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RUGBY

SATURDAY’S MATCHES.

MARRED BY RATH,

Tlie lovely morning on Saturday gave high hopes of favourable conditions for tho series of matches set down, but there was a break about midday, and towards the late afternoon rain fell heavily at intervals,, and quite spoilt the play in the various games. x\s the result of the matches Tukapa maintain their unbeaten record, but Opunake experienced a first defeat, going down to Star. Both teams from Hawera were ■beaten, Athletic pretty decisively. The senior results were as below: — GROUP I. Star 6, Opunake 0. Stratford 16, Eltham 0. Kaponga 16, Athletic 3. GROUP 11. Tukapa 14, Clifton 5. Inglewood 3, Patea 3. Okaiawa 9, Hawera 3. ' The record of the teams in championship points is as follows: —

STRATFORD (16) V. ELTHAM (0). In a game played on a sodden field, and for the greater part in pouring rain, Stratford defeated Eltham by 1.6 points to nil. Eltham kicked off and invaded the home team’s territory, but the visitors were penalised, and play returned to half way, where it renmined for some time. Taylor made an opening, and led the Eltham hacks in a passing rush, but the bid), which was .greasy and hard to handle, was knocked into touch. The Stratford forwards retaliated and attacked with a passing rush, but ah a critical moment Walter slipped and fell with the ball, in attempting to cut in. Jans, who carried on, was forced out over the touch-line. McDonald. the Eltham full-back, smothered the ,ball, but the Stratford forwards .secured and dribbled across, Eltham forcing. McDonald attempted the same tactics again, but was penalised for lying on the ball. The kick, which was taken by Sangster from a good position, failed. Stratford came again, and Walter, securing from a short kick, potted an easy goalv 4 —o. Fast following up by the Eltham players resulted in Stratford forcing. Jans was penalised, and Cooper, who took the kick for the visitors, put the hall under the bar. Dossett, for the home team, made, an unsuccessful attempt to pot, and later the visitors had another life when Fry day failed to take a pass almost on the line. ’Kirk was injured and retired, and jVlcGuimiess went on. Just before half-time Frvday scored from a forward movement.' 7—o.

When tho second spell opened Stratford attacked, and in loose play on the line Walter dived on the ball and added another three points to Stratford’s score. Songster’s kick-failed. IO —0. Eltham attacked, and R. Penniall, Avho made an opening in front of the Stratford goal, passed, to Forster, but that player could not handle the slippery ball. Filth am made several attempts to penetrate the Stratford defence, but the tacklinnr was good and the Eltham backs AA-ere unable to put in effective work, owing to the greasy conditions. Eltham forced twice, and then fast folloAving up enabled Kivell to score. Kivell’s kick failed. 13—0. Just before time 'J. Young sent out to E. Young, who- scored as. he was tackled oy Peppered. Fryday’s kick failed. 16—0. Mr C. F Stratford was referee.

KAPONGA (16) v

ATHLETIC (3)

Athletic winning the. toss, Kaponga kicked off froni. the south end. The blue backs returned and their forwards rushing clown the return had Ka-ponga busy defending right on their line'. L. Hun t and Blundell headed a rush which, was almost .successful. Then Knox marking kicked just too hard and Kaponga. forced. Oust alter the kick out Athletic rushed down once more, and again Kaponga, were compelled to force. Kaponga tried to open up play, but the tackling of Athletic was too good and the passing was nipped in the hud. Lay, with a very fine kick, put his side once more on the attack, ancl again Athletic -swarmed over the line, but lost the ball. Malone cleared in good style, and play went up ancl down field, both -sides playing hard ancl fast. Kaponga broke away, but were well checked by Thomais, who kicked well clownfield. Blues retaliated, and their forwards swept clownfield. Lay kicked, \ and rushing up tackled Guy in capital style. L. Hunt securing from a lineout, sent the ball on to Greig, and he to Grant, and the black defence was .sorely tested. From penalities Athletic had two good 1 chances to- goal, but Grant failed. Then Kaponga. got ii; a fine loose rush, Malone leading, and they swept along right to Athletic line and a force down resulted. Keeping up the pressure Kaponga had the local men on their line for some minutes. Knox .showing up well in dofence. A fairly easy chance to goal from a free kick was lost by Kgponga, and Athletic cleared in great style and swept clownfield. From a, penal ty/La.y made a fine attempt to. goal, just missing by a fraction, ancl Kaponga forced. Athletic’s forwards were playing with great clash and gave their opponent's a busy time in defence. Lay ancl McOaskill put in some very good kicking, and then Kaponga went aw Ay, McCarty, Scott and Martin heading a great rush, to the.line; and again Athletic; forced. Kaponga. hacks were handling the ball better than their opponents, and were thus enabled to check the Athletic rushes. Grant put in a nice run and was well backed up by Balia,ntyne and Blundell, and they nearly got across. Hunter at fullback, who' had done excellent defensive work for Athletic, put in a longkick and Athletic. .attacked again. Back, however, came the blacks, and for a time they were on the blue line till Ballantyne and S. Hunt, cleared. Half-time' was called without score.

