MOTUEKA RUGBY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 21 August 1939, Page 11

MOTUEKA RUGBY

SPECTACULAR FOOTBALL RIWAKA SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT | I BENEFIT SHIELD MATCHES United 5 v. Riwaka 3. Huia 15 v. Upper Moutere 3. The Riwaka club’s team which has j held the enviable position of being un- ! beaten throughout this season's competitions, suffered defeat at the hands I of United in the Benefit Shield match played at Rugby Park on Saturday, by j the narrow margin of five points icon-] verted try) to three (penalty goal).] Both scores were registered in the first j spell. The game from start to finish was open and fast with both sets of backs giving bright passing displays, and on the whole, clean handling of the ball. In the second spell attack after attack was launched b}’ Riwaka in an effort to lake the lead, but these were invariably met by sound defensive and counter tactics on the part of United. The United team has been a force to be reckoned with in all competition games: but on a number of occasions seemed to lack the ability to successfully complete its well organised attacks. Day, a new player to the district, appeared in United’s ranks on Saturday, and the inclusion of this player in the full-back position has considerably strengthened the team. He is safe on defence, and has the happy knack of placing the ball in the right position to give his side the maximum amount of assistance. Ropata, who is also a new player in the team, acquitted himself well in the forwards. Early in the game United were penalised for off side in Riwaka’s territory, and Soane, who took the kick, kicked hard to place his side on the attack. Day returned the ball to touch and play eased to half way. For a scrum infringement United were again penalised and Soane goaled with a nice kick. Riwaka 3-0. United, with Lewis, Wratt and Ropata in evidence, swept up field to their opponents’ 25, and Reed relieved. A penalty kick to the attackers was taken by Lewis, following which a scrum was ordered. The ball was ; hooked to Halford who sent it on to jCarruthers who dived for the line, and | Riwaka forced down. The Riwaka forwards invaded, Evans | gaining a further twenty yards by finding touch. The call travelled to the | opposite end of the field at the hands of Ropata, Carruthers and Dennett, a j score being spoilt at the last moment by an infringement. | Ryder got nicely away and passed to Trewavas for Bourke to clear for j United. With Ryder again to the fore ! Riwaka set up a hot attack in their opponents’ 25, but solid tackling by the j defenders kept them out. Play eased to half way for Riwaka to be slowly pushed back into their own territory where a passing rush commenced by Dennett ended in this player scoring after Marshall had handled. Carruthers added the extra points. United, 5-3. From a line-out in United’s quarters Ryder passed to Young to Trewavas, but a knock on nullified a good opportunity to score. Just on the call of half time United reversed the position in a forward rush in which Ropata was prominent. On changing over Riwaka broke through, the ball being handled by Ryder, Soane and Ryder. From a lineout United secured and Wratt, Ropata and Bourke raced up field to place Riwaka on defence. Halford secured from a scrum and the United backs went into line, but solid tackling by the opposition caused play to ease to halfway. United were penalised for an infringement, and Dennett, obtaining from Soane’s kick, raced past several opponents and found the line in Riwaka’s 25. Ryder brothers combined and sent the ball to Young, Day relieving from a penalty kick. B. Fry returned with the ball and Riwaka renewed i their efforts, in which Reed, Trewavas, j and Young were conspicuous. At this juncture Riwaka swept I through in a series of short rushes in an attempt to break down the defence, but time and again they were repelled clever and determined defensive work on the part of United. A number of close calls had the defenders in difficulties from which they were invariably extricated by the full-back (Day). Until the final whistle Riwaka kept up the pressure with passing movements among the backs. The last being when Trewavas, Young, and Chapman took play to within five yards ] of the corner flag. A bright and interI esting game thus finished with the ; scores, United 5, Riwaka 3. Mr H. Hogan was the referee. SENIOR COMPETITION lIUIA DEFEAT MOUTERE j A wild “speculator” by Thompson, j following the opening exchanges, when I Huia were compelled to force, sent the J ball across the field to Forbes, who j cracked on the pace to score the first j try near the corner peg in the senior | match between Huia and Upper Mou- ! tere, played on No. 3 ground during the week-end. B. Fry’s kick just missed the posts. Huia 3-0. Moutere, led by Craig and Eggers, cleared well, but a knockon cut short the movement and, from the scrum, Heath passed to B. Fry, who ran past the opposing five-eighths and transferred to Boyce and Forbes. Instead, however, of passing infield. Forbes kicked over the line and Moutcre forced. Hutton was next conspicuous with a good piece of play and penetrated ca ep into Huia’s twenty-five where he was pushed into touch by Rangi, within a few yards of the goal line. Heath, with his dive passes, was giving good service from the base of the scrum, but the Moutere forwards broke up several thrusts. Eventually, a pass from Heath enabled Fry to bring the back

