Sport in the Province

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 402, 10 July 1928, Page 14

Sport in the Province

' _ From THE SUN'S Correspondenta _ _ _

RUGBY WAIUKU The first representative match was played at Waiuku on Saturday, when Maiiukau defeated Waiuku by 13 j points to 6. In the first half of the match the Manukau team was giving j their backs the ball from the scrums much more than their opponents, while in the second spell the Waiuku reps, held their own. In the line-out the Waiuku players had much the best of matters. Both of Manukau’s tries were secured as the result of faulty play by two of the Waiuku players. The first score for Manukau came from a penalty kick which Malloy, of Waiuku, "messed-up” by not taking the ball on the full. The bounce going away from him let Short, who had followed up fast, score a try which he converted. The second score for Manukau came from Cossey, who dropkicked a goal from a mark. A mistake by the Waiuku fullback gave Manukau their final score. The ball was carried over the line and although Honey had plenty of time to force, Wilson reached the ball first to score, for Heard to convert. The Waiuku score consisted of two penalty goals by Keary. For Manukau, Roygard, as fullback, was very safe, while Cossey played a great game as five-eighth. The forward division was a very even, hardworking lot. In the backs, G. Hickey, McGarvey, B. James, A. Wright and A. James got through their work well for Waiuku, while Reg. McNaughten, Keary, F. Harvey and T. Hickey were always in the limelight among the forwards. The latter played a great game and was probably the best forward on the ground. HUNTLY The Huntly seniors defeated Taupiri by 9 points to 3 and completed a triple win in the three senior codes (Rugby, League and Soccer). The losers opened up all right and notched a try right at the jump off, Davis (Huntly’s fullback) being late in getting on to the field. Mr. Senior refereed and had a good open game to control, the ball being freely thrown about. The Taupiri backs were not lacking under that head, and it was noted they all played well, and not once could be singled out as playing better than a club mate. Huntly hooked better, and that factor gave it the advantage, and victory. Curry and Gerrand scored, the former also booting a penalty oyer the bar and was, with Broughton, the best of the backs. Simcock, Welch and Gerrand kept their end up in front, and Bishop was out on his own in th€> vanguard for Taupiri. Te Hoe (8) beat Renown (0) under peculiar circumstances. There was no appearance of Te Hoe team at 3.45 p.m. So Renown kicked off in compliance with the rule and claimed the match. Shortly afterwards the stragglers put in an appearance and the order was given to “box on.” It was in darkness that the game finished, and probably the controlling body will be appealed to if it is in order to play after kicking off and claiming the game. Huntly juniors were to the front again on Saturday, and upended Taupiri by a score to nothing. Burgess, Rowell, A. Harris and Garroway (2) did the best for the winners. The only thing that is wrong with the locals is the lack of a good kicker, and some easy shots were missed in this respect. From the viewpoint of the spectator, however, it was a poor game, and Huntly is capable of better play. The backs hung on too long, and i': is to be hoped this fault will be promptly rectified. MORRINSVILLE. Morrinsville representatives retained the Finlay Cup on Saturday by comfortably defeating Cambridge by 12 points to 5. The challengers’ forwards put up a good display, particularly as regards the front-rankers. Dagg and Wallis. Once the ball left the scrum, however, Morrinsville was superior. The backs played bright open football, and were too resourceful for the Cambridge rearguard. Anderson was the outstanding back, while Campbell also went well. R. Howard, who has played rover for Marists (Auckland) this season, has again taken up his residence in Morrinsville, and will be available for the Peace Cup match. His period of residence will not have been long enough for him to turn out against Matamata on Saturday week. MATAMATA. Matamata supporters saw their representatives in a home match for the first time this season against Waipa on Saturday. The visitors had played a drawn game against the Finlay Cup holders (Morrinsville) a fortnight previously, and as Matamata has the next challenge, the game was looked forward to as a means of giving a line on the home team’s chances of annexing the trophy. The game opened sensationally, for within a half-minute of the start Shepherd dropepd a beautiful goal for Waipa from the touchline. Four points down, Matamata bucked in, and did more of the attacking, but Waipa’s next score came almost as sensationally as the first. Kay gathered from a melee, and got over, although two black defenders should have got him. This was the last Waipa score. Matamata scored three tries in the second half. The home team should have won on the play and on the opportunities. Fausett had bad luck in hitting the crossbar in attempting to convert a try, and hit one of the uprights from a penalty. WAIKATO REPRESENTATIVES

