SOUTHERN DIVISION PLAY

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1929, Page 4

SOUTHERN DIVISION PLAY

OPUNAKE HAS SETBACK PATEA DRAW IN GOOD GAME. MATCH FULL OF EXCITEMENT. After the most exciting game yet seen in Opunake this season, the home team received its second setback when Patea ran it to a 6-point draw, each side scoring a try and a penalty goal. It was a hard fought game, fast and full of incident, with the issue in doubt till the end. Patea had the advantage of the wind in the first spell and had the better of things, but so sound was the defence that they could score only a penalty goal. In the second spell Patea scored early from a crisp passing bout, but though thereafter Opunake, both back and forward, launched attack after attack, they found the Patea defence solid and could only penetrate it once, and in addition score a penalty goal. With a little luck Opunake should have won. Patea secured more of the ball from the scrum and their backs handled more crisply, but Opunake held the greater territorial advantage. Neither of the teams was at full strength, Opunake being without W. Hohaia and Patea without Petersen and Crotty. Opunake kicked off against a strong wind and play hung in midfield until Clarke dribbled through to the twentyfive, J. Lusk assisting him to carry on till Bourke checked by lining. Failuie by Zimmerman to field cleanly let Opunake back again, but the Patea pac charged down, Wills breaking through to send Cooper away. The latter punted too hard and Sinclair saved by markIng. Baldwin and Bremer led the Patea pack in a great rush that was held up on the line. J. Crawford broke through and Opunake being penalised, W. Baldwin landed a fine goal. This roused Opunake and Tui Robinson made a <yreat opening which Gray checked by marking. The Opunake pack swept ovei the line, the ball reaching the dead mark. Opunake backs took a hand, R. Hohaia making a great opening for Rutherford, who could not hold, the ball, a chance being lost. Opunake weie very dangerous till Baldwin Bros, swept ■ play to half-way. There followed a 1 spectacular Opunake bout, all. the backs handling beautifully for Rutherford to gallop and be thrown out in the corner by Richards. The ball swung infield, C. Hohaia, being held up on the. nne. Patea forwards cleared but infringed, giving Harrison a shot -which the wind -swerved. outside the posts. Patea gave a taste of their quality, all the backs I handling cleanly for J. Crawford to break through and, when collared by

Harrison, send Zimmerman over, but his pass had gone forward and Opunake cleared from the scrum. Opunake, both backs and forwards, roused their supporters with great handling till R. Lusk threw forward when a score was in sight. Patea. forwards pressed hotly but the defence was very solid and Opunake, despite the wind, set up counter moves that '•aw Sinclair make determined attempts to score, Richards being injured in tackling his man, A force resulted. From half-way Baldwin had another shot that fell short, and Sutton led his pack past half-way. Grant burst through the centre of the field and sent the ball to G. Baldwin, who was taken by Rutherford. Play swung infield, where. Crompton secured but was collared by C. Hohaia. Patea kept throwing the ball about in dangerous proximity to Opunake’s line, but could not penetrate the defence and just on half-time the Opunake pack, O’Rorke in the van, took the ball at foot to Patea’s twenty-five. Gray, however, checked them and set up a counter-attack. Fast play followed, half-time sounding with the ball in Patea territory end the score: Patea 3, Opunake 0. Opunake made the pace merry from tne start, their backs opening out on both sides in several very promising movements, but they did not run straight enough at times. The Patea backs got moving, Zimmerman on the one hand being collared, but next moment Gray shot the ball via Grant to Crawford, ’ who cleverly cut out McAllum and sent .Cooper away to score. Baldwin’s kick went under the bar. With five minutes gone and six points down Opunake pressed hotly, Harrison finding the line with long kicks. Then followed a lengthy interchange of kicks which ended in Opunake’s favour. Opunake charged and a rebound from Richards saw* Clarke and R. Lusk nearly over. Baeks and forwards Opunake pressed hotly, O’Rorke being nearly over. Finally their efforts --’ere rewarded, as from a penalty owing to a scrum infringement R. Hohaia goaled. Opunake, with fresh vigour, again attacked, Harrison punting high and his forwards following up fast. R. Hohaia shot the ball to C. Hohaia on the blind, the latter making another great burst to be well tackled. Harrison had a shot that went wide. T. Conroy made a great dash but was unsupported. However, R. Hohaia flashed the ball via C. Hohaia and McAllum to Rutherford, who dashed over alongside the posts, making the scores even. R. Hohaia failed to goal. Again Opunake pressed, C. Hohaia breaking through with two men in support, but his pass was cleverly intercepted by P. Bourke and again a penalty lifted Patea out of sore trouble. R. Hohaia tried a pot that just missed. Luck appeared to be against Opunake, as next moment Harrison had a penalty shot that fell short. Opunake forwards pressed, Clarke being nearly over, and then the backs opened out but Grant and company were sold in defence, Richards again being momentarily injured. R. Hohaia marked and gave a heady kick which ho followed up, but he was beaten by the bounce. Plry kept in Patea’s twen-ty-five, but the visitors defended solidly and ultimately Zimmerman cleared by lining at half-way. Back came Opunake with O’Rorke and Conroy in the van, but a force resulted. Opunake were now having the better of the argument, but at the critical moment a back would knock on. Then the ball swung out to Sinclair, who streaked but was well taken by Richards, who was again injured. Refreshed by the “breather” Patea attacked, Zimmerman making a run and, when blocked, sending the ball infield via Crawford to Cooper, who was held up in Opunake’s twenty-five. Cruden, however, led his pack back and, though checked by Grant, Opunake made a last determined effort to score. Patea defended sternly and as time sounded had swept play to the other end of the field. The final scores were: — Opunake 6 Patea 6 Mr. F. Atkins refereed, OKAIAWA BEAT HAWERA MATCH FILLED WITH INCIDENT. FIFTEEN POINTS TO ELEVEN. Greater interest was evident and justified in a lively game at Hawera. Okaiawa (15) defeated Hawera (11) in a contest crammed with incident and excitement. Neither side held definite advantage for long, and the open style of back and forward play conduced to sudden changes in the order of events. Okaiawa played a game below best form. Neither set of backs was dangerous on attack but in defence Okaiawa were rather superior and, strange to say, had more constant pressure to repulse. The Hawera pack was the dominant force in the game. Both sides scored two tries, Hawera converting one and kicking a penalty goal. Okaiawa kicked three penalties.

