OKAIAWA TEAM WINS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 9

OKAIAWA TEAM WINS

MANAIA TEN-A-SIDE PATEA NARROWLY DEFEATED. GOOD STANDARD OF FOOTBALL. With a penalty goal to give it a lead, Okaiawa A successfully held . off Patea A’s attacks to win the ten-a-side Rugby competition promoted by the Manaia Hibernian and District Sports Club and the Waimate Football Club at Manaia on Saturday. Eleven teams took part and the games attracted a large crowd. Results were: — First Round. Opunake A 3 v. Waimate B 0. Waimate C 16 v. Opunake B 0. Okaiawa A 13 v. Patea B 0. Second Round. Patea A 3 v. Opunake A 0, Hawera 13 ». Waimate C 0. Kaponga B 11 v. Okaiawa B 0. Okaiawa A 13 v. Kaponga A 8. Semi-finals. Patea A 15 v. Kaponga B 11. Okaiawa A 6 v. Hawera 3. Final. Okaiawa A 3 v. Patea AO. The standard of Rugby was good and some of the games were most exciting. The semi-finals and final especially were thrilling, and extra time had to be clayed in the Okaiawa-Hawera game. Patea, after a shock in the first game, was somewhat fortunate to beat Kaponga B on time. Referees controlling the games were Messrs. F. Gamer, N. McNae, S. Hunt, R. McDermott, A. Spratt, L. H. Clapham, G. Hurley and P. Rangi.' • FIRST ROUND MATCHES. Burke missed with a penalty shot for Waimate C against Opunake B, and even play followed until Christie scored for Waimate in the corner after a great dash. Burke converted with a fine kick. After the change over. Burke n miss with, one penalty, but succeeded with another. Then Murfitt scored m the corner after Hill had started an attack. Burke failed. The same player ended a good game for himself by scoring after a 50 yards dash. • Ip the game in which Opunake H beat Waimate B, Waimate attacked and worked down to the twenty-five, but Opunake, by a series of attacks, took play back to the line, where Harrison missed with a penalty shot close in, but against the wind. At half-time there was no score. Opunake scored when, at half-way, Hohaia snappily, picked, up and kicked downfield, J. Malcolm just getting there after a great dash. Clarke (Okaiawa) made a dash from a scrum and thereafter Okaiawa camped on Patea B’s line. The only breakaway led' to ' Okaiawa scoring, Blair securing and crossing at the comer. Clarke could not convert. After half-time Patea attacked,. but was unsuccessful. Then Wards secured and scored between the posts after a 60 yards dash. Clarke converted. Wards played his part in another attack, the ’ ball going to Blair, who scored. Clarke converted. SECOND ROUND. Brown (Hawera) missed with a long penalty against Waimate C, but a little . later Rumble. scored, Guy converting. Waimate worked hard but could not score. McDonald made a good dash before handing on to Guy, who scored, Hunter converting. Dowdle worked the blind and McDonald scored. Hunter missed with the kick. ' Kara (Okaiawa) picked up well from a long and wild pass to score, well out against Kaponga A, Clarke converting. Then Ngaia, with a good dash, scored, Clarke again converting. From a penalty close in West raised the