RUGBY.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19897, 28 May 1936, Page 13

RUGBY.

INTER-UNION COMPETITION BRIGHT BACK DISPLAYS. g HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY. (By “ Spectator.”) The games in the Hamilton district inter-union Rugby competition continue to produce bright open football and it is apparent that the change has been for the better. The infusion of the new blood has done much to improve the standard of play while with eight teams competing the competition has added interest. The weather has been very favourable for the three opening games and the backs have taken advantage of their opportunities. Again on Saturday in the four matches that were played much sparkling back play was witneased. Played Well for Taupiri. Outstanding in the game between Old Boys and Taupiri West at Ngaruawahia on Saturday were Engel and Bull, while in the Taupiri back division, Catley at half, was often prominent. Amokite, who had previously played well for Te Akau in a junior game, also did good work. G. Welsh was safe at fullback. but he retired injured at the end of the first spell and was not replaced. Draw for Saturday. It is indeed fortunate that perhaps the best draw card to date will be on Saturday when, for the first time this season, there will be no race meeting in the Waikato. On No. ground. Rugby Park, Old Boys, who have not yet sufi‘ered defeat, will meet Tech—nical Old Boys, another particularly strong team, and with these sides playing open football a record attendance is anticipated. Championship Points. The positions of the various teams in the competition are as follows:

Denz Shows Improvement. Frankton's centre. J. Denz, showed improvement on his form of earlier in the season, against Old Boys on Saturday. He handled well, used his pace to advantage, and kicked judiciously. His tackling was also sound, while his goal kicking was also accurate. The wings, Heeps and Griffith, did not have many opportunities, but Grifiiths scored a good try by determined running. Fer son, the full-back, took the ball wefi: but hesitated too often before getting rid of the ball. Teupiri Forwards Play Well. Several times during the match between Taupiri West and Old Boys at Nzeruewehln on Saturday the Taupiri beck: passed well, but the movements never got very far. A little improvement is needed in the handling by the Teupiri back players. On more than one occasion, however, their forwards had Old Boys penned down, but although throughout the game they battled gamely, the team failed to notch a try.

erlsts' Euy Win. The splendid combination of the Murist backs proved too much for the Te Awamutu Rovers on No. 2 ground on Saturday. but the Rovers forwards held the Marist pack in the tight. There was a great deal of tight forward play which tended to slow up the game, but the Marist backs frequently took the ball over half the length of the field and took every opportunity of throwing the ball about. The Marist backs were little called upon to defend, but it was noticeable that when pressed, especially for the first few minutes just after the half time resumption, their talckling was weak.

Their Mlin Strength. Taupiri East’s main strength is in their forwards and they were unlucky in not winning on Saturday against Frankton. Taylor and H. Cntley again went very well and should so close to Waikato honours. W. Rowe was another forward who impressed, but all the forwards worked well, packing much better than the Frnnkton pack and backing- up much better. J. Byrne again hooked excellently. giving the backs a good share of the ball.

Disappointing Match. The game between Hamilton Old 30‘s and Taupiri West at Ngaruawe in. on Saturday was most disappointing and was hardly worth the effort. The Tnupiri team was handicapped by the non-appearance of five back players and the gaps had to be filled by members of the Te Akau team. which had just finished a fast and strenuous game. The Taupiri back division was thus completely outclassed by the combination and speed of the opposing rearz‘uax-d which several times scored from movements started near their own line.

Still a Good Forward. ‘ B. Elliott. who has been a member of the Rovers Club for some years proved that he is still a good forward in the match between Marist and Rovers on Saturday. He originally in—tended to retire this year but difficulty was experienced in fieldingr a team for Saturday and Elliott was induced to play. He played a sound game and still has plenty of pace. A Thrustful Five-gighlh.

Jones the Frankton second five. again demonstrated his ability by several brilliant cut ins and sterling defensive work. He played a fine allround game and should strengthen the ‘Vaiknto in<ido bucks. Snndgrass was not as cfl'ective as usual. standing flat-footed when he received the ball several times. His defence was also shaky. l‘curson was solid rather than brilliant.

\V. Cissidy in Form. W. Cassidy played an exveptionally good game on Saturday for Illarist ug‘ainst Rovers. He did not impress the previous week, but he handled splendidly and out in nicely on one or two occasions to pave the way for a try. lle alao soured a try himself and was unlucky not to score on two other occasions.

