Sport in the Province

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 704, 2 July 1929, Page 13

Sport in the Province

From, the SUN’S Correspondents

Union Rug by

HAMILTON

The defeat of Old Boys A, which wanted only another win to annex the Sage Cup senior competition, came as a. big surprise to Rugby fans on Saturday. Although the match was played on a field of mud, making the ball extremely heavy, some nippv play was witnessed. City’s forwards “dominating tlm position throughout by using their weight to advantage. Skeet played well as fullback, although he was inclined to wait for the bounce.

Corbett and Allen were stalwarts among the backs, while Going \vas a tower of strength with heady kicking. Buckingham showed good form and Tangitu and P. Courtney battled solidly in the van.

Alec Johnston donned a senior jersey for Old Boys and acquitted himself well as fullback. Hawke and Holmes were useful on attack, but the latter tackled weakly. I. Johnston was in the thick of it, while McDell, the young half, was most impressive. Halstead, Bi'ough and Williams were the best forwards.

By leading Old Boys B, Marist brought itself on a level with Old Boys A in the championship ladder The victorious side registered one try, Old Boys failing to score. The game was most uninteresting to watch, passing rushes being at a premium. The slippery ball made accurate handling a magician’s feat. For the victors, Mills and Fitzgerald were prominent in all attacks, tho Cassidys coming to light frequently in the forwards. Paterson fielded well and effected several saves as Old Boys’ fullback.

Madill, R. Johnstone and Head impressed most among the backs, while McConnell and Bowling toiled incessantly in the vail.

The Frankton senior team notched another win this season when it met Technical Old Boys in a fairly close contest.

Scott and A. H. Griffiths, who can always be depended upon to take a chance, were the try-getters, while Dalbetli, Technical's nippy wing, touched down for this side.

R. Griffiths played a fine game for Frankton, spoilt only through selfishness with the ball. Priscott was another sound forward.

St. George was always on the ball for Technical, Bill Mitchell being less prominent than usual. Gunn was swift and sure as half. Had Technical resorted to dribbling more frequently their loss might have been reversed.

