RUGBY AT OKAIAWA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 April 1926, Page 6

RUGBY AT OKAIAWA

SEVEN=A=SIDE TOURNEY

SCHOOLS AND SENIORS

OPUNAKE SCHOOL AND KAPONGA A WINNERS.

The keen:«it interest was pin infested throughout the seven-a-side tourney conducted by the Okaiawa Club on Saturday. There was a large attendance of*the public, attracted no doubt, oy tne opportunity of seeing good school and senior football, and also iby the glorious weather prevailing throughout i he day. And they were not disappointed, for the standard of play, more especially in the schoo’ matches, was very good. Tli? boys delighted the crowd, i. .a.ynig fast, clean, open football. The seniors also showed hard and exciting contests. / The gates were good, totaling just over £32 —a very satisfactory result. In all there were fifteen school teams competing, and they all strove hard to win, opening up the game on every possible occasion, and showing passing displays that would be a credit to any team. , Members of ’the Kapuni. team, who had ployed capitally all through, were, not so big as the Opunake boys, whom thev met in the final, and although tbev did not show quite the form the.v had in the earlier matches, they gav,e their heavier opponents a great run, and had their line crossed only twice. THE senior teams. Of the entry of thirteen teams, two did not turn up, Hawera and Waimate B. All of the contests provided exciting struggles, and the final was hard fought. Kaponga lasted the better, and* showed more dash than Okaiawa A. winning the match. Mata failed to send a team, and a scratch, team was got together, which ved a good game.

Concluding results were as follow : SENIOR COMPETITIONS. FIRST ROUND. Waimate A. —L. Hughes (capt.), L. Hansen, M. Davies, E.. Sutton, A. Snowden, T. Hickey, E. Dong. Mata.—A. Bircball (capt.), M. Lynskv, M. Clark, C. Rye, E. Griffin, Sutton, L. Hughes. Okaiawa A (3) v. Waimate A (0). Play was very even throughout, both sides pressing in turn and no score was made in the first spell. Then Okaiawa, on turning, made the pace hard ar d R.angi, following up, took and scored a good try. The kick failed. Though both tried hard in the second spell, they could not score again and the match ended in favour of Okaiawa. Mr. H. G. Whittington was referee. SECOND* ROUND.

Mata (8) v. Stratford (3). For the most part of the first spell Stratford had the better of the play and kept Mata busy defending. 3 hen Mata opened up play and from a loose rush Griffon kicked hard-up and M. Dynskey receiving, feinted and dashed across. L. Hughes goaled. In the second spell Mata made the pace from the outset arid after a good struggle M. Clark got over, the kick failing. B—o. Just on time Collins secured from a long kick misfielded jjjnd got clear away to .score and the game ended.Mr.G. Hurley was referee. Waimate Maoris (3) v. P.W.D. B (0).

Play was -ragged for a time, neither side having much advantage, till P.W.D 1 . made a fine dash and went to the opposing twenty-five, but at halftime there was no .score. Shortly after turning, YViniera made a brilliant run up the sideline and eluding the opposing backs, scored a capital try for the Maoris. No goal resulted. Shortly after the match ended with no further score. , Mr. K. McNae was referee. Okaiawa A (8) Kaponga B (0).

Kaponga, making the pace, went to the opposing line and Ok a Law a forced. Then Okaiawa got to work and with *a fine da,sh went up the line, and close to the goal line Rangi secured and dashed across, but was -called back. Play went up and down field, with long kicks to the line, and at last Rangi Phillips, taking, raced away and just lasted long enough to islore a good try. R.uru lacked a fine goal, the ball hitting the post and falling in over. Okaiawa 5, Ivaponga 80. , Changing over, Okaiawa forced the pace and, opening up play, kept Kaponga busy defending.' R.uru, following up a long kick, just failed to take „in a good position. I>. Crawford shortly after made a fine dash, and just on the line R.uru dashed and almost got across. A, free kick relieved .Kaponga and they took nlay to- the opposing twenty-five. Back' came Okaiawa and J. Crawford, making a nice run, sent on to Tuki and then to Euru. who scored and the -game ended. Mr F. Atkins was referee. Kaponga A won S>y default from Waimate B. SEMI-FINALS.

Waimate Maoris (0) v. Kaponga A (16; The match opened with a sensational passing rush, in which Scott, Paterson, and Guy took part, with the result, that after several brilliant .interchanges Guy went over the line. Paterson failed with the hick. Away went Kaponga again and Paterson, kicking hard, he and Whalen raced away and the latter scored behind tin? posts. Paterson goaled. B—U.8 —U. I\eepj n'.' up the nres.sure, Kaponga dribbled upheld -and William*# following up strongly, scored in a good position. Guy’s kick failed. A knock-on spoilt a pretty piece of passing between Paterson, Williams and Scott and a force resulted. Kaponga. went down-field, and from \a cross-kick Eliasson secured ami feinting got across behind the posts. Pa.tenson made jio- inistak;. 16 0. Maoris attacked, and with a fine d ash Wineei-a went close- to scoring. But back went Kaponga and Whalen getting away, went right down to score a pretty try. No goal, resulted. Shortly after the whistle blew for no side, teavinigc Kajpo-n.g£L winners. Mr. H. Whittington was referee. Okaiawa- A. v. Mata.

