TOKO’S STRONG POSITION

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1934, Page 3

TOKO’S STRONG POSITION

UNITED OLD BOYS ROUTED first junior Rugby contest. LEADER WELL AHEAD ON LADDER. As much hinged on the result of the game between Toko and Old Boys yesterday in the central division Rugby competition in deciding the winner of the competition, considerable interest centred on the game, which was expected to be closely contested. Toko gained the mastery early in the match and scored 11 points in each spell to Old Boys’ nil. Toko is four points ahead of Old Boys on the championship ladder, and as there are only two more fixtures in the competition Toko’s chances are very rosy. Pukengahu forfeited to Midhirst, Cardiff forfeited to Stratford and the Tariki v. Inglewood match was postponed owing to the weather. Old Boys was overwhelmed by a pack of forwards superior in weight and inspired by early success. Although heavy rain had fallen all morning, the weather cleared during the afternoon and the ground was in good condition. The ball was slightly greasy, but the handling on both sides was good. Toko made the game a forward one, but not exclusively. As the forwards raked from all but two set scrums and practically all others, the Toko backs saw a good deal of the ball and made a good display. However, not one try came from a completed back movement; they were nearly all opportunist scores. Brown, Martin, Were and .O*Hanlan were probably the best, and played a great game.

J. Sangster scored two tries and converted two, and gave his backs good passes from the scrums. He was very tricky on his feet. The five-eighths, Walters and Wilmshurst, handled well. Standring played a solid game and was the strongest point in the line. Latham, outside him, showed pace and determination. Jones fielded well when given time, but fumbled badly once or twice when called on in a hurry. Old Boys made a mistake in altering the arrangement of the back line once again. McCready at second five-eighths, Irving at centre and Calcott on the wing were not a happy combination, each man playing in an unfamiliar position. McCready played a fine defensive game and was well supported by Calcott, but neither received the opportunities he. deserved. T. Wilmshurst played a cool game at full-back and kicked well. The forwards played hard but seemed to lack sting. Bonner made a tireless leader, and played a good game, though he did not account for J. Sangster as he might have done. The general defence of the team was not up to the usual standard. The teams were:—

Toko: E. Jones; C. Hall, L. Standring, F. Latham; E. Wilmshurst, A. Walter; J. Sangster; A. Chapman, P. Jones, .T. Sangster, J. O’Hanlon, H. Were, Corbett, G. Brown.

United Old Boys: Wilmshurst; Irving, Calcott, Vincent; McCready, McCarrison; McCluggage; Ryan, Eagar, Cannon, Richardson, Thompson, Bonner, Salisbury, Kofoed. Mr. A. R. Harrison refereed.

Toko, after having attacked from the opening of the spell, forced a way back again after a brief Old Boys sortie, and from a scramble near the twenty-five J. Sangster dodged ‘through on his own and when tackled by Wilmshurst passed to Brown a yard from the line. The forward touched down easily. Sangster’s kick failed. Old Boys forwards rushed play into Toko territory until a high kick by Standring was followed up hard by the pack. Wilmshurst was caught out of position and E. Wilmshurst scored. Sangster could not convert. A third try came within a minute, J. Sangster forcing his way over after a dashing back movement and a scramble ten yards from the line when Latham was tackled. Sangster put over a perfect kick to convert his own try.

Old Boys made a bright start in the second spell, a snappy back movement carrying play to the twenty-five, where Calcott was tackled in possession. The territory gained was soon lost before the onslaught of the Toko vanguard. The forwards kept Old Boys hemmed behind the twenty-five, defending strenuously. After being held on the line by a desperate defence for about five minutes the Toko forwards succeeded at last. The ball was raked quickly and Latham scored near the posts. Sangster could not convert. The forwards forced play to the twenty-five, using their weight in loose dribbling rushes. A scrum under the posts gave Sangster his chance, and he dummied his way over. He made no mistake with the kick. A further score came soon, forwards and backs passing. Walters crossed the line beside the posts, but Jones missed the kick. Toko ' 22 United Old Boys 0