FOOTBALL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXI, Issue 10922, 23 September 1932, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

OTUKEHU SHIELD GAME. Jubilant after a popular win on Wednesday a. correspondent from Kaimai sends us the following report which we publish without alteration. A gruelling and titanic struggle was witnessed on Wednesday when Cambridge Road attempted to wrest the Otukehu Shield from the invincible Kaimai team at Wade’s Park. Both teams lined out at two of the clock in fine fettle. Right from the jump, excitement ran high. Kaimai at once swept up the field, their Intention was obviously to get a try, and in this shrewd manoeuvre they were frustrated only by the timely boot of the Cambridge fullback. Play surged from end to end amid the rousing cheers of the spectators. Prom out of the ruck Barron, the Upper Kaimai schoolteacher, gathered in the ball and made things look very dangerous for Cambridge road, but he fumbled at the critical moment. Nepia retrieved the situation for Cambridge Road with a sensational run upheld. When half-time sounded the game still, remained without a score.

Immediately after the interval Kaimai rushed into the fray like scalded cats to rectify this omission. The forwards, ably led by the speedy veteran Ike Stevens, carried play downfleld. From the twenty-five, the ball was heeled smartly back, and passed through many hands to ' culminate in a fine try by Barrow. Undaunted by this sterling effort of the rangers, Cambridge Road took up the. attack amid great excitement. In brilliant fashion dagger sidestepped his way through the opposing defence, but R. Stevens dislocated his movement by a flying tackle worthy of Walker, the wrestler. Then Nepia after a twenty-five yards sprint was thrown into touch by Nelmes. From the ensuing line out Nepia scrambled over for a try which was converted by Doige with a great kick; making the score Cambridge Road, 5; Kaimai, 3. In the few minutes remaining the Kaimai forwards literally tore into it, while the backs adopted the kick high and follow through policy. Excitement broke out to fever pitch when Kaimai stormed the light blues’ line. In the melee a penalty was given to Kaimai, which was turned to advantage by McKearney. The game ended soon afterwards with Kaimai rangers victors by C points to 5. E. Heke made a splendid referee. So Kaimai retain the Shield for another year!