ROTORUA i After a very fast and even game ! between Forestry and Rotorua the lat- ! ter won by S points (goal and try) to Forestry’s 6 points (two unconverted tries). It was a very fast, open game with occasional dashes of good passing on either side. Morrinsville High School journeyed to Rotorua and beat the home team after a fast and good game by 14 points to 3. It was a good, spectacular game throughout In a junior match, City v. Kahukura, City played with great vim and dash to triumph over Kahukura by 19 points to 3 points. DARGAVILLE The difference in the merits of the teams in the Dargaville-Ruawai match on Saturday was not as great as the scores would indicate. Play was even in the first quarter, the Ruawai forwards dominating in the next. The second half saw th Dargaville backs throwing the leather about, which enabled them to gradually run the opposing forwards to a standstill and eventually win by 10 to 0. Tries were scored by Webb and Ferguson, the latter and Watson converting them. Ferguson (wing threequarter) again proved his worth to the Dargaville side. He played a sound game. Davis is consistent. He was the other outstanding back in the local side. Franich put more dash than usual into his play I at fullback. i Frean, playing at half for Ruawai, j was well nigh perfect. Nesbitt is representative class—one of Ruawai’s best forwards. Watson missed one or two matches in the early part of the season, but he has lost none of his “dash.” He is a first-class forward. Gould is also back with the j Dargaville team; he played a good game at hooker. Pearce, Cyprian and Tregidga, all Tangowahine players, received injuries in Saturday’s match, the firstnamed having to receive medical attention. HAURAKI PLAINS In boisterous, showery weather, but on a field that was not slippery, the Ilauraki Plains and the Paeroa Unions’ junior representatives met at Ngatea on Saturday in the first match of the Thames Valley Rugby Union’s competition for the Auckland Sharebrokers’ Cup. The Paeroa back division was much the better, but the day suited the home forwards, and their play dominated the game. S. Nicholson, the outstanding forward on tho field, led his pack in close formation into the visitors’ territory on numerous occasions, and forcedowns were frequent. Two tries for Plains were secured in this manner, and one by fast following up. Paeroa backs secured a well-earned try and the other was from a scramble on the line. This was converted, making the final scores Plains 9, Paeroa S. The game was one of the best seen on the Plains this season, but on account of the weather the attendance was a mere handful. TE AROHA i Piako defeated Waihi at Te Aroha in a sound, even game, which, despite the inclement weather, drew a large crowd to llerries Park. Piako’s magnificent forwards broke the Waihi defence time and again. Kearney and Mulgrew were outstanding in the Piako pack and were seen to advantage in all tight work. Waihi's backs put up a good defence arid were responsible for some clever passing rushes. From half-time on, heavy scrummages recurred in Waihi’s twenty-five, and the hardest part of the game was fought in the last quarter, when both sides redoubled their efforts to score. Scorers for Piako were O’Donogliue. unconverted try, and Mulgrew, try. converted by Hackham; and for W'aihi, A Valters and Johns scored unconverted tries. A further try by Lipsey for Piako was disallowed. Piako, 8; Waihi, In tho juniors, Waihi beat Piako in a one-sided game at Waihi. A strong Waihi pack dominated all scrums and tight play, and practically won the game for its side. Waihi backs also combined well and made full use of their opportunities. Piako did not strike form throughout, and was weak both in combination and dash. Its game was a disappointing one. Holding its own in the first quarter, it gave way in most of the following play and showed to poor advantage. Unconverted tries were scored for Waihi by the following:—Campbell, Henry, Steele, Rowlands, and Johns. A try by Warne was converted by Fallon. C. Worrall scored for Piako an unconverted try, the final scores being Waihi 20. Piako 3. THAMES All football matches were put off last Saturday, the Management Committee deeming it advisable, as the heavy rain had left the ground soft and sloppy. The cup competitions will be resumed next Saturday After a lot of controversy the Morrinsville Rugby Union has given Thames the first match for the Peace Cup. The game will take place at Morrinsville on July 27. A special excursion train will run from Thames. Last year when this train ran, it was patronised by about 700 followers of Rugby. PAPAKURA I At Papakura on Saturday, the Manu- ; kau junior reps., strengthened by six seniors, met the Panmure third grade open team and went down by nine points (try converted and potted goal) to nil. | The game was fast and open from the start, both teams throwing the bull j about in good style. The home side j got the ball from most of the scrums, i but L. James at half was very slow. This player needs a good deal of coaching to make a good half. Ivan Wilson at fullback got through a great deal of work, stopping numerous rushes and tackling in line style. It was not Ivan’s fault that Panmure scored in the last five minutes. C. Ross on the wing put in some very fine runs, and gained considerable ground each time the ball came to hiia. His tackling and fielding were firstcla ss. W. Smith at centre is very fast, but not very sure at taking the ball. Storie Bell on the other wing was very sound, tackling well. He also gained ground each time he got the ball. Barakat at five-eighth played very soundly and was in the picture all the time with nippy work and strong running when in possession. R. Hoke and L. Morrow made a good job of th© hooking, but faulty Sarsaparilla Herbs A packet makes n quart of the best Sarsaparilla Blood Purifier Make your own and have it fresh Packet posted for 2s 3d.—E W Hall. Herbalist, 117 Armagh St-Christ-church.

