OKATO TUG-OF-WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1929, Page 4

OKATO TUG-OF-WAR

SUCCESSFUL OPENING NIGHT. SOME EXCITING CONTESTS. That the tug-of-war .si ill possesses a powerful appeal along the coast was demonstrated in no uncertain manner at Okato last night by. the large crowd that, despite the very unfavourable weather, attended at the opening of the tim-of-war tournament in aid of the Hempton Hall funds. The closeness of many of the pulls and the enthusiasm that prevailed augured well for the success of the tournament. Before finality is reached there is every indication that there will be some great struggles. Amon 0, the seven teams that have entered "the lightweight and the four in the heavyweight are several noted performers, as well as a number of new teams, the latter making a very creditable showing. The tournament is being run on the three-life system and, despite the unavoidable delays due to the formalities of weighing in, etc., splendid progress was made, two rounds being decided. The conduct of the gathering again left nothing to be desired, the electric indicator enabling the crowd to follow closely the fluctuating fortunes of the teams. Messrs. W. A. Corbett, as starter and judge, E. H. Gray as timekeeper, C. Eustace, R. C. Larsen and J. Shaw as weight stewards, J. Shaw and L. O’Sullivan as board stewards, C. Eustace marshal, and R. C. Larsen, result steward, carried out their duties with thoroughness. The supper arrangements, in the hands of the Hempton Hall ladies, left nothing to be desired, and the ladies also lost no opportunity of adding to the funds by means of competitions, etc., whilst N. Corbett did great business at the canteen. During the evening Mr. C. Eustace, chairman of the hall committee, expressed the thanks of the committee for the splendid public patronage which, he hoped, would be repeated to-night and on Friday, when the finals would be decided, and when there would be a dance. Detailed results arc:— LIGHTWEIGHT. First Round. Warea Road (F. Dick, C. Rogers, W. Smith, C. Julian, H. Wells, L. Donald, captain), 53st. 41b., defeated Hempton (K. Hickford, C. Similhay, P. Savage, A. Pollock, M. Corbett, J. Goodwin captain), 53st. 11b., by 7i inches. The pull was won all the way. . .. o Pungarehu (K. Elwin, A. Matt, S. Corbett, S.' McCaul, Stewart, G. Watt captain), 52st. 101 b., defeated Kahui Road (J. Pratt, J. Surgenor, R. Norgate, B. Hooker, J. Northcott, P. Norgate captain), 53st. 51b., by 6i inches. This was a fairly easy win. Stony River (Lobb, Tiplady, Chard, J. Bright, A. Whetu, R. Hill captain), 53st. 61b., defeated Bentons.(C. Benton, E. Benton, C. Benton, R. Benton, C. Benton, P. Black, captain), 53st. 21b., Py. 4 inches. This was an interesting ' Egmont (Alec, Loekly, To Wahu, Tamaka, Hoskin, W. Day 1 , captain), 53 st. 71b., had a bye. Second Round.

Warea Road defeated Pungarehu Road by half an inch. This was the best pull of the evening. Hempton defeated Bentons by five inches. It was a minute before Hempton could gain any advantage, but they then gradually forged ahead. Stony River defeated Egmont by two inches. Stony River took an inch and increased it to three inches in the first minute. Egmont checked them during the next minute and by strenuous endeavours reduced the leeway to two inches in the last 15 seconds. Kahui Road a bye. HEAVYWEIGHT. Brownies (Pepperell, W. Kohi, Snowball, S. Pepperell, P. Terawhiti, G. Gray captain), 62st. 81b., defeated Stony River (G. Inia, J. Goodwin, J. Clements, F. Goodwin, J. Sullivan, R. Hill captain), 63st. 71b., by 3 inches after a splendid pull.’ Ngaia Bros. (T. Ngaia, W. Mitchell, 11. Ngaia, K. Ngaia, M. Ngaia, A. Lorkin captain), 61st. 131 b., defeated Egmont (H. Woodward, C. Magon, Inia, 11. Ehrhorn, Mahutanga, W. Day captain)/63st. 51b., by 3| inches after a good pull. Second Round. Stony River defeated Egmont by two inches. This proved a great pull. For half a minute neither side could gain a decided advantage. Then Stony River rained two inches. This they held for a minute, when Egmont gradually recovered and with a minute to go were only an inch in arrears. With a tremendous effort Egmont brought the beam level and the din was terrific as they raised the white light for half an inch. The effort had proved too great, and Stony River, moving in concerted style, gained two inches on time. Ngaia Bros, defeated Brownies by two inches. Ngaia Bros, took half an inch from the word go, but Brownies soon aot it back. Then for a minute the fights flickered. Ngaia settled down to a steady pull and took three inches in the next minute. Brownies struggled hard and with 15 seconds to go were only an inch in arrears. The strain had told and Ngaia, pulling like one man, took another inch to win by two inches.