NORTHERN DIVISION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 July 1928, Page 10

NORTHERN DIVISION

SENIORS. STRATFORD v. TTJKAPA. \ Stratford had a c3ose call at -the hands of Tukapa in -a game which ended with honours -even, each side scoring -a .try which whs ""not converted. The surprise of the game was the wonderful Way -in which, the defence of the Blu-es! held the visiting '-team. It was a stubbornly contested -match in which the issue was in doubt -right up ; .to -the final whistle. The teams were as follows:

Tukapa (Blue: and White): Petty, Medlev, H. Oliver, O. Evans, Hooker, Pi-. Oliver, Pope, Sullivan (rover), Soufhcoffnibc, L. Evan's, Hill, O ’Dowda, Taylor, McLean, C. Evans. Stratford (Red and Black): Collins, Coulton, Kiveil'l, Bonner, G. Saugsker, Owen, J. Samgster, Pryday (rover), Hiinlfcotn, Smith, Walter, Goldman, Bond, O ’Keefe, Young. Tukapa defended the northern goal in the lir-st 'half. Stratford won the drat lime-outs and in the scrum and pressed into (the Blues ’ territory, wheire Petty was Into with a kick which rebounded off Bonner and went over the line, leaving the right winger a. elear run in. The try was not converted. The Beds pressed again and the forwards had Tukapa 1 on their own line, where a shot from a mark just misised -the posts./ Off-side- ,play by lvive-1! on-, ablied the Blues to cross the haJlf-way lino for the first tdJme, 'but Stratford were soon balck again. Prom' a scrum the Blue forwards broke away, and fumbling by Owen spoiled Stratford’s ehaneo of clearing. A good kick -by Co-ultom again brought the visitors to the Blue territory, whore O. Evans saved by marking and a moment later cleared with a good kick to near the half-way flag. A Serum on the ten yards line ended in a free to Tukapa'; and Hooker had a fruitless shot at goal. Petty returned the kick and followed up well, and in a race for the ball the Bods succeeded in effecting a touch clown. Oollins chocked a loose forward rush, but. another good kick by Petty se-nlt the ball over the line, and Coalfon forced. A free to the Beds gave Collin's a shot at goal, but ho missed by a few inches 1 . L. Evans and Hill led the Blue forwards ito Strafford \s quarter, but Bonner and Owen cleared. Again the home forwards Came back with a rush, and Oollins avals only ju's't In time to boot to touch. Prom the throw-in .the Blues got possesteiilon and the ball wals kicked over the line and another free followed. A loose scramble 1 in the Beds’ territory saw the ball rebound off Bomner into Medley’s hands and ho had no trouble in crossing. The kick failed and scores were even.

In the 'Opening of the next bout the Beds were- penalised for waiting offside and Petty’s kick brought the home sidle into the opposition quarter, (where a bright move among the backs 1 Salw H. Oliver nearly lover. A speciul'altor cleared, and then Stratford broke aright ;Uway to the opposite end of the field. The Blues rallied and worked itheir way back to- Straliford’s line. After scrummaging hard Bond broke right away. He raced down the line, but did mot realise that Coulton was in support and punted down. Petty raced and kicked to the touch. Prom the throwdu Tukapa marked and some disputing lac",

the referee- to warn a Stratford player. iSanigstor worked the blind sad© when 'Steatfo-rd were 'Close to the line, buit Bonm.or wais- forded to touch, and the interval came with the s'cloro still even —Stratford 3, Tukapa 1 3. On the change over, O'Keefe arid Coulton opened up am attack for Straitford, but the latter was forced: into touch. A succession of kicks- sent play, back to the Red’s' quarter, where the two- full-bucks collided and Collins was incapacitated for several minutes. A good move unhang the Blue bucks slow the ball travel through all ’handis fo Medley, who Was well grased by Bonner, and Collins came up and cleared to half-way. The, Reds then penetrated the opposition quarter and opened up -a good attack by -the backs, but Oouil-t-on was crowded out..

