JUNIOR RUGBY GAMES

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1930, Page 10

JUNIOR RUGBY GAMES

CENTRAL DIVISION PLAY. TOKO AND CELTIC TEAM'S EXCEL. Play in the central division junior Rugby competition was continued yesterday in fffie weather. The outstanding game was the match' between Toko and Celtic first juniors, the former team winning by the narrow margin of two pointe after a liard match in which Celtic made a fine showing. The Midhirst team used its weight to advantage and trounced Eltham. Results are: — First Junior. Stratford 15 v. Tariki 3. Afidhirst 37 v. Eltham 0. Toko 9 v.’ Celtic 7. ’ Third Grade. Stratford 35 v. Celtic 3. TOKO WINS AGAIN. HARD GAME WITH CELTIC. Toko continued on its winning way by defeating Celtic at Toko by nine points to seven after the hardest game yet played in the competition. It was a battle from .first to last, but despite the sturdy defence of Celtic, the honours went to Toko. More will be heard of the rapidly improving Celtic team. It has a light but. vigorous pack and a particularly good back line. The first spell. was remarkable for its solid, fast play in which quarter was neither asked nor given. Undoubtedly Toko had the ter-itorial advantage, and for junior play some of its sweeping forward rushes were wonderfully executed. Time after time the team, swept right to Celtic’s line —but could go no further. Although Toko maintained superiority in aggressive tactics the spell ended with Celtic in the lead, Jones having kicked a penalty goal and dropped a fine field goal. Just before half-time J. Sangster started the home team’s scoring account with an easy penalty kick. Owing to a watch stopping the spell was unduly prolonged.

More back work with excellent. handling, particularly on the part of Celtic, marked the opening of the second spell and play ranged freely up and down the field. There were four forces before any points were added to scoring accounts. Then Sangster kicked another penalty goal, leaving Celtic only a point in the lead. After another ten minutes of brisk play A. Walter scored for Toko in the corner from a passing rush and a good opening made by R. Cuff. Considering the advantage of weight against them the younger Celtic players did remarkably well, but tlhe long first spell and the hard game left them very tired at the finish. The game ended with the scores: Toko 9, Celtic 7. Mr. G. Were refereed. MIDHIRST ROUTS ELTHAM. SCORE OF 37 POINTS TO NIL. Eltham juniors received a severer defeat at the hands of a heavier Mid'hirst team yesterday, the match resulting: Midhirst 37, Eltham 0. In the game there were many patches of bright play, but the Eltham team was generally out.ckassed and scarcely, came within sight of a score during the afternoon. Eltham players made good efforts to tackle but the freer passing and running of Midhirst made it difficult for the defenders. The Midhirst men were not abraid to throw the ball about and take a few risks and their style of play made for an interesting, open game, play at times being fast. Tries were scored by J. Bonnifa.ee (2), T. Bonniface (2), Richards, Mason, Harkness and C. Hodge. S. Adlam converted two and J. Bonniface one. T. Bonniface added a penalty goal and Hodge drop-kicked a fine goal from the field. Mr. Rowland refereed. HALF-HOLIDAY FOR FOOTBALL. CHANGE TO SATURDAY SOUGHT. As a result of the majority decision of a general meeting of business men of Stratford, adjourned from Wednesday night, the Stratford Borough Council will telegraph the Minister of Labour this morning asking him to declare Saturday, May 24, the occasion of the Taranaki v. England football match, the halfholiday in Stratford in lieu of the usual Thursday, the long night to be observed on Friday. ■ , There were over 40 at the meeting, the Mayor, Mr. P. Thomson, presiding. Mr. A. R. Masters moved as a motion the amendment that had been defeated at the earlier meeting—that the council take steps to have the half-holiday changed to the Saturday. Mr. W. Hoskin moved as an amendment that the half-holiday remain as as present. There was practically no discussion, and of those eligible to vote 13 were for the amendment and 16 against, the amendment being lost. The motion was then carried on the voices. LOWGARTH HALL SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Lowgarth Hall Society was held on Monday. There was a fair attendance. Mr. C. Cook, chairman, gave a review of the year’s working. The euchre parties last winter had proved a great success financially and sociably. Several dances had been held and showed showed a credit balance of £35 13s Id, as against £24 14s fid the previous year. The election of the committee resulted in all present being elected. Mr. F. Willan was elected chairman, Mr, S. Sulzberger secretary and Mr, L. Taylor auditor, It was decided to procure new tables for the euchre parties and to instal two more electric lights and a hot point.