FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1922, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

REEFTON RUGBY NOTES. (By “Arbiter/ 7 ) REEFTON, May 15. The Inangahua Rugby competition was advanced another stage yesterday, when ideal weather conditions were experienced. IKAMATUA (10) v. CRONADUN (8). There was a large attendance at the Cronadun-Jkamatua match, which was played at the racecourse, resulting after a very exciting and hard fought game in a well derserved victory for Ikamatua by 10 points to 8. Both teams who were •evidently well trained, were out to make the game willing from start to finish. As expected, both teams relied on their forwards to carry 'thorn through, and a great duel ensued between the opposing packs In line out play, Cronadun appeared to have a slight advantage, which was more than balanced by the superiority of the Ikamatua scrum. In the loose, .Ikamatua showed better combination, and put it all over Cronadun, whose efforts were mostly of the individual order. The game was a sequence of fast rushes, in which Ikamatua showed fine team play, dribbling well, and not kicking ( too hard. Wherever the ball was, you would see three or four handy. Though the Cronadun pack did not combine too well, they have some fine individual' players in O’Regan, "Wylie, and R. and P. Roberts. The former played, the best game on the field, and had to bear the brunt of the line out play, the ball being thrown to him on almost every occasion. The team would be wise to very this a little. "Wylie, though on the slow side, played a very hard game. He is rather prone to hang offside. The Roberts Bros put in plently of dash, but Dick tries to play both back and forward thus obstructing’ his own inside backs. Among the backs, Coghlan played a great game behind a beaten pack. Meharry played his usual safe game. Gallagher, at centre, was playing really well till an injury to his knee practically put him. out of play. Bob Smith (wing) shows plenty of dash and scored a line try. F. Robertson, on the othey wing, was neglected ami had to get among the forwards for something to do. G. Wright (full-back) gave a very good display, and showed line judgment in getting the line, lor Ikamatua the pick of a very even lot oE forwards were Davis, Jenkins, Hindmarch and Fitzgerald. The scrum, being very even gave Davis and Fitzgerald (hookers) every chance of securing the ball, which they succeeded in doing five time, out of six. Straight played a fine game at half, though he is inclined to run too far before passing. He scored two tries, one being a fine individual effort. Securing the ball from a scrum, he ran clear through the opposing pack, and scored', behind the posts. The Hannah Brothers played safely as did Coulson when shifted to fullback. Walters played a fine game at full, till an injury to his shoulder compelled him to retire. Air T. Irving, was referee. 'The Cronadun team appear to have developed a penchant for offside play, the whistle going repeatedly lor glaring breaches. With good coaching, the backs on each side would develop quicklv, as the material is there. I would advis-e both half-backs to pass straight fioin thi', ground to their first lifeeights, who should be in full motion on receiving the pass. All the other backs in the movement should be at top on receiving, instead of standing and then try to get up speed. REEFTON PIRATES (21) VJUNCTION (9L At Keating’s paddock, Inangahua Junction, the Reef ton Pirates defeated the Junction team by 21 points to 9. The game was played in a very friendly spirit. Pirates backs had a day out, and showed some fine combination. Air D. Twomey was referee. LEAGUE FOOTBALL. Playing at Nelson Creek on Sunday Nelson Creek defeated the, Runanga Juniors by 11 points to 3.