(‘levcr Back Play. Playing in thu hacks for Te Aw“. mutu against. Tech. Old Boys at T 6 Awamutu on Saturday Tombs, Bell‘ Hanna and Brady mused the Opposi. tion more than a little anxiety. Pur-

haps the neatest movement of the day took place when Tombs gained possession and, drawing his man, transferred the ball to K. Bell, who returned it to Tombs, from whom it went to Hanna, who cut in smartly to score. A similar back movement between Tombs, Hanna and Brady :1 short time afterwards resulted in another well-earned try for the local team.

No Cohesion. With several brilliant individualists Taupiri East were unfortunate that their backs showed no cohesion in their match against Frankton. Hare at centre again impressed, though he was too fast for his confreres and often took his pass offside. He would be good in good company. Cleland and J. Davies in the wings were eager for work, but had few opportunities. N. Pene, W. Solomon and Puke were patchy, doing great work at times and missing badly at other times. Play at Te Awamutu. Play in the opening stages of the senior game at Te Awamutu on Saturday between Te Awamutu and Technical Old Boys, Hamilton, was far from bright and there were few thrills for the spectators during the first half. Before half time the local team controlled the play for the most part and by the interval had gained a lead of B—3. Upon the resumption, however, the visitors brightened considerably and smarter play in the backs had Te Awamutu in trouble on more than one occasion.

Seven Tries, but no Goals. A remarkable feature of the MaristRovers game on Saturday was the failure of the Marist side to convert any of their seven tries. McGrail and F. Qassidy had three unsuccessful attempts and F. Cassidy also took some penalty kicks without any success. Dempsey attempted to raise the extra points after Marists‘ last try, but he met with no more success than his colleagues.

Again Outstanding The pick of the Frankton pack on Saturday was Tristram, with G. Davies, who again turned out, also playing a great game. The forwards are not as good as previous Frankton packs taken all round and this accounts for their position on the championship table. On Saturday they had to play second fiddle to Tau—piri East. . HAMILTON UNION. MEETING OF MANAGEMENT. ...-....» Mr A. E. Gibbons presided at the usual weekly meeting of the management committee of the Hamilton Rugby Union at the union rooms. At the opening of the proceedings the chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr C. J. O'Dea, representing the Primary Schools Association. Domain Board and Rugby Park. The chairman reported to the delegates on the meeting held last week between the sports committee of the Domain Board and a committee from the management committee of the union with.reference to the rental terms affecting the Rugby Park lease. After a fairly lengthy discussion it was decided on the motion of Mr Lynch, seconded by Mr Bucking-ham, to agree to the proposals suggested by the sports committee of the Domain Board. Buses Limited forwarded a list of prices for the hire of ’buses to convey teams to centres in the district senior competition. , Referees Appointment Board. ‘ The secretary of the Referees As-l sociation wrote recommending that‘ the composition of the Referees Ap-l pointment Board should be comprised of two members of the Referees’ As- , sociation and one appointed by the management of the'union. After some discussion, during which it was ‘ pointed out that the present position‘ was what the Referees' Association desired except that the management committee delegated its powers of appointment to the Junior Board, the letter was received and it was decided to await later opinion after it was seen how the present system worked during the season. Fixtures. - The South Auckland Rugby Union’s Secretary wrote regretting his union’s inability to play a match in Hamilton on June 23. The Cambridge Union, however, wrote stating that it would be pleased to visit Hamilton on the date mentioned. A request from the Rangitaiki subunion for a match in Hamilton either on the 20th or the 27th was declined owing to the inability to fix suitable dates. Kings Old Boys' Re-union. It was decided to provide a ground on June 20 for a match between Kings School and Hamilton High School, being the occasion of the annual reunion of the King’s College Old Boys' Association.

Finlay Cup. It was decided after a discussion initiated by the chairman, on the matter of challenge cups, not to challenge for the Finlay Cup. The matter of a challenge for the Peace Cup was held in abeyance. Junior Advisory Board. The Junior Board this week decided to request the Referces' Association to enforce rigidly the regulations rela. tive to the handing in of team cards prior to the commencement of the game and to report any team not taking the field at the advertised time. Fixtures for Saturday Senior.—Marist B 0.8. v. Te Awauiutu, No. 1, Rugby Park. 2.30 p.m.; Old Boys v. Tech. 0.8., No. 2, Rugby Park, 2.30 pm; Te Awauiutu Rovers v. Frankton, at Te Awumutu, 2.30 Imm; Taupirl \\'cst v. Tuupiri East, at. Te Hoe. Junior.—Frankton v. High School. No. 1 llinomou Park, 1.30 [).l‘ll.; Runkura v. Railway, \\'eka Street. 2.30 p.m.; Tc Kowhai, u bye; Old Boys v. Rovers. \\'hntuwhatn. 2 Imm; Tech. Old Boys v. Marist, No. 1 Rugby Park. 1 Imm; Kurumu \'. City, Karumu, 22.30 p.lll. Third.~Toch. Old Boys v. Tech. School. No. 3 Rugby Park, 1.30 Imm; Fruuklou. a bye; Old Boys v. ('ily, No. 2; Rugby Park, 3 p.lu. Fourtthity \'. Tech. (lld Boys. No. 2 Rugby Park, 1 Imm: Franktou. a bye: ll'runktun 111. v. Fruukton l\'.. \\'cka Street, 1.30 p.lll. Secondary Schools: lnu-rmcdi:lte.~—Tech. School A V. Tech. School B; and llig‘h School A V. High School B, middveek; Marisl, a bye. Juniors—Tech. Schonl A v. Tech. Srhuul ll; and High School A V. lliLrh School B, mid-\\‘cok; )lurist. a bye.

