COUNTRY DAY

Southland Times, Issue 21100, 4 June 1930, Page 9

COUNTRY DAY

RUGBY TOURNEY INTERESTING GAMES TOWN DEFEAT NORTHERN EASTERN BEAT CENTRAL The annual Country Day fixtures were played at Rugby Park yesterday before big crowds. In the morning the Western District Sub-Union defeated Southern by 23 points to nil, and in the afternoon Eastern defeated Central by 13 points to 9, and Town secured a decisive win over Northern, the Sports Trust Cup holders, by 3G points to 8. All games were played on the No. 1 area, which despite its soddenness, occasioned by the thawing of the heavy frost, stood up well to the wear and tear. Beautiful sunshine prevailed throughout. Messrs A. J. Geddes, L. R. Lopdell and P. Rice, the Southland selectors, were in attendance and watched the players closely for future reference. They saw much good material, and from it should be able to select a Southland team worthy of the province. TOWN (38) v. NORTHERN (6) This match provided the main attraction of the day, Town running out winners by 38 points to 6. Conditions were much the same, except that the greasiness of the playing surface gave way to heaviness, this having the effect of slowing up most of the play. As an exhibition of Rugby, the game fell much below expectations. Nevertheless there was plenty of incident to keep the big crowd interested throughout. Town were too strong all round for Northern, and the further the game went the more marked became the local side’s superiority. The Town team took a long time to settle down and for the biggest part of the first half it looked as though Northern were going to make a good game of it. Holden was right off colour, and as pivot to the Town team was largely responsible for. the drab display. He failed with his passing from the scrum and his general play was much below par. It was discovered later that the Star half had not recovered from the shoulder injury he received in the trial match at Christchurch and that he should not have played. Holden retired in the second spell and C. Johnson took his place. Thereafter the Town backs displayed good form and ran through the opposition at will. Playing together for the first time, the Town team, as a whole shaped reasonably well and gave rise to the thought that they would mould into a good side. The backs arc well balanced and as far as the inside combination is concerned, it is doubtful if it will be bettered. Falconer and Niven went very well together. On the wing Geddes had a field day. He scored several tries, his great speed enabling him to outpace the opposition with ease. Most of the play went to his wing, however, and Webb, on the opposite wing, rarely got a chance to show his paces. The Northern team, though soundly trounced, was not disgraced, and on their showing were easily the best of the subunions playing at the fixture. Crosbie and Johnson were the outstanding backs and Southern and Hamer, in the forwards, played prominently throughout. The teams were:

Town (Maroon)—Norris; Webb, Porter, Geddes; Falconer, Niven; Holden; C. George, L. George; Hazlett (captain), McKenzie, Galt; Mattingly’, Metcalfe; O’Toole. Northern (Green)—C. Soper; Mcßride, Crosbie, Pickering; Wellman, Fraser; A. Johnson; McAuliffe, Deans; Shallard, Naylor, Southern; Richards, Small; Hamer. Northern kicked off facing the sun and after the initial exchanges Geddes put the Maroons on attack with a good liner to the twenty-five. Several short rushes by the Town forwards saw’ Webb get two chances on the right wing, and from the far corner Metcalfe picked up in a ruck and sent the backs away. Niven fielded nicely and sent to Porter who transferred to Geddes, the Pirates’ wing out-pacing Soper to score wide out. Geddes failed to goal. Town 3, Northern nil.

