RUGBY FOOTBALL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17239, 21 April 1930, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WIN FOR ROVERS CLUB

FITZPATRICK CUP MATCH Playing at tlu 1 Wnoienga-a-hikii sports ground on Saturday the Rovers senior Rugby football team succeeded in defeating the Waiina seniors, from Tokomaru Bay, in the initial match for the Fitzpatrick Cup. There was not much combined play among the hacks on either side, but some exeellent forward work was seen by the considerable number of spectators. Both teams were a little “green," but they kept, the pace on well right to the finish. Revel’s won eventually by (j points to .‘l, Steele and E. Walters scoring a try each for the winners. As a result of the game, Rovers will hold the cup for the ensuing year, and will defend it next Easter.

In a junior match played at a cur-tain-raiser, the Waima team won by 8 points to 3 after a good keen game.

CELTIC V. NUHAKA . LOCAL JUNIORS WIN The attendance at the Oval on Saturday afternoon indicated a fair degree of interest in the junior game staged there between Celtic (Gisborne) and Nuhaka club teams. The home side won by 21 points to 11, having- a slight degree of superiority throughout the game, and showing more finish in their work near the goal-line. The visitors put up a line rally during the closing stages, but could not overcome the lead which prior to that point had been established by their opponents. Home nice passing among the backs was featured in the work of the winners, whose forwards, too, put up a good display. Opening with plenty of dash, the Celtic juniors got the ball in several scrums in succession, and carried play to their opponents’ quarter, three tries coming in fairly quick succession, Brady, Robinson and Aylward being responsible for the tries, while Aylward brought the Celtic score to 11 with a conversion of his own try. Nuhaka pulled themselves together, and managed to hold their opponents even for the .balance of the session, the half-tiihe interval limling them on the Celtic line and pressing dangerously.

Five more points were added to the Celtic score shortly after the interval, Brady touching down and Aylward converting the try, but with the score 16-0 against them, Nuhaka showed no signs of slackening. The visiting forwards now took a strong band in the game, and were able to give their backs more opportunities than tliev had had. A. Beckett made a great run through the centre of the defence, and sent Hughes over for Nuhnkn’s first try, and though Celtic restored their margin by means of a try scored by Robinson and con verted by Newton, Nuhaka were now going weil, and the home team was consistently pressed for some time. Beckett made another good run, and scored a prettv trv for Nuhaka, converting the try--himself, and later J. Pilmer gained the third of the visitors’ tries, touching down well out from the posts. The try was unconverted, and “no-side” found the scores as indicated abovo: Celtic 21. Nuhaka 11. The game was capably controlled by Mr. N. Tasker. MAORI TEAMS MEET

P.B. SIDE DEFEATS OPOTIKI A considerable amount of interest was shown by Opotiki people, in the match played there on Saturday between Maori teams from Poverty Bay and Opotiki respectively. The visitors proved just a little better than their hosts, winning by 18 to 12. Mr. L. Mclntosh refereed tbo match. The pace of the game was fast from start to finish, and as a trial for both teams must bo regarded as highly satisfactory. Over tlie last (punier of an hour, when the home team was endeavoring to eliminate Poverty Bay’s advantage, the players were as determined as in the first few minutes of play. Poverty Bay put the issue beyond doubt by means of a converted try just on time.