Football

Putaruru Press, Volume XX, Issue 1187, 20 June 1946, Page 1

Football

TOKOROA SENIORS v. MARAETAI SENIORS

In an open, fast and spectacular game, reminiscent of the game when Maraetai defeated the' strong Pinedale team in the knockout round last year, Tokoroa had their colours hauled down in no uncertain fashion by the fit Maraetai team during the week-end, to a score of 14—3 in Maraetai’s favour. Tokoroa was unfortunate in losing.. two- men. Andy Inman, who was breaking anil tackling in deadly style, and their halfback, Pat Dowling, both players being injured early in the second half of the game. Maraetai attacked from the kickoff, and Tokoroa saved by forcing several times, when a penalty kick was awarded to Maraetai. Hoare took a shot 40 yards out near the side-line and over it went. Maraetai 3, Tokoroa 0. Time after time Tokoroa rallied, but they seemed to have none of the luck, jack Evans, playing fullback, put in some go >d work at times, but was far happier when in forward position, when “Digger” relieved him. About this time Balfour had a shot at goal from a penalty in an awkward position. Tokcroa’s hopes rose, but the kick -narrowly missed. Shortly afterwards Rmyson scored again for Maraetai, and Aussie Hoare found the- bar. M&traetai 8, Tokoroa 0.

After half-time Inman and Doyle saved for Tokoroa. by good tackling. Maraetai threw everything into the game, scenting victory, and for an infringement Tokoroa were awarded a penalty kick in a handy position. As Balfour took the ball the issue was never in doubt. Maraetai 8, Tokoroa 3. Tokoroa came back gamely and had a fighting chance when the two injured players previously mentioned left the field. “Digger” . Evans was also hurt, and although he continued to play he was considerably affected. Maraetai scored twice more when Nahu and Pohimoa each crossed the line for unconverted tries. The game was ably handled by Mr. Davcy. PINEDALE SENIORS V. ATIAMURI SENIORS Pinedale, in this game, defeated Atiamuri by 17—0. From the whistle Pinedale, hard and fit, attacked on the Atiamuri fine. Pickrang wrenched his way through the defence to get the first try. Pinedale 3, Atiamuri 0. Atiamuri were playing a man short and were further weakened when the referee asked a man to leave the field. He was replaced by a recruit. Atiamuiri threw the offence back time- and again by deep penetrating play by Gundy at first and Crawford at second five-eighth. It was from one of these movements when Pinedale was- thrust back into their twenty-five that Whetu gather, ed the bail and with his characteristic windmill run, outstepped the opposition to place the ball between the posts. Petley kicked the goal. Pinedale 8, Atiamuri 0, which was the half-time score. It was left for Pickrang to score two more tries and Whetu one more, making three in all to Pickrang and two to Whetu, Petley converting one. ' --- Mr. C. Noble was referee. FOURTH GRADE MATCH Tokoroa v. Hodderville In a game between the Tokoroa and Hodderville fourth grade teams on Saturday the former were the winners by 20 points to 5. The match was an interesting one. Tokoroa fielded a weaker team than usual, and the Hodderville team had been considerably strengthened. The latter .played good football. that af times smacked of science. Tokoroa was outweighed in the scrum and the Hodderville breakaways set about playing havoc with Tokoroa’s inside backs. However, the penetrative powers of these boys, which is a feature of this team, enabled them to break through the defence.

At times the Hodderville forwards broke through with forward rushes, and had the half and fullback bard on defence. Hodde-ville’s only try came from a kick by a Tokoroa winger from inside his own goal line, when the ball obviously should have been forced. Mr Davey conducted the game well. WEEK-END RESULTS The results of games played at the week-end were as follows: Seniors Maraetai 14, Tokoroa 3. Huia 11, Arapuni 3. Pinedale 17, Atiamuri 0. Juniors Athletic 3, United 3. Tokoroa 17, Arapuni 3. -- Fourth Grade Tokoroa 20, Hodderville 5. CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS The championship points now stand, as follows: ’Fourth Grade: Tokoroa 10, School A 6, Hodderville 4, School B 0. Juniors: Athletic 9, Tokoroa 8, United 7, Maraetai 2, Arapuni 2. A .Seniors: Tokoroa 8, United 8, Pinedale 8, Maraetai 7, Huia 7, Arapuni2, Atiamuri 0. SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES Senior representatives playing over the week-end are as follows: (North: Cameron, Senior-, Newtek, McGill, J. Lopdell, Smith, Jones, Pickrang, Tait, Edmonds, Stevenson, O’Brien, W. Berg, Whetu, (Smyth, Petley, .Mihinui, Deane, Mansell, Webber, Brown, (South: Wardell, Judd, Douglas, Wishnowski, O’Rourke, Walters, Stevenson Balfour, Dowling, McEwen, Pehi, Murray, Ollsen, Hoare, Gardiner, OiSullivan, Tatana, Nika. Christie, Napia. JUNIORS Athletic 3, United 3 With bustling tactics United managed to upset Athletic’s fine back combination at Karl’s paddock oh Sunday. Territorially United were in the lead, and it was in the last minute that 'Athletic evened the game when a solo effort by Grickett found a hole in the defence. Lewis’ kicked a penalty in the second spell for United. The United pack deserve praise for the way they hunted; while in the opposition Bayly, Nicol and Morris played well. One back stood out as a tower on defence, and he was Don Barnett, Athletic’s first five-eighth. FINLAY CUP CHALLENGE Morrinsville Retains Trophy Defenders’ Lucky Draw With Waipa Good play by the visiting packmen combined with a high degree of versatility among Waipa’s inside backs, characterised the season’s first game for the Finlay Cup, and the challengers can be accounted most unfortunate in not lifting the trophy. At half-time Morrinsville led by nine points to six, figures which accurately reflected the run of play to that stage, but thereafter Waipa forwards were definitely on top. Led by Jowsey, Forkett and the Hinton brothers they frequently raided deep into Morrinsville territory, and upon more than one occasion broke through the centre of the scrum to sorely harass a tired defence. An injury sustained by J. Lithgow, who left the field shortly before half-time, sadly weakened the strength of the Morrinsville pack,

even though the substitute, J. Marshall, played excellent football. Further misfortune was in store for Morrinsville, L. Chase suffering rtb injuries necessitating his replacement. It was while Morrinsville had only 14 men on the field that Waipa seo-ed the equalising try, final scores being nine all. Among the Mor-insville backs A. J. Aitken played fine football at centre threequarter, hds defence work, in particular, being outstanding. Othe-s to impress were 'L. T. Russell who, handicapped as he was behind a beaten pack, played a heady game, and T. Lithgow, who thoroughly justified his return to the five-eighth berth. A. Hardy wis erratic, but C. Rushton, on the wing, was too slow. His partner, C. Walton, ran with determination when opportunity offered, but his play suffered through indifferent handling, and uncertainty on defenc. L. Chase was not at his best at fullback. The game was well controlled by Mr. H. Kirkman, of Cambridge.