RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 July 1925, Page 3

RUGBY

SATURDAY’S MATCHES.LEADERS MAINTAIN POSITION. 1 Under ideal conditions the championship competitions were continued on Saturday. The displays generally were very good and several results were very close. Athletic scored a win over Eltham, and Hawera drew with Inglewood after a great struggle. In Group I. Tulrapa decisively defeated Okaiawa, "but the latter had bad luck in losing their two inside backs in the early stages of the game. In Group 11. Stratford had a narrow win over Opunake 'and now stand foui points ahead of Kaponga. The results were as follows: — SENIORS. Tukapa 16 v. Okaiawa 0. Inglweood 5 v. Hawera 5. Patea .and Clifton did not play. Stratford 9 v. Opunake 5. Athletic 18 v. Eltham 11. Old Boys S v. Star 5. JUNIOR RESULTS. SOUTHERN DIVISION. First Juniors. Opunake It v. P.W.D. 0. Waimate 37 v. Patea 0. Athletic 12 v. Hawera 3. Okaiawa forfeited to Eltham. Third Grade. Eltham 8 v. Hawera 3. Fourth Grade. H T.H.S. “A” 30 v. Waimate 3. WESTERN DIVISION. First Juniors. High School 36 v. Old Bovs 0. Star A 6 v. Olcato 5. NORTHERN DIVISION. Clifton 3 v. Urenui 3. Tukapa 24 v. Star B 0. Second Grade. High School 21 v. Tukapa 7. Urenui defaulted to Star. Oka to defaulted to Clifton. Third Grade. Star 11 v. Old Boys 5. Tukapa forfeited to School A. Technical College 13 v. School B 3. Secondary Schools’ Grade. High School A S v. High School B 0. The record of the teams in championship points is as below:— Group I. Pts. Pts. Ch.

ATHLETIC (IS) v. ELTHAM (11). There was an exciting finish to the Eltham-Athletic match, played at Hawera on Saturday. Although Athletic had started well by scoring two tries in the first 10 minutes, Eltham was having the best of the. game, and with, the scor© at 11 points to 6 m the visitors’ favour, and only eight minutes to go, it seemed that Eltham’s chances of victory were practically a certainty. Suddenly Lav got an opportunity to drop-kick a goal; and he made no mistake. Athletic’s hopes rose, and the team played with renewed vigour in order to “wipe out the margin of one point against them. Eltham were penalised for off-side play, and amidst great excitement L. Hunt sent the leather just inside the uprights, the hall actually scraping the inside edge of the post. Athletic were thus, put two points in the lead, but the issue was nlaced beyond doubt when, just before the call of time, Ballantyne broke awav from half-wav, and with a dribbling rush scored. L. Hunt converted, thereby . bringing Athletic’s total up to 18. Athletic kicked off, and attacked with a forward rush. The Eltham fullback made an unsuccessful attempt to force, and fast following up enabled McCaskill to score. Lay failed to convert. Eltham were attacking just inside the home team’s territory, when Athletic were penalised, A. Cooper’s long shot at goal being unsuccessful. A second free kick from the same position also failed. Eltham carried thenattack dangerously close, and 13. Peunialll who was in a handy position, just failed to pick up as the ball rolled into touch. In the subsequent play Eltham overkicked. Athletic came down the field, Thomas picking up from the bounce and starting a passing movement, which a faulty transfer spoilt. Lay got the ball and. working the dummv, cut in beautifully, transferring to Owen, to Plank, who raced across in the corner. Thomas’ kick failed. Eltham attacked, but Simpson cleared with a fine line kick. Eltham came again. It. Penuiall and Tipladv being prominent, but Grant got in a handy speculator which found touch outside the 20. Another Eltham attack was checked by Lay. who got in a good kick. Eltham piled on the line, and 15. Penniall a finest got across, but offside play allowed the home team to clear. Eltham were attacking persistently until finally off-side play enabled McDonald to kick an easy goal. Athletic then took a hand, Hunt and Ballantyne being prominent in a forward rush. A few moments later Hunt was unlucky not a score, he being brought back by the line umpire. Athletic indulged in a passing rush, sending the ball across the Eltham goal month, hut they were penalised and a good kick relieved. T. Attrill was prominent in a dribbling rush, which carried play well into Athletic’s territory, but Simpson cleared. McDonald failed from a free kick. Eltham were pressing, and three scrums were given in the corner. K. Cruden finally picking up and diving across. Cooper converted from a difficult angle, and the spell ended eight to six in Eltham’s favour. When play resumed Lav missed an I easy chance to goal. The Athletic back attacked with a passing rush, but 1 Plank, who attempted to drop, sent

the ball too low. Eltham passed, but Hunter marked and found toncli neai half-wav. Eltham were on the defensive until R. Penniall marked from a pass and relieved. A period of ragged play followed until Tiplady put in a short run and sent the ball out to Taylor, to R. Penniall, who lost the leather in tight play near Athletic’s goal line. Penniall, however, got the ball again, and dived across and scored. McDonald’s kick failed. Athletic attacked. and Grant failed to goal from a penaltv. A promising passing movement was spoilt by Plank hanging on. Grant missed from a drop-kick, hut shortly afterwards Lay got a chance and added four points. Eltham were penalised, and L. Hunt goaled. Ballantyne broke away with a dribbling rush from half-way, and scored in a handy position, L. Hunt converting. The game ended a minute later with the scores at 18 points to 11. Mr R. R. St.. George was referee. INGLEWOOD V. HAWERA.

