RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 June 1924, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

INTERESTING RESULTS. SOME LEADING TEAMS BEATEN. The interest in the series of matches on Saturday was well maintained, and the results make the position specially striking in Group 1., where. Kaponga and Opunake both considerably improve their position in the list, and only a point in each case now represents the difference between the two leaders and the next three teams. Hawera had a great struggle with Star, and won only in the last few minutes. They thus maintain their position two points ahead of Stratford, with the rest well below. Results were as follow : Hawera S v. Star 6. Ivaponga 20 v. Tukapa 0. Opunake 6 v. Eltham 3. Old Boys 14 v. AVaimate 0. Stratford 11 v. Inglewood Oi Okaiawa 10 v. Clifton 3. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. GROUP I.

SENIORS. HAWERA (8) v. STAR (6). Playing before the largest fooball crowd that has been seen in New Plymouth during the present season. Star and Hawera fought a hard contest at the sports ground on Saturday afternoon. Both teams were keen and, fit, and the local side, realising they were opposed to the leading team in the competition, rose to the occasion splendidly, the result being that the spectators were treated to one of the most interesting games that have been seen in New Plymouth this year. Star undoubtedly had the better of the game, and were unlucky not to win. On the other hand, however, although Hawera were called upon largely to play defensive football, they had the capacity to turn to advantage opportunities that came their way, and it was just .that difference between the teams which gave the visitors their victory. For the first few minutes play remained in neutral territory "until Brown opened up an attacking movement for the visitors, which was not checked until the ball came hack to Jenkins, who marked opportunely. A second rush by the yellows came dangerously near to scoring, but Brown was grounded with the leather, and Linehan cleared. Star forwards then set up a vigorous attack, which carried play right on to the Hawera line, where a wide pass was sent out to Carey, who forced his way over. Jenkins’ kick failed. From the kick-out again the advantage was with the home side, the forwards having the advantage in the loose, while the backs indulged in some bright passing, though they did not gain much ground. Jarvie relieved. The ball came back to Lay, who cross-kicked, and Brown gathered it in and made one of his characteristic runs, handing on to Malcolm, who scored. Brown converted. The remainder of the snell was sternly contested in neutral territory. On changing over the local side again pressed the visitors, and Carey had a shot at goal from a mark in a handy position, hut the hall did not rise. Brown was responsible for putting the yellows in an attacking position, being well supported by Whittington and McGregor, but the movement was checked by Court and Linehan. Clarke was instrumental in relieving the pressure on the home side when in the loose he ran up, and cutting in beautifully beat several opponents ami gained a lot of ground. From this time on the game was played almost wholly on the yellows’ side of the central line, with an exception or two, when the visitors momentarily rushed play into Star territory. West on one of these occasions gave a wide pass to Whittington, who scored right at the corner. This was not until after Star had added a further three points to their score by a well-scored try hv Julian. Jenkins liad an unsuceessfu shot at goal from a penalty against Jarvie, who had misfielded the ball. The local side was striving hard to maintain their one point advantage, and it was not until near the conclusion that Hawera notched the final try which gave them victory by two points. When “no side” sounded the visitors were assuming the ascendency, and the final score was: Hawera 8, Star 6. ' Mr F. Roberts was referee. OPUNAKE (6) v. ELTHAM (3). Opunake met Eltham at Eltham, and after a rather disappointing game* defeated the local team by six points to three. Eltham, with the wind in their favour, kept the greens constantly on the defence in the first spell, hut- although Eltham had numerous opportunities from penalty kicks, by halftime they had onlv succeeded in scoring a try.

Opunake kicked off, and Eltliam attacked strongly, Page kicking high and Peppereil almost getting over in the corner. From the line-out Penniall became dangerous, hut Opunake forced. Eltham came again, and K. Cruden was entrusted with their first penalty kick, hut failed. The white vanguard led the next attack, and Page .snapped up the ball and dived across, C. Hohaia tackling him well as he was in the act of scoring. McGuinness failed to convert. Eltham 3, Opunake 0. Opunake forced their opponents hack, but Page broke away, supported by P. Penniall, who was pulled up for knocking on. McGuinness failed with a penalty shortly after. An unfortunate incident occurred when Eltham were following up a long kick. Moss, the Opunake fullback, was on the ground with the ball, and in the tussle which followed he sustained a broken arm, and had to be removed to hospital. Opunake were again penalised for offside play. Page’s kick failing. Opunake attacked, and Eltham were penalised, Hohaia failing to goal. Sheehan made an opening and transferred to Penniall, to Page, who delivered a weak pass, enabling Opunake to force. Eltham still pressed, but Tnwhaka.- who had replaced Moss, was clearing in great style.

