Sport in the Province

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 414, 24 July 1928, Page 11

Sport in the Province

From TIIE SUX'S Correspondents ________

RUGBY HAMILTON Old Boys and City met in the Sage Memorial Cup final at Rugby Park on Saturday. Once again, City emerged winners o£ the season’s competitions, winning by 12 points to 6, deservedly. The form of the victorious team has improved out of sight since the football season started. There was an immense crowd present for the battle royal—the largest at a senior game this year, and estimated at over 4,000. The ground was in good order; the weather, although threatening, remained fine. The Old Boys “super three” —Kemp, Fitzgerald and Tuck —were unable to get going, passing rushes being nipped in the bud before the leather reached the wing. But for Hawke’s splendid kicking and two penalties, the runnersup would have been ignominiously defeated. The City forwards were a solid, hardworking pack, and undoubtedly it was their work which secured the cup. All the Christie Brothers were in excellent form, while Courtney and Schultz were always in the limelight. Clemett was the better of City’s wing-tlireequarters, picking up in the loose and setting the backs in motion in line style. With senior games for the Sage Cup over, a knock-out competition is possible, interspersed with the contests for the Peace Cup. HAMILTON The following Rugby team has been selected by Mr. N. Hamilton to represent Hamilton against Putaruru at. Putaruru next Saturday: Skeet (City), Clemett (City), Kemp (Old Boys), Collins (Old Boys), St. George (Technical), Fitzgerald (Old Boys), Tuck (Old Boys), Scott (Frankton), Hooper (Frankton), Reynolds (Marist), lock; Courtney (City), C. Christie (City), Stubbs (City), Ford (Frankton), Mitchell (Technical), rover. Emergencies; Backs, Allen (City). Dalbeth (Frankton); forwards, Boneham (Old Boys), H. Charleston (Frankton). WAIUKU An A and B junior trial match was played at Massey Park, Waiuku, on Sat urday as a curtain-raiser to the Manukau Rovers v. a Waiuku representative team. The B team won by 14 points to 5. J. Ratu, K. Flavell and Bright each scored a try, one being converted by the former, while K. Flavell kicked a penalty goal. N. Garland scored a try for the A team, which was converted by Mellsop. One of the best games witnessed at W'aiuku for some time was played on Saturday, when the Manukau Rovers were defeated by Waiuku by 18 points to 17. Although the local team was without the services of six of its usual representatives, they played with great dash, to defeat their doughty opponents by on© point. The Waiuku backs were in good form, and the credit for their win must be given to the forwards, who played a dashing game to repeatedly smash up the attacks of their opponents. It is hardly fair to discriminate among the forwards, but T. Hickey, as rover, calls for special mention, as he played a brilliant game from start to finish, both on attack and defence.

In the back division the Janies Brothers got through their work well, and made many line openings which narrowly missed having the desired effect. Ballantine came to light as a goal-kicker to convert the three tries scored, besides landing the penalty goal which gave Waiuku the win when time was nearly up. The weak goalkicking of the visitors was mainly the cause of their defeat, at least one goal being missed right in front of the posts. For Waiuku, T. Hickey, Ray McNaughton and Ballantine scored tries, all of which were converted by the latter, who also landed a penalty goal. Watene, Te flora, Alton and Ratu secured tries for Manukau, one being converted by Watene. Ratu also landed a goal from a mark. MORRINSVILLE Owing to the close association of the Matamata and Morrinsville Sub-Unions in the resuscitation of the Waikato Union, and the fact that the districts adjoin, there is a keen yet friendly rivalry between the representatives. This was the cause of a record gate for the Finlay Cup game at Morrinsville on Saturday. Morrinsville, by reason of having upheld two challenges from Waipa and Cambridge this season, was considered to have the better chance, but a surprise was in store, Matamata winning 13—3. Matamata looked like winning from the first score, although the final figures somewhat flatter it. It was a hard game with evenly-matched forwards. The Matamata backs played right up on the Morrinsville rearguard, which caused breakdowns in the latter’s combined movements and gave the challengers opportunities. They accepted these and won. M. Anderson, the loser’s second fiveeighth, and A. Story, at wing-three-quarter for Matamata, were the best backs on the ground. The latter should have played his way into the next Waikato team. C. Cameron, R. Devey, D. Mulcahy, C. Woods, J. Abraham and A. Hayes were the outstanding forwards. The display of the Waikato fullback, S. Thomas, was disappointing to the spectators, who expected something brilliant and got mediocrity. The next challengers for the cup are Putaruru and Raglan, and the venue will be Matamata, for the first match It was unfortunate for Morrinsville that it could not utilise the services of “Bob” Howard (late Auckland Marist rover). Howard, although he played in Morrinsville previously, had not completed his residential qualification by Saturday. He will, however, be eligible for the Peace Cup game against Hamilton on August IS. MATAMATA Saturday was a quiet day at home,