Mata pressed for a time and Okaiawa find hard work in keeping them from scoring. But at length, after some keen struggling. Tuki got away, and after a reiilly hrilhant irun, sent the ball out to Rangi Phillips, who* finished a good dash by scoring. Euru failed with the kick. Turning'far the,'second sneuL both sides attacked alternately. Mata, with a loose dribbling rush, went np the field, and failed to score. Shortly after, in -a good position, Hughes nearly goal.'d a penalty, while Sutton narrowly missed nottinej a goal. The ball went out and 'Okaiawa scored the win. Mr K. MeNae was referee. THE FINAL. Kaponga A and Okaiawa were the unbeaten teams, and consequently met

to contest the final. The conditions were two spells of ten minutes each. Excellent arrangements were made by the committee, directed by Mr. A. Lees* (chairman) and Mr. M. M. Robertson (hon. secretary). There were many assisting, specially good work being done by Messrs. G. Hurley, L. Hughes, G. Hollis, W. Baker, G. Williams, and D. Malone. All concerned in the arrangements worked hard to secure the success achieved. _ Arrangements were made for dressing tents, luncheon and afternoon tea, and the ground was in good order. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

After the final game had concluded, the medals were presented to the winners of the tourney. Mr. A. Lees* said all would agree there had been a good display of football, both by seniors and by school teams. The hoys’ matches were worth coming a long way to see. The seniors had fought out. their contests right to the end and in the final the issue was in doubt until the whistle went. He extended, congratulations to Kaponga A on its good performance ad well-deservd win, and •said he had nleasure in presenting the gold medals "to the members of the team. An extra medal was presented to the substitute who took the place of ,'Williams who was hurt and had to leave the field. He added that a football would he given to the runners-up. On behalf of the Kaponga team, Mr. E. Seott thanked Mr. Lees for the medals and for the complimentary remarks, and added that his team reciprocated the congratulations and complimented Okaiawa A on the great struggle it had made. Mr Lees added that the medals for the winning school team would be sent on to> them later. The medal for the seniors is a veiy neat gold one, \vith embossed figure of footballer in the centre. The school teams were as below: — Opunake.—R. Malcolm (capt.), R. Crocker, J. Malcolm. F. Dakin, B. Parsons. F. Smith, H. Wilson. Kapuni.—L. Hodge (capt.), R. Gulliver. D. Wa-'ker, A. Walker, W. Whalen. H. Shaw. T. Sullivan. Pihama. —T. Horga ll (capt.). C. Riley. \V. Pr.Tnt. W. R.ua. \Y. Allen. A. RichR.fds. S. Forsyth. Manilla Convent. —-T. Joyce (capt.), E. Dick, Fitzsimmons (2), J. Christie, 8. Seannell, R. Duncan. Okaiawa.—L. Jackson (capt.), D. Colins. B. Green. P. Hackett, W.Betts. T. Toro, D. McCallum. Auroa. —B. Bradford (capt.). F\ Kilpatrick. D. Tremain, R. Barlow, K. Svnrrs. M. Dagu. H. Benton. Eltham A—W. Wvlds' (capt.). H. Parsons. C. Talbot. A. Badland, J. Bad’nrd. G. Fieri. H. Gower. Manaia.—G. Edwards (capt.). J. Yin-, cent J. Hosie. R. Duncan, W. Toroa, R Morgan, E. Gaskin. Matapu.—A. Seed (capt.), S. Cleaver. W. Henry, R. Matai. N. Walker. A. Guv. McCarty. Hawera Convent. —H. Arden (capt.). L. Kerrisk, N. Gray, S. Fauna, E. Loader. G. Gibson. E. Cropp. Eltham B. —G. Dobson (capt.). F. Maslin. R. Salter, D. Carter; J. Hor- . rocks. S. Jenkins. G. Martin. Stratford. —R. Butcher (capt.). P. Kivell. Re Col 1 ins, J. Bamford. H. Main. W. Nelson. R. Lloyd. Mokoia. —J. Quin ('capt)., E. Cooper, D. Quin, W. Quin. H. WardsT*J. Morgan. G. Main.

Eltham C. —A. Nickel (capt.). C. Jones. M. Ret ter, J. Whiting, E. Paton. A. Anderson. J. Mcßeady. Hawera. —F. Kendall (cant.). C. Mehar H. Me hurry, G. MoG’a slran, D. Hayward. J. Campbell. E. Smith.

ELTHAM (16) v. ATHLETIC (5)

CLUB GAME. The season’s .Rugby attractions '--t Hawera opened on the A. and P. grounds on .Saturday, when the Eltham and Athletic senior fifteens, met in a practice game, the former winning by 16 points to 5. As was only to be expected, combination was lacking in both teams and play was ragged, though it is to the credit of both fifteens that a remarkably fast pace was sustained during the concluding stages. While the visitors’ win was merited, the honours were more evenly contended than is indicated by the scores. Ah endeavour was made to arrange a match between the respective juniors as a curtain-raiser, but the Eltham juniors were unable to make the trip, and a curtain-raiser was staged between two local scratch teams.