l King's Birthday Curtain Raiser. : The followxng players have been selected for training, for the junior representative team: E. Slow (T. 0.8.), Collier (Frankton), Hunter (O.B.), ‘Perkms (Te Kowhai), T. Weleh I(Rovers), Powell (O.B.), Murtagh I(City), D. Paterson (O.B.), Moses . (Frankton), Woodward (Ruakura), l Keane (Te Kowhai), Begbie (Te Kow[hai), Elliott (Frankton), Lymburn I (T. 0.8.), Bennett.(T.O.B.), McGowan (Ruakura), Martin (T. 0.8.), Haughey (T. 0.8.), McKenzre, J. (H.S.), Weddell (Ruakura), Gen-15h (0.8.). Training on Monday, June 1, at. Rugby Park training shed, at ’7 p.m. MATAMATA umou. ”1STANDARD OF PLAY HIGH. '3' “.__ 1." (Special tu 'l‘imes.) .\l.\’l‘.\.\l.\T.\, Saturday Saturday‘s football l'Olilil‘lilf‘Ll the ”CW that while ihEl'e may he no Solomon’s or Carlsons in .\lataniata club football, the standard and attractiveness of play is Just about as high as it has ever been. The open game is being played by all clubs. and in consequence attendances have been good, and greater interest is benig taken. llinuera has easily the best set of bucks. all of whom possess speed and handle well. Germanu is the ilyer and be utilised his pace on Saturday against \Vardvllie to kick the ball ahead and sprint past three clefenders with surprising speed for an easy try. Vat-lee Play Well. llawke. who partnered Settle at five‘ eighth, “as promoted from the juniors last season and has now CsialJllellL’ll hiniseir. lie varies his play well and when he kicks 1119 always does so with a driliiill" purpose in \'it‘.\\'. So l'ar this season 114- lia~ shown an nnrainu' instinct for landlng the bail in gaps in the opposinu‘ :Evl’enro. The lllnnera park is composed of loilvrs bilt lurks Inuit-lit and weight. firsnitu this lliandii‘ap. however. the park held its own against the \\'ardviile forwards and were lililr, if any, behind this formidable eight. A Polished Display. lu ihl- .\latamata-Pateterc gain!l the .\lataniaia forwards gave a must polished display ol‘ all~ronnd forward play. There was not a “ lime—lighter” among the eight and the manner in which they cleared their llllt’s‘ in a body at times earned warm .pralse. Their hooking also \\‘as clean and ronslstent and on form 10—day they up. pear to be the best pack in the competition. Sharpe, the \V'ulkato representative player. turned out for the first time on Saturday and he assisted to stiffen the pack in the set scrums. Cole was the outstanding .\latamata hack and his covering work on defence was of the highest class. Matamata. have such a surreit or forwards that Delaney was played at full back where he played very well for a ‘flrst attempt. The Pat-etere hack carried out some splendid passing rushes and although 40 to 60 yards was covered on ocraslnns they were just too orthodox to he really dangerous. Small. Strong and Stewart were the shining— lights for Patetere. GOOD RUGBY A'l' CAMBRIDGE. END OF FIRST ROUND. __._... (Special to Times.) (‘..\.\ißle)i’;l'_‘. 'l‘ur‘sda)‘. Last Saturday marked the rnnl-lnsion of the first round of tho lluliihl‘iilß't‘ Suh—union's senior anti thirrirgrm'lr' competi—itlons. 'l'he juniors still have several ‘matches to play. ‘Tho Senior Ladder.

