RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 13 July 1925, Page 6

RUGBY

RUGBY ON SATURDAY. SEVERAL GOOD DISPLAYS. LEADERS RETAIN POSITIONS. The result of Saturday’s matches leaves the position of the leaders unchanged and it. is practically impossible now that Tukapa and Stratford can be displaced in their respective groups. Tukapa have an overwhelming lead, and Stratford, with one match less played, is two points ahead of Kaponga in Group I. It is interesting to see that Hawera has improved its position, and by beating Paten is fourth and. two points ahead of Patea. Clifton effected some* what of a surprise by inflicting defeat on Okaiawa.

The results were as below: Stratford 9 v. Eltliam 3. Kaponga 12 v. Athletic S. Opunake 5 v. Star 5. Clifton 9 v. Okaiawa 0. Hawera 12 v. Patea G. Tukapa. won by default. Friendly game. Tukapa S v. Old Boys G. The record of the teams in championship points is as below: Group I. rts. l J ts. Ch.

■SOUTHERN DIVISION. FIRST JUNIOR. Opunake 11 v. Okaiiawa 0. Wa ini ate 20 v. Ait h letie (i. Patea 14 v. Public! Works 4. Kaponga forfeited to Lilt ham. Hawera a bye. THIRD GRADE. Patea forfeited to Hawera. Wahmt'e 24 v. Athletic 6. * FOURTH GRADE. T.H. School A 9 v. K-aponga 6. T. 14. School B forfeited to Okaiawa. JUNIOR. MATCHES. SECOND GRADE. NORTHERN DIVISION. Lepperton 12 v. Clifton 0. Tukapa 14 v. Urenui 8. WESTERN DIVISION. High • School 8 v. Okato 5. Rahotu 22 v. Old Boys 0. THIRD GRADE, Old Boys 28 v. Okato 6. High School 33 v. Urenui 0. Clifton foVfented to Star. FOURTH GRADE, Olid Boys 8 v. High School B 3. Star 27 v. Higly School A 9. Tukapa could not muster a team to play Clifton. SECONDARY SCHOOLS GRADE. High 'School B 23 v. Technical College 3;

HAWERA (12) v. PATE A (6). After over half ah hour’s delay the teams arrived on the field. At the outset Hawera attacked, and. Patea, clearing across the goal mouth, Loader secured and potted a good goal. Hawera were penalised, and Baldwin had an unsuccessful attempt at goal from •close to half-way. Patea continued to attack, and fast following up enabled L. Hunt to score in the corner. Jackson failed to convert. Hawera attacked, and Cameron missed with a long shot at goal. Offside play gave Paterson a good chance at goal, but the visitors blocked the kick. Hawera kept up the pressure, but several promising passing movements were spoiled by forward passes. The Patea forwards returned play to Hawera’s 25, Murphy being prominent, but penalties enabled Cameron to find touch well upheld. Patea came again, and Marks attempted to pot. From the kick-off at the 25 Henry got the ball, and a long kick which was badly fielded saw the ball roll out in the corner near Patea’s goal line. The Patea full-back, however, cleared. Hawera were attacking strongly in front of Patea’s goal when Power intercepted a pass and, putting in a strong run, heat the opposition and scored a spectacular try between the posts. Hurley’s kick failed. The spell ended 6 to 4 in Patea’s favour. After a few minutes Hawera attacked, and after the leather had been thrown about freely Robinson carried the ball acro.se and scored by the posts as he was tackled by McKenna. Cameron’s kick added the extra points. Patea came with a dribbling rush, Murphy being responsible for a promising movement, but the ball crossed the dead ball line. Hawera retaliated, and Hulbert dribbled across (>he goal line, but the dead ball line again .saw the end of the movement. Patea were penalised in front of their goal, and Cameron kicked an easy goal. From a forward movement Patea forced. Malcolm • started a passing movement, and the leather was sent down to Shore, who was forced out in the corner as he was tackled by Jackson. Hawera came again with a passing rush, hut Hammond hung on and Hawera lost the ball. Shore had hard luck in not getting across in the corner, the line umpire having to again wave his flag. Power marked for Patea, but his kick at goal failed. Jackson attempted to pot, and Hawera returned play to the visitors! 25, where Robinson also attempted a drop kick. FTawera were attacking when time sounded with the score: Hawera 12. Patea 6. Mr Clapham was referee.

