RUGBY LEAGUE

Hutt News, Volume XXII, Issue 2, 23 June 1948, Page 14

RUGBY LEAGUE

HUTT v. TE AROHA (Senior, .Reserve) I Hutt again proved to be the better team in the match against Te Aroha, played at Strand Park on Saturday, Hutt being winners I by 20-6.

Hutt kicked off and soon had Te Aroha on the defensive and from loose play KatenC; 'playing'at fiveeighths, secured to dive over for a try. He converted His own try. When kicking fiff ' TO Aroha were brought back, the ball not going 10 yards, and a scrum took place. Te Aroha were getting a good share of the ball, and Coffey at half was feeding his backs well 1 , but fast breaking by the Hutt men would not allow Te Aroha backs to gain advantage. Play was fast and even and when down on the Te Aroha line Aspinall scored. Katene converted. For Te Aroha Rangiwhetu was a source of danger to Hutt, but he was watched closely. Half-time came with the score Hutt If), Te Aroha 0.

Te Aroha opened their account in the second spell from a penalty in front by Rangiwhetu. Hutt clapped on the pressure I and’Barnett with ball at toe weiit -?,bouts 25 yards to score wide but.” y KatencvConverted. Two penalties by Rangiwhetu in quick succession put 4 more points on the Te Aroha account. Inspired by these points Te Aroha tried hard to narrow the gap, but a high kick by Pearce and fast following up by Crook gathered in the ball to score just as he was tackled. Katene converted his fourth kick with easy precision. Play continued hard and fast and in spite of the big deficit Te Aroha played gamely. Mr. W. Simpson was referee. JUNIOR GRADE Hutt 23, Petone 2. Draw lor next Saturday is: Senior Reserve, a bye; Junior v. Eastern Hutt.

easy kick. There was no further score in the first half, which was rather drab and uninspiring.

The second half produced bettei Rugby, both packs of forwards rucking very solidly. Taita had the better of the game and just missed scoring on several occasions. The winning try was started by Wallis when lie fielded the ball on his own twenty-five and some neat reverse passing, in which Warner, Robertson and Walters took part, saw Wallis transfer to Walters, who scored in the corner.

Wallis played an outstanding game on the wing. , His handling was good, but the most pleasing feature of his play was his determination when running with th£ ball. With a quicker service from the scrum the backs will be able tc relieve the forwards of a lot of work and the coach should concentrate on effecting an improvement here. ’ Junior.—Taita 8, Eastbourne 3. Third (I. Division). —Taita 0, University 3. Third (11. Division).- —Taita 11. Shelly Bay 16. White landed two excellent goals and also converted Spencer’s try. Fourth (11. Division). —Taita 11-, Rongotai 3. Taita revenged their first-round defeat and now lead ir the championship. • Thies were scored by Dillon/” M.cElwain ant Weeds, one- of which Bowles converted. The backs of this tean need to improve their handling and the forwards will find their job easier if they pack tighter in the rucks.

SCHOOLBOY FIXTURES Senior.—Taita v. Hutt, Strand Park No. 1, 10.30 a.m.; Petone v. Woburn, Petone No. 2. Junior. —Belmont v. Eastbourne B, Strand Park No. 2; Hutt A v. Upper Hutt, Strand Park No. 3; Hutt B v. Taita A, Taita; Petone A v. Taita B, Strand Park No. 4; Petone B v. Woburn, Strand Park No. 5; Eastbourne a bye. Midget I. DiVisidn.—Woburn v. Petone, Petone No. 1, 10.30; Eastbourne B v. Hutt, Eastbourne; Petone A v. Taita A, Petone No. 1, 9.45; Taita B V. Upper Hutt, Maidstone No. 1.

Midget 11. Division. —Taita v. Upper Hutt B, Maidstone No. 2; Hutt C v. Eastbourne, Day’s Bay; Upper Hutt C v. Hutt, Strand Park No. 1, 9.45; Petone v. Eastbourne A, Strand Park No. 6...,,. ,