PUKEKOHE RETAINS MASSEY CUP

Franklin Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 88, 7 August 1939, Page 5

PUKEKOHE RETAINS MASSEY CUP

MANGATAWHIRI BEATEN

BY TWELVE POINTS TO THREE

FORWARDS DOMINATE THE PLAY

CHALLENGERS’ GOOD PACK

BUT BACKS FAIL BADLY

HOME REARGUARD SUPERIOR

By defeating Mangatawhiri on Saturday at Bledisloe Park by 12 points to three, the Pukekohe Rugby representative team retained the coveted Massey cup, and will meet Waiuku next Saturday in what promises to be the game of the season. *

While Pukekohe won by a clear-cut .margin, there was not much between the teams, and with a hit more finish to their hack movements Mangatawhiri could easily have turned the tables. On paper the challengers’ hack line appeared a formidable combination, but on its showing it was the Mangatawhiri backs that let the side down.

In set scrums the Mangatawhiri forwards outclassed the Pukekohe eight, while in line-out play, Pukekohe might have had a slight advantage. It was in the loose rushes and loose rucks that the holders shaded the challengers. They hunted as a pack whereas Mangat a whirl's efforts were more of the solo type. In the scrums at least two of the Pukekohe players were suspected of not putting in their weight, consequently against a heavy pack like the challengers, the Mangatawhiri hooker, J. Dean, had a monopoly of the ball. He heeled the ball consistently, but despite this feast the visiting backs were unable to do anything with it. When the Pukekohe backs did obtain the ball they indulged in .aimless kicking for a time, but -when they decided to throw it about they were always dangerous. Their tries came as a result of handling bouts. Had they obtained as much of the ball as their opponents the score would have been much larger.

The Outstanding Forwards

, The outstanding forward on the field ♦ was R. Lang, the big Mangatawhiri .lock. He did his share in the tight and repeatedly led his forwards in loose rushes, while he was one of the few who followed up consistently. There were at times, however, when he appeared a bit over vigorous and - earned the displeasure of the crowd, find the referee. G. Mcßobbie also ' played a sterling game, as did R. Barron, who although-on the light side 1 was in everything. In the Pukekohe pack P. Garter, E. Reynolds, V. Wolfsliauer and G. Steele worked like Trojans, while C. Wilson proved a thorn in the side of the opposing hacks by his fast following. He frequently led the home forward rushes.

Of the hacks F. Loughrin played grandly for Pukekohe and is fast regaining his best form. He fielded cleanly, kicked with judgment, while he found gaps in the defence.A. Potier, despite the l'acl that he saw little of the ball, and had a gruelling afternoon, played well and proved that he can stand, up to solid work. Another player who impressed was J. Harris. He is improving with every game. This young winger is deserving of a trial at centre three-quarter, in which position he has played most of his Rugby. On the Mangatawhiri side •several players with reputations lost them. The inside backs appeared too slow to he a really dangerous force. The outstanding hack was W. Barnaby, who saved his side from many dangerous situations. The whole back line was weak on attack, but solid on defence, until the Pukekohe backs decided on a little combinations Then it lacked the speed to get into position to offer stout resistance.

A Disappointing Game

As a spectacle the game was disappointing, but lor good solid forward play it was one of the best, seen here for some time. Both packs mixed it well and no quarter was given. The teams were: — Mangatawhiri (red and white) : Hermans, W. Clark, H. Passau, N. Edwards, P. Kewish, \V. Barnaby (cap!.), B. Dean, A. Chiprnan, C. Mcßobbie, R. Lang, T. Higgins, R. Barron. R. Whit- - more, J. Dean, W. Dean. Pukekohe (green and gold) : M. Boyce, A. Hunniford', - A. Harvey, ' .1. Harris, F. Loughrin, L. Wright. A. Potier, B. King, T. Reynolds, E. Revnolds (capt.), G. Smith. C. Wilson, G. Steele, V. Wolfsbauer, P. Carter. Mangatawhiri defended the Queen street goal and had the sun behind it. Soon after the start the visiting backs were sent away by R. Dean and a promising movement broke down at Passau. Pukekohe were penalised but, Mangatawhiri’s shot, at goal missed and Boyce cleared. Loose forward play was seen in mid-field where King loomed into the picture and started a movement that ended when a pass went astray. Give and take . play followed until the Pukekohe

