RUGBY OPENS.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18480, 26 April 1932, Page 3

RUGBY OPENS.

NEW TEAM WINS. Tapu Beats City. P.T. DEFEATS RAMBLERS. INTERESTING FOOTBALL. The Thames Rugby Union officially opened its 1332 season on Saturday last at Rhodes Park, which was in first-class order. The games were interesting, and good form, for early In the season, was shown. Physical Training succeeded in defeating last year’s champions, Ramblers, and the newly-formed team, Tapu, registered a win over City. College Old Boys had a bye. In the juniors, College Old Boys had a runaway win by 31 to Physical Training’s nil, and Ramblers won by default from Volunteers. P.T. v. Ramblers. P.T. took the field with 13 men and Ramblers with 14. • Right from the whistle, Ramblers attacked and pushed P.T. back to their 25. From a line-out, P.T. secured and a good passing rush by the backs brought play back to halfway. Ramblers again worked back to P.T.’s 25, where, from a scrum, P.T. hooked and the ball travelled through the backs to Dovell, who* ran 25yds before being tackled. From a.line-out, G. Pollock carried the ball to Ramblers’ 25 before being forced out. Offside play by Ramblers gave P.T. a good chance to open their score, but Cameron was unsuccessful in his attempt. Maxwell secured and found the line with a good kick. From the line-out, the ball travelled along the P.T. backs, and Dovell was grassed within a few feet of the line. Ramblers pushed back to halfway, where,’ from a line-out, Harrison secured and carried to Ramblers’ 25. Hotham picked up, and, with a good clearing kick, found the line at P.T.’s 25. Offside play by P.T. saw Ramblers have an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Ramblers, working hard, pushed P.T4 right on to their line, but a free kick gave relief to the latter. From a scrum, Ramblers secured, but offside spoilt a good passing bout. P.T. cleared, but were soon pushed back by the hard-working Ramblers. A. free kick to P.T. brought play back to halfway, the whistle going for halftime. With the wind behind them, P.T. forced Ramblers back, but a free to the Reds gave them relief. From a scrum, Mills secured and carried to halfway before being tackled. A good passing rush by P.T. saw Cameron draw first blood. The kick went wide. P.T. 3; Ramblers 0. Ramblers carried play to within 10 yards of P.T.’s line, but were forced back. P.T. pi’essed, but a good kick by Maxwell eased the situation. From a scrum, Arthur secured and headed for the line; he transferred to Pollock, who went over unopposed, Morgan adding the minor points. P.T. 8; Ramblers 0. At this stage, both teams were beginning to tire, especially Ramblers. P.T. 'were doing most of the attack-, ing, and Ramblers were content to hold their ground. From a scrum, Pollock secured and was almost over, but a kick to Ramblers brought relief. P.T. came back, but Hotham cleared. , Gradually P.T. worked back again, and from a scrum, Harrison scored, K. Strange converting. P.T. 13; Ramblers 0. p.T. worked down to Ramblers’ 25, but over-kicked, and Ramblers forced. P.T. staged a passing rush, but Maxwell intercepted and carried the ball to halfway. Time was called, with P.T. pressing. New Team’s Win. The Tapu-City match was quite a good display, the heavier City forwards being superior in the scrums and line-outs, and the Tapu rearguard were too fast for their opponents. The game had only been in prograss a few minutes when Moran, for Tapu, cut through and scored neai the corner. The next score came to City, who had Tapu pressed, and Burt, the fullback, dropped a goal from 25 yards out. Both McMahon’s and Moran’s tries were the result of good passing rushes among the Tapu backs; neither were converted. Just on the call of time, while several scrums were formed on the Tapu line, a City player dived over, and the game ended: — -- Tapu 9; City 7. GAMES ON THE PLAINS. Results of Saturday’s play in the Hauraki Plain? Rugby Union’s games •were: Ngatea was defeated by Patetonga, 23 8; Maramarua was defeated by Waitakaruru, 6—5; and Waitakaruru juniors were defeated by Ngatea, 16—0.