RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19890, 20 May 1936, Page 11

RUGBY FOOTBALL

DISTRICT GAMES. BECOND SERIES OF MATCHES. BRIGHT BACK MOVEMENTS. (By “Spectator.") The second series of matches in'the Hamilton district inter-Union competition played on Saturday produced some bright Rugby, the feature of the three matches played being the bright back movements. Old Boys and Technical Old Boys again won their matches and Marist, who drew their first match, accounted for Frankton in an exciting game. The two Te Awamutu teams did not play, but this game will be played later in the season if the championship is likely to be j affected. The weather conditions j were again ideal with all grounds fast ■ and dry. 'The standard of the Rugby j has been very high and after next Saturday, when the racing circuit closes in the Waikato, larger attendances can be expected at all'games. Championship Point*. The positions of the various teams in the competition are as follows: —

A Bright Exhibition. The match on No. 1 ground, Rugby Park, between Old Boys and Taupirl East was more even and exciting than the score of 14 to 3 in Old Boys’ favour indicated, the visiting team being unfortunate not to soore on several occasions. The Old Boys’ backs made the pace from the start and with superior speed and combination ran up an eleven points lead before the interval. Taupiri East settled down better, their forwards outplaying Old Boys, while their backs tackled much better. The teams scored three points each in the second half, and had the Taupiri backs combined better the leeway would have been materially reduced. Two Evon Paoks. Two well matched packs met ai Huntly on Saturday when Technical Old Boys and Taupiri West played a fast and strenuous game. For tne winners Goosman, St. George and Broad were prominent in a set or backs, while Hannah and Pardington were often prominent in the forwards. Taupiri possesed outstanding backs in Wilson, Morton and Tye. Marlst’s Win. The game on No. 2 ground on Saturday between Marist and Frankton provided some good football. The game was fairly even until towards the closing stages when Marist were definitely superior, though at one stage of’ the game they were a beaten team. The Marist forwards were a deciding factor, F. Cassidy, D. Ryan, Devcich, Lomas and Flynn all playing solid games. Dempsey played a sound game and the wings, Kilpatrick and Haggerty, made most of their opportunities. Pearson, Jones, Denz and Griffiths were the pick of the Frankton back line, while Tristram and Gilmer and Goodall were the best of the Frankton pack. The Frankton backs were a vest improvement on the previous Saturday and in the early part of the game completely outclassed the opposing backs. Was Closely Watched. It was quite apparent early In the game on No. 1 ground, Rugby Park, that the Taupiri East team considered that A. Lissette, Old Boys’ centre, •would have to be carefully watched if they were to have any chance of victory. Despite the close watching, however, the Old Boys’ captain eluded the opposition on several occasions and besides materially assisting in two •fries scored a fine try on his own. The visitors continued to mark A. Usette and after some unnecessary hard and late tackles he received concussion and had to leave the field. After this there were several unnecessary incidents and although the game could not be called rough it was a pity to see a repetition of the unwarranted tactics indulged in. Ryan Prominent. D. Ryan, the hefty Marist forward, was outstanding on Saturday In the Marist-Frankton match. Using his weight to full advantage in the pack he also broke away in possession frequently and proved a hard man to stop. He was always up with the game and his try was the reward of fast following up. Creditable Exhibitions. Making full use of his speed. Goosman was an outstanding back for Technical Old Boys on Saturday in their match against Taupiri West at Huntly, while as full-back, Liddy played a fine game. The work of G. Welsh as full-back for the Taupiri team was also praiseworthy. The whole of the Taupiri pack was a good one, but perhaps most outstanding were Bull, who played a dashing game, and Amokite and Engel, both of "whom gave a good exhibition. Two Fine Taoklers. I Tbo feature of the second half of Old Boys game with Taupiri East was llie splendid tackling of T. Dovi, who replaced A. Lissette at centre, and F. Voice on the wing. Time and again they checked Taupirl’s advance by smart, solid tackling. Voice played I a fine game also on attack. Dovi, I a product of Otago University, and a five-eighth in Gisborne last year, ton- j pressed for his first game in Hamilton nnd ho should further strengthen Old i Boys’ backs. H. Lissette and Carroll, i the five-eighths, combined effectively in the first spell, but were bustled in the second half and did not see as much of the hall. Lissette impressed more on defence. Gillespie was i sound throughout, but on oce-aions was too slow in letting the ball away. Were Not As Effective. Ttic Old Roys’ forwards on Saturday were not. as effective against. Taupiri East, as they were against Frankton the previous week. Although they were all solid toilers individually they lacked the cohesion of j their first game. The manner in | which they opened up the play early* in the game gave their speedy hacks / every chance, hut without Ihe combination in the. second spell they were I not, as effective. Geoff Chitty was always outstanding nnd should have no difficulty In gaining a place in the i Waikato pack. Coombridgo and I Whittaker were also honest workers, while Thomas and Holloway confirmed the good impression they made. in ) their first, games. J. Gray, though | on the light side, was always on the i batL

