RUGBY FOOTBALL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4430, 26 May 1941, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE WAIPA UNION. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. Football competitions were continued at Albert Park on Saturday afternoon. On No. 1 ground, in a game which was characterised by numerous hold-ups owing to minor injuries to players, Pirates just managed to get home against Waikeria by 9 points to 6. On No. 2 ground Pirongia had no. difficulty in accounting for Owairaka Maoris by 20 points to 6. Stars had the bye. PIRATES v. WAIKERIA. Play opened very patchily, but Waikeria were having the better of the exchanges. The Waikeria five-eighths secured to cut in and dummy two men to cross and score near the posts, the kick was disallowed. Waikeria 3, Pirates 0. Waikeria resumed the attack and from a scrum they hooked the ball to set their backs moving, but an infringement took place and Pirates found relief in a free-kick which found the line. Waikeria was still attacking strongly and Pirates were kept busy defending. From a series of lineouts play was carried well into Pirates’ territory and a score looked imminent when a Waikeria player followed up very, fast but the ball was kicked over the deadball line. Waikeria were keeping up the pressure but Pirates were now settling down and a nice line kick took piay back to half-way. Waikeria were penalised and Terry made an ambitious attempt to kick a goal from half-way but the ball fell short and a Waikeria player found the line. Pirates now took a turn at attack, and Davidson punted the ball well down the field, but the Waikeria fullback was safe and returned with a nice kick to the line. Waikeria were again penalised but Terry’s kick missed. Pirates commenced a series of forward rushes which had Waikeria bustled. Waikeria attempted to clear but Davidson came around smartly to receive and find the line. Pirates were now attacking strongly and from a forward scramble on Waikeria’s goal-line Terry secured to score near the corner. Lawny failed to convert and half-time sounded immediately afterwards with the scores: Waikeria 3, Pirates 3. On resuming Pirates continued to press home the attack but a series of mid-field exchanges ended to no side's advantage. Waikeria were again penalised but Calder’s free-kick was taken nicely by the Waikeria fullback who returned with a good kick which found the line. Play was being held up frequently owing to minor injuries. Pirates were still attacking but the Waikeria fullback was very safe and was extricating his side time and time again. Not to be denied, Pirates came again and Parish secured to score a nice try. Davidson missed with the kick. Pirates 6, Waikeria 3. Stung by the reverse, Waikeria immediately counterattacked and in a series of torrid exchanges a Waikeria player broke away to score. The kick failed. Waikeria 6, Pirates 6. The next incident took place when Lawry punted the ball well up the field and Davidson followed up fast to secure and score five‘yards from the corner. The attempt to convert missed. Pirates 9, Waikeria 6. Pirates were now obtaining the ascendency and Waikeria were kept busy defending. For hanging on to the ball, a Waikeria player was penalised. Terry took a shot at goal but the ball fell just under the crossbar. Pirates continued to attack and Waikeria forced. Further play ended to Pirates’ advantage until they were penalised and a free-kick which found the line afforded Waikeria welcome relief. The game ended shortly afterwards without further alteration to the score. Mr W. Clarke refereed. PIRONGIA v. OWAIRAKA MAORIS. The game was a fast-moving one with play constantly shifting from one end of the field to the other. Pirongia were too strong for their opponents, however, and secured a comfortable win. For Pirongia, Johnston scored three tries, Edwards two tries and O’Brien one try. Te Pun,a converted one try. Owairaka’s points comprised penalty goals by Jackson and Ngahoe. Mr I. Roberts refereed. THIRD GRADE, Ohaupo 12, Rovers 3. Old Boys 23, High School 0.