The Score-Board

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 June 1926, Page 3

The Score-Board

SOUTHERN DIVISION. SENIORS. Kaponga 11 v. Athletic 10. Okaiawa 9 v. Patea 8. Opunake 15 v. Waimate 6. JUNIORS. Opunake 16 v. Kaponga 3. Waimate 11 v. Okaiawa 0. Hawera 11 v. Athletic 6. Alton S v. Waverley 6. FOURTHS High School A 8 v. Okaiawa 5. Hawera Central 9 v. Hawera 3. Patea 11 v. Kaponga 9. Waimate won from High. School 15 by default. NORTHERN DIVISION. SENIORS. j Stratford 6 v. Eltham 5. Tukapa 30 v. Inglewood 3. Star 14 v. Clifton 0. SENIORS. OPUNAKE (15) v. WAIMATE (6). A generally uninteresting match, relieved b js flashes of good play, back and forward, was that between Opunake and Waimate, in which the former gained a victory by a margin of nine points. The' teams took the field as follows: Opunake: Rayly, W. Hohaia, C. Hohaia, R. Lusk, Mclvor, Owen, Mourie, J. Lusk (rover), O’Rorke, Graham, O ’Brien, Tibbetts, Trotter, Oruden. • Waimate: Broomfield, Nuku, McAuliffe, Par at a, " Bailey, Grea.ves, Hughes, Sutton (rover). Eaves, Milner, Long, Griffin, R. Paterson, Murray Hansen. Opunake. pressed from the outset, and after some hard scrumming the ball came out to W. Hohaia, and he dashed across to draw first blood. His kick failed. Opunake, 3 Waimate 0

Waimate rallied and put. in some nice play, Broomfield and Badley showing good defence against determined: onslaughts of the Green forwardk. Then Waimate got away, but Opunake backs securing went away in great style, and T. Owerf taking near the half-way made a brilliant run and just on the line, finding himself blocked, sent the ball to Graham, who- dashed across. The kick failed.

Opunake 6 "Waimate 0 Once more Owen got away, and cuL ting in well sent on to Lusk, who •after a good run passed to W. Hohaia, and the speedy wiuger got across to score a good try. The kick failed again. Opun ake 9 'VVtf iroate 0 FrorS the kick-out Waimate forwards,, headed by Paterson, took cliarge and went up the field. in a great dask, andi Hansen, Eaves and Long were associated in a fine rush which threatened Opunake’s line. Defence was. however, good, and W. Hohaia, with a characteristic dash, took play to centre and) kicked. The ball came back to Owen and he broke away, but Broomfield was safe and play 'Centred. Hughes put in a nice piece of work, running well down and looking likely to score, but lie kicked, and a great chance was lost. Long headed a forward, rush, -which kept up the pressure, and Waimate attacked strongly. Mclvor and Oweri took play back to Waimate’s 2d, but Owen overran and lost the pass. Waimate pressed at the opening of the second spell, and from a penalty Hughes kicked a nice goal.

Opunake 9 Waimate 3 The Green forwards attacked hotly, and the ball coming out from Owen to Lusk and to C. Hohaia, the latter got clean away and scored a brilliant try. The kick failed. Opunake 12 Waimate 3 Attacking hotly, Waimate forwards. Long, Sutton and Hansen in the lead, went down to Opunake ’a line. The latter relieved ad Hohaia kicked to Waimate territory,, where' McAulift'e securing made a brilliant run and got right down to the- twenty-five. Nuku failed to take a past* and a chance was lost. They kept up the pressure, and just, inside the half-way Hughe® had another shot and goa.led with, a great, kick.

Opunake 12 Waimate 6Play went up and 1 down field in roSyMless rushes and twice Opunake were' just on the opposing line. Good work by Bourke and MeAuliffe sent

them back, and from near half-way Hughes just failed to convert a penalty. Snow and O’Rorke cleared in great style, and) Opunake went up the field in a fine, rush, and the ball coming out to W. Hohaia, he just failed to get over. Nuku saved with a clever kick. At length;, however, Opunake got away, and the baeks put in ,a; fine dashing rush, Mourie, Mclvor, Lusk and Owen handling the ball in succession, the last named scoring' after a dashing run. The kick failed.

