RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 July 1925, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATUI! DAV ’ S M A TOH KS. SOUTH MATCHES MATURED BY BAH AYEATHER. TI'KAPA AND STRATFORD LEADING. Weather conditions were most adverse m South Taranaki on Saturday, and in consequence the matches set down were played under giea* difficulties. iheie was, under the circumstances, only one rule to follow, “kick hard and follow on." In the north conditions were good and some fine play was seen. As tlie result of the- fixtures on Saturday Tukapa have further improved their position in group 1, while Hawera and I‘atea are level. In group 2 Stratford, through its win from Kaponga lead the group. This team has played one match less than the latter. Of the reainhig teanits the. next four all run very close to one '.another, one point only separating each of the following teams: Opunake, Star, T.ithani and Old Boys. Saturday’s result,s were as follows: Tukapa Gv. Patea nil. , Hawera, A v. Inglewood 3. Stratford G v. Kapouga 3. Old Boys 19 v. Opunake 13. Elltham 9 v. Star 3. The record of the teams in championship points is as follows:

HAAYERA (3) v. INGLEAYOOD (3). Inglewood kicked off. and S. Cameron returned to the line well down. Coutts was responsible for sending Hawera back by a good kick and, his forwards following up the advantage, went upheld. Hawera tried to open up play, but the attempt failed, and Paterson securing made a nice dash, and in a good 'position passed to AYest, and the All Black went on to score. The kick failed. Hawera 3, Inglewood 0.

From the kick-out Hawera made another rush down, and Inglewood forced. Then Inglewood attacked strongly, ancl only good defence by Loader and Cameron saved a score. Both sides strove hard to score and good plav was seen, but the spell ended without further score.

Turning straight round, Hawera for a time had the advantage, but Inglewood forwards rallied and kept the local men on the defensive, only good play by the backs keeping out the visiting forwards. At. length they rushed down past the 25 almost to the line, and a try was awarded for obstruction. Coxitts’ kick was a fine one, and struck the post, rebounding into play. Hawera 3, Inglewood 3. Again the visitors attacked strenuously, and Hawera were hal'd pressed to obviate another score. Hammond relieved, and play veered up and downfield. Then Hawera made a strong attack on the opposing line ( in which Paterson. Shore and Hammond were associated, but they could not secure the ball, and Inglewood forced. AA 7illiams and Robinson went through, and the former was pushed out at the corner. Inglewood relieved with a fine rush, and Loader was called on to save several times, and proved equal to the occasion. The game ended without further score. Air A. F. Xeilson was referee.

TUKAPA (6) v. PATEA (0). Patea put np a wonderfully good game .against Tukapa when they met that team at Patea on Saturday, and it was not until a few minutes before the call of time that the visitors crossed the home team’s line, and shortly afterwards kicked a goal from a mark. To the Patea forwards must he given the credit of checking the Tukapa hacks’ strong attacking movements, and also leading a number of formidable rushes to the visitors’ goal line. Frequently Patea was within an ate of scoring, but each time Tukapa managed to either clear or force. It was not until about five minutes after the commencement of play that the Tukapa hacks carried play into Patea’s territory, Petty being prominent in a rush down the side line which resulted in Patea forcing. Jackson thus, effecting a good save. Play settled in midfield until Hunt improved the home team’s position by finding touch 071 the 2-5 line. The visitors, however, got the hall, and a few minutes- later "Ennis had an unsuccessful kick at goal from just inside the half-way line. There was great excitement when Paid-win broke away with a dribbling rush which carried the hall from Tukapa’s territory to the touch line about five yards from the corner. Tukapa saved by forcing. The visitors were penalised for off-side plav iust inside half-way, but Baldwin’s k ick just missed. Hunt again improved Patea’s position with a good line kick, and Thor,burn carrying on the good work caused Tukapa to force. Patea came again. Jackson being prominent. From a line-out in the corner Tukapa carried the hall behind, and later Ennis cleared with a good kick. Beveridge also got in a good kick, but the Patea full-back, S. Wills, found touch well down. Petty was prominent in a passing movement close to Patea’s goal line. but the visitors lost the ball and Patea forced. The home team’s forwards then got the ball at their toes, and led by Kerri sk brought play inside the- visitors’ 20. Patea continued to press, and Tukapa forced. The Tukapa backs then attacked, and Petty iust missed from a drop kick. Thorburn put in a short run and centred, and the Patea forwards dribbled the ball up to the goal line, where the home team was penalised. and Newell cleared. Tukapa were attacking when Power marked in front of the home team’s goal. His kick was followed up by Baldwin, but Newell marked and cleared well. Tukapa came again, but Hunt marked in front of Patea’s goal, and cleared to the touch line at half-way, when the spell ended.

