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Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1929, Page 4

OPUNAKE’S NARROW ESCAPE ATHLETIC BUT ONE POINT BEHIND STRENUOUS GAME AT HAWERA. Opunake managed to score one point more than Athletic a few minutes before the final whistle after a strenuous game on the Hawera showgrounds. Athletic scored eleven-points and Opunake none in the first half. In the second spell Opunake scored four tries, unconverted. Penalties against Athletic were almost continuous in the second spell —the majority of times when they were threatening. A little restraint exercised by the losers might have won the game. The ground was slippery, but conditions improved under a hot sun so that the Opunake backs could handle with ease. The Athletic tactics of footwork in the first spell enabled them to gain the advantage. Tuki delayed the mark of a high kick under the posts and it was disallowed, but Meyrick dribbled through to halfway. Athletic returned to the attack and Rutherford was offside within easy distance. Tuki goaled and gained the first lead. Athletic later were forced at the posts. Athletic had been having the better of tight play. Cate broke away and dribbled past the Opunake fullback. From the ruck Dymond passed to Lay, the ball then going to Dowdle, who passed at the right time to Meyrick, who scored. Tuki converted. Dymond gave a taste of cleverness, which turned defence - into attack. He ran round the scrum like Teddy Roberts, dummied beautifully, galloped up the line and short punted. Lay passed forward at the psychological moment. The Athletic pack followed up and an Opunake forward was offside after a mull. Tuki goaled and the Athletic lead was 11 to nil at half-time.

Opunake scored at the posts soon after resuming, Tuki slipping in front of a green forward rush. The kick missed. Harrison failed with a free kick near half-way. Tuki and Dowdle both attempted to field an Opunake high kick and C. Hohaia went on to score at the posts. Two shots at goal by R. Hohaia failed badly, and the score was 11 to G. Lay cut through the middle of the ruck and sent out a long pass, but it went astray. Four successive free kicks to Opunake gained little advantage except to repulse Athletic invasions. The fifth free kick—up and under again—saw Coleman force. Athletic were defending well and Opunake were opening up back passing to gam ground at frequent intervals. Misunderstanding as to who should take the ball caused Athletic trouble. Hohaia whipped out from the ruck and the ball flew out to Rutherford on the wing. He made a successful beeline for the corner, scoring as he >svas tackled.. The kick failed and the score was 11 to 9. J. Lusk broke away at Opunake’s 25 and gave the ball to his backs. Rutherford secured again and sped up the line and around behind the posts to score. The kick failed and Opunake had tTie*lead for the first time. Again Athletic stormed Opunake’s line, only to be penalised when threatening. The Opunake backs opened up following the breakdown of an Athletic movement and six green men were ready to carry on unopposed when a forward pass spoiled. The game ended with the scores; Opunake I'2 Athletic 11 Mr. H. G. Whittington refereed. SUCCESS FOR OKAIAWA CLOSELY CONTESTED MATCH. KAPONGA BEATEN BY 9 TO 3. After a fairly open and interesting game, played on a very slippery ground, Okaiawa beat Kaponga by three tries to one. The forwards on both sides went well, Kaponga being a little better than their opponents, but the Okaiawa backs were strong enough to counter that advantage. From the kick-off Okaiawa pressed and threatened the Black line, G. Paterson clearing. Okaiawa continued the pressure, L. Gargan saving a deteimined rush into Kaponga territory. From a penalty Ike had an unsuccessful snot at goal. A determined rush by Eliason under the posts was checked, Okaiawa carrying play to half-way. From a serein Okaiawa backs made a determined passing rush down the field, Williams fine tackling of Simans alone saving a try, and Kaponga forced. Okaiawa continued the pressure, Williams’ kick to the line at half-way saving the situation. Two further sallies to Kaponga’s line were checked.. Simans secured, the ball going through the backs. Johnston, who had run round, lost possession and L. Gargan cleared. A considerable period of give and take play followed, both sets of forwards, especially Kaponga, tackling hard, although Okaiawa, with the advantage of the sun, were faringbetter territorially. A determined Kaponga forward rush was checked . by Johnston marking, but Okaiawa gained little advantage, Kaponga transferring play into Okaiawa’s territory where McLarrison attempted a pot when a good scoring chance presented itself. Kaponga continued to press and from a scramble near the line F. Gargan dived over to score in a good position. .M. Paterson’s kick failed as half time sounded with the score: Kaponga 3, Okaiawa 0.