A not Game. At the square a fast game occupied the attention or the spectators, with first Leemington the aggressors, then Hautapu. The United seniors travelled to Matangi, where they met Northern in an encoun‘ ter which saw United always on the offensive. Northern‘s defence was sound. however. and this fact alone kept United from piling up a big score. A Grant Pack. United are fortunate in having- a great hustling pack, who are all exceptionally tit. and it would not be fair to mention any names. The selector has an arduous task ahead in the selection of a represeniatii'e srriini, as there are at least a dozen from the four teams worthy of a. position. Northern’s Forwards. it was iioiirnalilu that the Northern flitrt‘n greatly missed \\'etei’e on Saturday. and (lid not impress as niiurli as previous games. L. chitly was the outstanding forward, and lead the pack most of the gums. No Combination. it, 'i‘wyiiliig was playing heliinrl NorthDrii‘s srruui as hair, and although he has not plzixrd for some years gave quite :i «'rmlitulilv prrl‘orinaiirn. The inside hacks show no combination, and their roach could well concentrate on this weakness. Daring Three-quartan. \V. \\v'iison, L‘nited centre, is one or the fastest three-quarters in the competition. and is a very heady player, who should go a long way. A Nippy Half. Green, besides being a nippy hair back, is extremely game, and was- seen to go down at the {eet or the opposition forward: time after time. Green is a likely candidate [or representative huli’, and in the opinion or the writer, would he a sound man for such a. position. The Flve-elqhthn. l Hammond has been taken from the United ‘pack and is playing at first live-eighth. iiis straight running was a feature in his llast game, and. being a solid man, he was liable to crash his way through the defence several times. Showing Improvement. J. .\lerediih. who is playing outside liniiiinoiid showed much improvement on lireYlUllS performances, and was a great {asset to his team last week. A Fun Winger. ’l‘. Dodd gave a good demonstration or speed. and this man appears to suit the style or \\‘. \\'iison, as a great combination ioriiied between these two. Full-hacks. ] Keepa, also ,is at the improving stage. :and although he was not hustled to a “treat cxleiit. was fairly sale. llaworlh was unfortunate in sustaining a slii‘aiiu-(l \\l‘h'l, iii tho ilrst ten iiiiiiutrs. This in_liii‘y may hoop ilitii oil' the ileid for some \\colis. A Drawn Game. \\'iicn iiautapu lllL’t Leanilngton la~t \\‘i‘t‘li‘, the public were treated to football loi' u. class suliioiii witnessed in Cambridge. 1 ‘Good Forwards. .\. .\‘irlini iiiiil “Chum” llarhuit are :i lU\\t'l‘ or strength in the lino-out and lls‘lll work. Cooper, for Lcaiiiington, is tiiiollii-i- cll'uciivo i'oi‘wurti. Won the Serums. Hillllillill has an advaiilngo iii till! liooli‘iiit.r ilvpdl‘liiil-iit. winning so per cent oi” the >\'l :‘Cllllllfi 0W Farm. I 11. "l‘illh‘, Lunniing'lon slur Dark, «lirl not |.~ii'ikc form and iiiil not pent-irate llic upiimsliloii as iisiitil. ! Low Passes. ' it. l'vuiw. llziiilnpii hall, is llii‘llili‘ll to liuiu~ n “”1“ low, but “1' i< >llll Honour. lons on uliiick, illld soliii on lli'r|'ll('!‘. ißnck Again. I ll \\ii~ litlili‘t‘il ili:it K. l'milto li.iii iiilll' ‘lli‘ii Ull‘ i‘i-il :iiiil \\'HIII‘ _iniwi-y :iu‘uln, and l‘hv llih iinl l»-~i itil)‘ oi' ills uiil tlil‘ll. 'Sound Handling. I l‘.. i'i.ll’lllllil th‘illlllllglillil li:i< a winHour of llilllil‘. liiil lii~ sliili lili'ln‘ :il'i‘ u ilillll' inn l)l'l‘\l||\l>} ili linii-s. [The Full-backs. . l\l‘ll)' \Iilllll:||>\l\ :iiiii l-‘nrki‘li (Li-:tiiiiiig» liirli' piiu' silli'llillil lll~[llii_\‘s oi' Nlllllil lit'" Elwin-v. :imi I'Ul‘hl‘ll i~ iiii vwol‘ont lllilll lo Illlil Illl‘ lilll‘.