packing did not let the ball out too cleanly. G. Kemp, lock, was in the thick of the play all the time. He is poor at taking the ball, but is very fast on his feet. Cairns played well against a heavier team and will do better against lighter men. » The Panmure team was as heavy as any of the Manukau senior teams, and the local boys put up a great fight. The seniors in the local team had all taken part in an earlier game and therefore were not at their best in the last quarter. Clevedon defeated Valley Rovers at Hunua on Saturday by G points (two penalty goals) to nil, after a good game | Whitford travelled to Drury with 11 j men. Drury lent its opponents some players and so evened up the game. Drury won by 11 to 6. Tho Whitford team is to be commended for turning out each week us it has done. The final games of the competition will be played on Saturday, ; July 13. ! Next Saturday South Auckland plays Thames at Pukekolie. A combined Manukau team, mostly junior reps., will j play Marathon (Auckland) at Papakura next Saturday. Tho following team has been selected by Messrs. It. W. Bilkey and L. Pollock to represent the South Auckland Rugby Union in a match against Thames at Pukekolie on Saturday:— Fullback, J. Hira (Franklin); threequarters, G. Brownlee (Pukekolie), Hamilton (Manukau), Whelan (Pukekohe); live-eighths, Southey (Waiuku), Austin (Waikare); half, Lindberg (Franklin); rover, Barclay (Waikare); forwards, Fulton (Pukekolie), Atchison (Manukau), G. Bell (Franklin), F. Harvey (Waiuku), Robinson (Manukau), Kerebs (Waiuku), Stanford (Manukau). Reserves.—Backs, Findlayson (Waikare), Bishop (Waiuku); forwards, Ploy dell (Waiuku) and R. Crotty (Pukekolie) WAIUKU The Waiuku Rugby Union’s matches were completed at Massey Park on Saturday. Most interest was taken in tlio junior nmtcli between Waipipi and Otaua. The latter team, being one point in the lead of Aka Aka, required a win to secure the championship. Playing a great game Waipipi never left the issue in doubt to defeat its opponents by 11 points to nil. This left Aka Aka, which won from City by default, the winner of the competition. Very little interest was taken in the senior game between City and Aka Aka, as neither team took the game very seriously. When the final whistle went City had scored 6 points (two tries) to a penalty goal. TE AWAMUTU Cambridge representatives visited Te Avvamrutu on Saturday, defeating Waipa by 10 points to 3. From the start, the visitors were aggressive, and made repeated attempts to open up the game. The backs, however, were not allowed to get far in the face of good tackling. The forwards shone in the loose rushes, and Waipa were kept busy defending. Baker got across for Cambridge during the second quarter, Thomas converting. Waipa livened up in the second half and Wilkes, Bell, Quin and Ticklepenny indulged in some good passing bouts. The latter scored a well-deserved try in the corner, after taking a rather difficult pass from Quin, who failed with the kick. Wilkes was playing well and saved his side on several occasions, by serviceable kicking. Just in the closing stages, as the result of fast following up, Lloyd scored a try for Cambridge, Thomas again converting. Cambridge forwards were heavier than Waipa, and had tho latter fully extended till the second half. Tho final of tho junior cup contest was played between United and Te Awamutu, when an even and exciting game resulted in a win for United by a penalty goal (kicked by M. Grace) to nil. Te Awamutu thirds defeated Pirougia by 14 points to G. MATAMATA Despite tho inclement weather a large number of people assembled to see the second Finlay Cup fixture oetween JMatamata ana Taupiri on Saturday. The ground was slippery and the ball greasy, out & fast evenly-con-tested game took piace, Matamata winning by six points to three. Ensor and Vosper scored for the winners and Lilt for Taupiri. There were no goals kicked. Davies (Matamata) and Clemett (Taupiri) were absentees from the originally selected teams. The packs were evenly matched, but neither set of backs showed up in any good combined efforts. The state of the ground and ball accounted for this. There were several minor casualties, and quite a number of replacements. Mr. S. Thomas, of Cambridge, controlled the game to the satisfaction of both players and public. Prominent players for Matamata were Stewart and Bluck (backs) and Story, Ensor, Stevenson and Simpson (forwards). Prominent Taupiri players were: Dromgool, Welsh and Riddle (forwards), and Lift, Wilcox and Muniapoto in the rearguard. Taupiri made a bold bid, in its first attempt for the Cup, and on a dry day will be a team to be reckoned with. PUKEKOHE Tlie Pukekolie Rugby Sub-Union’s senior championship finished on Saturday for tlie season, the Ramblers emerging the victor after a bout of 80 minutes with United. From the commencement the game was contested at a merry gait. Not very many minutes had elapsed before players and referee were smothered with mud. The heavy rain which fell last week turned the ground into a quagmire. The ball was heavy and greasy, consequently difficult to handle with any degree of accuracy. The contest in the main was between the two packs, although the rear division men were far from being idle. A few passing bouts added the spectacular touch to the match. First blood was drawn by the challenging team, McKinnon goaling with a beautiful kick —the only one to pass over the crossbar during the day. Shortly before half-time Chubb equalised with an unconverted try. The lighter Rambler’s pack made tlie pace merry in the final period and widened the gap by three points. The latter try, obtained by Crosbie, was doubted by many spectators, but tlie referee’s decision was final. Following the South AucklandThames match next Saturday, the senior players not chosen as reps, will participate in a knockout competition for the Pollock Cup. BAY OF ISLANDS