From the, outset of the second spell the blaek« played a, great game They had rearranged their hack team, and the change worked well. They put in several good rushes, and the blue backs being unable to- field the hall, their side was soon in cliffienlties. .List on the line Malone- .secured and dived across. No goal reswlled. The bines strove gallantly to- retrieve- their position. but the Kaponga- pace mid clash upset them, and they went down-field in great style. Hunter, with a clever

kick, sent them back, but not to be denied the blacks rushed down, and smart following up enabled C. Patterson to beat the opposing backs and to score in. good position. No resulted. Blues then set up a: hot attack which reached Kaponga line, but the defence was sound. Lawn and Hunter made ground from; marks, but Kaponga, coming down-field in a great rush, rushed over the line, and O. Patterson. scored a good try which lie converted. Spurred- on by this reverse, blue forwards, headed by Blundell. Greig and Herbert, got on a great rush which looked likely, but had handling spoilt a. fine opening. Back went the blacks, and, the opposing hacks mulling, Whalen dashed across and scored under the posts. A. Guy goa.led. Blues were not done, however, and going up field in a loose rush, they had Kaponga busy defending. From a scramble Knox secured and went across to score a good try. From that on to the end of the match play was fairly even, but neither could score again, and the match resulted: Kaponga 16, Athletic 3.

OPUNAKE’S FIRST DEFEAT. Opunake suffered its first defeat at the hands of Star on Saturday at Western Park, New Plymouth, the home team’s score of six points consisting of a try and a penalty goal to nil. When the teams took the field the disparityin height and weight between the two sets of players, especially in the vanguard, appeared to promise distinct advantage to the visitors. This,, however, did not pro A-e the case, and considering the game developed into a loose and disorganised scramble, principally among the forwards, it must he admitted that the Star men stood up to their heavier opponents very well. As a matter of fact, in the second half the local men had the advantage throughout, and except for an occasional breakaway, the Opunake team was kept almost wholly on the defensive. Heavy showers' of rain during the game made the hall slippery to handle, and both sides made the mistake of trying to initiate passing rushes instead of keeping the ball at their feet and trying to go through by this means. It was from a dribbling rush, in which Stroud was most prominent, that Star’s first score came. Fast following up hv Carey enabled him to heat the opposition for the touch down. The try was not converted. Both teams worked hard throughout the game, hut with little or no effective concerted action. As individuals several of the players did well. There was a good deal of off-side play on both sides, and lifting the feet before the hall was put in the scrum cost Opunake a few penalties, while, conspicuous instances of handling the ball in the scrum missed the eye of the referee. Stroud was responsible for adding the last three points for Star, when he kicked a goal from a penalty given against the greens. Opunake' strove hard to break through the 1 black defence, but they- were unable to find a weak spot which would let them through, and the game ended without further score. Mr F. J. Eggleton was referee.

INGLEWOOD (3) a-. PATEA (3). IngleAA-ood met Patea fit IngleAA’ood on Saturday, the game resulting in a draAV, both teams scoring three points. Prior to the mateli torrential rain fell, A\-ith the result that the ground was nothing but a sheet of Avater Let it be said that this was the reason for the poor standard of Rugby displayed, rather than place the blame on the teams concerned. Certainly- interest in the match Avas Avell sustained (although a great many of the feAv spectators Avould hardly credit the game Avitli interest), for Inglewood’s only score came two minutes after play had commenced, and Patea did not register their three points until a time Avhen all Avere Availing, perhaps a little impatiently, for the referee to declare the game ended. Patea kicked- off, and following up a good punt, by- Coutts, the IngleAvood forwards carried play- to the opposing team’s 25. Ragged serum work folloAved, and at length a Patea man Avas in led off-side. The position for a kick at goal Avas by- no means faA-ourable, but Coutts made the attempt and succeeded with as pretty a place kick as could possibly be imagined. IngleAvood 3, Patea 0.