Kaponga carried play dangerously near Okaiawa’s line, where it remained until Espin got oil-side, enabling Johnston to clear. Kaponga came again, but 200(1 line kicking gave Okaiawa considerable ground. Okaiawa continued to press the advantage and from a scrum R. Clarke broke away to score Okaiawa’s first points. Ike’s kick failed and the score was 3 all. From a scrum Hartley sent his backs away and Okaiawa transferred play into Kaponga’s territory. A pretty piece of passing among the Okaiawa backs almost resulted in them getting over, but Kaponga, with L. Gargan in the lead, broke away down the field. A"ain Kaponga forwards were away, but Johnston saved and the Okaiawa backs indulged in a passing rush, gaining considerable ground. Kaponga returned to the attack, but Ike streaked down the field with the ball, saving the situation. A dangerous Kaponga rush was temporarily stemmed by effective combination between Johnston and Lynskey, but Kaponga came again and were nearly over. Both teams were making desperate attempts to score, and play moved at a fast pace to Kaponga’s line. Johnston broke through and «hnrt-nunted but Wil-

flams cleared to half-way. Twist was caught off-side and from Ike’s short kick Okaiawa, with Johnston again prominent, carried play to the Kaponga line, where from a scrum Okaiawa backs were away, but Cameron knocked-on, spoiling the movement. Okaiawa continued the pressure and from a scrum near the line Ike notched Okaiawa’s second try. R. Clarke’s kick went wide, and Okaiawa led by six to nil. Spurred on by this reverse Kaponga pressed, but Johnston and company returned play to the Kaponga line, where R. Clarke again went over to score. His kick failed. From the kick-off Okaiawa were nearly over again, but Kaponga cleared to halfway. L. Gargan essayed a pot but failed, and Okaiawa again cleared. The final whistle found Kaponga on the attack and the scores: — Okaiawa 9 Kaponga 3 HAWERA DEFEAT ELTHAM PLAY A AIONG THE FORWARDS. WINNERS ALWAYS SUPERIOR. Playing on the Hawera ground, Eltbam were defeated by nine points to nil in a fair game under winter conditions, the ground being full of water-holes and not conducive to good football, though many dashing forward movements were seen. Hawera dominated the play practically throughout, their forwards proving superior. Cheevers was soon hard pressed and had difficulty in clearing. Guy speculated, but reached the line and in the lineout Hawera took a penalty to clear to the half-way line. Play returning to the visitors’ twenty-five, the Hawera forwards were having the better of the play, but a knock-on held them up. Guy fed his backs well, the ball going out to McCarthy, but a penalty gave Eltbam temporary relief. Murphy ultimately broke through and Eltham carried behind. Eltham forwards immediately took a dribbling rush from the twentyfive line to the centre, but L. Cooper overran and the visitors were given a penalty. Clearing from the scrum, Hunter marked to short punt, and in the re-bound Guy secured and scored near the corner flag. Andersons’ kick fell short. Hawera forwards, led by Murphy and Goodger, initiated a rush up to the twenty-five line, where Eltham took a penalty, the kick gaining no ground. Gower again secured and gained a lot of ground by his kick. In the return Murphy followed up well, but missed the touch down, and Eltham forced Campbell led Eltham forwards and broke through when Cheevers failed to gather, Hunter saving. An interchange of short kicks in midfield followed, but Hawera were again able to carry play to the visitors’ twenty-five, Eltham ultimately forcing. Eltham again broke through, but Anderson saved and the Hawera forwards again penetrated the visitors’ twenty-five, Eltham forcing. Half-time sounded with no further score. Hawera were soon in the visitors’ twenty-five, the forwards, led by Murphy and Gibson, being hard on the ball, and the