The storm having blown itself out, splendid weather conditions prevailed on Saturday for the football fixtures. Ngawha met Ohaeawai at Kaikohe and won by 12 points (four tries) to 6, two penalty goals kicked by Knight. For the winners, Baker at full was not overworked Thomson went to the threequarter line and played there more advantageouslj’ than at full. He created several openings, from which some of the scores were obtained. King! also played a sterling game. His run from half-way, which ended in a score, was a very pretty piece of play. Repia at: half was very quick to send AV. AVatling and Whin away when he got a chance behind a dominating pack. The Te Hoara Brothers, with Young, were the best of the forwards. Ed-

monds is too fond of handling the ball ’ in tho scrum and playing off-side. For the losers, Lawrence and Clark ! were tlie best of the threequarters, j their straight running being very con- j spicuous against their opponents, who j ran across tho field. Hataway and ; Baldwin were responsible for spoiling several prospective openings by not connecting with the passes from Kingston at half. 11. Herbert. Knight, Mason and C. Jones frequently broke through with the ball at their feet. Okaihau journeyed to Kawakawa and again played a drawn game, as in the first round, neither side scoring. These teams have not lost a game throughout the season. Kaikohe beat Waihou, 11—9.. In the second grade, Kawakawa vistied Kaikohe and was defeated by 6 points to 0. This loss to Kawakawa may mean Ivaikoho retaining the shield. Kawakawa, leading Kaikohe by one point, and has one more match to play, while Kaikohe has two to play. Excepting the glorious uncertainty of all games, these two teams should win their remaining fixtures. Okaihau drew with Waihou, 3—3. Ohaeawai had a bye. WHANGAREI Hikurangi’s excellent showing tlie previous week against Maungakaramea, one of the leading teams in the competition, attracted a large crowd when it met City, tlie other leading team, at Kensington Park on Saturday. Anticipation of a closely contested game was completely shattered when City rallied in the final quarter and rattled on 10 points. Till the final change-over, the score stood at six points to three in City's favour, but Hemi and Nicholls scored in quick succession, the latter converting both tries. City was unlucky to lose its fullback, G. Kerr, shortly after the start of the game, owing to an injured knee. Although the difference between the teams was not as big as indicated by tho scores, City must be given credit for playing one of its finest games to date. However, much of City’s superior play was annulled by off-side play in the scrums, Griffin being tho worst offender in this respect. City’s rear division handled the ball really well. Hemi, wing, was always safe. His line kicks and determined runs continually put his side within striking distance. Nicholls, as usual, used his head as well as his pace and side-stepping ability, adding seven points to City’s total (a score and two conversions). Others prominent in the backs were D. Wilson, M. McDonald and Jones. Tho forwards were all on their game, with “Bunny” Finlayson dominating tho situation on many occasions. Fletcher, Tucker, Morrison and Dent cUu their reputations no harm. Scorers for City were: Griffin, Jones, Hemi and Nicholls, one each, the latter converting two. The visiting backs were always fighting stubbornly, but they were playing a losing game. Their vigour and tenacity in keping going till tlie final whistle won the admiration of many local suporters. T. Wells. McInnes, Pepeno and W. Whitelaw were tho pick of the rearguard. J. Linnel was perhaps the best of the pack, while those to run him close for the distinction were Edwards and Dickson. The only score was the outcome of a fine effort by Edwards. MANUKAU RUGBY UNION At a-meetins; of tlie Manukau Rugby Sub-Union, Mr. W,L. Elliott presiding, the action of the sub-union delegate to the South Auckland Union, Mr. B, jrianagan, in putting in a challenge for the Massey Cup was endorsed by the union. Papakura put in a challenge for the Stevens Cup, now held by Valley Rovers. A sub-committee is to arrange date and referee. Tho seniors will play their first represetnativo match at Papakura on July 20, when they meet Waiuku. The junior representative team meets Waiuku at Papakura on July 27. The following were presented with representative caps for last season;—3D. Roygard, A. Barnard. N. Wilson (Valley Rovers), H. Morrow, \V. I’eenlcH, 1\ Scott, S. James (Papakura), It. Cossey, B. Short (Lrury) and A. Munro (Clevedon). League Rug by HUNTLY Three to two is close scoring, but it signified tho difference in a match at Ngaruawahia on Saturday between Huntly and the riversiders. George Rayner potted a goal in the first half for Huntly, while Zimmerman scored a try at the death-knock for Ngaruawahia after a scramble, putting his side ahead by a point only. It was a mud-larking contest, with no chance whatever of it being an open game under the weather conditions prevailing. Handling was out of the question. B. Paki and Smith were both hurt and the latter was playing a splendid game until he was injured. Zimmerman, the hefty Ngaruawahia player, was on his game. He is a hard toiler. Williams and Tittleton were good defensive players on the day. while Menzies was noted doing good work. For the losers. Smith, Whorskey and Rayner (backs), with Transvester, Stephenson, and Jones, were about the best, Scott showing up in the loose stuff. Hockey THAMES The bitterly cold weather which prevailed on Saturday afternoon did not prevent the hockey players from turning out to take part in the Possible v. Probables match, from which the team to represent the ThamesHauraki Association in the White Horse Cup tourney, at Auckland, will be selected. The attendance was small, and the game was not up to representative standard. The Probables, captained by H. Brownlee, scored 8 goals (F. Phillips 3, H. Brownlee 2, D. Ritchie 1, B. Miller 1 and McMillan 1). Possibles, captained by R. Menzies, scored G (H. Candy 2, E. Hales 2, and R. Menzies 2). Mr. L. Griffin refereed. MORRINSVILLE The following players have been selected to represent the Piako Hockey Association in the White Horse Cup tournament: —J. M. Thompson, R. Hawes, W. Harvey, R- Pearson. E. Munn-Brown, G. Moore, H. C. Criekett, ! s. Wright, C. Cooper. H. Sutherland, 1 T. Dawson, O. Clews. J. Fitt, 11. D. j Hastie. Soccer HUNTLY Huntly put up a big score against Pukemiro, viz., 9 to 0, and in view of the good showing by the losers against Junction United the previous Saturday the big tally was a surprise. The winners were three up at half-time, with the wind behind them, and put on half a dozen against the breeze in the second half—a creditable performance. Lack of condition told its tale against

