THE RUGBY CODE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 August 1927, Page 3

THE RUGBY CODE

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. FOURTH GRADE FINAL. WAIM ATE AGAIN CHAMPIONS. On a heavy ground at Stratford yesterday, tlie filial match, to decide the Taranaki provincial fourth grade championship was fought out by teams from the 'VVaimate and Old Boys (New Plymouth) Clubs. The teams were evenly matched in weight, height and executive ability, and though the northerners held a lead of 13 points to 6 ten minutes within call of time- their position was due to the scoring of two particularly lucky tries, rather than to general superiority. The actual scoring of these tries was certainly the result of nippy play and quick perception of openings on the part of Sullivan and Wilson, who thoroughly deserved their success. Waimate’s chances appeared hopeless, and the gloomy depression of a large following from Manaia was equalled only by the jubilation of the Old Boys’ supporters. It was interesting to note the reversed expressions of feeling at the close of the game. The teams were:

Waimate (black and blue). —J. McDonald (full-back), Joyce, Kitt, Hughes, D. Shaw, K. McDonald, Edwards, Beauchamp (rover), Willcocks, R. Shaw, Russell, Pama, Payne, Walker, Street. Old Boys (white). —Hetherington (full-back), Mace, Earley, Billing, Olsen, Oman, Reilly, Wilson (rover), Stuck, Hayton, Frethey, Sullivan, Newell, Gilling, Way. The first spell was not noteworthy for any specially brilliant movements, and play for the greater part of the time hovered about midfield. Willcocks opened Waimate’s score with a penalty goal from an easy position, and this was equalised by B. Mace for Old Boys with a wonderfully fine kick from nearly half-way. A fine forward rush by the Blues was nullified _ by Payne failing to gather when within a few yards of his objective. Towards the end of the spell G. Earley (Old Boys) met with an injury to his cheek which necessitated surgical attention, and his olaee was taken by T. Hinkley. The spell ended with even scores — three points all. On resumption the game see-sawed for -a while, and then the Blues worked down to range ami forced Old Boys. A splendid forward rush emanated fjorn the lather’s kick-out. _ Sullivan’s hands closed on a bouncing ball, and he ran a straight course through Waimate’s hacks to touch down near the post. Mace added the points with a good kick.' Old Boys 8, Waimate 3. /The reverse enlivened Waimate, and a combined forward movement following the lcick-off proved- irresistible, Kith scoring. The attempt at goal failed. Old Boys 8, Waimate 6. Willcocks- and Ivitt- repulsed a White attack, and an infringement added to the advantage gained. Shaw, Kitt and Wilcocks invaded White territory, where Hughes threw away a chance bv attempting a field goal. " Back at midfield Old- Boys, gaining possession in the scrum, set up a fine- forward rush, from which Wilson detached himself and, emulating Sullivan’s effort, ran clean through without dodge or swerve- to -score a few feet from the goal. Mace converted and the score readi: Old Boys 13, Waiiuact 6. A long session of up and down play ensued, with no decided gained. Shaw, Kitt- and Willcocks ining, sent the leather down to Hetherington, whose return went out to Joyce’s' wing. The latter took the bounce and raced for 20 yards to the line. In consequence of an infringement the kick was forfeited-. Old Boys 13, Waimate 9. To all intents and purposes the game' was in favour of the northern leaders, with four ooints to the good and play consistently remaining in neutral territory. Waimate, however, rose to the occasion, getting off two -successive forward rushes to the line, in the last of which Willcocks secured and dived over. A. McDonald converted- With a good- effort from a difficult position and with a heavy, grea-sy ball. There was only sufficient time for the Whites to make a transient incursion and be driven back to the centre when the game concluded.

Wnimate Old Beys Air. G. Wore was the referee

JUNIOR SEMI-FINAL. URENUI DEFEATS WAIMATE. Following -the fourth grade final on Victoria Park, Stratloi'd, yesterday the Waimate a-iid Urenui teams, winners o-f the South -and- North Taranaki junior division -respectively, met in the semi - final to decide entry -against -the Celtic (Stratford) team., the winners in the Central division. Heavy rain fell at the -stari of -the game-, and continued without intermission until the call of no-side. The ground had been considerably churned during the previous match -and was not improved- by the continuous downpour. In consequence good football ay as out of the- question. The handling of the winning -tealii s hacks was, nevertheless, wonderfully good and proved not only the outstanding feature, b-uit also the deciding factor in Urenui’s Avin. In the first half, and the greater portion of the second, Waimate were hopelessly beaten for the- ball in the scrums and for the whole of the game completely outclassed in passing movements'. Yet the winners- wore unable to cross Wiaiinate’is line more than once. Wa-im-aite’is tackling and good footwork in loose rushes kept the score down, although Urenui, held territorial, honours for the first three-quarters. In Waiinate’'S defence King was tv treasure and was -ably supported -by Kitney, Mako, Hickey and Hansen.

