SOUTHERN DIVISION

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1927, Page 4

SOUTHERN DIVISION

OKAIAWA DEFEAT PATEA? SOUTH TEAM'S GOOD SHOWING. SIDES NOT AT FULL STRENGTH. Playing on their home ground Okaiawa were fully extended by Patea and were fortunate to emerge victorious by 11 points to 5 on Saturday. Both teams were short of their usual players, junior players filling the positions. Patea were without the services of Crompton, Mercer and Hurley, while Okaiawa were short of Ike, Purvis and Johnson. Okaiawa had the better of the first half, but Patea completely dominated play in the second, and it was only by dint of strenuous efforts that Okaiawa succeeded in keeping them out. Patea kicked off and D. Crawford returned to half way, where a hard struggle took place. Patea pressed and Bourke made a good run, kicking when tackled. The ball went over the line

for J. Crawford to force. Okaiawa passed downfield and were close when Spooner saved by lining. Shortly after he saved again. Patea attacked and Bourke made a good effort. He beat several, opponents, but was forced out on the corner. Offside by Patea gave Patterson a kick from near half way, but it went wide. Okaiawa were in front of Patea’s goal when Griffen marked, but, although close, he did not attempt a goal. Lynskey opened up play in fine style, pissing to Roberts to Cameron, who raced over. Patterson converted. Okaiawa 5, Patea 0. Following the :, Bourke made a fine solo effort, and was' checked when only a few yards from Okaiawa’s line. Okaia ... forced Patea back and launched repeated onslaughts. Cameron was forced out near the corner. From the lineout the ball went out t' atterson, who forced his ay over. His own kick missed. Okaiawa 8, Patea 0. Okaiawa set up i. good back movement which Spooner received and lined as half-time ended in Patterson kicking 100 hard, sounded, with the scores: Okaiawa 8. Patea 0. Okaiawa kicked high, and Griffen, taking a rebound, put the ball out in Patea’s ■ twenty-five. Lynskey sent out from the line-out, and a back movement ended in a scrum on Patea’s line. Lynskey secured and, dummying several opponents, dived oyer. Patterson missed with the kick. ’ '";aiawa 11, Patea 0. Patea pressed, but -Lynskey broke through again. Faulty handling by Okaiawa’s backs le- Patea through, and Okaiawa were in danger, when Crawford saved by lining. Patea pressed and several serums w..re 1- Id in front of Okaiawa’s goal, Tippett clearing well-. Wills broke through and looked sure to score, but he was cheeked when on Okaiawa’s lir Patea set up a series of hot attacks, several forwards diving at the line, but being held up. From a scrum in front of Okaiawa’s goal Wills securedand dived over, and Bourke’s kick was successful. Okaiawa 11, Patea 5. Play hung at half way for a period and then offside by Clarke gave Patea a shot. Bourke’s kick fell short. Patea were having the better of the game at this stage pul were pressing Okaiawa strongly. Several attacks were stemmed by Okaiawa only by strenuous efforts, and Patea were still attacking as time sounded with the scores: Okaiawa 11 Patea .. 5 Mr. W. Badle'y refereed.

ATHLETIC DEFEAT HAWERA. WINNERS’ IMPROVED FORM? FAULTY PASSING CONSPICUOUS. Hawera and Athletic jnet at Hawera in fine weather, a fairly even game resulting in awi for Athletic, who showed slightly better finish in their back division. The play was mainly a rearguard one, both halves feeding well, though Hawera invariably prevailed in the serum. In the first half no score was made, and it was a poor display of the code, b.t the opening play in the second greatly enlivened the interest. Tho better u.—i won. Athletic kick I off with the wind. Hawera set up an attack, taking play to Athletic’s twenty-five, a series of long kicks characteris’ the ensuing play. When Athletic were defending Mundy and Dowdle played well, and were responsible for clearing by line kicks. Cheevers broke away, and passed to Rumbal, the ball going to Shaw, who made a dash. Lay was safe. He gathered and ran well down field, passing several players. A knock on spoiled the chance. From a scrum Athletic were given a penalty, the kick being returned to Simp:' n, who passed to Mundy and Dowdle, who short kicked, Busing marking and staving off the movement. Athletic, gradually forging their way, were for some time extending Hawera’s defensive tactics, play being mainly near the twenty-five line. From a scrum at about five yards Simpson dived but was pulled down. When Robinson kicked to clear, West, who followed up, took the ball aL toe, play returning to midfield, where Lay was able to gather and clear. Faulty passing on both sides repeatedly spoiled back movements. Dowdle broke away, making an opening for Athletic. He was supported but held on too long, giving 'West a penalty kick. Tho Athletic backs were livening up and getting into their stride, play being in Hawera’s twenty-ftve when, on the call of half time, Hawera carried the ball over to be forced.

On the change over, Athletic intercepted a pass J'rom Hawera’s backs at about half way. McCarthy cut in and passed nicely to Underhill, who scored the firet try, which was very popular. His kick was successful. Good handling by both sets of backs livened up play considerably, a series of passing rushes being the order. Hawera backs particularly handled well, play going from side to side. . From a scrum in the twentyfive, a mark was taken by Rumbal, who placed a nice kick, opening the account for Hawera. Hawera again penned Athletic, Brooking setting the backs going. The ball passed through the hands of Chepvers, Jordon and Shaw, who made a great dash, - iy being safe. Near the goal line Athl- ic were given a penalty, Simpson taking the kick, which rebounded off Barron, Lay claiming a mark, which was not allowed. Hawera dived ov> the line in a melee. A scrum at five yards and then Hawera were penalised for not putting fairly in the scrum, enabling Athletic to clear. In the last fe minutes Athletic were pressing hard, play being much in their favour. A pretty movement initiated by M. Owen from a line put ; csulted in a try. Owen accepted from the line out and cut in. Passing three men he passed in turn to Ryan, who was handy and made the result secure. McCarthy again added the major points. McCarthy, dashing up half the field on the call of time, had Hawera backs troubled. However, they were able to clear, the play returning to the twenty-five line when time sounded with the scores: Athletic 10 Hawera 3 Mr. F. Atkins refereed. JUNIOR RESULTS. * SECOND GRADE. Tukapa 11 v. Lepperton 6. Urenui v. Star B (postponed), (Western Division.) High School 25 v. Old Boys 0. JRahotu v. Okato (postponed). THIRD GRADE. Star 17 v. High School 5, Old Boys ! J v. Clifton 3. Tukapa B v. Okato (postponed owing to rain). FOURTH GRADE. Old Boys i ■ v. Tukapa 0. Star 23 v. High School C 0.