The Waikato representative team will play Taranaki at Stratford on Thursday, and King Country at Te Kuiti on Saturday. The team differs in the forwards from that which played Auckland a week ago, but the back selection remains the same. A. Cameron replaces C. Cameron, while H. P. Ensor (Matamata) goes in for C. Christie, and Brough (Hamilton) for P. Courtney, who is not available. Ensor, who formerly locked the Thames scrum, and Brough, are playing their first games for Waikato. The forwards should go well, but the backs might be improved. Although Vosper plays centre for Matamata, there is a probability that the backs would go bett.er with Kemp at centre-threequarter, and Vosper at five-eighth. However, the team will keep Taranaki busy. WAIHI. In spite of the boisterous weather prevailing in Waihi on Saturday, a good crowd turned out to witness the Poland Cup match between Waihi and Piako. A strong easterly wind, and drizzling rain, provided a test for the adaptability of the players, but many good chances were lost through faulty kicking, booting too hard with the wind, or skying the ball against it. On the whole, Waihi’s win by 12 points to 6 was well merited. For the winners, tries were scored bv Thornton (2). Walters, and Polley. Thornton’s scores were very spectacular. particularly the first. Receiving from McDermott, he made a dash for the line with two opponents in front of him. Neatly side-stepping the first tackle, Thornton sailed over his*"second opponent in a regular ribbon dive, to drop head first on the ball just over the line. Walters’s try was more the result of faulty defence than brilliant nttack. but “Bill” deserved it. for he Splayed like two men all through the

