Sport In The Province

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 444, 28 August 1928, Page 11

Sport In The Province

(From Our Oxen Correspondent)

RUGBY

MORRINSVILLE. The first Peace Cup fixture* on the Morrinsville ground attracted a record attendance, tlie sum of nearly £6O being taken at the gates. The contestants, Morrinsville (holders), and Matamata, provided an exciting game. Both teams had met previously this season, when Matamata defeated Morrinsville for the Finlay Cup about a.month ago. Since then, however, Morrinsville has had special coaching, and has been strengthened by the inclusion of the ex-Waikato rover representative, R. Howard. On Saturday Morrinsville won a hard forward game by 11 points to 7. They deserved to win, too, although play fluctuated. It was always possible for !Matamata to get snap scores and win, although they were handicapped by losing their rover, Woods, and their star attacking back, Vosper, before half-time. Misfortune came Morrinsville’s way also, Howard having to be carried off in the last spell, when no replacements were allowed. It was after this that the Matamata backs commenced to handle well, and got dangerous on a number of occasions. The holders scored in the first quarter thVough Campbell, and before half-time Howard got over, and S. Thomas converted. A minute later Fausett kicked a penalty goal for Matamata. Within five minutes of the resumption, S. Thomas put Morrinsville further ahead with a penalty goal. These scores remained unaltered until Stewart, the visiting fullback, drop-kicked a beauty with the last kick of tlie match. Matamata was slightly superior in the backs, but were out-played forward. The winners will meet Thames at Morrinsville on Saturday week, not next Saturday, as reported in another quarter. Although the home backs have not come up to expectations this season, they will probably be superior to Thames, and from them might oe expected a further victory. Thames have a good record in Peace Cup contests, and usually provide the game of the season. HAMILTON Very few Rugby fifteens this season could have been as unlucky as the Hamilton reps., when they met a visiting Thames fifteen at local headquarters on Saturday. The home side, although superior in all departments, were chagrined to see the score board showing 12 to 11 in the visitors’ favour at the final whistle. Hamilton were attacking most of the journey, the play rarely moving out of the Thames twenty-five. From the public viewpoint the game was far too close, open play being at a premium. Had Mitchell and Alien not made one or two errors, the local side would undoubtedly have had a credit balance. Mitchell missed a couple of er sy penalties, while Allen, as centre, was a weak link in the rear division and persistently starved the wing. The Hamilton scorers were Stubbs, who was the pick of the forwards and followed up like an international; Tuck, who also went over for a try. and Fitzgerald, whose try was one of the features of the match. P. Clarkin was given his first game with the reps., and it was unfortunate he did not receive a greater share of the kicking. Several veterans of the code were evident among the Thames side. Winder’s kicking won the game. He goaled two penalties. Unconverted tries were secured by Percy and Darling, the latter running half the field and beating two Hamilton forwards before touching down. The Clarke Cup competition was continued among’ the senioi* club teams on Saturday. Frankton was unable to field a team, leaving the game to Old Boys. . _ The contest in which City accounted for Technical Old Boys, 9 to 3, was the roughest game on record in tlio Waikato this season- Brain, a City player, and Byrne, on the other side, were both ordered off the field by the referee, A. S. Cliffe, for illegal tactics in the scrum.

