come his way. A good defensive player and possessing a nice turn of speed is T. Russell at centre. He always gives it a go and takes a lot of stopping when he gets going. Cavanagh is fast on the wing and follows up well. For this he has been rewarded by getting across the line to score on several occasions.

Old Boys thirds had a very decisive win over Pirates at Biggar Street. The Blacks hooked the ball from nearly all of the scrums, but Old Boys were too solid and too sure in the play. The game was of an even nature, but Old Boys had a habit of making scores at every opportunity. Old Boys have a strong pack should go far. As for Pirates, they have the players, but not the concerted play. Dobbie was always reliable at half-back for the Whites. N. Derbie in the back division made some brilliant runs.

Gumbley is a forward possessed of weight and height, which he uses to the best of his ability. He took advantage of every opportunity in the loose. The Pirates forwards held together and pushed well in the scrums, but did not follow up fast enough in the loose. In this way they lost two or three opportunities of scoring. McGregor, a bustling pack player, scored Pirates’ only try. Belsham, at half, is a real find. He always does something, no matter what, when in striking distance of the ball and it generally turns out to be the right thing. His resource and initiative were amply evident on Saturday. D. Cruickshanks was playing in the Blacks’ five-eighths line. “Doug” is a new player from Gore, and should prove very useful in the back division.

EASTERN DISTRICT GAMES

SOME COMMENTS.

(By “Critic.”)

Considering that the weather on Wednesday was so inclement, quite a large attendance of supporters were heard at the showground, barracking for their favourite club and spurring the players to greater efforts. Fortunately no rain fell during the match although a biting wind was blowing across the field; pausing one spectator at least to pass a remark to the effect, that one or two games in Southland would cure the visiting International team of any- desire to remain on the, ground for the half-time interval.

During the first part of the first spell Pioneer had things all their own way, but

after about 25 minutes 1 of play Albion changed their tactics from defence to attack and made the game very fast and willing up till jialf-time, When play resumed Albion appeared to be stale and the Pioneer men took up the offensive and rattled on two more tries before Albion warmed to the game. The game was more evenly contested from then, both sides scoring two more tries before time was called. Pioneer's win was due to heady play by the backs, and to the good combination of the team as a* whole. Albion have some very good players but they are individualists. •_

The following is a comment on the players. Albion.

Valentine, the idol of the crowd, played a very safe game at full back, although he is inclined to stand too close to the play. He is a comedian as we|l as a footballer.

Ritchie, although one of Albion’s youngest players, is also one of their best. He was the gamest back in thp. team and his try was well-merited.

Corcoran has all' the makings of a good footballer. He has an unsuspected turn of speed, which he uses whenever he gets an opening. Townsend played a very sound game. He fields and tackles well, but is inclined to run into the opposition. -He has a powerful fend.

Wallis played a sound game. He takes a deal of stopping when he gets the ball near the line. W. Tither, seemed nervous in the fiveeighths position, but,, made some good openings.

Ussher excelled himself. At every turn he produced something unsuspected. One could almost hear the zip as he sent the ball away from the scrums. He made the opening for Ritchie’s try. Kirby played a good game both in the tight and loose forward play. ' \ Kennedy did not get warmed up till near the finish of the game, when he led some good dribbling rushes. J. Tither locked the coloured pack well and did more than his share of the heavy work. He used his height to advantage in the line-outs.

Taylor worked hard from start to finish. Robertson was willing, but did not get close enough to the ball. Herron played a good game and was conspicuous in some sparkling break-away rushes.

Knowles heaved around to good purpose and came through the scrum repeatedly. Hoffman was new to the wing-forward position and did not get much latitude. Pioneer.

Martin played his usual safe game. He tried some good attempts at field goals from well out.

Bell played a good game on the wing and never let an opportunity past. Fitzgerald was the whole outfit and dog under the waggon. He is without exception the most finished player in Eastern Southland. On Wednesday he retrieved the mistakes of others as well as making numerous openings for passing rushes. His try was the prettiest piece of work seen in Gore for some time.

Matheson can always be relied on to get his man and to give it a good go when a try is offering. Sewell combined well with Fitzgerald and was prominent in numerous idazzling rushes. He is a hard man to stop, but hesitates when going to be tackled. O’Shea was very safe, but did not get many chances.

Woods got the ball away cleanly when the Red front-rank men hooked the ball, but did not play with his usual dash.

Davidson was as consistent as ever. and made some strong opening runs. He did the spade work for Pioneer's last try. Cunningham continues to play a hard game from start to finish. When he crossed the line with the ball his try looked a certainty, but a scrum was ordered. Moir played with his usual dash. Forbes was an efficient lock and held the Red scrum together well. He is a handy man in line-out work.

Archer was one of the best forwards on the field and more than held his own in the tight scrum work. Churstain on the other side took a lot of stopping, but had difficulty in fielding the ball.

Thomson played consistently, and his break-away tactics in the loose were a feature of the game. Matheson is a good loose forward who uses his height and weight to advantage. The selectors had no easy task in picking a representative fifteen which combined all the good players in the district. The selecting of the back division was not a rosy job considering the number of real good three-quarter men in the district. The following is the team picked to represent Eastern Southland at Invercargill on Country Day (June 3:— Full-back: —Webb (Mataura). Three-quarters.—Sewell (Pioneer), F. Townsend (Albion), Amos (Mataura).

Five-eighths.—Fitzgerald (Pioneer), L. G. Townsend (Mataura). Half-back.—Ussher (Albion). Hookers. —Richmond (Mat aura), Kennedy (Albion). Lock. —McLeod (Mataura). Sides:—Ashby (Mataura), Churstain (Pioneer). Back row. —Waters (Edendale), Aitken (Mataura). Wing-forward.—Davidson (Pioneer). Emergencies.—Backs, Martin, Calder, H. McConnell; forwards, Kirby, Herron, McQuillan.

SECOND GRADE. P. w. L. D. Pts. F. Pts. A.’ Ch. Pts. Invercargill 4 4 — — 82 14 8 Rimu . . . 5 3 1 1 59 31 7 Old Boys .. 4 2 1 1 66 25 5 Waikiwi .. 5 2 3 — 12 80 4 Star . 4 2 2 — 49 43 4 Bluff .. .. 4 — 4 — 11 50 — THIRD GRADE. Pts. Pts. Ch. P. w. L. D. F. A. Pts. Invercargill 5 5 — — 102 36 10 High School a 4 1 — 94 30 8 Borstal A . . 5 4 1 — 83 27 8 Old Bovs .. 5 3 2 — 42 49 6 Southern ■5 3 2 — 26 48 6 Bluff .. .. 5 1 ' 4 — 23 46 2 Borstal B . . — 5 — 34 94 — Pirates .. . . 5 — 5 — 18 92 —