MATAKOHE, AND MAUNGATUROTO DRAW

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1937, Page 2

MATAKOHE, AND MAUNGATUROTO DRAW

[Special to “Northern Advocate ” 3 PAPAROA, This Day. The whole complexion of the championship table was altered on Saturday when Matakohe and Maungaturoto drew after a sparkling vigorous game at Maungaturoto. , At Kaiwaka, Mangawai had no difficulty in defeating the home side in a game that was by no means as onesided as the scores suggest. Results.— Senior—Matakohe 8, Maungaturoto 8. Mangawai 16, Kaiwaka 6. Juniors. —Waipu 28 v. Maungaturoto 3; Marpretu 19 v. Matakohe 0; Mangawai defaulted to Marohemo. MATAKOHE AND MAUNGATUBQTO. Played at Maungaturoto on a firm turf before a record crowd for a club fixture, the game lived up to all expectations and provided a thrilling duel between two evenly matched packs. Teams:— Matakohe.—Honoa, K. Smith, W, Smith, G. Bromfleld,' Rewa, S. Peters. E. Penney, D. Neil, B. Neil, Muru, Waiopouri, W. Shepherd, P. Smith, J. Bell, Bud Smith. Maungaturoto.—Burke, Knightbridge, B. Cullen, Ross Cullen, A. Fergus, Barach, K. Fergus, M. Ivy, Neal Fergus, J. Jones, T. Jones, Rex Cullen, Les. Snelling, L. 'Gibbs, Bakalich. The first score came early in the game and was a lucky break for Maungaturoto. Bromfield fielded" a high kick, but punted too low in return, the ball rebounding from another player over his head. Rex Cullen flashed up, gathered in the oval, and had a clear run over. The angle was too much for Snelling, and the home side led, 3 —nil. The game settled down into a thrilling forward duel,’ with both packs putting ill every ounce they possessed. The home backs showed better under-, standing than their opponents, and always looked dangerous when in possession.

A Fergus and Barach put in some nice work at times, but the tackling of the blue and golds was deadly and every movement was broken up. Maungaturoto had the better of the first half hour, but then Matakohe gradually warmed up and their sorties into the home 25 became of longer duration. It was during one of these raids that Burke was penalised- for a late tackle and Penney landed a fine goal to make the scores, 3 —all. Matakohe went ahead just on halftime. The visitors staked a lightning raid into the home 25, and R, Nell gathered in 10 yards from the goal posts to bullock his way over for one of the best tries (seen this year, Penney made no ■ mistake with the trimmings and at half time the visitors led, B—3. The second spell opened at a cracking pace. Maungaturoto were' right out to wipe off the deficit and terrh torrially they had the advantage practically throughout. Time after time they were within a foot of the line, until the blue and golds pushed them back by sheer weight and strength. It was exciting, if not spectacular, . Three times in quick succession Matakohe forced and they then gave Maungaturoto a turn but were driven back by a force. With five minutes to go Maungaturoto wanted a try and a goal to even. The ball went to Knightbridge, who was grassed two yards from the line, taut Ted Jones came round on the line side to take the pass and score in the corner. Time was, up and the hush that fell as Snelling took the kick was broken with a mighty cheer as he landed a fine goal from the side line, making the final score:-- j Maungaturoto ... 8 Matakohe , 8 i Mr Julian refereed. i