LEADERS MEET REVERSE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1930, Page 4

LEADERS MEET REVERSE

WAIMATE AND OLD BOYS DEFEATED KAPONGA MEN SURPRISE RAWER A NORTHERN GAMES PLAYED IN RAIN The penultimate series of matches in the first round of the senior competition was decided on Saturday under varying weather conditions. While the majority of the matches in the northern division were played on greasy grounds with the ball difficult to handle, some of those in the south were played under ideal weather conditions. . There were several. surprises in each division and as a result the positions of some of the leading teams are altered. Waimate and Old Boys, both of whom, were so far undefeated, met their first reverse at. the hands of Opunake and Inglewood respectively. The surprise of the week was the defeat of Hawera by Kaponga which, thanks to the excellent play of its forwards, secured its first win of the season. Another surprise was provided in the Okato-Tukapa match,. Okato holding a three-point lead with five minutes to go, when a very regrettable'incident happened, an Okato player striking the referee and causing the abandonment of the match. Patea defeated Okaiawa, and Athltic gained its first victory, defeating Eltham'. Stratford maintained its unbeaten career, defeating Star, whilst Clifton defeated Celtic. . . As a result of Saturday’s matches Opunake is level with Waimate in the lead, with Patea only a point further back. Hawera and Okaiawa are respectively three and four points below the leaders. In the north Stratford is two points clear of Old Boys, with Tukapa and Inglewood level a point further back. That is counting Saturday’s match as a loss to Tukapa. However, as the match was not finished, Tukapa may still have an opportunity of securing two further points. RESULTS AT A GLANCE.

NORTHERN DIVISION. Stratford 11 v. Star 6. pglewood. 6 v. Ol.d Boys 3. Jlifton 8 v. Celtic 6. Ikato 6 v. Jhikapa 3 (match unfinished). STRATFORD TOO STRONG GREAT FORWARD STRUGGLE.’ STAR SIDE BEATEN IN THE MUD. Stratford won from Star by 11 points to .6 at Pukekura Park after a game chiefly interesting because of the manner in which the Star forwards stood up to the big Stratford pack, beating it in the first spell and disputing every inch in the second. The light, steady rain which had fallen and the churning up received during the first game turned ' the ground into a sea of liquid mud and the ball was accordingly difficult to handle. Very few spectators were seated on the terraces, many probably thinking the game an easy Stratford victory, and hardly worth the discomfort of sitting in the rain. As it happened, Star almost proved victorious. The game throughout was almost one continual forward struggle. By their dogged exhibition the Star forwards showed clearly that on a wet day they are a force to be reckoned with. McLeod, Clarke, Shaw 'and Brewster were always in the van of the Star rushes, but it would be unfair to praise individuals in a solid, hard-working pack. Rothery' and Billing deserve special mention, both playing good games, The Stratford team was slightly disorganised, Collins being replaced at full-back by P. Collins, Fryday playing five-eighths in Owen’s place aim Bonner taking his place as rover. J. Walter" was unable to play, Lehmann, who played a good game, filling hie position. Collins played well and Bublitz came through a hard day with credit. The versatile Fryday kept things moving well and played a sound game.Stratford immediately attacked, Bublitz, Fryday, Grace and Walter penetrating to the Star line. Up and down play gave way to a sharp Star attack with the forwards working well. From a lineout Star kicked across the line and Lealand dashed in to score. The kick missed. Fryday potted but missed and Star forced. The Stratford forwards held play at Star’s 25 but the Star forwards buret down the side-line to Stratford’s 25, From a melee Star got away and Billing and Kinsella handed on to Shaw, who fell across the line but in doing so touched tlie corner flag. The Star forwards, working like Trojans, drove down on Fryday, who sent a wild pass to Grace, who was completely smothered. A line kick found relief. Star raked the ball from a loose scrum and Rothery booted it towards his first five-eighths, Sampson. The ball slithered past him and Billing dashed in and kicked it hard to follow up and dive across in front of the defence for a good try. Halftime sounded with play in midfield. Drab straggling play in midfield saw Ki veil and Young break away, Godfrey finding touch. From the ensuing lineout Star drove downfield. The Stratford forwards came away and hooked fof Bublitz to send on to Hamilton. Kinsella took his man and Shaw dashed in and felled Kivell. Stratford maintained the attack and from an infringement Fryday goaled. Play hung in Star’s 25 for a long time, line-out succeeding lineput. Harvey dribbled through almost to Stratford’s line, only good defence preventing a score. Fryday forced but Sampson returned play with a good kick. The two packs had a lot of work to get through and Star was standing up well to the redoubtable opponents. Stratford lined at Star’s 25, Taylor receiving and running infield. The Stratford forwards carried on across the line and two Star men missed in the dive to touch down, Grace jumping over to score. P. Collins converted. Stratford kicked through, Billing fielding the slippery ball with one hand and sending on to Kinsella, who missed the pass. A great loose forward rush by the Stratford vgnguard removed play to Star’s line, a series of scrums and line-outs ensuin;. 1 Uninteresting scrambling saw the -ball heeled to Fryday, who burst through to pass to Lehmann when fall-

