RUGBY FINAL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 5 September 1927, Page 3

RUGBY FINAL

PROVINCIAL PREMIERSHIP.

STRATFORD V. OKAIAWA.

f VICTORY TO NORTH TEAM,

By the narrow margin of two points —tho conversion of a try —the Stratford Rugby fifteen beat the Okaiawa side in a gruelling contest at Hawera oh Saturday for the provincial first grade championship of the 1927 season. The exhibition given at Eltham on August If, when under distressful weather conditions, the north and south champions fought a six point draw, had given an indication that under any sort of conditions there would be little to choose between the teams. Saturday’s game, which was favoured with ideal conditions, gave further evidence of very even claims to the supremacy and kept a crowd of approximately 3000 spectators in a constant fever of excitement,

Both teams registered two tries, but While the Stratford kicker added the goal points to both the successful invasions of his side. Okaiawa achieved the goal on one occasion only. There were, however, two phases in which distinction could be drawn. Though not to a pronounced extent the Stratford forwards, who included four players of the provincial scrum, showed a slight superiority as spoilers and thrusting agent's. They were supported by a sound back team, which, however, had to cede a margin to Okaiawa as an attacking combination.

The individual star of the match was ■he Okaiawa skipper, D. Johnston, who played sterling Rugby as centre threequarter. He was constantly in the picture and towards the close of the g- mo was responsible for one of the p ost sensational runs of the season, when he. raced from inside his own twenty-five for nearly the length of the field, only to be robbed of the winning points by the Stratford flier, Wynyard. As a back Johnston had a good second in Owen, the Strafford fiveeighth. Discrimination among 14 scrum men, each of whom showed dash from bell to bell, was difficult. Of the Stratford seven, however, Walter, Kivell, Smith and Young deserved credit for a good proportion of their team’s work. Among the Okaiawa vanguard R. Guy was constantly notable and was well supported by Parslow, Iki, Tippett, and Birehall. The respective rovers, Griffin (Okaiawa) and Fryday (Stratford) each gave good exhibitions. The gate takings amounted to £IOB Is.

The teams lined out as follow: OKAIAWA. Pull-back: B. Cameron. Three-quarters: C. Paterson, D. .Johnston (captain), D. Crawford. Five-eighths: M. Lvnslcev. B. Roberts Half-back: M. Clarke. Rover: E. Griffin. Forwards: M. Parslow, E. McCallum, R. Guy, Iki, R. Clarke, V. Tippett, A. Eirchall (hookers). STRATFORD. Full-back: Collins. Threequarters: Roy Penniall, Algar, Wynyard. Five-eighths: Bonner, Owen. Half: J. San.gstcr. Rover: R. Fryday (captain). Forwards: Bond, Smith, Kivell, O’Keefe, Walter, Hinten, Young (hookers). Stratford played in Amber and Black and Okaiawa in Red and Black, the colours of the former, usually red and Black also, being changed for the match.

The southern skipper chose to defend the. western goal, and Stratford lined out to face the sun in the opening session, but with the advantage of a stiff breeze. Play opened at a moderate pace, which soon developed, but without showing decided advantage for a brisk four minutes. Taking a penalty kick at midfield Collins unsuccessfully tried to goal for the northern team. The kick out was followed by a swift forward sortie by the Amber pack and Johnston stemmed the rush, but in the ensuing mix-up the ball came loose to Owen who penetrated for the opening try five minutes from the commencement of play. From a good position Collins contributed the extra points.

Stratford 5 Oka Law a 0 The Reds retaliated with a sharp passing bout, iniated at midfield by Clarke from the base of a scrum and his supports made ground in a pretty burst, which terminated when Paterson could not get to a pass from his skipper. A moment later Smith and Walter were speeding goalwards, but were checked on meeting Paterson who raised applause from the crowd -with a tricky line finder. Another Stratford assault -was turned by a penalty, and Guy with Griffon were notable in a Red forward movement which changed tlie venue to the Amber quarters. Fryday’s sjioiling broke up a supporting move by Lynskey, Roberts and Johnston and the bustling Amber vanguard again appeared in the Okaiawa twentyfive. Here D. Crawford was unable to clear and an attempted speculator was gathered by Smith, who went over in the corner for the northern side’s second try. Collins again converted a beautiful kick and, with the game only 15 minutes old the score showed—Stratford 10 Okaiawa 0