game. Big, strong, and fast, “Bill” Walters is undoubtedly the best forward in the goldfields to-day. Polley capped some brilliant play with a sprint from the halfway line, out-distancing everyone, and scoring between the posts. ■ Of the remainder of the Waihi team, i Berryman, McDermott, Craig, Panchurst, and Rolleston were the pick. For Piako, Riddel, Clarke, Wallace, Stephens, Munroe, and Lipsy were the most outstanding players, with Riddel the pick of the bunch. The tries for Piako were scored by Pilkington and Munroe. Mr. Smith, of Paeroa, was referee. ROTORUA. The return match between Rotorua and Te Puke took place at Rotorua on Saturday, when Rotorua avenged its defeat at Te Puke earlier in the season. Rotorua won this time, 6 —3. The game was far from spectacular, being confined practically wholly to the forwards. The ball was hard to handle, the game being played in a light drizzle, which made things very uncomfortable for players and tors alike. For Rotorua, Thompson, Manson, and Pollard were the pick of the backs, while Awatere, Mason, and Scott were the best of the forward division. For Te Puke, McKenzie in the backs, and Malcolm in the forwards, were the best. Rotorua High School defeated Hamilton High School by nine points to nil. The game was played as a curtain-raiser to the representative game, and was easily the best exhibition of the code seen this year. The Rotorua backs excelled in passing movements, nonplussing their opponents by clever tactics. Kingi, Martin, and Randerson scored tries for Rotorua. THAMES A slippy ground, continuous showers and a high wind were the conditions under which the Thames-Paeroa return representative match was played at Rhodes Park, Thames, on Saturday in the presence of about 500 people. Notwithstanding the adverse weather some first-class back play was intermingled with the forward game whic% generally prevails with a muddy ground and slippy ball. The backs attempted to make play open, and enthusiasm ran high on several occasions when Mcßae and Savage set their rearguard in motion. Thames won, SOUTH AUCKLAND The South Auckland Union’s inter-sub-union matches were officially opened on Saturday. Playing at Tuakau, the Franklin seniors defeated Waikare by 9-6, while at Waiuku, the Manukau fifteen won from Waiuku on a score of 13-6. A decidedly poor exhibition of the code was seen in the Manukau-Waiuku fixture for a senior rep. game; in fact, the standard could be outclassed by an average city club. It must be conceded, however, that the game was played under somewhat adverse con- ; ditions —a north-easterly gale affecting ! handling and kicking, and preventing . the same from being accomplished with . any degree of accuracy. Heavy rain, which commenced in the second session, also had a tendency to mar what might possibly have proved to be a fair game. During the early stages of rep. matches country sub-unions labour . under difficulties, inasmuch as the , players only participate in club games, „ and have not the opportunity or time ' to train. Of the visiting Manukau team, Short, a former Ponsonby player, and T. ’ Cossey,. both of the Drury Club, were ! the outstanding forward and bacl* , respectively. Waiuku’s best rear division man was McGarvey, who played a sterling game. The forwards it would be difficult to differentiate 1 between. \ The clash between last season’s ' championships, Franklin and Waikare, 5 provided some good football on Sat- > urday. As anticipated, Waikare fielded 1 an improved team, and was unlucky - not to win. In the first half the visitors dominated play and had matters * their own way. However, Franklin rallied later, and launched continual ! thrusts at the defence. The Franklin • rear division men saw more of the ball, but did not utilise it in the same manner as Waikare did. . Summed up, the latter had a fine set 1 of backs but inferior forwards. The | outstanding Franklin packmen were Bell, Baker and J. Dromgool, and the ‘ most prominent backs, Mathieson, : Peters and Rewha. In the opposing fifteen Preston, W. Watson and Ellis were the best backs, while Austin, Findlayson, Mikora and Barclay shone | as backs. As team captain, Barclay, the exMaori All Black “skipper,” acquitted ; himself well, as did Nikora, his fellow New Zealand representative of 1926. On this match, Mathieson, Barclay, Findlayson, Nikora, Peters and Austin , (backs) and Bell, Baker and J. Dromgool should be in the running f<fr selection in the South Auckland reps. Next Saturday Franklin and Manukau seniors meet at Papakura and , Pukekohe and Waiuku clash at Puke- , kohe. The following have been chosen for ; the Pukekohe junior reps: Woods, T. Moyle, Lawrie, Tukua, J. Jamieson, Walters, Bartlett, Fitzpatrick, Stevens, Branch, Gurney, Moyle, Pleydell, Best, Te Poki. Reserves: Barnaby, Marks, P. Griffin, Stevens, Craigfc J. Griffin.

The Pukekohe selector announces the following senior representative team: Fullback, Willis (Patumahoe); threequarters, S. Crotty (Power Board). Mayes (Power Board), M. Brownlee (Ramblers); five - eighths, Wood (Ramblers), Pilkington (Patumahoe); scrum-half. Bishop (Power Board): rover, Perkins (White Star); hookers. Fulton (Ramblers), Dazeley (White Star); side row, Massey (White Star), R. Crotty (Power Board); lock, Harlick (White Star); supports, May (Ramblers), Havard (Patumahoe). Reserves: G. Brownlee (Ramblers), Hickling (White Star), Howe (Patumahoe), Cooke (White Star), Fraser (Power Beard). PAEROA The position of the senior and junior competitions under the Paeroa Rugby Union is without parallel in the history of the competition. The Suburbs (Hikutaia) and West Club seniors have met on three occasions, and the result in each case has been a drawn game. A play-off for the McCullay Shield in this competition will be necessary for these teams. In the junior competition, the West and Suburbs Clubs are also scheduled to play a final match. These teams have met on four occasions with honours even. Two draws have been played, and a win a-piece have been the results. The thirds of the West Club have clinched this section of the Paeroa Rugby competitions. The following have been selected to represent Paeroa in representative fixtures on Saturday, July 14: Seniors v. Piako, at Paeroa.—Poland Cup competition: Rare, McQuarters, Lockett, Watene, Smart, Mcßae (captain), Masters, Neild, Hamilton, Morrow, Southby, Frost, Fitch, Poland, Johnson. Emergencies: Malcfcey, Boyer, Duncan, Neil. Juniors v. Piako, at Te Aroha.— Sharebrokers’ Cup competition: Rackham, Potter, Poland, Rare, Mead, Morrison, Tremain, Taylor, Flatt, Smith, Ashc.roft, Carrick, Slyfield (captain), Robinson, Killgour. Emergencies: Hale, Masters, Catlin, Pennell, Handley. The third grade team will play Hauraki Plains at Ngatea.

