RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 202, 16 July 1936, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MID-WEEK COMPETITION. KOAVHAI’S LEAD. The mid-week Rugby competition was advanced another stage yesterday, when Kowhai, by defeating Kia Toa. maintained their position at the head of the championship ladder, and now seem unassailable. United were too good for St. Patrick’s and have now gone up from last to equal second with St. Patrick’s in the championship. Pirates had the bye. The playing areas at the Showgrounds were in nice order, and the weather was fine.

UNITED IMPROVE. In a hard forward game United further improved their position on the championship ladder by defeating St. Patrick’s by 8 points to 8. The following were the teams: — United (white). —Allsop, Luxmoore, McKenzie, Sinclair, Holland, Fage, Beaumont, AVard, Glastonbury, Davidson, Ratcliffe, McKenzie, Gallagher, Shearman. St. Patrick’s (green),—Ross, Andrews, It. Zaloum, McCarthy, Spelman, Hanly, Kinsella, Lasblie, Hazelwood, Small, Galloway, Strange, Allen, L. Zaloum, Hardisty. Even play characterised the first spell, which ended without either side scoring. AVard had a good opportunity of putting the greens three points up from a penalty almost in front of the posts, hut his kick went, astray. Both sides had chances of scoring, but lack of finish and faulty passing saw the opportunities missed. The second spell was much more interesting, and within seven lhinutes of the resumption Ward broke away and, after a hue run, handed the ball to Glastonbury, who followed up well and went across, for AVard to add the major points. The United backs were soon on the move again and the ball was passed among the rearguard to Allsop who, when tackled, threw infield to Shearman, who dived over. The kick failed. Another United attack broke clown when Gallagher, who received the ball from Ward, lost jt after crossing the line, and the greens forced. The greens had a turn at attacking and in a determined run Hazelwood heat the opposition and scored. The kick at goal failed. Hard forward play characterised the remainder of the spell, but there was no alteration to the scores, and . the game ended: United 8, St. Patrick’s 8. Mr A. Jewett was the referee.

KOWHAI’S CLOSE CALL. Koivhai, leaders in the competition, had a close call in their game with Kia Toa, just scraping home winners by 8 points to 6. Kia Toa fielded only thirteen men for most of the game anil did well to hold the opposition to so close a margin. Ihe following were the teams: — Koivhai (yellow and black). —Legge, J. Staples, Darragh, Campbell, Dunn, Brewer, S. Staples, Dawes, Penny, Petty, Fowles, Simkinson, Laurensou, Hell, Grindrod. Kia Toa (.blue and black). —L. Jones, Mason. Andrews, Cockburn, 01liver, Saunders, Ladynian, AVaite, Lines, Leo, Kempson, Norris, •C. Jones, Bovis. Ko'.vhai started off with a great rattle, both forward and back, and play had not been in progress long before Dawes went away with the ball at his feet with Simkinson handy, the latter drawing first blood for the visitors- Dunn’s kick Juilod. liic next points to Kowhai came from a pretty passing movement initiated by Brewer, and Penny finished it off by crossing for a good try. Legge made no mistake with the kick. Die A.ia Tea forwards in some good combined work took the ball into Kowhai territory, where a penalty gave the blues a chance, and Jones sent the ball between the uprights with a great kick. Shortly afterwards Jones had another chance from a penalty and again he was successful. Legge had a. good but unsuccessful drop-kick for Kowhai. Kia Toa pressed hotly and took play over the line, hut Kowhai kicked the ball over the dead-ball line, just in time. There was a similar incident a few minutes later. Half-time sounded with the score: Kowhai 8. Kia Toa The second spell was hotly contested and no score was registeredKowhai missed a golden opportunity when S. Staples cut out a man and ran through to pass to his brother, J. Staples, who had only to take tho pass and score, hut be knocked the hall on and the opportunity was lost. Campbell made a dashing run from an opening by Brewer, but lie was hauled down just short of the line. Jones, the Kia Toa full-back, who had been playing a great game, was injured at this stage, but a few minutes later he returned to the field. Both sides had turns at attacking, but the defence held and the game ended win for Kowhai by 8 points to 6. Mr G. Duthie was tho referee.

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

The championship table is as follow: Points. Ch.

P. W. L. D. For Agst. Pta 6 6 — 2 87 £0 14 8 3 4 1 S!5 63 7 United 8 3 4 1 54 57 7 8 2 4 2 48 49 6 Kia Tea 3 3 5 — 68 131 6