Opunake 15 Waimate 6 Waimate then attacked for several minutes and gave Opunake a great time iin defence, owing to a fine dash by Long and Hansen. At last the Green forwards got away and took play right to the corner and a keen struggle took place. The ball came out and went across the field, where C. Hohaia was collared just on the line. Waimate had a turn in attacking and for a while got all over Opunake, .but could not score. Opunake retaliated and set up a.' hot attack. MeAuliffe, with a brilliant run, took play to the opposing 26, but he was not supported, and Opunake came back to the attack. Once more MeAuliffe put in a fine dash and when blocked sent on the ball to Par at a, who failed to take, and a great chance went. Then Opunake attacked and till just on time penned Waimate -down on their line, and the ball going out the whistle went, for no side, leaving the score 1 — Opunake 15 Waimate *6

Mr H. K. Whittington was reftere#. STAR (14) v. CLIFTON (0). The game between Star and Clifton was much brighter and more interestesting than many people had expected. The Clifton forwards were a heavier lot than the local side, and they were more (successful in hooking, which gave them considerable advantage. Crowe was nob particularly smart behind the scrum, but when the ball cam© out - Sutton, Prior, Jacob, and Boss combined well. They developed many bright attacking movements, but they were not sufficiently clever to break the effective defence of the Star side. The latter were without Court, and they commenced with Carey behind the scrum, Julian on the five-eighth line, and Boss on the centre. This order was changed, however, before the game liad been long in progress, and Julian went to his customary position, Ross to five-eiglith, Falwasser to centre, and Cjwov to the wing, The change proved effective, and Wolfe brought off the. first try from a nice movement between himself, Julian and Lemon. The next score came from a solo movement by Morris, who used his feet to advantage and completely beat the opposition, scoring in a handy position. Neither try was converted. In the second spell Clifton played brighter football, though they were not able to penetrate the defence, and Star developed some dashing attacks, several of which went near to scoring. One try was added by Falwasser, who gathered in the ball finely with one hand while he. was on the jump, and Morris converted with a fine kick. There was no further score, and the game ended : Star 14. Clifton 0 ...Mr G. Hooker was referee.

OKAIAWA (9) v. PATE A (8). Okaiawa played Patea at Patea in '.splendid weather and before an enthusiastic crowd. The game was an exhibition of good Rugby. Okaiawa won by an unconverted try and two penalty goals to two tries, one convert ed. The teams were:— I ’at f;i.— Tii"m i ] ison ; X*. Wills, L. Bourkr, Jiicle ,soii ; Crawford, L. limit; FitzwaUw; Xiroinmor. Tinny; Korrisk, Bates, S. Wills; Back, Mini'll.' (hookers); C. Wills (rover). Ukaiawa.—Tnki; Purvis, Cameron, Crawford: M. Lynskey. B. Roberts; Atkins; Linn, ParsJow; It. Ruru, Ike, Phillips; Clarke, Birchall (hookers); Griffin (rover). The game resolved itself into a duel between a fine set of attacking backs and a sturdy defence, which was sufficiently mobile to develop into attack when opportunity served. From the high punting,, distance-gaining Tuki to Thompson with his head-on charges into rushing packs, every man on both sides did his duty. Patea were not their norm ml side, but it is q ucstionablo if they could have played better football with their regular players. The backs of the clay were Bourke, Lynskey ,and B. Roberts. The latter two were the more showy. They were in' a better machine. Bourke. however, had insides less brilliant than himself, but ahead were the better pack of forwards. Though Patea scored two tries to Okaiawa’s one, the Red and Blacks’ open playing was much the better,, and luck in infringements was nga.nst, them. Hirst-class) work was frequently annulled by a last minute infringement.

