SCRATCH TEAMS FIELDED

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 8 August 1932, Page 6

SCRATCH TEAMS FIELDED

KAPONGA BEAT WAIMATE. EXCITING GAME AT MANAIA. Scratch teams were fielded by Kaponga and Waimate in their game at Manaia, but the crowd was treated to a spectacular exhibition in which it could be said that the territorial honours were fairly even. Kaponga won by 16 points to three. In the opening stages the game was devoid ot incident,‘but as it proceeded the teamworked themselves to a high standard of proficiency. In the loose the Kaponga forwards predominated, but once the " Waimate backs took possession some pretty passing movements eventuated. Eynon, a Kaponga junior representative half, showed considerable initiative as did West, another junior in the forwards. C. Paterson was the life of the backs and was well supported bv Hall and Ormiston. while L. Whalen played a spirited five-eighths ° a With good deliveries from the back of the scrum by Paterson (Waimate half) the home backs were a difficult, proposition. The Hiekey-A\ halen (nv - eighths) and Rqbertson-Hill-Meicei (tTiree-qu aiders) combination worked well. Tries for Kaponga were scored by Murphy, C. Paterson (2) and M est, the latter player and Hohava converting once each. For Waimate the only try was scored by Whalen. The teams were as follow:

Kaponga; (black). —Williams; Q. Paterson: Hall, Ormiston: Ho haia L, Whalen; Eynon (halt) ; B. and i . G*ugan, Murphy; West, Gardiner; Thoumine, D. Murphy and G. Cuff. Waimate (blue).—Rei; Robertson, Hill, Mercer; Whalen, Hickey; Pateison (half); Murfitt; C. Bourke, Henen M. Burke, Hansen; Henen, Kateim and Payne.

From the drop out Kaponga. pressed to the blue twenty-five, wherg playcentred for several minutes until Murpliv thrust well down with, a good kick and the forwards attacked solidly. The blues obtained a temporary respite when Mercer lined out at halfway, but the visitors maintained the pressure and in a melee under the posts Murphy crossed over to score five yards from the corner flag. The kick was taken by Paterson without result. . Kaponga 3—Waimate 0.

A pretty passing movement eventuated from a line-out in front of the stand; all the backs handling in turn from a smart delivery by Paterson Ormiston cut in and booted the ball out at halfway-. Waimate predominated in scrum work and secured a greater share of the hall. Thoumine was caught offside and the forwards went well from the penalty, but could not hold the advantage, play returni ngr to halfway. Paterson is napped the ball up from a scrum and banded on to Hickev to Whalen and finally- to Mercer. Whalen cut in when the Kaponga backs threatened to overwhelm the movement and punted for the. visitors’ twenty-five. Paterson was too quick for his adversary and found the lino back in Waimate’s quarter. Kapon£g& maintained their territorial advantage, but the backs were given feu chances until Murphy heeled out to Eynon, who sent Whalen, Holiaia and Paterson away in line. Good passing enabled Paterson to break through on the wing and touch down in a handyposition Williams failed to convert.

Kaponga 6—Eltham 0. Twice Waimate reached within striking distance of the line, but lack of support at critical lost them opportunities of scoring. Kaponga retaliated and Mercer eased the pressuie by .calling “mark”, his kick being returned by Paterson on the wing. After the" interval Waimate had the sun at their backs and quickly asserted themselves in a raking forward rush. Whalen secured from a chance pass in midfield and sprinted for the line in good style. He was collared by Paterson, but Whalen had pace up and his weight carried him over the line to fall on the ball, with Paterson on top. 'Whalen’s attempt to convert his own try was fruitless.

Kaponga 6—Waimate 3

The blues had their opponents bustled, but the visiting backs kept their Hue intact. Robertson bji-oke away and 'in an (exciting sidiamble passed to Hansen, who was. forced out. Then Paterson secured in the line out and rushed away, carrying the ball fully 2o yards before passing infield. Ail the hacks were well up, but the hiues proved their greater speed and the movement ended when the hall was sent to the line to relieve the situation. Throwing the ball about in the loose Ivaponga took a

turn at attack and Hall marked under the, ffoal posts, with every prospect oi niacins the hall over the crossbar. Hus kick was charged down, however, and the blues carried back to haJlw as. Hickev displayed considerable initiative and broke away with the ball in his possesion. Hill followed ni close attendance and intercepted a difficult nass, carrying the ball another 10 yards before Ormiston stopped the rush. Kaponga had matters all thenown way for a few minutes and Paterson secured in a melee on the line to fall on the ball for a well-deserved try which West converted. Kaponga 11—Waimate 3. Waimate retaliated with a well-sus-tained rush in which Paterson, Hickey. Hall and Whalen handled with neat precision. From a scrum Paterson sent the forwards away, hut Thounnne lost posisession with a clear held £ont. The ball sped up and derail the field and the greatest excitement prevailed. From a scrum five yards from the line in Wa.mate’s .quarter Wert secured and .crossed over to touch down. Hohaia converted, the game ending a few minutes later with the scores reading: Kaponga 16 —Waimate 3. Mr. J. Tittall was referee.