For the opening ten minutes play hung between the twenty-fives, with territorial honours slightly in Eltham’s favour. The hefty black and white vanguard showed in several good, rushes, but hard tackling by the home rearguard prevented the Eltham backs from exploiting opportunities. Eventually Seagar, Athletic’s full-back, claimed” a force down, and in ensuing play Athletic assaulted. Lay tried the goal with a long penalty kick, the ball going a couple - of feet outside. Further sorties by the Eltham forwards brought results when, with The sun in his eyes, Seagar misjudged a clearance kick and the ball rebounded from Corkill, who was well supported. In the following scramble on the goal-line Bryant punted for touch, but Eobt. Pcnniall gathered neatly and opened Eltham’s score with a try ten yards in from touch. Hyatt’s kick failed. Eltham pressed the attack until from a serum in front of the goal, Evan made a good clearance anl put Athletic in the attack. For a time the blue dominated, and a score seemed likely when, from a line-out near the goal-line. Quin and Thomas crossed, but Hyatt claimed a force. After a ten minutes’ tussle in their own territo-y Eltham again invaded, Attriil showing in a good run, but an infringement by one of his .supportors-gave relief to Athletic. Then from a loose scrimmage in the blues’ twenty-five the Eltham pack made a determined bid and Gornhocfer was felled right on the line by Bryant. A five yards’ scrum was ruled, and in the ensuing melee Athletic cleared with a penalty. Just before half-time the Eltham backs opened up a pretty passing bout and travelled from their own twenty-five to midfield. Here Hunter effected a smart interception, and racing past two tacklers, sent a high pass to Crabb, who played the ball with his foot when a few ‘yards from the goalline. Following up he was obstructed and a penalty try was awarded 10 yards from the post. Crabb converted, and half-time sounded with the scores Athletic 5, Eltham 3. Several changes in the disposition of both teams was noted when play was resumed. Attack and counter-attack alternated rapidly. Tiplady, in good position for Eltham, was unfortunate in being sent a forward pass, and Athletic turned the tables. A cross punt, by Ballantyne near the objective was gathered by Underhill who, however, held too long and an opportunity went begging. A moment later Herbert appeared a likely scorer, but Attriil saved with a smart force. From a midfield scramble the ball came to Harris, who made a dash, and when stopped by Owen transferred to Pepperell, and the latter with a powerful dribble went through from the twenty-five to score near the corner. Harris’ kick missed by a foot only. Eltham 6, Athletic 5. Both sides sustained a remarkable pace in

ensuing stages, aud play see-sawed between the twenty-fives. A dash byHerbert gave Ryan an opportunity, but in front of the goal he gave a forwaul pass to Bryant. The venue changed to the home team’s area, where Corldll and Cruden finished an attack by crossing the goal-line, but a kick out was ruled. In the ensuing exchange Page made a good opening at midfield and transferred to Taylor, whoso pass to Forster in front of "the goal was knocked on. The scrum, however, gave possession to Attrill, and from Taylor the ball travelled to Harris, who got across five yards from the touch line. Hyatt, converted with a fine kick, making the scores Eltham 11, Athletic 5. Athletic made worthy bids to make up the lee--way, the Owen brothers, Hunter an*il Dowclle being conspicuous, but though Eltham were given some anxious moments the defence proved sound. Just on full time a punt by Forster sent the ball to Crabb, the home full-back, and Tavlor coming up to smother the clearance kick dashed over between the posts. Page converted, making the final scores Eltham 1(5, Athletic 5. Mr L. H. Clapham was the referee.

An old Otago and Wairarapa representative three-quarter, in the person of Mr. J. N. S. Owen, was an interested spectator at the Athletic-Eltham match on Saturday, In his prime, “Jimmy” Owen was a strong, dodgy runner, with a good fend, and was also a fine defensive player. His sons “Mick” and. “Rock” were playing wing three-onarter and half respectively for the Athletic team on Saturday.

METROPOLITAN GAMES.

(BY TELEOB AVTT PIIESS 1 ASSOCIATION.; WELLINGTON, April 18.

The Rugby season ivas ushered in on Saturday in splendid weather with the usual seven-a-side tourney, all senior members taking part. Semi-finals: Oriental 6. Varsity 3; Petone A S Athletic 3. Final: Petone (Marl: Nicliolls, “Ginger” Nichols), King, Thomas. Corner and Davis) beat Oriental 9 — 3. , „„ CHRISTCHURCH:, April IS.

Rugby matches pln-ved yesterday -resulted: Old Boys (33) beat Varsity (8); Merivale (19) beat Linwood (13); Christchurch (26) beat Albion (11). DUNEDIN, April 18.

The Rugbv season opened yesterday in fine, weather, and the standard of plav set. by some teams, especially University, promises well for the season. The surprise of the day was the smashing defeat of Pirates, last year’s premiers, by University B. Results: University B 29, Pirates 0; University A 34, Dunedin 3; Zingari Richmond S ; Southern 3; Alhambra 16, Taieri Rovers 3; Kaikorai 27, Union 9.