RUGBY SEASON OPENS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1932, Page 8

RUGBY SEASON OPENS

tournament won by toko. PLAY IN CENTRAL DIVISION. Toko, last year’s first junior provincial champion Rugby team, commenced thia season with much of their old dash and persistence when they won the .10-a-side central division first junior tournament at Stratford yesterday. Organised practice was really the object behind the tournament, which was promoted by the Stratford club as an official opening to the season. Celtic wefe the runners-up. Teams played the 2—3—2 scrum formation.

Considering that many of the players were kicking a ball for the first time this year, the general standard of play indicated the competition this year will not be lacking in interest. Perhaps the most spectacular game of the afternoon was that between Celtic and Stratford in the first round. Celtic played a sound game with some bright back work that entitled them .to their win. Toko lowered Cardiff’s colours. fairly easily as the latter team were not up to the form they displayed last year, while Toko played in a manner' that was better than the style usually seen so early in the season.

The final was played between Toko and Celtic. Toko had to battle solidly, to gain the decision, but Celtic were not the. same team that beat Stratford. Had they reproduced their initial form Toko would have been hard put to it to win. Stratford and Cardiff paired in a practice game which Stratford won comfortably. They improved greatly, on their effort of the first round. Results are:— Celtic 5 v. Stratford 7 0. •Toko 9 v. Cardiff 3. Toko 8 v. Celtic 0. Stratford 111 v. Cardiff 0.