RUGBY FOOTBALL

Franklin Times, Volume XXX, Issue 91, 18 August 1941, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH PUKEKOHE’S CLOSE CALL DEFEAT OF MANUKAU The return match between the Pukekohe and Manukau Rugby representatives was played at Jellicoe Park, Manurewa, on Saturday, before a fair attendance. While Pukekohe won an evenly contested game the victory was by no means convincing and on Pukeltohe’s display hopes of a victory in the Peace cup competition next month are gradually, fading. Saturday’s exhibition was easily the worst given by Pukekohe this season, due largely to the inability of the Pukekohe forwards to hold the lighter but more energetic Manukau eight. The game generally was disappointing as a spectacle. It was a scraggy exhibition, relieved occasionally by bustling work by the Manukau pack, and some crisp movements by the Pukekohe backs who were closely watched, especially the inside backs. Manukau kicked against the wind in the first spell in which Pukekohe scored nine points—tries by Stembridge and Wright and a penalty goal by Rogers. Early in the second spell Koni, the Wesley College boy, scored a great solo try by swerving and sidestepping his way through the defence to touch down under the bar. Rogers, another College lad, converted making the score: Pukekohe, 14: Manukau, 0. Manukau on Top The Pukekohe pack, probably in holiday spirit, then went to pieces properly. A forward rush by Manukau ended in Bentley scoring for Sharplin to convert. Then a passing rush by Manukau backs saw Sharplin go over in a handy position but he missed an easy kick, and the score was: Manukau 8. Pukekohe 14. Manukau, thus encouraged, went right out to wipe out the deficit and did everything but score. A penalty against Pukekohe resulted in Sharplin drop-kicking a perfect goal. Manukau, 11; Pukekohe, 14. There was no further scoring although Manukau forwards had far the better of the play with the visiting pack. The game ended: Pukekohe 14 Manukau 11 Mr Bon Leathern was referee. The teams were : Pukekohe: Branch, Koni, Loughrin (capt.) , Dunn, Hihera, Cossey, Miller, A. Dunn, J. Dean, S'cm bridge, Richdale, Johnstone, Chitty, Rogers, L. Wright. When Miller was injured Wright went behind (he scrum and Edwards went on. Manukau: R. Sharplin, D. Topp, Glasgow (replaced by Walters), G. Clarl-e, K. Clark, B. Evans, K. Cossey, Swelman, Quigley, Bentley, Pountney, Crowley, D. I-loult (capt.). R. I-loult, and P. Cossey. JUNIORS AT PLAY The Pukekohe and Waiuku junior representatives played a drawn game at Waiuku, each side scoring three points. Kahi scored a try for Pukekohe and Haycock kicked a penalty goal for Waiuku. MATCHES ELSEWHERE The elimination game between the Morrinsville and Mangatawhiri representative senior teams was played at Morrinsville, the home team winning by 15 points to 3. Thames beat Waiuku by 21 points to 17 in a fast, open game at Thames. A last-minute try by Dovell won the match. J. Gray’s kicking was a feature. Scorers for Thames were N. Burrett (2), B. Burrett. Harvey and Dovell. Gray converted three tries. For Waiuku, Honey (2) and D. Thomson scored tries. R. Bright kicked two penalty goals and L. Bright converted one try.