the only attraction being the annual match between Matamata and Te Aroha High Schools. The latter had the more perfect combination and won somewhat easily by 24 points to 8. The match was played in the morning to allow enthusiasts to visit Morrinsville to watch the Finlay Cup game. The district is delighted with the win recorded in the latter contest because it enhances a brilliant record in the challenge matches. The local representatives have now won their challenges in four years out of six. Last season they defeated Morrinsville but lost again on the rechallenge. As the latter’s right has been cancelled by the Waikato Union, providing it can beat Putaruru and Raglan, Matamata will get its name on the cup for the third time —the record number. The Matamata Sub-Union has also a challenge for the Peace Cup, which is set down for August 25. PUKEKOHE In addition to winning the Pukekolio Sub-Union championship, Power Board, by defeating Ramblers on Saturday, annexed the Pollock Cup competition. Owing to the counterattraction. South Auckland v. Auckland B, there were few spectators. They had to content themselves with witnessing a game which was devoid of anything spectacular. Power Board fielded 14 of the players it had engaged in the inter-club games and one emergency from a junior team. The Ramblers team was much below its usual strength. At the outset the Franklin ElectricPower Board’s employees launched a succession of attacks which culminated in R. Crotty crossing to score Shortly afterwards Cowan, of the High School team, who was filling a gap for the “sparks,” added to the scoring, S. Crotty converting. Strong efforts to score were made by Ramblers, but the only points which could be gained were from a penalty secured by A. Faucett. WHANGAREI Maungakaramea, playing on its own ground, severely defeated Old Boys, who lead the senior competition, by 16—G. Showery weather prevailed, confining play to the forwards. Of the two packs, Maungakaramea proved very superior. Despite the greasy ball, J. Webber (Old Boys) kicked a beautiful penalty goal from 50 yards out. For Maungakaramea, T. O’Shea played a great game, scoring a welldeserved try. City bGat Maungatapere at Kensington Park by the comfortable margin of 12 —0. The ground was wet and the ball greasy, but the backs of the winning team showed great form in handling the ball. Shortland especially shone in this respect. A. Waterman, on the wing, scored three tries with fast dashes, and twice just failed to reach the line. L. Winstanley scored the other try. None were converted. HUNTLY Last Saturday’s match between Huntly and Renown was considered as one of the finest games ever played on the ground, the latter team, perhaps, having a shade the worst of the luck in an eight-point draw. Referee Twining controlled the game. Renown kicking off with the wind, and Huntly picking five points up in the first quarter. Renown followed suit in the second quarter with eight points. The final score by Huntly came right at the death. Ralph and Shand were the go-getters for Huntly, Currie converting one. K. and J. Tapp crossed for Renown, O’Sullivan booting the oval between the posts. For the latter side P. Graham and Wilson were the pick of the backs and O’Sullivan, R. Graham and R. Tapp the forwards. O’Sullivan played a dashing game and was in the thick of everything. Tapp at fullback was sound and on his play this season must see the coveted position when the rep. team is chosen. For the Huntly side K. Welch showed improved play at half, his work showing more unselfish business than formerly. Broughton was Al, but the same remarks cannot b© applied to Leaning and B. Powell. Berry came out of his shell and unearthed a surprising game, while Shand Gerraud, Welch and Whorskey held their own in front. A peculiar feature of the game was the number of players temporarily knocked out. but there was no rough play whatsoever, only the usual knocks incidental to fast football. An interested spectator was Mr. James McIntyre (selector), and he took a very keen interest in the play in view of the selection of the representative team. WAIHI Two games in the senior cup competition were dow r n for decision on Saturday, but Katikati wars unable to field a team, and defaulted to Waikino. The other game, between Mataura and Athletics, w r as played on the Waihi recreation ground in shocking weather, resulting in a win for Mataura by 11 points to nil. The champions had easily the best of the game and kept Athletic on the defensive most of the time, tries being scored by Funey (2) and Radford (1). Funey’s tries were exceptionally good efforts being the result of splendid combination. The diminutive Berryman was again in good form and converted one of the tries. DARGAVILLE Dargaville Seniors defeated Tangowahine by 18 points to 6 at Rugby Park. Dargaville. on Saturday, and Pukehuia beat Southern at Te Kopuru by nine to nil. In the Dargaville-Tangowahine game the forwards were evenlv matched, but Dargaville’s superior combination in the backs was the chief factor in the winners putting up such a big score. One or two minor casualties occurred, Morrish replacing G. Danks as wing threequarter on th * Dargaville side. Tangowahine fielded 13 seniors and rilled up w r ith tw'o juniors, one of the

