Taipa Footballers Swam Flooded Creeks

Northern Advocate, 30 May 1949, Page 6

Taipa Footballers Swam Flooded Creeks

KAITAIA, Mon. (Sp.).—Heavy rain and floods interfere with the Mangonui Rugby Union’s competition games on Saturday Although only two games were not played, others took plac< on sodden fields. In the senior B grade Peria players were unable to trave for their engagement with Far North. ,

Taipa players in the same' grade were determined not to default for their engagement with Pukepoto. Some were reported to have swum swollen streams to join their team Others crossed floods by boat and on horseback. Commencement of the game at Pukepoto was delayed for some time, and taking the field with -a scratch team, Taipa lost 39—5. The Kaitaia-Far North game was postponed. In the principal attraction at the Kaitaia A. & P. oval, the two local junior rivals, Old Boys and City, staged a magnificent forward tussle in the wet Unbeaten in their grade last year, Old Boys ran out winners by 16—8, but City Was far from disgraced. FIRST TRY IN TWO YEARS At Awanui the home third-graders drew 3—all with Kaitaia High School last year’s undefeated champions, who in this match, had their line crossed for the first time in two seasons. For this match and the junior game which followed when Awanui beal Pukepoto 14—6 the field was lying under broad sheets of water, inches deep In the senior A division Herekinc beat Awanui 6—3 in an even game al Herekino, and Kiwi United beal Doubltless Bay 16—0 at Pamapuria. L. Lloyd and Lunjevich scored tries for Herekino and N Housham kicked a penalty for Awanui. Selwyn White led the Kiwi United pack against virile Doubtless Bay forwards, who provided surprisingly determined opposition in the heavj going. White found the mud to his liking and scored a try which he also converted. a penalty goal and anothei conversion. Others to cross were T Ahu and J. Wright. Kiwi backs opened up play enterprisingly, but lacked finish undei hopeless conditions and all points came from forward sorties. White's penalty was a magnificent effort from just inside halfway. , JUNIOR RIVALS CLASH The Old Boys-City junior game a 1 Kaitaia was the best match to date this season on the headquarters ground, despite the sloppy field. In a game of varying fortunes City several times looked like pulling it oui of the fire, and a draw would have been a better indication of respective merits, although Old Boys’, win was thoroughly deserved. Cily opene<? with a field goal by centre J. London and there was nc further score at the interval. Old Boys had the best of the first spell territorially. T. Northwood equalised with a penalty goal 10 minutes after the resumption and added another soon afterwards. The first try of the game went to wing-threequarter K. Panther from fast following-up and London converted to give City an B—6 lead. Late in the game P. Masters crossed for Old Boys and O. Berghan scored a spectacular try under the posts, after a phenomenal pick-up, Northwood converting both, to put the issue beyond doubt. Norfnv/ood's control of the heavy ball was remarkable, and he put over some fine angle shots. Making his last appearance for City before his transfer to Tauranga this week, skipper Kelly McPherson staged a fine game as fullback.

Outstanding among Old Boys were halfback T. Hoddle and breakaway forward P. Masters. Forward play was exceptionally even, Old Boys playing a copybook game in the tight, out City having the best of the loose exchanges.