SOUTHERN DIVISION. Opunake 13 v. Waimate 3. . Batea 7 v. Okaiawa 3. Kaponga 8 v. Hawera 5. Athletic 18 v. Eltham 8. ing. Up again, Fryday fell across the line amid a heap of Star players and ( the referee awarded him a try. The kick failed and the final scores were:— Stratford 11. Star fi , Mr. G, IJooker refereed. FIRST DEFEAT OF OLD BOYS OUTCLASSED on wet ground. INGLEWOOD’S GREAT FORWARDS. Outclassed in the forwards under wet weather conditions, Old* Boys suffered the first defeat at the hands of Inglewood. Though the score was only six to three against Old Boys, 12 to 3, or an even greater margin than that, would have more accurately represented the difference in the teams on the day’s play. Old Boys proved' to be a definite failure as a wet weather team. Actually very little rain fell during the' match, but the ground and ball were so wet as to constitute what may be termed wet weather conditions. Though certainly no heavier or more experienced than their opponents, the Inglewood forwards played an inspired game, and raked the Old Boys so' unmercifully that the play was hardly ever in Inglewood territory. Old Boys’ inferiority in the forwards was all the more remarkable in view of the team’s recent fine display against the doughty Stratford pack. Led by Gudgeon the Inglewood pack streamed all over the field, and though the scrums were fairly even, in the line-outs and particularly in the loose there was only one team in the picture. Drader did his best in a forlorn cause, and it was a splendid best, but it was of no .avail. Lack of possession and the slippery leather rendered the Old Boys’ or less helpless, and even when 'they did get hold of the ball it was usually after they had knocked it along and fumbled it so much that all they could do was to kick frantically' to the line to save disaster. From half-back to full-back the handling hag seldom been so faulty, and even H. W. Brown, whose kicking is usually such an asset to the team, repeatedly failed to find the line with mis-directed kicks, with the result that his team only got into further trouble. Old Boys tried a new half-back, Mason, late'of the New Plymouth Boys’ High School and Auckland Training College, but in Saturday’s weather he was certainly no improvement on Olson. The wing three-quar-ters got very little opportunity to do anything except ’ine kicking. The best of the backs was K. Fookes, who made one or two good'runs and handled better than the others. At the other end of the field tlie Inglewood backs, protected as they were by their appreciably superior fan of forwards, did not have a great deal to do, which perhaps was just as well. On defence, however, Old Boys had little to show themi’ The master brain of the team was Hunt, who played a brilliant game at full-back. Under the prevailing weather conditions his fielding and l?ne kicking were Uncannily accurate, and he seems to be developing a sense of anticipation reminiscent of Kingstone in the hey-day of his fame. Crossman, at half-back, played a fine game, frequently putting his team on the attack with powerful and well-judg-ed kicking, particularly to the line. Maingay, at first five-eighths, played a useful spoiling game, though ho employed an arm action in some of his close work that one has some difficulty in including in the category of fending. S. Fookes received a severe knock early in the game, and after that did not seem at all happy, his play being visibly affected. As an exhibition of football, apart from Inglev md’s rattling forward work, the match was so poor that it is difficult to describe. The first score, camo to Old Boys .when‘Crawford .landed a penalty goal from hear half-way, the ball striking the cross-bar and bouncing over. Then near the end of the first

spell wretched, tackling by three Old Boys’ players allowed N. Roes to dash past a breaking-up scrummage for a try wli,ieh Hunt , u a,rrowly missed converting. Half-time came with, the -.score three all. In the second spell, after a long-sustained Inglewood offensive, Scanlon had to leave the field with a broken rib or two. Shortly afterwards th© battered defence failed and after a sweeping attack by the Inglewood backs in which each man handled the ball admirably, Cowley earn© round on the outside to score a well-deserved try. Hunt’s kick was this time well astray. Throughout the game, but particularly in the second spell, the Inglewood forwards had Old Boys penned on the line, and such counter-attacks as Old Boys did make were generally short lived. The sprinkling of spectators took marked exception, to ■ some, of the referee’s ..rulings, a sarcastic chorus of “Free kick Old Boys” greeting . every blowing of the. whistle towards the end of the ganie, but there seemed very little justification for this criticism of Mr. Frost’s interpretation of his duties. J Inglewood 6 Old Boys 3

