RUGBY FOOTBALL

Te Puke Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 64, 22 August 1939, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

TE PUKE DEFEAT WAIHI After a game that was full of interest, play moving rapidly from one end of the > field to the other, the Te Puke representative team which journeyed to Waihi on Saturday to play that Union, emerged the victors by a margin of one point, the final score being Te Puke 12 points (three unconverted tries and a penalty goal), to 11 points (two unconverted and one converted try). The teams were: Te Puke (red and black) :—Perritt, Hickey, Smith, Sherman, Oxenham, McConnell, Wilkinson, Webber, Clarke, Nicolson, Rhubie, Hughes, Johnstone, Satherly and Barker. Waihi (yellow and black) : Potier, L. Johnson, Ainsley, Sydney, R. Johnson, R. Price, McNamara, Mooney, J. White, Hovell, Haynes, Jesney, Johns, Findlay and Hughes. From the' kick-olt Te Puke rushed play to Waihi territory where the home team were kept busy defending, an m- • fringement by the visitors giving the yellows relief with a long raking kick to the line. Play fluctuated up and down field, neither side having any terriv. Jrtorial advantage. From a set scrum the Te Puke vanguard 'were sent away and the movement ended by Sherman being pushed out at the corner flag. Securing from the line-out Waihi cleared and took play to mid-field. Not to be denied, the visiting forwards led by Barkov Nicholson and Rhubie brought play back to the yellow 25 where a scrum was ordered. The reds heeled and Rhubie picking up smartly (Vshed ova; wide -out to open the scoring. Johnstone failed to convert, Te Puke o, Waihi 0. At the resumption Te Puke once more ■attacked and at this stage of the game were definitely on top, the forward division especially. The. home team were penalised' for lifting in the scrum and Satherly’s attempt from thirty yards out going outside the posts. The Waihi team carried play to Te Puke 25 where good, line-kicking by Perritt; brought -relief and play was held in mid-field for some time.. Securing from a scrum the yellow rearguard invaded the visitors’ 25 and Johns completed the movement scoring wide out. He failed to add the major points. Te Puke 3, Waihi 3. The next try came within a few minutes, the red forwards taking play right r to the Waihi line where Rhubie once •'* tgain dived across. Satherly’s kick failed. Te Puke 6, Waihi 3. •> The home team then livened up and forced play into the visitors’ 25 where the Te Puke team were pressed, Perritt saving by forcing. Coming again, Potier has a shot at goal from an infringement, the ball falling short. Desultory -play in mid-field followed, until Te Puke invading the yellow territory were awarded a penalty for offside play, and Smith piloted the ball over with a good kick. Te Puke 9, Waihi 3, The Waihi rearguard were then associated in a series of good passing movements) and Te Puke was called upon to defend its line, Perritt and Sherman .saving with good kicks. Waihi came ! again and Ainsley and Price were seen in a bright piece of work, the last-named player eventually handing to L. Johnson to score wide out. The kick, taken by Potier failed.

Te Puke 9, Waihi 6. The yellows were now striving to gain the upper hand and in a series of back movements launched attack after attack visitors’ goal Tine but the defence herd. From a scrum Wilkinson set his backs in motion, the going to Satherly to Oxenham to McConnell to Smith to Hickey- who was forced out five yards from the corner. An infringement by Te Puke Drought Waihi relief. Potier sent play back to midfield with a long liner and from the resulting lineout Mooney sent the ball to Johnson to Ainsley to Price and Johnson following up r.cc-ived an in-pass and touched down in a handy position. He also added the extra points, putting Waihi in the lead for the first time. Waihi 11, Te Puke 9. From the kick-off the reds invaded the home territory and several loose rushes with Barker, Satherly, Rhubie and Nicholson shining out had the Waihi team defending, good line-kicking eventually clearing. Te Puke forced the pace and twice in succession Sherman was down right on the line. Not W be denied, Te Puke came again and Rhubie picking up smartly, passed to Wilkinson who handed to Hickey who the movement with a good run.-. Clark’s attempt at goal failed. Te Puke 12, Waihi 11. Play remained in the centre of the field for a period and shortly afterwards

the whistle sounded for full time. Mr W. Wyatt controlled the game. After the match the team were entertained at a dinner in the Rob Roy Hotel by the Waihi Rugby Union.

PAPAMOA JUNIORS v. KATIKATI On Saturday tlie Papamoa Juniors travelled to Katikati to play a friendly match with Katikati and after a game that was more noted for the friendly spirit in which it was played than for good football, the home team emerged the visitors by 16 points to nil. During the first half play was fairly even, neither side gaining any advantage, and just before the half-time whistle blew'the first points came. From a scrum Prestige scrambled across the line the kick taken by Pamment falling short. After the change-over the superior fitness of the Katikati team took charge of the game. Tries were scored by Sutcliffe and Holmes and Sutcliffe converted them both. A penalty was also kicked by him, After the match the team visited the Hot Springs and were later entertained at dinner by the Katikati team.

JUNIOR FINAL AT MAKETU Two matches were played at Maketu on Saturday, the proceeds going to the Maketu Cente'nnial Committee. The senior match, Pakehas v. Maoris, was played in a friendly spirit. Both sides threw the ball about in free style and many of the movements were quite brilliant. Two old representatives, H. Potaka and D. WiCkdliffe, could not resist the temptation and still showed that they can hold their own with their younger opponents. The final score was Pakehas 8 (tries by Valder and McClure) and Maoris o (a try by Potaka and a conversion by Morgan). The junior final between Rangiuru and Old Boys was not productive of much back play but was confined mostly to the forwards. The performance of the Rangiuru boys, after being eight points down in the first half and then to win by 14 points to 8 was a meritorious one, They become club cframpions for the second year in succession. The Maori lads displayed a better knowledge of the art of packing and it was this faot, combined with rushes from set scrums near their opponents’ goal-line that enabled them to score three tries. The manner in* which the Rangiuru pack gained possession, kept the ball in the centre of the scrum and at the same time made ground was probably the best piece of team work displayed by senior or junior teams this season. This method of attack non-; plussed the Old Boys, who however, put up a good fight against their heavier opponents. The Rangiuru team will now be able to challenge for the Macintosh Shield, an emhlem for champion clubs in the Bay, and will carry with them best wishes of success from all kindred clubs.