THE RUGBY FINALISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 4

THE RUGBY FINALISTS

STRATFORD AND OKAIAWA TO MEET OPUNAKE THIRD GRADE CHAMPIONS y PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOURNEY OPENS THE Taranaki Rugby competitions were continued on Saturday in fine weather. There was no alteration in the position of the leaders, and Stratford will meet Okaiawa at Eltham next Thursday to decide the championship of Taranaki and with it the right to hold the McMasters Shield. In the northern division Stratford defeated Clifton by one point and Tukapa defeated the runners-up, Inglewood, who drop into > third place, Star, who comfortably defeated Celtic, advancing into. second place. . .-• In the southern division Okaiawa continued their winning way i by easily defeating Opunake, the runners-up,-secured a; '? win by default from Patea. A close game saw Hawera just, defeat ■' Athletic by a point, whilst Eltham had- a comfortable win over Waimate. The junior championship was advanced, a stage. Kaponga by a narrow margin defeated Patea and’now ente* the final, playing the winner of the northern v. central match. Opunake defeated Star " by a potted goal and annexed the third grade championship. In . the fourth grade semi-final Tukapa (northern) defeated Waimate (southern) and will meet Toko (central) in the final. A start was made with the primary schools quadrangular tournament, some bright football resulting in clos |j[ ins for Hutt Valle y and Taranaki. . ' W The senior matches resulted: —- « DIVISION. SOUTHERN DIVISION. Stratford 6v. Clifton 5. Okaiawa 16-v. Kaponga nil. Tukapa 12 v. Inglewood 6. Hawera 6 v. Athletic 5. 'Star 21 v. Celtic 6. Eltham 21 v. Waimate 11. • ■ Opunake won from Patea by default.

STRATFORD’S NARROW WIN

FORWARDS GOOD IN LOOSE PLAY.,

CLIFTON MINUS THREE GOOD MEN.

Stratford had to fight hard against . Clifton at Waitara for a win by 6 points ' (two unconverted tries), to 5 (a converted try). On the day’s play Stratford were the better team, but only by the slightest of margins. Had the Clifton team played throughout as they did the first ten minutes, and had Watson, Rata and Seiwood been playing, the re- . suit would probably have been reversed. Stratford won owing to tireless loose play by the forwards and the ability of the backs to produce good, if not bril- ' liant, play when they had the chances. Only two tries were scored by the winners, but there should have been more. Collins had a day off. The Clifton forwards commenced at a rattling pace and held their qwu in the tight through--out, although tiring at the end. .The Stratford pack, however, was a constant source of trouble to thej Clifton inside backs, who often as not were unable to ■make any use of the ball when they did gain it from the serum. Rata and Watson would have strengthened the back line 50 per cent. Fryday was the most prominent player on the field, and although he was not popular with the crowd he played a bustling, valuable game. Ward, Pepperell and Brown were in the vanguard for Clifton, with Jones and Jonas shining intermittently in the backs. For Stratford Collins was sound and Owen and Grace combined well. The teams were: — v Stratford: Collins; Hamilton, Grace, Blackmore; Owen, Henry; Tailor; Smith, Robson, Walter, Huckstep, R. Young, Hinton, J. Young; Fryday. Clifton: Young; Thomas, Jones, Jonas; Garey, Wilson; Rowe; Ohlsson, Brown, Ward, Kawe, Pepperell, Fowler, Roberts; Cole. Stratford returned the kick-off to touch at half-way, but the Clifton forwards, aided by a free kick and a mark by Wilson, worked down the line to Stratford’s 25. Within two minutes of the start the home pack, playing a bustling game, harried their way to the Stratford line for Ohlsson to score. Carey converted. Stratford were stung and the forwards settled down to solid work. The Stratford pack worked into Clifton territory, but Cole broke through. .Collins saved, only to kick to Jones, who would have had a clear field had not the bounce beaten him. Hard work by the pack put Stratford in an attacking position again and the ball travelled via the backs to Blackmore. Jonas took the ball from him but was obstructed. Collins had an attempt to open Stratford’s account with a free kick, but was wide. Robson led. a breakaway for Stratford. Efforts on Clifton’s part to open up the play were nullified by the quick following-through of the Stratford back-row men. but Ward gained 40 yards with a penalty and then led a ruse which placed Clifton almost on the Stratford line. A clearing kick dropped behind the Clifton defence and Thomas was beaten by two Stratford men. One had nothing to stop him, but the pass was a wild one. From midfield the Stratford backs were set in motion

