TUKAPA’S DECISIVE WIN

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1934, Page 12

TUKAPA’S DECISIVE WIN

DEFEAT OF OLD BOYS SIDE FAILURE OF LOSER’S BACKS. PATCHES OF SPECTACULAR PLAY. Tukapa decisively defeated Old Boys by 18 to nine in the first match at Pukekura Park. Tukapa’s score consisted of three tries, one converted, a penalty goal and a field goal, and Old Boys scored three tries which were not converted. Although Old Boys opened in promising style and two tries from brilliant cut-ins by K. Fookes seemed likely to lead to a big score for Old Boys, Tukapa was definitely the better side on the day. Especially was this true in the second half, when the forwards were going great guns, and the backs had a measure of superiority over Old Boys. From the Old Boys point of view, the heavy rain before and during the match was the greatest blow to success, for it prevented the dangerous back-line from showing its full worth. In the circumstances, howeVer, there was a fair amount of back play, and it was in this that Old Boys definitely ■ failed. In playing easily his worst game of the season, Olson gave his backs poor service. The result was general disorganisation of the line, and. only in flashes did the backs show anything of their true form.’, . Two of Tukapa’s tries looked doubtful. A pass' received before Wallace scored was forward, and when G. Sullivan scored after his magnificient dash down the line he appeared to bounce the ball rather than force it. In spite of that, however, Tukapa was sufficiently superior to have won the match on its merits. With a slightly heavier pack Tukapa secured a lion’s share of the ball, and Boswell, though handicapped by the fast breaking Old Boys forwards, made good use of the bail. He gave his backs good service, and though Brown played indifferently the outside men all played well. J. Sullivan defended stoutly and was useful in attack for his great bursts of speed. Wallace was completely beaten twice by K. Fookes, but he returned the compliment in the second spell and gave the Tukapa line the thrust that was required. In addition, Papps at full-back, apart from one or two errors, played a very sound game. In the forwards O’Dowda, McNeill and Ruakere headed a solid and hard-working pack. Old Boys should have scored at least five more points from kicks, and those points could conceivably have altered the game. Thomson's missing of a penalty and a goal from a try was unpardonable, and none of the other kickers had success. On the Tukapa side, Boswell’s great kicking alone was a source of inspiration to his'side. Handicapped by Olson, Mace played rather poorly. Ken Fookes was a terror on his own, and Galbraith, though the crowd expected him to score every time he received the ball, played below form. Ford was a fine back, outstanding in fact, and he was unforunate not scoring when he cleverly kicked over Papps' head. Among the forwards, Blakeney and Biggar played slashing games and S. Fookes was in good form on the side of the scrum.

An unsatisfactory aspect of the game was obstruction and a tendency on the 'part of the players to forget the ball for the man. Brown continued with his tactics at first five-eighth for Tukapa, and gave away one penalty in front of the goal which Old Boys should have improved on. The teams were:—

Tukapa: Papps; Webster, J. Sullivan, G. Sullivan; Wallace, Brown; Boswell; Knott, Dickey, Sorenson; McNeill, Bithell, O’Dowda; Ruakere, Thomson. Old Boys: Thomson; Medley, Galbraith, Ford; K. Fookes, Mace; Olson; Biggar, Clark, Mac Lean; S. Fookes, Evans, J. Mace, Blakeney; Purser. Old Boys was given a free kick within a minute of the kick-off, but in the heavy rain Thomson could not improve. From a scrum at half-way Olson set his backs going. Fookes cut through with paralysing speed, ran to Papps and passed to Ford, the winger running 25 yards to score near the posts. It was a perfect try. Thomson’s kick hit the post and bounced infield. Boswell tried a penalty shot from 40 yards out. The ball was too heavy, and another shot by him a little later was again short Old Boys attacked and Medley centrekicked, Papps missing the ball. Biggar and others were caught yards offside and a distinct chance was lost. Ken Fookes’ eye for an opening * almost resulted in Old Boys scoring when he kick high downfield. Papps was caught in possession and Old Boys forwards swarmed near the line. Brown obstructed near the goal, but Thomson again missed with the penalty kick. But within a minute or so Fookes broke through from a passing rush started at half-way. Galbraith received and ran to Papps before sending Ford away for the try. Ford missed with the kick. Tukapa .pressed and from an infringement on the ,25 line Boswell goaled with his third attempt. A fine Old Boys’ passing movement, in which Galbraith gathered the

ball on his finger tips, broke down when Medley was well tackled. Ford received the ball on the sideline and booted over Papps’ head, but J. Sullivan won the race to the ball. O’Dowda showed his representative colours when he dribbled alone for 30 yards. From the loose Brown received and set his backs going. G. Sullivan received and in a great dash down the line, in which he beat three men, he scored in the comer. Boswell converted with a wonderful kick and Tukapa led for the first time. Mace cut through and threw a high pass to Galbraith, but Webster tackled like a champion. The ball hung loose and Webster headed a great rush of 70 yards with the ball at toe. Old Boys had a busy session defending till the end of the pell, when the score was Tukapa eight, Old Boys six. Even play opened the second half until a loose back rush ended in Wallace scoring in the comer. Boswell’s kick was poor. A pass during the movement was distinctly forward. Tukapa pressed and only plucky falling on the ball by Thomson saved Old Boys. Wallace went through like a streak but his pass under the goal posts went astray and Old Boys relieved. J. Mace broke through from half-way, but Olson threw a poor pass and Tukapa again attacked. Old Boys had to force twice, and when Evans was penalised for holding Boswell goaled from 35 yards out. Olson set his backs going from the kick-off and Medley receiving centrekicked. Biggar was on the ball like a flash, but his pace was insufficient to carry him over. In a line-out on Tukapa’s line Biggar jumped for the ball and twisted over to score. Thomson could not convert. Medley and Galbraith collided, both receiving severe knocks, but they carried on. Tukapa attacked like demons, and a long pass to G. Sullivan was dangerous, but Ford took his man. Wallace raced through to the goal, where he was tackled. Boswell received and in working the blind was held up. Knott received a wild pass and snap-dropped a neat goal from five yards out. With seven minutes to go, Old Boys’ task looked hopeless. Mace had a penalty shot, but his kick went wide. Galbraith also missed with a drop-kick by a small margin after evading several tackles. Tukapa held the territorial advantage to the bell. Tukapa Old Boys 9 Mr. N. Frost was referee.