visitors had to force twice in quick succession. Cooper led Elthain well up the field and they were almost across, Gibson gathering in time. Play returned from the line-out and Murphy had only to gather up and finish, but Bourke speculated and cleared to the line. Eltham continued to defend, their back division at this stage handling well, but were not able to pass the halfway line. From the twenty-five Cheevers secured to pass to Murphy, to Robinson, and B. Murphy again . secured possession in the ruck to finish the movement with a try. Anderson failed to add points. Hawera, led by Gibson, Murphy and Robinson, again broke through to within five yards, but a knock-on held them, and Eltham took a penalty and cleared to quarter-way. Cheevers, Robinson and Hunter were responsible for the next passing movement and from the loose Eaves dribbled over and raced for the ball, beating the opposition. McCarthy’s kick failed to rise. The final stages found Hawera on the attack, but they were not able to cross, play hovering near the twentyfive line, and when time sounded the score was: Hawera 0 Eltham 0 Mr. J. Kiley was referee. WAIMATE’S SURPRISE WiN PATEA TEAM DEFEATED AT HOME SCORE 5 TO 3 IN CLOSE GAME. Waimate caused a surprise by defeating Patea at Patea by 5 points to 3. Although the field was soft and the ball greasy, tiie match proved to be an interesting one from start to finish. Waimate were early on the attack with a loose forward rush, followed by the backs bustling Wills. The ball passed from McKay to Whalen and to Langford, who notched Waimate’s first try a few minutes from the start. Whalen goaled, and Waimate led by 5 to nil. Patea backs attacked, but Waimate kept them out, C. Bourke transferring play to Patca’s 25. From a forward rush Sam was nearly over, closely followed by a back rush from which Burke almost crossed. Patea then took a hand, Grant making a good dodgy run, but the movement was short-lived and Waimate were again on the offensive, Sam and McKay again missing scoring chances. Patea soon turned their sound defence into attack, when D. Baldwin led a determined forward rush into Waimate’s territory. The movement was continued by Pipi and Grant, and Waimate had a busy time keeping the invaders out, McKay being particularly conspicuous for his kicking. The relief, however, was short-lived, Patea again attacking and carrying the ball across the line, where Waimate forced. There was no further score at half-time. On resuming, Patea attacked, McDonald’s sterling defence sending them back. From a penalty kick Bourke found the line at the 25, Patea, with Crottey and Crawford in the van, maintaining the advantage. It was then Waimate’s turn to attack, two or three solid forward rushes carrying them over the line, causing a force. Again Waimate came down, Griffin and Sutton leading a good forward rush that was checked by Richards, Crottey and G. Baldwin, the latter carrying on into Waimate territory. Good defence on Waimate’s part saved the situation, McDonald and Shaw ultimately taking play to half-way. Not to be denied, Patea came again, and twice, as a result of back rushes, were nearly across at the corner, until Griffin temporarily cleared to the 25 where, from a penalty in a good position, A. Baldwin piloted the ball between the posts to register Patca’s only three

points, Waimate again went on the attack, the forwards causing Patea to force. Patea attacked by means of determined rushes, Crawford on one occasion nearly getting over. Patea maintained the offensive, Waimate being a trifle lucky to clear, although Patea’s faulty passing hindered their efforts. Both teams were keeping up the pace, making strenuous efforts to score, and the whistle sounded leaving Waimate on the attack with the scores: Waimate 5 Patea 3 Mr. A. Murphy refereed. CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS. I SENIOR GRADE Northern Division