latter being Coleman, who played a good game and quite justified his inclusion in the team. The scores hardly indicate the difference in the teams, Tangowahine playing a much better game in the last spell than it did in the earlier stages. For Bargaville De Groen played a great game behind the pack, and received good support from Wilkins and Sundberg. Wells, Gould and Jones were the best of the forwards. Haymann, Biddles and Simonsen were Tangi’s best backs, while M. Rika, Nash and Oldfield showed to advantage in the forward division. For the winners, Wilkins scored two tries, Gould, Sundberg and Woods one each, and French kicked a penalty goal. W. Rika and Rio scored a try each for Tangowahine. Pukehuia seniors have now won the senior cup competition for this season with Bargaville as runners-up. For the junior cup competition, the game between Maropiu and Pukehuia on Saturday resulting in a draw (sixall) left Ruawai the winners by one point, with Maropiu runners-up. Had Maropiu beaten Pukehuia it would have meant a play-off for the honours between Maropiu and Ruawai. HAURAKI PLAINS The annual knock-out competition for the Bent Cup was played by the Hauraki Plains senior grade teams at Ngatea on Saturday. Waitakaruru beat Ngatea by three points to nil, B. Moleswortli being the scorer, and Turua beat Kerepeehi by five points to three. J. Catlin scored and converted lor Turua, and S. Rangi lor Kerepeehi. The final will be played next Saturday. BAY OF ISLANDS The senior fixtures were advanced to the semi-final stage on Saturday, when the two leading teams had a win each. Okaihau easily beat Waihou by 25 points to nil. Ohaeawai nearly spilled the beans for Kaikohe when the latter got a win of 3 points (a penalty goal) to nil. 'Ohaeawai was able to play C. Ludbrooke for the first time this season, considerably

strengthening the back division. lie played his usual heady game, spoiling the thrusts of the Kaikolie backs. Raweka and Apiata gave good assistance. Knight, as rover, was successful in breaking up several close attacks on the line. The Ohaeawai pack completely outclassed their opponents in scrum work. For the winners Pauapa, at fullback, was very safe. Matene's ions kicks and goal-kicking skill won the game. G. Dalton, Eru Warn and Amos did good solid work, both on defence and attack. Trail, Maera Edwards, Dalton and T. Tax were effective in the open. These two teams meet again next week, when Katkohe has to again win to equalise with Okaihau, otherwise Okaihau win the competition. The Kawakawa juniors beat th* Ohaeawai juniors ior the Pearson Challenge Cup by 10 points to 3. The lesson of th© first defeat of the All Blacks in South Africa is being quickly learned by our local youths in attempting to drop goals from the field, Hutchins, of Kawakawa. being successful on one occasion at an early stage of the game. SOUTH AUCKLAND Owing to th© South Auckland reps, being engaged at Auckland on Saturday. no senior inter-sub-union matches were played. The junior competitions, however, were continued. Manukau defeating Pukekohe at Papakura by 6 points to nil. Xext Saturday the senior matches will be resumed, Manukau meeting Waikaxe at Rangiriri. and Pukekohe playing Frani’.lin at Pukekohe. KING COUNTRY Playing at Owhanga on Saturday, Athletic (Tauraarunui) defeated the home team by 3 to nil. It was an excellent match and the winning try was not secured easily. For the purpose of selecting third grade representatives, a Possibles v. Probables match was played at Tau- j marunui, the former winning by 12 \ to nil. The following rep. team was subsequently chosen: Fullback, Cor- ! ban; threequarters, Rihara, Joyce, F. : Woodmass; live-eights, Goodall, W. , Woodmass: halfback, Exton; forwards. | D. Ryan, Rumble, Dowman, Coogan. Wackrow, Beck, Grattan, Lawson. ; Emergencies: Mosen and Scott. This team will play the Ruapehu reps, at Rochefort Park, Ohakune, on August 11. On th© same date the Ruapehu junior representatives will meet the Taurnarunui reps, at Taumarunui for the Boles Cup. The Taumarunui Rugby Sub-Union has petitioned the King Country Union against tho Xew Zealand Union’s decision that Tokaanu Club is in the Bay of Plenty district. LEAGUE SOUTH AUCKLAND. The Xorth v. South trial match at Xgaruawahia on Saturday was a fair test of the relative strength of players from each end of the district, and the Xortherners were going a little bit better than the Southerners, and won by 10 points to 5. Mr. A. Harloch refereed and S. Rayner did the scoring for the winners. It was a good try out for the representative selection, which is as follows: Fullback, G. Rayner; threequarters, S. Rayner, Hall and Tittleton; fiveeighths, G. Paki and Williams; half, Taylor; forwards, Trautvetter,

