TARANAKI RUGBY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 May 1928, Page 3

TARANAKI RUGBY

SEASON’S OPENING CLASHES. sodbh division games. A COUPLE Of surprises: TFe first meeting on Saturday of contenders for tbo Taranaki Rugby premiership of the 1928 season was marked by two-mild surprises occasioned in the Southern Division through the defeat of the champions, Okaiawa, at the hands of Patea, and the close call given Hawera, by Waimate, who, with only three championship -points, held the lowest place on the ladder at the conclusion of last season.

. .With a strong combination, Patea upheld its reputation as a difficult proposition - at all times, and one capable of upsetting carefully prepared calculations. The Okaiawa fifteen of last Saturday was, however, considerably below the strength or the club representatives who battled through to the provincial finals during the last two seasons with a record, excluding the actual play-off contests, of 20 games won,', two drawn, and only two lost, and the club supporters expect to see an combination taking the field early this season. WAIMATE’S PROUD RECORDS. Waimate’s sterling bid last Saturday to lower the colours of the reputedly stronger side from Hawera recalled last season’s opening performance of the ’ Plains team, when it lost by a single point (9—B) to Patea. r , While the reflected glory of the great Waimate sides which, during the seven successive years. 1908 to. 1914—in six of which they won the provincial cham-pionship—-played in 87 . competition games, winning 57, drawing 8, and losing only two, is sometimes quoted as the only claim to distinction open to the recent wearers, of the. blue , and black jersey, they havo established a spieudid example of sportsmanship. During, the past javo- seasons their only championsnip points have resulted from a win in play, a win by default, and a draw. Yet despite the monotonous succession of disheartening defeats they gamely fulfilled their engagements, fielding teams for each of the 24 games listed during the period, excepting for one in June, 1926, when the depletion of their ranks by sickness compelled them to forfeit to Patea.

•Such a record” displays sportsmanship in the highest sense of the term, and gives _the successful stalwarts of former days reason for pride j n the club which can produce players who will keep on trying in the face of continuous adversity. Success to them is long overdue, and their progress this season will be watched with keen interest

"Wolf up in the championship list daring the last two seasons, Kaponga commenced auspiciously on Saturday with the decided defeat, of Athletic, another plucky club .with more losses than wins to its credit. The former team gave evidence that it will again bo a powerful force in the competition.

KAPONGA AND ATHLETIC. Tliough tliji' Athletic side showed much promise in the early stages of Saturday’s game or tuny extending, if not actually deefating, the Kaponga in teen, it failed decidedly in en-sujng phases to bear comparison with the men from the mountain town. Greater, experience and, to a more pronounced, degice, a better condition of training, were the main factors which allowed Kaponga to dominate, and on the trend of play the margin bee-ween the teams was’’greater, than the 9 points indicated by the .score of 26 to 11. * * * Just why “Goldie” Paterson, who held the last line with, a.fair degree of credit for Kaponga last reason, was given the opportunity of viewing”Saturday’s' game from the stands is not known to the general public, but his brother “Mick,” who* was given the former’s position, was well in the picture, and, judged as a fourth grade youth of last year, gave promise of developing into a player of class.

D. Mercer, at centre, was a tower of strength in defence, -and. gave a needed steadying influence during the first quarter of an hour, when has rear division seemed to be finding ilbs feet. Tricky also in attack, he capped two scoring movements and generally collared the- day’s honours) :as a. back.

Showing keen anticipation of likely moves and cleverness in the initiation of attack, the skipper, C. Whalen, provted a gem as second five-eighth, and was a good second to Mercer. Given the hcln of a surer and faster first fiveeighth Than W. Murphy, who, on the day was the weakness in the middle backs, the pair would prove- dangerous. * * * if *

Oil the right wing W. Eliason proved a speedy and resolute trier likely to get points at any time, though he {succeeded once only.- J. Purvis, on the other side was steady and also went in to- score.

B. H'ammersly was well protected at the- rear ,of the scrum. , Sturdy rather than brilliant be showed as the. right kind of half for a team in difficulties.

The rover, A. Guy, used his spoiling proclivities with deadly effect-. The most useful forward in the guard, he showed glimpses of the form which first secured him the rep- jersey. For the second season in- succession hcnotched hirst points for the. club in competition ganies. Last season his boqt accounted for the initial three points-., but he was not up to form in that , departipent on Saturday, and ■would have been well advised to have more attempts to Paterson. * * * *

C. Espin would make a rattling forward comparable with liis ■ doughty brother Ba sil if he (the former) could overcome a tendency to get in front of the ball.

B. Etspin was the most consistent battler in the pack through J. Free, P. Hammersly and a new player, F. Heikey, were noted for good work.

Athletic’s best buck was the skipper, T. H. Underhill, who at times seemed Lite only defender with a knowledge of the virtue of a low tackle. Several of hi§ team mates, back and forward, probably learnt the ineffectiveness of “necking” on a Rugby field. The gruelling the backs received from the hustling Black vanguard accounted very, largely, however, for inability to flv quickly when promtp action, was required to check a speedy opponent. * *- i' K-

R. Svme, though a. trustworthy, full back with a good pair of hands in the first spell, was more .usefully employed as five eighths ip the sfcpntl, when, the retirement of .If, McCarthy made a change in disposition necessary.