flags for Kaponga. Poor work by Ngaia let Kaponga in, Davy scoring. West converted. Wards got clear away and scored, Clarke just missing. Opunake A held Patea for most of the game, but in the second Burke kicked a great penalty from well out. The young Okaiawa B players did good work against Kaponga B and had hard luck several times. Kaponga worked to the line, where from a scrum Whalen crossed. • Patterson converted. After the change-over Kaponga, through B. Gardner, again scored, Patterson failing. A little later Patterson ran away to score, Whalen missing. SEMI-FINAL GAMES. Hawera and • Okaiawa A. had a close struggle in the scoreless first half of their semi-final. There were some good attacks, Okaiawa holding a slight advantage. At the start of the second spell Ngaia went away like a train, but Wards (to whom he passed) was pushed out in the comer and the attack failed. Cleverly pivoting the attack, Guy handed on to Hunter, who outpaced Preston to score. Guy failed. Dowdle and Tui Robinson exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Dowdle was caught handling in the scrum.. Clarke made no mistake with the kick. Extra time was played and Ngaia took play to the Hawera goal line, where Kara won the game by a clever blind side pass to Wards, who dashed over. The teams were:— Hawera: Clapham, McDonald, Hunter, Dowdle, Guy, Garvey, Brown, Murphy, Rumble, Holloway. Okaiawa A: Blair, Wards, Ngaia, Robinson, Kara, Preston, Thomas (2), Awahou, Clarke. PATEA’S CLOSE CALL . Kaponga forwards had charge of play at the start, and with better combination the team could have scored. Patea then took over and Milliken scored from a pretty movement when Edwards came in from the other wing to give the extra man. Burke converted. From a penalty on the twenty-five line, Patterson kicked a great goal, Patea holding a two-point lead at half-time. Gudgeon opened up play well and Zimmerman handed on to Milliken, who went away in a 60 yards dash to score. Bourke converted. A forward rush by Kaponga ended .in Sutton scoring, but Patterson failed. Edwards failed to gether a rolling ball on the line and Patterson pounced -on it for a try, converting it himself. In sensational fashion Patea won the game on time. Zimmerman handed on to Edwards, who beat Arnold and, pursued by Sutton, ran 60 yards for a try. Bourke converted. The teams were: — Patea A: Milliken, Edwards, Zimmerman, P. Bourke, Claude Gudgeon, Baldwin, Henare, McTaggart, Thompson, Johnson. Kaponga B: Gargan, Sutton, Benton, Gardner, Thoumine, Arnold, Kelly, Patterson, Whalen. OKAIAWA A JUST WINS. Okaiawa kicked off against Patea in the final, Edwards mishandling to let the ball go out. Kara set his backs going and Wards was set for a try, an infringement bringing play back. Kara worked the blind side beautifully and Robinson was nearly through, slipping when in a good position. A free kick brought distinct relief to Patea. Even play in midfield followed. Then Thompson and Edwards broke away and Edwards actually crossed only to be brought back for a forward pass. In ex-

