TARANAKI RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 May 1927, Page 7

TARANAKI RUGBY

SOUTHERN DIVISION.

TWO CLOSE GAMES.

AND AN EASY WIN

GOOD MATCH AT PUKEKURA

The third series of games in the senior grade provincial Rugby competition were, contested on Saturday in mild summery weather, which afford- ' ed ideal conditions for. fast, open play, and reports from the various centres indicate that unusually large crowds were thrilled by exhibitions presenting the code at its best. In the South, Hawera maintained their unbeaten career in a hard game with Opunake, while at Patea the home team gained a narrow victory from Kaponga in one of the most exciting games staged on the ground for many seasons. The south champions of last year had no difficulty in beating Waimate, who had to cede the day ’3 honours by a margin of 34 points. . The unbeaten northern team, Star, were held for three' parts of the game by Eltham, but ran out easy winners on scores, while Stratford accounted for last year’s champions, Tukapa, and Old Boys prevailed in a strenuous bat . tie with -Inglewood. The day’s play leaves the positions of the teams as follows: SOUTH DIVISION. P. W. I). L. For Agst. Pts. Pts. Pts. Ch. f Hawera 3 3 0 0 33 18 6 Okaiawa .... 2- 3 0 0 62 3 4 Patea 3; 2 0 1 27 29 4 Opunake .... 2 1 9 1 19 92 Kaponga 3 1 0 2 21 21 2 Athletic 2 0 0 2 6 37 0 Waimate 3 0 !> 3 8 59 0 NORTH DIVISION. P. W. D. L. For Agst. Pts. Pte. Pts. Ch. Star 3 3 0 0 47 16 6 Stratford 22 0 6 26 14 4 Old Boys .... 2 3 0 0 16 6 4 Tukapa 3 1 0 2 29 32 2 Inglewood; ... 3 1 0 2 17 17 2 Clifton 2 0 0 2 6 29 0 Eltham 3 0 0 3 3 30 rt

THE SCORE BOARD. SOUTHERN DIVISION. SENIORS Patea 9 v. Kaponga 6. Hawera 9 v. Opunake 3. ! Okaiawa 34 v. Waimate 0. JUNIORS Opunake 18 v. Kaponga 0. Hawera 12 v. Athletic 3. Okaiawa 35 v. Eltham 6. THIRD GRADE Okaiawa 23 v. Patea 0. FOURTH GRADE. Waimate 11 v. High School A 11. NORTHERN DIVISION. SENIORS Old Boys 6 v. Inglewood 3. Star 14 v. Eltham 0. Stratford 15 v. Tukapa 8. . JUNIORS. Urenui 9 v. Lepperton 0. .. Clifton 8 v. Star B 3. Tukapa 22 v. Old Boys 0. Rahotu 6 v. Star A 3. THIRD - GRADE. Star .11 v. Tukapa B 6. Clifton 9 v. Okato 6. FOURTH GRADE, Star 3 v. Old Boys 3. SOUTHERN DIVISION. SENIORS.

HAWERA v. OPUNAKE

Somewhat unexpected was Hawera’s win over Opunake, for the latter,* by their p.ay, had created a very favourable impression, and. having much more weight and great pact, the odds seemed in their favour. Hawera v ere lucky in the first spell, and p aying in the secolad the game of .* heir lives, n polled their opponents’ great deteiinined rushes and won. fie leature of the game was the place-kicking by Tuki and drop-kick by Hammond.

