RUGBY FOOTBALL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4812, 19 July 1939, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MATCH FOR JORDAN CUP. WIN FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT. MATCH WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS. Land Development yesterday won the Jordan Cup from the Government Department team after a game that was very good considering that only a proportion of the players were regular footballers, and quite a few game veterans tock their place along with the younger men. The Land Development team held a definite advantage in the backs, and the Departments just as definite an advantage in the forwards. The latter vanguard were led by fine players like W. McNeight and R. Ellingham, and Cleave played a powerful game, and though both were on the light side, Pearson and Budd were two young players who kept on the ball throughout the match. On the opposite end of the age scale was the veteran Stainton who was a steady toiler in the first part of the game, though, like the cheery Joe Wilson, he was glad to let up somewhat later. Little was seen of the Departments’ backs, though when Armstrong dropped back to the centre three-quarter position he performed good work. The Lands Development back line was effective with Flint, Franich and Prendergast as the five-eights and centre who swung away in very impressive style. Prendergast in particular played a fine game, being excellent in his handling and fast off the mark. Carruthers also played soundly at half-back, and Keaney was safe as full-back. The leaders of the pack were Somerville and Appleton, supported by Turley and McCalman. The teams were as follows:—

Land Development: Keaney; Ailingham, Prendergast, G. Wilson; Flint, Franich; Carruthers; Higgins; Tucker, Somerville, McCalman, Appleton; J. Earle, Turley, Walton. Departments: P. Jones; Houchen, Shepherd, Joe Wilson; Thornton, Ryan, Bowmar; McNeight; Pearson, Baird, Cleaver, Armstrong; Budd, Ellingham, Stainton.. In the first half the Land Development backs were well fed with the ball and this led to that side holding the advantage during this spell. The first try resulted when Franich cut through and then back inside to pass to Flint, who scored. Flint’s kick hit the crossbar. 3—o.

Land Development secured another try during the half. Somerville led a forward rush over, and, the opposing side being rather slow in forcing the ball, he beat them to it and gained a try. Flint failed to convert.. 6—o. During much of the second half the Departments’ forwards dominated the game. With the fairly strong wind now in their favour, they started off by hemming in their opponents in their own 25, keeping the ball in the forwards all the time. Their try came when Thornton picked up a pass dropped by their opponents and beat the opposition by his speed. He missed the kick from in front of the posts. 6—3.

The Departments kept up their attack most of the half, though on several occasions the Development’s backs were very dangerous. Just at the end of the game they kept play right in the 25 area, and Franich sped down the line to cross. Flint’s kick failed. 9—3.

INTER-SCHOOL CONTEST. TE AWAMUTU DEFEAT TE KUITI. Te Awamutu High School team played Te Kuiti High School in a special match at Te Awamutu, and a very keen and interesting game, under the control of Mr. R. H. Annibal, resulted in favour of the Te Awamutu team by 9 points (3 unconverted tries) to 6 (1 unconverted try and a penalty goal). One of the visiting players sustained a fractured leg and was removed to Waikato Hospital for treatment. REFEREES’ DRAW FOR SATUR- ' DAY.

The following is the draw for Saturday’s Rugby:— Senior A.—Hangatiki v. Mahoenui at Mahoenui, 3 p.m., W. E. Walker; Pio Pio v. West Coast, at Pio Pio, 3 p.m., J. Evans; United v. Te Kuiti, at Mangapehi, 3 p.m., W. Eketone. Senior B.—£seven-a-side tournament for Snowden Cup. All referees not appointed. Juniors.—Waitete v. United, at Te Kuiti No. 2, 1.30, L. Parlane; High School v. Aria, at Te Kuiti, No. 2, at 3 p.m., O. Thorburn; Te Kuiti v. West Coast, at Marakopa, 8 p.m., Geo. Cameron, junr.