Hawera and Inglewood played a drawn game on the Inglewood Club’a ground, each side scoring a converted try (five points). The game was very fast and fortunes fluctuated very considerablv, but the standard of football was poor. Both teams had good forwards, hut neither possessed any combination in the backs, Inglewood being worse in this respect than Hawera, who did occasionally get some promising passing rushes going. Inglewood’s attempts to score were mostly gooc] individual efforts.

The first piece of exciting play was provided by a sudden breakaway by Coutts from midfield. McKay and Atkinson carried on when Coutts was tackled and Atkinson was brought down on the point of scoring. Clegg and Ross started another promising movement for Inglewood, and Syme knocked on in a scoring position in the right corner. Inglewood pressed, hut the Hawera. forwards, led by Robinson and • La very, broke through the attack and saved the line. Both sides were handling very badly and dosing many chances offered by open play. Inglewood were pressing again, when Coutts miskicked. The visiting forwards were quick to seize the opening. A splendid effort by Hulbei-t- took play right inside Inglewood's 25. There a Hawera forward secured possession, only to be brought down near the po,st s after a fine run. However. Murhpy was handy and he dived across for a try, which Cameron converted. Inglewood returned to the attack, and a little later Ross intercepted at half-way and was away with practically a clear field. After an exciting run he scored as ho was Coutts added the extra points. Half-time sounded soon after. Play was very fast in the second sne'l, and though the fielding was better both sides failed to benefit by the opportunities they had, principally because of faulty handling and bad passing. Hawera was having much the better of things towards the end, and attacked hotly, hut were never able to penetrate Inglewood’s defence. A penalty against an Inglewood player under the posts gave Hawera a. chance for a win, but Cameron’s kick hit the left post and dropped to the ground. In the few minutes that remained Hawera pressed hard, and play became very willing, there being no fewer than four stoppages in the last five minutes. During the whole time Hawera had Inglewood penned right hack on its line, hut Inglewood defended stubborniv and determined that if it could not win nobody else would, and played out time with its line intact. Mr E. Clare was referee.

TTJKAPA (16) v. OKAIAWA (0). Tukapa continued its victorious career by defeating Okaiawa by 16 points. The game was played at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, before a large crowd of spectators. The winners’ score consisted of three tries, two of which were converted, and a penalty goal. Okaiawa did not score. Tukapa opened its scoring account early. Ike got offside right in front in midfield, and Ennis placed a good goal. From the kick-off again the blues got possession, and some bright passing took place. Atkins and B. Roberts were solid in defence. The game had been in progress only a few minutes when B. Roljerts got his nose broken and had t-o retire. Purvis filled the gap. From a throw-in the blues secured, but a clever interception by Johnstson effectually saved. The local sides, however, were getting more than a fair share of the ball, and it kept up the attack until the visitors found relief in a force down. H. Oliver started a loose rush which was well followed up, and in returning a kick R. Roberts placed the hall into . Jeffries’ hands, and he raced and secured the touch down at the corner flag. The try was not converted. The reds came with a great rush, and Peta got over the line, hut Petty, . who had missed the ball on the ground, got back and tackled him before lie could force. From the serum the reds got the hall, and Atkins sent it away smartly. It travelled ' through ail hands, Johnston making a good opening. . The defence held, but Tukapa were penalised, and Johnston had an unsuccessful shot at goal. A rush by the blue forwards was repulsed by Tuki, who took the hall well and found touch at past half-way. A penalty against Okaiawa shortly after the opening of the second: half gave a chance at goal, but Ennis missed the direction. The visitors rushed play to the opposite end of the field, but Loveridge and Stoln- broke away, the latter losing possession of the hall when he had almost completely beaten the opposition. At this stage Johnston received an injury which necessitated his retirement. On resumption R. Oliver and Tavlor went down with a rush, and the latter scored, Ennis converting. A pretty movement followed a moment later. R. Oliver fielded the ball in midfield, and after a good run he cut in and then handed on to Loveridge, who cut in beautifully and scored under the posts. Ennis converted with an easy kick. From a scrum in midfield the ball came to Jeffriess, who broke away, but transferred to H. Oliver, and continuing in support he received the hall again from Oliver and raced over, but was recalled for a forward pass. Reds then broke away with Cameron and Ike in the lead. Petty was compeltely beaten, but Johnston got back and saved, and Petty found touch, getting the home side out of an awkward predicament. Hard play followed, and neither side was able to penetrate the defence, and the game ended without further score, the result being: Tukapa 16, Okaiawa 0. Mr L. Goodaere was referee.

