Rugby Union

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 668, 21 May 1929, Page 16

Rugby Union

HAMILTON There were several surprises in the results of play in the third series of matches of the Hamilton Rugby competitions on Saturday. The most interesting game was that between Old Boys A and Frankton, won by the former was 17 points to 6. Frankton put up a remarkably stubborn fight, and the margin of attack was very even at half-time, the scores registering 6all. After a spell, in which Old Boys were kept constantly on the defence, there was a lull, from which Old Boys were the swiftest to recover. They realised that their strength lay in the backs, and they fed their wings consistently—a policy which bore fruit, for no less than three tries were notched in the last quarter. Graham, the ex-Maori All Black, was again the star man for the winners, showing wonderful form and incredible speed when in possession. Gilling proved himself a nippy half. Other outstanding men were Fitzgerald, Kemp, and “Yorky” Holmes, and Wilson, Williams, and Fleming in the van. Everest and Welch were stalwarts in the Frankton pack, while H. Charleston and Bayly impressed among the forwards.

Another surprise was created when Technical Old Boys gained the decision over Old Boys B by the margin of only one point. The score was 6 —5. In the opening quarter, Technical was the first to attack, but Old Boys’ defence held. There was little brilliant football seen, and Technical was lucky not to be beaten. Mitchell, St. George, and Dalbeth threw the ball about willingly for the winners, while Byrne and Robinson toiled in the forwards. Mills and Head were always to the fore for Old Boys. City, last year’s champion, was again defeated by the same margin as on the previous Saturday. Marist swept through the opposition, the tallies standing at 13—3 at the final whistle. Delaney, as fullback, Fitzgerald, and the Clarkin brothers were the best of the Tykes, while Allen. Going, Buckingham, and C. Christie made the pace merry for City. PAPAKURA The Manukau Rugby Union’s competition was advanced a further stage on Saturday, when Drury seniors defeated Papakura seniors at Drury. Drury won, 9—7, and fully deserved its win.

Other Manukau results were: Cievedon defeated Whitford, at Clevedcn, 15 —0; Drury juniors defaulted, to Papakura juniors. The positions of the teams to date are: Papakura, played 3, won 2, lost 1, points 4; Clevedon, 3,2, I—4; Drury, 2.1, 1.—2; Valley, 2,1, I—2; Whitford, 2.0, 2 — o. DARGAVILLE

Wet weather was experienced for the first time this season in Dargaville on Saturday, when Dargaville seniors defeated Tangowahine after a very even game by 8 to 5. J. Davies (Dargaville) was the best back on the ground. Wells and B. Jones (forwards) also did splendid work for Dargaville. For Tangowahine, Clement, Oldfield, G. Coleman (forwards) were a good hard-working trio, and got possession from most of the scrums. D. Coleman, Martin, and Simmonsen, for the same side, were prominent in the backs.