STRATFORD (9) v. ELTHAM (3). A fast and closely contested match resulted in a victory for Stratford in the latter half of the second spell. Up to that point Eltham had perhaps the hotter of the game, hut Stratford, lasting better and opening up play well, heat their opponents badly towards the end, and save for good tackling by the Eltham outside backs would have scored oftener. Stratford opened the play, and ,at once rushed upfield. Eltham stopped the rush, and for a time play was in midfield. At length Attrill. getting his hacks ’away on a passing rush, Pennialt took a good pass, and going through scored a good try. The kick failed. Eltham 3, Stratford 0. Keep-

ing up the pressure, Eltham had Stratford on the defensive for some time. Stratford relieved, and play went up and downfield in loose rushes, which, however, were indecisive. Then Stratford got away and Coulton. following it]) a long kick, beat the lull-back and scored a simple try. -The kick was unsuccessful. Eltham 3, Stratford 3. Eltliam attacked from the kick-out, but back came Stratford. Coulton failed to take a pass, and a good opening was lost. Tiplady made a fine dash, and play went out at the centre. Stratford once more attacked, Coulton made a run right to the line, where a great struggle took place. At length Eltliam forwards relieved, and play moved to Stratford 25. Play was scrappy for a time, neither having much advantage, and shortly after half-time was called with scores even. ['Tom the outset of the second spell both sides made play open, Stratford backs especially attacking strongly. Eltliam defence, however, was sound, and the passing rushes of the opposing backs were countered! by good tackling. Eltham attacked, Tiplady in the load, hut'a good opening lacked finish, and Stratford came away again. Play went up and downfiekl, and then Stratford opened up play in a series of fine back passing movements. Several of these were spoilt by the wing men failing to take p'asses. Keeping up the pressure, however, Stratford forwards participated in a strong loose rush, from which J. Young picked up, and after a short dash kicked high and, following up, Bond secured and scored a good try near the posts. Sangster made a poor attempt to convert. Stratford 6, Eltham 3. Again Stratford made a strong attack. Coulton with a good run getting almost to the line. Eltham cleared, and plav went hack to Stratford territory, ‘where Tiplady and then Tayler made good runs. Stratford defence was sound, and once more thev came downfield, Dossett making a capital run. which gained a lot of ground. He was jiut out just on the line, and Eltham cleared and went uphold. Once more Sangster set his hacks in motion, and the hall went across the line to Elgar, who wasi well taken by Cuff. Tiplady mol Cooper relieved, but they could not pierce the Stratford defence. Again Cruden brothers and Pepperell made a rush almost to the line, and a score looked likely. Sangster, however, sent them back with a good kick. Undaunted, Eltham forwards attacked strongly once more and, muzzling the full-hack, got right to the line. At length Sangster got from a scrum and, passing out. trie Stratford hacks went downfield in great style. Walter made an opening and. passing out to Coulton, the winger rushed down, and though half collared recovered, and ran across to score a- good try. The kick failed again. Stratford 9, Eltliam 3. From this noint till the end of the "‘TF 3 Stratford held the upper hand. Ihe All Black Walter just failed to score. Eltham, however, were able to stem the attacks, and soon after the match ended with the scores Stratford 9,' Eltham 3. Mr J. Kiley was referee.

KAPONGA (12) V. ATHLETIC (8). Kaponga, on their own ground, defeated Athletic by 12 points (two tries and, two, penalty goals) to 8 (two held goais). Though conditions favoured bright Rugby, the exhibition was disappointing until half-way through the second spell, When, wit honiy a small margin separating the scores, the previous desultory play gave pace to dashing tactics by botn sides, which held tile spectators’ interest till no-side sounded. The Kaponga forwards dominated during the major portion of the game, but in back play the visitors showed a favourable comparison, and their fine defence proved a difficult problem to the Rome side, .which was popularly regarded as a much stronger combination. Athletic took the field with only 14 men, the scrum being one short throughout the first spell. Kaponga opened with a smart attack, and from a passing bout McCarty was almost over in the corner. From the live yards scrum Owen made a timely clearance with a mark, but the blacks returned immediately, and the visitors were hemmed in their own twenty-five. Repeated assaults were held up till Guy received via Malone and J. PaterSon. and made a short dash. , Almost on the line he wa s grassed by Plank, but, regaining his feet, cleverly retrieved the ball and dived across two yards from the goal post. The ball falling as C. Paterson kicked caused what appeared an easy conversion to fail. Athletic replied with a quick invasion led by Giant, and for n few minutes the .sure fielding and linekicking of their backs kept play ill the home half. Eventually McCook headed the Kaponga forwards in another attack, mid from a scrum in the blue’s quarter B. Hammersley set the home backs moving in a dash which Piaqk checked in a dangerous position by intercepting a pass thrown 'by C. Paterson. Thirty yards out from the goal C. Paterson essayed a good drop kick, which proved a poster. Further efforts by the home vanguard were repulsed, the play of O'wen, Plimlc and Simpson being mainly responsible, but their attempts to start counters failed to develop. Both sides incurred penalties for appealing, from /one of which Guy tried to goal. The. hall fell under the bar, and in trying to clear an Athletic, player was caught off-side, thus .giving another kick, which Ernie Scott sent true, and Kaponga. led by six points. Though (territorially in favour of the home team, play was ragged during the remainder of the spell, both sides mishandling. Halftime sounded with the s core.s Kaponga 8. Athletic nil.