TEAMS CHOSEN. COR NORTH V. SOUTH TAR ANAKI. The selectors, Messrs 3V. Thurston, T Campbell and C. Brown (North), and W. B. Fearon. J. Goodwin and A. O. Casey (South), have chosen the following teams to represent the respective divisions in the North-South Taranaki match, which is to he played at Stratford on Thursday: — NORTH. Full-hack—-Petty (Tukapa). Three-quarters—Loveridge (Tukapa), Brown (Old Boys), Coulton (Stratford). Five-eighths—Ennis and R. Oliver 'Tukapa). Half —Morey (Old Boys). Rover—G. Taylor (Tukapa). Forwards —Hookers : Johnson (Tukapa) and Brewsters (Old Boys); lock, McGuire (Clifton) ; sides, Kivell (Stratford) and Ward (Clifton); hack row, Walter (Stratford) and McKay (Inglewood) . Emergencies —Backs: Jenkins (Star), and Deem (Old Boys) ; forwards, Bond and Fry day (Stratford). SOUTH. Full-hack —Bennington (Opunake). Three-quarters—Cameron (Okaiawa), j Johnson (Okaiawa), W. Hohaia (Opunake) . Five-eighths—B. Roberts (Okaiawa), A. Guy (Kaponga). Half —M. Lynsky (Kaponga). Rover —31. Malone (Kaponga). Forwards —Front,row: Robinson (11awera), and Gruden (Eltham); lock, H. Paterson (Haweivi) ; sides, L. Pep pore 1 ! (Eltham), R. O’Rorke (Opunake) ; back row, R. Penniall (Eltham) and Snow (Opunake). Emergencies.—Backs: J. McCarthy •'Kaponga), C. Wills (Patea); forwards, Thoumine (Kaponga).

NORTH v. SOUTH ISLAND. TEAM FOR THE NORTH. WELLINGTON, July .19. . The North Island Rugby team to contest the inter-island match at Invercargill next Saturday has been selected as follows: Full-back, Nepia (Hawke’s Bay); three-quarters, Cohier (Wanganui), Blake (Hawke’s Bay), Falwasser (Hawke’s Bay); five-eighths, Cooke (Auckland), Langlauds (Poverty Bay); half, Mill (Hawke’s Bay); wingforward, Porter (Wellington); hookers, Irvine (Hawke’s Bay), Kirkpatrick (Hawke’s Bay); lock, McLaren (Thames Valley); sides,,3l. Brownlie, C. Brownlie (Hawke’s Bay); back row. Walter (Taranaki), Sly (Wellington). ' Emergencies : Back, Bropliy (Manawatii); forward, Kivell (Taranaki).

Eight members in the North Island team is a wonderful record for one province—that is Hawke’s Bay’s contribution—but this was expected. Taranaki -is represented; by the Stratford players Walter (who is practically a certainty for the New Zeaand team) and Kivell, the latter an emergency, while it is interesting to note that Falwasser is an ex-Taranaki man. It is understood that Cooke was the only Auckland noniinee available, and that only tliree Wellington men could travel to theNiouth. Sly, the Wellington forward, noted in the match at Hawera as sin outstanding player, and his selection is no surprise. Porter was a certainty for rover, and it will be an interesting and a great struggle to see him opposed by Parker. They are the two great exponents of the position of rover. The hacks uTe a great lot, and if they combine well they will tax the resources of the men from the South. But there is no doubt it will be a battle of the giants on Saturday next at Invercargill. „

CO3I3IENTS ON THE SELECTION

The South teafti is a- fairly solid, wellbalanced combination. The forwards are a fine lot, and little exception can be taken to the choice of the selectors. The Eltham players have fairly earned their places, and, if they play as well in the club matches, they will be hard to displace in the final selection. Lynskey at half must be considered still the best choice for the position. There is undoubtedly a dearth of good halves this season.' The five-eighths are both good and solid, but it seems a mistake not to play Davie .Toll ns ton as five-eighths. That is his proper joosition. There is not an outstanding centre, however, in the South teams. Cameron, of Okaiawa, has played hint, self into the team by his consistent form this season He is fast and determined and has had the advantage of high school training. Bonnington, of Opunake. has proved himself in the position of full-back. In the North team there will be no two opinions about the choice of fullback, and he is a likely selection for the representative team. The threequarter lin e is a; good one, and will take some stopping when they get going in th e field, provided the inside backs give them openings. The fiveeighths, playing together in c-lub football, will combine well, but- one would like to have seen a change tried. The forwards are a solid, hard-working lot. full of dash, and will take a power of stopping. Bond (Stratford), a chosen emergency, has, however, been playing so well that on his form he should have gone in before Kivell.