United’s victory of 6 to 5 over Southern, played at Kaihu, was a lastminute one. J. Piri scored the only try in the remaining senior match. Public Works v. Northern Star, played at Tangowahine, and in which the former won by 3 to 0. Northern Star juniors and Public Works played a drawn game, 6-all, at Tangiteroria. WAIUKU Though the meeting between the City and Aka Aka teams provided a very even contest, the game was not a good one from a spectator’s point of view. The City pack, although much the heavier, were repeatedly beaten in the scrums in the first quarter, but improved later in the game. Very indifferent passes among the City backs made the game one of individual efforts instead of good teamwork. A. James and B. James both showed good form, the latter scoring a neat try, which he converted. The Aka Aka backs, who took their passes in good style, would be well advised to be on the move and to run straight. The points at the completion of the first round are: City, 4; Waipipi, 2; Aka Aka, 0. Junior results are: Otaua, 15; Waipipi, 3; Aka Aka, 32; City, 3. HAURAKI PLAINS Rugby games on the Hauraki Plains on Saturday produced surprises in wins by Ngatea (with only 13 plaiyers for the greater part of the game) against Waitakaruru by two tries to nil, and by Hauraki Plains West by 16 points to 6 from Iverepeehi. The fields were wet, but the weather fine. Ngatea’s strength Was in its well balanced pack of hard-working forwards, though the backs did better work on the whole than did the individualists of the heme team. The Plains West team excelled itself •at Kerepeehi, and the backs gave a fine exhibition, particularly Wilfred Costello, who scored three tries between the posts, and J. Garry, who also scored and converted twice. Kerepeehi’s heavy slpw forwards worked through to Hedley on several occasions, and passed him twice. The home backs were weak, except Burt. MATAMATA Patetere beat Walton by 12 to nil. : (tries by Symes and A. Simpson, one j converted by Flutey, and a potted goal ' by Stewart). Stewart’s goal was a beauty from the middle of a scramble. The teams were evenly matched and the winners put on their last seven points in the closing stages. Sutherland, Stewart and Shaw (backs), Simpson (2), Hammond and Fraser (forwards), were prominent for Patetere. Moore and Martin (forwards) and A. Wallace and Fausett (backs), played well for Walton. Mr. D. Pirrit, Morrinsville, was in charge. Tries by Storey (3), E. W. Robertson, Stevenson and Kneebone, a potted goal by Egan and a conversion by Storey, made up the score of 24 to nil in favour of Matamata against Waharoa. The Waharoa forwards were superior in the scrums, but no where in the loose and the fast Matamata rearguard left its opponents standing. Mr. W. Clover controlled the game. The following players have been selected to represent the Matamata ! Sub-union against Putaruru on Sat-

urday next: —Hammonds, D. Simpson, Flutey, A. Brown. Stewart. Douglas (Tirau), Bluck, Faussett, Martin, Moore, Ake (Walton), Vosper, Egan, Davies, Story, Ensor. Stevenson and Kneebone (Matamata). THAMES A draw would have been a fitting termination to the best club match played this season at Rhodes’ Park. It was a hard, clean, fast game, intermingled with bright football. City was a much improved team from the previous Saturday, and had it made more use of its backs in the early stages of the game the result would have been different. Physical Training backs, which include T. Yangioni, one of the star backs of last year’s Wanganui representatives, handled the ball well, and its two tries came from the rear division. Vangioni doing the trick on each occasion. C.. Cameron, who has struck form, converted the first try. and it was the goal that won the match for Physical Training. “Micky” Lomas’s team had it all over its opponents in the final quarter, and kept them in their own zone, but six points was all it could score, Jack Corbett securing one try, and L. White the other. When the whistle went, the points were: Physical Training, 8; City, 6. Mr. F. Vedder gave a good exposition with the whistle. The junior cup match, played at Wharepoa, proved an easy victory for Physical Training, who put on 16 points to Ramblers’ 6. Mr. G. Buchan controlled the game. thd£o6,oslofil wmrth, CAMBRIDGE The weather was fine but cold on j Saturday, when the union’s club competitions were continued before a very good attendance. . The feature of the games played locally was a drawn game between Leamington and United Seniors. With eight points up in the first half, and a further three points, Leamington’s prospects for a victory looked rosy, but United came with a sensational dash after this, and was five points down with two minutes to go. Then came the brightest spot of the game, when Byrne (United) secured. He beat his man, sent on to Mclvor, to White, who made a brilliant run,.fended off an opponent, and scored a fine try. Carter added the extra points, and the bell announced a drawn game, with the scores 11-all. For Leamington, Morse and Hall scored tries, and Thomas kicked a penalty goal and converted one try. For United, White scored, and Carter converted it, and also kicked two penalty goals. During the progress of the game, Taylor, a Leamington player, broke a small bone at the pit of his neck. At Tauwhare, Hautapu seniors were too solid for the Tauwhare Maori team, which they defeated by 16 points to 6. With the new reorganised United Club’s seniors (previously City) putting up a much better showing this season, there is much more enthusiasm in football, especially as the undefeated champions of the past two seasons, Hautapu, were defeated by United last week. HUNTLY For an opening of the season match, the Te Hoe-Huntly senior game was a good one, and the former was lucky to win by a try and a penalty goal, scored by Parrott, to nil. Stamina rather than science won the game, and