1n the second half Tnwhaka took up his position at five-eighth. W. Hohaia playing full-back. Opunake attacked, and from the line-out Tuwliaka made an opening. A melee under the goal followed two five yards scrums, but offside play spoiled Opunake’s chances.

Opunake again pressed, hut Eltham cleared from a free kick. Eva, the Eltham full-back, took a high ball, but his kick to the line was weak, and C. Hohaia taking the ball on the bounce sprinted across the line to score. W. Hohaia failed to convert. Eltham 3, Opunake 3. Eltham attacked, but a promising movement headed by McQuin came to nothing. R. Penniall retired and McDonald took his place. Eltham were in trouble when their full-back missed the ball, and Page, who picked up,, could not get in a good kick, with the result that the ball rolled out ’in the corner. Stunners saved by marking. Eltham forced again, and later AW Hohaia had an attempt at goal from half-way. The last score resulted from a pretty piece of work. Tuwhaka made an opening and transferred to King, who cut in and passed to F. Hohaia, who flashed across and scored close to the posts. A\ 7 . Hohaia’s kick failed. Opunake 6. Eltham 3. In the remaining few minutes Eltham made strenuous efforts to even matters, hut although K. Cruden had a kick at goal from a penalty nothing eventuated. Mr F. Julian was referee. OKAIAWA (10) v. CLIFTON (3).

A fast, keen contest, mostly confined to the forwards and marked by strenuous forward rushes, varied hy occasional flashes of nice back play, describes the match between these teams. Clifton kicked off with the wind, and the ivind taking the ball a force down resulted. From the kiek-out Clifton attacked, hut the defence av<js sound. Okaiawa hacks got to Avork, R. Roberts making a good attempt to goal, and later with his brother making a good dash. M. Clarke, following up fast, dribbled across the line and scored. No goal resulted. D. Johnston, Tuki, and R. Roberts Avere again prominent, and the first-named just failed to score. Clifton retaliated and took play well downfield, Avhere in a good position J. Jones kicked a nice goal, and scores were eA-en. Shortly after a chance came to Clifton, and Matene had a shot at goal. Clifton continued to attack, and from a passing rush Jones AA r as forced out at the corner. OkaiaAva cleared, and near half-way Matene had a pot, Avhieh just failed, the ball strikmg the post and rebounding into play. In the second half OkaiaAva attacked strongly, and from a passing rush Purvis got oA’er, hut the referee ruled no score owing to the flag being touched. Shortly after Clifton Avere penalised, and R. Roberts nearly goaled. Clifton set up an attack, but Bruce was collared, and Okaiawa went downfield. R. Roberts made a nice run, and passing to his brother, the latter potted a good goal, and Okaiawa led by four points. Play went up and downfield in fast, loose rushes, and on one occasion Clifton Avere very close to a score from a rush that just went out at the corner. OkaiaAva, hoAAeA r er, had the better of the play, and towards the end of the game they set up a nice passing rush, which was concluded bv Purvis dashing across and scoring. The kick failed. Just after no side was called, leaving OkaiaAva winners bv a margin of seven points. Mr A. F. Neilson was referee. KAPONGA (20) A 7. TUKAPA (NIL). At Kaponga, the home team defeated iukapa oy 20 points to nil. The Kaponga men shewed superiority in all phases of play, though their sensational victory may be primarily ascribed to the magnificent dash of their forwards, who dominated throughout, by reason of which Kaponga’s formidable backs seldom appeared in the picture, except in defence. The ground aa’us heavy as the result of previous rains.

Playing against tire wind, Kaponga mads an early offenswe, and had the blues defending desperately. From a scrum Lynsky received, ,|ind sent it on to Guy, alloAving Paterson to score the first try. The kick failed. Kaponga o, Tukapa nil. In the ensuing play Priar fumbled and another score seemed likely, but overeagerness spoilt the opportunity, Tukapa. relieved Avith a penalty. Buggs and Evans AAere associated in a dribble Avhieh Martin completed with Kanonga-’s second try. The kick failed. Play, went to the midfield, then to the Arisitors’ terriforv, till Davis caught the home pack offside and led the Tukapa forwards in a rush. Kapcuga backs handled avgll, and Guy made a fine run, being collared by Priar, Ennis clearing. C. Evans, at top speed, carried play clerr> of the blue line, where, from a throw-in, Lynskey sent a wide pass to E>. Evans, Avho transferred to Scott, but Hart intercepted and retrieved brilliantly. Guthrie and Thoumine showed in a cirver dribble, Avhieh took them OA r er, but Ho-oke,r beat them aa itli a force. Later Tukapa 1 Burned un, and in front of Kaponga’s goal indulged in some ranid passing, which Avas promptly smothered. Ennis made an opening, but Avas held up. and a scrum allowed AVhalen to clear. Halftime sounded Avith the blacks in the attack.