The Blues then began to throw the ball about, -but they were not able Ito put the finishing touches on their (movements. On the twenty-five yard line the Reds were penalised for off-side and Petty had a -shot ait goal, -but made a spoor attempt. The Reds were now being hard pressed and Goiiins wais again injured. A lot of tight pl-ay followed before the Reds broken into, T’ukapa territory. A dangerous diriitblimig rush by Walter and O'Keefe was spoiled when the -opposition had been passed by Ithe latter getting off-side, and am -easy try was thrown away. The Reds made strenuous attempts to break through;, but over eagerness cost them the ground gained, and -the defence of the home iskle held. Call-ins mlade a poor shot at potting a goal and the (game swung in a flash to Ithe other end Of the field, where they -lost -their (advantage through am infringement. A nice move through the backs- brought I them back again, b-ut more ground would have been gained if H. Oliver had given Micdley the ball instead of kicking. Stratford had returned to the [attack when -ti-m-e sounded, -and the game ended in a draw — Stratford 3 Tukapa 3 Mr J. O'Grady was referee.

OKATO v. ELTHAM.

After an even game, which, although rather ragged, was- interest* ing, Okato notched their fourth win of the- season by defeating Eltham at Okato by 13 points- (two converted tries and a penalty goal) to seven (an unconverted try and a plotted goal). The two packs of forwards were well matched, but both set® of backs lacked combination and the ball rarely reached the wing®. In the first spell Elthatn had the greater territorial advantage, but was nevertheless 10 point® down at half-time. For Olcato, Joe- Goodwin dived over the Kite from a scramble. Later • another Okato thrust found the -defenders 1 out of position, and Bright raced 20 yards' t-o score under the posts, Fletcher converting both tries. Okato quickly asserted themselves in the second half, and kept on the offensive. but the Eltham defence, that of McDonald particularly, was sound. AttriJl scored a pretty try for Eltham when ho intercepted and ouuthrough the homo hacks-, but McDonald missed an easy kick. Fletcher increased Okato’-s lead by kicking a penalty.goal from an acute angle, and a minute later McDonald drop-kicked a clever goal for Eltham when he had very little room. Eltham contrived to- attack but could not overtake the leadens., Okato 13 Eltham 7 Mr. A. Andrews refereed.

INGLEWOOD v. OLD BOYS.

The match between Old Boys and. Inglewood promised t-o be a bright play in the opening stages for, when both ! teams -settled do-wn, they began to throw- the ball about in entertaining fashion, but spoiling tactics robbed the game of -a lot of interest and in the second spell -play was very drab. Old Boys notched the only score of the game from a good try by Brown, 'foe which Fookes made a clever opening and- at the end the home team were still three points up, a -result which was something of a -surprise to most people. Inglewood were unfortunate in not at least equalising as in the -last few minutes they were awarded a- free-kick for obstruction of Ross by Webster. The position was a very handy one, but Goutts sent the ball just under the cross-bat*.

The Maroons gained the advantage in the opening bouts; and fumbling by the Old Boys fid 1-back nearly let them through. -The visitors maintained a constant pressure for a tune and Old Boys; had the greatest difficulty in keeping them out. The defence held, however, and play was transferred from one "end of the field to the other in movements by both sets of backs. From ai line-out in Inglewood’s territory the ball came out in a flash to Fookes, who gave it a little punt and by good following up Brown managed to score just as Coutts reached him and brought him down. The kick failed and half-time sounded. Both sides made strenuous efforts to improve their positions, but they were not successful. The visitors broke through near the end of the spell and N. Boss; and two other players passed Webster, who tackled a man as he was chasing the -ball and a free was given in a very handy position. Everyone expected Coutts to equalise the scores, but the ball failed to rise and the game ended a few minutes later, with the Whites again on the attack. ill- C. Gernhoeffer refereed.

CLIFTON v. STAR.

. Star ' played poor football at Waitara, and onyy won 7>y 11 points to 3 because Clifton played poorer football still. The ground conditions wore lirst-class, but botli teams seemed to be suffering from the usual end-of-season staleness of teams well down in the championship list. The play was extraordinarily in both backs and forwards, and there have been few if any matches seen in North Taranaki ibis season with less incidents in them to interest the spectators. Early in the game scrums and punting, with intermittent weak back movements, became the order of the day, and practically right through to the last whistle neither side showed any promise of doing anything spectacular or anything expressive of ordinary senior football ability. The first spell was the dullest, and the three points scored by McDonald for Star were about the only points that were deserved. Star held this lead until well into the second spell, when points began to come more freely. Wolfe' scored and Court (on verted. For the moment Clifton’s defence went completely to' pieces, and McLean scored for' the visitors. From j then on, however, Clifton put more vim into the play, and B. Jonas scored; There were no further points scored, . nd many spectators left the field.