the visitors were a hefty fifteen. Paton (threequarter), Logan, and Parrott (five-eighths), were the pick of ihe backs, Laverick, Stanton, and Cochrane doing good work in front. Te Hoe has the makings of a solid team, and, with combination, should be hard to dispose of in future matches. For the losers, Simcock, Pollock, and I. Welch were hard workers, the former being unlucky in not having two tries to his credit, while K. Welch and Willcocks, in the five-eighths line, were best among the backs. Mr. S. Reston refereed both Rugby matches, and in the senior contest one or two champion “offside Macs” were noticed among the Te Hoe fifteen, who should learn to cease play when the referee blows his whistle.

The Huntly juniors did better than their big brothers, and cleaned up Ngaruawahia by a dozen to three, McBurnie playing a good game for the losers. H. Ralph, W. Yates, V. Harris, and M. Ralph were the scorers for Huntly, and these four, with Bryant. J. Harris, and Powell, were largely responsible for the success achieved. A distinct honour has been accorded the new Taupiri Rugby Sub-Union in having the Vancouver Cup presented to that body for competition in the senior grade. This new memento of the famous 1924 All Blacks’ visit to Vancouver will give a stimulus to Lower Waikato Rugby that should be very apparent to local football during the current season. Perhaps no enthusiast in Rugby matters in the Waikato was as proud as Mr. Fred Harris, the chairman of the management com-

mittee of the new Taupiri Union, as this gentleman’s enthusiasm and good work in matters Rugby spreads over nearly half a century, and the Huntlyite had the honour of mapping out the boundaries of the baby union, and incidentally made a good job of it, too. TAUMARUNUI Two senior games at Taumarunui ‘ Domain on Saturday attracted a big bench of spectators, who were not disappointed. Ongarue. a fifteen that showed much sparkling play, downed United by 12 points to 3, and the old and solid Athletic Club proved victorious over Taumarunui by 15 points to 6. For Ongarue W. Jones registered the first try (the kick failing), and United evened the score when Roddick from a free-kick at half way registered a goal. United had slightly the better of the game for the first half, but the excellent combination and passing of the Ongarue players gave them an acknowledged superiority. Haddon was probably the most outstanding player ! for United and T. and W. Jones for | Ongarue. i Athletic's superior strategy gave j them an early advantage over Tauma- | runui; nevertheless this match proved very interesting. Kendall drew first blood with an unconverted try tor Taumarunui. This pack pressed hard, and ran the score to six shortly after. Wackrow was first over the line for Athletic, and the play which followed was mainly in Athletic’s favour, resulting in the above scores. PUKEKOHE The principal attraction in the Pukekohe competitions on Saturday was the first meeting between the newly-con-stituted United Club and Ramblers. The former was defeated in a decisive manner, contrary to the expectations of many enthusiastic followers of the code. From the spectators’ point of view the game on the whole was uninteresting, only a mediocre exhibition of the code being given. Although the score was only 11—3, United was outclassed in all departments. Its

