THREE TEAMS LEVEL IN MATAKAOA RUGBY TITLE CONTEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22731, 1 September 1948, Page 7

THREE TEAMS LEVEL IN MATAKAOA RUGBY TITLE CONTEST

(Herald CerrHsponfientA Tokararangi. hitherto leading in the Matakaoa senior Rugby championship series, were defeated on Saturday. City, scoring their fourth consecutive _ win, attained equality with Tokararangi and Hicks Bay, thus creating an extremely interesting situation. Normally there would be only one more playing Saturday (or the completion of the third and final round of the competition, but the results of next Saturday's play will now determine whether a play-off will be necessary in addition. Championship points credited as the result of Saturday’s matches bring the teams to this situation: ■Senior: Tokararangi, 9; City, 9; Hicks Bay, 9; Wanderers, 5. City’s Late Hally

In what was probably the brightest display of inter-club football of the season, City defeated Tokararangi by the narrow margin of one point, the scores being 11-10, at Tc Araroa. The game was a memorable one in that it provided excitement in the closing stages as is seldom experienced in local football. City, who had failed to cross Tokararangi’s goal line until virtually the end of the match, accomplished the task of amassing 11 points within the space of rather less than the same number of minutes.

Fast, open play was sustained throughout with scarcely a dull moment. The deciding factor in the game was Tokararangi’s over-eagerness in the final stages. This resulted in the infliction of penalties which gave M. Sterling chances to employ his goal kicking ability for City to good effect. Eight of City's points came from Sterling’s boot. The first half was characterised by determined thrust and parry by both sides, the game swinging rapidly from end to end of the field. At half-time the score was unopened. After the interval Tokararangi’s thrusts were successful on two occasions when S. Hale and D. Waitoa scored tries. Both were converted by S. Dewes. The score remained 10-nil in Tokararangi’s favour until within 10 minutes of the final whistle. At that stage, over-eagerness on the part of Tokararangi players led to an infringment and M. Sterling had his opportunity to break the ice belatedly for City with a penalty goal. Over-eagerness again brought trouble to Tokararangi and Sterling was successful with his second penalty. City stormed the defence in the final two minutes and H. Abraham secured the game for his team by going over for an epic last-minute try in a handy position. Sterling added the conversion points.

Tokararangi’s outstanding forward was S. Dewes, with G. Moana and G, Goldsmith also consistently prominent. L. Walker and D. Waitoa were the best of the backs, the latter being a tower of strength to his team at first fiveeighths. City’s hardest workers in the ruck were F. Henderson apd T. Crawford. The pick of their back line were A. Henderson at half, W. Rickard, Rigby and H. Abraham. The referee was Mr. P. Herewini. Forward Battle Hick’s Bay defeated Wanderers on Te Araroa No. 2 ground by 6 points to 3. Both teams were obliged to field substitute players as the result of injuries sustained earlier by regular men and this factor, combined with their relegation to an unfamiliar and second class playing area, resulted in a lowering of the standard of play normally expected of these teams. The game was predominantly a forward battle with only a few flashes of back play. Tries were scored for Hicks Bay by R. Rata and R. Fox, Wanderers’ points coming from a try by N. Henare. There were no conversions. Mr. W. Peka refereed, the game.

Junior Rep. Game

Tolaga. Bay juniors travelled to Te Araroa on Saturday to defeat the Matakaoa junior representatives by six points to nil. A number of Matakaoa selectees were not available and lastminute replacements were made. The result was that the match was rather a disappointment. Tolaga had slightly the better of the encounter, having a shade of advantage in weight. Bright back movements were evident at times, but the game was basically a forward tussle between fairly evenly-matched packs. For Matakaoa the outstanding players were Thatcher at full-back, McMeakin, wing, and Tibbie and Morris in the forwards. Pcka, at first fiveeighths, showed considerable promise. The referee was Mr. T. Walters. No inter-club junior games were played on Saturday because of the representative fixture. WOMEN HOCKEY CHAMPIONS Saturday’s inter-club women’s hockey matches completed the competition for the Stainton Memorial Cup, the championship points credited being:—Awatere, 9; Kawakawa, 7; Hicks Bay, 4; Pohutu, 4. Awatere defeated Pohutu at Te Araroa by two goals to nil, thus securing the club championship for the season and acquiring the Stainton Memorial Cup. It was a fast and vigorously contested game. Mrs. Peachey and Kate Karaka were the scorers. The umpires were Messrs, W. Walker and T. Brown. Kawakawa and Hicks Bay played a drawn game without score at Hicks Bay. Both teams were short of some regular players and neither played up to normal standard. The umpires were Messrs. L. Tihore and R. Rata. The Potaka team journeyed to Te Araroa to play a mid-week return match against the Pohutu and Kawakawa combined side. The match resulted in a draw without score. Messrs. T. Brown and P. Patuwai were the umpires. BASKETBALL CONCLUSION Playing their final inter-club basketball games for the season, four local teams completed the championship series on Saturday. Points credited were: Awatere 18, High School 12, City 6, Tokararangi 0. In a rather ragged game, Awatere showed superior combination to defeat City, 11-1.

High School defeated Tokararangi, 4-2. Miss Mary Henare was the referee in both games.