Stephens9n, Menzies. Timms, Cronin, Jones; reserves, Jackaways, Wilson. Abbott, Hill. The selection has given general satisfaction, and with Paki as inside fiveeighth, the line should be a stronger one than the previous team. Trautvt-i-----ter’s inclusion is warranted, for he 11.-13 been playing sound football this season. though Mason’s defection is 1 - gretted by many, who also anticipated Whorsing's inclusion. The teyrn, however, will give a good account of itself, and there will be no runaway victory for Auckland. HAMILTON. The South Auckland Rugby League team will travel to Auckland for the second time this season on Wednesday. The game has been arranged to test the South Auckland team, as they have to play the English combination on August 1 at Taupiri. The team is as follows: Pullback. G. Raynor (Huntly); threequarters. S. Raynor (Huntly), Hall (Ngaruawahia), Tittleton (Ngaruawahia); live-eighths. Williams (Ngaruawahia), Paki (Iluntly): halfback, C. Taylor (Hamilton), captain; front row, Trevetter (Huntly), Stevenson (Huntly), Monties (Ngaruawahia); second row. Cronin (Taupiri), Timms (Huntly); brertkaway, Jones (Huntly); emergencies—backs, C. Hill (Hamilton) and Abbott (Ngaruawahia); forwards. R. Wilson (Hamilton) and B. Jackways (Taupiri). E. Everest (Hamilton) Is not available. SOCCER HAMILTON Seddon Park was the scene of a gladiatorial contest between Claudelands Rovers and the visiting Huntly team on Saturday. The local side emerged victors by two goals to nil. Although the Huntly combination was fairly powerful, the kicking for the most part lacked accuracy and the Rovers’ dribbling rushes had them on the defence time and again. The game was, however, interesting at all times and the fans were not disappointed. Claudelands Rovers downed a weak Huntly team by two goals to nil. the losers taking the field with nine men only at the start. Emmerson and Deacon were the scorers. The Rev. Hind marsh saved Huntly repeatedly and his keeping was sound. Liddle and Tom Hall were about the best of the others. Schonan. in goal, kept well, and stopped some hot shots for the winners, whose fullback line was good. The same remark applies to the half line, with Deacon outstanding. Wanderers and Pukemiro battled it out to a drawn game (one all) at Pukemiro. Referee J. Bate had a good clean game to control, and is was anybody’s match till the whistle blew. HUNTLY Glenmassey went down to Thistle by three to one under Referee J. Wallace. The Scots had the best of the game throughout. Their halfback line proved a good one, the fullbacks were steady without being brilliant, but the front division was poor, though Tom Gavin played a good game and was the pick, and with Bate, who scored twice, they had the honours between them.

A MIXED BLESSING (From Our Own Correspondent.) OPOTIKI, Monday. THAT matters in connection with the Hurinui Apanui Memorial Shield, which is competed for by Bay of Plenty unions, are not all they should be, was disclosed at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, held at Opotiki. One delegate said that the suggestion of the Mayor o£ Masterton, that the Ranfurly Shield should be dropped overboard, should also be applied to the Hurinui Shield. He said it was ruining the spirit of football in the Bay, which was degenerating into a money-making affair. It would be better if the shield had never left the Opotiki Union. It was decided, after an extremely heated argument, that the protest of the Opotiki Union against Rangitaiki be referred to the New Zealand Rugby Union.