WALLACE-COOK SHIELD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 100, 30 March 1937, Page 5

WALLACE - COOK SHIELD.

AVON BA' KIA TOA. ATHLETIC SPORTS SUCCESSES. A\ r inning the final of the North Island Pirate Football Club quadrangular Rugby football tournament a.t Napier on Saturday, the Kia Toa Club (Palmerston North) took possession of the AVallace Cook Shield at the inaugural competition for the trophy. Kia Toa beat AVanganui.223, in the first round, and Napier Pirates beat AVellington, 24—14. Ivia Toa beat Napier. 16—6, in the final, and AA anganui beat Wellington, 26—6. Playing well, with a strong forward pack. Kia Toa gave a good exhibition in the final against Napier, though handicapped by the absence of four of their regular players owing to injuries on the hard ground. R. AVaslev (fullback), Thompson (a back) and Latham (a forward) were out with bruised shoulders, and Manderson (a forward) with a spra-ined wrist. L. Mullins came out of his two years’ retirement to become an active player instead of coach, and played a safe game as centre three-quarter, kicking a remarkably fine goal to convert a try from the side-line.

L. Heatley (club captain) filled another vacancy, and scored a try. Barnao recorded a crossing after a fine solo burst down the side-line, and H. Crawford, securing in the ruck, covered half the length of the field to register a nice try. R. * McKenzie also scored, and Mullins converted twice.

There were some thirty players and supporters in the Kia Toa party who made the trip from Palmerston North and .with the other teams, they were accorded a civic reception on arrival. Not only did Kia Toa win the football shield, but they carried off the trophy for the athletic sports, ecoring 23 points. Napier had 17, AA’anganui 13 and AA'ellington 6. For Kia Toa, Barnao won the drop-kick competition, and Simpson was second in the 100 yards championship, Kia Toa won the tug-of-war. The next tournament will be held in AA'anganui. and the 1939 fixture in Palmerston North.