IMPERIAL RUGBY.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 May 1919, Page 6

IMPERIAL RUGBY.

MOTHERLAND BEATS AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH ' AFRICA SUCCESSFUL

LONDON, March 10.

The Empire Services Rugby tournament commenced in real earnest last Saturday, when all the six competing sides were engaged, with results very much in accordance with anticipation. At Leicester the Mother Country beat Australia, but only won after a severe but unsatisfactory struggle by virtue of a penalty goal placed in the last minute of the game. New Zealand paid Canada the very dubious compliment of sending a reserve team down to Portsmouth to tackle the wearers of the Maple Leaf, the real “AH Blacks” team taking a trip to Bradford where they enjoyed a sort of holiday match against Yorkshire, which they, won by the very ample margin of 41 to 5. The Maorilanders’ confidence in the ability of their second 15 to beat the Canadians was not misplaced, for they won .by 11 points to nothing over a iteani not fully representative of even Canada’s not overwhelming) Rugby strength, and one which for the best part of the opening half consisted of 14 men only.

At Twickenham the South African men met and defeated a Royal Air Force combination by 12 points to nothing. and on current form the Springboks seem likely to prove New Zealand’s most formidable competitors for premier honours in the tournament. As regards the Motherland’s victory at Leicester, it may be said that though lucky in winning it would have boon very hard lines if the Home team had suffered defeat, for they played a man short, after the the first five minutes, and finished off the game with only 13 men worth counting. As already remarked, It was not a satisfactory game. There was plenty of keenness and energy—too much of the latter at times—but as regards good class Rugby, it was very ‘streaky’ and certain of the Australian players' were frequently guilty of active obstruction, thus infringing the law as well as the real spirit of the game.' There were also one or two “regettable” incidents, as for example the foul charge which laid cut Captain Usher of the Home team, very badly during the closing stages of the game The teams were; v ;

Mother Country; Captain Cumborlcge Lieut_ Day, Lieut. Cullen, Lieut. Pickles, Captain Pantliu, Captain Pym, Lieut. Clem Lewis, Captain Usher, Lieut.-Colonel Brunton, Captain Pillman, Mayor Sykes, Lieut. Colonel Brown, Captain Havard, Captain Finlay, Captain Gallic.

Australians. —Captain Beith, Sergeant Suttor. Pto. Watkins, Cpl. Stemming, Corpl_ Hickey, C.M.S. Buchanan Pte. Flanagan, Lieut. Watson, Q.M.S. Bond, Pte. Lyons, Lieut. Cody, Corpl. Dnnn, Pto. Thompson, Sergt. Murray Scrgt, Lee.

THE GAME. I It was unfortunate for the Mother j Country to be deprived of the services 1 of Sykes, who had his nose broken in j the first five minutes of the game and j could not resume. On the subsequent ■ play the Australians had rather the | better of the game, and had infinitely the greater chances of scoring, but lack of ‘'finish” and an element of bad luck prevented them doing so on several occasions. 1

The Australians commenced nervousiy. and their passes were often badly given and • indifferently timed. Pym and Clem Lewis for a short spell were more than a little bothered by the opposition tactics, but quickly settled down, and several times had their third line well on the move. Prom one of these attacks the English try came. * Pickles made a splendid run with some backers up in close attendance, and Clem Lewis scored a clever try, Day 1 just missing the goal. A bright period of the game followed, and the Australians were within an ace of equalising, and soon after Cullen missed a “sitter” for the Home team by holding too long after a fine run. Prom this point the play became scrappy. With the change of ends, the MotherCountry was subjected to severe pressure. Cullen was often prominent by extremely clever saves, but the Australians, who throughout kicked well, and found touch accurately, were persistent. They missed a glorious chance when a kick was charged down with no one at hand to gather, and the danger was luckily cleared. Another mistake enabled Stenning to score at the corner, but Hickey failed at goal. Only a few minutes remained for play, and by a fine spurt the Mother Country reached the other end. A tremendous struggle near the posts followed. A f’-ee for picking cut was given against the Australians, and Curnberlege was successful, and won the game in less than sixty seconds from the call of time. For the Australians, Captain Berth played a ripping game,' at full-back, and did some amazing good kicking to t uch. Sutton and Stenning, the Aus-

tralian wing three, seemed very fasr. | but their centre. Hickey, was faulty as j a- connecting link, and too often mull- | ed his passes. Storming is undoubtedly i a good scoring player. Buchanan and Watkins, the live-eighths, passed too • low as a rule', but they tackled deter- j mincdly, while Flannagan worked the scrum smartly. It was Flauagau, however. who gave away the winning penalty goal by picking the ball out in his own twenty-five. NEW ZEALAND VICTORIOUS. On the United Service? Ground at j Portsmouth. New Zealand followed up-j their success against the Royal Air ; Force at Swansea, on the previous j Saturday, with a victory over Canada by a goal and two trials to nothing. The match was the least important of the three contests in the competition on Saturday, Canada in their trial games having shown such poor form that Now Zealand felt sure they could safely entrust their fuitunos to their second fifteen. Phis confidence was justified, New Zealand, 1 if 'they did not score heavily, showing ! nutch superior football.