Hawera kicked oil, ana a line forward rush, lieaded by Paterson, saw them attacking strongly. The nail came out ‘to Barron, and he, with Buxton and Cameron, set up a hot rush. The last held on too long and a good opening was lost. Once more the Hawera backs got moving, and Cameron, cutting in, took play right to the line. Just afterwards Hawera attacked >igain, and Hammond, marking, kicked’ a pretty goal. Hawera 3, Opunake 0. Once more Hawera, playing, a fine open game, pressed Opunake hard, and Cameron was ''responsible for a lovely opening, cutting in prettily and then sending the ball out to Shore, but a pass forward spoilt a good opening. Then Opunake attacked hotly, and Hawera backs had a strenuous time in defence. A forward rush, headed by Paterson and Twist, relieved them. Greens, with Brooker and J. Lusk in the vanguard, got away finely, till Tulci upset the movement. Brooker again got away, and in a likely p'ace had two penalty kicks, one. by Smith nearly crossing the bar. The Greens, in fierce forward rushes, kept Hawera defending, and only good work by the backs kept them out. Then the Hawera backs got away, and a pretty passing rush ensued, which was spoilt by a faulty pass. Twist and Mills were associated in a nice dash, which took play to Opunake quarters. The Green forwards swept through, and from a loose rush J. Lusk secured and dashed across for a great try. The kick failed. Hawera 3, Opunake 3. The Yellows attacked from the kickout. till W. Hohaia, with an electric dash, went to the 25 flag, and Robinson saved in a tight place. A freekick gave Hawera 'relief when Opuna-ke were pressing them hard, but a nice passing rush, im- winch Smith and McIvor were prominent, took play hack to the Hawera quarters, where Smith missed an easy kick from a penalty Opunake were attacking all the time and should have got over twice but for faulty handling. Half-time came with the scores: Hawera Opunake ** The second suell op«m«il with a hot attack by the Green, with Brooker in the lead and then J. Lusk got away

in a fine dash, but was stopped by Robinson and Hawera backs returned to the attack. They were playing with nice dash, ami opening up play well. They went right through to the line and had hard luck in not scoring, Hammond kicking too hard and allowing Opunake to force. Tuki saved his side when in a tight place and lined well up, but P. Lusk and W. Hohaia came back and in a concerted rush just failed to score; a free kick gave Hawerai relief. I). Robinson and Murphy got away in a, great loose rush and, going down field, went to. the 25, where, from • a free kick, Tuki kicked a. fine goal. .Hawera 6; Opunake 3. Fierce scrumming marked the resumption ,ot play. Twist then getting away in » nice dash, but a knock-on spoilt a. good opening. Once more Opunake, with J. Lusk ami Graham in the lead, attacked hotly, but Tuki was equal to the occasion, and play was centred. The Greens came up-field till Cameron sent them back with a fine kick. Opunake attacked again and Hawera had to force. Long kicking ensued till Buxton and Shore put in an -attacking rush and then from a penalty Tuki goaled. Hawera 9; Opunake 3. Front the kickout Opunake attacked, but Hawera were more than holding their own, and took play down-field. Play went up and down field, each side alternately attacking. but neither could pierce the other’s defence. Shore made a pretty run down the line attended by Barron, Buxton, and Cameron with him. Yellows continued to attack aml were giving Opunake a hot time in defence. Play went back to Hawera’® twentyfive. the Opunake team making strenuous efforts to score, but the ball going out-, as no side was called, leaving the score :

Hawera 9 Opunake 3 Mr. L. H. Olapham was referee. OKAIAWA v. WAIMATE. Playing at Mauaia the southern division champions, Okaiawa, proved much too strong for Waimate and ran up a tally of 34 points (27 of which -were compiled by tries) to nil. Though lighter than their oponents, the Waimate forwards maintained great dash for throe parts of the game and were actually superior in the loose, but in the rear division Waimate could not compare with the exhibition given by Okaiawa, who fielded three rep. backs in D. Johnston, C. Paterson and M. Lynskey.

