Rangiotu

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6946, 27 June 1929, Page 2

Rangiotu

SATURDAY’S “HAT TRICK.’' From Our Own Correspondent. The local teams were specially fortunate on Saturday as they won all three games they were engaged in—viz, the school girls’ hockey match, primary school football match and the junior football. The playing season is well advanced now and all the local teams are in good positions in their respective competitions. Saturday’s games were very hotly contested, and won by narrow margins, so the various local teams, although victorious on the day, caunot afford to slacken in their training. This specially refers to tho ’Huias’’ who arc reminded that a field practice will be held on Saturday next, when a full muster is requested fn view of tho junior trial game at Rongotca, at which ten local players will represent the Huia club. Huias (S) Defeat Rongotea (6.) Ideal weather conditions and a dry ground favoured the enthusiasts who gathered to sec this clash. There has been considerable “pop” infused into the local players by successive wins, and they put plenty of sting into thenwork. However, in reviewing tho game, the main defect, alike amongst backs and forwards, was inability to handle the leather. Under most favoured conditions, a dry ball, dry ground and no blinding sunshine, the Huias displayed astonishing lack of skill in taking the ball. Unless they remedy this, only ono fate awaits them. In the circumstances, Rongotca was unlucky in not winning, as especially in the second spell the blacks were far superior and only ill-luck prevented them emerging victorious. The whites set the ball in motion, and rushed play into blacks’ territory. Matai secured and kicked over tho scrum. Reg. Nairne was prominent in a forward dash almost to tho coveted line. Here Gilmore was awarded a penalty, but missed a good chance of opening Huias’ account. Give and take play followed. A good black dribble past midfield and bad fumbling by Gimblott saw Dixon (Rongotea) secure and with a slashing run, score first blood. Very ragged play followed. Time and again, Hill, by mulling and fumbling, put his side in trouble. Gilmore and Matai relieved the pressure and the white forwards gradually worked their way within striking distance. Tho blacks wore penalised for an infringement and Matai equalised the scores. From the kick-off Kapia aud Hines were prominent in attack. The blacks were now getting possession from scrums and Duker essayed many times to start passing movements, J. Poto and Matai doing a good deal of spoiling work before the spell ended with the scores unaltered.

Alcuira broke through and made a great solo run, but was unsupported. Reg.- Nairne almost immediately headed another rush, but Gust cleared. A good deal of individual play on both sides, but no concerted actions, finally ended blacks forcing twice in succession. An inter-change of long kicks between Dixon and Matai saw the ball in Huia territory. Nairne brothers headed the rush of the white vanguard. In mid-field, J. Poto gained possession, making a chai-actcristically clever zigzag run to tho full-back, and then transferred tho leather to Knox who, taking a high pass brilliantly scored a most spectacular try. Matai made no mistake and the scores were: Huias S, Rongotea 3. A ding-dong battle now raged, in which play went rapidly from end to end of the field. Rongotca standing the pace better and soon its efforts were rewarded. Dixon secured the ball from a loose rush and dashed across. The kick was a very poor attempt. Again and again the blacks attacked Forces alone saved the Huias from defeat, and their supporters were relieved when time was called with the score in their favour.—Huias 8, Rongotea fi. Mr G. Fitzgerald refereed. The Hockey aMtch.

The Rangiotu girls continue their victorious career. They have now mot and defeated each team in. the competition for the Thomson Challenge Shield, which they won last year. The game at Glen Oroua attracted a great deal of interest from the fact that hitherto the Glen Oroua girls had not suffered defeat. The ground was very wet and holding and the game was a test of endurance and form.

In the first spell, goals were scored for the Rangiotu team by Margaret Governor and Kathleen Bond. Play was fairly even, but the red and blues possess some strong individual players who are continually aggressive. When the team settles down to study more the science of combined play, it will require a very strong school team to lower its colours.

The second spell was doggedly fought out. Time and again, forces wero registered against the blades, who defended well, but although they pluckily fought every minute of the game, they failed to open their scoring account, and the game ended: Rangiotu 2, Glen Oroua 0. Mr S. G. Parlane refereed. The Boys’ Match.

The second game of the banner competition was played on Saturday morning when Rangiotu-Bainesso (red and blue) met and defeated Rongotca (black) by a very narrow margin. Tho .ground was very heavy and greasy and well matched packs fought out a stubborn battle. Early in the game Arthur Dunford received a nasty kick which broke one of his front teeth and inflicted a severe cut. For the rest of t'he game tho reds lost the services of their plucky little half.

The Teds kicked off against the sun and attacking strongly, penned the blacks on their lino. The ball was driven across several times for forces, but at last Eldon Donaldson, getting the leather, raced across. The blacks livened up and played swayed up and down field. Handling was almost impossible. Near the call of time, Ivan Dunford slipped badly in front of his goal line and McLean dribbled the ball across between' the posts. Sid Burgess converted. Rongotea 5, RangiotuBainesso 3. The reds then attacked hotly and soon Akuira was awarded a penalty in

front of the goal. He failed to make the ball rise and the spell ended. Not to be denied, the reds swept the ball forward, forcing the blacks several times. Finally, Ivan Dunford in mid-field got possession, and outpacing the opposition, scored the winning try. The game ended: Rangiotu 6, Rongotca 5. Mr Fades was the refcrco