High Tackling. Marist’s most expensive fault or Saturday in their match agnins! Frankton was high tackling. Frequently a man was let past when a low tackle would have stopped him McGrail, the full-back, was beaten on two or three occasions, but it was due more to lack of weight than failure to make an attempt on his part as he is usually a good tackier. His I line-kicking was accurate and he took the ball cleanly. Showed Promise. The outstanding back for Taupiri East on Saturday was the centre (Harl) who did a tremendous amount of work. Speedy and with a quick eye he will be a source of trouble to any team weak in the centre. Ilis defence was also sound. The loss of Davis with a broken collar-bone., u-pset, the cohesion of the backs, but W. Solomon, brother of D. and F. Solomon, who replaced him, was quite reliable in the second spell and he scored the visitors’ only try. N. Pene, the half-back, stood up to a solid gruelling in fine style. The other backs were not impressive though they had few chances. Not So One-sided. The game played at Huntly last Saturday between Technical Old Boys ■and Taupiri West was not so onesided as the scores would suggest. The territorial advantage was with the losers, but the precision of the Old Boys’ Backs gave them scores from all positions. The Taupiri backs put in some nippy passing; but too many dropped passes proved a weakness. The Taupiri players, however, showed surprising condition, and were going strong in the final stages of the game.

An Outstanding Five-eighth. The outstanding back on the ground in the Marist-Frankton game on Saturday was Jones, the Frankton second five-eighth. He took the ball well and time after time cut in to beat several men. It was noticeable, however, that when the Marist tackling improved in the second half Jones was not allowed to travel far. He Is a strong runner with an effective swerve and was more at home on Saturday as an inside back than he was on the wing the previous Saturday. A Great Pack. A great pack was fielded by Taupirl East against Old Boys on No 1 ground, but it took them some time to get into their stride. Towards the end of the first spell and throughout the second session they more than held their own and with ex-Waikato hooker H. Catley gaining the ball from the bigger majority of scrums the team elected to scrums instead of lineouts. Catley - and M. Taylor were ■always on the ball and they both have excellent prospects to make the Waikato team for June 3. Belcher and ■Byrne were the best of the remainder.' Mills’ Good Game. Mills, the Marist half, proved himself to be as tricky as ever on Saturday in the match against Frankton. He threw the ball out Very cleanly and initiated some very effective movements among the backs. He is as capable as ever of pulling off a strategical move and he gave Dempsey the ■chance of having an easy attempt at a goal from the field and Dempsey made no mistake with the kick. MORRINSVILLE UNION. JUNIORS TO PLAY HAMILTON. (Special to Times.) MORRINSVILLE, Tuesday. The Morrlnsville Rugby Sub-Union’s junior representatives, holders of the Clarke ‘Cup for the junior championship 'Of the Waikato, will play Hamilton Juniors, whom they beat in the final game last year, as a curtainraiser to tbc Auckland-Waikato match at Hamilton on June 3. An invitation to send the junior team 1o Hamilton for this match was accepted by the Morrlnsville Rugby Sub-union management committee at last evening’s meeting.