CLIFTON DEFEATS CELTIC FORTUNES QUICKLY FLUCTUATE. INTERESTING GAME IN'THE RAIN. After a close and hard-fought game at Stratford Clifton gained its third victory by defeating Celtic by eight points t- six (two tries, one conveyed, to an unconverted try and a penalty goal). Rain made the ball greasy and the ground heavy, so that, play was mostly confined to the’forwards. It proved full of interest owing to the closeness of the. Scores, Clifton held the advantage in the first spell, but in the early stages of the second spell Celtic held the upper hand and, working hard,, held the lead with 12 minutes to play. Clifton then battled, with determination and though Celtic defended vigorously the visitors scored the winning try.

Clifton attacked from the kick-off but a dropped pass let Celtic through. Keeping the ball at their feet Robson and Grubb swept through to Clifton’s twenty-five. Forward rushes on each side characterised play for the next few minutes but the respective full-backs, Dodd (Celtic) and McDonald '(Clifton), were safe. ’ Gradually the Clifton forwards prevailed, and from a scramble in Celtic’s twenty-five Carey marked. . Clifton ; followed- hard on the kick and a rebound saw the ball ’over the line, where Watson used his pace to fall on it and score. McDonald goaled. Clifton was nearly over again, the pack hammering hard at the line. An- infringement on the line saw McDonald just fail to goal and Celtic forced. A clever mark by Grubb taken from the toes of the Clifton pack and a useful kick by Sangster put Celtic in an attacking position and from a penalty Dcdd failed to goal.. In the next few minutes the Clifton pack attacked hotly; forcing Celtic twice. Matters looked bad for Celtic when Grubb, who had played a fine game, failed to field a high ball, but Carryer broke through. A solid forward rush headed by Ward, Tippett, Seiwood and Fowler was checked by a lucky speculator by Dodd, arid the next moment the Celtic pack was similarly checked by Early. Fast play followed till half time with the score: Clifton 5, Celtic nil.

Hardly had the game resumed when the Clifton yack pressed on the line. Celtic cleared and ■ attacked. • Robson, however, kicked too hard and McDonald marked almost on his line. From the scrum Celtic tried hard to score but infringed ■ through over-eagerness. Clifton took advantage of the penalty to follow up fast and Tippetts was well tackled close to «the line. The Clifton backs, kicking and following up, hammered away till Celtic were forced. Each side attacked in turn and after Watson had essayed to pot Clifton infringed and Dodd neatly goaled. Clifton was attacking when Hinton and McCluggage broke through, taking the play to McDonald, who was safe, Back came the Celtic pack and Dodd essayed a pot. Clifton was kept defending until Watson by a great line kick changed defence into attack. Olsson and Seiwood in turn were nearly over and then Ansley forced just, ahead of four Clifton forwards. Price, taking smartly with one hand, checked a Clifton move and then ensued a bright incident. From a scrum Grubb broke away and transferred to Sangster, who failed to hold but kicked the ball over the line. Hinton, who had followed up fast, dived on it to score. Dodd’s kick was a failure. Clifton with a desperate dash swept up the field, Ward being held up close to the line, and Celtic were fored. Watson with a cross-kick gave Tate an opening, but the winger could not get there. From the line-out the forwards crossed the line but Celtic forced.—Clifton threw the ball about in an earnest endeavour to score the winning points, and finally Watson tried the cross-kick again with . distinct success, as Tate gathered up the ball and, shaking off Carryer, scored'. McDonald’s kick failed. Time sounded with the scores: — Clifton 8 Celtic 6 Mr. M. Clarke was the referee.

