RUGBY FOOTBALL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4462, 11 August 1941, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THIRD GRADE REPS. WAIPA DEFEAT HAMILTON. GOOD CLEAN RUGBY. What could be described as one of the best matches of the season was played on Saturday, when the local third grade representatives defeated Hamilton third grade representatives in a return match, by 9 points to 0. Tackling by both sides was of a high standard, the teams giving good exhibitions of this phase of the play. The local lads thoroughly deserved their win, as they played a much faster game than their opponents, backs and forwards frequently indulging in excellent passing rushes which were hard to stop. The local backs all played well, Marsden being very sound as full back. Cullen and Sherley, on the wings, had plenty of the ball and were excellent on attack and defence. Douglas and Pratt at fiveeighths, showed plenty of penetration and Cox, the half-back, got the ball away with well-directed passes from the scrum. Of the forwards, it would be hard to single any of them out as all played well. Waipa won the toss and Hamilton kicked off and were soon on the attack but were sent back with a nice kick co half-way. From the line-out Waipa started a nice passing rush which saw Cullen forced out at the corner. From ensuing play, Douglas was nearly across, but Hamilton gained relief with a free kick. Waipa, however, were soon back again and Hamilton forced down. From the kick-off Waipa were soon back again, but Hamilton sent them back to half-way with a good kick. Play went up and down for a while until Waipa, with a good forward rush, saw Hinton rewarded and the score board read: Waipa 3, Hamiton 0, the kick having failed. Not long after the kick-off, Hamilton had a kick at goal, which failed. Play at this stage went up and down the field, with both sides throwing the ball around, until a penalty kick to Waipa saw Sherley make no mistake with the kick. Waipa 6, Hamilton 0.

From then on play went up and down the field at a fast pace until Sherley had an unsuccessful shot at goat Play was in the centre of the field when half-time went with the score board reading: Waipa 6, Hamilton 0. From the kick-off, Hamilton started with a great rush, but Marsden, with a good tackle prevented the visitors from scoring. Hamilton were sent back and it was not long before Waipa were soon attacking again, for Clark to score—Waipa 9, Hamilton 0. The kick missed. The visitors were soon back and were awarded a kick at goal which missed and Waipa cleared with a nice kick. A series of kicks followed in which neither side gained any ground. Later, Waipa were nearly over again, Hamilton gaining relief with a free kick. Play was in midfield when the final whistle sounded, with Waipa running out winners by 9 points to 0. The result is regarded as a good augury for the local boys lifting the Cucksey Cup on Saturday next, when they play Matamata. OHAUPO THIRD GRADE. The following players have been selected to represent Ohaupo against Otorohanga High School representatives on Saturday next: Backs— Marsden, Hancock, Ranby, Neilson, Heke, Muru, Marsden, Te Haui, Wahapa, Turner; forwards-—Hawkins, Edwards, Carter, Mischiwski, Steenson, Smilie, Muraahi, Anderson, Bell, Clark, Mackinnon, Forkett, Mclvor. REPRESENTATIVE GAME. WAIKATO DEFEAT KING COUNTRY. The return representative Rugbv match between Waikato and King Country was played at Hamilton on Saturday last and resulted in a win for the former by 9 points to 6. Play was always interesting and at times reached a high standard. Both teams fielded strong back lines, but movements were spoiled through lack of co-operation. The forwards were evenly matched, Waikato being more prominent in dribbling rushes. Higginson was not in kicking form for Waikato, but his tackling at fullback was sound. Perkins brought the crowd to its toes in the first spell with a couple of brilliant solo runs, one of which resulted in a try. Phillips saw little of the ball at centre and was well** marked by Kjestrup. The forwards worked well as a pack, Warrender and Thomson being prominent. Crossman and Cameron shofle in the rearguard for the visiting team, the former being at times brilliant. He was the brains of most of King Country’s movements, while his defence was flawless. Kjestrup was prominent at centre, and on several occasions beat Phillips. Gribben played a plucky game at halfback and made few mistakes. McNichol and Coffin were outstanding in the visiting pack and were well supported by the others. Waikato’s points came from tries by Perkins, Thomson and Everest. For King Country, Kjestrup scored a try and Coffin kicked a penalty goal.