citing play Clarke and Thomas broke through and, chased by Edwards, Thomas headed for the goal line. Edwards tackled him and the ball came infield, Ngaia foolishly kicking in a good position. Edwards «ayed on the goal line. Henare charged through, handing on to Baldwin, who passed forward to Milliken when in a good position. From 15 yards inside half-way Bourke had a shot at goal, but the kick was wide. The Okaiavza backs went away after the interval, Ngaia kicking through. Edwards picked up brilliantly near the line, but was caught, and handling by Milliken saw a free kick awarded to Okaiawa. In a good position Clarke had no difficulty in goaling. Okaiawa camped in Patea’s twenty-five and, after one clearing kick by Zimmerman, Ngaia narrowly missed a field goal. Then Clarke, from just outside the twentyfive, missed with another penalty. Okaiawa adopted the play-safe motto, working the line fairly consistently. Bourke dribbled 40 yards' and the ball went to Edwards, who set sail. Blair had the pace to get to him. Bourke was wide with a penalty from well out. Baldwin knocked on in a good position.

TAP O’NEILL SHIELD STRATFORD BEATS INGLEWOOD. BRIGHT, FAST RUGBY EXHIBITION. Playing at Inglewood on Saturday Stratford defeated Inglewood for the Tap O’Neill Shield by 20 points to 11. Throughout the game a high standard of play was maintained, despite the fact that a strong south-easterly wind was a hindrance to good handling by the backs. The game was very fast and neither side appeared to tire, which speaks well for the fitness of players. If anything, Inglewood held an advantage in the forwards and the loose rushes were a treat to see. The packs were evenly matched in the .scrums but in the line-outs, Stratford was superior. In back play Stratford gained considerably for on the whole the men combined well, while Inglewood mainly relied on individual play. A feature of the game was the excellent tackling of both sides. Inglewood was without the services of Shaw and Corkill in the backs and McKay in the forwards. Grant, the former New Plymouth High School player, played good football at second five-eighth, running straight and tackling and handling well, but he was perhaps inclined to hang on too long. With Shaw in the backs Inglewood should have a fair combination. R. Young was the outstanding Stratford forward, as were G. Sangster, Ross and Collins in the backs. In the Inglewood forwards it would be hard to single out a flayer, for all played excellently for the commencement of the season. The teams were:— Stratford: Collins; Ross, Henderson, Berg; P. Collins, G. Sangster; C. Sangster; Fastier, R. Young, Corban, Smith, Butcher, Latham, Hinton, R. Clarke. Inglewood: L. Corlett; E. Corlett, O’Byrne, Mcßoberts; Grant, Devereux; Simpson; J. Corlett, Woodward, Young, Rumball, Corhey, .Taylor, Sutton, Brown. Mr. R.' Fussell refereed. In the second half Inglewood altered the team considerably. O’Byrne and Dodunski replaced Sutton'and Woodward in the forwards, while Corney changed places with Devereux at first five-eighth. Poor handling by the Stratford inside backs allowed L. Corlett to find the line well down and from the line-out the Inglewood forwards carried the ball over the line for Young to touch down. L. Corlett converted. The Inglewood forwards made play willing and Mcßoberts, following up fast, beat Collins for the ball, and after a scramble three. Inglewood players dived for the ball, but a five yards scrum was ordered. The Stratford backs handled well and Berg made a great dash for the line, but Mcßoberts tackled, well. Devereux kicked through, and Mcßoberts, following up fast, took possession and passed to Grant. Sutton took play to Stratford’s goal, where Inglewood was awarded a free-kick tor offside play and Young goaled. After a pretty movement in which, all the Stratford backs handled,' Ross made a dash, but Mcßoberts was too fast. P. Collins kicked through and Butcher, following up fast, was almost over. From a lineout all the Stratford backs handled for Berg to score. Ross converted. Stratford, turned defence into attack with a long kick by Ross. In the ensuing play Stratford was awarded a penalty. The kick failed and Grant was caught with the ball. Berg obtained it and scored at the corner. Ross failed to goal. Halftime was called with the score B—B. Inglewood was awarded two free-kicks in succession and with the second Young landed a goal. R. Young forced his way over the line but was called back, but from the scrum Hinton ran throughto pass to Latham, who fell across the as he whs collared by Corlett. Ross failed to convert. Stratford opened up for Sangster, Collins, Berg and Sangster to handle and pass to Ross, who crossed at the comer. The kick failed. Stratford kept up the attack and from a loose scrum P- .Collins handed to Ross, who forced his way over at the corner. The kick failed. A brilliant loose rush by the Inglewood forwards with O’Byme, Devereux and .Corlett had Stratford defending, and after a scramble near the line Collins saved. The Inglewood backs handled well for Mcßoberts to send a reverse pass to Grant, who crossed the line but was called back. Stratford backs threw the ball about and after several unsuccessful attempts C. Sangster crossed the line on the call of time after the ball had been handled by all the Stratford backs. Stratford Inglewood 11 CLIFTON BEATS TUKAPA BETTER WORK IN” THE SCRUMS. BROUGHTON SHOWS PROMISE. Clifton beat Tukapa in the first Rugby game of the season at Waitara on Saturday by 16 to 6. A south-east gale was blowing which was not conducive to good football. Nevertheless some good work was put in by both teams. Four 15minute spells were played on account of the wind, which was blowing straight down the playing ground. In the second half of the game Herbert was replaced by Broughton, who should be an acquisition to the Clifton team. This young player has a fine swerve and is fast off die mark.