Ensuing action showed as a rattling duel in which repeated endeavours of the Okaiawa rear division to introduce open order tactics were met, just as consistently with ruthless rushes by the splendid Amber forwards. Hard tackling by both sides involved frequent knocks and in one willing scrimmage Collins, who was playing like a champion as the Stratford last line of defence, was temporarily incapacitated. He received attention and was able to resume within the requisite three minutes. Immediately following the stoppage Paterson made a fine attempt for three points with a. forty yards’ kick into the breeze, the ball dropping beneath the bar. Though play in the earlv phases had shown a decided mar gin in favour of Stratford they wore now penned on the defensive owing h» a swift series of handling bouts by the Okaiawa backs, with Johnston and Lynskey ns the outstanding figures. The attacks surged in vain however, againsr the surencss of the northerners defence, the play of the wings, Penniall and Wvnvard, being particularly steady. Stemming an assault, just outside the Okaiawa twenty-five Johnston raised the crowd with’ a rear stopping Charleston move which enabled him to line from inside his quarter and secure the benefit of the ground gained. Tlis resource was the outstanding feature of the remaining play till the interval,

which was signalled without addition to the score. HITE SECOND SPELL. Taking tho kick off for the second spell, Johnston sent the rolling ball into touch near the Stratford line and opened a sensational phase which brought continued roars from the stand and side lines. From the throw-in the ball travelled across tho Stratford backs till Griffin spoiled and Guy charged furiously into the massing Stratford pack. The struggle a few yards from tho lino resulted in the ball coming out to Clarke, the Okaiawa half, who cut in and handed to his left wing, D. Crawford, who got over in the eerner. Paterson’s conversion from the touch lino was a gem. Stratford It' Okaiawa 5 This success heralded a further lively four minutes in which the resource of the Stratford backs was stretched to its fullest extent to keep the line intact. In a close quarters melee, Clarke got across but was prevented from registering the touch down by Fryday and Algar and a minute later Parslow, plunging over, was just beaten by Penniall’s force. A lucky break away by Walter gave relief to Stratford from an ensuing bid and marks by Johnston and Iki repelled attempts by the Ambers to augment their score. The latter’s invasion was short-lived, the battling wearers of tlie scarlet uniform again sweeping to the assault. Crawford, on the loft wing, and Paterson, on the right, were held out in succession, but points came when, supporting a rush by Birehall, Griffin and company, Clarke shot a pass to Roberts, who handed a couple of dummys and crashed over with two defenders bearing him to the ground. Paterson’s kick from a wide angle veered outside the upright, but the margin between the scores was reduced to two points. Stratford 10 Okaiawa ■ 8 A moment later the Okaiawa place kick took a long chance with a penalty, but was unable to reach the goal. Owen’s sure fielding and kicking was responsible for robbing further sorties by Okaiawa and eventually the Stratford forwards were dominating a fierce battle in the Okaiawa twenty-five. Cameron, Johnston and Lynskey were faithful defenders of the Okaiawa citadel and Stratfo'rd were unable 'to benefit. Following play ranged swiftly between the twenty-fives in hectic attack and counter movement, which showed a fairly even division of honour. Plaving sterling Rugby, Johnston was” constantly the focus of attention. Intercepting during a dangerous movement by the Amber backs, lie raced brilliantly from his own twenty-five and appeared to have the winning points in hand till overhauled bv Wynyard within ten yards of the objective. A quick change of venue found Wynyard tearing to score, but he fell to* Cameron’s tackle and Paterson raced back to retrieve. Hollins seemed to liave a certain three points when given a penalty kick in good position hut the ball screwed and with the kick, out Okaiawa returned to the ncutraal zone. Time found 'Okaiawa on the attack, but the score remained: Stratford 10 Okaiawa 8 Mr. 11. G. Whittington was the referee.

The big game was preceded by an attractive curtain-raiser staged by fifteen representing the Hawera High School Old Boys and a team selected from local resident old boys of various other ‘ colleges in New Zealand.

The teams showed a fairly even comparison, which was reflected in a score of 6 points to 3 in favour the Old Colleageans. McCarthy was responsible for the whole of the winner’s points, which he contributed with a. penalty goal and a try. School Old Bovs’ points came from a try registered'by Halbert. Mr. W. .T. Badley was the. referee.