SENSATION AT OKATO OKATO THREE POINTS IN LEAD. PLAYER STRIKES THE REFEREE. The sensation of< the Okato-Tukapa game when an Okato winger, E. Roebuck, knocked out the referee, Mr. K. Nodder, terminated one of the most spectacular encounters seen in the northern division this season. Despite the wet weather both sides handled well and the fust spell was fought with the utmost good sportsmanship. It was not until late in the second portion of the game that the good hard play degenerated into a conflict intensified by illfeeling. Some members of the Okato team became incensed at what they concluded was the unfair ■ proportion- of free kicks awarded to Tukapa by the referee. Tho game ended: ! Okato 6, Tukapa 3. ■ The solid Okato pack played a dashing game and the wet nature of the ball made it very difficult for' Tukapa to' utilise the superior attacking combination at its disposal —the backs. In the t ;cond spell, however, the Tukapa backs and forwards combined in exhilarating style and threw the ball about with good effect. Okato defended doggedly and kept its line intact/ although L. Petty notched a useful three points for his side when he kicked a penalty goal. Okato’s six points consisted of two unconverted tries, scored by G. Thomas and E. Roebuck respectively early in the first spell. The brave attempt of the Tukapa

backs to pull victory from the clutches of their opponents by playing an open fine-weather mode of attack was the most outstanding tactical 'aspect of the game. Although the forwards seemedunable to secure the ball from' very many of the scrums, they took every opportunity to give the backs a fair share of the • ball from line-outs, and, more important, heeled unselfishly from loose rushes. C. Brown was hampered to a great extent in his delivery from the scrum by the greasy ball and by the fast Okato breakaways, who let no chance of harrying the half slip by. H. Boswell and W„ Dixon were both well marked, their opponents invariably playing close; still they both, fed their three-quarters. A. Petty at centre was a towel’ of strength to his two wingers, 0. Evans and H. Wyatt. The slippery nature of , the ball was detrimental to fast handling, Wyatt especially seeming to find difficulty with his passes. Of the Tukapa forwards, Sullivan and Guy were the most outstanding. Oka to.’s. forwards were tho chief attacking force of the side and played consistently as a single powerful unit. F. Goodwin and R. McLean, the two side rankers, were pcrsisteritly on the ball but they were little better than G. Thomas arid Joe Goodwin. The backs all tackled well but showed no penetration in orthodox 1 back movements. The opening exchanges were in favour of Tukapa. Boswell and 0. Evans made sturdy bids for the line. A strenuous struggle on Okato’s twenty-five yards territory ensued and a Tukapa forward appeared to cross but was not permitted to ground the ball. A promising movement instituted by A. Petty, was marred at the critical stage when Wyatt missed his pass. Okato had a short respite until Evans made two good dashes which appeared dangerous. Itwas Okato s turn, Tukapa being obliged to force. L. Petty took a risk while in his own twentyfive ' and was caught. Without ' a moment’s hesitation the Okato pack descended and in the wild flurry, that ensued Thomas scored in a handy position. Okeroa failed to convert. A fine piece of Okato forward work followed. E. Roebuck did not let the opportunity go begging. He secured and after making a'magnificent sprint downfield scored a try which Roberts did not convert. Tukapa pressed. Guy and Brown pursued the ball to the line, where Okato had to force. After dashing spiritedly along the line .0. Evans was hurled out. Okato .was tackling demoniacally. The first spell terminated with Okato hammering, at their opponent’s line. Shortly after the opening of the spell L; Petty kicked a firie penalty goal, netting Tukapa its only points. Tukapa returned to the attack with vigour, pei> ning Okato on the line. A Tukapa player tried to kick a field goal but the drop was low. Wyatt and Guy each made efforts to force their way across, the tension of Okato’s defence being relieved only when Mcßoberts cleared. A. Petty -came away at a brilliant pace and transferred, to Guy, whose pass to 0. Evans was low. Hill and Guy dribbled to Okato’s line but the ball went out touch in goal. L. Petty attempted twice to kick penalty goals. These were the first of a series of free kicks awarded Tukapa at which some of the Okato players took umbrage. Spectators and some Okato players clapped joyously whenever the Tukapa kicks failed to cross the.bar. Several more free-kicks were awarded and then H. Boswell, W. Dixon and A. Petty all handled in a smart passing rush. The referee ordered G. Roebuck to leave the field for alleged persistent “cheek.” A moment later when the venue of play had moved to the southern side of the field, E. Roebuck struck the referee, completely laying him out for over a minute, with a left to the jaw*. The game then was abandoned with Okato in the lead by six points to three.

