FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2576, 25 July 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL

THE RUGBY GAME HAUTAPU WINS CHAMPIONSHIP AN EXCITING CONTEST The Cambridge Rugby Championship for 1922 was' decided at "Victoria Square on Saturday* when those tw*o fine teams, Leamington and Hautapu, again met in a Homeric struggle. Playfed on a perfectly dry ground in glorious weather, it was only-■natural that there be a record attendance, and alipresent had .the pleasure of witnessing a fine, exhibition of football. On the day’s play,/Hautapu well deserved their wiri, Dley having the best of the game, on\slle whole, and playing more, attractive football than Learnington. At the same time, the game was by no means one-sided. At half-time, only three points separated the teams, and the Leamington supporters had hopes, even well into the second spell, that their team would yet win out. Hautapu’s speedy backs, however, were the deciding factor in the game, and at 1 times there was some excellent play among the winners’ back division. Both Clubs were well represented, but Leamington had one man short, and played Russo as wing three-quarter, lie having only just finished a strenuous game for the juniors.; Hautapu (reds) kicked off, and there was a long exchange of kicks. Fast following up one of these enabled Leamington (blue and white) to carry the ball to within 10yds of the line. Hautapu saved the position but Butler handled the ball.very badly and instituted a passing rush —an uncommon error" for him —and lost a chance of ; getting over. Leamington forced. •Further exchanges of kicks and uninteresting play followed until W. jßourko held on to the ball too long, sand his return was smothered. Learn- ! jngton attacked strongly. A kick across field by the blues was nicely intercepted by Hautapu, and whipped out to Leo. Bourke, who kicked wnen his pace might have enabled him to outrun all opposition. Then came a nice passing bout, the ball being transferred (from Butler to Voysey, to Thompson, but the latter fell in gathering in the .leather, giving relief to the blues at an .anxious time. Bourke' (Leamington) being ' offside, Thompson had- an undsuc’cessfuL shot at goal. At .this time play 'Was strenuous, but excellent collaring 'was seen on both sides. Leamiingfcon took to Hautapu’s 25, and there Thompson, who was, as usual, doing a great amount of good work, turned defence into attack by tricky play. Wallis and Espi tier were' responsible for good l;ast .loose rushes, and the teams ' "changed' ends without any score having’ been registered. •• ' Soon after the kick-off Thompson, made a. good opening, pud handed the to L. Bourke, who ended a fine run bv crossing the line. However, he had gone into toiieit. "A long attack' on the blue line .was. relieved by one of Tucker’s. long.,kicks. _ Another good effort .pjy Thompson and L. Bourke resulted ■ ■in. the latter being collared very near the coveted line. Then from a forward • • scramble, the reds took the ball over, and' W. .Bourke scored first blood 'for , Hautapu. The scorer failed with the ■‘kick, .■ "Hautapu ; k Leamington .. .. ••■• 0. On resuming Hautapu pressed again, a timely mark by Russo, who was play:iiVg saMyVrelicvikg'the position. -Voysey had a place kick from a penalty, but'without result. Smart following up

by the blues enabled them to press Hautapu, who had a few anxious minutes until L. Bourke saved nicely by a good kick. Each side had a share of attack and defence work until halftime was sounded, with the scoie. Hautapu 3. Leamington 0. Immediately on resuming, Hautapu attacked, a kick along the ground being missed, and Johnson finding touch 15yds from the goal-line. From the line-out W. Bourke took the throw-in cleanly, and passed to Thompson, who ended a determined run by scoring—an excellent piece of work. Thompson ’s kick at goal was a miserable fail-

Hautapu b. Leamington .... .. 0. Tucker was instrumental in Leamington taking a nice mark, in a fairly easy position, Tucker essayed at goal, .but. without effect. The position was relieved for Hautapu by L. Bourke putting in a fine last run. Then a long kick forced the blues. Good following up by W. Bourke and Thompson carried the ball over the line, but Learning forced just in time, and a minute later Leamington again forced, as the result of a kick by L. Bourke. Then ensued the finest flash of first-class football sOhu for some time. • From a forward ‘rush; Butler snapped up the ball and passed to Vovscy, who in turn transferred to Thompson, and the latter to Kennedv, who ended a dashing run by scoring a fine try. Kennedy failed with the kick, making the score; Hautapu .. •• .. .. £)• Leamington 0. The last quarter commenced with a penalty being imposed on Hautapu, and Tucker landed a nice goal —Leamington’s only score. Leamington .. ~ - .. • d., . Hautapu ..' .. .. 11Play hovered near mid-field for some time, despite strenuous efforts on both sides, until Tucker marked from a throw-in, and had another attempt at goal, but without success. The next incident of note was a good passing bout, in which Butler, Thompson and Bourke participated, the deadly collaring of Leamington men alone preventing a score. Russo’s tackling of the Hautapu flier L. Bourke was keenly appreciated by the spectators. A bungling, bit of play by Kennedy, who was very patchy at times, enabled Learnington to attack very strongly for some minut es, a force, sa.vhtg the situation. One of but very few passing bouts by Leamington gave Haworth a fine opening, but lie hesitated, and lost his opportunity. Leamington continued the offensive with much dash, and a great struggle ensued. A dangerous run by L. Bourke was again frustrated by Russo’s fine tackling. Hautapu were glad to accept a force, but then Voysey headed a fast red dash for fully threefourths of the field. Time was then called, leaving Hautapu winners.

■ Hautapu 9 Leamington .. . • • •'» Mr- A. R. Thomas,, who acted as referee, gave every satisfaction. UNDER LEAGUE RULES PRACTICE MATCH On Saturday at League Park the Cambridge League touring team played fifteen of the. balance of the players in a practice trial match, and defeated them by "30 points to nil. The team showed good combination, am] threw the ball about in. fine style. Several - alterations have beex made in.the team, which will leave by the 11.4.5 a.m. train to-day (Tuesday), and

play Auckland on Carlaw Park to-mor-row at 3 p.m. A large number of enthusiasts here have signified their intention of travelling to Auckland on the morning train on Wednesday to see the match, returning by the express in the evening. Messrs E. J. Buttimore and S. W. Kean are joint managers of the team, which will be as follows: — Full-back, E. Campbell (Matangi); three-quarters, J. ,Shaw (Matangi), H. Shostrom (Athletics), A. McMurtree (Athletics); five-eighths, L. D. Stewart (Athletics), N. Johnson (Matangi); half, 11. Mclvor (Suburbs); forwards, 0. McMillan (City Rovers), McDonald (Matangi), Cave (Matangi), D. Kelly (Athletics), R. Meehan (Suburbs), P. J. Hill (Suburbs). Emergencies: K. Campbell (Matangi), W. Smith (Athletics), I. Robinson (Matangi), H. Norman (Suburbs). The Auckland team is as under: — C. Dufty, G. Davidson, W. Davidson, F. Delgrosso, B. Laing, M. Wctherall, J. Lang, W. Stormont, S. Lowry, A. Singe, B. Avery. H. Hawkes, N. Bass. Reserves: S. Webb, F. Wilson, T. Herring, T. Reid. Auckland defeated the Maori team, at Auckland, on Saturday, by Hi points to 11, after a very close contest, in the presence of .10,000 spectators. Auckland only won the winning try (converted) in the last few minutes of play. Auckland defeated Thames Valley reps, at Pacroa on Saturday, by IS points to 3.