In the first quarter of an hour both sides secured possession and attempted open back play and both sets of inside men punted. Okaiawa reaped the advantage from judicious kicks. Johnston cut in at the centre of the field and dodged feeble tacklers. The forwards carried on and a Hawera man was offside in an easy position. Ike goaled. A lucky punt rolled out near the Okaiawa flag and the Hawera pack pressed, on the line, where Okaiawa were penalised for a scrum offence. Cheever’s kick swung high and wide. K. Riley was collared just in time in a dash down the side. Rangi Ruru broke away with Simon. When the movement was dangerous the referee ruled an infringement. K. Riley cross-kicked, Hammond fielded, drew McCallum and gave the ball to McCarthy, whose pace gave him clear room to score. Anderson goaled. E. Murphy fielded Hartley’s kick and gave the ball to Williams, who was held up on the line and a force resulted. L. Robinson headed a strong Hawera bid but was collared when near scoring. Hartley made an opening for. Johnston, who ran 50 yards to. place Simon in a scoring position. At the psychological moment Simon dropped the pass. Lynskey picked up from the ruck, dived through and sent a long pass to Cameron, who raced through and gave to Simon, who charged across atthe flag to score. The kick was disallowed. McCallum gathered on the left wing after the change-over and passed in near the Hawera line, Johnston and the Okaiawa' pack carrying on. Hawera, off-skle, were penalised and D<e goaled, making Okaiawa’s lead 9 to 5. Clarke was offside, Johnston mulled the kick near the lino and Blair just managed to line. Anderson potted fruitlessly and Hawera swarmed on the Okaiawa line. O. Murphy gave the ball to McCarthy from a scrum close to the touch-line and the winder dived over.- The kick failed and Okaiawa still led by 9 to 8. Rawcliffe was too anxious at half and Ike goaled

