RUGBY FOOTBALL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 April 1937, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S RESULTS.

GOOD STANDAED OF PLAY. What is regarded as a very satisfactory standard of play for so. early in the season was displayed in the Rugby football games played throughout the Horowhenua .district on Saturday, despite the high wind, which was a big detrimental factor. The Senior teams are showing evidence of considerably more intensive training this year, and it seems that competition will he very keen for inclusion in the senior “Jtf” division when re-arrangement is made at the end of the first round. As a result of Saturday’s senior play, both Athletic (Levin) and Otaki continued their unbroken run of victories, while Wanderers (Levin) secured the Easton Challenge Cup from Moutoa. ATHLETICS GOOD WIN. All-round superiority and smarter tactics enabled the Athletic team to register their third win of the season in a convincing manner at the Levin Park Domain on Saturday afternoon, -when they defeated Foxton by the margin of 16 points to 3. A cold westerly wind of almost gale force mitigated against a large attendance of the public, and made playing conditions difficult, but it was the home side’s handling of the situation which gave them the decision so decisively. The standard of play was fully equal to that of the previous week. Athletic’s superior handling- with the wind at their backs enabled them to run up their total points in the first spell, while in the second their policy of keeping- play tight, together with a rock-like defence, effectively prevent-. ed the visitors from reaching their line. Foxton’s only points came from a penalty goal early in the second spell. Although some attempt had been made to effectively pad the iron uprights of the goal-posts, it was unfortunate that some attention had not been given to the wooden posts above the cross-bars, where they were far too short. The general drunken-looking effect was by no means a credit to Levin’s principal playing area, and an early improvement is hoped for. The teams lined out as under: — Foxton (black and Gold): Yertongen, K. Robinson, J. Everleigh, P. Huff, Garment, H. G. Robinson, D. Taylor, NT. Fee, J. Graham, H. Eparaima, P. Robinson, S. Sinclair, B. Gay.

Athletic (Blue and Black): A. Galpin, V. Bateman, H. Kinghbeer (captain), Frew, Coles, Hogg, Goldsmith, A. Bateman, J. Bateman, T. Rowlatt, Burke, Molloy, Leger, Palmer, Galyer. Athletic won the toss, and Foxton kicked off facing the western goal. Athletic early went on attack, and kept Foxton fairly penned up inside the half-way line, although several promising attempts to score were spoilt by lack of finish. It was not many minutes, however, before V. Bateman secured on the twenty-five and raced away up the sideline to touch down in the eastern corner. Kingsbeer failed to find the uprights. Attacking in turn, the visitors carried play to the other end of the field, where off-side play gave them an opportunity but Eparaima failed to goal. Goldsmith then sent a long pass to Kingsbeer on the Yellow twenty-five, enabling Galyer to cross in the corner. The same player converted. For a considerable spell the game then swung from end to end of the field. The visitors were gaining the best of the ball from the scrums, but against the wind and faced with effective spoiling tactics could not dp much with it. Play again came into Yellow territory, where the Blue backs handled, -Coles sending Galyer over near the posts after a sharp run. Galyer again converted, placing his side 13 points up. Bare minutes later saw Hogg make a neat opening, and well-supported by his fellow backs, put in a short sprint to dive over in spectacular fashion. The kick failed.

Resumption of play after the interval saw Foxton pressing hard, and a Blue infringement gave them another opportunity, from which H. Taylor goaled, to make the score 16 3 in favour of the home side. Throughout the remainder of the spell the Yellows made frequent assaults oil the home side’s line, but the defence proved too sound. Galpin’s line kicking was ver\ safe, and for although Foxton forwards several times were right on the line, they could not just get there. Several promising back movements broke down through faulty handling or lack of support at the crucial moment, but the visiting rearguard were not able to take full advantage of the wind the, home forwards keeping the bab at their feet whenever danger threatened The Blue backs made several sorties into Yellow ground, but were

