RUGBY COMPETITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1930, Page 5

RUGBY COMPETITIONS

NOTES ON SATURDAY’S PLAY THE MATCH AT PUKEKURA PARK. A. PETTY IN THE LIMELIGHT. The feature of the match at Pukekura Park last Saturday was the discovery of A. Petty as an attacking back of ’ some distinction. Perhaps “coming into his. own” would be a happier expression than “discovery,” for more than one astute critic has long been of the opinion that Petty was a boy of big possibilities. On Saturday Petty was seen at centre; on Tuesday against Wanganui he was seen on the wing; and in both roles he was successful. Yet it is very likely that of all the positions in the back division these two suit him least of all, on account of the smallness of his stature. Past years have shown his aptitude for full-back, but with Hunt and Collins in form it is not there that Taranaki . wants him. Had C. Brown not manifested the improvement he did in the match against Wanganui one could say with certainty that he should be replaced; and the man to replace him was A. Petty. Even now', it is a moot question whether Petty-would not fill the bill with greater success, for he is quicker in thought and action, and more resourceful and capable of wanning ' though by means of the unexpected. Probably first-live eighths, providing he proves capable of combining, is the opening he is most suited to fill; and this with no reflection on the vast amount of hard and useful work done by Owen, who lacks the extra electricity that makes for brilliance; On present form the most effective back combination in Taranaki would perhaps be C. Brown, A. 1 Petty, K. Fookes, H, W. Brown, Medley, "’Hunter and Hunt. At any rate, it seems, that a place must be kept somewhere for Petty, providing he does not lose his present form. Tukapa showed by their game on Saturday that with strengthening in the five-eighths line they are capable of making Old Boys furiously to think. The second five-eighths was the weakest link, and with an improvement hero the team would be a dangerous attacking side. OKATO VERSUS STRATFORD. Okato seemed as much surprised at the manner in which they were able to counter the attacks of Stratford last Saturday, as was Stratford on being repulsed. Though the home team was defeated by 17 points to 8 it was not disgraced. The forwards, indeed, were faster and fitter than the Stratford pack, which seemed rather inclined to rest on their reputation. '

Lack of an efficient attacking line of backs has often disheartened the forwards and the Okato backo were certainly lacking in penetration. Still the toiling Okato pack hammered at their opponents until the whistle went. Their efforts were rewarded, for the last try of the day was chiefly due to sound forward play and dogged, following up. F. Goodwin was perhaps the most honestly toiling forward of the day. R. McLean, the younger brother of the Wellington representative and All Black forward, played a sound game. He should improve this season. In combination the Okato backs were not a brilliant lot on attack. Though the tackling was good, they were no match for the faster Stratford line. The young five-eighths, G. Grace, possessed the capacity to follow the movements of Owen. The result was that the threequarter line, H. Taylor, E. Walter and D. Bonner were given a very fair share of the ball,

CLIFTON-STAR SIDELIGHTS

Harvey had no chances to gain points for Star by means of his kicking in the 'match at Waitara. Not once, did Star gain a penalty within striking distance. For Clifton, McDonald three times tried to add four points to his side’s score, but failed each time. One of his two conversions, from the sideline was an excellent kick. The game was played at a fast pace throughout, the tackling was keen and hard, but not once did feelings become at all strained. The cry “collar low” from the sideline would have been justified more than once, when a player caught by the collar would be twirled round and “thrown” spectacularly.

Rowe has been' hard to fit into the Clifton backs this year. He is quite a ; good half, but Carey is.just as good and has probably had more experience. Rowe was not at home in the full-back position, and contented himself with playing safe. Watson, however, was always waiting in caee a mistake was make. When one avenue of play is not available, the ability to get through by different tactics is an attribute to/ any

player. Behind the Clifton pack Carey claimed a mark which was disallowed. Without a moment’s hesitation, he gathered the ball in close and backed into the scrum, and emerged, still with the ball, on th' other side, where Ward and Fowler carried on. With more experience Billing will develop into a 'dangerbus back for Star. Whenever he secures the ball he wastes no time, but runs straight and hard. Kinsella on the wing runs with equal determination and has a disconcerting swerve.

The Clifton third grade team in defeating High School on Saturday by 19 —0, secured its first win for 2 years. Possibly its lean time is now over. Clifton and Pukearuhe, both previously undefeated in the first junior grade competition arranged by the Clifton club met at Pukearuhe. Clifton won by the narrow margin of 6 —3. q’he first round has now been completed. OKAIAWA v. ATHLETIC.

■ There was-not a great attendance at the Hawera showgrounds to witness the meeting of Athletic and Okaiawa. and the game did not warrant greater enthusiasm, for it ■ was a rather drab exhibition, until the last ten minutes. Okaiawa. then stirred themselves and rattled on 9 points in good style. If there was" one thing that the first spell was notable for it was Qkaiawa's attempt io play the British style of game, with disappointing lack of success. They packed a 3-2-3 scrum and, as one often notices with this formation, when they did hook the ball it only dribbled out, enabling the Athletic spoilers to nullify any attempt at back play. They tried to exploit the parallel cross-kick and had not- the practice at this form of attack to make it effective. They tried scissor-parsing and hand to hand passing, again without success.