TAURANGA j The Pakeha v. Maori match, which is an annual game at Tauranga, resulted: Pakeha, (I; Maori, 0. The junior game for the Green Cup re.sulted: Cadet 0.8. juniors, 14; Athletic, 3. The Apanui Shield game at Matata resulted: —Opotiki (challengers), 10, Rangitaiki (holders), 8. KAIKOHE Owing to the heavy easterly storm all Bay of Islands Rugby fixtures were postponed on Saturday last. The heavy rain continued till mid-day on Sunday, all creeks being in heavy flood DARGAVILLE In dismal weather and on a heavy ground two senior matches were played on Rugby Park, Dargaville, on Saturday. Results: Pukchuia, 3, v. Dargaville, 0; Tangowahine, 3, v. Southern, 0. The Pukehuia-Dargaville match resulted in a clean, hard forward game. Pukehuia, who was leading by two points (Uy virtue of an extra game played) for championship honours, has, by its win, enhanced its position for the laurels by a further two points. The team as a whole played w r ell, Harris scoring the only try. For Pukehuia, Hayward played a sterling game, and was easily the forward on the ground. Stanaway and Wilson also showed up well in the forwards. Pukehuia beat Dargaville in the scrums, in the loose, and in the linS~ outs. Simmonds and Fernandez were a big asset to the winning side in the scrums, where, as hookers, they beat their opponents for the ball on practically every occasion. Wade (Puke’s back) played one of his best games, ■which was reminiscent of his old-time form. De Groen (wing threequarter) was a shining light for Dargaville—he playe:f a very useful game. Owing to the brilliant opposition in hooking, Hopkins could not do much as half, but, apart from this, he lent much assistance. Gould was the outstanding Dargaville forward, whilst Jones showed up in some good play. Sundberg played a good game in the backs. KING COUNTRY. Whenever Athletic and Taumarunui meet, under the Taumarunui SubUnion, the spectators look for something worth while, and get it. These old rivals play hard but clean, and last Saturday’s match, though played in bitterly cold weather, was a happy one from Athletic players’ point of view, as they had the best of the contest by 8 points to 3—a result that places the winners in a practically unbeatable position for the Riches Cup. The Owhango v. Manunui Senior match at Manunui did not provide anything spectacular, but the play was solid football all through. Owhango won by three ponits to nil, the score being the result of a penalty goal kicked by A. Hill. HAURAKI PLAINS The Hauraki Plains Rugby Union’s senior grade competition for the Stret-ton-Pinchess Cup concluded on Saturday last, the Ngatea team emerging the winners for the season with 13 championship points. The other teams have points as follows: Turua 11, Kerepeehi 9, Waitakaruru 6, and H.P. (Patetonga) 1. On Saturday week the knock-out competition for the Dent Cup will commence. Ngatea beat Waitakaruru by 17 points to 5 on Saturday last and Kerepeehi beat H.P. West by three points to nil. Waitakaruru had a weaker team than usual, but put up'a great fight in the early stages of the game. A passing rush, in and out among the Ngatea backs, gave them the first score. Ip the second half scores came quicker. Ngatea quickly got a penalty goal, a try by Kirkman, a try by a pack of forwards in a scrum under the goal, and a try by Reti, which Kirkman converted. Just on the call of time Molesworth scored and converted for Waitakaruru. LEAGUE HUNTLY Is there a club playing League that chops its team about more than Huntly seniors do? Stan Rayner played last Saturday as five-eighths, Kosof threequarters, Jones fullback, in addition to minor shuffles all round. As the allround general utility type, the latter must be classified, for he is played rover one day, half the next, and winds up as fullback. On the contrary S. Rayner starts at fullback, then to threequarters, last Saturday five-eighths, and presumably if the present method of placing is adhered to he will be found among the forwards next time out. On paper there is not a more formidable team about, but this continual shifting of players out of their recognised positions is not making for a finished standard of play so essential in view of the overseas visitors’ tour of New Zealand. .Huntly certainly won by 14 points to 6, but it was a scraggy exhibition. There was no “pep” in the game, and no clean, concerted movements that should be expected from players of the calibre playing on Saturday. The ball was mortgaged by the Huntly pack. There were certainly a few exceptions, notably Stephenson, Mason and Timms, who take their football seriously, but the spectators also are a consideration, and it behoves the club to endeavour to stabilise the members in positions, otherwise it will be detrimental to the code. It is hoped the criticism will be taken in the spirit in which t is offered. To get back to the game and players Mason, Timms, Stan Rayner and Walters were the go-getters Rayner converting one. Jones showed his versatility by filling the last line of defence with credit. Walters as wingthreequarter was reliable and S. Rayner at five-eighths was sound, and of the forwards Mason was very consistent, and is playing sound football, paying strict attention to training. His club mates, Timms and Stephenson, also played well, and the trio must go very close to rep. selection. The veteran, Alf Rayner, turned out and the old-timer kept his end up well. For Taupiri, Sherlock and Noel Jackaways were the best of the rear division, Gigg, Hopa and Jim Farrell stood out. Referee, Mr. McKurcher.