Okaiawa won the toss, and Patea kicked off in face of the sun, fielding fourteen men. Another player appeared during the first five minutes, the play in which was in favour of the Okaiawa team, chiefly on account of high tackling. Gaining possession from both the lino and in the loose, the Red and Black backs commenced early to exchange frequent passes, but these were without precision. Safe taking by the Blue backs, strong high kicks infield, and fast following which smothered the Okaiawa returns, gave indications that there was an clement of vigour in the apparently weak Patea side. A line leaping take by Bourke, and a thinly supported individual run by Murphy, brought encouragement from around the rails. The tackling of the Blue forwards was low and keen. Hunt parried a momentary thrust to his line, arising from a free kick against one of the, Wills near half-way, and carried on by the Red forwards. Tlic game was keen, and the referee kept everybody’s nose down to, the rules. Clarke fell heavily upon a misunderstanding between Bourke and Thompson, but he out-distanced his support, and the Patea backs got round the ground lost by his long unaccepted pass into unmarked territory. It seemed at the inception of the movement that a try must be the outcome. Okaiawa maintained their occupation of Patea’s half until an infringement gave Tuki an opportunity to kick a good goal. Okaiawa 3 Patea .: 0

The forwards scrummaged keenly upon resuming. Marks by “Son” Wills and Ike were the product of fearless standing up to solid forward following. B. Roberts developed the first run of a five-minute burst of play, the pace and quality of which is rarely seen in club football. Lynskey, Cameron and Roberts, fed by Atkins, plunged into swervy rushes through a determined c (-fence. The tackling of Fitzwater, Hunt, Crawford and Bourke has rarely stood a severer test with greater honour, and Bourke especially was rapid in turning defence to attack. The whistle for half-time went with Patea forwards struggling into Okaiawa’s twenty-five. Rangp Rum was quickly on to the Okaiawa kick-off after the second spell started, and ran smartly to the defending 25. He passed, and the red forwards dropped the hall to their toes. Thompson unfalteringly dashed into the advancing pack’s boots,—and saved the situation. From half-way, C. Wills got amongst the backs before they were prepared for him. Bourke went to his support in the best centre-three-quarter sty’e. Grabbing the hall and fending tacklers at once, he swerved past- Tuki, and with an alarmed derence in full cry, he ran 40 yiMxJs ajicl scored a, first-class "try. Ho failed from a moderately easy ang I ©. Okaiawa 3 Patea ...■ 3

C. Wills, in the Patea forwards, remained JVt the head of Patea’s struggles to cope with Okaiawa’s efforts to take- the lead again. After a force by the home side, Atkins, Roberts and Lynskey were associated in a bright movement, blit the defence was too determined and quick for passes which were lacking in crispness. Tightening up on this, weakness, and aided by a brilliant cut-in by Lynskey, Atkins. Roberts and Cameron carried the hall in a faultless rush to Crawford, who fell a victim to a tackle by Thompson. Okaiawa. playing an attack, the brilliancy of which it seemed scarcely possib 1 © to stay, went in and out of the Blues’ 2-5 in swerving, .side-stepping rushes. Cameron -and Purvis, faced by determined markers, were halted a few yards from the blue line. They exchanged long passes over defenders’ heads, advancing a couple of yards at a time, until a forward pass spoiled a brainv effort to- snatch the lead. A penalty from within easy reach was taken by Tuki, but Okaiawa, who depended so"eager 1 v upon it, were disappointed of an increase in score. The Okaiawa forwards broke away with a dash equal to their backs. Olarke shook himself from the line-out, and transferred to Ike. That fast-running, heavy forward caught sight of Bangi Rurii out of the corner of his eye, and delivered a pass. Mr Clapham was keeping very close to the rules, and as Rangi fell over the line in possession. the whistle went for a knock-on. A moment later Okaiawa were satisfied, and Tuki kicked a penalty goal from fairly close in. Okaiawa 6 Patea 3

That took some of the steam out of the Patea men, who Had been spending .so much energy in defence without the exhiliration the red and blacks derived from their narrow’y-miseting offensives. .Roberts -secured from ibis half, and, dodging and ''fending, kept his ankles and legs free from 1 clutching hands until lie scrambled over ten vards from the posts. Tuki failed with the kick. Okaiawa 9 Patea 3