AVhen play resumed, C. AYills led a dribbling rush to Tukapa’s goal, and would have scored, but the goal post was in the way, and by the time he got around it the ball was kicked away. F. McKenna dived at the leather, but it was elusive, and Tukapa, clearing, carried play to midfield, where their backs gave a pretty display until Loveridge was grassed. Patea were penalised lor playing the ball on the ground, but Ennis’ kick at goal missed. Taylor, the Tukapa lock, headed a dribbling rush into Pa tea’s 25, and kept up the pressure until S. AYills cleared. The following few minutes saw some hard play in Pa tea’s territory, until Jackson found touch about half-way. The position, however, was only relieved temporarily, for the visitors worked down the touch line, and tight play within striking distance followed. Patea finally forced. Jeffries picked up on the home team’s 25 and transferred to Petty, who covered some ground before sending out to Ennis, to Hooker, to Loveridge. who evaded Power’s tackle in the corner and dived across and .scored. Ennis’ .kick failed. Tukapa 3, Patea 0. Tukapa came again. but Jackson cleared. Petty was prominent in another attacking movement, but Patea forced. The Patea forwards then took a hand again, and in the resultant play in. Tukaoa’s territory were awarded a. free kick for an infringement in the scrum. Baldwin, however, failed with the kick. Thorburn put in a good run. hut passed blindly over his shoulder into Tukapa’s hands. Another infringement gave Baldwin a-fur-ther chance, hut he again failed. Patea were awarded a third kick within a few minutes, but Jackson could not secure the necessary points. Tukapa came again, and Taylor marked. The angle was not a very difficult one, but the kick, which was taken from a good wav out. resulted in the ball being sent over the bar. Tukapa G. Patea 0. Time was sounded shortly after wards. Air H. AATiittington was referee.

OLD BOYS v. OPUNAKE. Plaving at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Old Boys defeated Opunake by 19 points (three converted tries and a potted goal) to 13 (three tries, two converted). The game was bright and full of incident. Old Boys were better in the backs. Brown’s splendid goal kickiin'- wa s also a deciding feature in favour of the New Plymouth team The game opened very evenly, play for some time being confined to the forwards in mid-field. Both sides also made several promising rushes into their opponents’ territory, where each side had unsuccessful attempts at goal from penalties. Then at half-way Alorev sent Old Boys’ backs away nicely .from a. scrummage. After passing through the five-eighths, Taylor and Earl, tb e ball was taken beautifully by Brown from an awkward pass. He out through and sent Deem racing to the left corner, where the winger crossed with so much to spare that he was able to run around and score under the bar, Brown converting. Old Boys kept at it, and a little later Morey; after drawing the defence to tlxe left, sent the ball away to the right, where Brown got possession, scoring one of big characteristic tries by cutting in and making a great run. Brown added the extra points. Iho ugh they battled hard, Opunake were unable to make much headway against the home team’s persistent back attacks. Morey and Earl were associated in a bright passing movement which bore fruit in an unexpected manner, Brown, when blocked towards the left wing, drop-kicking a perfect field goal. Opunake retaliated with a fast loose rush to Old Boys’ line, where .Bennington was wide of the goal with a kick from a penalty. Half-time arrived with Old Boys leading bv 14 points to nil. A few minutes after the commencement of the second spell Evans attempted to clear after the ball had been booted by Old Boys forwards over the goal line by kicking. He sent the ball right into Deem’s hands, and the winger put in a fine run, which resulted in Brewster scoring at the corner. Brown converted with a splendid kick. Despite the 19-point deficiency, Opunake delved in with great determination and refused to let up. The pack, with O’Brien, Lusk and Trotter in the vfiii, carried play into Old Boys’ quarters and from a final tussle under the posts Lusk chased the ball across and scored under the bar. Bonnington converted. Even then Opunake’g chances did not appear to be very bright, but they doubled their score within a few minutes as the result of a heady kick by Malcolm to the right wing, where NY. Holiaia, when tackled by A r alentine, passed back to bis brother, C. Holiaia, who crossed at the : corner without opposition and scored under the bar, Boniiington converting. Old Boys 19, Opunake IG. Meuli made two dashing runs down touch for Old Boys, but both times he was overtaken and hauled down by AY. Holiaia. when lie appeared on the point of scoring. Old Bovs did a lot of attacking, but the backg were standing too deep and bad too far to run to get results. The visitors’ backs were not impressive, but the forwards continued to be dangerous in tlio loose, and not long before time Malcolm forced bis wav across from a. scrummage on the line. Bonnington failed to improve. Opunake now began to press hard, and several times went close to scoring. Brown and Deem both did good work on the defence in the dying stages, and time wa s caffed before Opunake could further improve their score. Old Boys 19, • Opunake 13. Mr F. AVebb was referee.