Ip the second spell, the visitors, with the wind against them, were seldom past half-way. Shortly after resuming Scott, in front of Tukapa’s goal, was by Oliver, and Purer son goaled. Kaponga 9, Tukapa nil. Jefferies initiated a passing movement. Guy intercepted and passed to W. Evans, who was cheeked by Priar, the same player stopping Scott a yard from the scoring line. Ennis’ attempt to clear was marked in good position tv G. Evans, who converted with a fine kick, and the score read Kaponga 12, Tukapa. nil. Kaponga sustained their assault, and gave much trouble to Hart, Ennis and Priar in the defence. Whalen took a punt from Priar and crosskicked to Briggs, who was held up by Hart. Guy secured and dived ove» the fallen pair to score an 'unconverted try. Kaponga 15, Tukapa ml. Ennis and Hart got moving, and gave an opportunity to Stohr, who centred with a short punt. Lynskey cut in to save with a mark, and Tukapa’s most favourable opportunity was lost. The Tukapa backs attempted a passing bout, which was spoiled by the back forwards, and Scott dribbled to midfield, where he was checked by Priar. The ball finally went to rfriggs, alio made a sensational nm from Letwet n half-way to the bluets : ‘-cuty -five. and scored between thei posts. Scott converted, and full time .minded sfo' iy after, with the score Kaponga 2(>. Tukapa nil. Mr A. 11. Guy ur.s referee.

STRATFORD (11) v. INGLEWOOD (0) Aided by the wind and with Sharrock kicking in fine form. Stratford had a comfortable win againt Inglewood on Saturday. The visitors (Inglewood) were fortunate in not having their line crossed in the first half, the spell closing with six points against them, two penalty goals, but in the second half their defensive play was not too solid, and a try and converted goal brought Stratford’s score to 11 points. Right from opening play Stratford set up an attack, which the maroons found hard to stem, Coutts and X. Ross repeatedly breaking up the rushes. A hefty kick by Sutherland was carried inside the 25 line, and a penalty going against the defenders. Sharrock goaled. In play again Vaughan and the Meuli brothers (three) made repeated attempts to get over. Whilst clearing the goal line a maroon forward got offside, and Sharrock again found the uprights. In play again Fryday secured in the open and dropped for goal, but the kick was

charged down. IC. Meuli then raced for the line, but N. Meuli spoilt by knocking on. Inglewood occasionally Avorked play to half-way, but Avere never dangerous. In the second half Inglewood opened by Coutts just failing to goal. A feiv minutes later he had another try at goal, again just missing. Next Lumstfen marked in a handy position, hut his attempt Avas very poor. After these let-offs Stratford forwards woke up, and dominated the remainder of play, and Avith play in Inglewood’s 25 Kivell picked up in the loose and Avent oA r er for a good try, which Sharrock com’erted. In the closing stages Inglewood came again, and AA’ere attacking strongly when play ceased. Air Gilmour was referee. OLD BOYS 14 v. AVAIMATE 3. After losing six successive matches in the Avet, Old Boys shoAved their appreciation of drier conditions by defeating Waimate at Western Park by 14 points to 3, thus registering their first win this season. The game was hard fought, w r as always interesting, and at times exciting. Old Boys played with the wind in the first spell. Within three minutes they had taken the lead through a try from Nasmith, Avho snapped up the bail after Newell had collared Tamanui and cut through to score. Newell failed to convert. All the honours were going to Old Boys, Ayhose light but fast pack, aided by a nippy set of backs, made play fast and open and held the heavy Waimate men in .check. They followed the ball with untiring energy, and these efforts AA r ere rewarded with three more points when a -Waimate back Avas penalised for obstructing Moore, Avho had folloAA r ed the ball over the line. NeAA’ell landed a goal. Waimate put plenty of dash into their play, but Avithjthe exception-of J, Taylor the fonvards AAere not so fast. They Avere also frequently caught offside, Avhile the backs were top inclined when attacking to run too far before passing. A change in tactics gave AVaimate command for a while. They kept the ball close, and the heavy forwards, headed by Taylor, Milner, Birehall and Lavefy, crowded down on Old Boys’ line. Waimate suffered severely for offside tactics, and a penalty here brought relief to Old Boys, and for a while play ho\ r ered in mid-field. Rei was working cleverly behind the AVaimate scrummagers, but cohesion and finish were lacking among the hacks. Old Boys developed the passing and running game cleverly, and made several pretty and effective movements. It was from one of these- rushes, started by Morey, who made brilliant openings at half, that Old Boys got their next try. The ball Avas heeled back to Morev inside of Waimate’-s twenty-five, ©tit it flashed from Atkinson, D. Taylor, and finally to Bullard, who, showing great pace, sped over at the ™rner as\ Birchall dived at him. Newell’s kick failed. Half-time sounded noth Old Boys leading by 9 points to nil.