Patea snectators were brought to their feet a few seconds later by Oliff Wills, the best forward -on the ground, breaking- away on Ms own, and capping his masterly play with a try. Bourke co n verted. Okaiawa. * 9 Patea S

Excitement, if possible, increased, and the referee cleared the touch-line. Patea preserved the attack, and Okaiawa forced. Tuki and Hunt were in collision, but a moment sufficed for them to get back into the game. A moment pregnant with anxiety followed a whistle for off-side and Burke’s kick at coal, but no more points cam© Patea’s way, and Mr L. H. Claphantis final whistle went in semi-darkness, with an unrelenting attack testing the stubborn defence of Patea’s goal line —• Okaiawa one point to the good.

KAPONGA (11) v. ATHLETIC (10). In fine weather and a ' stiff’..northerly •Inee/,e and before a good attendance', lvaiponga and Athletic met at Ivaponga, the home .side winning by eleven points ito ten —a fair indication of the relative strength, of the. teams. Fairly good football was seen, though at times it approached the ragged stage.

Ivaponga. elected to play with the breeze at their back® and immediately set up on attack which hovered between Athletic’® twenty-five and the goalline. From a sc rum the latter’s half ■picked out and was penalised!, and C. Paterson goaled from a difficult angle ; ivaponga ... 3 Athletic 0 Omresuming, M. Owen came through in a. good run. was tackled, and again carried on with a dribble to the ■Black’s line, where he passed to Ryan, ■who scored. Lay's kick tailed ; Ivaponga' 3 Athletic 3 Kuponga Forward® rush oil- to the Blues’ quarter and Giuy cross-kicked, and front the resultant melee on the

line the visitors were forced. Seagar followed the kick-out and essayed a scoring run, but McOanty returned to the danger zone, where lie passed to Williams and the latter went over near the posts. O. Paterson converted:

Kalponga p Athletic •... Play hung at midfield, and Whalen secured from Owen’s kick and returned well down into touch. Guy secured from the throw-in, but his pass was intercepted by Owen, who made off for the line, and what looked like a certain score was thrown away by Ms forward pass. The Black pack charged downfield and Guy, again getting possession, sent the ball to B. Hammersley, who went over, but was recalled for a forward pass. Eddie Scott secured from a linc-out and kicked high, from which Eliason gathered. His career was checked by Lay’s splendid tackle. The tables turned ancl Seagar made a bold bid along the touch-line, passing to Thomas, who was pushed out on the corner flag. * Eddie Scott and McCarty bleared Kaponga’s line with a serviceable passing run to midfield. Two free kicks' by Lay were unsuccessful and play returned to the centre. J. Hammersley and McCarty were prominent in a dribbling movement which Hunter stopped. From a line-out Guy passed to Eliason, who crossed. C. Paterson’s kick failed. Half-time sounded with the score:

Kaponga 11 Athletic 3 Lay’s opening of the second sipeli was returned to the centre by McCfarty 'and Seagar obtained to- transfer to Ivaponga’s line, the latter’* forward*, with a combined rush, averting the danger. Again Lay’s powerful kicking wa.s a source of trouble to- the Blacks, and the home backs were called to defend strenuously, and Eliason Whalen and B. Hammersley being conspicuous. The clearance was aided by Eddie Scott • and McCarty, who carried the game to the centre. Desultory scrums and line-outs folknved until Williams, in an endeavour to find touch, kicked against Owen, who, following fast, secured to dash through and “drop” a beautiful goal.

Kaponga 11 Athletic 7 Guthrie obtained from the kick-off and transferred to Guy, the latter being well taken by Hunter. Williams mulled Lay’s return, and matters assumed a serious aspect for the home side, only stubborn defence saving an increase in Athletic’s tally. Attack and counter-attack alternated in which Guy, C. Paterson, Eliason and Espin for Kaponga, and Owen, Bagent and Thomas, for Athletic, were conspicuous. Eventually from open work in front of the Blacks ’ goal, Ryan intercepted, and dived over for Athletic’s final score. Lay failed to " convert.

