JUNIOR CONTEST.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4410, 27 June 1933, Page 5

JUNIOR CONTEST.

EASY WIN FOR MANIAPOTO. THOUGH GOOD GAME. The junior representative game played at Te Kuiti on Rugby Park last Saturday proved an interesting game, though Te Kuiti, as the score of 26 to nil shows, were too strong for the visiting team. During the first half, however, there 0&s a hard battle for the ascendancy, and at the end of the spell Te Kuiti were only 6 points ahead of Otorohanga. Not long after the resumption, however, Otorohanga appeared to go to pieces, and allowed penetration _ where it could easily have been avoided. Both teams had hard-working forwards. In the backs, however, Otorohanga had a tendency to take passes standing, or of lobbing them. Maniapoto also seemed afraid to let their outside backs handle, Dean and Topp cutting in or sending back into the pack the greater part of the time. The following were the teams: — Otorohanga (Red).—Te Kanawa, Stafford, Cockburn, Cameron, Melville, Ormsby, Quinn, McKinnon, McColl, Williamson, Manaia, Derecourt, Kite, Munroe, Whitefield. Maniapoto (Green and White). — Bowick; Elliott, McNeil, Carroll; Dean, Topp; Johnson; Mark, Davis, Smyth, Willison, R. Martin, Battley, Verry, Olliver. Mr. Laird, of Pio Pio, was the referee. Play started off with a rush, and after a hard struggle in the loose the Green forwards pressed down to the 25 area, where McNeil had an unsuccessful pot at the goal. Then suddenly Kite brought the ball right up the field at his toes, a cross kick seeing a scrum in front of the goal. The Reds remained on the offensive for some time, judicious kicking by Te Kanawa helping them. Verry was instrumental in relieving the position for Maniapoto. The Greens swept up the field, but a kick from the threequarters, after the bounce beat the Red fullback, went behind the dead ball line. Some strenuous work followed the dropkick, and the Greens were fairly near the line when a scrum was ordered. From it Willison secured to make his way to cross. Bowick missed an easy kick. 3—o. After Carroll had missed in receiving the Red forwards came down. The ball was cross-kiekdd for the backs to handle. Otorohanga now appeared to be using more combination, and less of the standing and lob passes noticeable in the first part of the game. However, nothing resulted, play soon returning to midfield, and, on Dean following up, to the 25 area, Cockburn being called upon to save by forcing. Soon after the dropout Otorohanga were penalised and Bowick put a good kick over. 6—o. Maniapoto forced hard during the few minutes of the spell, but just before half time Derecourt and McKinnon returned play to the centre of the field. Maniapoto 6; Otorohanga 0. On the resumption Maniapoto kept up the offensive, Martin and Mark heading a forward rush which took them very near the line before a scrum was ordered. Maniapoto hooked, and Johnson, profiting by the fact that the Reds were tackling high, buffeted a way over under the posts. Smyth converted. 11—0. Quinn and a few of the Red forwards pressed an advantage, but a dropkick from Cameron went astray. Maniapoto pressed, and, after Smyth had tried a long penalty shot at the goal, Melville intercepted to _ cause great excitement on the sideline. However, the home team were soon on the offensive again, and following up saw Willison get the ball with very nearly a clear run in front of him. He crossed, and Smyth converted. 16—0.

The Green backs handled, Elliott and McNeil gaining ground. Then McNeil appeared to pluck the ball under the eyes of the visitors and score. McNeil put over a fine kick. 21—0.

At this period in the game Maniapoto were having things practically all their own way. Willison made a great run through the ruck, Cockburn only managing to save by running behind. The ball was forced from the scrum, but it was not long before the green forwards came down again, Martin scoring at the bottom of the pack. McNeil once again put over a beautiful kick. 26—0. Good work by the Red backs looked dangerous, but Dean intercepted. Some bright work followed. Elliott and Battley and others sent the ball from 'one end to the other in a passing rush stopped by Te Kanawa in the corner. Otorohanga lost no time in retaliating either, and for these last few minutes Stafford and the rest of the visitors were responsible, along with Maniapoto, for really fast play, j and for keeping the crowd on their feet and shouting.