SATURDAY'S RUGBY

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3551, 9 May 1939, Page 5

SATURDAY'S RUGBY

STAG COMPETITION GAMES A WIN AND A LOSS The Waikato Rugby Stag Competition was, commenced on Saturday in fine weather. Neither of the Cambridge teams was fielded at full strength, and playing at the Square, Hautapu were well beaten by Old Boys, but United proved too good for Putaruru, on the latter union's ground.

There was a fair attendance at Victoria Square to witness the game between Hamilton Old Boys and Hautapu. The visitors won by 19 points to 6 in a game that, while not by any means brilliant, had a number of attractive moments. The Old Boys backs were far superior to their opponents and the team showed much better combination all round, besides being fitter in the closing stages.

The teams were:

Hautapu: Turei; Charlton, B. Watt, Kirkbride; T.JVoyle, F. Voyle, A. Pennell; J. McGovern, I. Nicholl, Duckworth, Williams, Weir, R. Kidd, L'. Kidd, A. Nicholl.

Old Boys: Slow; Gillespie, Finlay, Carroll; B. Patterson, Parsons; Broad; Holloway, Reese, Barry, Maclean, Jones, I). Patterson, Egan, Bremner.

The game opened with an exchange of kicks between Finlay (Old Boys) and Turei (Hautapu), play ending in a scrum at halfway. Broad gained ground for the visitors with a good pick-up and linefinder on the 25. The ball was kicked to the line, Hautapu continuing it to the dead-ball area.

Play came across to the west and Finlay and Slow went through to the 25. Now came the first back movement. Broad handed a dive pass to Parsons, who sent on to B. Patterson, to Finlay, who was well tackled. From a line-out, the leather was rushed through, and Barry was up to get the touch-down. The kick failed. Old Boys 3, Hautapu 0. Old Boys were soon on the attack again, and in the east Broad secured and passed to Parsons, who beat his man and sent on to Carroll, who went over for an unopposed try. The kick in. front of the posts failed. Old Boys 6, Hautapu 0. Play was at centre for a short period. Broad secured and sent to Parsons to B. Patterson. The lastnamed dummied successfully and went across unopposed with Gillespie in support. The kick was charged down. Old Boys 9, Hautapu 0.

A period of centre play followed and then Turei found the line in the Old Boys' west 25 with a fine kick. A penalty was awarded Hautapu and B. Watt found the uprights with a fine angle kick. Hautapu 3, Old Boys 9. Old Boys had to force down soon after this as the result of a long kick by Turei Play was held up for a moment and on. resuming Old Boys, with Egan, Broad and Reese, rushed the ball through to the Hautapu line, but the defenders found relief with a force.

The Second Half

With, long kicks Turei gained ground for Hautapu early in the second spell. The forwards were up, also Kirkbride, and he was first to touch-down for a scrambling try. Watt missed the easiest of kicks. Hautapu 6, Old Boys 9. Old Boys attacked when Turei missed a return, but Pennell cleared cleverly to the east 25. From a 25 scrum Old Boys hooked for Broad to send to B. Patterson, but he knocked on with a sure try in sight. Hautapu were attacking, when from a ruck, the ball was kicked to Turei. He steadied and from 40 yards out he dropped for the goal, a splendid effort just missing.

Play came back to halfway and in the centre, Gillespie intercepted to break clear. He ran well and then sent to McLean to Finlay who scored a fine try under the posts. Slow converted and Old Boys led by 14 to 6. Old Boys were in the ascendancy at this stage, and soon. Hautapu had to concede two forces. The whole visiting back line handled in a further movement, but this time the defence was sound. Play was now held up with two Hautapu players injured. On resuming, a scrum went down and Old Boys received. Broadsent to Parson, to Carroll, who went across for a good try. Slow made a good angle conversion. Old Boys

19, Hautapu 6. Hautapu were a tired team, and Old Boys were continually in their territory. The game ended with the scores: Old Boys 19, Hautapu 6. Mr C. Wallace refereed.

MATCH AT PUTARURU UNITED'S GOOD WIN Although Putaruru showed early brilliance to gain a five-point lead, United proved themselves deiinitely superior in the Stag match played at Putaruru on Saturday. The final score was United 19, Putaruru 14.

It was weight that told in the deciding stages and the Cambridge forwards had matters a good deal their own way.

M. Hewitt was prominent in the Cambridge pack and he scored two tries. Hall also played a good forward game. J. Baxter is a useful acquisition to the United backs as a speedy winger. He scored three good goals. Garland and Meredith showed promise, and Les. Haworth gave a safe display as full-back.

The Putaruru points came from tries by Taylor, Conder and Uden, one being converted, and a penalty goal kicked by O'Brien.

OTHER RESULTS Juniors: .Hautapu 18 v. Northern 0. United won from Leamington by default. Third-grade: Hautapu 42 v. Northern 0. Leamington 9 v. United 6. Fourth-grade: United 29 v. Leamington 3.