Football

Putaruru Press, Volume XX, Issue 1192, 25 July 1946, Page 1

Football

CAMBRIDGE v. PUTARURU Cambridge Wins, 9—3 The weather was kind for the return match Cambridge v. Putarurm, held at Glenshea Bark, Putaruru, on Saturday. The previous game was drawn, and keen local interest has been evident, especially as the winners of the game are to play, the holders for the Peace Cup. Bain fell during the previous night and a fog kept the grass damp, and the ground was inclined to be slippery. The crowd present was a record for the season, and both teams received a good ovation aS they lined uip. Cambridge looked the heavier team, and it might be a hazard to state that Putaruru was outweighed a stone per man. Despite the discrepancy in weight, Putaruru held the scrum faifly well during the firrat half, but missed Pickerang after he retired injured during the second spell. From the kick-off Cambridge attacked, but Qhlson and Crawford handled' well, to save the position, and play surged back into the Cambridge half, where Balfour had a shot at goal when a penalty was awarded. A good effort just missed. Cambridge attacked heavily, overkicking the ball, which went dead. Shortly after a penalty was awarded Cambridge in front of the posts, but was missed. Play raced up and down the field, Balfour missing another penalty kick at goal. Down came play to Putaruru’s end. Cambridge were awarded another penalty in front of the posts, Arnold taking the kick which hit the bar, bounced into the air and dropped just over. Cambridge' 3, Putaruru 0. Cambridge shortly afterwards kicked an up and under and the defence was split apart at) Petley, at fullback, took a good mark in the teeth of a forward rush. His kick failed to find the line and was returned on even terms, but the position was eaeied. However, it was only momentarily for Cambridge attacked heavily and after a good passing rush Lockhead scored Cambridge’s only try. Cambridge 6, Putaruru 6.

Following the kick Putaruru attacked, Steveniron following through fast. Some loose rucking followed, and then a scrum from which Pickerang, who was breaking very fast for Putaruru, secured the ball, sold a perfect dummy, and pierced the defence in characteristic style. Cambridge infringed and Putaruru was given a penalty kick in front of the goal. Balfour put it over. Cambridge 6, Putaruru 3. Heartened, Putaruru played good football. From the scrum Tait, at half, secured for Putaruru, sidestepped the opposition, sent the bail out to W. Berg on the win j, and the crowd roared a s the local boys put on a back movement that cut the defence to ribbons and overwhelmed the fullback. However, the wily Ross knew enough to go down on the ball for the split second that enabled his men to rally round. Half-time found Putaruru on attack. After the interval Putaruru was unlucky not to score on several occasions when, after their inside, backs, who lacked nothing in speed and penetration, had reached within a yard of the goal line, they made the dire mistake of picking up the ball without .first playing it with the foot, following a tackle. These were purely mistakes which showed lack of experience. However, these boys showed well against more experienced players and Putaruru has every right to be optimistic about their prospects a little later on, One incident happened, however, which seemed to put the game out of Putaruru’s reach. Rough play following a lineout sent one of the Putaruru forwards looking for an “even,” which, of course, resulted in a penalty kick against Putaruru. Flet-' cher put it over. Cambridge 9, Putaruru 3. This lead, coupled with the fact that Pickerang retired injured, turned the tide against the local team.