On resuming Athletic fielded a full team, Imt during the first 15 minutes were subjected to severe tests by the battering assaults of the Kaponga forwards. The jatter’s first offensive was launched hv McCook and Scott, Lay making a tricky clearance. Then Malone took a penalty, which failed by a bare .margin. A throw-in almost on the blue’s line followed, and J. Raterson cut through, to he narrowly beaten by Simpson’s force. Fielding the knockout G. Paterson came through, and ensuing play saw McCook, Scott, McCarty and Malone test Athletic’s defence. F.ventualy a penalty transferred action to midfield, where S. Hunt and Blundell made a breakaway, and their supporting backs continued with a dash which necessitated a good save by Guy, whose kick found touch at halfway. Here .1. Paterson sent the ball in before the forwards rallied, and McCarty went on a’ dash down the line, hut was unsupported when Nicholson came across to tackle him two yards from the goal line. From the line-out faulty handling by the home backs allowed Owen to check, and a minute later L. Hunt and Grant were racing to the other 25. Temporarily stopped by CPaterson, the rush continued, and G. Paterson had to save with a force. Showing greatly improved form, Athletic then took the aggressive, their efforts being rewarded when, from a scrimmage in the home 25, the ball wont to Simpson, who dropped a spectacular goal. A minute later C. Paterson replied by converting a, penalty taken from midway between the blue’s 25 and half-way. and the score read Kaponga 9, Athletic 4. The pace livened up considerably, and pl&y be-

came interesting as stinging attacks and equally dashing counters transferred action in swift sequence from end to end. First honours fell to the blues when in front of the home goal Laing enthused their supporters with a surprise drop kick, which, added 4 points. Exciting incidents followed, as with only a point separating them each side strove to augment the score. With a line dash down the line Eliason was almost over, but Plank came across to shoulder him into touch. From the line-out McCarty on the other side had a chance, but was unable to gather a difficult nass and Nicholas relieved. Attempts by the Athletic backs v.orc foiled by" the vigorous spoiling of the home forwards, who gradually assumed supremacy; but the issue remained in doubt until, with three minuto s to go, Scott made an opening and handed to Thou mi no, who sent J. Paterson racing round to score three yards from the goal post. The kick failed, and fulltime Idling the scores: Kaponga 12, Athletic 8. Mr. H. (1. Whittington was role roc.

