WAIROA RUGBY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20275, 17 June 1940, Page 5

WAIROA RUGBY

COMPETITION LEADERS ATHLETIC BEAT NUHAKA BRILLIANT PLAY (Speeinl tc the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. The two rivals for Wairoa’s Rugby supremacy met on Lambton Square on Saturday afternoon in what proved to be the finest game witnessed here so far this season. In the first round of the senior competition Athletic beat Nuhaka A by 19 points to nine, and in the second round Nuhaka were the winners by Iff points to nine: the third occasion on which those two teams met. which was on Saturday, resulted in a win for Athletic by 17 points to II and this gives Athletic a lend of one point over Nuhaka A in the senior competition tabic. The two previous games played by these teams this season both produced football of a high standard, but neither came came up to that seen on Saturday. It was played at a terrific pace with some brilliant interludes. The first score came from a movement started by the Nuhaka half-back, V. Christy. He sent the ball to his first five-eighths. Pakimana. who passed to the centre. B. Christy, who scored. Hawea converted.

Athletic equalised shortly after this from a scoring movement that travelled practically the whole length of the field. Brady, the Athletic second fiveeighths, broke clear from a ruck almost in front of his own goal, and after some fine passing among the backs McKenzie, on the left wing, scored wide out. James Brownlie converted. Devastating Attacks Athletic’s second try came after a brilliant run by Powdrell, who, from a scrum near midfield, went through the opposition on his own before passing to McKenzie, who scored wide out. Brownlie’s kick missed, and after two more devastating back attacks by Nuhaka the first half ended: Athletic 8, .Nuhaka 5. Brownlie brought Athletic’s total to 11 not long after the resumption as a result of a free kick. Nuhaka fought hard to reduce Athletic’s lead, and succeeded with a fine back passing movement, started by W. Christy. Kelly, on the right wing, scored near the corner flag. Ilawea’s kick fell short. James Brownlie was responsible for the next try when lie took the ball at his toes through the Nuhaka defence from an opening made for him by Powdrell. Brownlie missed with the kick. —Athle.lic 14, Nuhaka 8. Nuhaka now attacked and was given three free kicks. Hawea connected with the third. The last score came 10 minutes before the final whistle. From a lineout between the half-way line and the Nuhaka twenty-five James Brownlie kicked past the Nuhaka full-back. Ralph Brownlie, by following up hard, reached the bail just under the posts and scored. James Brownlie missed with the kick, and the game ended: Athletic 17, Nuhaka 11, The referee was Mr. A. E. Ellis. Among the spectators was Mr. Norman McKenzie, sole selector for the Hawke’s Eay Rugby Union. The other senior game, which was to have been played in Nuhaka between Nuhaka B and Y.M.P., resulted in a win for Y.M.P. by default.