HIGH-CLASS RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 9 April 1928, Page 3

HIGH-CLASS RUGBY

KAPONGA SEVEN=A'SIDE

TWENTY-FIVE TEAMS ENTER

FINAL UNDECIDED

The Kaponga Sports Club is to be congratulated on its success in drawing together twenty-five teams lor its annual sevcii-a-siae- Casey Wiiield tournament. The class of iiugby presented w-asi of a first-class order, in which, the close interest of 2000 spectators; wias maintained from begmning to end. Only onp team wa-s'entered from beyond the province—a lively combination from Carterton, in the Wairarapa district, captained by W. Irvine, of 1924 All Bla-ck fame. This team accounted for all opposition through the first, second, third and semi-final rounds, to clash with Kaponga A in an unfinished final, owing to darkness The semi-final was fought out ‘in the gloaming,” and the final -should not have -been attempted. An amicable settlement between the teams interested in the temporary proprietorship of the shield waisi arrived at before the Carterton men left for home. In addition to the finalists-, exceptionally good teams were entered by the Inglewood, Star, Celtic, Hawera, Stratford and Tuka-pa Clubs.

The conduct of the tournament was, ais usual, excellent, and reflected credit on the -Sports Club’s executive ability generally. Mr D. P. F. Malone (supervisor), Messrs J. Guy and R. Grace (timekeepers) and Mr A. Melville (secretary) , kept everything on the -swing. The sum of £IOB was taken ait the “Throughout the day luncheon, morning and afternoon teas were procurable at the Ladies’ 'Guild marque on thp groundjSi. The thanks of the chib and competitors are due to Messrs F. Julian, F. J. E'ogleton. F Atkins, W. J. Badley, G. Hurler. McLean and F. Webb, who capably officiated a s referee*. Following are the results: —

FIRST ROUND. Okaiawa A 10 v. Kaponga. B 0. Celtic B 5 v. Waimate- B 3. Star A 8 v. Patea 6. Stratford A 13 v. Athletic 0. Inglewood 19 v. Eltham A 0. Carterton 9 v. Tukapa- A 0. Tukapa B 13 beat Hawer-a 3. Waimate A 5 v. Okato 0. Hawera B 18 v. Eltham B 0. Stratford B 13 v. Okaiawa B 3. Star B 11 v. Old Boys 5. Kaponga A 14 v. Kaponga C 0. Celtic A defaulted to Kaponga A, the latter engaging Kaponga C, who had drawn a bye. * SECOND ROUND. Inglewood 6 v. Tukapa B 3. Celtic 8,1 l v- Waimate A 5. Hawera B 3 v. Stratford; B 0. Carterton 3 v. -Stratford A 0. Star A 5 v. Okaiawa 3.

Kaponga A 11 v. Star B 3. THIRD ROUND. Carterton 10 v. Hawera- B 3. Inglewood 5 v. Star A 0. Kaponga 6 r. Celtic B 0. SEMI-FINAL. Carterton 5 v. Inglewood 0. Carterton.—G. Booth, W- Us slier, 1. Hart, W. Irivne, C. Jensen, A. Cox, J. Benby. _ _ Inglewood.—N. Ross, L*. Ross, ti. Known, C. Corkill, C. Gudgeon, R. FuseeT, V. Devereaux. Pay cc-ntred in Inglewood’s 25 from the kick-off, a timely mark relieving, Irvine’s return placed the defenders m difficulties, and Ross brothers were required to stubbornly oppose the stabbing spurts of Trv.ine, Booth and Hart. Twice in quick succession Inglewood were' forced down. Cox secured and ran 30 vards in a dodgy clash to sroro uiidor the bar. Trying easily oonverted. On the change over Irvine’s: kick was returned' well clown to Booth, who gathered well and ran to centre- Pi ay swung into Inglewood’s- twenty-five whence Brown, with a smart dash and kick, transferred to Irvine-, who marked and got touch at hn.'J'-way. Irv-mo was playino a vigorous game, and carried the offensive- to Inglewood’s 25. U mid field Gudgeon got- away, and look!nor all over a- scorer, was brought down iiv Hart only a few feet from, the lino. There was no further score, and Carterton was allowed five minutes respite before taking the field m the final agaimt Kaponga A, who had drawn the bye. 'Mr 01. Hurley wa,s referee. THE FINAL UNFINISHED. J u the gathering gloom the teams lined out. Carterton’s team being unchanged, and Kaponga was represented bv: —0. Whalen, W. Elia-son, D. Mercer, J. Purvis, W. Bradford, J. Free, and A. Guy. Mr l'. Julian was referee. Darkness had set- in so suddenly that from the start of the bout it was impossible to distinguish- any players in either of the dark-clad teams, the only dh a nee- the: p’ayers or (spectators had of viewing the ball was when it was on rare, occasions kicked high above tlip sky-line, and the only distinguishable object on the field was the ghostly term of the referee. An occasional glare from the head*lights of cars drawn up on the opposite side of the ground only served to accentuate the -suroundijng darkness. Before tho short first -spell ended, Irvine missed with a shortrange penalty kick. In the unsatisfactory conditions- it was a iielipf to all con corned when the rcier-ee stopped the oia-nie and declared it undecidedBefore the teams left the Park it was arranged that a conference of delegates from the Carterton and Kaponga Clubs and the Kaponga Sports Club be held at 8 p.m. to discu-ss the position.

