RUGBY FOOTBALL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 3189, 12 August 1930, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SEMI-FINAL OF CONTEST. HANGATIKI DEFEAT TOKA. By defeating Tokanui, Hangatiki have now placed themselves equal in contest points with Rio Pio (13), and the final will therefore be decided between the two latter teams. Hangatiki gained a decisive victory on Saturday, winning by 12 points to 3. The game was played on the Domain at Te Kuiti, the field being in a very sloppy conditions, which considerably marred the game. Hangatiki had the advantage in weight, and it was the combination among the latter’s forwards which was the deciding factor in the game. The teams were:— Hangatiki: Taylor (2), Nikora (3), Rata Kata, Harpur, Taylor, Holden, Tana, Hirst, Davis, Eketone, Davies, Doull. Tokanui: J- Wallace, James, T. Wallace, Kahanui, Tuki, Roberts, McDonald, Searancke, Anderson, Ormsby, Ngatai, Pihama, Turner, Hughes, Kuru.

The match was late in starting owing to the fact that there were was no ball. Hangatiki faced the eastern goal and opened the attack, the slippery leather being responsible for scattered play. Several passing rushes instituted by the attackers terminated in field scrambles, in which mud flew and the players were immersed in the mire. A penalty kick was awarded to Hangatiki for obstruction, J. Rata missing, however, from a handy position, the greasy ball slithering. Shortly after Kuru secured from near the line after Tokanui had driven the enemy into their own territory, and forced over. The kick from well out missed. Tokanui 3; Hangatiki 0. Up and dowm play was the order for period, when J. Davis, for Hangatiki, secured from near the line and bearing down some opposition got over. A difficult kick taken by Rata just fell short. Tokanui 3; Hangatiki 3.

Each side having drew blood, the game now livened up, a forward tussle ensuring till half-time, which was reached with even honours. On resumption Ted Barrett replaced P. Nikora, 1 ' who was obliged to return oh account of a bad knee. In a tussle near the goal Y. Taylor, who engineered his way to an advantageous position, snapped up the the ball and got over. The attempt to add the major points was again unsuccessful. Hangatiki 6; ( Tokanui 3. Tokanui now rising to the attatck came near to scoring on several occasions, but the field disallowed of any finessing of movement. Hangatiki’s tackling was fairly effect vie. No material advantage was gained by either side for some time, till the game livened up and Tokanui took up the offensive. Several torn jerseys resulted from some hard collaring, and one or two players continued in . their bare torsos. H. Davis, from near the line when Tokanui were being hard pressed, dived in, secured and got over to score a nice try. The kick goal was again unsuccessful. Hangatiki 9; Tokanui 3. With six points in their favour, Hangatiki were still taking no chances. The best try of the day was gained by J. Rata, who, taking a pass from near the half-way mark, made a good run and negotiating opposition got over. The kick again went low. Hangatiki 12; Tokanui 3. The game was now being decided definitely in Hangatiki’s favour, members of both teams indulged in the diversion of taking headers into a pool of clean water beyond the goalposts. In the closing stages of play Hangatiki was still on the attack, and handling the ball much more freely than in the earlier part of the game. Barrett made a good run for it in the last few minutes of play, but was held just in time. The game ended without further score. On the winner’s side all the forwards played well, J. Rata, Harpur, B. Nikora, Taylor and Kata being perhaps being the outstanding men. For Tokanui J. Wallace, at fullback, was responsible for many saves. His kicking was sure and his defence infallible. James, T. Wallace and Roberts were also among those worthy of mention.

Mr. Tuheka Hetet held the whistle.

ARATORO’S FIRST WIN.

TE 'KUITI DEFEATED BY 11-3. Playing at Aratoro, the home side by defeating Te Kuiti by 11 points to 3, won their first match of the season and drew level with Te Kuiti for the “wooden spoon.” The playing ground was in a very sloppy condition, and the game, at best, a scramble. There was a depth of six inches of water on the field in places, so that any attempt at ordered play was more or less impossible. Both teams toiled hard, however, and the match was quite an interesting one. Worthy of mention on the Te Kuiti side was Evans, who played a rattling good game. Mr. Hall refereed. THE FORRESTELL MEMORIAL CUP WON BY MANGAPEEHI. In the seven-a-side tournament held at Mangapeehi on Saturday last, Mangapeehi were successful in retaining the Forrestell Cup, defeating Te Kuiti in the final by 3 points to nil (a penalty kick taken by J. Farrell.) Four teams were entered by Mangapeehi, two by Mangaotaki, and one by .Te Kuiti. There was a fair attendance and the tournament went off without a hitch. Play resulted as follows: First Round. —Mangaotaki A 6 v. Mangapeehi C 0; Mangapeehi D 6 v. Mangaotaki B 0; Mangapeehi B defaulted to Te Kuiti. Second . Round.—Mangapeehi A 6 v. Mangaotaki A 0; Te Kuiti 13 v. Mangapeehi DO. Final. —Te Kuiti 0 v. Mangapeehi A 3. The Te Kuiti team contained four High School boys, Mangapeehi, in the final, having the advantage in weight. The referees for the various games were Messrs. A. Joseph, T. P. Anderson, and Rangi Thomas.