from a penalty for pulling the ball from a scrum. An exciting duel of ruck work evolved into a dribble by the Hawera pack but, amidst deafening barracking for “yellow,” Okaiawa forced. McCarthy fielded Johnston’s long clearing punt and raced away, giving the ball to 5. niley, who was checked at the corner flag. Cheevers fielded a grubber and potted in vain. A free kick by Cheevers a minute later swung just wide. The ruling left the spectators amazed. McCallum crossed at the corner flag after receiving from Lynskey and Johnston from a scrummage. The kick failed. A high kick and bounces were followed up by 0. Grey, who was allowed to score by Blair’s hesitation. The kick missed and the score was 15 to 11. The Hawera pack were fighting hard and pressing the Okaiawa backs. When Hawera tried open play the backs were lacking. The game ended with Hawera aggressive and the scores:— Okaiawa lb Hawera 11 Mr. M. Bailey refereed. WAIMATE DEFEAT ELTHAM EVEN, OPEN GAME PROVIDED. LITTLE BRIGHT PLAY SEEN. Waimate prevailed over Eltham on the Eltham ground by ten points to five. The game was an even and open . one, neither side claiming an advantage for very long. Although there were occasional flashes of brilliant play amongst both sets of backs, the game was a somewhat drab and ragged exposition of the code. Owing to the late arrival of Waimate tho game did not commence until 3,18, and the closing stages were contested in serai-darkness, the players being almost indistinguishable. Waimate kicked off against a slight breeze and immediately pressed the advantage, but Eltham cleared and play hung in midfield for some time; then Eltham took tho offensive. Waimate cleared and by a succession of rushes took play into Eltham’s territory, where from a free kick Whalen had an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Waimate kept up the pressure, but Eltham’s defence was sound. . From a scrum Waimato backs went away, but' Jie ball went out. From tho line-out Waimate forwards started a dribbling rush, but Attain cleverly saved. From a free kick at half way for interference with Taylor, Attrill kicked into touch a few yards from Waimate’s line, but tho latter successfully cleared and took play to Eltham’s line. Waimate were getting more than their share of the ball from tho scrums, but Eltham’s defence was sound. By a succession of loose rushes Waimate carried play again to Eltham’s line, where Casey forced. Frjm the kickoff Waimate pressed, but Eltham carried play down field, where, from a line-out outside the 25, Cooper obtained possession and raced for the line, scoring Eltham’s first try. Bourke’s kick was successful, and Eltham led five to nil. A period of midfield play followed until Eltham forwards took play to Waimate’s line, over-eagerness resulting in off-side play saving a great chance to score. Eltham maintained the advantage, and twice Cooper .made spectacular rushes to the line, Only to be held up on each occasion. Waimate were temporarily out of difficulties until Bourke lined with a brilliant kick a few yards from Waimate’s line, repeating the performance a few minutes, later on tho other side of the field, Waimate clearing on both occasions. Just before half-time Bourke had a shot at goal from the side-line about ten yards inside half way, the ball falling to one side of the uprights. Upon resuming Waimate carried play to Eltham’s line, good defence enabling the latter to clear. Waimate were making desperate efforts to score, essaying two pots from the field in close succession. Eltham quickly carried play into Waimate territory, where Cooper made a brilliant run but was forced out. From a scrum at half way Paterson dummied his way through, but a forward pass spoilt the movement. However, Waimate continued to press, the ball going out at the corner. From the line-out Attain cleared temporarily, but Waimate continued to press, two forces resulting within a few minutes. Following a period of play up and down the field, Attrill broke away with no one in attendance and Waimate cleared, taking play to Eltham’s 25, where, from a scrum, Paterson sent his backs away in a likely looking movement, but Whalen fumbled his pass. Waimate kept up the pressure and Langford was nearly across at the corner. At this stage D. Gower left the field injured, A. Cooper replacing him. Waimate kept Eltham busy, and were awarded a free-kick on Eltham’s line. Instead of taking tho kick Whalen short-punted and followed up to score a try. Hughes’ kick was successful, thus equalising the scores. From a scramble near the line Hughes went over to score and converted his own try, Waimate leading by ten to five. Eltham made spirited attempts to score, but Waimate kept them out, transferring play to half-way. A period of give and take play followed until the whistle sounded with the scores: — Waimate 10 Eltham 5 Mr. G. Were refereed. LOWER GRADE MATCHES. NORTHERN DIVISION. Second Grade. Okato 5 v. Star 3. School 5 v. Tukapa 0. Old Boys 11 v. Lepper ton 8. Third Grade. Star 25 v. School 6. Old Boys 14 v. Tukapa 3. Fourth Grade. School A 13 v. Tukapa 6. Okato 14 v. School B 0. Fifth Grade. Star 11 t. School C 3. School A 9 v. School B 0. During the week School A played and defeated School C. SOUTHERN DIVISION. Second Grade. Hawera 13 v. Athletic fl. Patea 11 v. Alton 4. Waimate 6 v. Opunake 0. Okaiawa 27 v. Kaponga 8. Third Grade. High School 19 v. Patea 0. Waimate 21 v. Okaiawa 3. Athletic 26 v. Hawera Fourth Grade. Kaponga 14 y. High School, 3.

TAINUI SUB-UNION. Playing at Awakino on- Saturday, Awakino defeated Maoris by nine points to four. At Tongaporutu the local . team defeated Mahoenui by nine points to three. PRIMARY SCHOOL GAMES. Alton defeated Patea by 23 points to three at Alton in a return match: Eltham School 0 v. Stratford 0. POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS. SENIOR GRADE. Northern Division.