Holden was too slow in getting a pass away from a scrum at mid-field and the Green forwards bustled him and broke through to Porter, who was collared in possession. Hamer came up fast, but over-ran the ball when a good chance presented itself. • The Green forwards were going well and breaking smartly, and giving the Town backs little peace. In the loose, the home forwards had the advantage and broke through on several occasions. Holden followed up, but sent out some poor passes to Falconer. Hainer cut-in- on Town passing, but lost his supports and the Town forwards rallied to hit back and heel cleanly. Falconer secured and made a nice opening for Niven who handed on to Webb, the wing racing through to touch down. Niven’s kick missed. Town 6, Northern nil. The home side was not going too well in the backs, although Crosbie rattled them and was responsible for a lot of breakingup work. At last the local backs got going well. Falconer swung them into action and Niven used a short punt judiciously. Geddes was fast on to the full-back and bustled him, but the Greens rallied and cleared. Crosbie and Johnson got away only to lose the advantage by Crosbie over-running the ball. Geddes came across from wing to wing to stem a Green rush, and a moment later the same player placed the Maroons on attack with a good line-kick to beyond half-way. Crosbie carried over his own line and getting the ball, Holden worked the blind, but Webb was crowded and could not get through at the corner. So far the game was ragged. The Green forwards were holding their own and the Maroon backs were making too many mistakes. Pickering raised the hopes of the Northern supporters when he fielded a long kick at half-way and dummied his way to the Maroon twenty-five before kicking. Niven got back and saved. The line-kicking of the home backs was atrocious. It was ill-directed and lacked power. Working hard, the Greens made a great break from half-way and A. Johnson picked up in Town’s twenty-five and sent his backs away on the left wing. Crosbie handed on to Mcßride, who crashed through Holden’s tackle and scored a good try at the corner. Town 6. Northern 3. The Town players shook themselves up and some good passing between backs and forwards on the left wing saw Geddes finally receive and cross at the corner to run round behind ,the posts. Niven converted. Town 11, Northern 3. The showing of the Town team was far from impressive, but they managed to hold their own. The Green forwards were worthy opponents, however, and they contested hotly every inch of the way. Just on half-time the Greens made a great attempt to break through. Hamer cut in on Maroon passing and the backs came into action. The home tackling was weak, but a dropped pass spoiled a good chance for the Greens. Second Spell. C. George put in a good bit of ' solo work at the opening of the second spell and dribbled through to under the posts. The Greens hooked from the scrum and Fraser cleared well. The Maroons were going better now and the forwards swept all before them to the corner. Here Falconer tried to break through, but was held up, and from the ensuing melee Galt secured and broke through the -opposition to score. Geddes failed to convert. Town 14, Northern 3. A minute later Holden sent the home backs away from a scrum at midfield, Niven cut in and short kicked, and the forwards

following up kicked through. Porter dashed up and grounded near the posts. Geddes converted. Town 19, Northern 3. The pace was telling on Northern and two or three sharp bursts which followed saw the Green backs outpositioned. Falconer. snapped up the ball at the centre and made a good opening for Niven and Geddes, who went over unopposed and ran round behind the posts. Geddes again converted. Town 24, Northern 3. Holden retired hurt and C. Johnson replaced him. Northern then took a hand. The forwards rucked their way to Town’s line and A. Johnson secured from the scrum. A good chance presented itself, but Crosbie dropped his pass. Mcßride next made a good run up the far wing and got to Norris, who stopped him. In a flash the play swung to the other wing where the Maroon forwards went up the line. McKenzie passed to Falconer, who transferred to Geddes at the half-way flag. The Pirates’ flyer got clear and raced 60 yards to score at the corner. Falconer’s kick missed. Town 27, Northern 3.

Falconer scored the next try. He went across to Geddes’ wing and passed to Niven, who sent Geddes on another long run. When tackled Geddes passed back to Niven, who ran round behind the posts. The scorer converted. Town 32, Northern 3. The home side had matters much their own way now, but just by way of showing that they were not done the Greens scored another try. Pickering secured at half-way and, running strongly’, went through the Town backs and scored in a handy position. The kick failed. Town 32, Northern 6. Town took up the aggressive immediately and for the remainder of the game made all of the play. Geddes scored another try, which was not converted, and after some pretty’ passing Norris, the full-back, came in at the end of a rush and scored. Geddes failed to convert and the game ended: Town 38 Northern 9 Mr E. Budd refereed. EASTERN (13) v CENTRAL (9) As in the morning game the heavy state of the ground had its effect upon play in the Eastern-Central fixture in the afternoon. Nevertheless the game from a spectator’s point of view was an interesting one, some heady back movements by Eastern being witnessed. Whenever the backs did get going they usually displayed good combination. Eastern’s consistent hooking was a feature of the game, allowing Ussher to get in some good work behind the scrum. L. G. Townsend, Eastern’s first five-eighth, displayed his usual good form and with Fitzgerald opened up play brightly on several occasions.

In loose play there was little to pick and choose between the opposing sets of forwards. Pierce, in Central’s three-quarter line played a sterling game, giving Calder and Anderson many opportunities. Laing’s display at full-back was very’ creditable, his kicking being a valuable asset on numerous occasions when Central were hard pushed. The teams lined out as follows:

Eastern (Black) : Webb; Sewell, F. Townsend, Amos; V. Fitzgerald, L. G. Townsend; Ussher; Kennedy, Richmond; McLeod, Ashby’, Churstain; Aitken, Waters; Davidson.