The Athletic team played the conventional game, with the inside backs giving the thrust to the attack and repeatedly McMillan, Dowdle and Lay broke through. Playing the style of game they had been brought up to Athletic were unlucky that the scores were leevl at'the interval. After half-time Okaiawa reverted to their usual play but Athletic played them with confidence, especially as the visiting inside backs could not get going. The Okaiawa. pack, though minus Ike, who had to go off at half-time, gradually wore down their opponents, however, so that when their backs did at last get together they were not faced with the stubborn defence of the first spell. Two of the tries that Okaiawa scored at this period were really high class. One was a handling bout started by Ngaia, and the other from an oldtime dribbling rush by the forwards. In the Okaiawa .pack R. Clarke and R. Guy again stood out, lending thenweight'well in the tight and being first up in every, raid. Ngaia and McCallum, the wing three-quarters, were the best backs, the latter putting in some great runs. "

Dowte was the most consistent back on the field'and was a tower of strength to Athletic. The forwards played a hard game till they cracked up to-wards the finish. Their work was marred by a tendency to get off-side. SENIOR COMPETITION MATCHES. PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY. Star v. Stratford, at Pukekura Park. Old Boys v„ Inglewood, at Inglewood. Tukapa v. Okato, at Okato. Clifton v. Celtic, at Stratford. Waimate v. Opunake, at Manaia. Okaiawa v. Patea, at Okaiawa. Hawera v. .Kaponga, at Hawera, Eltham v. Athletic, at Eltharn. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. MATCHES PLAYED. x v. Britain —Lost, 7 to 23. v, Wanganui A— Won, 53 to 5. v. Wanganui B —Lost, 15 to 22, MATCHES ARRANGED. June 28 —v. Wanganui A, at Wanganui; v. Wanganui B, at Hawera. July 2—v. Wellington, at Hawera. July 9—v. Thames Valley, at Taranaki. August 6—v. Waikato, at Hamilton. August 9 —v. Auckland, at Auckland. August 13 —v. North Auckland, at Taranaki. August 23—v. Manawhenua, at Taranaki. , September 6—v. Hawke’s Bay, at Taranaki, September 24—v. Wairarapa, at Masterton. September 27-—v. Wellington, at Wellington.

BRITISH TEAM’S TOUR. ' MATCHES PLAYED. Versus Wanganui, won, 19 —3. Versus Taranaki, won, 23 —7. Versus Manawhenua, won 34 —8. Versus Wairarapa and Bush, won, 19 Versus Wellington, lost, B—l2. MATCHES TO PLAY. To-day, versus Canterbury, at Christchurch. • June 11. —Versus Buller and West Coast, at Greymouth. June 14—Versus Otago, at Dunedin, June 21-—First Test, at Dunedin. June 25—Versus Southland, at Inver- ■ cargill. / June 28—Versus Ashburton, South Canterbury and North Otago, at Tirnaru. July s—Second5 —Second Test, at Christchurch. July 9 : —Versus Maoris, at Welling- ! ton.' ■ . | July 12—Hawke’s Bay, at Napier. I July 16 —Versus East Coast, Bay ! of Plenty and Poverty Bay, at GisI borne.. July 19—Versus Auckland, at Auckland. July 26 —Third Test, at Auckland. July 30 —Versus North Auckland, at Whangarei. August 2—Versus Waikato, Thames Valley and King Country, at Hamilton. August 9 —Fourth Test, at Welling-, ton. August 33 —Versus Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay, at Blenheim, PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY. _ ? ’ To-day’s matches will be the penultimate series in the first round of ths Taranaki Rugby Union’s senior competition, and football enthusiasts; iu each division will find plenty to interest them. The competition in both divisions is in a very interesting position, five teams in the South and four in the. North still being well in the running for the championship. There should be some very bright football. The Taranaki representatives showed on Tuesday that they had taken a leaf out of Britain’s book in the matter of handling the leather and making the game open, demonstrating that Rugby can be made spectacular despite the old kick-into-touch rule. No doubt club coaches who were present have impressed the lesson on the teams'. In North Taranaki Stratford, one of the leading teams, meets Star at Pukekura Park, and on the form so far shown this season should s 'continue its unbeaten career, Stratford will miss A.. Collins, who was injured at Wanganui. Old Boys, which is level with Stratford in the lead, will play at Inglewood. This

should provide a brilliant exhibition, as each side possesses very fast backs who combine nicely. Tukapa, a point behind the leaders, will visit Okato. The coastal team has shown great improvement of late, and the forwards promise to give a lot of trouble. The speedy Tukapa backs, however, will be dangerous if they secure the leather. Clifton and Celtic will meet at Stratford, and this should also provide a close game, in which the generalship of the Clifton skipper may be the deciding factor.

The interest of Southern enthusiasts will be divided between Manaia and Okaiawa. Perhaps, however, the meeting of Waimate and Opunake will prove the star attraction. Waimate’s defeat of Patea has given'the plains team a clear two points lead, and for the first time for many years it takes the field on its own ground in the premier position. Waimate, thanks to the splendid way in which the young players and old supporters have stuck to the club in its days of adversity, has made a great recovery, and possesses a fine, even team. It will be up against a tough proposition this afternoon, as Opunake forwards now appear to have struck top form. That Opunake’s defence is sound is shown by the fact that a total of only 12 points has been scored against it. Patea and Okaiawa should also put up a determined struggle to secure the two points that means keeping within striking distance. Patea backs, have suffered from the loss of Grant, blit with Crawford and the rest at-their best they twill give the public some exhilarating football and may test the Okaiawa defence. Hawera, which sustained its first defeat at the hands of Opunake, should hold its own against Kaponga, though those who have seen the latter club’s pack in action hold that it is capable of extending the best in Taranaki. However, the Town backs should win the day. Athletic and Eltham will meet at Eltham, Eltham drew with Kaponga last week, and therefore has a point advantage of Athletic Howell, the ex-Urenui and Clifton forward, who showed great promise when played in the Taranaki B team against Rangatikei and Wellington last year, has been playing for Merivale at Christchurch this season. He has evidently struck form early, and caught the selector’s eye, as he has been chosen emergency in the Canterbury team to meet Britain to-day.