City was awarded a questionable try early in the second half, a Technical man appearing to force the ball. Annoyed by this reverse, Technical set out on a policy of strafe, two more of their players being warned before the game closed. Scorers for the winners were Brown and Buckingham, each of whom crossed the line for unconverted tries, and Going, who kicked a penalty. W. Bath, from the half-way line, kicked a fine goal for the losers. PAEROA The Paeroa Rugby Union’s knockout competitions were commenced on Saturday. In the senior grade West defeated Veterans on the Paeroa Domain by 19 to 6, while Suburbs gained a victory over Pirates to the tune of 12 points to 8. This match was played at Hikutaia. In the junior competition the Maori team took the field short, and was well trounced by East. The points scored by East amounted to about 38, and the match was then abandoned. There was a record attendance at the Paeroa Domain on Saturday to see Auckland-Thames Valley play in the Roller Mills Shield competition. The game ended in a victory for Thames Valley by 16 to 3. It was a most interesting display of football. Although the Auckland team was beaten it was by no means disgraced. For Thames Valley tries were scored by J. Tisley, Fox drop-kicked a goal from the field, and W. Welch dropkicked a goal from a mark. The try for Auckland was obtained by Roberts. PUKEKOHE Saturday was an off day at Pukekohe as far as Rugby was concerned, all the inter-club and the South Auckland Inter-Sub-Union competitions being concluded. The following will represent Pukekohe against Hamilton, at Pukekolie on Saturday next: —Fullback, Willis; threequarters, S. Crotty, G. Brownlee, N. Brownlee; five-eighths, Wood, Bishop; half, R. Hawe; forwards, Perkins (wing), Fiilton, Golding, Havard, R. Crotty, J. R. Massey, C. Owen, Cooke. Reserves: Backs, Hickling, MacPherson; forwards, Harlick, May. TE AWAMUTU The visit of the Franklin Power Board team to Te Awamutu on Saturday was the chief attraction in football circles. The Te Awamutu team was without some of its regular players. but nevertheless a good contest was witnessed, the home side winning by 26 points to 8. During the first half C. Crotty scored for Te Awamutu and Hintz scored a try and kicked a penalty goal. The home team combined better in the second half. Kay kicked two penalty goals in quick succession and he also potted a goal. During the lost quarter Wilson added another try and Kay converted, while Bell scored and kicked a goal.- A further try was added by Te Awamutu, the game ending in favour of the local team. Mr. J. Williams refereed. The match for the semi-final of the Doyle Cup junior contest resulted in a win for Mangahoe against Te Awamutu by 16 points to 11, after an interesting match. Mr. T. Moisley had charge of the game. The premiership of the senior grade was decided on Saturday, and Te Hoe snatched the honours from Gordonton

by a converted try and a potted goal, to a try and a penalty goal. Griffiths scored for tlie winners. P. Yearbury converting, while F. Morris potted one over tlie bar. Peach scored the losers’ points. Both teams were at full strength, and Mr. Vollaemere, of Taupiri, refereed most efficiently. It was a good, clean game, played under delightful weather conditions, but Te Hoe were a shade better throughout, and only the outstanding play of Peach saved Gordonton from at least two tries being registered against them. His play was of the finished order and he was in everything.

The best of the other Gordonton backs were Butcher, Smith and Tut Henry. In the winners’ pack, Pointon and Spencer, with Cochrane -were about the best, and perhaps their names might be mentioned without reflecting on the others. Boyce and Dunstan were, with Pirritt and Morris in that order, the best of the backs. Gordonton forwards combine well, and if anything had a shade the best of it in the close work. Of a willing lot of grafters none stood out over the others. BAY OF ISLANDS The Whangaroa Union representatives visited Ohaeawai on Saturday in quest of the Halliwell Cup, and were beaten by 12 points to 6. For the winners, Panapa, at full, played his normal safe game, instead of trying to run through his opponents. With the exception of Mcßae, who failed to take passes cleanly, thereby breaking down several passing movements, all the backs, Repia, Matene, Rameka, Te Hoara and Wilson, were good. Matene played a cautious game, not having fully recovered from injuries in the Poverty Bay game. His penalty goals won the match. Te Hoara has not played a better game this season, being the best back on the ground. Wilson, behind a dominating pack in the scrums, had plenty of opportunities, which he accepted effectively. Cherrington, as rover, played a sure game, but was overshadowed by Warmington, who was right on his game, giving a magnificent exposition of roving. The forwards had the advantage in the scrums, Cook and Knight being successful in hooking the ball, but were outclassed in the line-outs and in the loose. Trail Straiton and Whittaker were good at following up, and Rogers held the pack like a tradesman. For the winners, the Herbert brothers, Brainley, Webber, Hayes, played a splendid game in the loose, dominating the play until the opposing backs got the ball. More did well the few times when the ball came to him. B. Smith, Raynor and Peri were the best. of the backs. Anderson was much more safe at full than Connelly, whom he replaced at half-time. WAIHI The Duff Challenge Cup was competed for on the Waihi Recreation Ground on Saturday by Mataura, winners of the Waihi Competition Cup. and Ngatea, winners of the Hauraki Plains competition. The result was a win .for Mataura by 19 points to nil. Shortly after the half-time interval.

