TUG-OF-WAR CONTEST

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 27 May 1932, Page 8

TUG-OF-WAR CONTEST

MANUTAHI TOURNAMENT WIN FOE MANAIA EOAD TEX TEAMS COMPETE Rod and green electric lights winking alternately to indicate the exertion of"greater strength on the part of first one team and then the 1 other were responsible for a scene charged with intense excitement at the Manutahi Hall last evening on the occasion of the first annual tug-ol'-war tournament conducted under the auspices of the Alanutahi Rugby Soven-a-side Club. There was an excellent attendance of patrons from all parts of the Taranaki province and Wanganui and special seating accommodation arranged on both sides of a central platform was taxed to utmost capacity. Ten teams competed and each team was accorded an ovation and every encouragement during the prills, the crowd cheering without restraint. An electric recorder designed by Mr All’. K;ussell did much to heighten the excitement, coloured lights indicating the advantage to one or the other of the teams. The teams were limited in weight to 61 stone and the pulls were straight pulls of three minutes’ duration for prizes of £lO and £2. Competition was remarkably keen and the contests continued until close on 12 o’clock, the winning team being Aianaia Road and the runners-up Taranaki A.

Added interest was provided in a lazvstick private pull for £2o a. side between W. McCook (Kaponga) 13 s t 31b and J. Kerrisk (Kakaramea) challenger. 13st 61b, There were five pulls, Iverrisk defeating his opponent bv winning tliree. Both contestants won alternately.

The tournament was regarded as one cf the most successful held in Taranaki and congratulations were extended to the chairman (Mr A. B. Alu.ggeridge) and secretary (Air M. R. Comerford). Other officials were as follow: Executive. Messrs G. Soown, W. E. AlcKay, M. Crawford. C. Penny, H. Southcombe, 11. Gilmore, F. Milliken, H. Dixon, R. Alarton, S. S. Hunt, IS. Battv, W. Brown; judge and referee, Air J. Russell; timekeeper, Mr H. Cornwall j announcer, Air S. Hunter; electric apparatus. Air L. Pitt; doorkeeper, Air W. Smart; result steward, Air B. Jillett

The following teams weighed out : Matapu.—T. Palmer (11.3), J. Preece '' i. 7). E. Old (12.0). T. Huokstep (11.9), J. Rose war ne (11.12); total 53 st. 31b. Captain, W. Kerrisk. Alanutahi A. —Morton (11.0). Dickson 'lO.l 1), Scown. (14.7). Crawford (13.12), Southr-oiinbe (11.3); total, 60st 51b. Captain, S. S. Hunt. Alanutahi B.—W. E. Mcjvav (1 1.31, ('. Penning (12.4), X. Batty (11.7), F. V ill ikon (10/3), AY. Brown (9.9); total, 53st 11b. Captain. D. Gilmour. Clape Egmont.—L. Pepperell (13.0 j, C. Pepperell (12.8), A. Pepperell (9.3), S. Pepperell (i 11.2), A. Elrhorn (14.11) ; total 00st 10lib). Captain, S. L. Goodin. Aianaia' Fire Brigade.—Millar (11.5), E. Reardon (10.8)," J. Reardon (11.0)', C. AfcDonald (16.2), 8., Reardon (10.13); total, OOst. Captain, R. Free. Aianaia Unemployed.—Hickey (11.5), Julian (12.0), AlcAlahon (11.12), Sutton (11.7), Sanson (12.4); total, 59st. Captain, M. Levings. Rawhitiroa. —A. Phillips (12.13), Uornhcefer (12.10), D. Knuckey (11.2), T. Hewitt (10.11). D. Cooker (10.4); total, 57st 121 b. Captain, A la,si in. Taranaki A.—Tai Xgaia (13.12), T. Mitchell (13.1). T. Davcv (13.1). J. Ta.ma.tea (9.5), G. Bishop (10.10); total 69st 111). Captain. G. Harrop. Taranaki B.— J. Zurcher (10.2), I. Bishop (13.5), J. Davcv (12.3). J. Coffey (11.13), G. Davey (11.10); total 59 st. 51b. Captain, J. Alitchell. Aianaia Road. —AY. AloGook (12.10;. Hughes' n 2.10), S. Rivcll (12.5), P. Benddl (10.12), P. Hill (11.3); total, 39 :t 12Lb. Captain. C. Whalen. The results of pulls on the two-lih-x vstem were as follow : Taranaki A beat Ra.whitiroa. Aianaia Road beat Afatapu. Alanutaln A heat Alanutahi B.

Taranaki B drew with Aianaia Unemployed. Aianaia Fire Brigade beat Cape Bgniont.

Taranaki B beat Aianaia Unemployed (second pull). Ra.whitiroa beat Alatapu. Taranaki B beat Alanutahi A. Manaia Road beat Taranaki A. Ra.whitiroa beat Cape Egmont. Afanaiia Fire Brigade beat Taranaki B

Alanutahi B beat Aianaia Unemployed Ra.whitiroa beat Alanutahi A. FINAL.

Under the particular system adopted for eliminating the teams Manaia Road and Manaia Fire Brigade were the only unbeaten teams with two “lives” each. In the final pull for first prize Manaia Road beat Manaia Fire Brigade. RIU NNFRS- [ J P. The teams remaining in the competition with one “life” x>ulled for second prize with the following results : Taranaki A beat Taranaki B. ' Rawhitiroia heat Manutahi B. Taranaki A beat Manaia Fire Brigade. Taranaki A beat Rawliitiroa (final). At the cencluision of the contests the stake monies were handed to the captains of the respective winning teams.