RUGBY MATCHES IN RAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 8

RUGBY MATCHES IN RAIN

CENTRAL DIVISION CONTESTS.

TOKO LEAD BY ONE POINT, i

Wet weather and muddy grounds were the factors with which players in the Central Division junior Rugby competition had to contend yesterday. Toko now leads the first juniors competition with 11 points, and Cardiff are next with 10. Inglewood, who had a bye yesterday, have 9 points, and Celtic arc in the fourth position with 9. Results arc: First Junior. Cardiff 9 v. Pukengahu 0. Toko 6 v. Midhirst 0. Celtic 3 v. Stratford 0. Third Grade. School 24 v. Eltham 0. Stratford forfeited to Miffhirst. Fourth Grade. Toko 4 v. School 0, CELTIC BEAT STRATFORD. GOOD GAME DISPITE CONDITIONS. Stratford and Celtic first juniors played at Victoria Park on the greasiest of fields and with the greasiest of balls, and yet showed that Rugby could be made interesting even under such circumstances. The score of 3 to nil in favour of Celtic reflected the merits of the two teams, as Stratford let Celtic enjoy a slight superiority during the first spell. Their play in the second half demonstrated that they were capable of disputing that superiority. The second spell was noteworthy for the big part that. the backs took, despite the adverse conditions. The Stratford backs especially revealed dash and initiative that failed to earn a reward owing to their opponents’ fine defence. ' By means of short forward rushes aided by touch kicks, Celtic forced Stratford back only to be forestalled by a clearing line kick. They returned, and in the Stratford 25 were awarded a penalty with which Jones failed. An easier position with a penalty was afforded Stratford, but P. Collins missed. Stratford had the better of it at this stage, but when Hoffman broke from a scrum a few yards from the line and passed forward Celtic were able to ease the tension and, by a smart punt after the line-out, to concentrate in Stratford territory where the defenders infringed and permitted Jones to put Celtic three points in the lead. After fluctuations of play Stratford were placed in a good position by Watson, who ran up the line to be forced out near the corner. From a scrum Wellington threw out to P. Collins. He drop-kicked, but missed, and Celtic counter-attacked, the rally ending in a force-down by Stratford. ■ The field had steadily been getting worse, as the area of mud increased, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that the players were able to keep their feet in the second half. Evenly as the sides were matched, in any case the condition of the ball and the field spoilt any advantage that one team might have over the other. Luck played a big part, and.play swung from end to end. Players performed various duties, and many were the slidfes and skids in which they indulged. Stratford were making a sustained effort to equalise, and threw the ball about to gain their ends. They deserved to score, for the backs handled remarkably well under the conditions. Time and time again they attacked, only to be frustrated by the desperately accurate Celtic tackling. The game ended with no further score. Mr. C. Pellowe refereed. TOKO SCORE ANOTHER WIN. DULL GAME AGAINST MIDHIRST. The weather was bad for the match between Toko and Midhirst at Toko, and delay in starting caused the time to be reduced to two spells of 35 minutes. The referee’s watch stopped, and the game was prolonged 15 minutes beyond time. During this time Toko scored a try, making the final score Toko 6, Midhirst 0. Unenterprising' football marked the opening stages, but Toko were generally the aggressors, and much of the play was held on Midhirst’s side of half-way. It was a case of patient exploitation of openings, with a steady rain hindering attempts at back play. Among the forwards, although the ground remained comparatively dry, far too much speculative kicking was indulged in, and there was really little-hard play. The game was in marked contrast to that which both teams played last week. About ten minutes before half-time J. Sangster scored from a penalty kick. Play brightened considerably as the second spell advanced, but still it was Toko that made the pace, with Midhirst extremely clever on defence. There was a monotonous repetition of line kicking, and many scrums. Just at the finish, after the game had continued well beyond time, C. Sangster shot out of the ruck and scored well out. The final scores were: — Toko 6, Midhirst 0. Mr. A. O’Sullivan refereed. M CARDIFF WIN AGAIN. Conditions were equally bad at Cardiff as in other matches, and though the home team scored three tries through Verney, Redshaw and Espin, none was converted. Pukengahu could not cross the Cardiff line, and the game ended Cardiff 9, Pukengahu 0. ELTHAM FIRE BOARD. WATCHING EXPENDITURE. The monthly meeting of the Eltham Fire Board was held yesterday. There were present Messrs. A. Kemp (chairman), I. J. Bridger, J. 11. Morton, S. O. Jones and N. Trewby. The superintendent, Mr. H. A. Nuttall, reported that there had been no fires during the quarter. The brigade was up to full strength, and drills and practices had been well attended. The station equipment was satisfactory, and efficiency had been well maintained. The water pressure, except n two occasions during flood, had been satisfactory. It was resolved that no purchases exceeding £1 in value be made without the authoritv of the chairman.

Mr. Jones said that the Underwriters’ Assocition had written, asking what the board was doing towards the reduction of expenditure. Mr. Bridger replied that he did not think the salaries would stand much further reduction.

Mr. Jones said that they would have to watch the incidental expenditure and see that nothing unnecessary was purchased. It was not suggested that equipment should be cut.