ST Alt v. OPUNAIvE. Star and Opunake playeu a drawn game on the latter club’s ground, each ”ido scoring a converted try. Conditions were itleirl ior tooAall, but *tno exhibition was poor for senior teams, being confined, throughout to the forwards, the backs on both sides giving an indifferent display. The home team was heavier in the forwards and hacl a slight advantage there, though the Star paolc must be given credit for the way tney stood up to tlieir doughty opponents and held them in the second spell. . . Pllay was very fast in the opening stages, each iside doing its share ot attacking in loose forward rushes. The backs seldom got. going, and when they did their attacks lacked combi nation and never looked dangerous. The passing amongst the Star backs was very wild and eniatic ami frequently io,s.t them ground that the forwards had gained. The visitors went close to scoring once when M. Wolfe made a good run through the defence: Tie was well tackled by Bonnington, and in the hard scrumming that followed good defensive play by 0. Hohaia and Ronnington saved the line. Bpuna.ee then took a hand. A fine line luck by W. Hoihlaia gained ground, and in a riusix O’Rbrke and Lusk carried play right to Sltar’s line, where, in a scramble, Bowman was awarded a tij not far in from the corner. With a beautiful kick W • Hohaia converted. Opunake o, Star 0. Opunake played a loose, open game, and chough they looked dangerous they were unable to improve their position before halftime. , , . O'n changing over Star had the advantage of the fall, of the ground, and their forwards, delving in vigorously, gave the backs every opportunity, hut their movements always went awry, either through bad passing or faulty position. The Opuntake forwards were good and did a tremendous amount of helpful work in spoiling Star’s, attempted .passing rushes. About halfway through the second spell quick following *by the visiting forwards enabled O’Connell and Clark to overwhelm Bonnington before he could clear, and from the ruck .Lilian bioke away with the ball at toe. The Opunake 'blacks were caught hopelessly out of position, and picking ip Julian made a line run, scaring at the corner. It vans doubtful, however, whether he was not offside when he first broKC away 'at ihalMvay. 'Stroud’s kick went just inside the posts, and the scores were equalised—s all. Both tc£im>s strove hard for supremacy during the remainder of the spell, and pi ay was vei'v willing. .Star held the ascendancy io-r a little while and Julian narrowly missed repeating his earlier fruitful effort,, while Jenkins went, very close to goaling from a penalty. Towards the end Opunake had the better of things. The home forwards did splendid work on. attack, but. not being well .supported in the rear, espa* c-i.aTlly on the wings, they' ould make but ' little headway against the safe kicking of Jenkins and Dun ford,, who were the visitors’ best men on defence. Opunake went very close to scoring just before time, but Star bad cleared and were attacking again when the game ended with honours even Opunake •">. Star o. Mr. A. F. Neil son was referee.

OKAIAWA V. CLIFTON. Okaiawa met Clifton at AVaitara, and a good game, .in which there were many exciting incidents, resulted in the home team winning by '9 points to 6. Clifton’ R victory was due to the fine work ol' their forwards, who time and again relieved with dribbling rushes when Okaiawa seemed likely to score, lhe' Clifton backs fumbled badly, and were fortunate to check the Okaiawa backs on several occasions, when the visitors went within an ace of .scoring. Play had only been in progress a few minutes, when Johnston swerved his way through the opposing team beautifully, only to be grassed by Young, with no one near to gather in his pass,'and Knuckey cleared. Okaiawa were penalised, but Tate’s attempt to goal from, a wide angle failed. The Clifton forwards gradually worked play upheld to Okaiawa’s line, where the visitoir s were subjected to a period of strenuous defence in order to keep out the Clifton forwards. Soffe picked up well and passed to Ivnuckey, who dashed for the line, but just failed to score. The home team maintained the pressure, and had several good opportunities to cross, hut fumbling .spoilt their efforts. Scrums on the line ensued, but eventually Okaiawa managed to clear. I>. Johnston dribbled through, hut fell when a try seemed imminent, and Young found touch Hear the corner. The Ciifton forwards, led by Knuckey, made a dangerous rush, hut Tula marked. Play remained fairly even . for a spell until Jones and Knuckey started a passing bout, which culminated in the latter crossing in the cornei. Jones failed to convert. Clifton 3, Okaiawa 0. A few minutes later B. Roberts broke through the Clifton defence, lint his pass .was nnillod by Purvis. D. Johnston made a good run, but was collared by Young. Okaiawa. continued to attack, and from a. forward rush near Clifton’s line Ike dived over for a try. Which was not converted, making the score three all. Clifton retaliated with a forward rush, which carried play into Okaiawa,’.s quarter, when the visitors infringed, and C. Tate, kicked a good goal from the side-line just before half-time, .making the score Clifton 6, Okaiawa 3. The home team did not maintain the ascendancy for long, however, for shortly after resuming Okaiawa Were awarded a penalty for obstruction and F. Johnston found no difficulty in -putting the ball between the uprights, making the score: Clifton 6, Okaiawa 6. Clifton became aggressive, and 1 several times it appeared as if a score must he the outcome of the home team’s efforts, but the defence held good. Johnston short-punted and, following up, passed to Crawford, who was forced out in the corner. Clifton returned to the attack, hut Johnston obtained possession, and, drawing his opponents, cross-kicked to Purvis,, who, however, was too far hack to gather in the ball, which .weht into touch. Okaiawa press.

ed, and, following some fumbling by Jones, Clifton were compelled to force. Play returned to midfield, where Tate made a good run, but failed to penetrate the defence. A moment later, however. Ward marked in a good 'Position and goalecl with a fine kick. Chiton 9 Okaiawa 6. Johnston obtained possession and raced for the line, with Crawford in support, but the latter was thrown into touch at the corner. Almost on time Okaiawa were awarded a penalty, and it looked as if the visitors would equalise the scores; but Johnston’s kick narrowly missed, and a brio-ht game ended with the score: Clifton,9. Okaiawa. 6. Mr. F. J- Eggleton was referee.