The teams lined out at 3 o’clock as follows:

Waimate (blue and black). —D. Broomfield; A. Langford, Raki, B. Hughes; Moki, L. Hughes; E. Sutton; J. Paterson (rover); W. Sutton, W. Bourke; E. Long (capt.), Ruru Sam, K. Murray; T. Eaves and L. Hansen (Hookers). Okaiawa (red and black) —B. Cameron; I. Crawford, C. Paterson, J. Purvis; D. Johnston (capt.), M. Lynskey; M. Clarke; E. Griffin (rover); E. Tippett, Stoddart; McDonald, Iki, M. Parslow; A. Birchall, R. Guy (hookers). The Waimate skipper elected to defend the western goal, and Okaiawa faced the sun in the opening spell, but with the doubtful advantage of a light breeze from the south-east. The visitors made the initial encounter and the ball had been in play less than a minute when a Blue player was penalised for handling in the scrum. The kick from a good position just outside the twentyfive proved easy for 0. Paterson. Okaiawa 3, Waimate 0. A period of even exchanges marked by clean fielding and hard - tackling followed, The Waimate pack showing well in loose forward rushes. For a time the Reds’ back machine failed to function. Eventually a bout gave final possession to Johnston and Purvis, and the latter made an exciting dash for the corner, but lost possession and Broomfield saved with a force. The respite was only temporary, the Red rearguard pressing in a dangerous movement. The ball came loose to Raki, whose speculation was promptly gathered by Crawford, and the Okaiawa left wing raced down the touchline to pass in-field and allow Guy to cross about seven yards in. Paterson failed to improve. Okaiawa 6, Waimate 0. A moment later Raki retrieved his reputation with a clover interception, which prevented a likely try for the Reds. Cameron was useful in checking Waimate forward rushes; in which J. Paterson, Long and Murray were noted, the full-back coming up repeatedly to open counter movements. From one the ball again travelled to Johnston who, after making ground, sent Purvis on a dash capped with a try in the corner. Okaiawa 9, Waimate 0. Though mainly on the defensive, the Blue backs essayed several excursions into the visitors’ territory, but were turned with precision by the Red backs. A fine kick from a penalty taken at mid-field by Moki failed narrowly to open the home team’s score, the ball, with ample length and height, going just outside. The attempt was followed by another sustained invasion by Okaiawa, whose rear division attacks broke repeatedly in the face of determined spoiling, while faulty passing robbed many opportunities. Broomfield, L. Hughes and E. Sutton were conspicuous defenders, but just before the interval a succession of scrambling movements near the home line resulted in a try by Birchall. Crawford failed with a fairly easy kick. Half-time was signalled with the scores: Okaiawa 12 Waimate 0 Okaiawa commenced the second spell with a series of crisp handling bouts, which broke before reading the wings. In one movement L. Hughes made a clever interception and, after a useful dash, handed to Moki, whose wild pass went astray. Okaiawa returned to the assault, the forwards appearing dangerous in close rushes. Owing mainly to Broomfield’s sureness and some useful saves by J. Paterson they were kept out till McDonald, securing from the ruck, sent to Lynskey, who cut in and handed to Johnston. 'The resourceful skipper gave the dummy to two defenders and went in by the post. Again Crawford missed with an easy kick. Okaiawa 15, Waimate nil. W. Sutton and B. Hughes were useful agents in putting Waimate in attacking positions,, but, though E. Sutton, from a mark, and L. Hughes, with a penalty kick, made good attempts at the goal the Blues were unable to open a score and within ten minutes a loose rush near the Waimate goal sent the ball to Crawford, who crossed in the corner. Iki converted with a beautiful kick, and Okaiawa were 20 points up. The Re vanguard, which in the earlier stages had been over-ruled in the loose, then came to life with a succession of stinging attacks, which eventually gave a try by Griffin. Though awarded no charge iki failed to rise the ball. The next score came from a characteristic cut in by Johnston, whose pass was not gathered, but the Red forwards went over in a body and Birchall, who snatched the leather from Iki, was awarded his second try about ten yards from touch. Iki could not improve,

but the score showed 26 —0. The kickoff sent the Blues in a determined assault, but after L. Hughes had tried another unsuccessful attempt at the goal, play came to midfield, where C. Paterson made a fine opening and handed to Purvis, who hurdled the fullback and touched down by the post for a try, which Johnston converted, bringing the score to 31. Though hopelessly outclassed, the Blues made game game endeavours, but, apart from W. Sutton, Long, J. Paterson and B. Hughes, could not show the dash required to threaten the Red citadel, and a minute before time a dazzling passing bout from Johnston, to Purvis, to C. Paterson, who made a corkscrew run and returned to Purvis, sent the last named over for the final try. Johnston’s kic-k fell beneath the bar and no side was called with the score: Okaiawa 34 . Waimate 6 Mr. H. G. Whittington was the referee. PATEA v. KAPONGA.