Wliat followed- for the rest of the half will certainly not go down in the history of Rugby in Taranaki. Inglewood spent most of their time in tlie-ir opponent's 25, but Patea were equally as busy on the defence, and nothing happened. This is exactly what occurred again in the second half, and continued to happen until Larded, the Patea left winger, took in his stride a Cross kick near half-way, and made a spectacular run to the • 25, where lie was grounded in possession. He had the forwards in support, however, and they in their turn took the ball on to a good scoring position near the line. Here C, Wills, gained possession from the, loose and cut in smartly to score atry, which he failed to convert Inglewood 3 r Patea 3. -Shortly after the whistle for no time sounded, play then centring in Patea territory. Mr H. C. Johnson was the referee. OKAIAWA (9)~v. HAWERA (3). At Okaiawa the home team defeated Hawera by nine points (two tries, and a penalty goal) to three (a try). Heavy showers of rain which fell during the early part of the game militated against fast play and sure handling. In addition neither team exhibited good combination, and play was lacking in the concerted open order movements which in previous seasons have figured prominently in contests between these clubs. Saturday’s encounter, however, sustained interest throughout, as the issue remained in doubt until the last few moments, when the final three points compiled by the winners gave! them a comparatively safe margin. Though the bustling Hawera forwards dominated the first spell, the home players more than held their oWn in the second, and fully merited the victory owing to the superior vim with which they infused the concluding stages.

After the opening exchanges play went to midfield, where it remained till a punt hv West gave a line-out in the home 25. and Paterson headed a rush by the Hawera pack. An infringe"jnent allowed Tki to transfer action to the other half, where from a scrum Atkins set the Okaiawa, hacks moving. Receiving in turn Johnston was well marked, and Shore cut.in to centre to the yellow pack, who took the ball to a line-out near their objective. From the throw-in a home back endeavoured to find touch, hut Malcolm fielded cleverly and raced along the line, only to lie thrown out as lie reached the corner, following which Okaiawa were compelled to force. Malcolm returned the drop-out, hut kicked too hard, and the reds again forced. A'nother assault hv Paterson, West and Robinson had Okaiawa defending desperately, a penalty giving relief, and action went to midfield, where Johnston made a

clever opening and started Crawford on a dash, whieii was checked by. Loader, the Hawera full-back. S. Cameron (Hawera) secured in th© ensuing lineout, and was supported by the Hawera forwards, who made another attack, Roberts stopping with a timely mark. Hawera dominated the following play, and were given an opportunity when fumbling by a home back let Paterson and Williams through with a dribble, but Crawford pounced on the ball to claim a force. Then a further series of onslaughts were defeated by the red backs, whose defence remained sound till Barron ran up and irfside the home 25 left the hall with the Hawera forwards, who charged through the remaining defenders and Williams touched down for an unconverted try. Hawera 3, Okaiawn nil. Okaiawa retaliated with a swift counter. Griffin raced under the kick-off ball, and with Linn headed a forward attack, which resulted in a line-out within three yards of the goal line. The throw-in improved the attackers’ position, but S. Cameron saved with a force.