DIVISIONAL LEADER BEATEN GREAT WIN FOR OPUNAKE SIDE. LARGE CROWD AT MANAIA Before one of the largest crowds to witness a football match on the recreation grounds at Manaia, the leading team in the southern division, Waimate, suffered their first reverse of the season when they met last, year’s champion team, Opunake. Although each team scored only one try Opunake thoroughly deserved its win, and was the better team on the day. Before the •game was two minutes’ old C. Hohaia had kicked a field goal, and before halftime sounded Tui Robinson had added another. The Opunake forwards, led by O’Rourke and Harrison, proved too solid for Waimate and secured the ball in practically every scrum. When Waimate did receive the ball it seldom reached Wineera, who played a great game under the conditions. A feature of the maten was the deadly tackling of both sides. Opunake kicked off against the sun, and in attempting to clear Waimate landed the ball in -the hands of C. Hohaia, who immediately dropped a field goal. The suddenness of the score was bewildering, but Wineera broke away in a zig-zagging run which carried play into Opunake territory. The game developed into a fast and furious struggle for supremacy, the tackling on both sides being deadly. /Phe rear divisions were finding difficulty in sustaining passing movements for long. Rei, Waimate’s wing three-quarter, fielded in his own twenty-five and centred, G. Harrison running up and marking directly in front of the posts. His kick was charged down. Continuing the pressure, Opunage again looked dangerous and was taking advantage of Waimate’s futile endeavours to find the line. It was from a poor kick to the side-line that T. Robinson secured and dropped . a magnificent field goal for Opunake. With a deficiency of 8 points Waimate infused more dasfy into the play, but although Wineera made several bold bids he was generally unsupported and received bad passes from Whalen. Eliason, the Waimate winger, made a thrilling dash down the side-line, but he swerved infield and was collared. Opunake was defending strenuously when the whistle for “lemons” sounded.

With the win in its favour Waimate made strenuous endeavours in the second. spell and . almost succeeded when Wineera weaved through and sent Rei away. The winger was forced out a few. yards from the line. ‘ The brilliant Wineera, with tireless effort, kept battering away at the. defence. A few moments later his efforts were crowned with success. He received the ball from the ■ melee and, brilliantly cutting-in, drew the defence before transferring to Shaw, who in turn passed to Rei for the winger to score wide out. Cunningham failed to convert. A number of wellplaced dine kicks saw Opunake again reach Waimate’s twenty-five, and- from m scrub T. Robinson sent his backs away, each handling well for Bowater to score