The visit of Kaponga to Patea was productive of a bright and particularly hard fought and even forward game, which resulted in a win for the home team by nine pointsi (a potted goal and a converted try) to six (two penalties). As the score indicates there was little between the teams. The game was fast in the main, but the last thirteen minutes were played in the Patea twenty-five, where scrum followed scrum, and the evenly matched Kaponga attack and home defence could not make -headway. For the winners L. Bourke, Wills and C. Haynes were ’outstanding, the latter’s potted goal, which won for the team the victory, being of exceptional merit. As usual A. Guy was prominent in attacf ing movements, but he was not well supported. Generally speaking, Patea played a much improved game on their previous performances. The teams were:—

Patea (blue). —A. Price, G. ford, L. Bourke, F. Spooner; J. Marchant, Cooper; C. Haynes; R. Sampson (rover); E. Stanford, P. Crawford; C. Wills, O. Murphy, H. Bremer (lock) : C. Crompton, J. Couch (hookers). Kaponga (black). —G. Paterson; W. F.liason, J. McCarty, D. Cameron; D. Mercer, W. Bradford; B. Hammersley; A. Guy (rover); J. Free, P. Hammersley; B. Espin, C. Espin; R. -Poole (lock); G. Guthrie, L. Thoumine (hookers). Kicking off with the advantage 'oi the wind, Patea invaded the visitor’s territory, but Hammersley was prominent in a retaliating rush, which was well stopped by a good line kick. The throw-in was advantageous to Kaponga ,but a good back rush ■was well stopped. Price made a good kick, and the ball went out near the Kaponga line. Espin and Free, however, led play back towards half-way. A dangerous blue movement was stopped for an in fringement. After an exchange of kicks, the blue pack advanced strongly and Paterson was beaten, but McCarty saved well. Mercer marked to halt a promising Blue attack, but Haynes stopped and from near the half-way dropped a beautiful goal, opening the Patea score when the game had progressed eleven minutes. Patea 4, Kaponga 0. Kaponga attacked from the throw-in and a dangerous melee resulted within the Blue territory. Free marked, but his attempt to register points failed, Wills marking and relieving. From a Kaponga kick Cooper secured and passed to Sampson, who sent it to Bourke, but the Kaponga defenders had regained their position and a promising movement was stopped. From a penalty for a Black forward pass Bourke made an attempt at goal, but. his kick went wide. Kaponga pressed and were advancing well when they were awarded a penalty and Guy sent the ball neatly between the posts from a central position. Patea 4, Kaponga 3. With the ball at toe, the Blue pack advanced perilously near to the goal-line. Wills was nearly over, but Guy was prominent in saving the situation. Paterson could not stop, an advancing Blue rush, but McCarty secured near the line and carried back. After the scrum the defenders were given a penalty, and Guy’s kick saved. Espin sent the ball to Bourke, who was smothered. Guy got away when Price failed to take the ball, but Bourke’s tackle was sure. Cameron saved well when the Blues advanced, but Haynes cut through. A penalty saved, but, securing from a melee near the line Cooper got across a minute before the closing of the spell. Bourke succeeded in adding the extra points. Patea p Kaponga 3

