SOUTHERN DIVISION PLAY

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 4

SOUTHERN DIVISION PLAY

OPUNAKE SCORE HEAVILY

OPUNAKE SCORE HIUVILY. WAIMATE'S DEFICIT 19 POINTS. FAST OPEN GAME RESULTS. Opunake scored heavily from assaults through both back and forward divisions in a fast open game against Waimate at Manaia on a greasy ground. The Opnnake backs from scrum to wing slung the ball about with precision and ran with straight speed. They scored seven tries and converted two. Waimate kept up tho pace to the end although the opposition was too strong and too persistent.

An Opunake passing movement from a serum broke down. Tho ball rolled to Harrison, who tried to pot from a good position, but the hall screwed towards the touchline. From an ensuing scramble C. Hohaia secured and sold dummies to score a try in a good position. The kick was disallowed. Play swung to midfield, where the Opunake left wing, W. Hohaia, received a knock which forced him to retire. One movement started in the Opunake twenty-five was checked by Whalen’s interception at mid-field, the Waimate five-eighth gaining ground with a clever run and transferring to Paterson who was smothered. A scrum close to the twenty-five flag followed, and Whalen made a tricky run. Three others came into the movement/ but were robbed almost on the lino by Clark’s interception. Opunake were holding the upper hand, although Waimate occasionally reached the 25. Opunake’s backs went away from a scrum in the 25 in a dazzling movement, capped with a try on the wing by Rutherford. From the touchline Sinclair converted. C. Hohaia made a short zig-zag dash to .send J. Lusk plunging over in the corner. Sinclair’s kick was unsuccessful. At half-time the score was 11-0 in Opunake’s favour.

From a scrum in the 25 R. Hohaia transferred to Robinson, who cut in and sent C. Hohaia and McCullum away. Tho movement finished under the bar by McCullum. The greasy ball screwed as Sinclair kicked, and veered outside the post. Waimate were compelled to remain on the defensive. From a scrum almost on the line R. Hohaia handed to Robinson, who dived across for a try which he was unable to convert. Waimate forwards went up with the kick-off. Stopped in the 25 zone, they thrust again almost immediately, Paterson, C. Bourke, W. Sutton and Hughes participating to score a try in the corner by Hughes. The kick missed. Waimate attacked within a moment, a well-judged penalty kick from 40 yards out by Hughes making the scores 17-6. McKay was a shining light in the Waimate defence during the concluding stages. Waimate sustained the pace and were willing to the finish. On two further occasions the ball went through the chain to the speedy Rutherford, who capped both efforts with tries in good positions. One was converted by Harrison. Time sounded with the scores: — Opunake .. 25 Waimate Mr. L. H. Clapham was the referee.

KAPONGA DEFEAT ELTHAM FORWARD GAME IN THE MUD. MARGIN OF NINE POINTS. Kaponga accounted for Eltham at Kaponga by 14 points to 5. The heavy nature of the ground caused the game to resolve into a forward struggle, and heavy showers in the second spell increased the difficulties. The first spell ended without score, but in the second spell the vigorous Kaponga pack kept play chiefly in Eltham’s territory. From the kick-off Kaponga attacked, but Bourke cleared, placing Eltham on the offensive, Williams sent them back and Kaponga followed up the advantage by nearly scoring, Bourke losing his footing and being caught with the ball. From a penalty Williams had a shot at goal, but the kick failed and Eltham forced. Eltham took a hand in matters from the kick-off, carrying play to Kaponga’s line as a result of a fine run by Bourke, the full-back. A period of mid-field play, in which both sides engaged in long kicking, took place, until Espin and Gardner broke away, to be recalled for a knock-on. Kaponga seemed from the scrum and as a result of a passing rush Eliason was tackled by Bourke within a yard of the line, Eltham kept their opponents out and play went to Kaponga’s line, where D. Gower made two rushes, taking play almost to the line. McCarrison cleared to half-way, and was soon again prominent in a fine run through to Bourke. A rush by Mercer, L. Gargan and Jefcoate looked likely, but Free’s kick crossed the dead ball line. Again the Kaponga backs attacked, carrying play to Eltham’s line. They could not penetrate the defence, and the spell ended with Kaponga still pressing, and without score. At the commencement of the second spell the low setting sun troubled Eltham’s men. Kaponga’s first try came early in the spell as a result of a fine run by L. Gargan. Punting to D. Gower he followed up, regained beat those of the opposition who were in a position to stop him, and scored a good try. Williams’ kick failed, and Kaponga led by three points to nil. From the kick-off L. Gargan and Williams carried play into Eltham’s territory, Bourke clearing. The relief was shortlived, however, the forwards confining play to Eltham’s territory, the wretched conditions preventing the addition of further points. Suddenly the Eltham forwards changed the venue of the game, and from a rush D. Gower crossed, Bourke adding the converting points, thereby placing Eltham in the lead by 5 to 3. Spurred on by this reverse the Kaponga forwards, with B. Hainmersley and Gardiner prominent, quickly carried play to Eltham’s line, the movement just failing to yield points. Not to be outdone, however, Kaponga continued to attack with the result that Mercer crossed at the corner. Free made a fine but unsuccessful attempt to goal. Kaponga. now led by one point, and made repeated efforts to increase their score, Eltham’s defence and their own knocks-, on saving the situation. Kaponga kept up the pressure and received their reward when F. Gargan crossed from a loose forward rush, Free again failing to add the extra points. The remainder of the play was practically confined to

Eltham’s territory, the Kaponga forwards, a splendid pack, sorely trying Eltham’s defence. Once L. Cooper made a brilliant solo run, but play was soon back in Eltham’s quarter, Jefcoate crossing to score Kaponga’s fourth and last try. Williams’ splendid conversion added two points. Kaponga, leading by 14 to 5, kept up the pressure, resulting in r. Gargan crossing. He was recalled or a knock-on. When the final whistle sounded without further score Kaponga were still attacking with the score :-T Kaponga 14 Eltham " ’ 5 Air. F. Atkins was the referee.