RESULTS FROM OTHER CENTRES, PALMERSTON NORTH. Old Boys 16 v. Feilding Old Boys li ¥ Kia Toa 20 v. Athletic 6. Feilding 21 v. Woodville 0. AUCKLAND. . Grammar 12 v. Training College. 9. Ponsonby 18 v. Technical Old Boys 6. Marist 8 v. Manakau 0.. City 28 v. Grafton 3. WELLINGTON. Senior. A. Athletic 13 v. Poneke 9. Varsity 19 v. Eastbourne 9. Petone 19 v. Wellington 6. Berhampore 22 v. Marist 7. Senior B. - Hutt 6 v. Johnsonville 3. . /,• Training College 6 v. Varsity 5, WANGANUI. Technical 0.8. 14 v. Wanganui 0.8. II Marist 11 v- County 0. DUNEDIN. Pirates 9 v. Southern 6. < Taieri 12 v. Kaikorai 9. Zingari 5 v. Union 3. Varsity B 41 v. Dunedin 8. Varsity A 25 v. Alhambra 8. CHRISTCHURCH. Varsity 0 v. Merivale 7. Albion 9 v. Christchurch 0.8. o. West Sydenham 15 v. Technical IS. WEST COAST BEATS BULLER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, Last Night. The first representative Rugby match of the 'season was played at Victoria Square this afternoon, when. West Coast defeated Buller by five points (a try scored by Mason and converted by Bell) to nil. The game was played under cold, wet conditions. The Coast, both in the backs and forwards, gave the brighter display. Mason, Nig’htm» gale, Bell and Freitas -(Coast), and Goodall, Stewart, Gardiner and Graham (Buller) played outstanding Rugby MARLBOROUGH DEFEAT NELSON. ’ Blenheim, Last Night, x Having soundly defeated Nelson at Nelson a fortnight ago, Marlborough -. 7 repeated the dose to-day at Blenheim, the score this time being 26 points to 11. It was a splendid exhibition of fast, open, forward play. Marlborough dominated the game almost throughout, r while for tile last half-hour Nelson were hopeless. For the winners tries were scored by Hewitson (2), Woodate (2), Doh s ?» and Botham (2). Botham also kicked a penalty goal and Phillips eonvertc one of the seven tries. For Nelson Fowler scored a try and Reed converted and also kicked a penalty goal.

E a a -U £ P )-} o 48 P/ if .9 £ cu £ i Star .... ... 10 8 0 2 102 54 16 Stratford .... 10 7 1 2 107 69 15 Inglewood ... 10 6 1 3 87' 58 13 Old Boys .... 10 5 1 4 115 64 11 Celtic ... .... 10 5 0 5 85 103 10 Clifton . .... 10 3 1 6 90 113 7 Tukapa . .... 10 2 2 6 96 103 6 Okato .. .... 10 1 0 9 54 172 2 Southern Division, ’' -.-.K Opunase .... 10 8 2 0 138 51 18 ?. Okaiawa .... 10 8 1 1 130 86 17 Hawera . .... 10 8* 0 2 118 69 16 Patea ... .... 10 5 14 79 11 Athletic . .... 10 3 0 7 90 131 6 Waimate io 3 0 7 83 142 6 Kaponga .... 10 2 0 8* 71 96 4 Eltham . .... 10 1 0 9 65 137 2 ' *Won against Kaponga by protest. SECOND GRADE. Northern Division. Star .... 5 4 1 0 70 16 0 Lepperton .... 3* 1* 1- 1 8 19 3 Western Division Tukapa , 7 7 0 1 86 16 14 Old Boys .... 7 4 1 2 45 37 9 Okato ... 7* 3* 1 3 17 32 7 THIRD GRADE. Old Boys .... 8 7 0 1 128 32 14 Star .... .... 9 7 0 2 119 59 14 Tukapa . .... 8 4 0 4 107 48 8 School .. 0 2 0 4 53 68 4 Clifton .. 7* 1* 0 6 20 156 2 Lepper ton ... 3 0 0 3 9 73 6 FOURTH GRADE. Star .... .... 6 6 0 0 173 6 12 School A .... 5 4 0 1 93 55 8 Tukapa . .... 8 3 0 5 41 86 6 Okato .. .... 7 3 0 4 32 100 School B .... 6 0 0 6 12.104 0 FIFTH GRADE. Star .... .... 6 4 1 1 55 17 0 School A 6 2 1 3 24 26 5 School C ..... 4 2 0 1 18 22 4 School B .... 5 r 2 2 16 44 4 ♦ Signifies default. TAINUI SUB-UNION. xwakino 6 5 0 1 63 19 10 Tongaporutu . 6 8 12 21 22 7 Maoris .. 5 1 1 3 12 21 3 Mahoenui .... 5 1 0 4 23 57 2