NAPIER THE CHAMPIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 April 1926, Page 7

NAPIER THE CHAMPIONS

SEVEN-A-SIDE RUGBY.

TOURNAMENT AT KAPONGA AFTERNOON OF SPARKLING FOOTBALL. Tlu* popularity acliieveil by tlie Ivapong’a seven-a-side Rugby tournament was responsible for a good attendance of spectators at the Domain on Saturday, when there was a fine series of snappy displays of football which quite delighted the onlookers. The appearance of the All Blacks —Cooke (in the Napier team), Johnston (Okaiawa) and Walter (Stratford) —and of Potaka, Peina and Kingi, Wanganui reps., added very much to the interest of the tournament.

The ground was in good order and the play generally was very clean and open, and the onlookers were roused to much enthusiasm at the results. Details follow: FIRST ROUND. Public Works (3) v. Manaia B (0). A hard fought but not very scientific game was contested between these two teams. Play was, however, fast aid keen, and .just on the call of time Public Works scored under the posts, Anderson getting a good try, which Hohaia converted. Mr C. Jackson was referee. Napier (9) v. Manaia A (0). A very simple win for the visitors was recorded on their first appearance, wlii'ii they were greeted with much enthusiasm. They at once assumed the aggressive, and within a minute Cooke, the All Black, had scored under the posts after a fine run, in which Barclay assisted him. Shortly after Cooke got away again and rail well down, when lie passed to Gemmell, who scored an easy try. Manaia A held the East Coasters for a time, but soon Napier got away in fine style, and a good rush ended in McDonald scoring a. try. The first ,spell ended 0 1 —0 in favour of Napier.

Manaia A played better in the second spell, but Napier had the advantage and several times should have scored but for a knock-on. They did not increase the score, and the game ended in their favour —nine points to nil. Mr McNae was referee. Okaiawa (fi) v. Celtic (0).

This was a good contest, with little Viet ween the teams. Celtic worked up field :it the beginning, but later Okninwa. getting together better, went down field in a fine rush and, Cameron passing to I). Johnston .tin* All Bines pul in a dashing run and sent the bail oil to Phillips, who dashed across and scored. The kick failed. On turning round. Okaiawa played still better, and with nice open rushes kept Celtic on the defence till, in a good passing rush, in which Johnston and Crawford took part, the latter scored a brilliant try. These were the only scores and Okaiawa won therefore —fi-0. Air Julian was referee. Eltliam C (3) v. Kapongn C (0). Eltham from the outset assumed the offensive and, despite great efforts bv Kaponga, scored a good win. They scored a try in the first spell, one of 1 ho forwards forcing his way over, and in the second spell, though they had all the advantage, just failed to score again. Air Dunneford was referee. Kaponga A (fi) v. Star B (0). Star rushed down field from the outset and looked very like scoring, til! Patterson stopped with a good mark. He lined well up and Kaponga, in a good passing rush, went right up to flio line, and C. Patterson just failed to score. They continued to press till half-time. On turning, Star attacked strongly. Kaponga .retaliated and, the Star backs fumbling, McCarty. Guy and Malone secured in succession, and the last named scored. Kaponga continued to press, and C. Patterson, following up. almost scored. Just after, M. Malone, from a scramble, touched .down. Mr TT. Whittington was referee. Hawera A (3) v. Clifton A (0). Play was fast and willing from the beginning, both sides alternately attacking. Hawera went nearly to scoring, but Clifton, working back, were almost over but for an infringement. The first spell ended without score. Hawera pressed from the outset of the second half, Barron, Meuli and Robinson showing fine dashing form. Then Clifton raced down the field in :i loose rush and play ended in the second spell with the ball out at halfway and no score. The sides tossed for ends and Clifton attacked strongly and got across, but were called back, and there was si ill no score this spell. In the fourth spell, Hammond made a fine dash and just on the line passed to Robinson, who scored. Rata (9) a-. Hawera B (0). Hawera B put up a plucky struggle against their redoubtable opponents, who included in their team three Wanganui representatives. Early in the first spell Rata dashed up-field, and from a passing rush Downes scored. They went on again up-field and, as tlio result of a brilliant passing rush, Peina put in a fine run and scored a great try. In the second spell, and just on the call of time, Peina secured and finished a great dash by scoring in a good posi lion. Mr C. Jackson was referee. Eltliam B (o) v. Athletic (0). Just after the outset of the match, Len Pepperoll secured from a loose rush and dashed across, Page converting. Play was even until the end of the game, despite great efforts on both sides. Both on occasions went near tri scoring. Air McXne was referee. Star A (S) v. Stratford (0). Both teams played a good hard game without much incident until towards 1 he end of the first spell, when Enlwasser secured in his own twenty-five and out clean awnv, finishing up a brilliant run of nearly the whole length of the field by just getting across the line, though tackled then by Conlton, who chased him the whole way. It was a brilliant try. The try was converted. Shortly after Star got away again, and a nice try was scored bv the centre three-quarter. Tn the second spell play was pretty even. Stratford missing one great opening when Davy ran nearly through the whole team. Air F. Julian was referee. Ttikapa (3) v. Clifton B (0). Tukapa. pressed from the outset, showing nice handling of the ball. From a good rush Oliver secured’ and scored the simplest of tries. The kick failed. On the twenty-five line, Clifton had a kick at goal which nearly succeeded. Tn tlie second spell. Flifton pressed again, and .just, in front of tlie goal had an unsuccessful shot. Without

