RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13857, 16 May 1938, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

BUSH UNION GAMES RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Pahiatua 3, drew with Konini 3, played at Pahiatua. Mangatainoka 14, beat Nireaha nil, plaved at Nireaha. Hairaia 15, beat Marima 9, played at Marima. Hukanui 13, beat Eketahuna Old Roys nil, played at Eketahuna. THIRD GRADE. Mangatainoka 8, beat Hukanui nil. (Tries by Howell and Reichenbaoh, one converted by Bicknell). Eketahuna Old Boys 3, drew with Nireaha 3. SENIOR TABLE.

KONINI AND PAHIATUA DRAW

The clash between Pahiatua ami Konini. the only game played in Pahiatua was very disappointing as .in exhibition of Rugby and it v-as not until the dying stages of the game that the spectators worked up any enthusiasm for the match. Konini fielded a solid pack and. they gar? the light Pahiatua forwards their first real taste of senior grade !<>otball. jjacking well and co-operating better than Pahiatua in forward rushes Pahiatua’s scrummage work was elementary—the scrums badly balanced and broken up too quickly. Too much screwing wa? noticeable and the back iankers were not heeling the ball back. Time and again the ball came out the side of the scrum reininisc-ent of the Springbok style only the passage was painfully slow. In both instances the halfbacks were badly served in this respect and repeatedly had to risk penalties by pulling it dear of tb'> back row men. Harris played a very sound game for Konini and can be thanked lor Ins flawless defence. None of the 1 Pahiatua inside backs impressed particularly. and Buster Alurch was practically starved all day Pahiatua left their nin until too late in the day and when at least they pot some ginger into theii forward work they could not make the grade. The teams were as under :—■

Konini (red and blue) : Craig, X Mabey. Barra dough, Hirst, Harris, Berry, Keene, T. Verrv, A. Verry Jensen, R. Mabey, Sargisson, D Stone, J. Mabey and R. Henderson

Pahiatua (green and black) : C >rkill, Tataurangi, Murch Smith. Mills. Keltic, Kershaw, Blackett. Jensen, Marshall, Vile. Kershaw, B. Fowke, Mackay-and Goss. The greens kicked off and Konini returned play to their 25 where the attackers were penalised, Pahiatua clearing. Konini continued to press and in a desperate attempt to dear Pahiatua infringed and from the resultant penalty Henderson hoisted three points for Konini—Konini J. Pahiatua nil. The green forwards got the ball back to Keltie who tried to open up play but his passes were lobbed up too high and when Alii Is was given possession the reds were soon around him. The Konini backs got under way and Berry, Harris and Barradough raced away ip turn the last named electing to jp'iiT ahead for the line where Gorkill secured and found touch nicely. The Pahiatua rearguard underwent a change at this stage, AT. Kershaw going* in to his usual position behind the serum and Keltie going, out to second fiveeighths. AI. Kershaw figured in two promising green attacks but the first broke down owing to the backs being out of position. A try was jusr averted on the second occasion when Craig raced back to force down in the teeth, of a hot forward rush. Feeble attempts to get the ball out to Murch who was having a cold time on the wing resulted in the Konini forwards breaking through and forcing Pahiatua to give ground. The ball was booted down towards tin' green 25 where Tataurangi sped back and retrieved it in good style. He turned round cleverly and set sail down the touch for the Konini line. Craig did little' to stay the run and the Maori boy sped on to the red line touching down for a good try. Cork ill failed to convert—Pahiatua J, Konini 3.

There was no change in the scot** when half-time was calied.

Murch was playing centre for the greens when they resumed and Craig had gone in from fullback to the Konini right wing. Konini pressed hard in midfield and Craig followed up fast to snap in a loose kick, being clear of the field A try looked n certainty a« Craig had a good sixyard break on everyone. Murch had sensed the move however and out across field in, a tangent to overhaul Craig some five yards short of the Pahiatua line. Pahiatua repeafotTYv threw the hall about among their backs but their handling was faulty n.nd several times spelled danger from the Konini forwards. Mis-fielding by Henderson enabled Pahiatua to make their first expedition into the red 25 in this spell, and AT. Kershaw sent up a high kick which Harris gathered in over the line and touched down just as Kershaw* raced up to overwhelm him There had been r-otliing between either side at tlds stage, but

the Konini forwards began to asseit themselves and broke through time and again, penetrating veil flow line out formation Twice Konini were penalised and this got Pahiatua out. of tight pinches Murch secured the ball irom loose plas deep in Paliiatua’s territory and edged past a knot of led forwards He tended ( raig off brilliantly and sprinted ten* the red line. Henderson moved in towards the touch line and dived at Alurch as he came to him pushing the speed merchant out of tout h—a good move which undoubtedly saved a try Play veered acioss tC» the other wing where Afureh made another effort to get through but could not get into his stride. Pahiatua <-aine ngair and Harris stepped into the breach with a good smothering effoit which held •off the green forwards Time was almost up and the Pahiatua forwards made every effort to find a weak spot in the Konini defence bu* th-'v, met a stubborn defence* and wer» unable to secure a winning scoie. the gam.' ending with both sides on terms and the score still three- all. Air W 7. Udy refereed

IN OTHER CENTRES. Auckland.—Grafton 9, Alarist 6; Ponsonbv 28, Manuknu 5; North Shore 9, Otahuhu 6; Grammar 14. University 6 Christchurch.—Sydenham 23, Albion 3; Sunny side 18. Technical Old Boys 8 ; Old Boys 25, Athletic 3: Air Force 3, Aferivale 0; Linwood 16, Christchurch 6. Dunedin.—University A 11. Taieri 3; Pirates 6, Dunedin 3; Kaikorai 19, Union 6: Zingari 6, Alhambra 3; Southern 43, University B 0. Wellington.—First Division: Poneke 10, Petone 3; Athletic 20, Johnsonville 8; AYellington 14, Alarist Brothers Old Boys 14 . Hutt 14. College Old Boys 6. Second division: Wellington 12, Eastbourne 7 ; University 30, Athletic 0; St. Patrick’* Old Boys 9, Oriental 5; Miramar 8, Pirates 6

rp o A 3a g & 5 Mangatainoka ... 2 2 0 0 4 Hukanui 2 2 0 0 Pahiatua 2 i 1 0 3 Hamua 2 i 1 0 3 Nireaha 2 0 1 1 i 2 0 1 1 i Marima 2 0 0 2 <t Eketahuna O.B. 2 0 0 2 0 THIRD GRADE LADDER. T5 e6 O A cS. ■i ■=3 s a -4 Mangatainoka ... 2 2 0 0 4 Eketahuna O.B. 2 1 1 i 0 l 0 1 Pahiatua i 0 o 1 0 UuEanui > 0 0 2