THE RUGBY GAME

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11483, 30 June 1930, Page 5

THE RUGBY GAME

BUSH UNION COMPETITIONS RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIOR. Star 9 v. Konini 9. Alfredton 8 v. Eketahuna 5. Athletic a bye. JUNIOR. Athletic 3 v. K ait aw a 0. Nireaiia 9 v. Star 0. FOURTH GRADE. Pabiatua District High School 29 v. Eketahuna High School 0. There was fine weather on Saturday tor the continuation of the ABush Rugby Union’s competitions. *wThe fact that Konini drew with Star gives Athletic a commanding lead of three points in the senior championship, th© table now being as follows: SENIOR. i i I C to MI ° ai -*>"•; a a a .? o S'3 'o S' st a Ph pl, zj

Eketaliuna and Athletic.each won a game by default.

JUNIOR.

Plenty of thrills were provided by tlie meeting of Star and Konini on the Recreation Ground. Both sides were hard put to it to field a full complement, especially Star and a very late start was made. The shortage was among the backs and Mahoney, Otto Sievers, Gordon Mabey, Dranslield and McKenna (all or them forwards) figured in the rearguards, and strange to say, figured surprisingly well, the game, from the first whistle to the last, was played at a very fast pace and there was no let-up on either side. Star, unquestionably, were the superior side. They had by far the greater share of attack, and scored three tries to three penalties kicked by Pat Herbert for Konini. The Star forwards were a dashing lot, with Bartosh, tlie two Coopers, Smith and Gustoffeson always prominent. Probably the best back on the ground was Gordon Mabey. He Was m the thick of everything, *liandled perfectly, and where the ball was so was lie. McKenna behind the scrum a.so went well and Horace (Volland made the most of his few opportunities. Sargisson, Feasey, T. Rutherrord and Piper went well in the Konini pack but the honours of the side must go to Harold Reeves, the full-back. He made very few mistakes and his kicking was amazing. The power of it reminded one of All Black Nepia. It was Reeves’ initiative, too, that brought about a draw for Konini right on the call of time. The teams were: Konini (blue and red): H. Reeves, E. Hirst, R. Hirst, L. Dransfield: P. Herbert (1), A. Mahoney (2) ; B. Herbert; Sargisson, Bishop, Feasey, Thompson, T. Rutherford, Burgess, G. Smith and Piper. Star (maroon): Olliver; P. (Volin nd. G. Mabey. H. Wolland; O. Sievers (I'. B. Udy (2); C. McKenna; Small. Bartosh, H. Cooper, Gustoffson. Smith, C. Wolland, G. Woods, and L. Cooper. Konini kicked off from tlie south end and Eric Hirst let his backs have it, Star smothering the move on the wing. Konini were awarded a free kick in a handy position and Pat Herbert landed a goal: Konini 3 Star 0 For Star, Udy tried a penalty shot at half-way but the ball hit the man on the mark. Bartosh picked up and dashed through well. He slung a pass over his shoulder but Udy failed to accept it and a good chance was lost. Star backs opened up twice but this time Gordon Mabey dropped the pass. A little later Mabey picked up and dashed through, breaking past several tacklers, but Harold Reeves brought him down well. Horace Wolland tried to get over at the corner hut was pushed out and a free-kick brought relief, Reeves lining past half-way with a brilliant kick. Another terrific kick by Reeves gained fifty yards and Konini were pressing, Horace Wolland just forcing down in time. From the drop-out Udy worked the open side cleverly with Mabey and play went to tlie Konini 25. Ernie Small dribbled through •strongly and tackled Reeves as the full-back was compelled to run over and force down. Eric Herbert marked at the feet of a Star footrush and lined thirty yards down. Smith started a splendid Star footrush which nearly bore fruit, off-side •spoiling it at the critical moment. Bartosh made a break and Charlie McKenna carried on but passed for-

waids heeied and it went out to warul Er° back through a gap nVL *£° m - tht ; scrum the Star forlu “e Konini defence. He ran right Ti th ? lme "here the defence held. bXfl j° rW ? r ? s P a °ked round and heeled out to Charlie McKenna, at trait who saw his chance on the hlind side and raced round to score with no one to stop him. Udy missed a handy kick:

