PEACE CUP

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4604, 2 October 1934, Page 5

PEACE CUP

MATAMATA TOO STRONG.

FAST OPEN GAME. In a fast, open and clean game at Matamata last Saturday the Matamata team successfully defended the Peace Cup from Maniapoto, winning the match by 15 points to 8. At Matamata it was stated that this was the best and stiffest game they had had for the Cup. In the first half the territory was about even and the score was 9—B in favour of the home team, who had, however, been playing with a stiff breeze. Only 3 of their 9 points were from a try. In the second half, although the territory was still about even, they piled up the score to 15. Maniapoto was several times unlucky—four or five times in trying to kick the ball to the line too much weight was put into it and it went behind. They lost the advantage of the wind, it veering crossfield. Matamata, were also missing chances, however—it was the best team that won.

The tackling of the Maniapotos was weak, the biggest thorn in their side being W. H. Carlson, Matamata's huge second five-t ighti.s and captain, who was given openings through Carroll's manoeuvring 'Throw the ball about" seemed to be the Matamata maxim. Wherever they were—even inside their 25, they would pass it around, as often as not wildly, in the hope that a man would be there to pick it up. This was helped to a great extent by the manner in which the forwards backed up their rearguard—the understanding and cooperation between the two divisions was a factor that stood them in very good stead. The Maniapoto found the forwards spread out fanwise to help the defence. If they dropped or were dribbling the ball a Black player would swing it out in a wild pass, but usually managed to break the attack.

In the forwards Maniapoto had everything their own way when it came to the tight. They hooked the ball consistently and used their weight—their backs were fed far more than the opposing rearguard. Kawe, because of his fitness, was the visitors' best forward, coming through at the last. Peterson was another who came even more to the fore during the closing stages. Trust probably outshone these players in the first half, but was forced, along with several of the others, to moderate his efforts later.

Something was dislocating the backs. McLeod had an off day with a vengeance—waited for the bounce, could not judge the light ball as it twisted in the wind, and. could not find the line Of the back line B. Barlow was the best. In the first half he had the opposition wondering what was going to happen next; in the second spell a few of his tricks had been fallen to, but he still remained our best man. But though we hooked so often it was very, very seldom that the wingers got it. The trouble appeared to be that Dowie was playing out of position, drawing Evans up until pass after pass from J. Barlowi went behind him. Practicallv the only time that the wingers received the ball they scored and, considering the paucity of their chances, they both played good games. The teams were:—

Matamata.—Stewart; Lowry, D. Carlson, Swap; W. H. Carlson, Carroll; Chase; Munroe; Storey, Sharpe, Malligan, Warrender; Inman, McLeay, Simpson. Maniapoto. McLeod; Griff en, Dowie, Brainsby; EVans, J. Barlow; B. Barlow; R. Barlow; Hartwell; Kawe, Trust, Coffin, Mark; McKenzie, Monteith, Peterson. The home team won the toss, electing to play with the strong* wind during the first spell. Though twice Maniapoto backs obtained the ball, it was W. H. Carlson who made the first deep penetration by speeding away. Coffin's burst through centred play. Danger for the visitors followed when the winger Lowry collected well and McLeod missed his kick through, but recovered to put the ball out inside the 25 in the nick of time. Fast following through by Brainsby was responsible for centring play. Then the Maniapoto forwards, with Trust's 15 stone at the head of them, put their weight into it and swept to the 25. The Black rearguard tried handling to get them out of the tight cornei 1 , only to be stifled, but eventually, with the forwards, especially Warrender, backing up well, they crept upfield until Dowie was pressed to put the ball out at halfway. From the base of the scrum R. Barlow suddenly twisted away; the movement, however, left no one with him. Again Bob received the ball to send his rearguard away. J. Barlow kicked through. Evans, timing the ball perfectly, received it on the full to send on to Brainsby—the latter put on the speed to fly round and score right on the corner. McLeod failed to convert the fine try. o—3. The home team, despite the fact that the Maniapoto forwards were more effective in feeding their backs, were throwing the ball all over the place—at first they were wild in their passing, but gradually settled down, though as often as not they did not sight their passes, trusting to luck and good backing up. Munroe led his pack awiay, Dowie clearing as they neared the danger area. When D. Carlson sped round and kicked the ball to the side Griffen was there first. Handling all the time, the home team pressed. An obstruction was ruled against Brainsby—the kick was about 12 yards from both the sideline and half-way. W. H. Carlson evened the scores with a wonderful kick. 3—3.

