RUGBY SEASON OPENS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4640, 16 May 1938, Page 5

RUGBY SEASON OPENS

VISIT OF TE AWAMUTU TEAM. PIO PIO DEFEATED 11—8. LAST MINUTE PENALTY KICK. By a penalty kick by McGruther immediately before the final whistle, Te Awamutu Rovers won the match with Pio Pio last Saturday on Rugby Park. Up to that time the score had been B—B, and the penalty kick gave Rovers the win 11—8.

The game was a very even and hard forward struggle, with a number of bursts by the Pio Pio backs, with Frerichs as the spearhead of their attack. He and the steady Bart Smyth were the mainstay of that division of the Pio Pio team, while in the forwards the fit and impetuous Verry, and the’ hard-work-ing Aldridge, pei'formed the best work.

The visitors possessed a splendid set of forwards, whose backing up and driblling rushes made them always dangerous. The Pio Pio forwards played well; though in these departments the Rovers were superior, towards the end of the game Pio Pio were feeding their backs in splendid style. Their scrum was the two-three-two formation, with Coffin playing loose. Play in the home team’s rear division was patchy except for the two men mentioned above. Frerichs’ sudden feints were always a source of danger to his opposition.

The following were the teams:— Rovers.—McGruther; Young, Emsen, Jousey; Watson, Quin; McGovern; Nicholl, Prendray, Meredith; Jousey, Parker, Mackie, Tickelpenny; Morrison.

Pio Pio.—R. Neal; McAllister, Frerichs, Ormsby; Knight, Smyth (captain); Anderson; Holloway, Verry; Aldridge, K. Wetere, Trust; Buckeridge, Cromwell, Coffin.

The opening of the match was marked by solid forward play, interspersed with many halts for infringements. Once Frerichs beat his man, and the Rovers downed him just in time to prevent a try. Pressure upon the Rovers’ line was relieved by as pretty an example of formation dribbling as has been seen on Rugby Park, but Pio Pio were soon back again, and Smyth, in his second attempt, placed a penalty kick between the posts. Pio Pio 3, Rovers 0. No further score resulted for the quarter of an hour remaining before the interval.

A forward passing rush by the visitors immediately after the interval nearly saw them cross. A penalty relieved, but they were keen on attack, and were rewarded when Morrison intercepted amid the loose to send Lindsay Young across fairly near the posts. Young failed to convert. 3—3.

Inside a few minutes Rovers had scored again, and again it was from Morrison’s interception. A pass struck Frerichs behind the shoulder as Pio Pio tried to pass in their 25; Morrison caught the rebound to have a clear run over the line. McGruther converted nicely. Rovers 8, Pio Pio 3.

The trickiness of Frerichs led the Pio Pio back line away in an assault that swept their side from one end of the field to the other —he cut in twice to beat the opposition, then passed on to Smyth, who scored wide out. With a fine kick Smyth evened the scores. B—B. Pio Pio were now opening out to their backs, eager . to use Frerichs and Smyth, who were working together so well. On sevei-al occasions they were within an ace of scoring —once Frerichs sent Kingi Wetere away on an opening, but just as a. try seemed inevitable, the pass to the left wing went astray. The latter secured possession from a scrum and was penalised for rabbiting. For some time Pio Pio harried the line, then the visiting team, in an irresistible forward rush, relieved the pressure and later took up the attack. A penalty against Pio Pio gave McGruther a chance, and with a fine kick he placed the ball between the posts as the final whistle blew. The final score was Rovers 11; Pio Pio 8. TE KUITI SENIOR A v. MANGAPEHI Te Kuiti Senior A team defeated Mangapehi at Mangapehi -by 21 to 3 last Saturday. The home side held Te Kuiti very well during the first half, but in the second spell' the

Te Kuiti side began to break through their opponents and ran up the score, The Mangapehi side showed some good talent, and after a few Saturdays’ play to co-ordinate the team should form a fairly strong side. The pack is fairly heavy and evenly weighted. The Te Kuiti Club are to hold a practice on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. on the Domain. WAITETE v. MANGAOTAKI. A try gained by Matthew soon after play commenced was the only score in the match between Waitete and Mangaotaki Senior B teams, and Waitete won the game by three points to nil. Though the contest was largely a forward one, the Waitete back line showed much promise, especially when the ball was handed out to Matthew and M. Anderson. Knox was doing good work in the forward division. Mangaotaki’s hard-working forwards were led by Battley, who played a splendid game. Their backs were principally notable for their strong defence, and Neal and Murray were responsible for some good work. Mr. W. Searancke was the referee.

Mr. J. Hebden was the referee.

RESULTS. Senior A— Rovers (Te Awa.) 11 v. Pio Pio 8. Te Kuiti 21 v. Mangapehi 3. Senior B Waitete 3 v. Mangaotaki 0. Pio Pio 20 v. Te Kuiti 14. Juniors— Mangapehi 20 v. Te Kuiti 3. Aria 20 v. Waitete 3.