between the posts. 0. Hohaia converted There resulted a torrid time for Waimate, whose forwards commenced to tire'. Opunake staged ’movement after mdVemerit; but always the' tackling was, too good. A spectacular passing rush between G. Harrison and two Opunake forwards almost resulted‘in a try. Opunake supporters cheered frantically as the trio, racing down the middle of the field, passed and reverse passed, eluding all attempts at collaring. A knock-on to the goal line resulted, but Opunake was left in a handy position. The crowd was again on its toes when Wincera intercepted near his own goal line and raced down' the field. He had not the pace, however, to outstrip the opposition and was tackled near half-way. Time sounded shortly afterwards with the score:— Opunake 13 Waimate- - 3 \ ' OKAIAWA UNLUCKY LOSES HARD GAME TO PATEA. •FIELD GOAL TURNS THE SCALE. Okaiawa was unlucky to lose -to Patea at Okaiawa, for the team had .at least three-quarters of the territorial advantage while Patea seldom penetrated enemy territory in the second spell. Early in the first spell Petersen dropkicked a goal for Patea, and not long afterwards the team added a try. In the second spell Okaiawa was all over the opposition but could score only once, the game finishing with the score seven to three. Despite the absence of Ike the Okaiawa forwards played great football. The backs, with the exception of James and'Johnston, who play-; cd a game in his old style; were poor. Though not brilliant the game was bard; • fast and : exciting. “ ' Playing against the wind• Okaiawawas first away with a' resolute forward rush, good line-kicking by the backs saving Patea, who in turn worked into enemy -territory. An intercepted pass saw' ' Okaiawa threatened. Murdoch cleared, but .his vis-a-vis, Petersen, fielded cleanly to pot a beautiful goal. Patea was having a little the better of play but was not making the good use of the touchline that the home team was. Patea infringed and from the free-kick Johnston missed the goal narrowly. Headed by R. Clarke, Okaiawa set sail wit’ll a foot rush and just failed to score. Patea was penalised in an ensuing scrum for R.- Clarke to miss the goal. With play near halfway Burke intercepted an Okaiawa pass and broke away, Ngaia stemmed the attack and Johnston cleared. Petersen had another attempt at a field goal but missed. Patea started to throw the ball about and Zimmerman made a good opening for Mills to score in a good position. Petersen made a poor attempt at conversion. Okaiawa began to play strenuously and there were some hectic moments just before half-time. Just after the change-over James worked the blind side for Johnston and McCallum to run into good position, but Johnston went into touch. They maintained the pressure and Johnston. came round outside McCallum to take a final pass, but he was thrown into touph-in-goal. Patea was’ defending grimly, fiercely contesting every inch of ground. Okaiawa was battling away, like a team possessed. The visitors took play to half-way where the Okaiawa backs went away again. Roberts centred and the forwards carried on. The ball came out to Johnston, who dived over to score. R. Clarke failed to convert. Okaiawa was- raking the visitors fore and aft but indifferent handling prevented a score. Okaiawa was penalised on the line but was soon batik, McCallum losing the ball when lie was over the line. Both sides were over-keen and were frequently penalised, Okaiawa being unable to turn some opportunities at good range to profit. For the first time in the second spell Pa'tea reached enemy territory with a forward movement. Okaiawa was soon back again. Attack after attack was launched but still Okaiawa could not score. The final scores were: — . Patea .. 7 Okaiawa 3 Mr. H. A. K. McNae refereed. VICTORY FOR KAPONGA DEFEAT OF HAWERA BY 8 TO 5. CLOSELY CONTESTED STRUGGLE. Defeat by a penalty goal in the latter stages of the match was experienced by Hawera at the hands l of Kaponga at Hawera after each team had scored and converted a try. The scores just about indicate the merits of the teams, though Kaponga’s burly forwards and Hawera’s fast backs should have been responsible for larger scores on either side. The game, though lacking in brilliance, was fairly interesting. Hawera maintained a territorial advantage in the first spell, but the position was reversed in the second half. It has a. most depressing effect on spectators and is certainly not in the interests of the game whpn the crowd has to wait 3'5 minutes after the scheduled starting time for the teams to take the field, as was the ease on Saturday. In this instance the fault appeared to lie with the Kaponga team. Less than five minutes from' the kickoff Cheevers fumbled badly inside his own 25, knocking the ball on. From the ensuing scrum Kaponga forwards surged to the line, where Dew dived across to score under th© posts. C. Paterson converted. Upon resuming Hawera atacked strongly but Kaponga forced at the corner. A good kick by B. Hammersley gained considerable ground, placing Kaponga again in an attacking position. Then followed a beautiful piece of play culminating in a splendid try for Hawera. Zigzagging from side to side of the field in a movement started by Malcolm, half the Hawera team, chiefly the backs, handled two or three times over three-quarters of the field, Ekdahl scoring under, tlie pests. Anderson converted. Shots at goal by Anderson and K. Riley proved fruitless. Late in the spell Kaponga took a hand on attack, carrying play to Hawera’s line, where an infringement gave C. Paterson a chance to goal, but the ball swung wide. Early in the second spell Kaponga looked dangerous when Twist, who had been shifted from full-back to wingforward, broke away with a couple of men in attendance. They carried play into Hawera’s 25, where Cheevers saved by lining. The bustling tactics of Kaporiga’s burly forwards kept Hawera on th© defensive until a short-lived're-taliation gave Hawera temporary relief. A bustling Kaponga forward rush again Hawera in trouble, a force