further score, the game ended in a win for Tukapa. Mr Gernhoefcr was referee. SECOND ROUND. Eltham B (3) a*. Rata (0). Fit ham opened up in good style and, playing a hard forAvard game, just failed to get across the line. Still keeping up the pressure, they muzzled the speedy Maori backs, till Peina and Barclay, by good kicking, took play to the opposing twenty-five. At half** time there aauis no score. On turning, Rata attacked, but Eltliam, in a fine passing rush, retaliated. After some very strenuous Avork, Lou Pepperell started a fine rush and handed to his brother Len. avlio put in a great dash and, despite all efforts of the Rata; men, scored a good try. Just- after tlie bell rang - , and Eltham had Avon a popular victory by a narrow margin. Air Whittington Avas referee. Kaponga A (G) v. AVorks (0).

Kaponga started off' in great style, making the pace fast and furious. They went up the field in a fine rush and, just on the line, got a free kick which Paterson converted. P.W.D. retaliated and kept Kaponga busy till Guy, Whalen, Scott and McCarty went away in fine style and. took play to the opposing twenty-five. The ball went out and again Kaponga opened up. Whalen setting the backs going. From another rush Guy got through and scored a good try. On turning, P.W.D. forced the pace, and good dashing play by the Hohaia brothers kept Kaponga very busy, and narrowly escaped scoring. Kaponga, fighting’ sternly, worked their way down field and almost scored on several occasions. No further score resulted, and Kaponga Avon by six points. Napier (.11) v. Hawera A (0). Hawera. playing an open game, pressed the champions hard and. as the result of a good rush, carried play to the line, where Napier forced. Cooke ir.it awaA- from the kick out, but Avas stopped,’ and a great opportunity was lost to the Adsitors by fine work by Robinson, avlio took play to kalf-Avay. Then SAvain took a pass-and Avent right through to score a good try. Immediately after the kick-off, McDonald, on the wing, took, in great style and, ('\ ading all efforts to tackle him., scored a brilliant try.

After the spell Napier shoAved their best form and, tlu* ball coming along the line of backs. Cooke secured and walked across. The kick Avas successful. Hawera by vigorous rushes worked play downfield. After some play in centre’ the match ended Avitli a margin of 11 points. Star (12) v. Eltliam B (0). Star attacked from the outset and good play by Falwasser gave them a fine opening. He ay, ns taken and the hall came out to Jenkins, who potted a pretty goal. Just after the kick off. the ball came 'out to the backs and. after a fine rush, it went to Falwasser. who took it on the gallop and. sidestepping in great style, Avent over right behind the posts. Jenkins goaled. On turning the play came out to Faiwasser, avlio threaded his Avny clean through the opposing backs and scored a wonderful try. Just after this the match ended Avitli a Avin for Star by 12 points. Air AfcNae was referee. Okaiawa ((3) a - . Tukapa (3). OkaiaAva forced the pace from the outset and, rushing almost up to the line. Johnston had .a shot at goal. Avliich failed. Just after this, lie made a short kick from a penalty and, dashing on, Avent across to score a smart try. Tukapa Avent down, the field from the kick out*, and at halftime were attacking strongly. Turing round, Tukapa. Avent from the kick off and, after a. nice loose rush, i’aulger got away in the twenty-five and Avent across to make scores eA r en. This was tlie position when the ordinary time Avas called. I n the third spell, Tukapa, playing south, pressed their opponents hard, and Friar, kicking hard, lost a good chance. A fourth spell had to be played, and from a long kick Friar was penalised ■just on the line. Rangi kicked a great goal, to giA’e OkaiaAva bv G to 3. THIRD ROUND. Napier (0) A r . Eltham B (0). Eltliam kicked off, and play went out at the twenty-five. The ball came out and, following up a long kick. Cooke took in his stride and galloped across. Barclay failed Avitli the kick. Napier 3, Eltliam 0 After a strenuous bout, PeppereL relieved Avitli a line kick, but Napier came back and. ■at half-time, play was at the centre Jag.

