COUNTRY RUGBY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19314, 3 May 1937, Page 14

COUNTRY RUGBY

TOLAGA SEASON OPENED WALMA BEAT-HAUITI RAGGED FIRST HALF (Herald Correspondent.) Waima llpts Hauiti spts The Tolaga Bay Rugby Sub-union opened the football season on Saturday with a match between Waima (Tokomaru Hay) and Hauiti. Waima won by 11 points to five, tries being scored by J. Corbett, W. Awatere, and K. Tiruna. S. Newton converted Waima's first try. A. Savers scored for Hauiti. M. Sidney converting. The plav in the first half was ragged. Hauiti being the first to cross the line with a dribbling rush from the opposing twenty-five, iu>-t before half-time. Hauiti had tire upper hand in the first half. In the second half, Waima came to the front with a burst of speed. J. Corbett, who was playing a good game, scored the first 'try lor Ins side, with a rush from the 25yds line, S. Newton converting with a' line kick from well out. The second try for the visitors was scored by W. Awatere, who picked up the ball" from the scrum to cross over near the posts, S. Newton failing to convert.

The final try was the result of a fine passing! movement between [I. Hautapu and K. Teruna, who grounded the ball beside the- jxists. S. Newton. Waima's fullback, played a great game, while B. Burns and Atkins, five-eighths, showed up well. McChitehic hooked the ball from the majority of the serums for Waima.

llauiti's defence was weak ill the second half and the tackling poor. Pomare Kutia, D. Temple, and (i. Marino were outstanding in the backs. and B. Blown and N. Cottle, for the forwards, were well to the front in all attacks.

Before the senior match of the afternoon, a curtain-raiser was played between the Hauiti and Country; juniors, resulting in a scoreless draw. The play was as good as could be expected for the first- gsune of the season, neither team displaying any outstanding work. Country did very well to hold Hauiti to no goals, as th'ev fielded five men short.

WAIKOHU SEASON FIRST MATCHES PLAVED (Herald Correspondent.) The Rugby season in the Waikoln: sub-union commenced in earnest on Saturday afternoon, when the first matches* for the competition were played. An interested crowd of spectators from Te Knraka and the district witnessed the Puha-Tarndale match in Pulia. The game, which was not spectacular, resulted in a win for Puna by 21 points to live. Tarndale were unable to field a full team and played one man short. The game was ablv controlled by Mr. C. Mills.

In the other competition match played at Whatatutu, the Waipaoa team defeated Whatatutu by eight points to live.

HANGAROA SUB-UNION THREE TEA.MS FOR 1937 Three t.'ams will contest the championship of the Hangaroa Rugby SubI'nion district during the 1!».'!7 season, To Reinga and Tahunga clubs having renewed their entries, and Tiniroto .ind Waorengn-o-kuri having combined to enter a team under the name ol Tinokuri. Te Reinga is still without a ground, and matches will be played ut Tiniroto and at Tahunga, as during last season. The annual meeting of the Hangaroa sub-union was held on Saturday evening, -Mr. A. Richardson presiding over a good attendance, and accepting the ofliee of president for the season, while Mr. Douglas was appointed lion secretary. The statement of accounts for the past year showed a credit balance of £lO, members expressing satisfaction with the financial position. It was decided to ask Mr. O. S Burt to represent the sub-union on the Poverty Bay Rugby I'nion 's executive The first game of the season is lixed for May 15 at Tiniroto. when Tahunga will' play Te Reinga. On the following Saturday, Tinokuri and Te Reinga will meet on the same ground, and on May 29, Tinokuri will meet Tahunga on the hitter's home ground.

This season will see the inauguration of a special fund to meet travelling expenses, and to assist the clubs in the matter of transport. To build u]» this fund, a collection will be taken up each Saturday, the subunion not being in a position to exact a gate charge.

RUATORIA FOOTBALL

UNITED OUTPLAY CITY (Herald Correspondent.) United .... 23pts City .. .. Bpts The principal attraction on Saturday afternoon in the senior Rugby competition in Ruiitoriii was the match between the hitherto unbeaten team. City (black and white), and United (green), the latter, however, emerging triumphant by 23 points to eight. United stepped out on the field with confidence and determination, but, knowing the calibre of their redoubtable opponents, they never expected to win by so much in hand. t Truly, on the afternoon's performance, they deserved their victory, and true to their name they toiled more unitedly as a team—a factor which contributed much'to the defeat of their opponents. Territorially neither side gained much advantage and honours were even in the matter of set scrums and line-outs, but there was more aggressiveness among the green forwards. Jackie Reedy and T. Wi Repa were the. most conspicuous hacks on the field. hut were not sulhcientlv supported by their comrades, and many likely movements initiated by them broke down at critical stages through the inability of the other players to top them off. The United hacks worked with a great deal of cohesion. The victory gained by United made these two learns even in the matter of championship points, with Ilikurangi at the bottom of the ladder. It will now stimulate public interest in future matches. Mr. Seymour was the refcrco.