RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 21197, 25 September 1930, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

EASTERN CUP FINAL. MATAURA DEFEAT PIONEER. The final match of the competition for the Eastern Cup was played at Gore yesterday when Mataura defeated Pioneer by 29 points to 3. The game was fought to a conclusion in brilliant sunshine, in striking contrast to the seven-a-side tournament which was held at Waikaka only five days'previously in pouring rain. Mataura certainly deserved their win for an all round convincing display. The game was largely a loose scramble throughout, however, and although interesting enough to watch was hardly an improvement on the two earlier matches of the competition. After an evenly contested round containing very little of note Mataura emerge holders of the Eastern Cup. ' The teams lined out as follows:— Mataura: Webb, Amos, Calder, Heaps, L. G. Townsend, H. McConnell, C. McConnell, ,G. McLeod, Richmond, Aitken, Ashby, McGowan, N. McLeod. Henry and J. Maley. Pioneer: Dunbar, Crawford, Fitzgerald, N. Forbes, Sewell, O’Shea, Holland, Teller, Cunningham, Halliday, Johnson, Matheson, Mair, Fairweather and Davidson. After the kick-off a period of give-and-take play took place, neither side being able to gain any advantage. Fitzgerald put in a brilliant run for Pioneer and only a sure tackle stopped him from scoring. A good combined rush up-field by Mataura gained them 60 yards, and the Blacks’ chance came when they' were awarded a free kick in Pioneer’s twenty-five. Calder converted a difficult penalty with a well-judged kick. Mataura 3, Pioneer 0. Pioneer returned to the attack and looked dangerous for a time, ’but Heaps put Mataura on the offensive again with a jinky run. He was tackled in Pioneer’s territory, however, and after the resultant line-out L. G. Townsend broke his way over to put Mataura a further three points in the lead. The kick failed. Mat aura 6, Pioneer nil. Not. long after, another good passing bout by the Blacks resulted in Maley scoring almost before anyone realized what was happening. When N. McLeod was attempting the place kick the ball was accidentally dropped to the ground, rolling over on its side and the Pioneer players made a concerted rush. McLeod took a short run and to the amazement of everyone succeeded in converting the try. Mataura 11, Pioneer nil.

Mataura soon' took the offensive after half-time, and play brightened up a little. Hard pressing resulted in J. Aitken increasing Mataura’s score to 16 by a try which was converted by Calder. Further scrambling play finally resulted in McGowan scoring a good try which Townsend converted. Although well behind in points Pioneer were by no means out of the picture and continued to struggle hard in an endeavour to break their “duck.” This Davidson eventually succeeded in doing by dashing over to score a fine try. The kick failed. Mataura 21, Pioneer 3. Mataura had a turn on attack and Amos broke away, running round the post to score. Ashby converted a “sitter.” Mataura 26, Pioneer 3. McGowan broke away for a long and speedy run which ended in another try. The kick failed and the game ended: Mataura 29, Pioneer 3. Air A. Wallis was referee.