Kamo Win Again; Surprise For Hikurangi

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1938, Page 2

Kamo Win Again; Surprise For Hikurangi

League fans of the district are wondering what has happened to Kamo, who, until a little more than a week ago, were content to remain modestly in the background of the senior competition, vieing with Portland for bottom place on the ladder: Then they came out of their retirement and administered a painful surprise to City by beating them- 5—2. Last Saturday they did it again, with none less than Hikurangi, championship leaders, as their chopping block. Tills time the score was 10—8. Although still ahead, this reverse hais stopped Hikurangi from establishing a substantial lead in the senior division. They are now heading City by a single point, with Whakapara relegated to third position, while Kamo has ursurped Takahiwai’s place on the ladder. Details of the teams’ relative positions are as under;—

THE OLB KAMO AGAIN? It was almost the old Kamo who walked away with the championship last year that took the field against Hikurangi on Saturday. Perhaps the prevalent sickness can be blamed for this, since, with several regular players away, a number of old-stagers were induced to don the jersey again and keep the flag flying. It is was the old team, a noteworthy fact is that they turned on the old game in keeping, for when the standard of Hikurangi's game is considered, it will be realised that Kamo had to play good football to come home two points ahead. The match wa.s Kamo’s best this season. Jack Taylor was, as usual, the inspiration of the forwards, and did the Hikurangi rearguard actions a lot of damage, breaking away fast from the scrum, and always keeping on the ball. McMillan. Murray. Rockell and Gough! also went well in the pack.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

I L. Hooper has not been showing lip at all well lately, but on Saturday‘lie was right on his game again, and got away in several determined- dashes- of the type that made him a mainstay, of the backs last year. He also converted a try and landed a penalty goal. hooper embarrassed. Hooper had an embarrassing moment. Securing close to Hikurangi’s line, he got away smartly at the gallop, and was well taken by a couple of Hikurangi defenders. The only thing they could get a good grip on was his nether garments ,which, unfortunately, gave out under the strain. Such trifles do not worry good footballers, and “Bub” carried on until the shocked Hikurangi team descended in a body and hauled him down* MUD BATH AT WHAKAPARA. ■; Whakapara and City wallowed in a mud bath when they met at Whakapara, City proving more adaptable to the conditions, to emerge winners by one try, the only score of the game.,;-' The win was a noteworthy one for City, who were able to field only 10 i men. Those ten went well, however, and in -the second spell, when a solid onslaught kept them on the defensive throughout, they tackled like heroes. The scrum was badly depleted, Tom Hollows going out to wing, among other alterations. Vince Payne played the dual role of breakaway ahd halfback, and did not do so badly. Murray and Child shone in the defensive play. Whakapara were also a badlydepleted team, and their ranks were built up with several juniors. The sodden field, which was half under water, cramped’’ their style of open back play, the majority of the rearguard. once in possession, preferring to attempt to go through alone rather than risk handling. This suited City well, but it was only frenzied defence which kept Whakapara from scoring on numerous occasions. Whakapara held a definite territorial advantage throughout the second half, holding City on their own twentyfive. and were perhaps unfortunate that their efforts did not meet With more success.

P. W. L. D. Pts. Hikurangi . ... 11 7 3 1 15 City ... 11 7 4 0 14 Whakapara ' ... 12 6 5 1 13 Kensington ... 11 5 4 2 12 Kamo ... 11 4 6 1 9 Takahiwai . ... 10 4 6 0 a Portland ... 10 2 7 1 5