■Opening the second spell Okaiawa showed a marked improvement, and kept action in the visitors’ half till West came through the ruck and lined at the other end. A mark by Atkins stopped the ensuing rush, and following a line-out in Hawera’s quarters, Atkins, Roberts and Johntson handled smartly. Bailey intercepted, but a supporter was ruled offside, 'and Johnston made a good though unsuccessful attempt at the goal. Coming again, Linn launched a determined move by the home pack, who maintained /'the pressure till‘another powerful punt from West set the yellow forwards racing, and Hulbert, smothering J. Cameron’s -attempt to clear, threw a wide pass to Paterson. With the hall at his feet the latter aproached the goal, but Tuki blocked, and in the following scrimmage a penalty returned play to midfield. The most spectacuar effort of the day came a few moments later, when from the home 25 Griffin and J. Cameron showed in a brilliant dual dribble, which caught the defence napping and culminated in a well-merited try registered by Cameron. Xo goal resulted, and the scores read three all. Almost immediately after Roberts appeared with the ball'in Hawera’s- 25 and, drawing the defence, sent a cross kick to the speedy winger Crawford, who finished a splendid clash with a try, near the corner. Again the kick failed. In rapid succession Crawford on the one wing and Purvis on the other were almost over. During a gruelling period Atkins repeatedly blocked the Hawera vanguard in its attempts to break away. Then in a line-out just inside the Hawera 25 flag obstruction resulted in Okaiawa being awarded a penalty, and Iki converted with a fine kick taken from about seven yards inside the touchline, making the scores at full time, which sounded shortly after, Okaiawa 9, Hawera 3. Mr A. H. Guy was referee. TUKAPA DEFEAT CLIFTON. Under conditions varying from sunshine to torrential rain, Tukapa added to their avowing list of victories by defeating Clifton by 14 points (four tries, one converted) to 5 (a converted try). The game was obeyed in Pukekura Park. Tukapa’s form was consistently good. Clifton had a line pack in the field, and repeatedly amde ground by combined dribbling movements; it was in the hacks that the visitors were beaten. Play- was hard from the beginning, and 'much closer than the ultimate scores indicate. Clifton was l'rocinentlv penalised in their early scrummaging for offside tactics and infringements in the scrum, with. the. result that they had to devote most of their energies to defence ii the early part. Tukapa, however, were unable to hold the slippery ball on .several occar sions when tries looked inupipent; ;Ehr |

nis also narrowly missed goalmg for Tukapa when he made an attempt from a wide angle near quarter way. The Clifton pack then got the measure of their opponents and attacked vigorously, but a breakaway by R. Oliver and a fast run by Hart, 'who lost the ball as he burst through, carried play back to Clifton's quarters. The next Tukapa attack was frustrated by Briggs and the full-back, Young, but from a lineout at the 25 G. Taylor burst through. The next instant Evans and Johnston had dribbled clear of the defence; and the former dived across form, try, which Ennis converted. Tukapa. 5, Clifton 0. Almost immediately Hart made another fine run, but could not peentrate the defence further than the 25. Effective tackling by Briggs on the right wing again saved Clifton’s line, when H. Oliver broke through the- pack. The Clifton forwards were now putting on the pressure. Jeffries cleared once by working the blind side cleverly, while Taylor saved a try by booting over the line to dead-hall. From the ensuing scrummage the Tukapa pack came away in a. mass, but Briggs stopped them on the left wing and broke through. He punted and fielded his own kick off the bounce. Briggs was tackled near the line, lnit in the melee which followed Ward secured, and, breaking through, .sent Knuckev away on his right, thence to Jones (centre), who got a fine try to the left of the posts, which he converted. Tukapa 5, Clifton 5. The interval followed almost at once. . The second spell opened with a period of fast forward play, the game fluctuating throughout the entire length of the field. Then play .settled in Clifton’s quarters, and soon Evans broke awaV again from the loose and crossed the line in a. scramble. The trv was not converted. Tukapa 8, Clifton 5. The Clifton forwards were playing with great dash, and for a period threatened Tukapa’s line, hut the home pack were equal to the occasion, and holding their own, continued to give their backs opportunities. In one of the finest passing rushes of the day Hart missed scoring by knocking on on the wing. R. Oliver renewed the attack and sent Ennis through, but he was grassed on the tine. From there it was only the work of an instant- for Johnstone, who was behind to pick up the ball as it rolled clear and make a clean dive across. Ennis failed to add the extra points'? Tukapa 11, Clifton 5. Clifton forwards, led by Ward,' Bailey and Taylor, again attacked, and ZBriggs was once nearly over on the left wing. Heading a fine Tukapa rush down the line, Johnston carried play hack into Clifton’s territory, where the ball went out in the corner. • From the line-out Ennis fielded from a Clifton player, and in a Hash liad sped across to the left of the posts. He failed to convert. Tuka"a 14 Clifton 5. Clifton took the offensive again, and following a.bright movement by Young, Briggs and Jones, T. Taylor and his forwards were all but across, but Petty stopped them right on the line in fine style, and Jeffries cleared with a good kick to touch at quarter way. Clifton pressed back, and this time a mark by Davies off Young held them off. Then Jones iust missed the uprights with a penalty kick against Tukapa for offside play, for winch they were several times penalised towards the end. Clifton liad got no nearer scoring when time arrived with the score unaltered —Tukapa 14. Clifton 5. Near the end Davies, a Tukapa forward, was hurt, and he was replaced bv Prior. Mr E. Gilmour was referee. JUNIORS. A keenly contested game between ICaponga and Hawera first juniors on the former’s gruond resulted in _ a draw, no score being registered. Mr H. A. K. McNae was referee.