pack gave a poor account of itself, the lighter Ramblers van. dominating in almost every situation. Ramblers heeled from the scrums in a consistent fashion. The defeated fifteen’s rearguard performed better than the forwards, but there was a decidedly •weak link in the chain in the person of Walters, who played in the role of secon five-eighth. His handling was poor and the ball failed to pass him. R. Stoupe, a former member of the Auckland Marist seniors and an Auckland B representative, is the latest graduate to Pukekohe Rugby, and, playing for United, he gave a sparkling display. He was seen, however, at a disadvantage as there was little co-operation among the backs. Most of his work was the result of solo effort, but on a few occasions he combined well with S. Crotty. United’s best packman was Hintz. The outstanding forward in the Ramblers team was Mills, while G. Brownlee and Fallows were the best of the backs. As rover, Chubb played a remarkably good game. Fallows, Branch and G. Brownlee scored for Ramblers, Fausett converting one. Uniteds’ only try was gained by. R. Stoupe. The Patumahoe team registered its first win of the season by defeating White Star. The game was keenly fought out, the Patumahoe forward division playing well. An unconverted try was notched by Robinson and a penalty goal by Plow©.

MANUKAU In the Manukau Sub-union matches the Drury Club recorded its first win of the season when it defeated Papakura by a margin of two points, 9 —7. From the kick-off the game was played at a merry gait and Francis drew the first blood for Papakura by scoring within two minutes of the commencement. As rover, he played exceptionally well. Wilson and Clarke were the best rear-division men, although Peebles was in good form. Scott was the outstanding forward. The Drury fullback, Brooks, performed well. G. Hamilton, the ex-Varsity man, was the star back on the field. Playing for the winning team, T. Cossey and Hamilton scored unconverted tries, F. Heard kicking a penalty. For Papakura, Francis gained an unconverted try and Wilson drop-kicked a goal. FRANKLIN The Franklin Sub-union's competitions were continued on Saturday. A surprise was created by the all-Maori team, Te Kohanga, defeating Bombay by 20 to 5. Other results are:—Fukekawa, 6, Pokeno, 3; Onewhero, 9, Tuakau, 8. WAIHI In stormy weather and on a heavy ground Mataura beat Athletic by 15 points to 6 in the Waihi Rugby Union Cup competition. Mataura had the better of the play throughout the game, both forwards and backs being superior to those of Athletic. Saunders, for Mataura, again gave a sparkling display, and on present form stands out as the best player in the competition. Smith, Dillimore, Johns, Craig and Robinson also proved a tower of strength in the Mataura team, and McConnell, Allen, Waite and Mathers were the pick of the Athletic team. Tries were scored by Walker, Dillimore, Smith and Craig for Mataura; Dillimore also kicked a penalty goal. The scorers for Athletic were Waite, a try, and Mathers a penalty goal. Mr. T. Pascoe was referee. WHANGAREI At Kensington Park, Old Boys had to lower their colours to City, the score being B—o.8 —0. The former team stood up well to their heavy opponents throughout, but the City backs displayed the better finish and understanding, especially during the latter half, when their passing bouts dominated the play. The Portland-Hikurangi match was drab, hard-fighting football in the main, with the former always slightly superior. However, Hikurangi rallied brilliantly in the concluding stages of play and the spectators were keyed to a high pitch of excitement till the final call of no-side.

Anticipation of a good match was unfounded in the Horahora-Wliaka-para game, as the home side literally swamped Whakapara, the score reading 23 —0 at the final whistle. From the outset Horahora went out to hustle its opponents and its pace and weight quickly told its tale. Scoring became monotonous, several players having a double to his credit. It would be hard to distinguish between the Whakapara players, as they were just a hard-battling lot, with no idea of combination. Those to take the eye on the opposing side were A. Williams, Redwood, Dent, Conway and Saul, while not taking any honour from the remainder, as no one could see a slacker on the field.

