JUNIOR RUGBY GAMES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1930, Page 10

JUNIOR RUGBY GAMES

COMPETITIONS CONTINUED. PLAY IN CENTRAL DIVISION The central division junior Rugby competitions were continued in line . weather yesterday. By defeating Strat'ford by 9 points to 5 Toko assumed a leading position in the competition, as both teams now have 8 points to their credit. Results are:— First Junior, Midhirst 10 v. Celtic 8. Toko 9 v. Stratford 5. JTariki 6 v. Eltham 8. Third Grade. Midhirst 6 v. Celtic 3. Inglewood 9 v. Stratford 9. Fourth Grade. Stratford H.S. 12 v. Eltham 6. TOKO TAKES THE VERDICT. Hard fought from whistle to w'histie with each team battling strenuously for supremacy, the Toko v. Stratford match at Toko was brimful of interest and relaxation on the part of the spectators • was rare. Before the game Stratford was leading the competition with eight championship points, Toko being second with 6. These teams now have 8 points each as the result of Toko’s 9 to 5 win. Essentially a forward struggle, the i>ame ranged , from end to end of the field. In this department of play the well trained and versatile Toko pack proved just too good for the Stratford forwards, nippy opportunists though they are. Toko’s score consisted of a try by Griffiths converted by A. gangster and a potted goal by C. Sangster. MIDHIRST BEATS CELTIC BACKS. The match in which Midhirst defeated Celtic by 10 points to 8 was a good display. * Celtic had a much more efficient back line but the Midhirst forwards had a great deal of say in deciding the fate of the game. After ten minutes of fast play Celtic drew first blood when Steiner slipped over from a forward scrummage. Jones made a fine attempt to convert from the acutest angle but the ball struck the bar and bounced outside. Then the Midhirst forwards took up the tale and in vigorous thrusts concentrated upon one corner, where scrum followed scrum on or near the line. At last their efforts were rewarded when S. Adlam kicked a goal from a penalty. In the ensuing play the Celtic men were persistently in difficulty by failing to take the ball i on the full; nevertheless the speedy backs kept Midhirst guessing each time the ball was hooked. Within the last, five minutes of the spell Midhirst rattled on seven points. Four were gained from a fine field goal potted by Boniface and the other three from an enterprising try scored by Mason. Midhirst, in fact, dominated the game at this stage. A different aspect was placed on the form of play on resuming, the Celtic rearguard flashing in time after time. From one scrum, out came the ball and Jones made a splendid opening for Carryer, who was playing an exceptionally "good game, to cut in and score. Jones added the major points. With Celtic wanting but three points to win the issue . was joined with great vim and at times the standard of play rose to a commendable plane. P. O’Keefe was injured in the ankle and had to retire, a hard working scrummer in C. Carroll taking his place. There was never a dull moment, but the game ended without further score though both sides were several times right on the line. Mr. G. Were refereed. TARIKI DEFEATS ELTHAM. Tariki defeated Eltham by 6 points to 3 at Eltham. The -Eltham men held their opponents much better than in previous games, but Tariki’s back work was very unfinished. The goal kicking was somewhat poor. The final stages of the game were very brisk and both sides played willingly—assisted by numerous barrackers. Klenner scored Tariki’s first try rather easily. The next was well deserved. Faulkner secured the ball after a scrum, ran up the field on the outside instead of passing and worked towards Young, who took the ball and dashed to the line, successfully warding off the attempts of several Eltham men to tackle him. Anderson led a promising run which placed Eltham at an advantage. A wood passing turn sent the ball to Vincent, who seemed likely to sco.’e. He went out at the corner and Tariki forced. After half-time Faulkner made a good opening but hjs effort was useless owing to lack of support. Another pro-> raising passing movement followed but the final pass was too low. • Eltham played a hard defensive game for most of the second half, occasionally battling its way to Tariki’s line. Awarded a penalty kick, • Anderson put the ball over the bar from near half-way just on time, and the game ended: Tariki C, Eltham 3. Mr. J. Carlson refereed, GENERAL ITEMS. Charged with indecent assault on a girl under 15 years of age, Percy Collings, a labourer of Tangarakau, who acted ms secretary of fhe Tangarakau Medical Association, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial yesterday I after evidence had been taken in tlj Children’s Court at Stratford by Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M. • An entertainment in aid of the Eltham school sports fund will be presented at the Eltham Town Hall this evening. A juvenile comic opera, “’St. Distaph’s Day,” will form the chief feature. I It was reported to a meeting of the Stratford Boxing Association last night that the fight staged by the association between Miller and Cleverley had resulted in a loss of £25.