What dash was put into the play came from 1 the forwards, who ; w,ere evenly matched. F. Wolfe, McDonald, and Kendall were outstanding for Star, and. Barriball and Petersen played well for Clifton. ’ Mr. J. Johnstone refereed. PRIMARY SCHOOL RUGBY. Patea drew with Alton, three points all. 0. Gordon scored for Patea and Hunt for Alton. Patea 'Convfeut' avctc /beaten by Kalcau'amea, 11 points to 6. Kahn ,scored all the points for Kakaramea, and Dan Dwver and Haskell • scored -tries for Patea Convent. * IN OTHER CENTRES. NAPiEB. Hastings 27 v\ M. 8.0.8. 3. WELLINGTON. t Senior A. Oriental 13 v. Eastbourne 3. Poneke 1.4 v. Marist 3. University 27 v. Petone 0. Old Boys 7 v. Athletic 3. Berhampore 14 v. Wellington 14. Senior B. Hntt 6 y. Oriental 6. Johnsoiiville 32 a - . Wellington 3. University 6 v. Trainiiig College 3. DUNEDIN. Kaikorai 6 v. Pirates- 4. . University. B 12 v. Union 10. Alhambra 14 v. Taieri 6. Zingari 16 v. Southern 11. University A 24 A r . Dunedin 3. MANAWATU. Kia Toa 12 A r . Feilding Old. Boys 3. Feilding 16 v. Old Boys 9. CHRISTCHURCH. ’Varsity 15 A’. Old Boys 12. Christchurch 20 v : Technical 14. Linwood 8 A r . Albion 3.

IvAI IWi v. AA'AVERLEY. Waverley and Kai Iwi teams tried conclusions at AVaverley, the former winning easily by 29 points to nil. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. BUSH UNION v. WANGANUI. WANGANUI, July 21. 'Llli'o ropnesenta'.tiivb Rugby nmateli Bush Union versus Wanganui was (played itOf-iluy in fine ' weather vand resulted in a wiki for the Ideal team, by 48 'pointer (to 3. AUCKLAND v. THAMES. AUCKLAND, July 21. in a -representative' match, Auckland (20). defeated Thames (6). DULLER BEATS* AVEST COAST. AYESTPORT. July 21.

In a return Rugby match between B idler and A Vest Coast, played on A7ictoria. Square to-day, Buller turned the tables on their former victors, winning by 14 points „to 13 after a; game that was always fall of interest. The first spell found Buller much disorganised, AVest Coast showing out better both in the forwards and 1 the backs. Later "F. Griffiths, the Buller '"■aptain. came up from full-back to five-eighths, and altered the whole complexion of the game, the Buller backs developing attacks and puttingmore vigour into their play. The game, however, was always open to possibilities, as quick changes from, defence to attack repeatedly took place, hut tlie final score- left Buller winners by 14 points to 13.

INTER-STATE MATCH. NEW SOUTH WALES v. VICTORIA. (Australian Press Association.) MELBOURNE, July 22. In an in ter-'State Rngbv match New South Wales defeated A 7 ictoria by 22 points to 19, AY IN FOR SOUTH CANTERBURY. OAMARU, June 22. In the first representative match of the season South Canterbury defeated North Otago ‘by 16 points to nine in a bright and spectacular exhibition of the code. The visiting backs showed

good (combination in some nice passing bouts, but the Ironic forwards outplayed their opponents-in the loose though the latter, adopting the 3—2—3 formation, won tile-serums, 'South Canterbury rattled .on ten points in the first fen minutes, tries by Mcßride and T. Manning both being converted by Fail-brother. Scott add ed another good try, and Hollow opened the 'home, score.with a try. The half-(time scores were 13 'points to three. North Otago had the better of the second spell. AYise kicked a goal from a penalty and .Frame -added a try to the home side’s total. Close on time S'cott gained his second try for the visitors, making the final score 16—9.