not able to Increase their tally, a iikely ellort by Hogg being nullified by an .'iin o e.. i eiu, and tne game ended with tne score unaltered. Mr. H. Jacob was the referee. OTAKI (27) v. PUNAHAU (8), Punahau went well under to Ua vi on the latter’s ground on Saturday, the final scores being 27 —8 m favour of the home team. The day was line but windy, and this interfered a aeaf with bngnc play. .Nevertheless, tne game was qute an interesting one, out OtaKi excelled in all departments! fhe backs played most creditably, tneir handling being good, very few passes going astray. Collaring was also good, but line kicking could have been improved upon. Punahau relied mainly on. bullocking forwards, and there is no doubt but tnat the majority put in solid play. Otaki oj>ened wth the wind in their favour and a judicious kick by Jenkins put his side oh attack. Otaki kept up the advantage and within four minutes of opening Jj\ Jenkins ran in at the coiner to touch down under the bar. Huff’s kick at goal was a failure, Otaki then indulged in bright 'passing bouts, the Jenkins brothers being most prominent. They received able assistance tor a time from Ropnta and Hakaraia. Then came a reverse, and Otaki, failing- to down their men, allowed McDonald to score a well-deserv-ed try, really the outcome of a cross kick- by Huff which failed to find the line. Graham converted, thus giving Punahua a lead, 5—3. Only eleven minutes had elapsed. Punahau battled strenuously to add to the score but the back play of Otaki was sound, and Huff, by a nice kick, sent the ball out at Punahau’s corner. Here Toby Gray put in some smart work, finally enablin Te Sana to score a nice try under the bar. P. Jenkins easily converted, Otaki S, Punahau 5. Punahau, in turn, pressed and a gick at goal missed. Otaki then indulged in more neat passing ana P. Hakaraia just missed a score. Punahau were still defending, and an obstruction try w 7 ould probably have been awarded had not Marsh Hakaraia touched down near the post, Jenkins again goaled, 13 —5. A change of play saw Punahau on attack, and Broughton goaled nicely from a penalty kick. Otaki 13, Punahau S. F. Jenkins then in turn scored for Otaki and added the major points, 18—8. Halftime was sounded.

Punahau, aided by the wind, made determined onslaughts in the early part of the second half, but these were short-lived, and further bright passing j rushes by the Otaki backs transferred | play' to the opposite end, and it was j while on attack that Tom Henry, by a j determined run, forced his. way over at i the corner. Huff’s attempt at goal was ! futile. Otaki 21, Punahau 8. Although | a beaten team, Punahau worked well, and occasionally attacked. Passing and kicking by the Otaki backs continued to be satisfactory, and then Cootes, breaking away, with Gray in support, went up the field at a solid pace. The onslaught was stayed, and Broughton broke away to put in serviceable play. However, the Otaki backs again got under way, and Nicholls, securing the ball, made a good run,'and then transfered to Henry, who scored a good try. R. Hakaraia failed at goal. Higgott was next prominent, and then came a reverse when Broughton was again in the limelight. He later had a free kick at goal but missed. The final score of the match came when Kaihau, heading a loose rush, scored a nice 'try. Huff msised the bar. The whistle sounded: Otaki 27, Punahau 8. Otaki well deserved their win. They played with good combination, and while the forwards played a hard game the backs were the means of opening up play, .making spectacular dashes frequently. Punahau, however, tackled well. Jenkins brothers both played fine football, proving a decided acquisition to the club. Huff kicked with good ■judgment, except on one occasion when he failed with a cross kick, allowing a score. He also handled the ball well. Henry was at the height of form, while Hakaraia, and Ropata were always reliable. Higgott made the most of chances. The forwards worked willingly, there being no “passengers.” Williams, Warren, McGregor and Paahau played well for the visitors, and had able assistance from the other backs. Broughton and the McDonalds played with rare" dash, although one of the latter was inclined to roughness. However, bis general play was considerably above the average. Mr. S. Graham was referee. WANDERERS LIFT EASTON CUP. By defeating the first holders of the trophy, Moutoa, on the Easton Park ground at Eoxton, Wanderers made good their bid for the challenge cup presented this season by Mr. F. S. Easton. The game, in which the visitors ran out the winners by 11 points to 6, was a good display or soliu footba.l, the Wanderers forwards, with their hard rucking play, having the best of the game. :