STRATFORD (0) v. KAPONGA (3.) . At Stratford the home fifteen defeated Kaponga by six points (two tries) to three (a try). Consequent upon previous rain and the steady drizzle which fell throughput the game, the sodden ground and greasy ball prevented players from giving the fast, open exhibition of which both teams were capable, but in close order play a splendid contest between dashing forwards was presented. A diagonal breeze assisted the home side in the first and the visitors in the second half. While the heavier Kaponga forwards were the more consistently aggressive, the Stratford hacks when in defence proved sounder than their opponents, and provided the deciding Factor of the game. The opening exchanges were followed with a series of midfield scrummages, which were indecisive till the Stratford pack came away in a scrambling rush, which after temporary stoppages eventually crossed Kaponga’s lino, where L. Whalen claimed a force. After the kick-out C. Paterson put the visitors on the attack, but Dossett returned! and in the ensuing stages the Stratford backs, sending the ball soaring as often as possible, exploited the advantage given by the wind. Their forwards rnaed a serious invasion when J. Young made a fine break away, which necessitated a timely mark by McCarthy. Malone headed a counter'

and iu Stratford's territory l\ Hammersley showed in a good drihble, but a kick'with too much weight behind it allowed B. Collins to check. From a serum in Stratford’s 25 in front of the goal an infringement gave C. .Paterson a chance, but the heavy ball failed to clear Stratford’s charge. In the following play action went to Kaponga’s ground, where attempted sorties by the black vanguard were repeatedly held up by infringements, from one of which Sangster tried what appeared an easy shot, but the ball fell short. Receiving from a line-out, the Stratford hacks handled, and Rossett made a dash, lmt was brought down by J. McCarty, and Malone found touch, in the blacks’ quarter Ivivell headed a combined move, and J. \oung was narrowly beaten by C. A halen and McCarty for the touch down. In the ensuing exchange Golding made a clever dribble almost to the goal line, and Sangster foiled the clearance, with the result that J. Young picked up and dived over half-way between the goal and the touch line. The kick failed. Headed by Kissick and Malone. Kaponga replied with a rapid attack, and a scrum right on the home line appeared dangerous till Ivivell cleared. C. Whalen lined inside the 25. where with a- place kick 10 yards in from touch C. Paterson made another good but unsuccessful attempt to convert a penalty. Just on half-time Kivell in dangerous position was stopped by Guy. The change over gave the advantage of the wind to Kaponga, which pressed immediately, and the red backs had to seek relief in a succession of line kicks - . Kissick, McCook and Malone figured in bids that tested the defence. which proved sound till, from a Line-out ten yards from the goal-line. Malone made a powerful dash, and with two men striving to bring him down, fought his way over for Kapongu’d only score. No goal resulted. With the scores 8 'all Stratford made a (successful, attempt to take the lead when G. Paterson, in possession, ivw spoiled by the red forwards. From the melee the ball went across to Jtliason, who dashed in to field, but caught the ball, on liis boot, and Ivivell snatched up to go over unopposed ior Stratford's (second try iscveh yards in from touch. The .kick went a few feet outside. Stratford C>, Ivapongla. 3. Following the kick out Fryday took the reds on another invasion, but a penalty allowed Malone to send them back, and for a period of fifteen minutes Kaponga, pressed persistently but were unable to penetrate. Smashing onslaughts were repeatedly (stemmed, and then a penalty taken iby Guy appeared a certainty until the ball fell under the bar. Eventually Fryday made a, (spectacular clearance which, further lafield, Coulton supported with a pretty opening, and an exciting few •minutes in front of Kaponga'.s goal called for good relieving play by O. and G. Paterson and Guy until the black for,wards rallied, and the reds were sent back to their own half by a penalty. The final stage,s were strenuously fought ; both lines were threatened, hut no further tries were obtained. •Mr. Goodacre was referee.