Central (Red and Black) : Laing; Thornbury, W. Calder, Anderson; Whitaker, Pierce; C. Calder; Souness, Soper; Ward, McDonald, Clark; Boyle, Murphy; B. Balch. Eastern kicked off with the sun in their eyes and from a scrum in Blacks territory’ Central commenced an attack which was broken by Ussher, who effected a good clearance. It was now Eastern's turn to attack and things were beginning to look dangerous when the ball went out not far from Central’s goal. The Blacks were penalized, but Amos secured the ball on the bounce, burst through and passed to Ussher who transferred to McLeod. It was a forward pass, however, and Eastern lost their advantage. Central cleared and the ball came back to Webb who found the line in Central’s twenty-five. From a subsequent line-out at mid-way Central secured and attacked. Townsend went out about halfway between the corner and the twentyfive. Whitaker obtained the ball from a scrum and transferred to Pierce who was robbed by Ussher. Relief was sought by a touch down. From desultory’ iflay at half-way Ussher took from behind a scrum and passed to Townsend on the blind side. The latter cut out two men and passed to Amos who raced over unopposed. With a beautiful kick McLeod converted the try. Eastern 5, Central 0.

From a series of wild passes by Central Ussher secured the ball and it travelled from him to Fitzgerald to Townsend and to Sewell, who fumbled. Central seized their opportunity then and there. Whitaker worked the blind side and gave the ball to Thornbury who raced down the sideline with a score imminent. Amos and Townsend, however, were on the spot and smothered him. From a scrum Ussher cleared. The baU’came back in front of Eastern s posts where Anderson essayed a futile pot at goal. From loose play Ussher cleared, the ball going out at half-way. The Blacks were subsequently penalized and Laing made a good attempt at gosling, the ball passing on the wrong side of the post. Ussher cleared and Pierce followed SUK for Central. The Reds pressed hard and had the field open in front of them with the exception of Webb, who proved the stumbling block. Emerging from the midst oi them he.kicked the ball out near half-way. The Blacks were again penalized but Laing’s kick fell short. Central returned to the attack, but a passing movement by the backs failed and a good opportunity was lost. From a scrum Calder secured neatlv and the ball passed from him to Whitaker to Pierce, who in-passed to Calder. The last-mentioned player slipped, however, and the Eastern forwards broke up what was a promising movement. Play during the next few minutes swung alternatively in Central and Eastern territory. Clark then got away with the ball, but Townsend and Webb were in the way and the ball returned to half-way. From a movement in which Whitaker and Pierce were both prominent, Anderson gained possession and short punting and gathering up the ball again, went over at the corner to score a good try, I'. Townsend failing to stop him. Laings attempt at goal failed. Eastern 5, Central 3. At this stage Herron replaced Kennedy as hooker in Eastern’s ranks. Play grew fast and exciting and had the crowd on its toes for the next few minutes. l<rom behind half-way Anderson and Calder figured in a good movement which carried play right to the Eastern line. From a melee Sewell secured and raced right through. He short punted to Davidson, who followed on and picked up to go over. McLeod’s kick failed. The half-time whistle then sounded with the scores: Eastern 8, Central 3. . . .. u Owing to Anderson retiring as the result of a kick received earlier in the game, Pierce was moved to the wing and Murtagh became second five-eighth. On resumption the Reds attacked and the position was dangerous for a few moments outside the goal. The ball then travelled downfield, but Whitaker seized it and put it out in the Blacks’ 25. Central kept hard at it and the Blacks were hard put to it on defence. With a good kick Sewell relieved the pressure at a most opportune moment, but the Reds were not to be denied. Before anyone could stop him Pierce smartly picked up the rebound and crossed the line, to score easily. Whitaker failed to convert. Eastern 8, Central 6. With both teams warmed up the game became a willing one. The Reds resumed their attacking methods and from a lineout Thornbury snapped up the ball and went over. Whitaker was again unsuccessful with the kick. Central 9, Eastern 8. The Blacks carried play into Central territory, but with a spectacular passing movement the Reds came back, the ball being handled by Murtagh, and Thornbury before it went out. The scene of operations changed with rapidity to Central territory where a high pass from Fitzgerald spoilt Sewell’s chance of getting over. From a ruck Ussher passed to L. G. Townsend to F. Townsend who passed in turn to Fitz-1

gerald. The latter cut-in and dropped the ball. Quick as a flash L. G. Townsend retrieved it and worked his way round to score behind the posts an easy try which McLeod converted. Eastern 13, Central 9. About 20 minutes before time Whitaker retired disabled and Souness was moved from hooker to half-back, Calder from half-back to first five-eighth and Barnes became end hooker. After hovering about midfield.for a time play swung into Central territory. The Eastern backs made strenuous efforts to break through, but the Reds stood up to them well, and after give and take play they in turn adopted the offensive. A promising retaliatory movement by Eastern in which Fitzgerald was prominent, fell through, the heavy ground having its effect upon the players. The Reds were on attack when the final whistle sounded a few minutes afterwards with no alteration in the scores: Eastern 13 Central 9 Mr D. Dyer controlled the game. WESTERN (23) v. SOUTHERN (0) This game was more or less marred owing to the state of the ground. A heavy frost over-night was soon broken up by the bright sun and the surface was reduced to a very greasy state. Western were too good all round and won on account of their ability’ to make the most of their opportunities. The packs were fairly evenly matched, bjit Western possessed a much superior rearguard and were able to top off the good work of their forwards. Fowles (Western) was the outstanding forward on the field. He was at the head of almost every rush and showed both good ball control and ability to handle. McCoy was another hard working forward for Western. Of the backs Sangster was a class above the rest. He.displayed initiative and made some nice openings beside doing much good defensive work. The teams were: —