INTER-PROVINCIAL GAMES. POVERTY BAY BEAT BUSH. (by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. GISBORNE, July 11. Poverty Bay defeated Bush Union by 50 points to 12. The winners were much superior in the back division. The game was fairly even till the mteiyal, the scores being 18 points to 6. After that the local combination told, and toward,, the end the visitors were outclassed'. Poverty Bay scored' eleven tries (seven converted) and kicked one penalty goal. Bush scored one penalty goal and three tries. HAWKE’S BAY TEAM!. NAPIER, July 12. The., following team lias been selected to represent Hawlio’s Bay against Wairarapa. at Master ton next Saturday- Full-back, Nepia; three-quarters, Grenside, Blake, Falwasser; fiveeightlis, Mill, Paewai; half, CorkilL; wing forward, Walker; forwards, Gemmell Ormond. M. Brownlie (captain), C. Brownlie, Mahoney, Irvine, IvirkPatrick. . Eleven of the selected; fixteen nave worn the All Black jersey in the last three years, another lias played for the North Island, and a thirteenth toured Australia with the last New Zealand native team. This will probably be the team to defend the Ranfurly Shield against Canterbury. COAST DEFEAT BULLER. . < ■WESTPORT, July 11. The return Rugby match, Buller y. West Coast, was played at Victoria Square to-dav in glorious weather. There was a record gathering for Coasit-Bidler matches, the takings being £l3O. The teams were very evenly? matched. At half-time Buller led 6 —3—an unconverted try by Jameson for Coast, and two penalty tries for Buller. The second .spell was very'.strenuous. All Black Steel, with chairacitei'iiistie runs, scored two unconverted tries. ' Buller made desperate efforts to- retrieve the game, time and again pinning Coast on the line, blit without avail. Coast were also dangerous on many occasions.

METROPOLITAN COMPETITIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, -Tulv 12. Meriyale 13 v. Linwood 3; Christchurch 17 v. Albion 0;. ’Varsity 15 v.. North Canterbury 5. The position _ot the teams in the senior competition is: Old Boys, Merivale, 'Christchurch, each 7 points; Linwood, 5; ’Varsity 3; Albion 2: North Canterbury, It. AUCKLAND, July 12. ; Ponsonby 3 v, Marists 3; College Itifle s 3 v. Grammar 0; Grafton 11 v. University 3; Shore 18 v.■ King’s Old Bovs 16; Suburbs 14 v. Manukau 8. ' WELLINGTON, July 12'. Poneke 15 v. Marist 9; Oriental 6 v. Varsity 3; Petone 9 v. Berhampore 9; Wellington 19 v. Athletic 4; Old Boys 8 v. Hutt 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Kaponga schoolboys met their first check thi s season -on Saturday, when they drew, 3 points all, with Kapuni, on the latter’s ground. Bogle scored a try for Kaponga, and Schlicht-ing converted a- penalty for Kapuni. In the primary school football competition, at Victoria- Park, Stratford, the Stratford school senior team defeated the Elthnm school -senior team by 21 to nil. The El t ham juniors were beaten by the Stratford pinions by 15 to nil. FOURTH GR ADE, Hawoi'a Technical High School journeyed to Kaponga. and. defeated the homo-fourths by 9 points! to 6. Eor school tries were scored by Oheevers, Church, and Gower. Lyndon registered two tries for Kaponga. Mr. AVIS. Fearon Tefereed.

P w L B for. agst. pts. Tukapn Okaiawn 11 9 11 (i 8 110 so 20 49 22 12 Clifton 0 7) 4 — .18 14 10 JTawera 10 8 0 1 44 91 7 Patea 10 2 7 1 82 70 : > Inglewood . !) — 7 2 21 (> 1 Group ir. Stratford, 0 s i — no 41 10 Kaponga Opunakc Star 10 10 0 7 4 4 4 4 v> 1 114 12 13 19 71 (39 14 10 9 E It Irani ‘ .. 10 8 O 1 OO 80 7 Old Bovs .. S 8 5 — - 81 101 0 Athletic • S 1 7 —. 41 too