MORRINSVILLE UNION. Sl'lNlOß CHAMPIONSHIP. After thLI first I'ulillti ui‘ senior lnatrhes for the Marshall thin. the .\iurrinsvllle ltngby l'nlun will commence its St:l‘llt|l' rhulnpionship no-u Saturday. when here~ one. winners of the Srhulllnn Shield. i'nr the‘ past ten sI-asuns and holders ut‘ tilt: Binnie (Jun :15 the. champion club team ul \\'alkato, will meet the new Kin‘itahi tram. Kereone has a. formidable puck, headed by J. and ti. Leesnn. and is \\'ull served behind the serum by the three .\lorrinsvlllc rap» resentativc inside hanks, 1.. Russell. M. Bodmln and \V. Cameron. Old Boys, captained by A. J..Aitken, are due to play. Terriers. a team which has now been strengthened by the inclusion in its pack this year of l. Lewcr, the \\‘aiiiato representative forward. and his even taller brother, .\l. Lower. No Shortage of Senior-I. In (‘ontrast with recent years. the .\tnrrinsville sIIh-nlnon now has four fairly cwnly—lnatrilctl senior teams, and there seems no shortage. of from] club players. .\ .\iul'rlnsrilh‘ Rlurhy administrator of long (‘xprrlnnx-a. \‘unlntm‘l'cti the opinion after \\'alrhln‘g‘ Saturday‘s games that .\lDl‘l‘iuS\'illn still-union will be able tu Held ill] (‘\‘L‘ll strunkl’r team this l't'tn' than last year, when its' seniors \w‘rr nndnrv-atvd in Flnlay Uni) mum‘s ancl alr'q \\'On tht l’eat‘fi Cup, .\inrrinsville‘s representatives in last year‘s \\‘aikato team are all showing good form early in the season,»cspectally the Lesson brothers, L. Russell and A. J. Aitken. __._—— CAMBRIDGE SUB-UNION. FORTHCOMING FIXTURES. (Special to Timee.) CAMBRIDGE, Triad-r. The management committee of the Cambridge Rugby Sub-union met laat evenins. Mr. W. Drake presiding over a full attendance of delegates. It was reported that the council were desirous of meeting the union on Victoria Square to discuss the proposed commemorative steps and gates to be erected on the ground. The following sub-committee was appointed to discuss the matter with the council:--»Mossrs W. Drake, V. G. Boniton, D. J. Lundun and R. Newcombe. Advice had been received from the Pensonby club stating: that they were prepared to travel to Cambridge on July 4th. and it was decided to accept this game. An invitation was also accepted from Hamilton to play a representative match at Hamilton on June 23 (King's Birthday). The union thought it advisable to arrange a home match and it was decided to communicate with the Te Aroha union. requesting them to send their senior and third-grade representative teams to Cambridge on June 6 or 13. Walk-to Match. The delegate to the Waikato Union (Mr Buniton) reported that he had attended their meetlnz last week. The application for reinstatement by the United Club had been recammended to the New Zealand Rugby Union. Two home representative matcha were open fpr allocation. and it. was decided to allocate the Bay of Plenty came to Cambridge. The Waikato Union requested thll union to arrange a date for the match. and it was resolved to submit Auzuat 1. 8 and 29 as eugaeeted data. The matter of extra seating accommodation was left in the hand! 0! the aecretary. it was suggested at the sports sub-com-mittee of‘the jubilee, that a. primary schools curtain-raiser to the match on Wednesday. 19th. the Diluted. and the matter was referred to the schools' Rugby committee. Saturday's Fixtures. The following fixtures were set down for next Saturday2~<Seniorsz Hautapu v. United. at the Square. 2.45 p.m.. referee, Mr 'l'. F, Kerr; Leamnmton v. Northern. at. the Square 1.30 ..."... referee. Mr. G. Hill. Juniors; Northern v. Pukerimu. at Leamimzton No. 1, at 1.30 p.m.. referee. Mr C. Wallace: Hautavn v. Lenmlnzton. at. Leamington NO. 1, n 9 2-45 n-nL. referee, Mr (3. Wnllace: Kan” plru v. United. at Lenmington No. 2. at 1.30 p.m.. referee, Mr A. J. Dotchin. Third gradeHauhapn v. Northern, High School, at, 1.31; umdn‘rega'fitg. hMg hH'] Kirknmn; Learnington V- 19.1 z 'coo,.'._R. Wallia. 24.: Pm. leferee, Mr

P. W. L. D. F. A. Pu. Old Boy- ._.__ 3 8 0 0 94 8 6 MIN-t “......“ 3 2 0 1 52 26 5 Tack. 03A 3 2 1 0 71 46 4 Te Avumutu .. 2 2 0 0 31 15 4 Tnuvlri But .. a 0 1 2 24 35 2 Raven 2 0 2 0 24 15 0 Frnnkton 3 0 2 l 31 69 0 '1'.“ka Well 3 0 3 0 20 100 D

I P w L D (:3. United a 'a o o 6' Leamington .. . .. 3 1 l 1 3 Hautapu ........ 3 1 1 I 3 Norvhern . . . . . .., a. 0 3 0 o