On resuming Waimate played Avith much more dash and determination, especially in the forwards. Old Boys resorted to strategy, and knowing they had the speed made play as open as possible. Nasmith stopped Milner and Taylor, with a timely mark, but Rei soon after found tough, at the corner flag A\-ith a splendid kick. AVaimate pressed hard on the line, but were unable to find a weakness near the pack. Tuki centred and made a greatopening, but poor handling cost Waimate two golden opportunities. For some time the visitors attacked till Newell put in, a fine run down the centre. Blundell and Rowlinson received in turn, and the field was clear, but the latter tripped Avhen a try appeared a certainty. Birchall and Milner retaliated, but Morey got the ball away from the fonvards at halfAvay and sent his backs off again for a spectacular try. From Taylor the ballflashed to Smart, who, timing his pass to a. nicetv, let it away as he was falling. Nasmith, the speedy centre, gathered in the ball cleverly "arid, cutting into mid-field again, left the defence dumbfounded while he scored brilliantly near the. post.' Newell con-A-erted. AVith Birchall, Taylor, Milner and Rei prominent, AVaimate swept up the field right to' the line, and all but scored. Bullard booted down the field, Avhere the AA'hito forwards smothered the full-back. Exciting moments foljoAved. J. Taylor and Hughes sent luki a-Avay on the Aving, but a good tackle by Blundell stopped him. From the line-out Tuki kicked to the opposite Aving. McCarthy missed liis first chance, but regaining possession, a moment-later, cut clean through from quarter Avay to score a fine try near the post. Taylor was unlucky with the kick, Avhieh hit the post. AVaimate attacked desperately at the closing stages. Time sounded with the scores? Old Boys 14, AA 7 ainvate 3. Air. F. J. Eggleton was referee. KATERAU DEFEAT WA.VERLEY. Kaierau and AAaerle-y tried conclusions on Rec. No. 2 ait AA 7 anganui on Saturday, and after an uninteresting game the former emerged the victors by a margin of 11 points, the scores being Kaierau 14, Waverley c.

A challenge shield match will be played at Normanby on June 25 between the holders (Ngatiruanui) and Taranaki.

JUNIORS. Kaponga juniors and Alton played a drawn game at Kaponga,•» no score being registered. The home team were two men short, and play showed slightly m Alton’s favour. *Mr C Crowley was referee. During the second grade junior match between Okato and Tukapa. at Okat-o. on Saturday, ,J. Pascoe (Tukapa) had his ankle injured and it is thought he will not be able to play again this season. WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. The opening matches of the Wednesday competitions will be played off Wednesday. Under the conditions no Saturday players, whatever their Oracle, will he permitted to play on Wednesday if a Saturday player once play for a. Wednesday team hie cannot play again on Saturdays. Fixtures for Wednesday are* June IS-Maorn v. AVhareroa, .at Tokaora; Hawera. v. Tawhiti, at Hawera; Ketemarae v. Manaia, at Manaia; Meremere a bye.

-4-9 '"O >) s = -4-> o (P & cj O a C ft IP. 2 Tukapa s £ Q 3 CM < o ... 7 5 0 2 78 38 10 Eltham ... 7 5 0 2 42 27 10 Kaponga ... 7 4 1 2 64 32 9 Opunake ... 7 4 — 3 28 34 8 Waimate ... 7 3 1 3 37 44 Pa tea ... 6 1 0 5 34 44 9 Old Boys ... 7 1 0 6 42 69 9 GROUP II Hawera ... 8 6 9 - 80 38 14 Stratford ... 8 5 o 1 62 30 12 Okaiawa ... 8 3 1 4 42 43 7 Star ... 8 3 0 5 35 58 6 Inglewood ... 8 2 1 5 53 83 5 Clifton ... 8 1 2 5 23 54 4 Stratford and Okaiawa have to replay the first round match, which counts here as a win to Stratford.