RUGBY FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3533, 25 May 1912, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NOTES

(By "Long-pot.”)

Condition told a plain tale in the Garrison-Y.M.P. match. The Green forwards battled hard against a much heavier pack and put up a good showing in the first spell. Had it not been for a back letting them down, it is quite probable that they would have gone through the first session without having a score registered against them. The pack took the field for the second spasm in a very tired condition and it was not long before the burly Red vanguard was talking all over its lighter opponents. The proof of the pudding in this instance is the fact that 21 oirt/ of 20 points scored by Y.AI.P. were registered after lemon time.

Goal-kicking as a scoring medium is a thing to be cultivated.. Too often do we see attempt after attempt, and some of them easy, fail to find the uprights, and in many cases matches have been lost which would otherwise been won had the place kicking been even of only a mediocre character. In the two matches played by the Y.AI.P. team this season points obtained through goals have been a big factor in the total number of points gained by the team. In their first match 7 points out of a total of 13 were registered in this manner, and on Saturday last 4 out of 5 tries were converted, and a penalty goal kicked, making 11 out of 26 points scored, or a total for the two matches of 18 points out of a grand total of 39 points. Much of the credit for this is due to Matakiki, who has been in exceptionally fine form. In the match against Garrison’ on Saturday last he was successful in three out of four attempts, two of which were from the touch-line.

■A great’improvement was noticeable in the formation of the Y.AI.P. scrum. The forwards got down quicker arid packed more solidly, and when Tu and Parone failed to hook the ball, no advantage was gained by the other side for the opposing scrummagers

were promptly pushed over it. Tho ball also came out cleaner and did not poke out through as frequently as it did during tho previous Saturday's game. ■

Garrison backs did not keep to their positions as well as they might have done. At times they crowded together leaving a largo portion of tho field open. Then again, when on tho attack they stood to deep, and consequently when the ball came out to them too much ground was lost before a striking position could be obtained.

Tho Red backs rarely got a clianco to get going in tho first spell. AVaata, behind the scrum, seemed to have collared tho idea that ho was tho only back on the field for ho never let the ball out to his supporting backs, though ho had ample chances to do so. The forwards, though they had tho opportunity of doing so from tho line out, also failed to feed tho rear division, consequently, unless started by themselves the backs were not able to do as much as they could have dono. In tho second spell, however, Waata fed his supports better, and the forwards, especially Kokiri, set the scoring machinery going more regularly, and some exceptionally attractive passing bouts were witnessed.

. Talking of Kokiri I must mention her© that,ho played tho best forward game on the ground. The langour that spoilt his play on tho previous Saturday had entirely disappeared, and ho was on the job from kick-off till 110-side. On the line-out he was particularly conspicuous, and in the loose he was as good as any other member of the pack.

Iversliawe marred what would Jiave been a good game by too much off-side and a tendency to dispute with tho referee. A more strict referee would have given him the opportunity to see how the game should be played by standing him on the lino.

Matakiki played a good solid game, using his weight to advantage. Ho would do better, however, if he used his head more. Once or twice on tho line out he had good opportunities, but he seemed possessed with the idea that tho best thing to do was to get tho ball as far away from himself as possible and as quickly as it was possible to do so.

Smith, at first five-eighth, showed a marked improvement on his previous Saturday’s form. Ho initiated several dangerous attacks, and his cutting in-field was very effective. Smith was easily the best back on the ground though Clarke, second five-eight, ployed a very good game.

The success which has attended the promotion of Kakinig from the thirdclass grade must be, very pleasing to his admirers. Apart from one or two slight errors he gave a display equal to senior form.

Broughton did rot have many opportunities to excel during the match as the hall invariably travelled away from his side of the field. His try was a nice one. Picking up the ball near the line he cut in-field smartly, completely cutting out the men watching that side of the field and run in practically unopposed.

Hamilton came up to the wing position for this match, and the bulk of the work went in his direction. The business-like way in which he put the goods through showed that the Y.M.P. have a valuable addition in the Man from Tanpo.

The pick of the rear division of the Garrison team was Miller. Playing at centre on the three-quarter line, lie put through more than a fair share of work going that way. In my opinion lie is playing too far back from the scrum, as he shines better where there is a lot of work to do, and he would be more useful to the team at the first five-eight position. His defence on Saturday was particularly good, and'it is safe to assume that he prevented more than one try being registered against liis side.

Robinson, behind the scrum, did not get any chances to shine on the attack as his forwards failed to secure the ball. His defence, however, was sound, and one of his marks was a gem.

V. Somervell spoilt what would have been a fair display by failing to take the ball at a critical moment, which allowed a try to be registered against his side.

C. Somervell and R. Somervell showed glimpses of form on occasions, the former tackling well. The remainder of the backs did not shine. .

The forwards have a good hit to learn in connection with the game, the first point being to train consistently. The wing-forward, Musgrove, was probably the best conditioned man of the front division, hut ho was invariably off-side.