Rotowaro had the better of the game with Huntly juniors, the latter’s play being far from convincing. Bert Smith (2) was the scorer for Rotowaro, George Berry converting one and kicking a penalty to make a total of 10 points to 0. Of the winners George Berry and Smith were the pick of the backs, the former the better, W". Clout and J. McCallum the best of the forwards. Bob Clout was the unlucky man, having to retire hurt just after starting. For the losers Roberts at fullback was easily the best, and repeatedly saved. Broughton was fair, while in front Arthur Baker stood out and was the best forward on the ground. SOCCER HUNTLY Thistle and Huntly had a game on the former’s old ground, but it was not an inspiring exhibition. Mr. Jack Bate refereed, but the game was lifeless and the dreary weather conditions added to the sombreness of the situation. Huntly put four goals into the net against a brace by the Scots, whose team was not up to full strength. Caldwell, A. Deakin and W. Liddle (2) were the go-getters for the winners, and Connolly and Moodie for the vanquished. For the latter, Fairleys

played peculiarly in goal. He saved two hot shots and in two instances appeared to anticipate off-side breaches and made feeble attempts to save and in each instance the ball was netted. J. Tate was sound at fullback and played well, Eddie Tate and Slater the best of the half-line, while the tw’o Halls (Arthur and Harry), Connolly and Moody were solid toilers in front. Of the victors, the Rev. Hindmarsh in goal was very sound and he is the best goalie playing in the position on this year’s play in the South Auckland district. Greenhill and Hedley were both reliable, and Hunter and Percy Davies the pick of the half-line, the latter playing consistent football this season. It is a great pity the former is so light, for he would not disgrace any Soccer team. Tour and Dave Hall, Deakin and Wilf Liddle -were the pick of the quintette in front. The twins, however, are inclined to be selfish at times, playing to one another. This is an admirable family trait, but does not work in football matters. Caldwell has played better games than on Saturday, when he fumbled badly at times. This is unusual for this experienced player.