Franks, who had been playing: well for Ngatea, severely twisted the ligaments of his right knee and had to be carried from the ground. His loss to the team was at once made apparent, for Mataura took charge, and kept the visitors hemmed in their own half till the end of the game, in the meantime scoring three tries, two of which were converted. For Mataura, Harvey gave his best exhibition of the season, and was the outstanding player on the field. Dilamore also played a grand game, and with his speed and resourcefulness bids fair to take th£ place of his father in local football. Thornton, who was just recovering from an injured shoulder, played a safe game at fullback, and his try was a beauty. Others who gave good accounts of themselves were Craig, Peacock and McNamara. For Ngatca, Martin, McPherson and Dalgetty were the outstanding players. ROTORUA The game between Rotorua (12) and Marathon, Auckland (11), was eagerly looked forward to there, the enthusiasts always welcoming the visit of any of the" Auckland clubs. It was a fast, even game, and Marathon showed up in the last quarter, narrowly missing victory. For Marathon, Elliott was safe at full, his tackling being deadly. Coshing. Bishop and Wales all played well. The latter scored all his team’s points. Kilgour. Campbell and Gifford were the best of an even pack. For Rotorua, Young, Thompson, I-lamwra, Simmonds and Corbett all played well in the rear division. Mason and Parsons were easily the best of the forwards. DARGAYILLE No Rugby matches were played in Uargaville on Saturday. The Northern Wairoa representatives journeyed to Maungaturoto and played a return match with the Otamatea Seniors. The game ended in favour of Otamatea by 11 points to 5. With the exception of a few spasmodic flashes of good play, the game was of a scraggy nature. M. Reed and D. Finlayson were prominent in Otamatea's forwards, while Connell, at fullback, played a safe and sound game. For Northern Wairoa, Watson and Gould were outstanding in the forward division. Watson played well in the loose, especially in the last half, when he was playing as rover. Wade, the fullback, played a real good game. The first Harding Cup match of this season took place at Ruawai on Saturday, between Ruawai Juniors (holders) and Pukehuia (challengers). Ruawai won, after an interesting game, by 5 to 0.

HOCKEY

HAMILTON Three senior hockey matches were played in connection with the Killip Shield competition at Hamilton on Saturday. Old Boys had a decisive win over Colts, goaling twice, while the losers were unable to cross the line. Y.M.C.A. found themselves completely overcome by the visiting Ngahinapouri team, while Hinemoa defeated Kaipaki fore and aft, the final TE AWAMUTU The following will represent the Waipa Ladies* Hockey Association in

a return match against King %Country at Taumarunui on Wednesday next: — Misses T. Irwin (Te Awamutu), J. Bellamy (To Kuiti). R. Spiers (.Paterangi). T. McKenzie (Te Kuiti). N. McCrcady (Otorohanga), W. Wallace (Te Awamutu). H. Stout (Te Awamutu), H. Macky (Paterangi). J. Smith (Te Kuiti). K. Macky and R. Bell (Paterangi). Emergencies: E. Tomlins and J. Martin (Otorohanga). ROTORUA The girls hockey match between Arawas and Shamrocks was played in the Government grounds on Saturday in fair weather. Early in the first spell R. Ratema broke away from the twenty-five and scored a neat goal for ShamrocKs. At half-time the score was unaltered. On resuming. Arawas set up a hot attack and confined the play to Shamrock territory. Eventually T. Kingi scored a brilliant goal from a difficult angle. The game one all. Mr. Watts efficiently controlled the game. The Tui v. Te Teko match was played at Te Teko and ended in a draw, one goal each. Miss K. Winiata scored for Tui and Miss R. Kaki for Te Teko.

BOWLING

MORRINSVILLE The annual meeting of the Morrinsville Bowling Club was held on Saturday. The report stated that from a playing point of view, the past season had been one of the most successful in the club’s history. Financially it was only about £8 ahead of last year. The bank overdraft was now £6BO, as against £6Bs. Trophies won last season were presented as follows: Championship singles, F. S. Donald: B grade championship, H. Nicholson; handicap pairs, W. Hetherington and W. Butler (s): New Year pairs, C. McDavitt and AYardley (s); closing day pairs, E. R. Strand and A. Yardley (s); percentage fours, W. Fulton, E. R. Strand, A. Meharry and R. Branch (s). Officers were elected as follow: President, Mr. F. S. Donald; vicepresidents, Messrs. R. Branch and C. Sing; committee, in addition to officers, Messrs. W. Abercrombie, A. Skinner, E. R. Strand and J. T. Osborn. At the close of the meeting members were entertained by Mrs. G. F. Oates.