Kaipara did not play for Y.M.P., ti but he anticipates donning the jersey for the match against Kaiti City today. •

Kaiti-City had anothr easy victory in their match against United on Saturday. The game was fast and open right from the jump, the" forwards on both sides playing with plenty of dash but Kaiti-City were supported by a much better set of backs than their opponents. , They handled the ball

well and it went across tho field in great style. To this undoubtedly Kaiti-City owed their handsome win.

United were tho first, to score, but one must put their try down as a lucky one. Stubbs failed to field the ball, and Pollock dived in and scored.

United certainly played a good defensive game during the first half, and at tlib opening of tho second spell it looked as though City would have their work cut. out to- beat them. However, they were unable to withstand tho combined rushes of the opposing fonvards, and their defence was very easily penetrated towards the conclusion,, and City ran up an. additional eighteen points.

The game was a strenuous one, and by, far tho fastest that has been seen this season. Kaiti-City’s' vanguard was greatly strengthened by the inclusion. of Moan a and Prickett. Th o former played lock, and lie pushed his way through the opposing team time and again, carrying the ball well up .to tho line, and giving the backs a chance to operate. The backs included Tocker, Skilleu and O’Neill, and they made a wonderful difference to this department. Front tho start they commenced throwing the ball about, and assisted by Carruthers and Tait, they put a great deal of life into the game, and made it. really interestng from a spectacular point of views * --

Carruthers again played well at centre three-quarter, and put in plenty of bright work. • He was caught napping on one occasion however, and was collared before lie could get rid of the ball, which undoubtedly meant a try to his side. Of course they could afford it, but on another occasion they might not he able to.

Tait, who played on the right wing, is more than promising, but he should play nearer tho scrum. Unfortunately in a team like the one under review there are no vacancies closer to tho pack. He appears to me, however, at times to get slightly ahead of his right position in a passing bout, with the result that he does not receive the ball properly. Nevertheless ho is a good player, and puts in plenty of work.

O’Neill, on tho other wing, was also good, and contributed in no small •measure to his team’s success.

I was pleased to see Harry Skilleu donning the blue and black jersey again, and ho played well tip to his old time form. It is to be hoped that ho will see the' Kaiti-City team through another season, for undoubtedly lie knows how to pilot them. Harry Tocker also made his appearance in Saturday club competitions, and was asociated with Skilleu at five-eighths. He ivas prominent throughout and put in a really good afternoon’s work. *

Fromm, at half, played a fine game, and during the game secured a couple of really good tries. The ball came his way from the pack on numerous ocasions, and he never lost- an opportunity of making the best use of it.

In the forwards Moan a put in a great deal of work, and was always in the thick of it. 'He was ably assisted, however, by Stagpoole, Nicolas, -Silencer, Leach, Douglas and Prickett. The last-named,,, however, has a tendency to play off-side, but as this was his first appearance one must not be too hard -on him, ior otherwise lie played a solid game. Stubbs was again a careful custodian, and put in some really good defensive work. Regarding United the same fault was noticeable in tlieir game as in the play of Kaiti-City on the previous Saturday, and that is they play too much individually and not as a team. They have got the material but itwants to bo developed.

Pollock, who was at centre threequarters, had practically the burnt of'the work to do, and time and again he extricated his team from a tight corner by some judicious kicking. Hie other two three-quarters did not lend him that support that was needed, and consequently good passing rushes which were a prominent feature of their opponents play were out of t-he question.

Archer, the left-wing three-quarter, has got the makings of a useful thieequarter, but he is inclined to take things too easy. On one occasion this cost his side a try, for. Slcillen had him before lie could 'get rid of the ball, and the result was that his dilatorines cost his side a try. McKenney, on the other wing, was fair.

Wyllie, at half, was in my opinion, the best of the backs with the exception of Pollock. He played a very good game, and was always prominent. ■ The forwards were a hard-working lot, and thoy deserved to bo better supported. Among the most prominent were Wheeler, Davis, Sexton and O’Brien. * * *

Rugby football at tho foot of the Pyramids is a unique spectacle. Recently a crowd of students from Cairo visited the Pyramids and played a game of football.

Altogether the game was most interesting, despite the fact that. United were defeated by such a large margin. ■

Tho Mangatu Sub-union now have their competition well under weigh, two rounds having been already played. There are.four teams entered— Mangatu, AVaipaoa, To Karaka, and To Karaka B. In tho opening matches Mangatu defeated To Karaka B by 9 points to nil, while "Waipaoa suffered defeat by Te Karaka A to the tune of 25 tp' nil, although it must be said, in fairness to Waipaoa, that they played several men short. Mangatu is probably tho strongest team in the competition, several of tho star players in AVaipaoa having gone over to them.