The teams were: "Wane ato (Blue -and Black).- —Ains-lc-v (fullback), Bourke, Waimuna, Kitney, Ring, ' Miako, Hickey, Hansen (rover), Hughes, Snowdon, Edwards, Hikaka., Henau-e, Jackson, Nicholas. UrenuL (Green)—Morrison (fullback), Skelton. White, Boswell, Jonas, Carey, Peppereill, Fergusson (rover), Wallace, Grech, Howell, Oxenbam, Herbert, Knight, Duncan. Within three minutes of the- commencement of the game, and downpour, Skelton dropped a. field goal. Henare made an opening and sent on to'_ his rushing forwards wiho scrambled into striking distance of Urenui’s line, where Snowdon picked up and dived over. Urenui 4, Waimate 3. Flay swung from end to end and across field, the fine passing and taking of the Green backs being always counterbalanced bv Warmahe’s solid tackling and commonsen.se footwork, with the result that no further scores were recorded, during the first spell.

Early -in the eeoond half the Greens worked tlio leather to and avertbo Waimate -line and Ain-sley was forced to save by kicking -to the “dead ball” line. Continuing the pressure, Jonas received at -top from Carey, dodged through, sold (lie dummy cleverly, and was almost over when his- forward pass with tlio greay ball s-to-ppcd him. During the first -half of this spell the Green forwards gained possession in almost every scrum and Pepperell, who was playing a fine passing game at the base, lost no opportunity .of sending Jonas, Skelton, White and Boswell away. Waimate defence, however, held good, and counter movements in which Snowdon, King, Henare and Hansen were conspicuous, interlarded with, an occasional, ibroe-down, kept the vigorous northerners out. Ain-sley a-t full-back was responsible for some anxious moments from a Waimate point of view, hut ma-naged to extricate) himself from; (difficult positions with, safety. In the -final quarter, Waimate forwards shaped much, better than in the earlier stages and several times carried the battle into- their opponents ’end, without, however, any material advantage. The persistence of Pepperell, Clarey, land Jonas was rewarded in the closing few minutes, when Boswell received at the end of y the chain, cleverly beat King and' Rourke and easily outpaced Ains-ley to secure the final score. The attempt at goal failed. There remained just tame enough for Waimate to he once more forced down before the game ended, with the scores: Urenui 7 Waimate 3 Mr. G. Hooker was roferee.

RANFUBLY SHIELD. APPEAL BEING CONSIDERED. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 18. The appeal of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union regarding the decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union in awarding the R-anfurly Shield to Wairarapa was considered by the Appeal Council of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night. The decision of the council will be forwarded to the New Zealand Union, through which body the result will be made known. PAEWAI REINSTATED. WELLINGTON, Aug. 18. The New Zealand Rugby Union tonight, at a special meeting, considered the application of L. Paewai, the 192 T All Black, for iustatement to Rugby. The meeting held that the breach of signing a form of registration for League football was only technical and granted the application. TARANAKI ON TOUR. AN INAUSPICIOUS OPENING. BY TELEGKAPH—SPECIAL TO THE STAR. WELLINGTON, Aug. 19. The Taranaki Rugby team did not have a very auspicious opening for their tour. There were, however, factors which should be taken into consideration in endeavouring to formulate a just opinion on their performance. They had- a tiring journey the previous day, and should have had a longer spell after travelling. It has also to be remembered that the Stratford and Okaiawa members of the team were playing their third match within six days. It was expecting rather much of them to ask them to reproduce their best form.

The home side was splendidly led by Cooke, who made practically all their play. lie has the valuable faculty of knowing exactly what to do when he gets the ball. Ilis best supporters were Gundy and Stringfellow. The Wairarapawing three-quarters were by no mean's outstanding. The forwards had (nothing on Taranaki, except in hooking. In the early stages of the game James Donald played wing forward and set the home backs going more than did the half-back. Among the Taranaki backs Brown and Johnston alone stood out. The former was not up to his best club form; he stopped a lot of hard .stuff. Johnston got the visitors out of difficulties, but Petty was below form. The forwards played a. hard game, but were weak, Ward only being distinctly conspicuous.