MATAMATA UNION. I CLOSE EXCITING GAMES. MATAMATA, Tuesday. Judging by Ihr srorrr- in the first Sat- ! umay's pi a y of Uic Matamata Rugby i i nion's senior competition the Tour teams engaged arc very evenly matched. Seores or 10—3 and 14—lo marked the opening i bouts, and unless the unTorseen happens, l tlie competition should be Interesting i throughout. With the loss oY such fine , Players as "Dave Solomon and Bill Carlson • t lie back play is not quite up to the classy ' standard or the past few years, but there i are several good youngsters coming on ; who only need experience to bring them 1 «iut. Among these are Settle, Swap and • Hawke, or Hlnuera, Cole, ol" Matamata, < Hayward, or Wardville, and Strong, or | Patetere. Matamata lost a very promising young hair-back this week when Albany was called home to London. This youngster, who is still in his ’teens, showed outstanding rorm in practice games. The Heaviest Packs. Against Wardville on Saturday Matainata forwards, comprising the heaviest pack in the competition, set k rare pace, and paved the way lor victory. All eight players were at the top or their form and none did better in all-round play than the two youngsters, Madill and Burke. Wardville have found no one to replace Soloman yet anrl although t-hey have a very Hne pack the back division is weak. Litchwark leads the forwards well. among whom Blackett. Munro, Ryan, Johns and Moon have been outstanding. Hlnuera beat Patetere at Tirau. 14—10, arter being down 10—3 at hair-time. This is the second time Hlnuera has gained victory In the dying, stages of the game, largely through theic last set or backs being able to snap up a stray chance once the opposing forwards let up. Hlnuera is a most attractive team to watch as it plays the open passing game almost entirely. CAMBRIDGE FORM. REVIEW OF THE GAMES. CAMBRIDGE, Tuesday. In reviewing the two senior games played at Cambridge last Saturday, It will be seen that the standard of play In this district has not receded. The Hautapu-Northern game, although not brilliant, provided the spectators with much Interest, and as the score indicated, Hautapu were the better team, showing more combination in the vanguard. Northern, so l'ar, have not produced last season’s form, but with the likely material which they have, are sure to be in the picture. Hard Forwards. “ Sandy ” Miller, “ Chum'” Harbutt, A. Nlcholl, in fact all the Hautapu pack worked well, but these three were outstanding ror their hard work in the tight. T. Tamitl, an old Cambridge forward, playing for Northern, was seen to be well in the fore of this pack, and has not appeared to lose his old dash. Promising Backs. The Northern backs were a little inferior to tlieir opposition, but as previously mentioned, are sure to improve. R. Peake, the Hautapu hair-back, gave a sound performance, and with j. Holmes outside him a dangerous combination was formed’ Preece, on the ITautapu side, has great promise, his speed and sound head work gaining several points for him last week. The Chief Attraction. The main encounter or the day was between Leamington and United, the old rivals. Leamington were opening up the game in great style, and with backs such as Hardy, the hair, and Holmes and Peake In the three-quarter line, are dangerous opposition. The blue and blacks relied mostly on their splendid Torwards, and their bristling tactics proved too much for the opposition. Fit Forward*. Perhaps the United forwards are the Attest of the four packs, and P. Beer M Hewett, B. Moore, c. Broderson, y. Hali and F. Coulter were always a source or worry to Leamington. .McDowell and J Wallis are a tower of strength for the blue and white, and United found them stiff opposition.

Nippy Backs. As in previous seasons. Leamington have a set of very nippy backs. Although they miss players such as T. Hogan, they are playing with Just as much dash and initiative. Holmes is a handy man for feoal kicking, besides a great support for “ Bub ” Peake. Forkett, the full-back, played a sound defensive game, as did the United man, Haworth. Both thees men show promise ancl when the Anal representative selection comes 'along, these two will bo well on the cards. Erratic Passes. Green, the United hair, was alwavs to hand with the ball, and is a sound defensive player. Several times he covered Meanie, the Arst five-eighth, who was fairly, weak, probably due to a knee injury received early in Ihe game. Meredith’s passes were erratic, and he did not support. W. Wilson, playing three-quarter However, when in possession Wilson was very dangerous, and paved the wav for several or United’s points. Dodd, on the wing, showed plenty or initiative, and has a claim to the selector’s eye.