Lacked Thrust backs opened out and were instrumental in taking play to the visitors’ quarter. Winning the ball from almost every scrum, It. Dean was sending out clean passes but his colleagues lacked thrust. The visitors were penalised and Loughrin’s shot missed the uprights and Barnaby cleared. Back went the home pack in a rush which was held up by Hermans, and then It. Dean got touch at half way. I ed by McP.obbie, Lang and Barron, Ihe red and whites raided home country and the first-named missed a try by losing the ball as he was going over. A force resulted. T. Reynolds, Steele and Smith were prominent in a fool rush which Barnaby stemmed. However, in a flash the home backs were away again, Harris being grassed by Hermans well in Mangatawhiri’s twenty-five. From the scrum the ball was received by Potier who worked the blind and Harris was almost across. R. Dean cleared from the resultant scrum. With a better balanced scrum, the- cup challengers were winning the ball whenever they wanted it and this was a little disconcerting to Hie Pukekohe backs. Mangatawhiri forwards were attacking like a winning team and for a time Pukekohe -were penned in their twenty-five. Finally Boyce received the ball and beat the whole defence and set off on an errand which looked like a runaway try but he was bottled up near the half-way mark. The Pukekohe forwards carried on to the twenty-five, where Kewish saved brilliantly. The Mangatawhiri back line had a run but Clark missed his pass and Harris jumped in and sent the ball infield tor the green forwards to raid visiting country. Mangatawhiri were penalised and Wright opened the score with a neat goal. Pukekohe 3 Mangatawhiri . . . . 0 The Half-time Score Thus encouraged the home team launched another offensive and Potier and Harris working the blind with good understanding, found Harris forced to touch a foot from his objective. In subsequent, play Potier sent, the hall to Wright, who made a splendid opening. He drew the fullback nicely ard sent the ball to T. Reynolds who had an easy run in, but he missed the ball and the interval came with the score: Pukekohe 3 Mangatawhiri . . .. 0 In the second spell Harvey and Boyce exchanged places. Play had rot been long in progress when Hermans. troubled by the sun, failed to get the ball and Pukekohe reached the twenty-five. Potier received from a ruck and senl the ball to Wright, to Loughrin, who beat off two round the neck tackles before sending on to Harris, who streaked across. It was Loughrin’s try hut Wright failed to raise the flags. Pukekohe 0 Mangatawhiri . . . . 0 The Mangatawhiri forwards worked to the Pukekohe twenty-five and the hacks had a run but they lacked thrust. Wright, with a beautiful kick, cleared the danger to half way, from which point Potier got his hacks away and Boyce, showing a fine turn of speed ran round his man to score, but Loughrin’s kick fell short. Pukekohe 9 Mangatawhiri . . . . 0 Dean Converts a Penalty Mangatawhiri forwards, still dominating the play, with Barron, Chipman and Whitmore in front, set off to retrieve the position. A Pukekohe player infringed and R. Dean had an easy chance which lie failed to accept. A little later T. Reynolds and Wilson broke away in a handling rush, hut there was no support and the movement broke down. In a flash the Mangatawhiri forwards converted defence into attack and this time Dean succeeded with a penally kick. Mangatawhiri . . .. 3 Pukekohe 9 The next try was somewhat of a gift. Edwards, the Mangatawhiri right winger, missed a ball from T. Reynolds. The -forward followed smartly and grabbing up the hall broke clear and sent an in-pass to Potier who ran from just inside Mangatawhiri’s half to score behind the posts. Wright missed the easiest of shots. Pukekohe 12 Mangatawhiri . . . . 3 Pukekohe went back on attack and I*. Carter, Potier and Wright handled but the last-named slipped when a chance presented itself. Barron, W. Lean and Ghipman came away in a devastating rush in which Lang joined later and Pukekohe were in trouble. Koi exchanges ensued on the Pukekohe line hut finally Harvey and Wright: relieved the position. Not to be denied the Mangatawhiri forwards, playing magnificently, went right out 1o break through the defence and on two occasions Lang was almost across. ITo did cross but was recalled for a forward pass. The game ended: Pukekohe 12 , Mangatawhiri . . . . 3 Mr B. Thompson, of Waiuku, ably controlled the game.

CARRIERS BEAT POWER BOARD ~ A friendly match between teams representing the district carriers and Hie Franklin Power Board social club was played on No. 2 ground. The carries won by .10 points (tries by McTsaac and ITaslam, both being converted by J. Scott) to eight dries by Moyle and Carter, Moyle converting bis try). Mr R. G. Brown was referee.

