FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1928, Page 4

FOOTBALL

SOUTHERN COMPETITION. SATURDAY’S GAMES REVIEWED. KAPONGA VERSUS ATHLETIC. Wet weather prevailed, throughout South Taranaki last Saturday', making conditions the reverse of favourable on all the grounds. Very little back play was seen, in most eases players not attempting to pick up, but kicking at every opportunity. At Kaponga both the Athletic and Kaponga teams took the field weakened, several old players and juniors being called upon to fill the gape. Rain fell throughout most of the game; play was ragged and for the most part of a dull nature, Kaponga’s forwards proved too vigorous for Athletic, repeatedly breaking through. Wells, Hodge and the Espin brothers were in their' element and were always on the ball. The Kaponga backs were content with kicking for safety, Collins, who has been transferred from Opunaie, proving a useful member. They were always in position, a feature lacking in the play of the Athletic backs. Athletic defended gamely and checked rushes by the solid Kaponga vanguard, but lacked the weight to hold them. Kate, who was playing his first game for Athletic, was always prominent, a useful man. Tippett worked hard at times. Mundy and McCarthy were off their usual game owing no doubt to the greasy conditions. Dowde at fullback was quite out of place; he was unfortunate in striking such conditions on his initial attempt. Symes was always safe and played his usual good game. OKAIAWA v. PATEA. Conditions at Patea were far from ideal and the game was (disappointing from the spectators’ point of view. Several attempts at back play were made by Okaiawa but only on a couple of occasions did they succeed in gaining much ground, Patea backs, who were also at a loss, made many mistakes in handling, but gave a game exhibition on defence and tackled well. Okaiawa has a pack of forwards which though light infuse surprising dash into their play and work together well. Ike is really the only big man among them and he played a great game. Wills was playing as rover for Patea on Saturday and wfl» prominent frequently. Kerrisk also was always in the picture. This old player is still full of “go” and is one of the best forwards in Patea. Baldwin was rarely seen in the loose but by the close observer could always be seen toiling in the thick . of it. Of a sturdy set gf backs, Marchant was perhaps the best, although Thompson at full played a great game. Spooner was responsible for a lot of good eaves, but was Buffering from an injury which necessitated his leaving the field in the second half. The Okaiawa backs, through their superior attacking powers, were better, Johnson being the beet. He controlled the ball w’cll under the adverse conditions, and his two goals in the first few minutes meant a great heartening to his team. Both kicks were beauties from well out. Crawford was safe and slipped away from the opposing forwards on several occasions. Murdock at full-back also did well and several times earned applause for capital saves. ' HAWERA v. WAIMATE. Hawera fairy comfortably accounted for Waimate at Hawera. Some of the back movements by the home team were, considering the day, really good. Stagpoole proved a find. This young player will greatly strengthen Hawera’s threequarter line. C. Paterson showed glimpses of his best form. If he keeps it up he will be finding himself in the provincial side. Of a sure handling set of backs, Cheevcrs calls for special mention. He was always in the right place and effected some capital saves. Waimate’s forwards were all triers and on several occasions dashed right away, but lack of knowledge always let them down. Their backs were patchy, only one or two, Hickey and Hughes mostly, being constantly reliable. J. Patterson had to retire early owing to an injury received the previous week. It was a pity, as Patterson has shown great improvement lately and may even yet qualify as a representative halfback. TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. Clifton seniors to play Old Boys, at Waitara:—Cooper, Purdie, Williams, P. Kawe, Petersen, Ogier, Manu, Puke, Rowe, 'Sutton, McFarlane, B. Jonas, Carey, Joyce, Pepperell and M. Jonas. THE PARIHAKA SHIELD. TARANAKI RETAIN TROPHY. DRAW OF THREE POINTS EACH. The 'Parihaka Shield match was played yesterday before a fair attendance of the public at Opunake. The mateh | was between Taranaki (yellow and black), holders, and Ngatiruanui (black with white etar), challengers, and resulted in a draw of three points each. Okeroa, forw-ard, scored a try for Taranaki, aud Awahoua (.centre three-quar-ters), one for the blacks. The challengers kicked off against a westerly wind, and during the game, showers fell intermittently. Play was principally a hard fought game, with flashes of brilliant passing bouts l>y the backs of both sides, Who fielded the ball cleanly and safely. Taranaki forwards, by dribbling rushes, were frequently on the blacks’ line, but by stern defence they were many times repulsed, penalties and forces often aiding the defenders. The second spell was but a continuation of the style of play in the first. Using a favourable wind the challengers began to take forward rushes to the yellows’ line, Ike being especially conspicuous in leading forward rushes. In the last quarter of an hour the challengers gained possession time and again from the serum. Pressed hard, Taranaki, emulating the blacks’ previous defences, held well and saved defeat. Noticeable features were W. Hohaia crossing the Ngatiruanui line and leaving the ball, while two kicks (penal-

ties) by Ike from difficult angles, were exceptionally good. The try by Awafaou was a splendid piece of individual effort. He fended off several opponents and crossed near the corner. Harrison, full-back for Taranaki, did good work with his long-range kicks, and Awahou, the five-eighth, was a stout defender. Mr. E. L, Clare (Waitara) refereed. WAIRARAPA DEFEAT BUSH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Pahiatua, Last Night. Playing Rugby on a sodden ground Wairarapa, through superiority in the. backs and the advantage of heavy forwards, outpointed Bush Union by 31 to six to-day. Depite the greasy state of the ball both sides did not hesitate to open up play. Though, the Wairarapa team was not far from being at full strength its display was not as impressive as it might have been against a minor union team, whose tackling was the worst feature of the day’s play. Tries were made for the victors by Cundy (2), Jury, Yates, McGregor, Stringfellow and Parker. Cundy converted five tries. For Bush Moynihan and H. Woolland scored' % THE HIKURANGI TROUBLE. Whangarei, June 20. Acting on the recommendation of the North Auckland Rugby Union, the Whangarei -management committee of that body decided last evening to expunge from the minute book the resolution which was the basis of what has become popularly known as the Hikurangi trouble. The Whangarei Union complained of the language used® by the players and speetators-at Hikurangi and refused to send teams there. MOASCAR CUP MATCH. TE AUTE BEATS. PALMERSTON H.S. (By Wire.—Special Reporter.) Palmerston North, Last Night. Te Aute Maori College to-day defeated Palmerston North High School in a Moascar Cup Rugby match by 14 pqints to 9.