Kaponga II Athletic 10 . * The last 10 minutes of the game were characterised by strenuous play, Eddie Sc-otbt, Guthrie, B. Hammersley, Thou-m-ine, and B. Elspin making* desperate effort* to score. Lay, Seagar and Owen were, however, sound in defence'. Athletic were twice penalised, but Paterson’,s kicks? were fruitless, and full time sounded without alteration. Mr. F. Julian was the referee.

STRATFORD (6) v. ELTHAM (5)

A sterling struggle on the Stratford ground between the home and the Hlthani teams gave victory to the former by two tries to a converted 'try. Dull, though fine, weather favoured fast, open order play, but neither set of backs were capable of exploiting the opportunity, determined tackling and vigorous spoiling being notable throughout, and the game for the most part .showed as a gruelling battle in close order tactics, which left honours very evenly divided. Elitham ■were without the services of Tip-lady and Page, two of their usually prominent exponents. Had they been available it is safe to assume, from the tread of play that the little extra efficiency thus ensured would have meant the difference between defeat and victory to the wearers of the black and'white. A good l breeze, blowing from end to end, assisted the winners during the opening stages, but dropped 'before half-time, with the result that Eltham, were without the compensating advantage. The teams lined out as ! follows:

Stratford. —Collins; Coulton,. Gasson Brooking; /Stonewigg; Algal; Sangster; Bond, Smith; /Kivell, Coleman, Walter; Hinton, J. Young (linkers); Fryday (rover).

Eltljam.—Wills; Gernhoefer, K. Benniall, W. .fiepperell; Ron. Taylor, A. Cooper; Harris; Thomas, Robt. Peninia.ll; McC-uinness, Lou. Pepjperell, Len. Pepperell; Foster, Cruden (hookers) ; Pennington (rover).

Stratford elected to play with the advantage of the wind, and following the kick-off exchange, Ivivell set his forwards assaulting. During a busy few moments, Wills, Roy Penniall, and Gernhoefer were called on to clear Eltham from a critical position. The line remained intact until a. home forward booted too hard, and Wills forced after seven minutes’ play. The kick-out allowed Eltham to take the initiative and territorial honours, showed a. more even comparison. From a line-out in the home half, Harris set the Black land Whit© backs moving, and a. passing bout took play to a scrum almost on the scoring line. Foster and Cruden hooked swiftly, but Frydav smothered the Elthani half and made a dashing solo dribble till" checked by W. Peppered, who found touch. Young broke from an ensuing melee and dribbled into Elthdm’s half, where Saugster tried the goal with a penalty, a good attempt sending the ball just outside the upright. A period of scrambling close, order play showed to the advantage of the home vanguard, but, owing to faulty handling, their backs were unable to exploit the opportunities presented. From an exchange of long kicks Frydav, Algar, Stonewigg and Coulton appeared in a dangerous passing rush; which appeared likely until Cou]ton’s in-pass was booted, and Roy Penniall claimed a timely work in the corner. Further attempts by the Beds were frustrated, ■one attack being turned beautifully by Cooper, who raced to the home quarter. Gasson checked, hut Len Pepperell, Robert Penniall, and Gernhoefer pressed the advantage till a knock-on gave a scrum well inside the twentyfive area. Bond made a fine breakaway from the ensuing mix-up, taking .the ball to mdd-field where Young and Walter gave support, and, at the twenty-five, developed a dual passing bout, which sent Walter across well out from the goal. Saugster’s kickproved a. poster.

Stratford 3 Eiltham 0/ Almost immediately, Stratford returned to the attack. A scrambling movement by Saugster, Algar, Fry-

day, and Coulton resulted in a Hneout about two yards from the. scoring line, and Kivell, springing. for the leather, plunged across the'line. Fryday failed to convert, and the .hell sounded half-time a moment later .with the score: • •Stratford ■ 6' Eltham •••• 0