by Fryday. Owen drew his man and Grace, judging the distance well, scored near touch as he was tackled. Collins allowed too much for the wind. Clifton worked hack to the Stratford line and then Carey undid the good work by throwing a wild pass to Jones. Hamilton snapped it up, outpaced Rowe and nearly beat Young after a run which gained, 70 yards. Hinton burst out of a scrum-;bitt Fryday .lost a certain-try with 4 /Rowe exploited the Btab-Jkick-aWelly-but’ Ha ilton was able to .find. touch! Clifton were awarded a

free kick and Ward, Cole and Brown went away in a loose rush which was brokeii up by Grace and Hamilton. A scrum close up in /Stratford territoij was won. by Clifton and - the backs, handled perfectly for Jonas to put the crowd on their toes with an all-out dash to the corner. He was tackled well and failed by inches. A free /kick relieved the tension and a long kick rolled over the dead-ball line *to give Stratford relief again. Stratford gained some ground from the kick-off, but Jones, centred well and Owen just got rid of the ball in time. The Stratford backs handled twice, but when a good pass to the three-quarters might have meant a. try the attacks fizzled out. Fryday took a mark in a handy place and .followed up with a good dribble when the ball rebounded. Collins was overwhelmed by the Clifton forwards and emerged with his jersey in tatters. Fryday bustled the Clifton backs but Young stopped him. A drop-kick was fruitless and then Cole ran to half-way when he gathered in a favourable bounce. Clifton backs handled prettily, but Jonas was overhauled. Two bursts by Jones relieved a spell of scrambling play. Owen was attempting to cut in and at last brought the movement off. He was tackled on. the line and strenuous moments followed .until a free kick: gave relief. Jonas took play to Stratford territory _ and Ward'and Pepperell carried on to within a yard or two of the line. Henry eventually cleared to half-way, where play hung until from a scrum Taylor feinted the °blind side, spun on his heels and sent Henry away. Owea carried on the good work, passing to Grace as Young tackled him, and the centre scored another well-schemed try. Collins failed to convert. Fryday was again prominent and slid over for a try which was | disallowed. Thomas and Jones turned defence into attack and-Kawe had a plucky shot at goal from nearly halfway. Stratford came back determinedly and camped on Clifton’s line for a long spell, which ended when Taylor booted the ball vigorously, but mystifyingly, over .the dead-ball line. Both teams were tired and grappled reaultlessly in midfield until the game ended. Stratford 6 Clifton 5 Mr. E. C. Gilmour was referee. / GOAL. KICKERS’ DAY TUKAPA BEAT INGLEWOOD. FAST, OPEN GAME PLAYED. The value of good goal-kickers on a fine day was demonstrated in a fast and willing game in which Tukapa defeated Inglewood by 12 points to six. Of the 18 points scored 15 were from penalty goals, three of which were kicked by Lynch and two by Knott. ' Throughout the play was hard and open and there was no respite. At times the willingness of the play seemed to degenerate into roughness. Tukapa were slightly the'better team, for tlieir backs handled more skilfully than did their opponents. ' Moorhead, although he appeared to make one or two mistakes, played an excellent game, and he and Sullivan gave the most impressive display among the Tukapa backs-. Lynch, apart from being an invaluable asset to his side as a goal-kicker, played a good forward game, as also did McNeill, Guy, and Bitehell. Dickey and the young hooker,' Knott, seemed to obtain more than' their share -of the .’ball, but in doing, so-'were-penalised for 'lifting on several occasions. Fine defensive qualities and

a willingness to grasp opportunities were features of the play of the. Inglewood backs; The powerful kicker Hunt,' and Mcßoberts both played very well. In the towards Coles, Devereux and Evans were a deugerons trio, but all the scoring was done by Knott, the fullback, who kicked two 'difficult penalty goals. The teams were: —

