8-All Draw with Hautapu Wins Senior Championship

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6076, 14 July 1947, Page 5

8-All Draw with Hautapu Wins Senior Championship

Bugby Honour* To Leamington.

One week before the celebration of its 50th. jubilee, the Leamington senior Rugby 15 won the season's honours when it held Hautapu to an 8-all draw at Memorial Park last Saturday. The ground was holding, but nevertheless in good order. An exceptionally large crowd witnessed the game, which was even and exciting throughout. The teams:—

Leamington: Patterson, W. Kelly, Peeves, Judd, Watt, N. Miller, V. Miller, Ogilvy, Bench, Walker, Fletcher, Searle, R. Towgood, I. Towgood, Hyde. Hautapu: Ross, R. Arnold, G. Bartlett, A.' Kelly, E. Bartlett, W. Bartlett, Houghton, Lochead, Hogan, Scobie, Reese, Scott, Kidd, A. Arnold, Jessen. >

Hautapu dominated the opening stages, accurate line-kicking by Ross keeping Leamington penned in its 25. The Hautapu vanguard was gaining the ball from most of the set scrums but its backs could do little to press borne the advantage. Reeves, W. Kelly and Patterson all made excellent saves. Leamington was unlucky

when Fletcher made a great attempt to kick a penalty goal from 45 yards out but the balji hit the, cross-bar. Hautapu's back-line Was . seen in a spectacular movement, but W. Kelly tackled R. Arnold determinedly. An attempted field goal by G. Bartlett missed narrowly. W.' Kelly initiated a likely attacking movement with an intercept but Hautapu's defence held and half-time sounded with no score. The second spell opened in spectacular fashion. Leamington attacked hotly and Judd almost crossed. In quick succession Patterson and Reeves attempted to kick field goals without success. At this stage W. Bartlett retired injured, being replaced by McFarlane. The opening ponts came 10 minutes after the interval. Leamington's back-line swung into action and Judd broke through a tackle to score ,wide out. Fletcher kicked a splendid goal. Leamington 5,. Hautapu 0.

A moment later Leamington was penalised and Ross made no mistake from 35 yards out. Leamington 5, Hautapu 3. , Lochead and Kidd led a Hautapu forward rush but V. Miller made an excellent save and W. Kelly carried on to Hautapu's 25. Leamington's rearguard swung into action twice in rapid succession and a knock-on by Walker cost an almost certain try. Walker, Ogilvy and Fletcher were leading the Leamington forwards in grand style and following a stab-kick by Reeves, V. Miller flashed through to score a smart try. Fletcher's kick was wide. Leamington 8, Hautapu 3. The last 20 minutes were alive with incident. Ross narrowly missed from a penalty kick and Scobie and R. Arnold were not far astray .with attempted field goals. Reeves was again to the fore when he swept through in a solo effort which gained 60 yards. Sensation came when A. Arnold broke through to kick ahead into a clear field. He was pursued by Ogilvy in a spirited chase for the ball which culminated in a penalty try being awarded to Hautapu. Ross converted from in front of the posts. Leamington 8, Hautapu 8. Seven minutes of play remained and both teams made determined efforts. Miller and Judd combined effectively to make Leamington appear dangerous, but Hautapu rallied and Patterson and Watt saved well. Leamington appeared the more 'dangerous team in the last few minutes, its virile forward pack breaking fast and constantly threatening danger. . Play was near midfield when time sounded with the blue and whites winner of the 1947 senior championship, the score being: Leamington 8, Hautapu 8. Mr J. Miller wag the referee. United v. Matangi.

United: Fell, Mifeaere, M. White, Ormsby, Brunskill, Ozich, Hughes, Retter, Courtenay, Hulse, Vagg, Fleming, Drabble, Hunia, Barrett. Matangi: T. McLennan, G. Turner, J. Taylor, Rusk, Nohe, Hanan, Walters, Carswell, Otto, McGowan, Cave, J. McLennan, Scott, P. Turner. United opened the scoring when Mikaere .capped off a. fine passing movement but a spectacular burst by J. Rusk enabled G. Turner to, score for Matangi. United regained the lead when following a long kick by Fell,' Vagg broke clear to send Drabble in for a try under the posts. M. White converted. A penalty goal by Scott reduced the deficit, but United held its lead to the end, nar-

rowly missing a try right on time when Brunskill was tackled in goal after a fine burst. The final score was United 8, Matangi 6. Mr G. Vagg refereed. ~# # * #

The Cambridge junior representative team was impressive in victory against Putaruru, at Putaruru, in a Clark Cup game. The Rugby was of an exceptionally high standard. Tries for Cambridge were scored by Plaw, Hunt and I. Fletcher. Hjorth, Reilly and Fletcher also kicked penalty goals.

High School, the leading team in the third grade competition went down to Hautapu in a keen game. For Hautapu, Kensington kicked a field goal while Pegg scored for High School. Prominent players in this game were Cowan and Burgess (Hautapu) and May and Kermode (High School) Butler of Hautapu impresses as being probably the most improved forward in the grade this season. "Hf # # # Cambridge Reps. The Cambridge senior team to. play Morrinsville at Memorial Park on July 26 has been selected as follows: Full-back: T. Ross (Hautapu). Three-quarters: D. Reeves (Leamington), G. Bartlett (Hautapu), R. Arnold (Hautapu). Five-eighths: G. Brunskill (United), G. White (Hautapu). , Half-back: V. Miller (Leamington). Back row: R. Fletcher (Leamington). Middle row: K. Arnold (Hautapu), G. Walker (Leamington), E. Searle (Leamington), K. Drabble (United). Front row: R. Ogilvy (Leamington), A. Arnold (Hautapu), L. Kidd (Hautapu). Emergencies.—Backs: B. Watt (Leamington), M. White (United), D. Patterson (Leamington). Forwards: J, Hogan (Hautapu), G. Jessen (Hautapu), C. Courtenay (United).