MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 3 September 1934, Page 7

MOTUEKA

RUGBY FOOTBALL ; 1 FINAL OF CHAMPIONSHIP TO ! UNITED (From Our Own Correspondent) Saturday saw the ringing down of the curtain in affairs Rugby in the .Motueka district, when United and Tikaokao senior fifteens met in the final of the championship series. After a solid struggle in which play was •confined chiefly to the forward divisions, the United fifteen capped a successful season by annexing championship honours, running out the winners by 10 points to 0. Victory was snatched somewhat sensationally in the very final stages of the game. United has thoroughly earned the success and for a practically new club has made great strides in recent years. Tikaokao, the runner-up has provided the element of doubt as to the final result throughout and few will begrudge the club its success in the competition. ■ It is to United’s forwards combined with an efficient if not brilliant back division that tils club’s success is due. Tikaokao has. a fairly even team with a decided jouthful flavouring, and this augurs well for the continued good football in approaching years. The championship table gives the position as follows :

Cup competition, which it appears, is to be determined by the number of championship points gained by teams in the third round is as follows: —

UNITED VERSUS TIKAOKAO The opposing teams were as follows : Tikaokao. Reed; Chapman, Fowler, King : Silke, Soane; Robb; R. Drummond,' O'. Clarke, Gamboni, Huggott, Goodall, V. Fry, Askew, H. Clark. United: Farr; Holme, Burges, Talbot; Stratchen, 'Lysaght; Kinzett; Glenn Emin ere, Shaw, Buckeridgc, Brough. McGrath, Redmond, Wilson. Tikaokao won the toss and elected to defend the western goal, a stiff westerly breeze giving them valuable assistance. It was due to this that they maintained a continuous attack throughout the spell, which position was reversed when United played with the wind in their favour. Tikaokao took the offensive when a penalty to them saw Silke essay to goal The attempt failed. Tikaokao backs next combined for Silke to send Fowler and King away, the latter being well-grassed by Farr. Burgess assisted United to effe'et temporary' relief when he broke through to the halfway to send Holme and Farr on into Tikaokao territory. A breakaway by Tikaokao forwards placed tliefti team on the attack again and Buggett was almost over from a scrum. Kinzett relieved temporarily and then followed a long interchange of kicks. Success attended Tikaokao’s efforts when from a penalty fo.- offside, Silke goaled from well out, drawing first blood for Tikaokao. This roused United who redoubled their efforts and play changed quickly from one end of the 1 field to the other. First Talbot and then Farr figured in dashing onslaughts onto the Tikaokao line but the defence held and Tikaokao eventually returned tp United territory where, securing from a scrum in neutral quarters, the Tikaokao backs handled ie. fine stvle for'Chapman to go over for a good try. Silke-failed with his kick and Tikaokao 6 led United 0. Again United rallied and set up a slashing attack spoilt by over-eagerness on the part of the. Red forwards. The half-time bell sounded with play, settling in midfir-ld, Tikaokao leading by 6 points to nil. On resumption United received the a:sistar.ee of the wind and promptly put it, to use. Lysaght figured in a rush and play settled in Tikaokao territory. Several passing bouts inaugurated by Kinzett had Tikaokao. defending noily and from on e of the more determined of these McGrath was almost over, a. for-; ward pass spoiling a promising movement. ' Burgess failed to raise the flags from a penalty and Chapman eventually cleared from an embarrassing position. Undaunted, United returned to the attack and a sparkling dash by Burgess following a passing bout saw. Mm tackled within striking distance. He managed tc- hand on to Glenn, how ever, the latter going ove? for a try to open United’s account. Buip;ess ; added the major points and the score read Tikaokao .6, United 5. Much excitement at,tended the ensuing play with United attacking strongly. Tikaokao. forced .twice in ouick' succession and continued rushes by the Red backs kept them busily defending. Repeated infringements slowed the game up at this stage. Burgess had successive attempts - to goal from penalties wide out without result. As time approached, Tikaokao had a. turn at attack and Huggett and Clark were prominent in-a concerted rush. Strachan relieved with a jinky run through to midfield, Burgess and Talbot carrying on until iimely relief was effected by Reed. Several injuries throughout held up play for some considerable time and the spoil consequently seemed more than usually long. In turn Tikaokao backs combined in. good movements those being counteracted by similar movements by the United rearguard. Kinzett worked the blind-side to send Talbot away in a determined dash but V. Fry relieved cp halfway. Excitement reigned high at this stage and tho pace was cracked on. With time due to be called .at any moment, Lysaght and Burgess combined to send Talbot on again but Soane relieved. From the resultant line-out, the United forwards took charge in an, irresistible rush, which was capped by a brilliant; dash by Emmerre who was grounded feet short of the line. Wilson who had followed through secured to dive over for the winning try. Play was a*ain held up, Emmerre having to be assisted from the field. Burgess added further points making the score United 10 Tikaokao 6. Time sounded shortly afterwards. United being the premier team for the season 1934. Mr 11. D. MacManaway refereed.

P. W. L. D. Pts. United . 10 9 1 0 18 Tikaokao .. . 10 7 2 1 15 Huia .. .10 4 6 0 8 Dovedale .. . 10 2 7 1 5 Wanderer a 1 7 0 2 The posii tion of teams in tlie Huia,

P. W. L. D. Pts. United . 2 2 0 0 4 Tikaokao .. . 2 1 1 0 2 Huia . 2 1-' '■ 1 0 2 Dovedale .. 2 0 2 0 0