Portland’s Default Makes Hikurangi Senior Champions

Northern Advocate, 17 July 1939, Page 2

Portland’s Default Makes Hikurangi Senior Champions

rpilE DEFAULT' OF PORTLAND ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON GAVE * HIKURANGI THE NORTHLAND RUGBY LEAGUE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 1030. BRINGING THE COMPETITION TO A TAME CONCLUSION. • ° It was Portland who inflicted Hikurangi's only defeat of the season when these two teams met a few weeks ago, and, had they again won. the competition would have resolved into an interesting battle between Hikurangi. Portland and City. As it is. City, who have been beaten only twice, take second place. The only scheduled match played was between the unbeaten Richmond Rovers senior reserves. Auckland, and a combined team drawn from Kensington and City. Although play was of a hard, even nature until almost midway througn the second spell, the visitors then clapped on 13 points, while Whangarei did not score. Portland juniors defaulted to Kensington, but a scratch team was pulled together for a friendly game with the same club, Kensington winning 13 3.

Whangarei Standard Improves

A greatly improved standard of play enabled the Whangarei combined team to hold their own against Richmond until late in the game, / when the visiting backs asserted themselves to take a 13—0 decision.

There was a fair gallery at Jubilee Park for the match. With the Whangarei forwards on them like terriers, supported by smothering tactics from the backs, the Richmond rearguard was given little chance to exploit the open game, although territorially they held a big advantage. Richmond's passing machine also broke down on several critical occasions. although this was not the fault of Webb, the half, who got his men away time after time with beautiful long passes from the base of the scrum, and was quick to seize his opportunities. Although playing a hard defensive game, Combined backs were outshone on attack, what brilliance there was being typically individualistic, as was to be expected from men who had not practised together. The packs were evenly matched, with Williams, the Richmond hooker, getting rather more of the ball than Crump. The day was ideal, with the ground not too soft and little sun. Whangarei 1 Forwards Shine. Combined won the toss and elected to play with the wind at their backs. Richmond set the ball going and were soon camped in Whangarei ground, but found their movements

smothered at birth by the home forwards. of whom V. and L. Payne and Meiklejohn were leading the field. Taklo missed an optimistic shot at goal from a wide free kick, and C. Williams made a nice gallop up the lino, but the Whangarei backs were tackling hard. When Fletcher, Richmond full-back, knocked on, Whangarei were in a handy position, and a back sortie almost sent Rewa over, Parkes failed with a long free kick. Shortly afterwards Farkes retired from a head injury received in the opening stages, and was replaced by Chetham.

Whangarei continued to make the pace, with E. Child, first five-eighths, doing most of the work, and Rewa had another long chance, but was trapped. Thrown Away. Graham and Webb brought play back, and then Whangarei threw away their best chance of the day. Securing in midfield, Murray unloaded to Rewa, who drew tire fullback and sent Gough away with an open field. . Gough had only one man to beat, and right on the line had actually swerved past him, when he elected to sling out to Hollows in support, and Hollows failed to take the pass. The gallery wept. There was no score at half-time. Up and down play characterised the opening stages of the second spell, and from a scramble on Richmond's line the ball rolled over and V. Payne appeared to get his hand on ft, but Richmond secured a force. Gough retired and was replaced by Lamb. After an interlude of ping-pong between the full-backs, Fletcher and P, Child, Whangarei opened play up, and Hollows, now at centre, threw away an almost certain try by hanging on too long.

Scores Come Late.

Twenty minutes after the resumption. Takle and Broadhead tried to go through, but the defence still had a kick in it. Richmond was all set for a score, however, and from a scrum inside Whangarei’s 25, Webb fired out lor Sale to cut through and touch down. Takle converted.

Tire game was becoming heated, with plenty of incident and no beg pardons. Chetham retired hurt. In a few minutes Hilton secured fairly handily and sent on for Purvis to slip through the defence. Takle again added the embroidery, and Richmond was 10 points up. After this delayed start, Richmond swung into their stride and in the prettiest move of the day Webb sent one of his long passes to C. Williams, who cut in sweetly, and Graham trotted over. Takle missed this one, and .the game ended with the score; Richmond 13, Whangarei Combined 0. Mr J. Hill refereed.

PORTLAND JUNIORS DEFAULT: SCRATCH GAME PLAYED.

Although Portland juniors could not field a full team for the match with Kensington at Jubilee Park prior to the senior .game, sufficient players were available for a scratch game, which Kensington won 13—3. Tries for Kensington /were scored by S. Pitman, C. Kake and J. Poke, with a conversion each by H. Dickey and T. Cassidy. ■ ■ " . For Portland the only scorer was Conlan. 1