RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 140, 28 May 1928, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

IN CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY SATURDAY’S GAMES. TE AUTE DEFEAT OLD BOYS. After several days of. inclement weather the ground was somewhat heavy on Saturday but the senior match played on Russell Park, Waipukurau, between the Te Aute College and Waipukurau Old Boys Club was quite a fast one, being followed with much interest by a large crowd of spectators. As expected, the visitors scored a win, but the margin of difference was somewhat greater than previous results in the championship fixtures this seoson had led followers of the Rugby code to anticipate. The forward divisions were evenly matched, but the Te Aute rearguard was a better combination than the local one.

Te Aute (Red) opened up the attack, and Flowers found the line for the home side. Good passing by the visitors’ backs.carried play into the territory of the local confines, and after about 10 minutes play a penalty awarded enabled Wickliffe to kick a goal from the 40 yards mark— Te Aute 3, Old Boys 0. Te Aute repelled the onslaught. Nickalls and O’Dowd led an Old Boys’ attack and Flowers, following up a godd kick, hustled Ruru for possession. Shortly after Flowers repeated his previous following up tactics and supported by O’Dowd and Scully placed the Reds on the defensive again. For a time Old Boys hovered near the Te Aute line but Durie cleared well up the line. Piki put in a good run and kicked to Wickliffe who returned the ball to the touch-line. In the succeeding play Ruru was conspicuous lor smart dribbling along the line, but McCarthy obtained possession and found the touch to good purpose. Even play in midfield followed. Nichol (who played brightly throughout the day) fielded well and kicked the ball out of bounce, gaining much ground. The Reds initiated an open attack and transferred the scene of activity to Old Boys’ 25, but Piki came to the relief with a line kick. Cleverly intercepting a passing bout by Te Aute backs Nichol carried the play up the line, even exchanges following in midfield, first Te Aute, then Old Boys gaining a slight advantage. Nicol fielded well and found the line. Then from a scrum Te Aute forwards came through the ruck with great dash, keeping Wylie and McCarthy busy in defensive work. A speculative kick by Flowers proved very

helpful. From a penalty against Te Auie, Nichalls had a long range shot at goaling but missed in a good effort. Excellent passing by the Reds finished up with Keretene, wiio received, the ball from an infield throw, scoring unopposed. Ituru converted. —Te Aute 6, Old Boys <J. Within a few minutes three Te Aute players came along the line in a passing exchange anu-Rei crossed near a corner. Wickliffe was unsuccessful with the kick.—Te Aute 11, Old Boys 0, The local team attacked in good style and after being near the Reds’ line tor about five minutes Granger dashed across from the ruck and scored. From an angle, Nickalls was unable to convert.—Te Aute 11, Olu Boys '3. Old Boys continued to exert pressure on the visitors’ line, but a force down relieved the tension. Just before the bell went for halltime Reidy was prominent for good play in the loose. The Old Boys had faced the first half so creditably that supporters looked forward to a closer finish than ultimately resulted. The first incident of note was a Te Aute attack following upon a high kick by one of the team, and Mowers and Nicol being caught napping as to fielding the ball Te Aute forwards quickly being upon them. However, Nicol gained possession and relieved by finding the line. Wylie and Nickalls were associated in an open attack, -but within a few njinutes the Te Aute backs initiated a turning movement that looked very dangerous from the homo fifteen’s viewpoint—but a knock-on spoilt the Reds’ scoring opportunity. O’Dowd, Reidy, and Scully led the Old Boys into Te Aute preserves, and an exchange of kicks followed. Nicol eventually found the line by a well-directed punt. Ruru got well away, being missed by Satchwell, and ran into the Old Boys’ twenty-five—also McCarthy who collared him low. Te Auto attacked vigorously and looked like scoring, but O’Dowd and Nico] came to the relief of Old Boys. A penalty assisted the home side and Nickalls used the line to advantage. Wylie and Satchwell worked the ball along the line, and play was carried into the Te Aute 25. Anderson saved in good style, and Flowers was next prominent in securing a mark after a pause that led the spectators to conclude that he intended kicking the ball. His kick was to good purpose, this player being quite a powerful exponent of tho art. Old Boys bore down upon the Te Aute line but a penalty gave the defenders relief. McCarthy assisted his side with a. line kick, and Old Boys invaded the Reds’

quarter again. Nickalls was penalised for off-side play. A turning movement enabled Te Aute to sweep down the field in a passing attack in which both backs and forwards figured, Durie ultimately crossing the line unopposed and Paenga goaling. —Te Aute 16, Old Boys 3. Ruru was prominent in line play and looked almost assured of a try, when he passed the ball forward along the ground. A few minutes later this player centred the ball to good purpose and Te Aute attacked strongly, lively play ensuing. The Reds continued to press the advantage they had been enjoying and close upon the call of time Rci added another try to his and the college total. Paenga was unsuccessful in the attempt to convert, and the game ended: Te Aute 19, Old Boys 3. Mr. A. E. Nicholson refereed. JUNIOR DIVISION. The Waipukurau and Waipukurau Old Boys teams met on Russell Park on Saturday, when a closely contested game was played, resulting in a draw—three points each. There was no score in the first half, but in the second L. McCarthy gained a try for Old Boys and Renouf for the opposing side. Mr. F. Sayliss refereed. THIRD-GRADE. In the Waipukurau—Te Ante B. third l grade fixture played on Russell Park, on Saturday, the local team gained a victory by the substantial margin of 15 points to 3. Tries were scored by U. Walker (2), and G. Heslop, while Walker, Heslop and Ross converted one each. The goalkicking record of the thirds redounds to their credit. At half-time the local boys had a lead of 10 points. Mr. A. E. Nicholson refereed.