PIO PIO v. HANGATIKI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4699, 28 May 1935, Page 5

PIO PIO v. HANGATIKI.

This game was played at Hangatiki and the home team again demonstrated how hard a Iside it is to beat on its own ground. There was little between the packs in the first spell. Hangatiki perhaps had the better of the tight work, while Pio Pio held an advantage in the open. Neither set of backs was functioning smoothly. Hangatiki scored first as the result of a vigorous piece of forward play, finished off in. good style by the backs. This try was converted, Pio Pio countered with a likely looking blind-side effort but were brought back after the winger had crossed the line. The third of three penalties awarded Pio Pio gave the side three points. There was no further score before half-time.

From the opening of the second spell Pio Pio made strenuous efforts to head off the opposition, but the defence held. The Pio Pio backs were now showing up to better advantage and were very unlucky on several occasions. The Hangatiki forwards were still to be reckoned with and on several occasions the Red and Blacks were driven back by spirited vanguard counter-attacks. With about fifteen minutes to go the score remained unchanged, and the local supporters were playing a great game on the sideline. Pio Pio’s persistent efforts were at last rewarded by a nice back try. Winger Casey came across the paddock with the ball and sent the backs away. Having assumed the lead Pio Pio kept at it and put on two more tries before the whistle. None of these tries was converted and the final score was Pio Pio 12, Hangatiki 5.

JUNIORS.

TE KUITI v. WAITETE.

No score resulted in the junior match between Waitete and "Te Kuiti, though both teams were given plenty of chances to cross. In the first half Waitete were superior. Te Kuiti took the field with a weak side, and even their supporters expected a Waitete win. In the first spell the quick breaking of the Waitete forwards, and .their harrying from the line-out and from the scrum did little to dissuade them from that belief. In the second half Te Kuiti stiffened up, and if , anything held the advantage.

In the line-outs Searancke, left with only a short Te Kuiti player to mark him, was getting all of the ball. The mainstay of the Te Kuiti team was R. Martin, who battled hard and well throughout the game.