VICTORY TO MOTU

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22669, 21 June 1948, Page 3

VICTORY TO MOTU

PENALTY KICK DECIDES

GISBORNE (III.) DEFEATED

DAY’S KEENEST GAME In Saturday’s first Rugby game on the Gisborne Oval No. 1 ground the Motu sub-union representatives and the third Gisborne senior team waged the most even struggle of the day. Each side scored two tries. The goal points were added to the first Gisborne success. Neither Motu try was converted, but a penalty kick found the goal and swung the decision for the visitors by nine points to eight. Honours both back and forward were well divided. If there was any margin in territorial play it could be credited to the forceful Motu forwards and the result in favour of the visitors was popular.

The teams were:— . Motu, Black. —G. Twistleton; W. Spence, A. Hooper, P, O'Rourke (capt.); D. Thompson, L. Thompson; P. Kenny; J. Dunning; D. Richardson, P. Deans, D. Kerikeri, C. Neville; L. Cameron, R. Hammon, G. Hutchins. After the interval G. Brown came on as full-back and Twistleton took over the right wing from O.Rourke, who moved in to the centre position, Hooper retiring. Gisborne (III), White.—l Bills; R. Gear, D. Graham, M. Gorrard; S. Hollis (capt.), B. Sexton; R. Kearney; T. Calcott; J. Cleary, P. Pewhairangi; R. Heeney, R. Humphreys; A. Archibald, N. Mills, J. Shaskey. In the second spell P. Griffin went on in the front row in place of Archibald, who dropped to first five-eighths, Sexton moved out to second five-eighth and Hollis to centre, while Graham went up to halfback in place of Kearney, who retired. Mainspring of Winning Side The Motu skipper, P. O'Rourke, was the mainspring of the Motu rear division, scoring one try and paving the way for another, besides being very consistent in defence. L. Thompson showed initiative in the middle-backs and Kenney was impressive at halfback. Twisleton was reliable at fullback and was later efficient also in the three-quarter line. Spence was notable in the first spell. Richardson, Kerikeri, Hutchens and Neville were consistent forwards in the fairly even Motu pock. The most capable Gisborne back was the captain, S. Hollis, former Poverty Boy and Waikohu representative, who shared the leading distinction in the game with O'Rourke. Sexton was fast in attack. Graham" showed up in his play behind the scrum in' the second spell. Gerrard was a hard-running wing and his try was the reward of determination. Gear had few chances but appeared to have reserves of speed. Bills was less reliable than usual at full-back. Another P.B. representative, Cleary, led the Gisborne forwards with notable support from Heeney, Pewhairangi and Griffin, the last-named appearing after the interval. Wing Sent Across First pbints came to Gisborne when the back-line functioned in a bright passing bout ending in a try close to the touchline by Gerrard. The goal added by Hollis was one of the best of the day. An exchange of passes by O’Rourke and L. Thompson brought the Motu reply. O'Rourke going in for a try in good position, but his kick was unsuccessful.

Shortly after Kerikeri goaled a

penalty to give Motu the lead G—s at the interval. Early in the second spell Humphreys and Archibald made ground from the twenty-five in an exchange of passes leading to a good try by Heeney. Hollis missed the goal, but Gisborne had a lead of two points. Two openings made in quick succession by O’Rourke for the left wing gave the concluding try, Spence crossing near the corner flag. Kerikeri, who hod narrowly missed getting his second penally goal shortly before, was again unable to raise the flags and the game ended 9—B in favour of Motu. Mr. H. Duckworth was the referee.