' Last week Mangatu defeated AVaiapaoa at Whatatutu by 28 to 6, while To Karaka A narrowly defeated the B team by 6to 3. Te Karaka A, last year’s winners, are so far not nearly up to last year’s form, .and seem to be quite at sea without MacDonald, Crimmin, Evinson, Graham, Hira and Dunlop. Last week not a single forward followed up a kick, while their line-out work, especially near their own goaj. line, was. very ordinary. If the team is to do any good against Mangatu this week, the forwards will have to improve a good deal. Of their backs, Hansby and Karauria are so far the best, and the forwards might well, with profit to their team, take an example from tho former in the way of following up. * * * This week Te Karaka A- meet Mangatu, and Te Karaka B meet AVaipaoa, both at AVhatatutu. n * .9 Never more widely played, or more popular as a spectacle, Rugby football lias had a special revival in England (says The Field). Attributed first to the visit of the remarkable New Zealand team, this increased interest in one of our most stimulating and health-giving pastimes has continued, and the general growth of this great game has occurred simultaneously with an improvement in the play of Englishmen. The methods oi the New Zealand, team came as a revelation, and the Harlequins, in copying the Colonials’ style in the fast, open gameset up a standard and a type which have since drawn to this amateur game support of a kind such as no other sport can command. The ground of the Rugby Union at Twickenham, and the approaches to it, present an astonisliing sight on the occasion or an international. * * «• The France v. AA'ales match at Newport was a revelation to British Rugby men. The Frenchmen seem to have learnt everything there is to be learned. “Their forwards are strong and very fast, and they have an inside half who can be compared with any playing in that position. France did not deserve to be beaten by AA'ales,” said one "London critic. * * * Owing-.to the coal strike and depleted railway service the Leicester Rugby team made their AAelsh Easter tour by motor car. * * * In respect of the passing over of the New Zealanders for the South Africans, it may be that the fault—if fault there be—lies with ourselves, and that that view is shared at Home is evidenced by the comment made on the action of the English Rugby Union in extending the invitation to the South Africans. One authority states: “In the ordinary rota it was the turn of the New Zealanders, but alter the controversy which occurred over the now famous ‘three shillings a day’ payment it may be doubted whether they would be welcome visitors to the Scottish-Irish Unions. * In addition, Rugby football is in a critical state in MaorUand. There are cries in some districts for reforms for the quickening of the game which would not be accepted on this side, and Northern Unionism is making some headway. Possibly the British Unions are waiting for a clearing of the air in New Zealand before extending an invitation. This can only be done by the colonial union in adopting a solid and uncompromising attitude to the malcontents, and dealing severely v ith all cases of rebellion against the amateur status of the game.”

Duncan MacGregor, the New Zealand three-quarter back, who visited England as a member of the All Black team in 1902, and who subsequently took tip his residence in Gloucester, has returned to New Zealand. When in England M’Gregor, after playing with Gloucester, signed on for a Welsh Northern Union Club. -* * * All the internationl matches of the year played within the United Kingdom have been won by the home side. This has occurred in no previous season. Ireland and England generally play as well against Scotland at Edinburgh as at home, and Welsh fifteens are almost invariably successful in Wales. -Jf * * The Sydney University Inis applied for permission to visit New Zealand at the close of this season, being the return visit to the New Zealand Universities, who played in Sydney last year. The alternative visits of Sydney University to New' Zealand and vice versa have now. become practically permanent fixtures.

Hie Yorkshire Rugby Union is recommending to the English Rugby Union that the lineout rule should be so altered that in the-event of a

throw-in not being straight tiieie: should be no stoppage of play unions tho throwing-in side gets the advantage. * * * An Australian Rugby team will leave Sydney for America in October to play the Universities of California and Stanford, etc. It will be tho second appearance of an Australian team in the United States, the Wallabies having played there after finishing their English tour. The amount necessary to cover the expenses is already practically guaranteed by the American Universities and other bodies in American Rugby. •h fk * The visit of an Australian team to New Zealand is due, said Mr Hill, the secretary of the New South Wales. R.U., and should be carried out at" the end of 1913 season. This will help to re-establish New South Wale:: Rugger in the position it certain! y merits. If the New Zealand programme be carried out in 1913 it will follow in natural ordqr that 1914. will see another New Zealand side in tbe Commonwealth —possibly one that no in 1905, will go on to England, and there demonstrate, that the Rugby of tho Dominion is a game for athktio artists, and inferior to nothing else in the Rugby world. The 1913 and 1914 seasons’ will also have possibili - ties in respect to other international visitors. —There will be no exchange of visits between New Zealand and New South AYales until that little matter of accounts over the American tour is squared up by the New South Wales Union, says a writer in a Southern paper. * * ■» That Rugby Union football in New South Wales is not in such a precarious condition as has been alleged is indicated by the fact that- over :> thousand players are taking part in the Metropolitan Unionhs (Sydney) competitions. One Sydney writ-: considers that the season in Ne» South AVales may prove the best-, or one of the best, since Rugby Union football was started there 4.0 yea-r----ago.