•Tukapa: Walker; Sullivan, Thomson, Morris; Moorhead, Dickson; Brown; Lynch, .Hill, McNeill, Bithell, O’Dowdu, Dickey, Knott; Guy. Inglewood: Knott; Mcßoberts, Speakman, O’Byrne; Hunt, Cowley; Maingav; Goble, Evans; Crossman, Scanlon, Coles, Devereux, Major; Eaves. As soon as Inglewood had kicked off Hunt made two good attempts to dropkick goals. Lynch, McNeill and the Tukapa forwards worked downfield and Brown sent his backs away in a fast movement that ended .when Sullivan was caught near the line. From well out Lynch kicked a good penalty goal.. The pace continued willing and from a lineout the Tukapa forwards swarmed down the field. - Guy came up and. raced for the line with the ball at his feet, .but Knott stopped him and the ball rolled over the line with about six pairs of hands covering it. Dickson exit in and found the line near the corner with a well-judged punt. When Inglewood, was awarded a penalty for a scrum infringement Hunt did not kick but initiated a passing rush that carried his side well down the field. Another penalty gave Knott a chance, and he goalc.d from a difficult angle. After a period ot fluctuating fortunes Maingay and O’Byrne worked the blind side to good advantage and rushed close to Tukapa’s line; On resuming Lynch narrowly missed kicking a,, penalty goal from a difficult angle near-half-way. The Tukapa backs opened out but Thomson chose to cut in and was caught when lie had Morris outside him. Moorhead speculated recklessly and Mcßoberts caught the rising ball; - short-punted hiid followed, up, but Walker and Moorhead were able to save; Knott had no difficulty in kicking a long penalty goal. From a scrum Coles burst through with the ball, raced for the line and short-punted, but he was .beaten for the ball by Moorhead, who cleared just in time. Tukapa were awarded a penalty and Lynch goaled from about 30 yards out with a powerful kick. Coles came through with another fine rash but he was grounded by Walker and Moorhead stemmed the rash. Inglewood swarmed through and the line was crossed, but a seruih was awarded. Sullivan secured and made a line attempt to work his way over, but although he crossed . there were many hands on the ball. From a scrum Moorhead received and made ft valiant attempt to kick a field goal, but the direction was faulty. Devereux secured and corkscrewed in and out: in a run that traversed about 30 yards. He was not backed up and was caught. Tukapa burst through and Moorhead secured the ball at half-way and raced for the line. At ‘the twenty-five he had drawn his nien and passed to Sullivan. . The winger made a great bid for the line but was hurled oyer the corner peg just as-lie ■was crossing. The effort was not wasted, however, for from a scramble that followed Tukapa indulged in a disconcerting passing rash that ended with Moorhead scoring. Lynch failed with his kick. Hectic play which surged from end to end. of the field continued for some time.- Then Lynch kicked another fine penalty goal from about 40 yards out. ' ' *

Tukapa .12 Inglewood C Mr. C. Gcrnhoefcr refereed. STAR’S FINE RECOVERY BEDFORD “POTS” .TWO GOALS. CELTIC TEAM FAIL TO STAY. Neither of the scratch teams of Celtic and Star had their hearts in the match at Stratford. They took the field 30 minutes late with several substitutes each, and/agreed to play .two spells of 35 minutes. Celtic dominated play during the first spell but Star had much the better of the second and were materially assisted, in their scoring ac; count by the fine drop-kicking of Bed-. ford. Erickson, playing full-back for Celtic, gave' a very impressive display. The teams were:— ■■ Celtic: Erickson; Harris, Bourke, Algar; Moore, Sangster; At trill; Holden, Koefoed, Beardmore, Ford, Wellington, Penniall, Stephens; Coffey. Star: .Bedford; Simpson, Billing, Jack McLeod; Aubrey, K. Clegg; Rothery; Clark, Richmond, Jim McLeod, Harvey, Shaw, Freethy, Bob McLeod; E. Clegg. Celtic were the.early aggressors, but by slow degrees Star worked beyond half-way; where K. Clegg, Aubrey, Billing anil; Co.. were seen in several passing rushes, Celtic having finally to force. With startling suddenness the venue of play moved to the other end, considerably assisted by a long punt by Moore, and Star took a turn at forcing. The kick out had scarcely landed when Harris, Moore and Attrill swept down the line for Attrill to - score. Celtic’s next try came after 25 minutes’ play, when from a general mix-up the ball was kicked over the line and Koefoed fell on it. Moore again missed with the kick. Mainly due to good work by Coffey, Celtic advanced once more to Star’s line and a fierce, struggle ensued near the posts, but Celtic' lost the opportunity when first Bourke then Erickson tried to “pot.” On resuming McMillan replaced Harris on Celtic’s wing.' Three minutes after the kick-off Moore had a resultless penalty kick which was fielded by Clegg and lined in safety. There was. an in-i different scrummage from which Erickson, after beating a couple of men, managed to send a pass to Bourke, .but R. McLeod intercepted Bourke’s pass and raced over half the field to score as and where he liked. Harvey increased the score with an easy kick. A.few minutes later Bedford placed his team in the lead with a great drop-kick which sailed cleanly over the bar. The Star backs were playing with fine dash and initiative, making things very dangerous for Celtic. A clearing kick was smartly fielded by Bedford well behind the quarter line and near the boundary. In this position he swung round and sent a splendid drop-kick accurately between the posts. Two minutes from time EClegg made a fine opening for his brother K. Clegg to score. At any time following the drop out a kick to the line would have ended the game, but somehow the ball remained in play until Jack McLeod suddenly got clear and streaked. over. Harvey from a easy position converted. Sta*r . 21 Celtic■' •»•,.. '..... 6 Mr. U: Harrison refereed.