THE LEAGUE CODE

Opunake Times, 17 August 1948, Page 4

THE LEAGUE CODE

CLEN ORA'S SUCCESS 6TJTSTANDING WINGER Fine understanding and penetration among the backs and an outstanding display of wing play bv Elshaw, who scored 5 runaway tries, gave the youthful Glen Ora (Auckland) team a comfortable win over Opunake by '29 points to 15 at the recreation ground on Saturday, although the game was much more even than the score indicated. The heavier Opunake pack worked splendidly and went close to scoring on several occasions, while Pope, who played a vigorous game, crossed twice in a few minutes, but the referee ruled a five yard scrum. Glen Ora's ability to turn defence into attack and to take full advantage of possession was a lesson to local players, two of Elshaw's tries being scored -after sprints from his own 25, another from half-way and a fourth, just inside half. 'Although the tackling was not good, his speed and purposeful fend .would have troubled much more seasoned players. Opunake backs took a tip from the visitors and also attempted to open up play, but although their movements lacked cohesion and passing was inclined to be wild at times, it was evident that with coaching the team would improve immeasurably. It was a good game, fast and exciting and the large crowd gave full encouragement throughout. The Came The teams were: Glen Ora (Blue and White): Alp; Sharp, Malam, Elshaw; R. Batly, J. Batly; Wright, Colquhoun ; Marshall, Schwamm; Roper, Walters, Rainey. Opunake (Yellow and Black): J. Ratahi; Pope, S.. Holiaia, T. Ratahi; K. Ratahi, Mitchell; Tamatea; A.Lewis; B.Lewis, Stewart; Luke. Potts, De Castro. Mr. D. Lewis was referee. Glen Ora attacked first to open the scoring when Mitchell's kick hit a visiting player and rebounded ever the line, Rainey beating Tamatea in the scramble for the elusive ball, to score. Alp converted. Maintaining the advantage Glen Ora forced to Opunake's 25 Avhere from a scrum "Wright sent to J., Batly who beat the defence bndlv to score a good, try, R. Batly goaled. Stung by the reverse Opunake forwards drove 50 yards to the line where A. Lewis crossed after a determined effort. Mitchell converted. A wild long pass by a local back gave Fdshaw his first chance, the winger fielding near half way to fend.off a tackle and outpace the defence to score wide out. The kick failed and half time arrived with the score Glen Ora 13, Opunake 5. Lowe replaced J. Ratahi at full-back. Opunake. played with renewed vigour early in this spell Luke and Pope exchanging passes to penetrate deep into Glen Ora's 25, Pope twice carrying tacklers across the line to be recalled for scrums. Finally their, efforts were rewarded, A. Lewis passing to Luke who scored. S. Holiaia converted. Opunake were | still battling on the visitors line, until Malam kicked through and Elshan scooped up on the 25, fended off two tacklers and beat the full-back to score another fine try. Alp goaled. Soon after Glen Ora opened from a scrum on. their own 25, the ball travelling out tp Elshaw who raced 50 yards for a typical try. The kick failed. Lowe fielded a high . kick but failed to line oh Elshaw's side, the pacy winger fielding the hall, at top to clear away under the posts. The kick failed. Another bright back movement by the visitors broke down temporarily when a pass was dropped but the versatile Elshaw came inside to nick up cleanly and race over for his fifth try, scored between the posts. Rainey converted. Holiaia intercepted to start a fine Opu-, nake attack in which A. Lewis, Tamatea and Luke handled for the latter to score. A. Lewis goaled. Tamatea Was 1 nearly over soon after and Opunake kept up the pressure but the defence held and the game ended v Glen Ora 20, Opunake 15. Among the Opunake backs, Pope and Stan Hohaia were always prominent, while A. Lewis, 1 Potts and Luke led a good even pack. Reserves Good Win The Reserves played above themselves to claim a fine win by 18 points to 0 against Glen Ora (Continued foot of next column)

4ths, and also benefitted by the open style of play of the visitors.: Glen Ora scored first when hesitation among the local backs allowed Sharp to snap up and, score. A good back movement saw the Glen Ora winger reverse, pass to Hensley who scored. Opunake took a turn on attack when B. McCullum fielded and raced through, his pass going, astray, but A. McCullum secured; and beat the defence to score. j. _ In the second half Maindonaid, fielded outside the 25 and racedoyer for Eatahi to goal. ..Eatahi figured when he intercepted io i take play to Glen Ora's line where from a scrum, Markham sent to Crofskev who went ; straight through for a good try which Itatalii converted. C'rofskey scored again soon after when he anticipated a quick heel near t]\e line and beat the derj fence to the force, a good game ending in Opunake favour 18-6. Mr. D. Lewis was referee.