RANFURLY SHIELD RETAINED BY MAN A WHEN!: A. WANGANUI SOUNDLY BEATEN. PALMERSTON N., Sept. 3. On lima weather, but with a strong wind blowing, Wanganui met Maine whenua in a Ranfurly Shield challenge match tills afternoon. There were 4U(JO spectators present. The holders set the ball «dn motion. Following a period of attacking by Mauawhpmua. Jacob kicked a good goal from a penalty. c . Play swung between the twenty-fives for the next 15 minutes, until, with Wanganui in a good position, the defenders were penalised, and Leahy equalised the scores. ... - Five minutes later'Jacob just missed in an attempt to drop-kick a goal from half-way. The shie'd holders were liow having the better of the game. .McDonald. following up a punt, regained possession and scored. Jacob massed with the kick. Wanganui rotaliabod with. a spectacuilar 3 passing bout, but the final receiver was pushed out at the. corner fiiir Manawhenua worked their way back to the visitors’ territory, where the forwards pushed their way ovea the lime, Jacob scoring. The Manawhenua skipper converted, and the shield holders led when the half-time whittle sounded immediately latxeiwards. Manawhenua . Wanganui **

Plav in the second spell had been m progress .seven minutes when McDonald scored from the blind side, of th scrum. Jacob goalecl. Manawhenua 16, Wanganui 3. A loose passing movement by the visitors caught the home team napping a,nd with Beilis making a Rood openinrr. Johnston scored. Leahy failed to convert. Manawhcmia 10, A\ angusmi Manawhenua. now began to show de"ided superiority with the sun at their hacks, and a forward rush Parsons scored. Jacob missed an easy kick. Manawhenua 19, Wanganui 6. A. series of free kicks against the home team checked numerous movements. Moses, Maori All Black, playing first, five-eighth for. Manawhenua., received an injury to his knee at this stage and had to go off. Brilliant passby the home backs saw McDonald score ’ his third try. Jacob missed' a kick in front of the posts. Manawhenua 22. Wanganui 0. The home team was now throwing the ball round well, and gob over from another passing bout, hut were recalled for a knock-on. Five minutes later, just on the call of time, Tronic won dived t.lirough a line-out to make a score. The kick failed, and the game ended: Manawhenua 25 Wanganui 6

WELLINGTON v. OTAGO. WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. Wellington defeated Otago on Saturday at Athletic Park in the presence of a very large attendance 'of spectators by 24 points to 16,, after a very fast, sometimes spectacular, and always interesting game. The game was a very clean one. Wellington won because they were better able to last the great pace that was set. The tackling of both sides was deadly, but in 'Svenson, Elvy, South Jchnsou and Mark Nicholls, Otago found a steady and versatile Wellington back division, set well in motion by good passes from Kilby at half. Malcolm, too, was as safe as a bank at full-back, and helped his side with great line kicking. Porter was always where he was most wanted for Wellington.

The Otago forwards 'battled hard and shone out conspicuously In many dribbling rushes, while Stewart and Mitchell, Otago’s wingers, played brilliant ly. Otago were many times struggling to score right on the Wellington line, but the defence held magnificently, and two or three times Otago players were actually over but held up. PROVINCIAL MATCHES. CANTERBURY v. HAWKE’S HAY. NAPIER, Sept. 3. A .splendid exhibition, of Rugby was provided here this afternoon by the Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay representatlvies, when a good contest resulted in a victory for the latter by 11 to S. Notwithstanding the fact that the- Bay victory, in points, was due to whiait some considered a doubtful try, they were eentainlv the best side 011 the play, though by only a few degases. AUCKLAND DEFEATS WAIRARAPA. AUCKLAND, Sept. 3. The Auckland Rugby .representatives had their eighth successive victory by defeating,' Wairarapa at Eden Bark today by 12 points to 3. The weather was fine and the ground in good order. The match was watched by 25,000 spectators. . There was no score .at half-time. Early in the second spell the referee awarded Cooke. (Wairarapa) a try for obstruction, and Rerridge equalised ten minutes later with a penalty goal. In the final stages Auckland scoped three times in quick succession, Hook, Woods and McWitliams touching .down.