A WEST COAST G AME. WESTPORT, July 18. The fvarmnea and Murchison subunions; of tlie Boiler Union met in a Rugby match in Victoria .Square, Westport, to-day in perfect weather before a. huge gathering of .spectators. The match ended, in a draw. 11 points cadi. For Kanamea Tunneclilfc, Winstanley and Ballard scored, Dean conventing one try. The Murchison' scorers were Beard, .S. Borman (tries), W. Burkin, a penalty goal.and a converted try. ANOTHER WIN FOR HAWKE’S BAY. NAPIER, Ju'ly 19Hawke’s Bay B representatives defeated Bush Union yesterday by 22 points to 9. Hawke’s Bay held the advantage in the backs, and it was chiefly due to them’ that Hawke’s Bay gained the victory. The game was not a bright exhibition, a good deal of play being inclined to be scraggy. Batchelor (2), Priestly (2), Barclay and Swain scored tries for Hawke’s Bay, Miller and Yates converting one each. Plkington scored for Bush and Udy kicked two penalty goals.

INTERPROVINCIAL GA3IES. j WAIRARAPA DEFEATED. 3IASTERTON, July 19. In glorious sunshine 4000 people witnessed the Hawke’s Bay representatives (holders of the Ranfurly Shield) inflict a 29 points to nil defeat on Wairarapa. Continuous rain for the past two months had thoroughly saturated the ground, which was dead, hut this did not affect the game of the visitors, who played attractive football.

With two-thirds All Black combination, the visitors were too classical for the home team, their play at times reaching brilliant heights. The Wairarapa team were called on for 6ound defence, and under the conditions they performed well, but the clever work of the Hawke’s Bay inside backs invariably gave their side a man in when the hall got to the wings, with the inevitable result.

In the opening stages Wairarapa kept the visitors on the defensive, hut 15 minutes saw the end of any serious opposition, and from then till the end' of the game Hawke’s Bay held the upper hand and treated the spectators to a brilliant exposition of the Rugby code. The Wairarapa forwards, who were conceding the visiting pack about a stone all round, played magnificently in the first spell, but the hammering play of the Hawke’s Bay pack told its talc, and in the second session Hawke’s Bay had things much their own way.

The first try was scored by 31. Brownlie from a scrum on the Wairarapa line. Shortly afterwards Paewai, 31ill and Blake made si splendid opening for Grenside, who feuded off the opposition and scored in the corner. Neither try was converted. The only other score in this spell was the result of brilliant play hv Mill, who dispatched Blake down the side line, the latter transferring to Falwasser, who scored in the comer. At _ half-time Hawke’s Bay were leading nine to nil. Tries in the second spell were scored hv Corkhill (2), Irvine, Falwasser and Blake (2), Grenside converting only one try out of the nine scored. 3IETROPOLITAN GAMES. (by TELEGRARH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH. July 19. Old Boys 15 beat 3lerivale 3; Albion 11. beat Linwood 6; Christchurch 33 beat North Gontarburv 14. AUCKLAND, July 19. A Rugby match between Ponsonby, 'who lead for the Auckland club 'championship. and a team representing the rest of Auckland, resulted in a- win for the latter by 15 to 6. Nortli Waikato (13) heat an Auckland 3 team (nil). AYEBETNGTOIn, July 19. Poneke 10 v. Oriental 5; Petone 18 v. Old Boys 3; ’Varsity 9 v. Maidst 6; Athletic 46 v. Selwvn 3; Berhampore 3 v. Hutt 3. Poneke (23) seem sure of the championship. ’Varsity (18) and Petone (17) are next. DUNEDIN. July 19. University A 13 v. Alhambra 8; Pirate,, 18 v. Zingari 0; Southern. 23 v. Union 0; Kaikorai 20 v. University B 3: Dunedin 6 v. Taieri Rovers 6.

p W L D for. agst, pts. Tukapa Okinawa 12 10 12 0 4 126 80 20 05 24 12 Clifton 9 5 4 58 54 12 Hawera 11 3 6 9 49 90 8 Paten .... 10 o 7 1 32 70 5 Inglewood . 10 — 7 3 20 00 3 Group II. Stratford . 10 9 1 125 40 18 Kaponga .. Opunake .. Star 10 11 10 7 4 4 3 5 o 2 ”1 114 57 58 59 84 77 14 10 9 Old Boys .. 9 4 5 89 10G 8 Eltham 11 3 7 1 71 104 7 Athletic 9 o 7 — 03 111 4