ELTHAM (9) v. STAR (3). Eltham met Star at New Plymouth, the match resulting in a win for the visitors by nine points to three. From the spectators'’ point of view the game was very ragged, and few glimpses of combined play were seen on either side, though the game was keen. The Eltham hacks were more finished than their opponents, who sadly lacked cohesion. The home team was without the services of Bruce, who is suffering from an injury tp his head. Play continued in midfield for a period following the kick-off, and after a lengthy interchange of kicks Eltham attacked. The game remained very even for a time until. Cooper made an opening, and tire ball travelled via P. Penman'to Foster, who made a wild pass when a score seemed imminent. A penalty for an infringement enabled Star to return the attack, but bad passing nullified their efforts. ' Eventually Cole led a forward rush near Eltliam’s line, and Sturmey crossed for a try, which Jenkins failed to convert. Still' 3, Eltham 0. .Eltham immediately assumed the aggressive, and from a passing rush in which all the backs participated Cooper scored in the corner. His kick failed. Star 3, Eltham 3. The visitors maintained the pressure, and Cole twice cleared Star’s line by good kicks. Star repeatedly attacked, but could not penetrate the visitors’ defence. Eltham took up the offensive, and P. Penniall, gaining possession, broke through, but lost the Dali, which a forward kicked over the dead hall line. Carey, who was the best of the Star backs, worked the dummy successfully on several ooedsions, hut was unsupported. On resuming after half-time Star held the advantage, and several dangerous attacks were made in Eltham’s territory. Hoffmann fielded the ball nicely and, evading his opponents, made a good run down the touch line. He transferred to Wolfe and Julian received the hall and made a dive for the line, from which lie narrowly missed scoring. Serums on. the line ensued, and a penalty for an infringement allowed Eltham to relieve. A minute later Julian made a great opening for his back s by intercepting an Eltham pass, but Hoffmann failed to break through. The Eltham forwards gradually worked their, way up-field to Star’s .line, where Tiplacly obtained possession and passed to Cooper who clashed across for a try in the corner. The try was not converted. Eltham d, Star 3. From a scrum following an infringement the Eltham forwards dribbled through. Coleman over-ran the ball, but Tinlady finished off the movement by scoring. The kick again failed. Eltham 9, Star 3. • Dun tors checked a run up the side-line by Tiplady, and Stroud picked up and passed infield to Hoffmann, who made a good run, but was grassed by Cooper and Page. The game ended shortly afterwards with the score : Eltham 9. Star 3. Mr. J. O’Grady was the referee. TEAM FOB TUESDAY. Fraser Road, to play Tokaora at Fraser Hoad on Tuesday, at f .30 p.m., will be as follows: Whareaitu brothers, H. Zimmerman, A. Campbell, A. Lurid ey, N. Johnson, A . Taiiiiwha, Burke (2), A. Notman, Is. Hunt, J Pullau, N. Whai, A. Newall, and T Rlang;i. Emergencies: J. Thomson and E. A'. Davtson. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. TARANAKI V. WANGANUI. The following players have been selected by Mr H. Kendall, sole selector, to represent Taranaki against Wanganui, at A T anganui, cn Saturday, July 11: —Budd, Retteridge, Dancer, Forbes, Freddy, Ramsay, Galloway (captain), 11. Po’lard, Campbell, Muggeridge. Reserves: Pollard, Thatcher. ’Bus leaves Post Office at 10,30 a.m.

Group i. Pts. Pts. Ch. L* tv L D for. agst. pts. Tukapa ... 10 10 —• —■ 11.0 20 20 Okaiawa ... s 0 9 ' 74 40 12 CliCto s 4 4 — 49 48 8 1 kite a ... !) 2 (i 1 20 58 o H'awera .... ... 9 2 <1 I 32 85 i) Inglewood . ... 8 — <; 2 21 01 2 Group 14. Stratford .. ... 8 i 1 —. 107 38 14 Kaponga. .. ... 9 0 3 — 102 51 12 Oipuirako ... ... 9 1 4 1 17 70 9 Star ... 8 4 4 — 48 6! 8 Ellthain ... 9 3 5 1 57 / 1 / Old Boys .. ... S 3 5 — 81 101 6 Athletic .... 1 6 — 37 S3 2