line into action. Pike and Boyce took up the running, for the latter to transfer to Newman and on to Hunt, who went over for a fine try after a scintillating effort. Fr yfailed to convert. Huia 6-0. The Moutere pack again took possession and with a series of short rushes kept Huia busily defending until Heath. Pike and Boyce reversed the position. Thompson effected a good save and the spell ended without further alteration in the points. Huia immediately attacked on resumption of play. Heath passed to Fry to Boyce who drew the opposition and transferred to G. Talbot to complete the rush. No goal. Huia 9-0. One of the highlights of the game followed when Hunt, from the lineout. centred. Heath got up in time to beat Moutere for the ball and passed to Pike, who shot the ball out to Boyce and ran round to regain possession and score a great try. Talbot made a good but unsuccessful attempt to pilot the ball over. Huia 12-0. Craig figured in a Moutere attack when he broke through to Huia territory. but faulty handling, which had been in evidence throughout, robbed them of success and Boyce cleared temporarily. Clouston kicked to a gap in the field, but the forwards overran the ball within striking distance and Heath placed Moutere on the defensive. Bullard and Forbes, with the ball at their toes, carried the play to the Moutere line where the latter scored a try. No goal. Huia 15-0. Moutere, playing with renewed vigour, swept through the opposition to Rangi (full back), who picked up the rolling ball to find touch like a veteran. Moutere kept up the pressure. From the line-out, Eggers secured and, after a smart bit of work, passed to Kennedy who transferred to Cx*aig to put the finishing touches on a bright movement. Frater failed to add the extra points. Moutere 3-15. Play ended with Huia attacking. Mr R. Proffitt was the referee. JUNIOR TRIAL GAME The junior representative team, which is to journey to Blenheim in quest of the Ryder Cup, was given a run on No. 2 ground on Saturday afternoon, when it defeated The Rest by 35 points (nine tries, four of which were converted) to six (two tries). Most of the representative side's points came from spectacular movements among the backs, which completely disorganised a rather weak opposition, although it made a belated recovery and scored two tries in succession at the close of the game. From the base of the scrum, Coppins sent Kenyon, Hawken and Smith away. The last-named kicked through and Cowin, following up smartly, gained the opening try which was converted. Lennox was the next to cross from a similar movement initiated by Coppins, in which Kenyon and Hawken handled. Coppins was successful with the shot at goal. Representatives 10—0. R. Cederman scored from a line-out and when Hawken finished off a bright passing bout, for Whelan ta convert. Representatives were 18 points up at half time. Changing over, The Rest made matters interesting until Johnston, at the head of a forward rush, touched down. He converted his own try. 23 —0. Kenyon and Lennox then combined for | Whelan to race through, but the kick at goal went outside the uprights. 26—0. Coppins was sending out snappy passes from the scrum and a concerted effort between Kenyon, Hawken and Johnston left the opposition standing. 29—0. Whelan and Leigh, with a try each, raised the total to 35 points. The Rest then staged a surprise and from a forward rush, Silcock broke away to score, Davies repeating the performance before the final whistle, with a victory for Representatives, 35—6. Mr H. Burrows controlled the match. THIRD GRADE HIGH SCHOOL DEFEAT UNITED High School played some of their best football to date to defeat United by 8 points (two tries, one converted) to three (a try). T. Hurley for School, gained the first try which was converted by N. Trewavas, and J. Hawken scored a try for United. The half-time points were:—School 5, United 3. Play continued evenly in the second session and it was anybody’s game until N. Trewavas. with a fine solo effort, ran through United to place the issue beyond doubt. Mr D. Askew refereed.