RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume XVI, Issue 106, 6 September 1926, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SPECTACULAR JUNIOR GAME. PUKEKOHE BEATS MANUKAU. : On Saturday last the Pukekohe and Manukau junior representatives met at Pukekohe in the tlnal malcli in the inter-sub-union fixtures. . After a keen contest the game ended in favour of the home team by 25 points to 3. Throughout, the game was open and t'ast, and a good exhibition of football was given. Both learns threw the ball about freely. The visitors were heavier in the pack, but the local backs possessed that necessary clement —combination. The teams were as follow: Pukekohe (maroon): Carpenter, I. Fausett, A. McKinnon, H. Papesch, McNally, G. Lawrie, J. Harriman, S. Cox, J. Bathgate, L. Gurney, L. Wilkinson, C. Stembridge, W. McCormick, W. Russell, A. Patterson. Manukau (yellow and black): I. Wilson, A. Matheson, A. Firth, B. Cossey, T. Cossey, R. Hammond, H. Munro, L. Lacassie, W. Francis, A. Johnson, F. Payne, Munro, C. Taylor, R. Hope, Webb. Scoring Commences.

Manukau kicked off and after the preliminary exchanges, an attack was organised by Pukekohe. From a scrum about mid-field the ball travelled from Harriman to McNally, to Lawrie, who, after a short sprint, sent to Fausett, but the visitors closed on him and pushed him out. Manukau cleared eventually. Following a throw in McKinnon obtained posession and endeavoured to gain ground, but the yellow and blacks put up a strong defence. A scrum was ordered in the visitors’ 25, and as soon as Harriman handled he was grassed, Francis leading his forwards to touch at halfway. Play veered across the field, and following up a punt Fausett looked likely to score, bul with accuracy Wilson found the line at a handy position. Immediately following the throw-in the reds Were penalised and from about half-way T. Cossey failed to put the ball over. The pressure was maintained by Pukekohe, and from a line-out Fausett and McCqrmiclc led the maroons upheld. Bathgate followed \ip, and snatched up the ball and touched down. McKinnon failed to add the major points. Pukekohe 3 Manukau . ' 0 The visitors' opened with an attack, and an infringement cost the home team a penalty kick, which Francis failed to negotiate over the cross-bar. Again the yellow and blacks attacked, and as several forwards closed on Carpenter he sent to touch with precision. A scrum at half-way followed a dine-out, ■ and Munro sent the leather out to T. Cossey, to Hammond, to B. Cossey, who gained ground for his team by a nice kick. The first quarter ended: — Pukekohe 3 Manukau 0 A Nice Try. Early in the second quarter Harriman obtained possession from •'the line-out and passed to Lawrie, to Fausett, who with a speedy sprint, scored as he was tackled by Matheson. His attempt to convert was unsuccessful. Pukekohe G Manukau 0 Obtaining from a scrummage, Harriman flashed the ball out to McNally, but a forward pass retarded progress. The- reds obtained and the forwards raced up, but Matheson eased by sending to touch. The visitors’ forwards broke away, but a knock-on stopped their advancement. From the scrum Pukekohe hooked and Harriman, McNally, Lawrie, Fausett, and Papesch handled, the latter clapping on the pace for a sprint of a few yards and scoring easily. Harriman made no mistake with the kick.

Pukekohe .11 Manukau 0 Practically in the opening play Harriman snatched up Ihe leather, flashing it out- to McNally, to Lawrie, to McKinnon, to Fausett, who raced to the corner but was upended by Matheson'. For the remainder of the period the play veered up and down field. Half-time was called with the score: Pukekohe .. .. .. .. 11 Manukau 0 In the second portion of the game the Pukekohe hacks were in Ilie act of handling when the Manukau forwards closed in and by means of a foot rush, gained the visitors’ 25, but Carpenter gathered in from their feet and sent to touch. The yellow and blacks gained territory, Matheson cross-kick-ing to B. Cossey. . The latter raced up along the line,, but was tackled by Papesch, who took up the leather and clapped on the' speed to score.. He was tackled by Firth, but broke away and touched down. The kick by Harriman failed to go over. Pukekohe .. .... .. 14 Manukau. 0 By a concerted action Pukekohe gained Manukau’s territory, but a free kick gave momentary relief. However, Lawrie . took up the ball and dodging, in and., out looked likely for a score, but the-chance was nullified through throwing forward. Manukau later cleared fo touch. Bathgate knocked on when the ball was being thrown in, and from the subsequent serum Harriman, McNally and Lawrie. handled, bul the latter was downed and McCormick carried oul as Hie change-over was called.

The Tally Mounts. Manukau launched an attack in the final session, and two free kicks by Francis failed—one being from a comparatively easy position. The reds made the visitors’ territory their objective, and maintained a hard pressure. An infringement by the yellow and blacks gave Harriman an opportunity, which he made sure of, making the score — '■ Pukekohe 17 Manukau 0 Again the reds pressed the visitors, and from the ruck a few yards off the line Harriman sold the “dummy” before. sending the ball to Patterson, who pushed his way over, and scored near the corner. ' Fausell failed to convert. Pukekohe 20 e ( -' ( Manukau 0 From a line-out at half-way the reds commenced to get on the move again—Harriman sprinting and passing out to Fausett: —but the latter fumbled the boll and Manukau cleared. Howlever, Fausett was soon moving again and after two attempts was successful in touching do>yn, for McKinnon to convert. Pukekohe 25 Manukau . . .... .. 0 The visitors made their final, effort by attacking hard# McKinnon ■gathered in the ball and carrying back forced down. Pukekohe had lo concede a five yards’ scrum, and were penalised in endeavouring lo clear the ball. Francis took the kick and made sure lo put it over. The game ended : Pukekohe 25 Manukau, 3 Mr .1. R. Miller, of Bombay, refereed.