The teams were:— Clifton: Collins, Jones, Wilson, Robson, Herbert, Simonsen, Fenton, Armstrong, Fowler, Longstaff, Major, Wells, Tate, Olsson and Cole. Tukapa: Lake, Hanover, George, Gardiner, Courtenay, Wallace, Boswell, Sullivan, Carter, Kenny, O’Dowda, Sanger, Voullaire, Sorensen and Knott. Mr Reg. Horsup was the referee. Fowler broke away and carried play to Tukapa’s twenty-five, but Gardiner broke away with the ball at his toe and carried play back to halfway. Play was soon back to Tukapa s territory and a good chance was lost owing to Simonsen knocking on. From the scrum Tukapa hooked and forced. From a scramble near the line the ball went over the line and Tukapa again forced. Tukapa was awarded several free kicks for scrum infringements before from a rush Armstrong scored and Collins converted. Play went to Clifton’s twentyfive, then Olsson led a fine rush to Tu-

kapa's line, which was well stopped by Lake at full-back. The teams changed over. Clifton forwards led by Olsson took play to Tukapa’s twenty-five, but were soon driven back. A penalty for offside play gave Collins a chance to clear, finding touch at Tukapa’s twenty-five. Play was soon transferred back beyond halfway. For holding the ball a Clifton forward was penalised but from the free-kick Collins forced. For several minutes play was of an even nature, then Cole, who was playing a fine game, by fast following up gave Fenton a chance and the latter snapped up the ball to score. Collins failed with the kick. Half-time came with Clifton defending. , Tukapa carried play to . Cliftons twenty-five, but play was soon returned to halfway. Clifton forwards were now playing better than their opponents. From a free-kick to Clifton near half-way Collins tried to goal, but failed and Tukapa forced. A forward rush went to Tukapa’s goal line, where the Tukapa pack did good defensive work. For off-side play Tukapa received a free-kick and relieved. Play was ragged for some time, then Major, a young Clifton forward, broke away and looked like scoring Lake saved. From a scrum Fenton tried the blind, but no ground was gamed A speculator by a Clifton forward found touch well in Tukapa’s twentyfive Play soon came back and Wilson with a fine kick found touch near the comer flag. From a scrum about 25 yards out Fenton worked the blind to send Broughton, away to score a fine try. Collins failed with the kick. Shortly afterwards Fenton secured from a scrum and ran round and again sent Broughton away to score. Collins converted, ■bringing the score 16 to nil in favour of ClifWith 15 minutes to go, Tukapa, playing with the wind, started with a passing bout which took the team well into Clifton territory before being stopped. Tukapa was playing with more vim. The Clifton forwards were, however, too good in the scrums. A penalty against Fowler for off-side play gave Tukapa a chance and Boswell kicked a good goal. Tukapa kept up its attack and a few minutes later Boswell kicked another penalty. The remainder of the game was even, Tukapa having slightly the better of the game and missing two good chances by faulty handling by the backs. Clifton 16 Tukapa 6 ELTHAM’S VICTORY DECISION ON FIELD GOALS. BRIGHT GAME WITH UNITED. Two. field goals scored early in the game proved v too much of a handicap for United Old Boys in a Rugby match against Eltham at Stratford, Eltham winning by 13 points to 9. United scored three tries to Eltham’s one, not one being converted. The scores comprised a converted try and two field goals to three tries. The match was fairly even, both teams showing promise, and was full of incident. A particularly good feature oi the play was the open style adopted by both teams, the ball being flung about freely.

The handling of both teams was uncertain. United probably had a slight advantage in the forwards; it certainly secured a greater share of the ball from set scrums, and O’Keefe, Kofoed, Murphy and Bonner made a powerful quartet in the loose. Campbell, Bocock and Burke were conspicuous in the Eltham pack. United could have improved its back play by standing deeper; too often when on the attack the backs were strung out in a straight line and had to take their passes standing. A. Lash played a splendid game behind the scrum, and McKenzie once again demonstrated his worth as first five-eigth. Harris, who played half during the second spell was a little slow. I. McCready played his first senior game, but had few opportunities. For Eltham Young was outstanding, turning up time after time in the right place. Smith and Vhiting shaped well. Both full-backs did well. United sadly lacked a good kicker; three conversions would have meant victory. The game was played in four twenty minute spells. The teams were:—

