FAR NORTH RUGBY

Northern Advocate, 21 May 1929, Page 8

FAR NORTH RUGBY

BAA’ OF ISLAND* CONTESTS. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. | I I SENIORS. Kaikoho 3, AA’aihou 0. Kawakawa 3, Okaihau 3. Ngawha (!, O'haoawai 0. JUNIORS. Kawakawa 5, AYaihou 0. Ohaeawai 3, Okaihau 0. Kaikohe a bye. KAIKOHE v. AYAIHOU, The competitions took place on Saturday under 'very unpleasant wintry conditions, when AYaihou visited Kaikohe and were defeated by 3 points to 0. The ground was as saturated as it could possibly bo after a week’s rain, with a strong south-west wind blowing. Rain foil steadily all day till 2.30, i when it ceased, to start again with renewed strength through the third quarter, stopping before no-side was called. Under these circumstances brilliant play was out, of the question by the back division, with a. sodden ball, although some very good attempts wore made. The game was a keen contest between two evenly matched packs, Kaikohe having the better of the work iu the serums. There was a fair attendance of spectators, quite a number of whom camo from Wa ihon.

AYaihou, kicking off, were soon aggressive and held play in the Kaikohe 25, Kaikohe being lucky to force. The maroons, with Jackson, O’Brien, Hows and Hurley broke away, but only got as far as half-way when the Whitaker brothers and Lees stopped the rush and gradually worked t'ho game back to the homo area. The greens again attacked, and Hows was very prominent in getting Ms men cleanly every time. Pomare marked within striking distance, but the ball was too greasy and Kaikohe forced.

Turning round rvitli the Avind, Walhou AA'oro soon in the maroon ,nroa, hut all gain Avas nullified .by offside play, Kaikohe gaining territory by fending the lino. Hooker, Campbell, Henry and .1. Whitaker AA'ore soon aAvay again with the ball at their feet, Williams being lucky to stop the rush with a speculative kick. Jackson broke away from the line out, Avith EdAvards and Edmonds in support to the greens' 25, when Murray snapped up. smartly and got away to the home 25, and spoiled a score by a pass forward. Hurley and o’ißrien started a loose rush to haifAvay, AA'hen 'half-time av as called. Wiailiou started the ball again, to be placed on the defensive by Hoavs, Hurley and O’Brien, avho headed a strong rush to the green full-back, Avho gathered the oval in. and found the linein mid area. Both sides AA:ere making full use of the line, AA'hen from, the loose O'Brien smartly intercepted a pass and kicked. Ho ’folloAved. up fast and spoiled the return, and Avas away with the ball at his feet. When near the Waihou goal-line he kicked hard to beat Whitaker, and in the resultant scramble the ball Avent over the deadball line. Kaikohe Avore loav more than holding their oAvn and the- visitors Averc compelled to force three times. From the drop-out Hoavs fielded and sent into touch near the corner. Close play Avas there-for aAA'hile until .the ball came to Murray, Avho sent out Avell up the field. From a loose rush Edwards and Edmonds broke through and the latter scored near the posE Taking his OAvn kick, he failed to goal. Loose play folloAved in the visitors' 25, Avhon the ball came to O'Brien in front of the goal. Ho tried to emulate Bennie Osier, but. the ball hit the post and Waihou forced. A series of serums and close forward play up and dcAvn the field marked the termination of the game. Mr L. J. Smith refereed.

NOTES ON THE SAME

The heavy, wet ball militated

against any sparkling play, and it is surprising how some forwards will enodavouv to play the ball with their hands instead of with their feet on a wet day. The backs wore too deep and wide, resulting iu fumbled passes. On the few occasions that they did get the ball the tackling on both sides was verv clean and effective.

For the winners, Cullen, a promote! junior, was good. The style in which ho stopped some rushes could be copied with -advantage by others. Laonond played a good game on the threequarters line, as did G. Hows when he replaced M. Maera, who went into the pack. Penny and Williams at fiveeighths were good. The latter’s shortsnap kicks were very effective. E. Warn was good at half. The ball coming cleanly from the pack, allowed him to send Williams and Penny away frequently. Hurley as rover was ideal. The hookers, Edmonds and Edwards, are regaining their old skill of obtaining the ball. Their try was a, eleau piece of work. Skinner held 'his pack well, daekson and O’Brien were very prominent in all rushes from the liueou(, and with Hurley were always on the ball.

For the losers, H. Whitaker at full was kept very busy during the second half. He was lucky that there- was not another scon 4 against his side ■'.chen he would not give way to Pomace Graham. Hepere am! Murray did good defensive work. Burkhardt and Lees at five-eighths were a hard-

working pair and saved several scores. They will bo seen to bettor advantage on a drier day. Romaic was weak at half, being unable to get the ball cleanly to his live-eighths when ir came from the scrum. J. Whitaker as

rover gave a good, dashing display throughout the game. His dribbling

was very effective. The, pack as a whole were good in serum work, holding their opponents well. Henry, Hooker, Paki and Campbell wore most prominent in the open.