Rugby

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1939, Page 10

Rugby

’Karamea Nearly Beats Thames Leaders

Journeying to Thames, the Maungakaramea senior Rugby, team met Physical Training, the leading team in the Thames Union’s senior competition, on Saturday, and in a thrilling game was defeated by 17 points to 14. Unbeaten for two seasons, Physical Training appeared to have the measure of the visitors and was leading by nine points to nil. After the interval, however, Maungakaramea rearranged the backs and, shortly before full-time, had reduced the leeway to three points. Although every effort was exerted to wrest the lead during the last few moments, and the visitors stayed in the home team’s territory, Maungakaramea could not get across, and the game concluded with Physical Training still three points ahead. Throughout the game a large and impartial crowd was kept on its toes. Fortunes varied in the second half, and Maungakaramea’s bid over the closing stages aroused enthusiasm. Jack Nash Scores 11 Points.

Jack Nash was the star player of the day. Of the 14 points he scored 11, registering a try, kicking two penalties and converting another try, scored by N. Boyd. P. Morresey was in great hooking form, and won by far the greater percentage of the scrums.

After Morrison had been injured at the close of the first half, the backs were re-arranged. B. Morresey and I. Boyd, first five-eighths and half-back respectively, exchanged positions, and Child, who replaced Morrison, went to full-back in place of Jack Nash, who moved up. The change was immediately effective. If the team had been sent out in the positions in the first spell, the visitoi’s would probably have won. As it was, they made a great effort. Four of the best players were not able to play. M. Morresey is still out of the game with the badly gashed eye he suffered in the King’s Birthday tourney, and Hackett, the halfback, will be out for some time with a knee injury he received while working at the Tauraroa quarry. At the conclusion of the match the visitors were entertained at dinner by the Thames Rugby Union. All of the 25 who made the trip spent an enjoyable week-end, and it is hoped to arrange a return visit by Physical Training in about five weeks’ time.