BAY OF ISLANDS After a stormy week, all competitions took place under very adverse } conditions on Saturday. The rain stopped for a couple of hours before the matches started, but came down in torrents while the third spell was being played. The ball was too wet and heavy for any brilliant back play. The game at Kaikohe, where Kaikohe defeated Waihou by 3 —o, was a stub-bornly-contested forward game, with a lot of wild kicking on each side. Sound and clean tackling on both sides stopped all semblance of passing movements. There was a. fair attendance of spectators, many of whom came with the visitors. Kaikohe was fortunate to leave the field with a win. A. Cullen, a promoted junior, gave a dashing display at fullback, stopping several rushes iff masterly style. His kicking was very sure. Watene and Amos were absent through sickness, their places being taken by M. Kaipou at threequarter and E. Wara at half, who did some useful work behind a dominating pack, sending Williams and Penny away very often to good effect. Edmonds and Edwards were more successful in hooking the ball, and the home pack had the best of the scrum work. In the line-out and open Jackson. Hurley, Hows and O’Brien —who played his first game—were most prominent; Edmonds and Edwards did a pretty piece of dribbling that scored the winning trj'. M. O’Brien essayed to imitate Bennie Osier, the ball hitting the post and going into touch-in-goal. For Waihou, H. Whitaker at fullback had a very strenuous time, being fortunate in beating the opposition for the ball on several occasions and forcing. Graham and Murray played sterling games on the threequarter line while Bees and Burkhardt played very sound games. J. Whitaker played a very dashing rover’s game, his smart following-up was on two occasions almost successful in scoring. ITenry was the outstanding forward of the visiting pack, always on the ball and breaking away in rushes, being well supported by X. Hooker, S. Paki, S. Campbell and Stephens. Ngawha beat Ohaeawai, 6 —o, and ICawakawa drew with Okaihou 3—3. In the juniors, Kawakawa beat Wai- • hou, s—o; Ohaeawai beat Okaihou, ! 3—o; Kaikohe a bye. OPOTIKI j Country received its first defeat of i the season on Saturday, when Te Hui [defeated it. Jack Temple was respov- ! sible for Te Hui’s win, landing a beau - ! tiful drop kick from the open. The ; native team deserved its win. the work ; ol‘ the forwards being a treat to v/atoo. ! Time after time they snapped up tin

ball and Indulged in passing bouts, on one occasion carrying the ball some 70 yards before being stopped. C. Black, for Country, did an immense amount of work, and got his side out of many a tight corner. The Country side badly missed the services of Roe at half, the team appearing to be completely disorganised. Several changes were tried, but were of no use against the natives, who were determined to win. Although the City v. Triple Links game was worth watching. it was rather one-sided, owing to the absence of five good men. The team played three short, and did well to keep the score down to IS to 3. Hunt was right off his usual accurate kicking, una missed three easy shots at goal. tie made slight amends, however, by -cot - ing Triple Lints’s only try. One of the junior games which was played on the junior grounds was rather a rough affair, and several players have seated their intention of not playing again unless ther referees are more strict, and put down rough stuff. Lurid language from the players was also anotner cad feature. MORRINSVILLE

Saturday’s senior fixtures under the Morrinsville Union were responsible for two surprises, first defeat of the leaders. United, by Tatuanui, and second by the easy manner in which Kereone defeated Terriers. Tatuanui bore out the opinion expressed in this column last week that it would be troublesome from this out. Until this season. Tatuanui lias been rather below the senior standard. This season it lias a very solid pack, and a few junior backs, who, without being particularly brilliant, are steady. On Saturday it was a great battle of forwards, and Tatuanui scored a goal in the last few minutes, to give it a win. Kereone got in early against Terriers, and was 10 points ahead in as many minutes. The second half was more even, with Kereone playing as though content to hold its lead. Terrier backs threw the ball about, but gained no ground from the movements. Interest is becoming keen as to the prospects of the representatives holding the Peace Cup. At present it would seem that the selector's only difficulty with the forwards will be to decide who of a dozen to leave out. Morrinsville should field a splendid pack. When it comes to backs, the only three of last year’s players who appear safe for their places are Anderson, Thomas, and Robson. The former is coming to his game, and should be ready when the hard stuff comes along. Outside the three mentioned, there are no really first class men offering. Robertson, who represented Putaruru as half last season, is the best for the position offering here at present. The other inside positions will be difficult to fill, as will also the position of rover.