As EMiam took the field for the second spell, Roy Penniall went in to first five-eighths and Oooper took the former’s place at centre. Stratford made the initial assault, but were- sent back by Len Pepperell, and ;Roy Penniall unsuccessfully essayed ' a--pot, which allowed Stratford 1 to force; With the return from the kick-out;.. the : Eltham forwards advanced, Lon and Len Peppered making a charge which almost let Foster over, but Coulton. pushed him into touch. Then for a .willing three minutes Stratford were -penned, 'relief eventually being given with a force. Stratford developed an attack 'with the drop out, but Foster turned the tables, sensationally charging to, the home full-back. Gernihoefer, however, snatched the rolling and. handed to Cooper, who dashed round 'to score midway between - touch , and the goal. Wills convertedmaking the 'scores: . *,

Stratford b Eltham y ,=■ 5 . • Eltham continued to hold _ the advantage, until Walter broke from the loose to send Bond in a bustling run 'which necessitated a sure t tackle hy Wills. Stratford, however, held the ground won and the backs maintained a pressure, which at length allowed Fry day and Bl'ookinig to* pefietrate; only to lose possession to AV'ills, who forced. From half way, Wills made an ambitious attempt with a free kick from which the ball fell well short of the goal.. A moment later, Collins was making an unsuccessful drop kick at the other end. Then McGuinness, Robb. Penniall and Pennington showed in an Eilthiam rush from midfield, but lost control and a force l down resulted. From a midway scrum', Sangster sent to Brooking, who went in full career past two Eltham backs, but was glassed by Wills, the last-named clearing beautifully from a following scramble in the corner. In ensuing play- the red backs .strove to make the game open and Sustained a rapid pace, which sorely tested Elitham’s rear division. Their tackling was sure, hut each attack was wiell supported and the invaders were not repulsed before a force down: called cheek. The concluding •minutes were characterised by swift action, the centre of play changing rapidly from end to end. Full time found Ellfohami -attacking furiously, but the score remained unchanged'. Mr. F. J. Elggleton was the referee.

T UK. A PA. (30) v. INGLEWOOD (3). . . . . . ' r At Inglewood, Tukapa .. Inglewood by 30 points to 3‘-after -» very scrambling andi uninteresting, game. The field was in good order arid the weather was fine, but overcast, Tukapa, although winning by 27 points, gave a poor exhibition of football. Fumbling was the order of the dlay on both sides and, although the forwards were evenly matched, the backs’ movements on both sides were weak and uncertain. Through poor tackling, ori! Inglewood’s part Tukapa were let through on several occasions to score easy tries. The Inglewood backs, although .attempting to open the game on occasions, were of little use as an attacking meduim. The game Was, not a. fast one, and 1 consisted mainly, of forward scrambles, which gave neither side any advantage. The work of the two full-backs, Coutts (Inglewood) and Petty (Tukapa), was very good, and each' was called upon to save his side on several occasions. Hooker, for Tukapa, kicked some fine penalty goals, and also converted several tries. For Tukapa, Newell, andl H. Oliver; potted goals, thus adding considerably to .the visitors’ total. On the day there was not 27 points between the two teams. After a scramble, Jeffries broke right through the Scrum and passed to Newell, who crossed near the corner. However, he was called back, as he had put his foot out. Tukapa’s.-fol-lowers were not long waiting for. the visitors to score some points. Hooker took a mark and kicked a good goal. Soon afterwards the Inglewood f pack were penalised for. off-side play,, and H-ooker landed another good' gaol. H. Oliver secured from a. Tukapa • back passing rush, and made a determined run down the side line. After,shaking off Atkinson’s . tackle he was. fust thrown out (in time by Coutts. Then Inglewood were, again penalised, but Hooker’s kick struck the crossbar and foil under. Just before half-timer McGuire broke away and transferred", to H. Oliver, who scored near the corner. The kick failed. On resuming after half-time, following uninteresting play, H. Oliver intemerited a weak- pass' from Dineen and: scored. Hooker converted. The same plaver then potted a neat goal from a, short distance. Inglewood’s oHilv wants' were made by Coutts, who kicked a fine goal from nearly halfwav. Newell netted .Tukapa-’s l .'second "o-il f,n.,- the dav and. just on time, rtoani, hv fast following uo, scored a tr** which was- converted. The, game ended : . Tukapa. ..SO Inglewood ,3