For Cambridge, Bell played a

flawless game at halfback, a s Tait did for Putaruru. It was evident that Tait’s experience held him in good stead when Putaruru had their backs to the wall. In the absence of Stevennon at first * five-eighths, Ohlson played a good game, and Crawford at second, with Forder at centre and Hoare and W. Berg as wings, the- Putaruru back line was good, needing only that ability to finish moves that comes with experience and better combination. Petlcy played safe as fullback, needing only to watch that his opposite, Rose in this case, does not manoeuvre him out of position. Judd showed’ that he can hook and follow "through with the best. Stevenson and Balfour were breaking well, Brodigan and Tatana were the ballast of the scrum as locks, and Puekey and Douglas were reliable in the front row, frequently getting under their opponents. The forwards were a bit scratchy in the | loose scrums, Cambridge getting more of the ball by better raking, this of course being the result of combination and coolness during rugged play. The game was well handled by Mr. Miles, of Matamata. JUNIOR CURTAIN-RAISER Matamata v. Putaruru In the curtain-raiser to the senior match at the Park on Saturday the Matamata juniors defeated Putaruru junior representative!)' by B—3. The teams were fairly evenly ■matched. The Matamata backs on 1 the whole were faster, possessing better combination, and that match | winning quality, .anticipation. Their backing up was good and the handI ling of Tapper, on the wing, and j Cowling at fullback was particularI ly good. Roberts at halfback disj played speed, perfect handling and I a sense of opportunity that enabled I him to cet his hacks going in movements that swept the game from end to end of the field. At such times Pevreal and Ward (Putaruru) on the wings, with T. Berg as fullback, were fully extended in hard defensive play. , In the scrum T. Goodall (Putaruru) more than held his own as hooker against Armen (Matamata), and Putaruru backs received plenty of the ball. Matamata inside backs, Perrin, Holmeo and Living- ’ stone, were adept at robbing tactics and good kicking by Lewis at second five-eighth for Putaruru, sayed the position time and again. Matamata’s only try came from a solo effort by Gerrand who carried the ball through the defence at toe before gathering to press the ball by the posts. Livingstone converted. This try di:>?.losed Putaruru’s greatest weakness—gap- in the defence. Livingstone later kicked a penalty goal. For Putaruru, Lewis kicked a penalty goal from near the side line twenty-six yards out, making the score B—3 in Matamata’s favour. The game was sporting and clean and the playe-s on both eides were very fit. Mr. R. Wilkinson was referee. WAIKATO TEAMS CHOSEN Auckland Games On Saturday The Waikato team to play Auckland in the return game at Eden Park next Saturday was announced by the oole selector, Dr. J. G. Mackoreth, following a week-end practice at Rugby Park. His selection is:—

iFullback: D. S. Ensor (Morrinsville). Threequarters: I. O. Boyes (Taupiri), J. R. O’Hearn (Taupiri), W. J. Phillips (Raglan). Five-eighths: J. A. Slade-Gully (Matamata), G. Birunii'kill (Cambridge). Halfback: L. T. Russell (Morririoville).

Back row: J. W. Forket (Waipa). Middle row: R. Clarkin (Morrinsville), W. H. Wartrender (Matamata), N. G. A. Johnston (Matamata), J. Carrodus (Hamilton). Front row: J. M. Taylor (Tau-

piri), E. H. Catley (Taupiri), V. A. Ensor (Morvinsville). Reserves: Backs, W. Brown (Matamata), E. Burke (Taupiri); forwards, K. W. Watcrson (Matamata), K. Rodgers (Waipa). Junior Representatives Mr. G. Muir, of Morrinsville, has selected the following Waikato junior iside to play Auckland ’juniors in the curtain-raiser at Eden Park on Saturday:— Fullback, R. Clothier (Morrinsville) ; three-quarters, R. O’Callahan j (Hamilton), C. A. Weir (Hamilton), T. Parker (Raglan); five-eighths, M. Lingard (Morrinsville), B. A.! Cowley (Hamilton); halfback, M. Paton (Cambridge); back, row, R. Smith (Hamilton); middle row, G. Gray (Morrinsville), D. McKenzie . (Hamilton), J. How (Matamata), I. j Paterson (Cambridge); front row, 1 D. Fannin (Matamata), C. R. Elliott (Hamilton), B. Ruff (Matamata). j Reserves: Backo, T. Perrin (Matamata), H. Livingstone (Matamata); forwards, I. Mclntyre (Mor- j rinsville), M. J. Murphy (TaupiV.). ‘

NOMINATIONS FOR NORTH ISLAND TEAM Dr. Mackereth has nominated O’Hearn, Catley," Warrender, Johnston, Taylor and V. A. Ensor for the North Island team. Catley and Enoor played for North Island last season.

Warrender, Catley and Taylor were in the trials in 1939, when ii was considered that Warrender and Catley were “certainties.’’