CAMBRIDGE SUB-UNION.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. (Speciar to- Times.) _ CAMBRIDGE, Tuesday. The weekly meeting of the management committee of the Cambridge Rugby SubUnion was held last evening, when the president, Mr W. Drake, presided over a good attendance or delegates. £ dv . Ic , e was received rrom the Te Arolta Sub-Lit ion that a senior nrteen would not be available to fulfil the suggested representative match at Cambridge on Saturday. but would probably be able to meet Cambridge in June. No communication has been received f*pm the Auckland teams. Failing an acceptance from the latter teams it was decided to invite Marist to travel on June 13. „ Rough Play Alleged. Mr Mtddleiniss commented upon the roughness of play during the LeamingtonUnited match on the square last week, rhe referee, Mr C. Wallace, stated that he d!d not witness any rough play, and contended that the match was a good, hard game. Mr Drake supported tills view, and as thero was no report on any Irregularities, no action could be taken ll- was decided draw the attention or the matter to the Referees’ Association and assure them of the union's support in any action against rough play. Saturday’* Fixture*. Following are the Axtures for Saturday:—Seniors: Hautapu v. Leamington 2-45 (referee, Mr A. J. Dotchin United v. Northern, Matangi, 2.45 (re- !|® r p e . e ) - 11 Mr H; Klrkman. Juniors: United v. vPrtmnnV y- atan S l - 1 -3u (rereree, Mr H. klrkman) ; Leamington v. Karapiro, square. !‘ 3 « J re . feree » Mr G. Wallace); Hautapu v. Pukerimu, Leamington No. l, 2.45 (referee, Mr S. Pariss). Third GradeLeamington v. Northern, at Tauwhare ? jrereree ): united v. Hautapu! Wanis) ?ton No * 2 ’ 1,30 ( referee » Mr R. trflt D n^ USSIon took P lac ® regarding the Srf ll^ * 156 ? 363 for lhe two clubs who were sending teams to Matangi and Tauaad 11 was decided that the Arst £1 collected at the gates be given to the two clubs, and the clubs make their own arrangements. Jubilee Match. Mr Drake reported that the entertainent committee of the jubilee celebrations had suggested that a representative rootball match be staged at the square on Wednesday, August 10. It was decided to approach the Tauranga Union, requesting a senior representative match against Cambridge on that date. The third-grade selector requested that a third grade team be invited to travel with the Te Aroha seniors, and it was decided to ask this sub-union to provide a match on the same dates as the senior game. The following players were registered Tor the United Club:—T. Dodd, J. Major and M. Fell. N. Taylor, F. Thornley and R. Garland were registered Tor Leamington, and V. Mathers Tor Northern. MORRINBVILLE UNION. Morrinavlll* Star* Show Up. Most of last year’s Morrlnsville representatives are playing this year, and It >oks as If there will be a fair number of

Morrlnsville men In the Waikato team again this year. J. and G. Leeson were again at the head or the Kereone forward rushes on Saturday, the Tormer scoring another characteristic try by snapping up on the derender’s goal-line and hurling hlmseir across. 1.. Russell, the nippy Wai-kato-hair-back, had a day out against weak opposition and scored two tries for Kereone, and also converted his try front In front or the posts. W. Cameron at ltveeigliths started a number or back movement's Tor others to finish and kicked*two goals.

Played Well. Prominent In the Old Boys’ team was A. J. Altken, who played in his usual place at centre-three-quarter. A pleasing feature of Altken’s play was the way he gave good passes to his wings, who had a number or chances although the tackling of the Klwltahl defenders was good and the scoring was kept down. Altken’s long kicking was also an asset. Vivian on the right wing also played well for Old Boys and was twice within inches of scoring. A. Carter, who played for

Waikato in 1933 and 1934 but was away from the game la-t year, scored Old Boys* first try by following up rast to run in with the ball front hair-wav lor a try behind the posts. Keen Rugby Enthusiast. A keen spectator at the Morrinsvlße* Rugby games on .Saturday wa- Mr. D. R. F. Campbell, who holds the dual omre* or president or the Morrlnsville Rugby Sub-Union and chairman of ihe management committee. Mr Campbell lias been associated with Rugby since 1899, when he was appointed hradmster or the Morrlnsville School, a position ho held until lie retired on superannuation in 1928. Ills sons, Ken and Don. represented Morrlnsville for a number of vears until recently. Mr Campbell’s daughter. Miss Ida Campbell, Is now a national tlgure as the result of her success in winning for Waikato the Dominion ladies' running championship. Miss Campbell also captains the Morrlnsville ladies' hockey club, or which Mr Campbell is * vice-president.

P. W. L. D. F. A. PtS. Old Boys .. 2 2 0 0 47 8 4 Tech. O.B. .. 2 2 0 0 62 30 4 M ft list . . 2 1 0 1 31 21 3 Awamutu 110016 0 2 I Tauplri East 2 0 1 1 1 t 22 1 Rovers .. 1 0 1 0 10 24 0 Frankton .. 0 0 2 0 18 5 6 o Tauplri West 2020 20 53 0