the visitors in the concluding portion, and the winners played like clockwork. Ted Hall, who played in the vanguard, booted in three, and Arthur Deakin, a similar number. Tom Hall and Whiddle, with J. Hedley, added a unit each to complete Iluntly’s tally. Fairless had a busy day in goal for the losers, but he cannot be blamed for the big score, for the goaling was clean-cut on Saturday, and the ball went in fast to the net. Mitchell, at fullback, was steady, with Latimer an overworked and bustling toiler all the afternoon. Ho rarely plays a bad game, and is perhaps the most consistent player in the code, bar Tom Dodds, in the South Auckland area. Hunter was off his' game on Saturday, and the inside right was perhaps the best of a vanguard which did not function too well. The winners on the day were in form, and could do nothing wrong. Thorne, in goal, was safe, and let nothing go past him. Tom Dodds showed to better advantage in the fullback line than Jim Hall. The latter, though getting on in football years, is always ready to turn out for his old club. Harry Deakin, Hedley, and Hall, in the half-line, left nothing to be desired, while Arthur Deakin and Ted Hall, in front, were a source of trouble to the visitors, for they accounted for six goals between them. The winners have now touched highwater mark, and their future adversaries can look to a good game when they meet. HAMILTON Claudelands Rovers visited Glen Massey and played the local Soccer side on Saturday, finding no difficulty in carrying off the honours by registering six goals to nil. Although the weather made playing conditions difficult, the Rovers used their feet far more effectively than the opposition, Kennedj', who notched three goals, playing an exceptionally convincing game. Other scorers for Rovers were Pearson, Schonau, and Baddeley. In Hamilton, the leading match under Association rules was that in which Hamilton Wanderers and Puke- j miro met, and drew, 1-all.