ONEWHERO JUNIOR CHAMPIONS

WANDERERS GO DOWN

Onewhero are the amalgamated subunions’ (Pukekohe and Waiuku) junioi champions for 1939. They won U: is honour on Saturday by defeating Wanderers in the play off by eight points to five, in a game that proved the high standard of junior football in the district. Onewhero kicked off and a Wanderers’ forward fielded the fall. He threw it to one of his hacks who missed it. Sheehan jumped in and sent the hall to N. Bovill, who outpaced the opposition to score in the first half minute. It was this quick try that really sealed the issue, for the Onewhero backs then indulged in some brilliant passing movements that had Wanderers guessing for a time. Each side lost a player early in the game, Hinton with a cut on the face and P-ovill with an injured ankle. Wanderers rallied and the forwards rushed play to Onewhero’s twenty-five where Branch missed an easy chance to equalise. However, Wanderers made amends a little later when Wharfe went across for a try which Branch converted. .lust before half time Sheehan dummied his way over for a perfect solo try which he converted. Although Wanderers fought hard in the second spell, there was no further scoring and Onewhero deserved the win and the championship. Outstanding players for Onewhero were Sheehan and McKinney in the backs, and Johnston, Baker and Donnelly in the forwards. For Wanderers, S. Wright and Miller were the star backs, while Stembridge led a lighter pack in grand style. Mr R. Branch was referee. SCHOOLS AT PLAY Secondary school matches resulted: Intermediate: Wesley College 14 Pukekohe Technical High School 3; junior, P.T.TT.S. 17, Wesley College 3.

THE ROLLER MILLS SHIELD SOUTH AUCKLAND TEAM TWENTY PLAYERS CHOSEN The following 20 primary school hoys have been selected to represent South Auckland in the Northern Roller Mills Shield competition which takes place at, Hamilton this month — M. Adams (Pukekohe), P. Slade-Gully (Karaka), 11. Worthy (Patumahoe), D. Hood and P. Hood (Bombay), V. Tout (Onewhero), D. Clendon (Pokeno), B. Thomas (Opuatia), B. Kewish (Tuakau), R. Mason (Ohinewai), H. Zank (Rangiriri), W. Perry (Patumahoe), G. Holmes (Bombay), M. Hogan (Convent), H. Gat-heart (Pukekawa), J. McIntosh (Glenbrook), A. Gunson (Convent), B. Fearon (Convent), W. Revell (Pukekohe), and I. Clark (Pukekohe). One hoy lias to he omitted.

Mr S. Heron, of Ardmore, lias been appointed manager of the team, and Mr P. T. Paterson, of Harrisville, assistant manager.

INTER-UNION COMPETITION

THE JUNIOR DRAW

The following draw lias been arranged for Hie inter-union junior fixtures — August 12: Waiuku v. Pukekohe A; Ft kekolie B v. Mangatawhiri; Waikare v. Manukau. August 19: Manukau v. Waiuku; Mangatawhiri v. Waikare; Pukekohe A v. Pukekohe B. August 26: Pukekohe A v. Mangatawhiri. at Onewhero; Waiuku v. Waikare: Manukau v. Pukekohe B. September 2: Waikare v. Pukekohe B: Pukekohe A v. Manukau: Mangatawhiri v. Waiuku, match already played. September 9: Pukekohe B v. Waiuku at Bombay; Pukekohe A v. Waikare; Mangatawhiri v. Manukau, match already played. Unless otherwise stated, home grounds are those of the first-men-tioned teams. Home unions are to supply referees.

S. AUCKLAND v. RANGATAIKI

MATCH AT PUKEKOHE The sole selector, Mr J. Wood, has chosen the following lo represent South Auckland against Rangataiki at Bledisloe Park on August 19:— Full-back, M. Boyce (Pukekohe) ; three-quarters, R. Dow, J., Pickard, .1. Dunn (Manukau) ; five-eighths, F. Loughrin (Pukekohe), L. Bright (Waiuku) ; half, A. Poj/ier (Pukekohe): hack row, .T. Kidd (Manukau); second row, A. Sberrard and R. Garland (Waiuku), R. Lang (Mangatawhiri), H. Rowe (Waikare) ; front row. P. Carter (Pukekohe), G. Thomson (Waiuku). G. Mcßobbie (Mangatawhiri). Reserves: Backs, J. Thomson (Waiuku) ; forwards, G. Steele (Pukekohe) and A Chipman (Mangatawhiri). The team will meet for training on Thursday next at Bledisloe Park at 7.30 p.m.