Western (Light Blue). —Vickers, Bates, Gardiner, Greer; Sangster, Chamberlain; Mclvor; Balloch, Knowler; Findlay, McGregor, McCoy; Greer, Fowle; Hope. Southern (Green and White). —C. Scott; G. McEwan, H. Golden, J. Hagen; J, McCallum, J. Shand; J. Crichton; H. Brown, W. Fleming; I. Fallow, M. Monteith, A. Christie; J. Stirling, H. Fraser; E. Millar.

The game commenced in brilliant sunshine, and before a good “morning” crowd. Southern forwards were the first to get going, but they wilted before the massed attack of the Blues and having a weak back division behind them lost the advantage of all their good work. McCoy and Fowles showed out in a good rush to the Green’s line, where several free-kicks in succession were given against the attackers and Southern got relief. Sangster broke in on Green passing and took play’ to Southern’s 25 where Findlay took up the running and kicking past the full-back, had a clear field. Fowles came up as Findlay dived and missed and touched down near the posts. Sangster failed to goal. Western 3, Southern nil.

Western rallied and in a series of loose dribbling rushes gained Southern’s line. The Blues were penalized for offside play right on the line, but the forwards worked back and Gardner picked up a weak return from the Green’s full-back and passed out to Sangster who cut out his marker and scored a good try near the posts. The scorer converted. Western 8, Southern nil.

From this stage till half-time both sides attacked in turn, but the greasy ball proved too much of a handicap and little headway was made by either side. Western commenced the second spell with a great rush. The forwards went through the opposition' in good style, too hard kicking losing a possible try. Chamberlain essayed a pot and missed and Southern forced. Shortly afterwards a nice piece of passing between the Blue backs ended in Bates crossing for a good try. Sangster just failed to convert. Western 11, Southern 0.

Both sides were now handling the greasy ball much better and the play brightened. The Blues thre.w the ball about, but their efforts were repulsed with good tackling. Spasmodic bursts of forward play took Southern to Western’s 25, an infringement spoiling a likely-looking loose rush. Working play to the other end the Blues had Southern defending hard. The Greens conceded a penalty and Sangster just missed the upright. Keeping up the pressure the Blues were rewarded with another' try shortly afterwards. Fowles showed up prominently in solo work. He bustled a Southern back and dribbled the ball through to Scott, who fumbled and Fowles kicked on over the line. A race for the ball saw Fowles win and score a good try. Greer converted. Western 16, Southern nil. There was plenty of whistle, both sides being penalized frequently. For the next 10 minutes play was contested between the 25’s neither side gaining much advantage. From loose play in Southern’s 25 Chamberlain secured and potted a good goal. Western 20, Southern nil. Southern were now outplayed and Western had little difficulty in breaking through. The greens were forced down, but got little relief from the respite and Western pressed on the line again. A couple of scrums favoured the Blues and from the second Mclvor whipped the ball out to Sangster who cut in sweetly and jinked his way over for another try. Greer failed to convert. Western 23, Southern nil. Time was sounded without further alteration to the score. Mr. J. Ewart refereed. PLAYERS TO TRAIN MATCH WITH BRITISH TEAM. The following Southland players have been selected to train with a view to selection in the side to meet the British team: —Norris, McKay, Henderson, Webb, Geddes, Porter, Diack, Falconer, Niven, Grant, Sharp, Holden, C. Johnson, G. Thomas, George (2), Burnett, Tinnock, McKenzie, Galt., Purdue, Hazlett, O’Toole, Mattingly, Southern, Metcalf, Bird, Mahoney, Bell, King, Kerse. Players are asked to be at the Drill Hall on Thursday evening at 7.15 with football togs and gym. shoes. The following country players are asked to keep in training with a view to being called on at any time.—Laing (Central), Anderson(Central), Clark (Central), Findlay (Western), F. Townsend (Eastern). ‘ FIFTH GRADE HIGH A (15) v. MARIST (0). Playing at Herbert street yesterday High School A defeated Marist by 15 points to nil. High over-ran Marist in the forwards and on account of the greasy nature of the ball and the ground, due to the thawing of the frost, the game developed into a forward tussle. The Marist backs saw the ball only when called upon to stop High’s forward rushes.