RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 4019, 26 July 1944, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

“ KARAPIRO VICTORY k Although fine overhead, the ’*■ grounds were very heavy when p teams, lined out for last Saturday’s 1 football. The main attraction was ? ’ the 2.30 fixture on' Victoria Square between Hautapu and Karapiro, and ; after having been well stirred up by I the curtain-raiser teams, the ground was better than anticipated. After L the previous week’s victory, KaraII piro were quite confident that they yvould be the first to break Hautapu’s undefeated record. They a were quickly on the job and in the * first few minutes of play, a splendid , passing bout in which the heavy ” ball was no trouble, I\. Gregory ’ went over in the pavilion corner. Both teams were handling in great f style and after settling down, Hautapu showed their iiand by G. White scoring from a movement in which all the backs and several forwards took part. The final effort of Hogan and White was outstanding and only sheer determination resulted in the scores being equalised. Repeated efforts by both sides were unavailing and there was no change in the * score at the interval. The second spell was just as even ; and the most ardent followers of the - game were not prepared to say who would be the winners. Forward ■ play dominated and both sets of ini side backs were having a hard time ; jn going down in the face of strong loose rushes. Excitement ran high i when Hautapu were penalised for playing an opponent not in possession of the bqll. Patanihi raised the flags with a great kick from 30 yards out to give Karapiro a three point lead. A chance to again equalise for the same infringement by Karapiro, was not taken by Hautapu, who elected to kick high to the goal line for a possible 5 points as time was getting short. However, Ruebin fielded brilliantly and found touch to save the situation. From the ensuing line-out Hautapu again raced to their opponent’s line but players of both teams fell on the ; ball and a drop out resulted. 1 ime sounded shortly afterwards with ( play in midfield. Prominent play- ] ers for the winners were the Greg- , ory Brothers, Ake and Patanihi, the , latter at first five-eighths being one of the best backs on the ground. , For Hautapu, Nolle and White in \ the backs and Tupaea and A. Arnold in tlie forwards were conspicuous. ; The last mentioned was the out- | standing forward of the day. i The referee was C. Wallace. In the curtain-raiser game United j finished too good for Leamington ; to win by 11—3. All the points j being scored in the second half, l For the winners Marsden scored a try, Hewitt converting and also kicking two penalty goals. Shaw i and James scored for Leamington s and Dench converted one try. 1 Referee: S. I. Mclntyre. f After leading 3—o at half-time o Matangi ran out winners by 15—5 p against Tauwhare on the letter’s e ground. Farrelley. T. Kempthorne, t Robinson and Trubshaw scored tl tries and Cooper kicked a penalty II for Matangi. Chitty scored and con- it verted for Tauwhare. T. Dagg P refereed. e:

Fleming Shield points: Karapiro 4, Matangi 3, Tauwharc 2, United 2. Hautapu 1, Leamington 0.