OKAIAWA’S WINNING YEAR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 August 1926, Page 10

OKAIAWA’S WINNING YEAR

TARANAKI RUGBY CHAMPIONS. 1911 SEASON: Though the Okaiawa Bugby were unsuccessful m their bid ±Ol tne McMasters Shield on Thursday, are* to be congratulated upon then worthy showing in the southern co - petition this season, and upon thei plucky endeavours to annex the covet ed championship trophy in the provincial final. That contest found them matched against wliat proved a sounder combination, but the southerners were b‘y no means overwhelmed and sustain eel the keen struggle gamely m accordance with the best traditions of the game, and none will be more generous in praise of Tukapa’s prowess than the side which had to cede the day s honours. The encounter at Stratford on Thursday has recalled memories of a more successful one for the wearers of the maroon and black jersey when, fifteen vears previously, they represented the southern division m the play-off, and defeated the northern premiers, Clifton, bv eight points to three. Stratloru was the venue of that trial also, the? date being August 17, 1911. E. Luxton (full-back); L. Luxton, R. W. Roberts, and Toro (three-quarters); J. McLeod (five-eighth); H McCullum (half); A. McCracken and M. Lynskey (wing forward); N. Paterson and A. Levdon (back row); J. Tamu and J. Crowley, captain (supports); Ivoiu (lock) and Jack Johnstone and Geo. Radford (hookers), lined out for Okaiawa. Clifton was represented by b. George, V. Tate, C. Tate, A. Goodwin, S. Eo-gleston, J. Column, Jack Crowley, K. Kvle, P. Jones, A. Lash, R. Thomas, H. G.” Hicks, »S. Loveridge, M. Cain and T. Fairley. Weather conditions were adverse to the best play, but it is recorded that the greasy ball was fielded and handled in passing bouts with remarkable piecision, and the well-matched sides presented an exhibition which sustained interest throughout. Okaiawa opened the score half-way through the first spell when, from a line-out at the Clifton twenty-five, Jerry Crowley let the ball out to J. McLeod. That clever fiveeighth of the period effected a cut in, and after drawing the defence transferred to Mick Lynskey, who dashed in to score by the posts. McLeod converted. In ensuing incidents S. Loveridge ana N. Kyle, in the northern forwards, and J. Column and A. Goodwin in the realdivision were noted in aggressive movements which, however, were consistently checked, the principal foiling agents being R. W. Roberts and McLeod. In characteristic- fashion, J. Tamu, the splendid Wainmte forward who played for Okaiawa this season, came into the limelight during the second spell. Shortly after the resumption ho dropped a line goal with a penalty kick, giving Okaiawa a lead of eight points. Though concluding play showed mainly in favour of the southern team, Clifton repeatedly got within striking distance. They were, however, unable to cross the red'and blacks’ line, their only score coming from a penalty kick which S. George turned to points. R. W. (“Dick”) Roberts, the Okaiawa centre, and Jack Column, behind the northern scrum, were acclaimed as the two outstanding backs of the game, while McLeod, the Okaiawa five-eighth, also was noted for his resource in attack and deadly tackling. N. (‘‘Dick”) Paterson, the present Taranaki lock, who was then coming into prominence, was conspicuous with Tamu, “Jerry” Crowley and Mick Lynskey, in forward play and contributed worthy parts to the*action which was rewarded with the engraving of the name Okaiawa on the McMasters Shield. Okaiawa’s record that season was: — Matches played 10, won 9, drawn 1, points for 152, against 20. Their line was crossed only upon three occasions. The drawn game was one played against Waimate, the champions of the previous three and also the succeeding three seasons. The score was three all. In their second meeting, however, Okaiawa claimed the verdict by 8 points to 3. L. Luxton was the most successful scoring unit. He registered eight tries, while Toro and Roberts were close up with seven each. The two former, however, played in every match, while Roberts was absent from three or four. Others who appeared for Okaiawa that season includc'd the All Black of 1905 and 1907, J. J. O’Sullivan, the North Island rep. of 1904, W. A. Guv. and E. Doyle and J. F. Iviley. It is wqft-hy of note that the veteran, R, W. Roberts, who lias represented the club in senior Rugby over a period of approximately 20 years, and who played such a prominent part in the success of 1911, took the field in Thursday’s game. In his palmy days he took second place to few, if any, as a resourceful three-quarter, and. his latest appearance gave evidence that he retains much of the generalship for which he has been noted in the annals of N.Z. Rugby. A Taranaki representative in 1910, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22, he represented the North Island in 1912, 19.13 and 1914. In the two latter years ha was chosen to wear the silver fern, and in .19.14 captained the victorious All Black side which visited Australia. With 101 points scored in New Zealand representative matches, he occupies sixth place on the register of scorers. Such records place him as one of Taranaki’s greatest backs and as an outstanding' figure in the history of the Okaiawa Club.