RUGBY LEAGUE

Northern Advocate, 18 April 1932, Page 7

RUGBY LEAGUE

MATCH AT TAKAHIWAL

NEWCOMERS BEAT CITY.

The City United senior League team journeyed to Takahiwai on Saturday, and indulged in a pre-season game with the senior team of the Takahiwai Club, which is new to the code, only , having joined rip with the Northland League recently. City did not have its full-strength team and two juniors tilled gaps, Takahiwai mustered a full team, and had several players extra standing on the line.' Although new to the League rules, tli e_ Blues (Takahiwai) showed that they knew how to handle the ball, and soon adopted themselves to the new rules. Infringements at iirst were fairly numerous, but towards the end i of the game, became much less. City won the toss and decided to run with the sun behind them. They were aggressive from the start, and threw the ball about in line style. Takahiwai were inclined to use the boot a lot at the commencement, but soon caught on to the idea of passing instead of kicking, and their threequarter line were often, sent away from a pass sent out by the forwards. City notched two tries and Takahiwai three, with one converted. A feature of the game was the outstanding piay of the two full-backs, Ellis for City, playing an almost faultless game, while his opponent made very few errors. Both could take the ball excellently, and their line-kicking was wiell judged every time.

The game ended Takahiwai 11, City

The most prominent players for Takahiwai were H. Paki, Ben Pitman and Pat Maekie. Once Paki and Pitman secured the ball they were difficult to stop, and City had to put Fred, McDonald out to mark Harry before hfc could be prevented from continually breaking through. City ’a most prominent men were W. Shortland, Dent, Jones, Swanberg antj F. McDonald.

At the close of the match the City team was treated to a fine afternoon tea by the ladies of Takahiwai, The president of the Northland League, Mr J, F. Johnson, thanked the Takahiwai people for their kindness, and expressed the opinion that the Blues will not be very far behind the loaders of the competitions, if not on top. ' Notes. . (By “Old Eep.") (The Northland selector will not be short of a full-back while Ellis can repeat his Saturday's performance. If H. Paid continues playing this season, Bod. Hamilton will have a serious rival for rep. honours. Ben Pitman, at centre three-quarter, never ran out, always cutting in, and running straight, and not once was he caught in possession. Swanberg played a great forward game, and never seemed to tire. Pred Jones was starved of the ball,, but when he did get. it, he showed what speed he had, and, on occasion 1 eft everyone standing. Fred McDonald is as good a tackier as ever, and was only seen to miss once. Saturday showed Shortland’s first run this season. He is as bright as ever, but, at times, was worried a little by Sam Pitman, the Blue half. If Dent can keep on his feet more he will prove a tower of strength to City.