SENIOR COMPETITION

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 May 1935, Page 13

SENIOR COMPETITION

TWO MATCHES PLAYED ELTHAM’S SECOND WIN DE FEAT OF INO LEW OOD. Although tho majority of Taranaki senior Rugby games were playecl today, two matches in the competition series took place on Saturday, one at Eltham. and the other at. New Plymouth, with the following results; Eltham 12, Inglewood 3.

Qpimake G, Stax* 3. In a friendly match at Stratford a visiting Pa tea. fifteen was defeated by 33 points to nil. Solid forward play and many bright back movements were t-he order of the day when Eltham met and defeated Inglewood. The Eltham back division did not display the fine passing which was a feature of its previous match at Patea, several promising movements being ruined by this phase of the game. Of the Eltham backs L. White xind Whiting put in much sound work. Townsend, who was playing his first game since a recent illness, was naturally unable to produce his best form, but nevertheless played a very heady game. Faulty passing spoilt many movements, and brought the back play down to a very mediocre performance. Of the forwards S. White, Peterson, P.. Campbell and F. Bocock were always in the thick of it, S. White ■being outstanding in his control of the ball. Inglewood proved to be a tough combination and on the clay's play-the team was about even with Eltham. Niwa, at half, played exceptionally well and lie had able support in Grant, Simpson and McHlobcrt. The forwards battled well, L. Sutton and J. Taylor playing a prominent part. Inglewood initiated many good passing movements, but at the critical moment bad passes and knock-ons emphasised a lack of finish. Eltham won tho toss and elected to play against the up grade of the field. Eltham broke through strongly from. the kick off, the ball crossing the Inglewood goal line and a force clown resulted. From a scrum near the line Eltham hooked well, the ball flashing past Worthington at half, and a dangerous rush by Inglewood was staved off by Petersen finding touch. Fast following up by Eltham carried play within a few yards of the Inglewood goal line. A good back movement by Inglewood was repulsed by Townsend, who found touch about halfway. From the line out loose scrummage play resulted, neither side gaining any advantage. Throwing the ball about in great style the Eltham backs went away, but J. Brown frustrated the effort. Eltham gained the ball from the majority of scrums, the hooking of S. White being a feature. Inglewood broke away in a good back movement, this being spoilt by a forwarcl pass. A further infringement by Inglewood gave Eltham a. chance to goal, but the kick by Leathern failed to reach the posts. From a serum Worthington worked the blind side to Smith, who transferred over the pack to L. White, the latter making an unsuccessful attempt to drop a goal. Again attacking strongly, the Eltham backs forced play to . the Inglewood twenty-five, Whiting playing a prominent parti A free kick to Eltham re-

suited in h. White finding touch on the Inglewood goal line. Forcing play by Inglewood brought play back to halfway, an infringement bringing relief to Eltham. A good kick by Young took play to Inglewood territory and from an Inglewood infringement Smith landed a goal: Eltliam 3 Inglewood nil. From the kick off bad passing by the Eltham backs saw a good opportunity go begging. A further movement by Eltham was spoilt by bad pasing. Inglewood now took a hand) at attack and a back movement in which ■ Grant and Alc-Roborts were prominent was nullified by a fine kick to touch by Patterson. From the lineout the Inglewood backs secured and Niwa, Simpson and Grant combined in a good attack. An interception by j Smith caused excitement, but ini racing for the line he was caught within a few feet of the Inglewood goal. Eltham. however, failed to take advantage of the position and play was forced back to the half way area.. A fine breaking movement from a

line-out in which the Rceoc-k Bros, and S. White participated, resulted in the latter taking a very difficult pass and completing a solo run to score. Leathern failed to convert: Eltham G —lnglewood 0. From the kick-off Inglewood combined, but a. good movement was spoilt by L. White, who turned defence into attack and running strongly White transferred to Young who was pushed out at the corner flag by L. Gorlett. An infringement by .Inglewood presented another golden opportunity to Eltham, Leathern making no mistake with the. kick: Eltham 9 Inglewood nil.

Inglewood attacked strongly, Niwa, Grant and Mcßoberts. bringing play to the Eltham 2d, an infringement insulting in a serum. Eltham now began to open up the game and the backs were responsible for some very fine work, L. White and Young being prominent. The half time whistle sounded with the score 9—nil in Eltham ’s favour.

Kicking off in the second spell Eltham took play to the Inglewood twenty-five where I* White made an unsuccessful attempt tei drop a goal. Taking a long kick from Inglewood, Townsend- set the Eltham backs in motion, the ball travelling to Smith on the wing, who took play to within a few feet of the Inglewood lino. At tjiis stage Mc-R chert suffered an injury and was replaced by Loveridge. Inglewood commenced a loose forward attack, a. free to Eltham goring relief. Following up fast the Eltham pack caught Inglewood in possession and, snapping up the ball, L. White again attempted to drop a goal, the ball striking the upright. A scrambling movement by Inglewood resulted in Eltham being overwhelmed and S. O’Byrne scoring a. very creditable try.

T}io attempt at goal was unsuccessful : Eltham. 9—lnglewood 3. Evidently hacked by their success, Inglewood attacked hotly and only good defence by Eltham saved the situation. Eltham attempted to open up a hack movement, but the pass from Townsend to White went astray. A snappy pass bv Worthington was beautifully handled by Townsend, Whiting and L. White, F. Young capping the movement with a fine solo nun resulting in a try. L. White failed to convert. Eltham 12—Inglewood 3. The final whistle sounded with the c o res unchan god. Mr A. O’Sullivan was referee.