The second spell opened with an exchange of kicks until, from a lineout near thg Kapdnga line, Marghant made an attack, but Cooper saved with a mark. In a promising attack Bourke and Crawford were prominent. After a line-out Bourke was again scon to advantage, but he was effectively smothered. Crawford and Sampson were together in a good attack, but McCarty took a clever mark. Play still remained in Kaponga territory, but for holding Patea were pcnali*d and Guy relieved well. A scrum on the Patea twenty-five line was to Kaponga’s advantage, and the backs combined effectively, but Marchant intercepted and lined, gaining good distance. A kick by Haynes, rebounding, endangered the Blues, but Bourke marked. Guy was penalised for handling, but in the succeeding scrum Kaponga were given a free kick for off-side play and Guv’s effort produced the three points. Patea 9, Kaponga 6. Guy was prominent in two successive solo attempts to equalise, but on both occasions he was forced out. McCarty made a good dash and passed to Guy, who lost the ball near the lino and Crawford forced. The latter was responsible for Patea being penalised, and Guy made an attempt to goal, but the ball fell short. Sampson mis-kicked, a force in the succeeding melee relieving. Kaponga were now pressing desperately, but the home defence was sound. D. Cameron took a brilliant pass, but Price forced him out a yard from the line. A number of scrums followed the throw-in, and the pressing Blacks were unable to get across. A penalty gave Bourke an opportunity to find the line. The throwin took play to a central position, still well in the home twenty-five. Marchant gathered the ball smartly and kicked out as no side sounded with the scores— Patea '. 9 Kaponga 6 Mr A. K. McNae was referee.

JUNIOR GRADE. OKAIAWA v. ELTHAM. Okaiawa kicked off against the sun and gained some ground by means of a, left wing sortie, which was smothered before it became dangerous. However, they repeated the movement, and the twenty-five was reached, where the ball went out. A breach by an

Eltham player gave the home team (okaiawa; an opportunity, but Adamson failed to cross the bar. A scramble on ttie twenty-five resulted in H. foothill scoring from the ruck. Tiie try was not converted. From the halfway kick Okaiawa. forced matters, and the Eltham full-back was compelled to smother to avoid disaster, his efforts resulting in his opponents being awarded a tree kick, which, however, availed them nothing. Okaiawa broke away, and Dodd made a determined effort to cross at the right corner, but was grassed. Eltham remained penned in their own twenty-five for a considerable period, the home team striving in vain to penetrate their defence. • A forward pass by the attackers was penalised by the scrum, and from the scramble Eltham cleared. From a penalty Dodd kicked a clean goal, adding three points to the home team’s score, borne up and down play followed, Dodd eventually dribbling the ball across the line, where R. Tibbett touched down, making the score: Okaiawa 9, Eltham O. Adamson failed with the kick. Awahou added another three points to Okaiawa’s score by “jinking” his way from the twenty-five. Clarke converted. Okaiawa 14, Eltham 0. A collision ’between two Eltham players, which resulted in one being temporarily knocked out, enabled C. Blair to secure possession at the twenty-five yard mark and score alongside the posts. Dodd took the kick and added the major points. Within two minutes, Awahou had again crossed after a run of about 10 yards. The kick was fruitless. The spell ended with play at half-way, the score being 22—0 in - favour of Okaiawa. In the second spoil the first few minutes’ play was centred around the half line. The home team gradually assumed the offensive, however, and, following a scrum on the 25 yards line, Bailey snapped up the ball and crossed the line in spite of two Eltham stalwarts. Awahou made no mistake with the kick. Eltham were hard pressed) at this stage, and one of their players kicked the leather behind, and in the race for possession Clark won, touching down. Awahou, with a magnificent kick, added a further two points. Okaiawa 32—0. P. Tippett secured possession, and speedily made the score 35—0. The kick was resultless. Eltham secured a free kick in the 25. and L. Cooper neatly placed the leather between the posts, opening his side’s score .sheet; 35—3. •A sensational run bv D. Blair carried olav from the Okaiawa 25 to within a similar distance of the Eltham goal, where he was grassed, and the visitors cleared, L. Cooper adding three to their score with a magnificent penalty kick of about 40 yards. Okaiawa) were attacking when the final whistle blew. Mr A. Spratt refereed.

