STRATFORD UNDEFEATED

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1935, Page 10

STRATFORD UNDEFEATED

VICTORY WON BY 13 TO 4 KAPONGA’S STRONG FORWARDS. DESPERATE ASSAULTS MADE. Had the Kaponga backs been equal to the team’s forwards it is doubtful whether Stratford would have won the sterling game played at Kaporiga. Certainly Stratford would not havd attained vic* lory to the tune of 13 points (three tH® s < two of which were converted), to 4 (a field goal). Credit for the team’s win must be given the Stratford rearguard, each member of Which played at the top of his form. The line had to be reconstructed twice through withdrawals of injured men, but at no time was it found wanting, or was it in any way disorganised. Stratford was opposed to a system or individualists whose main asset were determination coupled With kicking ability, but whose weakness lay in attack. The Kaponga mOri left too many holes to be filled by desperate bursts of speed when an unexpected, and sometimes an expected, kick was to be fielded. The Kaponga rearguard Was essentially a rearguard. Ita tackling was good and its members executed some brilliant line kicking.' Ih this connection C. Paterson excelled particularly. He possesses an exceedingly powerful punt, and on . occasions with snap judgment he gained half the field in perfectly placed kicks. The feature of the game was undoubtedly the exhibition given by the Kaponga pack throughout, and especially during the concluding 15 minutes. TO a man they played aS though inspired. Their booking wag better than Stratford’s, and in the loose their concerted thrusts were deadly. It was a new sensation to the Stratford forwards to be beaten at their own game, and during the time usually chosen by them to put forth their best efforts. Kaponga fielded, on the day, a magnificent forward division. It remains only for someone to take the good material of the backs in hind to develop an attacking force, and the team as a whole will be an exceedingly tough nut for anyone to crack. Reduced in weight and speed by the loss of Fastier and Who were engaged in the All Black trial match, the Stratford forwards did not produce the fine efforts that the public has come to expect. They certainly were not disgraced, but they were at times overwhelmed and, strangely enough, it was in the loose rucking that they lost ground to Kaponga. If it is. conceded that the Kaponga men Were superior in set and loose scrum,-then it must also be admitted that Stratford fully bore their share of the brunt of the day. Towards the last they played an uphill game but undoubtedly they played it well because Kaponga could not score. 1 Among the backs honours fell heavily upon the inside men, particularly C. Sangster, and, until he retired, G. Sangster. Lehmann made an excellent link between five-eighths and the wings and both Ross and Taylor played better than usual, which is saying a good deal. The public, which attended in good numbers, saw two fine men playing in the fullback positions. If Berg may be Said to have impressed the more it was only because he had more to do and less time in which to do it. . The game did not Open quickly. Both packs were at it from the word go, but swift and deadly, tackling prevented the ball from getting beyond the five-eighth. Paterson was almost over when Thoumine, West, P. Gargan and Hodge made a concerted rush which it seemed nothing could stop.. When they finally overran. the ball it was snapped up by James and the backs proceeded .to carry on the good work. Dodd Was injured in trying to stop this rush, but carried on for a while; until Berg dropped back, Collins came on as second five-eighth and Ross went to the .-.wing. The wisdom of this latter change was demonstrated a few minutes, later .when Ross made a great solo Sprint down the line, shaking off a: couple of opponents who really were not in a position to tackle properly, and scored when he liked. Ross, from in front, easily converted his own try. The merit of this try was somewhat marred by the fact that the One player, Kelly, Who might have stopped him was at the time on the ground writhing from the pain of an accidental kick in the stomach.

Kaponga opened the second spell with a rush in which practically the whole team took part. There was no doubt that Stratford was thoroughly bustled for a while, but speedily recovered and a most spectacular try, ensued. ,In the shadow of his own goal C. Sangster opened up a passing movement in which Lehmann made much ground.. The two Sangsters raced down the. centre of the field and were in a handy position to receive a midfield pass from Lehmann. C» Sangster was the list to receive the ball, and having no one to assist put his head back and streaked for the, line. With a dodging run he forced his way through such opposition as remained and was able to score between .the posts. Again Ross easily converted. Sangster retired hurt, McGregor coming on as half and C. Sangster dropping back to five-eighth. '. . : ' Stratford still threw the ball about. Lehmann was almost over on one wing and Ross was pushed out on the other. There - was ten minutes of exciting back movements with Kaponga defending strenuously. •' With fifteen minutes to go the game took on an entirely different complexion. First Gardner and then P. Gargan broke through, and Stratford was assailed by drive after. drive hurled in with all the might the Kaponga vanguard could muster. West was the next to be very near scoring, but Berg found the line from behind the goal posts. A wonderful exr hibition was given by the Kaponga pack at this stage, and its efforts did not lessen until Paterson potted a goal. Stratford had a reply to these four points all ready and waiting. From the dropout the team swept down the field, up to and over the line, where Smith, who was in the fore throughout the movement, found that he had scored a try. In the last minute Hodge “scored” for Kaponga but was recalled for an infringement. Stratford 13 Kaponga 4 Mr. B. Bowman refereed. RUGBY AT OPUNAKE SEVEN-A-SIDE JUNIOR TOURNEY. DRAW FOR THE FIRST ROUND. Sixteen teams have entered for the Opunake Rugby Clubs junior seven-a-side tournament to be held to-day. Opunake has four teams nominated and Rahotu and Okato three each, and entries have been received from Patea, kaponga, Midhirst and Warea. The draw for the first round is: Opunake B v. Rahotu A, Warea B v. Kaponga, Rahotu C v. Opunake A, Midhirst B v. Warea A, Okato B v. Patea, Midhirst A v. Rahotu B. Opunake C v. Okato C, Okato A v. Opunake D.