iri tho nick t>f time saving a dangerous situation. Cheevers followed up fast and fie and W. Robinson, who replaced France at the interval, caught G. Paterson in possession. Off-side play by Kaponga twice in quick succession gave Anderson and K. Riley further opportunities to add pointe,’ but both were unsuccessful. Twice in quick succession Hawera’s backs electrified the spectators with brilliant passing rushes, but they could, not penetrate a stubborn defence. The game in the latter stages was contested at a fast clip, Kaponga at one stage by, a succession of rushes making determined efforts to score. The required finish to the movements was lacking and it seemed that the game would end in a draw until from a penalty C. Paterson kicked a beautiful goal. Time was called with the scores: Kaponga 8 Hawera 5 Mr. F- W.- Atkins refereed. FIRST WIN FOR ATHLETIC ELTHAM DEFEATED BY 18 TO 8. INFERIOR FOOTBALL PLAYED. After a rather dull and uninteresting game, Athletic achieved their first win of the season by defeating Eltham by IS points to 8. The conditions were not good. Light rain was falling, the ground and ball were greasy. Had the day been fine Athletic would probably have done much better. The Hawera -team was superior most of the time, but lost several good opportunites of scoring. The first rush was made by Eltham with Bocock in the lead, play being carried to. Athletic’s 25. McLean led a promising rush with "the ball at toe, but he tripped arid lost the opportunity. A passing rush waS started by Lay, who passed to Herbert and ' Phillips, but the, ball was Tost. >From Eltham’s’ 25 Gudgeon kicked over' the goal-line, Eltham forcing., Again Eltham was overwhelmed, arid Gudgeon nearly scored.'A moment later Owen crossed the line but lost the. ball as he was collared. Casey kicked to half-wiry. Athletic got going with some good passing,'hut owing to frequent knocks forward opportunities were lost. Eltham managed to get into Athletic’s 25 for.the'first time, but the. ball was soon back at half-way. From the loose Athlete got the ball 'and Owen, and Dowdle combined in a passing turn, Dowdle scoring. 'Tuki' converted. Townsend, Knuckey and Casey combined in a' forward rush to Athletic’s 25, whqre the ball went into touch. Owen then made a dashing break-away. Palmer short-kicked<to the line. Ritter endeavoured to pick up, but knocked on. Gudgeon secured from a loose scrum and handed to Dowdle and then on .to Lay, who caught the defence napping and scored an easy try. Tuki converted. At half-time the score was Athletic 10, Eltham 0.

After, half-time the wind favoured Eltham. Phillips, with the aid of Ritter and Coleman, led a dashing foot rush to near goal, the movement being frustrated by Townsend. Attrill kicked to Athletic’s full-back, Tuki fumbling and allowing Prince to put the ball into touch inside the 25. Good following-up enabled Eltham to break across Athletic’s liii®, hut. the impetus was too great and the ball reached the dead-ball line. ’ Prince again made a dash, but was overturned a few yards from home. Eltham became agressive and kept Athletic busy defending. Awarded a penalty .Eltham kicked across the field to Bocock, who carried play to touch seven yards from goal. However, Athletic worked gradually back to Eltham’s line, where a free-kick enabled the home team to relieve. Gudgeon soon made an opening and Dymond scored. Tuki .failed to convert. Play opened up fairly fast and Eltham once more got into Athletic’s 25, where from a penalty kick at a-, difficult angle Bocock goaled, A further invasion into Athletic’s 25 was made, and Eltham was awarded another penalty kick, but Bocock was unsuccessful. A great forward movement was initiated by Campbell, Townsend, Hughes and Prince, the latter breaking away and scoring behind the posts for Eltham. Bocock converted. This performance was the only piece of sparkling play during the game. The ball was worked to Eltham’s 25, where Dowdle crosskicked to McLean, who scored. Tuki converted. Lively kicking and passing was a feature of the remaining few minutes’ play. The game ended: Athletic. *•.••• 18 Eltham ..:.: • • 3 Mr. G. Were refereed. JUNIOR GRADE MATCHES. ■ » The following is- the result of the lower grade matches: — NORTHERN DIVISION. - Second Grade. Star B 3 v. Old Boys 0. Star - A 6 v. Tukapa 3. < Okato v. School, not played. Clifton. Division. Clifton 26 v. Urenui 5. . Pukearuhe 19 v. Uruti 0. Third Grade. Tukapa 6 v. Old Boys 0. Star 6 v. School 0. Tukapa 25 v. School 6 (played during the week). Fourth Grade. Star 3 v. .School A 3. Tukapa I’2 v. School B 0. Fifth Grade. Star 3 v. School A 0. Tukapa 9 v. School B 0. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. A Grade. •• Waitara 15 v. Fitzroy 6. , B Grade. Moturoa 27 v. Westown 0. C Grade. West End B 6 v. Fitzroy B fl. . Fitzroy A 21 v. Westown 0. West End 19 v. Central 0. .SOUTHERN DIVISION. Second Grade. Hawera 9 v.-Kaponga 8. Athletic 9 v. Alton 0. Opunake 3 y. Waimate ,0. Okaiawa 11 v. Patea 8. Third Grade. Kaponga 17 v. Hawera 0. Okaiawa 12 v. Patea 8. . High School 11 V; Waimate 0. Fourth Grade. Waimate 11 v. High School 6. Okaiawa 6 v. Kaponga. 3. TAINUI SUB-UNION. THE COMPETITION CONTINUED. Tn the second series of matches in the first round of the Tainui Sub-Union competition on Saturday Awakino defeated Tainui by 27 points to nil’ and Tongaporutu defeated Waikawau by 11 points to six.