Cooke kicked off and the ball Avent out. Then Barclay eluded his opponents and, after a nice run, sent on to Cooke, who side-stepped and scored a brilliant try. No goal resulted. Napier G, Eltham 0. Cooke got away again in a fine dribbling rush, and Eltliam secured relief from a penalty kick. The match ended Avith a Avin to Napier by six points to nil. Mr Whittington Avas referee. •Star A (3) a-. Kaponga A (0).

Star kicked off .and play Avent up and down the field, Kaponga luiA'ing most of the adA’antage. Then Star took a hand and by roose rushes took play to the opposing twenty-five, Avliere Guy made a great save. Xo score was made at half-time. Just after resuming Kaponga had a penalty kick, and Paterson made a great attempt at goal from near half-way. After a spell for an injured player, Star Avent up field in a great rush. The ball came out and Ross securing made a fine run. being taken on the line by Paterson. The ball came out and Ross, taking once more, dived across and scored. Xu goal resulted and just afterwards ihe match ended Avitliout .farther score—Star 3. Kaponga AO. Air Gernhoefre Avas referee. Okaiawa had the bve. SEMI-FINAL. Napier (3) v. Okaiawa (0). Johnston kicked off for OkaiaAva, and after some indeterminate play, tlie ball came out to Anstis, avlio dashed for the line. At the right moment he transferred to MeDonald, who. after a brilliant dash, just got across as lie Avas collared. The kick failed. Okaiawa i-uslied up field after the kick out and almost got across at the corner ns half-time was called.

Turning' for the second spell, Okaiawa created a sensation when Tuki, taking a kick, bent Cooke and kicked down to the line and the forwards. Tacking up, carried play over the lin-• and a score was just averted. Keeping up the pressure. Okaiawa struggled till Gemmell and Swain headed n fine rush to near the goal line. Gut in a brilliant dash Johnston went right down to the twenty-five, where' obstruction gave Okaiawa a shot at goal. T’lav went, up and down until the bell rang for no side. Napier 3, Okaiawa. 0. TTfK FINAL. Napier v. Star A. Star set the ball in play and created tremendous interest by attacking vigorously, and ns the result of a loose,rush, Julian scored in the corner. The kick just failed, the ball hitting the posts. Star o, Napier 0. Then downfieltl went

Napier and just, on the lino Cooke took and dashed across, but he was called back. A moment later Anstis took, and the ball inn over, he followed strongly, dived and scored their first trv. Cooke made no mistake. Napier f).' Star .‘l. Play for a time was close till the visitors got away, and the ball ■ oming to Gemmeli. the burly .player pushed through, and after several exchanges came to Cooke, and JJie All Black put in :i wriggly run and eluded all ,attempts to stop him. He eon\ci ted his own try. Napier 10, (Star Id After the kick out he put in a characteristic, run and kicked at the correct second to find the line well up. Napier continued to attack and gave a great exhibition of passing, but failed v*i score. Star defence being good. .Tust before time Cooke electrified the spectators by a typical dash, and he went on to score a brilliant try. The game ended, Napier Id, Star 3. The names of the winning team were: Cooke, McDonald, Barclay, Anstis .'backs), Gemmeli, Single, Swain (forvnrdsy CONCLUSION OF THE TOURNA- • MENT. The play of the winners, was much admired, and the gallant fight put up by Star against their redoubtable opponents gained unreserved approval. Cheers greeted both as they came off flic field. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. At the conclusion, Mr A. Melville welcomed the winners and runners-up to the presentation ceremony, and called on Mr W. B. Fearon to present the Irophies. Mr Fearon congratulated the winners and the secon dteam for their fine football display, and then called oa Mr Barclay to receive the Casey •Shield for the ensuing year, when he hoped they would come over to defend their rights of possession. Gold medals also were /presented 'to the members of the team and a football to the Star team. Mr Barclay briefly replied, and this brought the best tournament in the history of the club to a conclusion. It was acknowledged by all to have been a most successful clay’s sport, and to have shown Rugby rarely seen equalled i;i Taranaki. Tt is of interest to note that previous winners were: 1921, Kaponga; 1922, Pet-one; 1923, .Toll’s; 1924, Kaponga; 1925 Tukapa.