FOOTBALL FINAL

Opunake Times, 26 August 1932, Page 3

FOOTBALL FINAL

OKAIAWA AT LAST. GREAT GAME AT ELTHAM. By defeating Stratford at Eltham on Wednesday, to the tune of 18 points to 13, Okaiawa won the Taranaki Rugby football championship for the 1932 season From a spectators point of view it was probably the best exhibition of the code ever given at Eltham, the continual change of fortune keeping the large crowd on tip-toes, from whistle to whistle. Perfect weather conditions prevailed, and both teams, Okaiawa particularly, indulged in a titanic struggle in which forwards handled as well as backs, incident following incident, sensational and spectacular. General opinion was that Stratford team had the better pack while Okaiawa were depending on their back line, Edwards, Robinson, Johnston and Co. This was borne out until the interval, but jn the second half the southern forwards excelled themselves, out playing, out-rucking and outmanouevriug the Stratford pack. It was in this half that the spectators were treated to a splendid duel between J‘. Walters and Clarke, Potted goals seemed to become a habit for within the space of twelve minutes in the first half Grace, Sangster (Stratford) and I. Crawford (Okaiawa) had four points each to their credit.

The teams were — Stratford P. Collius; E. Grace, A. Collins, H. Taylor; T. J. Haughton, G‘. Sangster; C. Sangster; R. Young, P. Fastier, J. Walter; A. Robeon, R. Frydavj E. Walter, J. Young, R. Smith. Okaiawa: R. Murdoch; D. McCallum, G. Ngaia, C. Blair; D. Johnston, T. Robinson; G. Edwards; J. Awahou, J. Scott, R. Clarke: Ike, E. McCallum; R. Guy, I. Crawford, A. Preston. The Play. Stratford won the toss and decided to face the wind. Okaiawa attacked immediately but Collins sent them back. The game was being played at top speed, when Robinson suddenly cut through to send Ngaia over amid tremendous applause which died suddenly when the referee ordered a scrum. Okaiawa were hooking the ball with monotonous regularity, but the deadly tackling of the Stratford backs and their quick-breaking forwards, headed by Fryday and J. Walters were more than holding the snappy red back division. It was real football and the continual roar of the crowd showed their tense feeling of excitement. Suddenly the Stratford forwards smashed their way downfield in a glorious dribbling rush. The ball shot out to the backs where A. Collins and Haughton essayed pots at goal, neither making the ball rise. It was Grace’s turn next. He gathered in the leather and coolly snapped a beautiful goal amidst the tumultuous applause of the.northern supporters. Stratford 4 Okaiawa 0

This was the signal for action on the part of Okaiawa, Edwards setting his backs in motion time and again but the defence held. Ngaia and Robinson cut through only to lose possession over the line. The ball was just trickling into touch in goal as Preston, coming up fast, dived over to touch down for a great try. I. Crawford raised the flags with a wonderful kick from the sideline.

Okaiawa 5 Stratford 4 Fryday, Walters and Co. were working hard but sound line kicking by Blair kept them out. The ball came out to G. Sangster who put his team in the lead with a snap drop kick, the ball sailing clean between the uprights. Stratford 8 Okaiawa 5 The dying of the applause, however, was merely momentary for from the kick-oif, Okaiawa headed downfield. Collins, the full-back, fielded a high ball but failed to find touch. I. Crawford gathered in and from a few yards within half-way, registered the third and best field-goal of the day. The Red supporters showed their delight in no uncertain manner.

Okaiawa 9 Stratford 8 Okaiawa’a backs then settled down, and throwing the ball about with delightful abandon, handlin'? perfectly and running hard and straight, they taxed the defence to the utmost. P. Collins failed to hold the ball near his own line, and R. Young, who was off-side, hesitated and a certain score being iminent, he kicked the ball. Although he was penalised it was the best M v JMdo under the circum- / being questionable a penalty try would result. However, the referee ruled off-side and with a well-judged kick, I. Crawford put Okaiawa further in the lead. Okaiawa 12 Stratford 8 'VEven play was witnessed until of half time shortly mrwards. « Okaiawa All the Way. r llie second half found Okaiawa playing even better football than in the first spell. Guy dribbled downfield and Edwards sent Johnson going on the blind. A knock-on spoilt the movement. From the scrum Edwards sent out a lob pass to Blair who bolted to go over at the corner. Crawford’s attempt went wide. Okaiawa 15 Stratford 8

Stratford backs swung into action on resuming but that they lacked .the penetrating ability of tbe opposition was clearly demonstrated when a few minutes later the red rear-guard set sail and working with machine-like precision carried play deep down into the Stratford territory. A. Collins cleared, but the Okajawa forwards played us if possessed and gradually worked downfield, Stratford supporters got a thrill as E. Walter sailed down the touch line but McCallum overhauled him, the ball flying over the line where Clarke just beat Fryday for the touch down. The pace was terrific and for sheer defensive play neither team was putting a foot wrong. Ngaia retired with an injured shoulder. During his absence McCallum lined near the corner flag and from the line-out J. Walter secured, bullocked his way into position and handed on to Robson who dived over at the corner. A. Collins’ kick was a beauty. Okaiawui 15 Stratford 13 Raugi Ruru replaced Ngaia, McCallum going in to second five-eighths, the newcomer playing on tbe wing. Stratford were all out to win but every effort proved in vain. Robinson endeavoured to join the party of drop-kick artists but his attempt was a failure the ball screwing out at the corner flag. Okaiawa pressed and from v an ensuing scrum Edwards sent the leather, via Robinson and Johnston, to McCallum who side-stepped, swerved and forced his way over for a great try between the posts. I. Crawford missed a sitter. Okaiawa 18 Stratford 13

Ten minutes to go. Both sides were flat out but amazing tackling permitted little latitude. The junior full-back. P. Collins, was playing admirably well. The battling forwards were a treat to watch. Excitement ran high. Stratford attacked like demons, only to be sent back by a counter attack. Okaiawa supporters were yearning for time to sound and when the bell did ring a few minutes later there were many astonishing scenes of unprecedented enthusiasm. Okaiawa had won, and fully deserved the final score of— Okaiawa 18 Stratford 13 Mr. J. S. King handled a hard game excellently.