Admirable, even if unwise pluck, was displayed by the right wing, R. McCarthy, playing the greater part of the first spell with an injured hand. His fine attempts to goal with place kicks were one of the bright features of the game. -jj- ■K* fitr 4?

At first five—e'lgtlitlis in the fiTst spell and wing three-quarter in the second, Dow die was full of promise and given the inside position should give very useful service with players like Symc and Underhill. ■* * * * *

If his size .were in proportion to his gameness. the diminutive half. H. Mason, would he a champion. His sheer pluck in trying to stem t oe waves of big opposing forwards was in accord with the best . traditions qf the game and earned unstinted admiration. * - • W” .. * *

The rover, J). Ryan, was a willing, if at times unlucky, worker and was not.; disgraced in being outclassed by a player of the stamp of A. Guy. J.. Btfqkeridge and .J. . Thomlinson were probably the best of the grafting vanguard winch, though beaten, did not contain any slackers. - *. * * * * H. Phillips with a try and, a goal to his credit was always on the ball aud should get further points witii his bootfor the Red and Whites. PATEA v. OKAIAWA Okaiawa; forwards hopped info the game at a great pace last Saturday against Patea, and ran well over their onponents during the first quarter. The oaee set was their undoing, and the Patea pack held' them safe, although both teams had had enough when the whistle sounded. ***•*«• The Patea hacks played with better combination, than Okaiawa, and on the day, the. best team 1 won. The Blues were responsible for several nippy passing bouts, which on every occasion took play well into their opponents territory. **** * . * Patea; got round the- scrums well, and on .almost every occasion gained the advantage, being much-faster than the red and blacks, play invariably being taken to Okaiawa’s end. * *■ *■ * Toss, at half, played a. rattling good game and as the season advances this player will make his- presence felt in any match he takes part in. Almost on every occasion when Okaiawa got an advantage in the scrums, although they were few). Toss got the leather out sneedilv and fed his 1 backs well. * * * * *

Although D. Crawford played a- sterling- game, he spoiled an- excellent chance in the second spell by attempting to drop a goal, when a oass would have meant an almost certain try. It is- always well to remember that there are fourtcen others in the team. * * » / * * Baldwin, who formerly wore the rep jersey, was the pick of the Patea forwards. and was on the ball right through the piece, and on his showing on Saturday will go well towards representative honours this season. The Blue forward was temporarily knocked out at, one stage through a- nasty kick the end of the game.

R.-Murdoch played- a- safe game at full-back,- and used the boot to good effect. On one occasion in particular lie was responsible for an outstanding piece of play by following up smartly’ and grassing liis man as soon as betook the hall. ' * * * * *

.The. hefty Ike had quite, a host of friends (?) in , the Patea team, who were quite “solicitous” for his .welfare, particularly when the lock got the- ball. On several ocasions he was mercilessly dumped, and once, or twice-it appeared very much like playing the man and not the ball. * * * * •*

C. Blair was iseen to advantage at one stage when things looked black for Okaiawa. bv a- brilliant interception and passing quickly to- Cameron. The ■latter was only just oolared and thrown out at corner.

WAIMATE v. HAWERA T'berje -was a great deal of the play iii the-match between the teams f:oin Hawera and Manaia, which one expects at the beginning of the season. It was in considerable measure scratchy and wanting in plan. But the speed was' such as to- indicate that the players were in good form and this, so early in the season, speaks well for the individuals aud promises a better type of play than was so usual last season.

Hawera have, as always, a good pack of forwards who need only seme, combination and a' little more thought in their play to make them dangerous to any team opposing them. Time and again two or three would come down ■*’e field in a -fine rush and throw awav all the advantage gained by the want of a little knowledge and practice in the art of transfer of the ball from one to- the other. They all showed up very well at times and when they get more cohesion will add to- their effecttiveness very decisively.

In Riley they have a very useful, heady half, who- knows how to deal with the ball in every circumstance. He is the right build for a half, i\hort and nuggetty and goes' down well tothe opposing pack * ‘ * *

Riley bas a very useful pair of fiveeighths.- in N. Hunter and (Oheevcrs, who form a v-e'ry nice hinge on which to build up an attacking combination. Hunter especially, was good m bis swerving runs and rarely failed to beat Jtis opponents before getting rid of the ball. Cheevers is perhaps better on defence, his kicking in dilhcult positions being very useful.

The three-quarter line was shaping very veil until their formation was upset by the retirement of two men, and their passing rushes in the first spell gave promise cif a really excellent line when they get really into their stride. * *- vf *• *

The full-bach did well on the wholo and got liis side out of many tight corners.

In the Waiinate team it was the performance of the full-back, McDonald, which was the bright feature of the whole play. Complying with an ability -o take the ball in any position, a real talent for kicking, he gave an exhibition of play in the last line of defence that has not bean bettered in a championship match for a long time.

The forwards are all round a. young combination and they shaped so AveJ!