RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Franklin Times, Volume XVII, Issue 73, 29 June 1927, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE GAME AT WAIUKU. SATURDAY’S GAMES. (Own Correspondent.) The Waiuku Rugby Sub-Union s senior matches were continued at Massey Park last Saturday. Unfoitunately the ground was not m a finable condition; for good football, as there was a considerable ot water lying on a good deal of the si fa< The City and Otaua teams were the first to have use of the ground. It } hardly fair, when the championship has been decided in the Aka Aka team’s favour, that some of the leading players of one or two of the competing teams apparently take no their team’s other games. Otaua was the main sufferer, abd at the com mencement of their game could on } field 12 men, which numbei was 1 creased by one of /the spectators donning a jersey to give them a ham . Contrary to expectations, \\ aipipi were responsible for defeating the Aka Aka team in a match which was very evenly contested throughout Both sides made many mistakes, which is not to be wondered at when the greasy state of the ball and ground are taken into consideration;

CITY v. OTAUA. The first half of this game resulted in Potier kicking a penalty goal, and B. James and R. McNaughten scoring tries for City, and A. Ballantine scoring an unconverted try for Otaua. From the kick-out - ; after half-time City soon got to work, and J. Malloy got possession near halfway, to make a nice solo run to score. Potier added the extras with a good kick, making City 14,-Otaua 3. Stung by this reverse, Otaua attacked strongly, and were nearly through, but Malloy cleared cleverly for City to set, up a good dribbling rush to inside their opponents’, 25, where the defenders infringed, and 'Potier made no mistake with a nice kick. City 17, Otaua 3. Both teams/ made desperate efforts to-score, and from a line-out N. Harvey came through with a good, dribbling rush for Arkle to get possession near halfway. City were left with about seven, players to. beat the last man, which was v Reg. McNaughten. He received the ball, and went on to score between the posts. A. Smith failed to add the extras, and the final whistle went with the scores: City 20, Otaua 3. Mr. E. S. Barriball controlled the game.

AKA AKA v. WAIPIPI. Keary set the ball in motion for. Aka Aka and found the line in their opponents’ 25. Aka Aka pressed from the throw-in, and carried play close to their opponents’ line, where Flavell (Waipipi) got offside, and Keary had a shot from an easy position, but the ball failed to rise and Waipipi forced. From a line-out in the Waipipi 25 the defenders rushed play to their opponents’ territory. A scrum was ordered, from which the defenders, got possession, to transfer play to the Waipipi line, but Atgar was penalised, and Waipipi found the line past their own 25. From the line-out Waipipi carried play to Aka Aka territory, but A. Wright sent them back to their own 25. A scrum followed the line-out, and M. Gleeson (Waipipi) was penalised for coming around too soon, and Ryan made a good attempt to put the ball over, but it hit the crossbar and rebounded. Subsequently Saunderson got possession, of the ball and dived over for the opening score. Ryan’s shot at goal went wide.

Aka Aka - • 3 Waipipi . . . 0 Bach side had turns at attack, and from a scrum Aka Aka pressed, hut Kaihau sent them back by finding the line near halfway, and the first quarter ended Aka Aka . . ...... 3 Waipipi 0 From the change over Aka Aka still pressed; and from a scrum in Waipipi territory Waipipi pressed and carried the bail across the line, and Aka Aka conceded a force. From a line-out in Aka Aka territory, Waipipi still made endeavours to score, but the ball went into touch in their opponents’ 25. T. Aylward got possession from Hie throw-in, and found touch near the goat-line. Waipipi then sot up a nice passing movement, and a score looked likely, but a slightly. forward pass saved the situation for' Aka Aka, who cleared. With play near the centre of the field Waipipi were penalised, and Aka Aka found touch near the opposing goal-line. Waipipi came through with the ball from the line-out, and T. Wilson narrowly missed getting clear of the opposition, play being returned to midfield. Aka Aka then made a desperate assault on the Waipipi line, and from a scramble the defenders found the line near halfway. From the line-out Waipipi broke through; and the ball got clear of the field except Ryan. L. Wilson and Ryan set out on their own in a race for the ball, when Wilson obviously infringed by pushing Ryan, who fell, and Wilson kicked the ball over the line, to touch 1 down. The referee awarded a fry (as it was impossible for him to see the breach), and ‘the same player con- i

verted. Waipipi 5 Aka Aka :i Both sides strived desperately to score, but no addition was recorded. The game ended: — Waipipi f> Aka Aka :j Mr. .i. ,j. Henry was in charge of tlm game.

JUWBOR MATCHES. 1 1 ta.ua \) drew with Waipipi 0. W. McNamara, <*>. Hull and R. Neil scored tries for <liana, and the scorers for Waipipi v- i " Hhiplin. McNamara and Rochrun • • n ? ,. :•<>><• was Mr. r,. BHg!d.