RUGBY FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3580, 20 July 1912, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

To-day’s Matches. Following are the fixtures and referees for to-day : Seniors. —Kaiti-City v. United, No. 1, Mr Olsen; Garrison v. Y.M.P., No. 2, Mr Pudney. Juniors. —Kaiti-City v. Garrison, No. 1 (1.45), Mr Burge; Old Boys v. Y.M.P-, No. 2 (1.45), Mr Somervell. Thirds.—High School v. Garrison (at Park, 2.45), Mr Wallace. Schools. —Gisborne v. Alakaraka, "9.45 a.m., Mr Olsen; Te Hapara v. Convent, No. 1 (11 a.m.), Mr Osborne; Kaiti v. Manga papa. No. 2 (11 a.m.), Mr Burge. How the Teams Stand. Following is the position of the teams with regard to the Saturday competition : J

Dees it hurt ’em. There, is every inch cation that the little truths which have appeared from time to time in these notes are hitting the nail right 011 the head as far as the Management Committee of the Rugby Union is concerned. This week one member of that delectable body delivered himself strongly on the matter of the recent free adrcitisements which -the-Union has reeeiced, and even worked himself up to such a high tension as to express himself in terms which could easily have landed him in trouble, going so far ns to t a lk war. As the matter Stands “Long-Pot” has referred the affair to his half-brother “Wallop,” who has kindly promised to attend to the “nuisance” if it becomes too pronounced.

Rugby Union Inconsistency, During the past few weeks I have been constantly calling attention to the manner in which the Rugby Union has dealt with eases where players have been ordered off the field for illegal play. Last week a junior player was ordered off for tripping an opponent, and at Monday’s meeting of the Union he was disqualified till the end of the season. Under the'circumstances the* player lias received no more than is his due. The individual who would rather collar with his feet than with his arms is not wanted on the football field. Accidents are

numerous enough without calling tenders for more by allowing such methods as tripping to be utilised. But when tho punishment of the junior player is contrasted with which senior players have received for similar, and in some instances worse cases, tho Committee is shown up in a most unfavorable light. In the cases of the senior players it is perfectly apparent that they have not been dealt with upon their merits. Tho junior player, for whom there may be much to be said in explanation, gets all that is due to him, but tho senior, who should know better and for whom there is no excuse whatever, gets off practically scott free. By its actions the Union advertises its spinelessness more effectively than could bo done by the smartest advertising dodge in existence. An apologetic attitude is adopted towards the senior player, who is supposedly all-powerful, and he would receive the apology were such a thing possible, but when a lower grader, who has no friends, appears on tho mat there is much stern talk emphasising “that foul play must be nut down at any cost,” and consequently the lower grader “cops.”

Sv.sar Word?. Referees are laying themselves open to censure for the way in which bad language on the field of play is being overlooked. A number of players introduce into their remarks words that would , not grace any dictionary that I have happened to look through, and which cannot he- claimed to he polite. There are swears and swears, but the adjectives used in a match on a recent Thursday afternoon were so forcible as to call forth comment from other players who use a more mild form of speech. I have no wish to' harp on this subject, hut one “example” made early would certainly have a beneficial effect, and it is up to referees to do their little hit to suppress anything of a noxious nature occurring on the field.

The- Kaits-Carrison Squabble. Garrison proved that they are able to rise to the- occasion, and the trouble they gave Kaiti before the latter secured their win proved that when the Giecus handed out a hiding to Kaiti or. their previous meeting it was no flash in the pan. Garrison put up a good fight, and tlie luck wa-s certainly against them for they had a long way t!:e best of the play, taking the game from kick-off to no-side. Kaiti owe their win to tlie efforts of J?. Fromm, who scored both tries after the winning chances of the Blues looked very pink. Even in the last few minutes of the game Garrison had a chance to get back their lead, and would undoubtedly have done so had not Stubbs tackled a man who was dribbling the ball. ' '

Saturday’s Farce. The fixture on No. 2 ground last Saturday between United and A.ALP. was ludicrous in the extreme, and provided amusement only for the very meagre attendance of spectators. Comment is unnecessary, as the score of 40 points to 4 is sufficiently indicative of the “walk-over” by the “colors'’ team. The AFaoris were at a loss from the first, and as the score grew their play became weaker.

United appeared to he in excellent fettle, hut as the odds were light, their strength was not tested.

LuttreH donned the jersey once again and played a- fairly good, although “green,” game for United. He had very little to do.

It was noticeable that Dodds -was shifted up a place or two and he played an improved game.

When the veteran Armitage succeeded in placing a goal, there was a hearty dice.** from the United team. It- was about the beginning of Arnii-t-age's career as a goal-getter-

It is to be hoped that Broughton and Spiith will be able’ to turn out for Y.M.P. to-day.

Personalities. Aiken played up to his usual good form, and proved that Ire is one of the best forwards in the Bay. On bis recent displays 1 cannot see how he can possibly be left out when the selection of the rep. team is announced W + * MeColl bore the brunt of the battle for Garrison. He was too well watched to lie able to make full use- of his powers, and it was evident that the Kaiti markers did not intend to let bin get going if it was possible to stop him. * • • Somervell, playing at full-back, proved himself a safe custodian. He did not get a great deal to do in the earlier part of the game, but the last 20 minutes provided him with plenty t > do and gave hint little time for reflection. * * * P. Fromm, behind the Kaiti pack, did not handle the ball with anything like the precision that is expected from a senior player. .At times he bungled painfully, often'making four or five attempts before gathering in the leather. Consequent on tin’s he was usually smothered before being able to introduce his foot to the hall. His two tries, however, atoned somewhat for ,his poor display in the earlier n-art of tlie game.

Stubbs : was shifted out of the fullback position in the first part of the game, Tocker going back. Stubbs spoiled his play by illegally interfer-

ing, and his ’tactics were very noticeable during last Saturday’s match. Toclter did well at the full-back position, and brought off several clever saves. •* . * G. Fromm has found his true position among the forwards, and was easily the best member of tlie Kaiti pack. H, .3 following up and general footwork were very good. * * x McGill talked well and played well, but talked better than be played. * * * Nicolas put up a good solid allround game.

* * * Prickett, please. keep on-side you annoy me!

The (nter-lsiand .P^atch. A Napier scribe says of the North v. South Island match that “it was a clean hard game throughout j unmarred by any suggestion of questionable tactics.” The following is a table of the contests to date: — 1897 —North won by 16 to 3. 1902 — South won by 20 to 14. 1903 — South won by 12 to 5. 1904. —Drawn, 3 all. 1905 — North won by 26 to nil. 1906 — North won by 9 to 5. 1907 — North won by 11 to nil. 1908 — North won by 12 to 5. 1909 — South won by 19 to 11. 1910— South won by 14 to 10. 1911 — -North- won 19 to 9. 1912 North won 12 to 8Out of the twelve contests, North have thus been victorious on 7 'occasion's and the South on 4, one match resulting in a draw. “Kaipara, a critic says, failed 'to keep several passing rushes going, and on two occasions his presence was a disadvantage to his team, but taken all through lie played a solid game and well deserved his place ”

The recent matches of the country teams in Sydney at the University Oval created a good deal of amusement by reason of the attempt of the country men to play tlie ball. In some instance the country men wore sandshoes.^--instead of the properly sprigged boots, and consequently could not keep their footing on the wet turf.—The Arrow.

Pts Pts Ch. P. TV. L D. For As Pts Kaiti-City 10 9 1 0 158 22 18 Y.M.P. . 10 5 5 0 98 150 10 United Garrison , 10 . 10 4 2 6 8 0 0 94 32 105 128 8 4