Brainsby missed receiving the light ball as it slewed in the wind and Chase was on him to speculate downfield. Simpson and W. H. Carlson were almost on top of McLeod as he forced down. From the midfield play which followed, B. Barlow cut in round the scrum to beat the whole team, but no one was with him and his short kick failed. A well judged penalty resulted in the Greens lining out on the home line, the advantage being lost when Hartwell overkicked. When a kick from the home team's ranks came through McLeod failed to get under it. Dowie and he made a

mad scramble to save the situation, but with the Green forwards still well upfield Carroll, Swap and Malligan went away in a loose passing rush from which the last scored. W. H. Carlson missed the kick. 6—3. Then followed a fine passing rush by Matamata. From the halfback Chase to the winger Lowry the ball was handled cleanly—then back to D. Carlson, but when the latter tried to send the ball to the winger again possession was lost. When the Green backs received the ball Evans was again too far in front of J. Barlow's pass. Griffen was hauled over as he tried to clear. When Dowie picked the ball up to perform this urgent work he found himself offside. W. H. Carlson accepted the present of an easy shot at goal. 9—3. The finest forward rush of the day resulted in Maniapoto, headed first by Peterson and then by Mark, forging a way beneath the posts. A penalty in the pack work following and being caught out of position cost them the territory. Keeping up the attack the Green backs received, J. Barlowi kicking out across to Brainsby's line. Then came the cleverest try of the day. B. Barlow dummied his way up to slip a pass through to Evans. The latter received it and cut out the opposition in one motion, sped up to the fullback, and sent Griffen, who had anticipated well, over for a score. From, under the posts McLeod converted as the bell rang for half-time. Matamata 9, Maniapoto 8. The visitors nearly took advantage of the pass to Evans going astray, but McLeod got his kick in. The Maniapoto rearguard went away for Evans to kick through, Stewart being just in time to force the ball. Then from his own 25 W. H. Carlson received the ball. One after another J. Barlowi, Evans, Dowie and McLeod went for him—the big 15stoner sidestepped and continued on, making our defence look silly. He handed on the ball for Lowry to notch the try. W. H. Carlson missed a very easy kick. 12—8. When this man tried to come round again he went over very quickly as Brainsby and McLeod simultaneously dived low. Line-outs and scrums followed. Chase dummied and was held up from the line. After a frantic struggle B. Barlow beat the home team to clear to half-way. From there the Matamata backs went away on good work by Carroll. Lowry came round on a cross-kick and he managed to send the ball on to D. Carlson as Brainsby collared him. W. H. Carlson failed to convert. 15—8. ■ •

K. Barlow led the way down the sideline and Kawe was prominent in the fast melee which ended in Maniapoto being under the posts. Hartwell almost went over from the melee. The Greens hooked the ball and Evans crossed, only to be recalled for a knockon. The Blacks were forcing back when J. Barlow overkicked, giving them the chance to force. Mark very nearly went away. A dropkick from B. Barlow Was well too far out.

The opposing forwards looked dangerous, but B. Barlow swung the ball from their feet to McLeod to clear. Suddenly Peterson burst through from the line-out, losing control of the ball as he neared the 25.

The Blacks forced down, but W. H. Carlson failed to take advantage of an easy kick. Maniapoto were becoming tired now, and the Blacks had them hemmed in until work by Peterson and a fine kick by McLeod centred play. A fine run by D. Carlson saw him go right through the Green team, the pass to Swap going astray. From the. resulting scrum Chase gave the ball to Carroll, who fell just short of the line. Just before time Kawe working hard centred play.