FOOTBALL

Northland Age, Volume 15, Issue 33, 23 May 1946, Page 5

FOOTBALL

Kaitaia Scores Against Herekino Herekino United lost their first match this season when they were uefeated by Kaitaia after a closelycontested game with the result in doubt until the final whistle. Kaitaia fielded the best team at its command and was lucky to win. Kiwi United staved off a strong challenge from Rangaunu Bay to win in the last five minutes with a try, the only points scored. Kiwi United now lead on the Championship ladder by one point from Herekino United, with Kaitaia in third place another point behind. Awanui confirmed last week’s form to win a narrow victory over Rarawa. These two teams and Rangaunu Bay are equal with three points each, only three points behind the leader. W hat an even competition this season’s championship is proving to be ; no team apparently can be certain of victory in any match they undertake. In the Junior competition, Te Kao continued winning in no uncertain manner. Next Saturday they meet the only other undefeated team, Kiwi United, w r ho shared the honours with Te Kao last year as the season’s champions. The two Kaitaia teams met, and a scoreless draw resulted, a tribute to the even selection by the two coaches, Mr. Yendell (Old Boys) and Mr. Hart (City) at the commencement of the season. For the first time in five years, the Third Grade competition for the Trigg Memorial Shield was revived last Saturday, and on the interest shown is going to prove extremely popular. High School, who have held the trophy on a challenge system for some years owing to the lack of competition, had the bye on Saturday. RESULTS Senior Kiwi United 3, Rangaunu Bay 0. Kaitaia 6, Herekino United 3. Awanui 5, Rarawa 3. Junior Te Kao 21, Paparore 3. Old Boys 0, City 0. Kiwi United 8, Awanui 5. Rarawa 13, Herekino United 5. Third Grade Kaitaia Greyhounds 13, Kiwi United 3 Rarawa 18, Awanui 3. Herekino United v. Kaitaia Played on the h«gh, d.y field at Herekino, this game was somewhat disappointing. True, both sets of forwards showed plenty of dash and vigour, with the play often alternately moving fast up and down the field, but the backs showed only a limited amount of combination with so many chances at their disposal. Herekino were unlucky to lose their star back, Bobby Murray, in the first few minutes. He retired with a shoulder injury hurt from the previous Saturday. Archie Dysart, a former rep player, replaced Murray but was obviously out of form. At the interval Herekino led by 3 points to 0, a try well out by Sid Puku on the wing after a most determined onslaught by both forwards and backs against stubborn resistance. With a following wind in their favour, the lead did not" appear enough. However, the wind was much more moderate during the second half and with Herekino winning most of the ball from the scrums and their fair share from the tight (due in no small way to L. Tatana’s hooking and Ted Reid's outstanding all-round display) Kaitaia found the going tough. About half-way through the spell Varley Flinn, Kaitaia’s captain, evened the scores with, a penalty from close jange. Shortly afterwards, Flinn scored a try which proved to be the winning points. Play was just over Herekino’s half-way line when E. Wright, in attempting to field the ball, knocked on. The infringement was apparently missed by the referee and Flinn secured to punt, a long and high kick, to follow through and outpace the opposition to dive on the ball beyond the uprights. It was an excellent solo try, marred only by the obvious infringement. Flinn’s successful conversion was disallowed, the ball failing to touch the ground before being kicked. Herekino came within an ace of scoring right on time when Kaitaia’s fullback, Hoskin, just touched down in time. Mr. N. Wilkinson was referee. In the Kaitaia forwards, Leo Sloane made a welcome re-appear-ance, and showed much of the form that earned him rep honours in the pre-war days. Keith Werner and Whitefield worked hard throughout, while Bindon though only light is an asset. Clarrie Wright was hurt early in the game and was not so prominent as usual. Among the backs, Max Werner played his first game this season. Varley Flinn proved a match winner, while Clarrie Hoskin often got his team out of difficulties at fullback. The Herekino pack, though not as experienced as their pakeha oppon-

ents, were in no way inferior. They were fitter, and capably led by Dysart, Tatana and Ted Reid, who must be one first forwards considered foiyrep. houors this season. Hi-V T 'nyrl a sound game at half back, whileANan Heta showed flashes of brilliance with %is undoubted pace. Murray gave a very jmeditable display at fullback. f Oid Boys v. City In a fast open junior grade game at the A. and P. Showgrounds on Saturday, Old Boys drew with City 0-0. Play ranged from one end of the field to the other with the Old Boys backs throwing the ball around in good style. It was only the sound defence of City that kept them from scoring several times. Old Boys won the majority of scrums and lineouts but hard tackling stopped most of the promising movements. Once again J. Mason at fullback for Old Boys was the outstanding player. His handling, kicking and positional play was superb. Third Grade Match The manner in which the Kaitaia 3rd. Grade team turned out on Saturday was favourably commented on by all present, and reflected credit on the team’s manager, Mr. Norman Boyd. Every member of the team was outfitted alike in white shorts and blue jerseys with black and white stripes, with numbers on the back. The old rugby saying, “if you’re not a good player you can at least look like one” was contradicted, as the team defeated Kiwi by 13 to 3. Tries were scored by Atkins, Rule and Roughsedge, and Northwood converted two of these. THE DRAW The following is 1 the draw for the fifth series of matches in the Mangonui Rugby Union Championship. The matches will be played on the home grounds of the teams mentioned first: Senior Rangaunu Bay v. Rarawa. Kaitaia v. Awanui. Kiwi v. Herekino. Junior Paparore v. City. Herekino v. Old Boys. Kiwi v. Te Kao. Rarawa v. Awanui. Third Grade Rarawa v. High School. Kaitaia v. Awanui. Kiwi a bye.