DES FORGES CUP MATCHES. WIN FOR OPUNAKE HIGH, SCHOOL. In the second match in the Des Forges .Cup competition for third grade team® Opunake High School defeated Opunake by eight points to five. Mr. H. McNae refereed. The points in the eo-mpeti-iion are High School 4, Opunake 2, Rahotu and Pihama 0. STAR JUNIORS TAKE LEAD. By defeating Tukapa first juniors in the first game at Pukekura Park by six points to three, the Star juniors. gained a two-point lead in the champpionsftip ladder. Spectacular play went by the board when the ball became greasy, light misty rain falling continuously, and the game developed into a forward struggle. In the first half the Star team .was definitely superior, being on the attack jpost of the time. Wilkins scored two tries, one from a forward rush, the ball being sent out to the wing, and the other from a short throw-in to a line-out. Neither try. was converted. In the second, spell Tukapa steadily attacked, Star only once penetrating opposition territory.' Tukapa was unable to score in spite of strenuous ef- . forts, Knott also adding three points from a penalty.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS. SENIOR GRADE. NORTHERN’.DIVISION, .1 I-.-/.:;- $ .3. < g & £ £ Q £- bo 5 Ph S’ a • Stratford .... 6 5 1 0 55 29, 11 Old’ Boys .... 6 • 4 • b‘1 33 Inglewood. .... 6 4 0 2 36 278 *Tiikapa fl 4 0 2 54 36 Clifton . ..... 6 3 0 3 56 40 0 , Celtic ... .... 6 1 0 5 35 64 2 Star .... .... 6 1 0 5 23 72 2 - *Okato . ;... 6 T 0 5 29 91 2 _ *The match between Okato and' Tukapa was former wa not finished. At the time the \ ,s leading 6—3. In the above table the points have been awarded as the game stood, but they may have tn be amended later when the matter has been dealt with by the Taranaki Rugby Union. .SOUTHERN DIVISION. Waimate 6 5 0 1 71 36 10 Opunake Patea ... ..... 6 5 0 1 39 6 4 1 1. 59 15 26 10 si R Hawera . ..... 6 3 1 2 55 3.8 ■ 7 ’ ■< ; fl Okaiawa ..... 6 8 0 3 56 37 Kaponga 6 1: 1 4 23 49 Athletic v .... 6 1 0 5 39 78 . Eltham . ..;.. fl 0 1 5 20 "89 SECOND GRADE. Northern Division. Star A . 5 '5 0 0 60 18 10 6 Tukapa ..... 4 3* 1 0 27 fl Star B .. ..... 5 2 0 3 9 58 4 Old Boys 4 1 . 0 3 .8 ,15 2 Okato . • 2 0,0 2, .6 : 29 0 _ High School . < 2 1 0. 1 -20 14 2 . High School matches do not count in the championship points. . #: Default. Clifton Division. " ’ Clifton . .. 4 4 0 O 63 13 8 Pukearuhe .... 4 3" 0 1 45 9 6 Urenui .. ..... 4 1 0 3 19 63 2 Uruti ... ..... 4 0 0 4 12 52 p . Third Grade. Tukapa . ..... 4 4 0 0 60 12 8 . . Star .... .../ 4 3 0 1 35 5 6 Old Boys .... 4 2 0 2 39 24 4 2 Clifton .. 4 1 0 3 28 49 School ... ..... 4 0 fl 4 fl 78 0 Fourth Grade. Star .... 4 4 0 0 36 fl 8 . Tukapa . ..... 3 2 0 1 18 11 4 School A .... 2 0 0 2 3 fl School B .... 2 fl 0 2 < 0 84 ‘ Fifth Grade. Tukapa . 4 3 1 0 28 3 7 Star .... .... 4 2 0 2 15 22 School A .... 4 1 1 2 14 15 I School B .... 4 1 0 3 18 35