RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opunake Times, 29 July 1947, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ELTHAM’S CLOSE WIN OPUNAKE’S FINE GAME Playing its best game of the season, Opunake fully extended Eltham on Saturday in a fast evenly contested game at the recreation ground. Eltham won by 8 points to 3. Shaded only in hooking Opunake matched El* tham in every other department, devastating loose forward drives and generally good tackling being a pleasing feature of the team’s play. It might be said that wrong tactics alone cost Opunake the game. Had the backs elected to play closer up on Eltham’s rearguard, once it was realized that the forwards were being- consistently outhooked, Hickey may have been able to cope more successfully with the tricky Cameron, who paved the way for both tries secured by the visitors. Elgar, despite thoughtless criticism, was probably one of the best of the local backs on the day, while McCandlish tackled resolutely at full-back. Riley and Robson were both resourceful and played consistent* ly throughout. The forwards played as one man right up till the" final whistle, never letting un at any stage. Dudley, and Holmes led six other hones! forwards, while Stan Hohaia, who only played for a short spell, made one of the most brilliant openings seen for some time and Riley capped off the movement with a particularly determined try. It was an excellent game, full of incident,, and kept the spectators on their toes throughout. The Came The teams were: Eltham (black and white): R. Cameron; Parkes, Campbell, A. Muller; Murray, W. Cameron; Sykes; Taylor, Horrocks, McGonagle; Trask, Carlson, Rowlands, J. Muller; McKenzie. Opunake (green): McCandlish; Riley, Drought, Fox; Elgar, Hickey; Robson; McGreg* or, Stevenson, Sid Hohaia; Bennett, Stanley. Holmes, Dudley; Mourie. Opunake attacked early and Hickey missed a difficult penalty. Eltham retaliated, the forwards driving to Opunake’s 25 where Cameron narrowly missed with a field goal. Soon after from a scrum Sykes fed to Cameron, who made a characteristic blind-side dash before sending A. Muller over in the corner. Opunake bustled the Eltham defence to drive into black territory where Hickey again missed a hard chance. Drought and Elgar figured in a dangerous passing movement and almost immediately afterwards Murray fielded and beat the defence with a strong run but was well tackled by McCandlish, Eltham were outhooking their opponents, but solid tackling kept the backs at bay. Just before half-time Mourie fell beneath both packs and suffered a fractured collarbone. He was replaced by Stan Hohaia. Half time Eltham 3, Opunake 0.

Opimake pounded the visitor’s defence from the opening of the new half and went within an ace of scoring. Strong forward drives which swept play from one end of the field to the other drew repeated encouragement from the crowd until Sykes secured from a scrum in green territory and fed to Cameron, who flashed past Hickey before transfering to Murray. He returned the pass and Cameron crossed near the posts for a fine try. He converted his own try. Elgar fielded and heat two men but sent a_ wild pass to Riley. Shortly afterwards Drought figured in a good run before sending to Riley who just missed scoring. Play seesawed for some time with Eltham holding a slight advantage, until Stan Hohaia, fielding the hall at top speed near halfway, made a spectacular run before Elgar, to Riley who burst through a tackle to score wide out. The crowd roared its appreciation. Opunake were still attacking when time was called with the score Eltham 8, Opunake 3. Mr. J. Win grove was referee. Junior Results and Points There were no surprises in the junior competition this week the improving Rahotu team forced a draw with Pihama. Pungarehn outclassed Oaonui by 19 points to 0, while Okato improved its position with a win against Auroa,

Results with competition points in the Coastal Junior grade are as follows: Puugarehu 19 v. Oaonui 0; Piliama 6 v. Rahotu 6; Okatp 9

Fifth Grade O.D.H.S. emerged winners of this competition with 4 points lead over Opuuake. The team nlayed bright open football throughout the series and thoroughly deserved its success. The curtain-raiser between Opunake and Puugarehu 5tH T s was won by Opunake by 17 mints to. nil. Crofskey scored 3 tries, Coupe and B. McCullum one each and W. Baylis converted one try. Mr. M. Dudley was referee. Saturday’s results with the final competition points were: Opunake 17 v. Puugarehu 0 ; O.D.H.S. 21 v. Piliama 14.

REP. HONOURS FOX GAINS PLACE K. Fox Opunake winder has been selected to represent Taranaki in the match against Manawatu on August 9th. R. Riley the other local winger has also been selected to represent South Taranaki colts for the game against North Colts. B. He Castro ex-Opunake centre gained a place in this team and I. Stevenson has been chosen as an emergency. The Taranaki B team also includes R. Bennett as an emergency.

v. Auroa G. Team P AY L D Pts Pungarelm 10 T 2 1 15 ()mmake 10 G 2 2 14 Pihama 10 5 3 2 12 Okato 10 5 5 10 llahotu 11 4 5 2 10 Oaonui 10 3 5 2 8 Auroa 11 — 8 3 3

Tea in W L D Pts O.D.H.S. 9 2 1 19 Opimake 7 4 1 15 Pixngarehu 4 7 1 9 Piliama 9 9 1 5