TEAMS IN THE LAST LAP

NZ Truth, Issue 1126, 30 June 1927, Page 12

TEAMS IN THE LAST LAP

; (prom "N.Z. Truth's" New Plymouth Representative.) Saturday meant good-bye for Tukapa, Old Boys, Hawera and Patea, leaving the decision between Stratford and Star m. the north and Okaiawa, Opunake and Kaponga m the south.

CTRATFORD and Opunake look like " fighting out the provincial championship. . Opunake's line, has not yet been crossed m eight matches, showing that their defence is sound. Their attack, too, is improving, as they crossed Hawera's line five times, mostly after brilliant passing rushes. Charlie Ho'haia is a success at second five-eighths and so is his brother at centre Smith used his pace to advantage. T. Robinson, the Opunake full-back, has only to go on to reach the reps. Graham, Lusk and Brooker are a trio of great, .forwards.- •:. Dick O'Rourke, as. rover,- plays as well as ever. Alfie Nicol showed glimpses of his old form, but hot very often. The Robinson brothers were tireless. The Hawera backs are all young and show/ a lot of promise. Young Gargan's inclusion has improved the Kaponga attack '; out of all knowlJflgeJ Patea went down with flying colors; they sadly missed "Wells and Murphy. Alec. Guy, who has scored. in nearly every match, dropped a great goal that gave Kaponga a victory by 7. t0 3. He is determined to cross Opunake's line next Saturday. Cooper, the Patea full, never made a mistake; but .for him, the defeat could have been heavier. Kaponga forwards are a fast and hefty lot with stacks of ginger. Okaiawa beat Waimate, but, they will have to go better if they wish to hold off either Opunake, Patea or Kaponga, as Waimate were mostly, Juniora.

Dave Johnson has not quite recovered and is a spectator. S.tratford carried too many guns for Tukapa, whom they overwhelmed by 4 tries to a penalty goal. "Tubby" Owen made some great openings for Stratford, whose backs have improved 100 per cent. Roy Penniall is m his right place as wing three-quarter. He scored two good tries.. Wynyard is now giving it a go and should score some tries. Fryday made the game too willing on one occasion when he came into contact with Petty. The crowd went very sour, demanding that he be put off. Stratford forwards played like one man and their backs are a great, help. It is hard to see them beaten. Qlivcr had a day off and so had Bullehden. Newell should have scored hud he run for the corner instead of trying to beat six men. •Jeffries played his last game for Tukapa. The Taranaki half leaves for Auckland this week. Old Boys received a surprise at Inglewood. They led early by 11 points to 3, but the country boys then put it all over them and drew. Dinniss and Brown were outstanding for Old Boys. The former scored a corking try. Gudgeon, the* Inglewood half, and N. Ross, who scored three tries, stood out for Inglewood. Star rattled up 17 points m as many minutes against Eltham, but then died right away. Falwasscr ia back to his top form and should bo "seen out ajraJjist Ws&--lingtou next jreek. __