OKATO FORFEIT MATCH. ■ .1 STRATFORD WIN BY DEFAULT. Owing to the very wet weather and the distance that they had to travel, together with the fact that several of their players had the ’flu and others were laid up with severe colds, Okato did not make the trip to Stratford and consequently the latter won by default. The coastal team has undertaken to visit Stratford on Wednesday next in order to play a practice match against Stratford, who have three important engagements —"Star, Celtic and Inglewood in front of them. LOWER GRADE MATCHES. Northern Division. On account of the very inclement state of the weather and the amount of sickness prevailing among the pupils all matches in which New Plymouth High School teams were engaged were postponed. A report was circulated that all junior matches had been postponed, and in consequence some' other teams did not fulfil their engagements, and very few games in the. lower grades took place. In the matches played, Star second grade defeated Lepperton by 19 to 5, thus giving them the win in the Northern ' Division. of that competition and the right to play off with the winners of the Western Division. These two divisions have been amalgamated for the remainder of the competition, and matches played against these two teams and the Boys’ High School team do not count for the championship.In the third grade the only game played was that between Clifton and Tukapa at Waitara, the home side being defeated by I'2 points to three. A fifth grade match between School B and C teams, pilayed during tflie week, ended in a draw, each side scoring eight points'. SOUTHERN DIVISION. Second Grade. Hawera beat Patea by default. Alton 17 v. Athletic 3. Waimate beat Kaponga by default. Okaiawa 11 v. Opunake 5. Third Grade. Waimate won from Hawera by default. Athletic 3 v. High School 0. Fourth Grade. Waimate 8 v. Kaponga 6. High School won from Okaiawa by default. TAINUI SUB-UNION.' The Tainul Sub-Union competition was continued on Saturday, when at Mahoenui Awakino defeated the home team by 13 points to three, while at Awakino the Maoris and Tongaporutu drew three all. FALWASSER’S STATUS DOUBTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Albert Falwasser, Auckland, Taranaki and Maori representative, who intended leaving for England last week to play League, was at Eden Pai' on Sator’’.y ready io play for his old Rugby club Manukau, but th© Rugby Union would not permit him to do bo : pending an inquiry into Ms status.

*2 E p ,© g S £ a 3 o Uj tn ’I U7 ‘g ’5 Cl, Star .... 11 9 0 2 113 54 18 Stratford ■ a * 11 8 12 107 69 17 Inglewood 0 « 11 7 1 3 93 61 15 Old Boys w • • o 11 6 14 126 70 13 Celtic .. a • a •’ 11 5 0 6 91 114 10 Clifton . o a » • 11 3 1 7 90 124 7 Tukapa « • • 11 2 2 7 99 109 6 Okato 11 1 0 10 54 172 2 Southern Division. ‘ Opunake a . . . 11 9 2 0 150 62 20 Okaiawa a ■ * a 11 9 1 1 139 89 19 Ilawera a • • a 11 *9 0 2 127 69 18 Patea 11 5 15 91 77 11 Waimate 11 4 0 7 88 145 8 Athletic * a . a 11 3 0 8 101 143 6 Kaponga 11 2 0 *9 74 105 4 Eltham . ... a 11 1 0 10 65 146 2 Ilawera won against Kaponga on a protestSECUND GRADE. ■ Northern Division Star .. 0 5 10 89 21 11 Lepperton ... 4 1 1 2 13 38 3 Western Division. Tukapa O o a o a 7 7 0 1 SO 10 14 Old Boys a • a » 7 4 1 2 45 37 9 Okato 7* 3* 1 3 17 32 7 THIRD GRADE. Old Boys . . . . 8 7 0 1 128 35 14 Star .., 9 7 0 2 122 6514 Tukapa 9 5 0 4 119 53 10 School , « 2 0 4 53 68 4 Clifton 8 10 7 23 145 2 FOURTH GRADE. Star ... 6 6 0 0 106 6 12 School A a a a A 5 4 0 1 91 44 8 Tukapa » ® » • • 8 3 0 5 41 86 0 Okato 7 3 0 4 31 104 6 School B 6 0 0 6 18 118 0 FIFTH GRADE. - Star ... 0 4 1 1 60 17 9 School A 6 2 13 24 26 5 School C 0 2 1 3 20 39 0 School B • • 6 1. 8 2 24 52 5 TAINUI SUB-UNION. Awakino ... a 7 6 0 1 76 22 12 Tongaporutu Maoris 7 6 3 2 2 12 3 24 15 25 24 8 4 Mahoenui ... a 6 1 0 5 26 70 2 S lnclud-s default.