Konini •> Star 3 A wonderful clearing kick hy Reeves saw Olliver mull and the ball lolled out seventy yards down. Mabey went very close with a quick pot at goal which touched a plavfi r vm flight ; Perc y Wolland libbled to past half-way where he Kicked into Reeves’ arms and the Konini full-back drove the attackers ■i 1- ' penalty to Konini on the side-line at half-way saw Reeves go tairly close with a mighty dropkick. Piper and Burgess showed up m a Konini forward rush. There uas a mix-up in midfield with boots dying rather indiscriminately. The whistle went for an infringement and as Bartosh rose from the ground capped everything by giving Mahoney a good kick upon that part which he usually sits upon Even Mahoney had to appreciate the humour of the piece. A penalty to Star saw Gordon Mabey’s shot carry low and Feasey cleared. Half-time came with the score still even at: Konini a Star a

Star pressed on resuming and Ko--111111 forced. Udy kicked and followed up, charging down the return uut Konini held L. Cooper up as he and McKenna tried to battle over. Otto Sievers was making off when Pat Herbert brought him down. Olliver missed with a left-foot “pot” rrom the side-line. Star rushed down and as L. Cooper was diving over the ball shot out of his arms and Konini forced. Star were not to be denied and they swept through the Konmi defence with ball" at toe. Gustoffesen picked up and hurled himself across for a determined try beneath the posts. Mahoney charged down H. Cooper’s kick: Star 6 Konini 3 Konini attacked at once and Star were penalised. Pat Herbert again kicked a good goal from a handy position to bring the scores level: Star 6 Konini 6

This spurred Star again and tlie backs opened, Horace Wolland makmg a great, dash along the line where he passed infield and the ball hit the reieree. Away went Wolland on another dangerous rush for the coiner. Pat Herbert intercepted to clear momentarily. Udy passed to Mabey who cut in and passed to Olliver on the wing. The latter only had to go resolutely to score but he passed m instead and Konini managed to force. Smith took a penalty for Star but the distance was too great. Star broke through again but Reeves and Bishop cleared to half-way and Erie Herbert gained more ground wheen he kicked out at the red 25. Reeves missed with a long “pot” at goal and Mabey ran clear. Mahoney kicked out right in the Star corner and Konini were pressing. Gustoffeson, Bartosh and Horace Wolland, however. dribbled clear to past their 25 line. Udy was laid out with a kick on the leg but soon carried on. The Konini backs got going with a likely attack but Mabey cleared and. Moods kicked on down to the Konini end where Reeves sent them back. Udy put Star once more on the attack, Mahoney marking well. Smith missed a long penalty for Star and Horace Wolland made another unsuccessful break for the corner. Bartosh opened out to his backs and Sievers burst through. He and Udy were grabbed and McKenna met the same fate as he tried twice to dive through, Konini forcing. "With less than two minutes to go, Konini bad tlie opposition in midfield but Star were not done yet. Percy Wolland at full-back centred and Gordon Mabey chased after it and kicked through to the corner. The reds swarmed onto it but it was left to Mabey to pick up and dive through a badly-bustled defence to score a fine try. Udy had no luck with the kick: Star 9 Konini 6

Time was nearly up and it appeared to be “ail over bar shouting.” Even the Star team thought that but not so Harold Reeves the Ko*nini full-back. Fielding the ball near half-way in midfield, instead of doing the orthodox he elected to give 11 a go himself. As several tacklers rushed down on him he eluded them smartly by racing out round and tearing down the right-hand sideline. He burst past several of the opposition and when he saw be could go no further he centred infield with a terrific high punt. The ball came down in front of the Star goalmouth and Konini were onto it .to a man almost. Desperately Star rallied round and in the excitement of 1 the moment a defender went down on the ball and hung on too long. He was penalised and there was a cheer from the Konini supporters. There was not a sound as Pat Herbert went to take bis third kick from close in under the posts. Straight as an arrow he sent the leather over the bar and the referee blew his whistle to end a most excitin<> game which Konini had turned dramatically into a draw, the final score being:

Star Konini Mr E. Matson refereed

Atliletio .... 6 0 1 !)0 22 13* &tar 4 i 2 73 39 10 Alfredton ... 3 3 1 51 49 konini 9 4 2 53 83 6 kketahu 11a 2 4 2 29 36 6*

.Nireaha -5 0 2 73 33 12 Athletic 2 b4 33 12 Star 1 6 0 34 72 2 Kaitawa 1 6 0 17 30 2* * Kaitawa won a game by default.