HAWERA (12) v. ATHLETIC (31

A fine open game resulted in a good w.in for Hawera. For the winners, Halbert kicked two penalty goals, while Murphy and R/uimball scored tries; and Seagar scored a try for Athletic. Mr F. Atkins was referee.

OPUNAKE v. KAPONGA

Playing at Opunake, Kaponga junior® were defeated by the home team by 18 to nil. The Opunake forwards were too (heavy for the visitors, enabling the back division of the local team to register five tries in addition to a penalty goal. The scorer® were: Tanner (2- trie®), Collins. Hurley, and Harvey (one each), and Moran (a penalty goal).

THIRD GRADE

OKAIAWA v. PATEA,

Okaiawa soundly beat Patea on the former’s ground, winning by 23 to nil. In the first spell, Eynon (2), Hooper and Walker secured tries, while Ngaia converted one of Eynon’s tries, making the score 14 —0 at half-time.

The second spell saw the home team on the offensive, and within a few minutes of the commencement an infringement by Patea gave Tui an opportunity to cross the bar with a neat kick. Shortly afterwards Okaiawa again were successful. Following a left wing movement, Hooper scrambled across the line. Tui failed with the kick. Hooper was soon again prominent when he made a nice solo effort, racing up the' line only to be grassed at the twenty-five line. Patea were on the defensive for the remainder of the game, Eynon once again crossing for their opponents, making the final score 23 —0. Mr J. Adamson was referee. ELTHAM (11) v. HAWERA (6). The above teams staged a curtainraiser to the Star-Eltham senior match at Taumata Park, Eltham. Each team omprisecL big, hefty players, who confined their operations principally to forward work. The first spell ended with honours easy, an unconverted try by D. Gower and L. Green for Eltham and Hawera respectively, being registered. Early in the second half Eltham. with the wind at back, pressed hard and penned the yellows on their line for a. term, and Gower, intercepting a clearing pass, gave Prince a good opportunity to score. The kick failed. Eltham 6—3. Shortly after, W. Gower secured 30 yards out, and raced through Hawera’s backs to notch .a try which he himself converted. Eltham 11—3. Hawera’s first chance in this session came immediately after, when a penalty within Eltham’s 25’s almost resulted in enhancing the score. J. Grover (Eltham) put in two very good swerving runs to near the objective, losing possession each time when a modicum of • support was the onlv requisite. Returning to the attack. a violation of the rules enabled T. Nolan to land a splendid goal for Hawera just on the close of the game. Hawera was unfortunate in that a number of the usual team were absent on the title range.

FOURTH GRADE

WAIMATE AND SCHOOL A DRAW. The Waimate fourths and the Hawera High School A fifteen provided a bright curtain-raiser to the OkaiawaWaimate senior game, the result being a draw —eleven all. Waimate secured threei tries, one converted, - while School's score was compiled by two tries, one converted, and a penalty. Play was particularly keen in the second spell, both sides opening up the game in a series of promising passing movements. In this phase the School backs were particularly notable. The first score came early in the game, when J. Petersen goaled for School with a penalty kick from the 25 flag. Half-way through the spell Murdoch broke in his own twenty-five, and, after gaining ground, opened the way for a try by Clement, which was converted by Petersen. Waimate replied with a passing rush by Edwards, McDonald and Kitt, which resulted in

a try by Kitt. M. Bourke converted. At half-time School led by 8 to 5. In the second spell Standi sh *:dded a try for School, who them led by six points. Almost immediately Payne scored at the finish of a Waimate forward rush, but the try was not converted. A few moments before Dme Joyce forced his way over to equalise the tally, and full time found the scores: H h School A 11 i Waimate 13 Mr W. J. Badley was the referee. SCHOOL FOOTBALL. CONVENT BEATS OKAIAWA. In a good open game to-day, Convent l>eat Okaiawa by 18 points (six tries) to nil. For the winners Ardemi scored three tries. Mr K. MoNae was referee.