Rhodes Park Rugby.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19210, 17 September 1934, Page 2

Rhodes Park Rugby.

WON BY HUi MAI.

WEAK COMBINED TEAM. DEFEAT OF THAMES JUNIORS. Hui Mai, by their defeat of The Rest at Rhodes Park on Saturday, are the first holders of the Porath Shield, the handsome trophy recently presented to the Thames Rugby Union by Mr. J. B. Porath, of the K.K.K. drapery store, for an annual match between the competition winners and a team picked from the other clubs. While Hui Mai deserve their win, it was unfortunate that the team representing the other clubs was not up to full strength. Several of the selected players were not available, the result being that The Rest took the field with fourteen men and completed its complement with a junior, Sanderson, during the second half. The heavy showers, prior to the match made the field heavy and tho ball difficult to handle with any degree of certainty, hence much of the play was confined to loose forward movements. In the closing stages The Rest made every effort to better or at least even the score, and Avere in Hui Mai’s territory most of the time. A lack of combination was evident and individual movements were unsupported. The match was keenly contested, however, and the interest for spectators was sustained throughout. The curtain-raiser, a friendly match between the Thames and Paeroa junior representatives, Avon by the latter by 12 points to nil, Avas late in starting owing to delay in arrival of the visitors’ jerseys. After a short spell of play they Avert* shifted to No. 2 ground in order to alloAV the big gamp to proceed. The teams were: — Hui Mai.—More; Rare, Savage, Murray; Coxhead, Mcßae; D. Hikairo; J. Robson, E. Robson, Gray, S. More, M. Watene, S. Hira, Abraham, C. Hikairo. The Rest. —Maxwell; Kelly, Goodwin, Mewitt; Hoyle, Pearson; Isaacs; Billing, Orr, Strange, Alexander, Barbalicb, Wilton, McLoughlin, Sanderson. The Play. FolloAving the kick-off, play ranged round halfAvay until Hui Mai forAvards, with Abraham and E. Robson prominent,- rushed <» the ball through to the 25 line. From a lineout and a ruck Isaacs cleared and a series of line-outs and scrums kept play in neutral ground. From a loose ruck Coxhead kicked well doAvn and the Hui Mai forwards folloAved up, E. Robson securing to be held up on the line after a short dash. A penalty to Tho Rest gave relief. The ball cainc back to Maxwell, Avho fumbled, and the Hui Mai pack came, through, Mcßae gathered the ball in and cut through nicely, but the movement broke doAAui on the line and again The Rest cleared to the 25. The Rest then took a hand at attack and a series of loose rushes saAv Strange find the line near Hui Mai’s corner flag. A tight ruck ensued, but D. Hikairo found the- line. Strange brought play back again and Isaacs gathered in, sent on to Pearson, Avho kicked well out to Kelly’s Aving, AA T here Hui Mai Avere penalised. Strange attempted to goal, the ball going Avide of the posts. The Rest continued to attack until an infringement gave Alexander a shot at goal. Again the ball went wide. Hui Mai, folloAA’ing the spell on defence, fed their backs and took play up-field again, Avhere Coxhead broke aAvay, cut out two men and sent on to Savage, Avho was grassed when looking dangerous. A free kick to Hui Mai saAv Savage make a good attempt to goal with tho wet ball. Play was still in The Rest’s territory, and from a loose ruck tho ball went to Alexander, Avho Avas held up before he could kick. He sent out a pass and E. Robson intercepted and dashed over for a try, just as half-time sounded. Savage missed the kick. Hui Mai 3, The Rest 0, Second Spell. The second spell opened with Tho Rest making a determined effort to even the score. The ball Avas taken to Hui Mai’s line and play held thero for a period. The defence proved too strong and ultimately play camo back to the 25. From the line-out-Rare sent a long throAV-in and Watene rushed aAvay, passed to Rare, Avho went close to scoring, but lost the hall at the corner flag. A syds. scrum folloAved a tight line-out, but Hui Mai could not penetrate the defence, and The Rest cleared their line. Hui Mai camo back with a forward movement, and from a line-out at The Rest’s 25 Rare sent the ball in short to D. Hikairo, who sent it back for Raro to dasli aAvay again, but he was held up by Maxwell. The pace had been fast and the Hui Mai pack appeared to be tiring, with the result that The Rest kept up a constant attack till the final hell. Several hack movements which seemed likely Avere frustrated by the opposition or by faulty handling oaving to the greasy state of the ball. Mewitt, Pearson and Kelly looked dangerous when inside the Hui Mai 25, but the heaA’y ball beat Kelly. A feAV minutes before time Good-

ggg —— —r Avin recoded from Isaacs and cut in well before sending to Mewitt*, avlxo Avas held up on the line. Shortly afterwards the bell sounded, leaving Hui Mai the first winners of the Porath Shield by 3 points to nil. * Mr. 11. Yause, Turua, controlled the game. JUNIOR MATCHES. PAEROA BEAT THAMES. Paeroa juniors ran out winners by 12 points to nil oyer the Thames juniors. For the A T isitors, Jamieson, Hearne, Craig and GoldsAvorthy scored tries. The Avinners held the upper hand throughout, the local men being much below form.The Rev. A. Fear Avas referee. High School Beat C. 0.8. High School defeated College Old Boys in a third-grade match by 12 to 8, after a hard and evenly contested game.