MEETING OF DELEGATES

DISPOSITION OF SHIELD AND CITJP

The meeting held to consider the disposition of the Casey Shield and gold medals awarded to winners of the competition and the Hockin Cup to the runners-up, was attended by Messrs W. Mar.r (in the chair), -T. Brisco J. (Vuy, W. 11. Roberts and A. Melville, (representing the Sports Club), W . Irvine, Cl Gray, A. Cox, 13. L. Robinson (darter ton Club), and A. Guy. G. Guthrie. O. Whalen, .1. Purvis (Ivaponga, Club). The chairman .stated that the executive had already come to the conclusion that the best interests of the annual competition would be served if the Kaponga. team were agreeable to look upon this year’s contest as a tie, allow the CJartertqn team to hold the Side Id for the year, and hold the cup themselves. The difficulty of allotting gold medals to the winners could he overcome by the executive, also .regarding the contest, as a draw and award a gold medal to each member of the Carterton and Kaponga teams. There had been a lot said about playing out the

final on Easter Monday morning, but it was impossible to- do so, as t-lie visitors Avere timed to leave by car for Wairarapa. on Sunday, and the Kaponga team had other engagements. The foregoing proposition Avas Ayell received and there was little discussion thereon. It was finally decided, as a proposal of the Kaponga team, that the visitors hold the shield and cup for fhe first six months, thereafter returning both to Kaponga. Each of the lourteen players concerned is to receive a gold medal. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. The chairman then .presented the shield, cup and medals to- Mr. Irvine and referred to the- fine sporting spirit displayed by both tea*ris in arriving at a .settlement of the unfortunate difticulty.. He voiced the satisfaction of the Sports and Kaponga Football Clubs that the trophies Avere again going out of the- province for a term, and hoped this fact Avould advertise the competition and be the means of increasing the number of outside entries, it Avas no hardship for the local players to see the shield annexed by a good team from beyond the province. On behalf of the executh’e he thanked the Carterton men for their good fellowship and attendance, and trusted they Avould, next Easter, repeat the Aisit to Kaponga Avith other AVairarapa teams. On behalf of the visiting team, Messrs Irvine and O. Gray (manager) thanked tin? chairman for his kindly remarks and promised their best endeavours in inducing other teams to make the Easter trip to Kaponga. They much regretted that their time-table would not permit of a trip to DaAvson Falls as the guests of the Sports Club. The team recognised that the Sports Club Avas not to blame for the Avav in winch this year’s competition had ended—this Avas due to the popularity of the fixture, as reflected in the number of entries receWed —but all hoAA’ed to the Kaponga team’s sportsmanship in making a satisfactory settlement possible. The Carterton team Avere afterwards the guests of the Kaponga Orouquet Club at a dance held in the Parish Hall.

BARTLETT CUP.

In Hawora on Saturday the annual match between IlaAvera and A-ramoho thirds for the Bartlett Cup resulted in a good Avin for HaAvera ibv 22 points to nil.