Lower Waikato Rugby Sub-League.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 64, 8 June 1934, Page 2

Lower Waikato Rugby Sub-League.

EXCITING WATCH AT TUAKAU.

MANGE RE WINS BY ONE POINT

For the purpose of demonstrating the League game, the first matches to lie played on the Tuakau district recreation ground took place on Monday. There was an attendance of over 200 spectators, who witnessed exciting football during the afternoon. The matches were fast and open with many thrilling mordents. The curtain raiser was played between Lower .Waikato B representatives and the unbeaten Ponsonby third graders. Lower Waikato won by 0 points to 5.

The principal fixture was between Mangere and Lower Waikato senior representatives. Mangere proved to be the winner by 13 points to 12 after a contest packed with excitement. The teams were: —

Mangere: R. Roberts, B. Roberts, .1 Wilson, T. Wehi, T. Rau, R. Johnson, N. Harvey, H. Roberts, W. Roberts. P. Davies, G. Kini, W. Johnson, R Nightingale. Lower Waikato: R. Nepia, R. Cooper. .T. Cooper, .1. Paru, D. Peters, .1 Hapi (capt.), ,T. Tonga, I. Isaacs, C. Moses, Ngataki, B. Hapi, G. Piggott., W. Warbrick.

Tonga set the ball in motion for Lower Waikato, Isaacs and Moses carrying play into Mangere’s twenty-five. The visiting packmen combined and made a thrust but Nepia, with a timely kick, found touch at mid-field. Waikato heeled to Tonga, who sent to Hapi, to Peters, to Cooper and then on to Paru, but Roberts grassed him. Immediately, Waikato was away again but J. Cooper fumbled. Tonga snapped up and transferred to Peters but Roberts stemmed the attack. He secured the ball to elude opposition and when confronted by Nepia sent out to Harvey to score. Rau converted. Mangere 5, Waikato 0. Mangere immediately returned to the attack and caught Nepia in possession but Tpnga effected a timely save. Harvey next received from a scrum, sent to Rau, to R. Johnson, to Wilson, and then to Roberts, but Nepia tackled well. From another scrum in the home team’s twenty-five Harvey secured the ball, beat all the opposition backs, ano then passed out to Rau who’crossed the line but failed to force the ball with his hands. Again Mangere backs flashed out and Johnson went over to score in the corner. The try was not converted. Mangere 8, Waikato 0.

Defending to Utmost

Upon resuming, Roberts received an injury and left the'field, being replaced by Grubb. The next, few minutes of the first spell was a hard tussle, Waikato being called upon to defend strenuously.

Commencing the second spell, Wai- I kato went straight to the attack and | had Mangere backs completely bottled ■ up. Every time the vis. tors gained j possession Waikato was upon them j and left them with no room to work in. j Piggott and Warbrick led an attack that swept play to the line. All Wai- j kato’s backs swung into action but R. Cooper was upended by Grubb. A tussle followed and R. Cooper battled his way over to score the first try . for his team. J. Cooper converted. Waikato 5, Mangere 8. Warbrick, who was playing a great _ game in the pack, snapped up and J bustled his way through but an in- ! fringement spoilt the effort. Wai- ; kato maintained a steady pressure and j was throwing the ball about in great j style. Piggott next opened up play j and sent J. Cooper over to score, j Ngataki converted. Waikato 10, : Mangere 8. " j Back went Waikato on an attack- ; ing errand, Isaacs finding touch in the visitors’ twenty five. A penalty to Waikato resulted in Ngataki kicking a good goal. Waikato 12, Mangere 8.

Rua Cooper, with one of his characteristic runs, forced his way through but lost possession at the vital moment. Mangere next put up a determined attack and began to overshadow Waikato. Johnson sent to Grubb, who dived to score but lost possession. However, a minute later Grubb was successful in scoring. Roberts converted. Mangere 13, Waikato 12. Mr Fisher -was referee.