FOURTHS. Ivaponga fourths won by default froni Hawera Technical High School B, the latter failing to appear at Ivaponga. UNIVERSITY MATCH. WIN FOR. NEW ZEALAND. (by telegraph.—press association.) DUNEDIN, May 24. The first test match between the New Zealand University and Sydney University was played on the Cai'isbrook ground yesterday afternoon in dull but fine weather, --New Zealand winning by 22 points to 5. The groupd was slightly heavy, following the rain of the previous night. The game was fast and spectacular, but each side was lacking in combination. The sc,ore does not accurately represent the- difference between the sides, as the Australians attacked equally as much as the New Zealanders, Stevenson, the New Zealand full-back, proved an unpassabjle -barrier, aiid saved certain scores by deadly tackling |ancl sure fielding. For New Zealand O’Regan, Carter, Burroughs and Owen scored tries, O’Regan land Dickson converting one each, O’Regan kicking a penalty goal, and for Sydney Andrews scored and Williams converted. * METROPOLITAN MATCHES. WELLINGTON, May 27Poneke (6) defeated Athletic .(0). Poneke had heavier and better backs, and these secured the victory, Marist and Oriental played a drawn game, 8 points each. This was a fast and exciting game, each side alternatively attacking and defending. University (11) defeated Wellington (3). It was anybody’s game until the last quarter of ail hoar. Berha,mpore (8'» defeated Old Boys (3). Hutt (9) defeated Selwyn (0). AUCKLAND, May 24. The Rugby competitions ivere continued in showery weather] the grounds being slippery. Grafton beat University by__9 to- 3; Poneonby heat Marist Old Boys by 3 to nil la penalty goal in the last minute deciding the game) ; Grammar beat College Rifles by 6 to 3'; King’s Old Boys beat Manukaii Rovers by 12 to- 9; Suburbs beat Newton 3 to O. CHRISTCHURCH, May 24. Old Boys (30) v. North Canterbury (8); Lin,wood (5) v. Albion (3) ; Merivale (9) v. Christchurch (o).

CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. ROUGH PLAY. ' CHRISTCHURCH. May 23. The worst exhibition of Rlitgby seen in Canterbury for many years was witnessed on the Oval this afternoon. Play in the first spell of the Meri-vale-Ohri stcih ureli m atch wa-s fierce, and ini the seconci -spell matters' did not improve. Fifteen minutes after resumption came a, dramatic touch. The referee (Mr. T. Rain) blew* his whistle, ©topping play, and then he pointed to J. Jeffries, a Mem-ale forward. Jelfriea immediately turned and walked to the pavilion amid an outburst of chderrng and groans. A little later Mr. Bain again blew, his whistle and called both teams round him and delivered a general warning..

Group p w 1. I, B l’U Pt-S Oh Opunake 4 3 .1. — for 31 agst pts 2S 0 Ivaponga . . . 4 3 .1. — 54 6 Stratford . . 3 O 1 — 31 23 4 Star 3 o 1 — 20 20 4 Athletic .... 3 1 2 — 28 37 o Old Boys .. . 3 1 2 33 31 o Bit,ham 4 0 4 — 11 47 0 Tnkapa Group 4 4 II. 0 — 5G 11 8 Patea .... 4o 1 1 17 21 5 Okaiawa 3 2 .1. — 21 17 4 Clifton 3 1 2 — 1(3 2d O Inglewood .. 3 0 2 1 9 20 1 Haweva .... 3 0 3 — 0 31 0

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Bibliographic details

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 May 1925, Page 6

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3,977

RUGBY Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 May 1925, Page 6

RUGBY Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 May 1925, Page 6

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