United Old Boys: Adlam; Marchant, Cnehran, L. Lash; /Barlow, McKenzie; A. Lash; O’Keefe, Goodman, Walker, Heath, Hughes, Murphy, Bonner, Kofoed. Eltham: Paterson; Williams, Whiting, E. Smith; F. Young, White; Maslin; Burke, Peterson, Bocock, R. Campbell, Campbel], Booten, F. Bocock, Penniall. Eltham’s first score came within five minutes of the kick-off when from about the twenty-five Paterson notched four points with a field goal. Steady pressure by United backs brought it within striking distance fairly soon, and Marchant cut in and passed to Cochran 'to enable him to dive over the line to open United’s account. Barlow failed to convert. United was up again a few moments later but mishandling lost them the chance. Following the change oyer Eltham forwards with the wind behind them attacked strongly but United reasserted itself. An injury to White necessitated a re-arrangement of Eltham’s backs, Williams coming in from the wing to replace him at first five-eighth, and R. Bourke went to the wing. Bourke gained possession on the twenty-five and with plenty of time kicked Eltham s second field goal. Several changes were made at half time, in United Harris replaced A. Lash behind the scrum; McCready replaced Cochran at centre, and Cochran moved out to Marchant’s place on the wing. Marchant went off. Two changes were made in the Eltham.backs, Maslin being replaced by Worthington, and Bourke exchanging places with Paterson. Eltham started briskly in the second half and repeated attacks were launched. At last from a five yards scrum a snappy back movement, in which the ball travelled freely, gave Smith an opportunity and he swerved past two defenders to touch down about 10 yards from the post. Paterson converted. Bonner was conspicuous in the Old Boys pack as it fought its way down the field, and again secured the ball in the twenty-five. He passed to McKenzie, who stepped through the opposition prettily and handed to McCready, who scored. Adlam missed with the kick. With twenty minutes to go and seven points behind, United renewed its strenuous efforts. Hard forward work took United up the line, and after Harris had worked the blind side with L. Lash, United forwards jumped for the ball in a line-out in the corner. There was a scramble on the line, the ball was kicked over, and Bonner fell on it to register' United's third try. Kofoed failed to convert. Eltham dominated the game for a few minutes and had the home team fighting strenuously on the line. The final whistle sounded immediately with the score:— Eltham 13 United Old Boys 9 -» KAPONGA SEVEN-A-SIDE. TWENTY TEAMS COMPETING. Twenty teams will participate in the Kaponga seven-a-side football tournament, on Saturday next. The entries are representative of Taranaki football clubs and include Clifton (2), Kaponga (3), Opunake (2), Waimate (2), Okaiawa (2), Star, Inglewood, United Old Boys, Empire Old Boys, Hawera and Eltham. There are also two visiting teams, Halcombe and Cambridge. There are usually one or two good visiting teams, and this year’s carry good reputations. The

Halcombe team has been selected by Mr. F. Spooner, a former well-known resident of Patea, and the Cambridge team will be managed by Mr. Eddie Scott, at one time a resident of Kapuiii. The latter team includes several representatives, who may be relied upon to brighten the game. The competition winner will receive the A. O. Casey Sheild and each member of the team a miniature football trophy. The runner-up will receive the Hockin Cup. This is the fifteenth year of the competition, previous winners being: 1921, Kaponga; 1922, Petone; 1923, Joll’s, Okaiawa; 1924, Kaponga; 1925, Tukapa; 1926, Napier; 1927, Star; 1928, Carterton: 1929 and 1930, Masterton: 1931 and 1932, Athletic; 1933, Star; 1934, Clifton. CITY COMPETITIONS. Rugby results elsewhere are:— Christchurch. Old Boys 27 beat Albion 5. Merivale 11 beat Christchurch 3. University 22 beat. Linwood 14. Sunnyside 21 beat Athletic 8.