RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3328, 28 July 1931, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIPA UNION’S COMPETITIONS.

LAST SATURDAY’S GAMES.

Seniors— Waikeria 16, v. Pirongia 8. Puketotara defaulted to Te Awamutu. Kihikih and Rovers did not play. Juniors— Rovers 16, v. Ngutunui 6. Te Awamutu 27, v. Ohaupo 0. Thirds— Pirongia 21, v. Rovers 3.

Conditions were good for football locally last Saturday, but interest in the Waipa Union’s championship competitions was lessened by the fact that the senior representative fifteen was engaged in a Finlay Cup contest at Taupiri. THE SENIORS.

Pirongia v. Waikeria.—Even play followed the kick-off, but the Waikeria backs fumbled and let Pirongia into their 25, but the defence held. Bell had an unsuccessful shot at goal following a penalty for infringement. Using the side-line, Pirongia kept on the attack, but indifferent passing spoiled the opportunity to score. Then the Waikerias dashed through and a try seemed certain when one of them beat the Pirongia fullback, but Macky dragged him down, and the support fumbling gave relief. A moment later however, Waikeria scored in a passing rush that badly beat the opposition. The kick failed. Waikeria 3, Pirongia 0. Waikeria were doing better now, and by nippy tactics had Pirongia in trouble. Play was gradually worked into neutral territory and then a Waikeria back dodged through with nice swerves to score a nice try beside the posts. The kick, an easy one, was successful. Waikeria 8, Pirongia 0. Two minutes later the Waikeria fullback failed to return a high punt and Bell secured to go up the line with Macky outside. Macky took the pass, cut in, and raced over. Bell’s kick went wide, Waikeria 8, Pirongia 3. A little later Waikeria’s centre threequarter had an attempt at a field goal, and nearly succeeded. After half-time the play was chiefly in midfield, until the Waikerias threw the ball right along in short passes to the right wingthreequarter, who scored. Waikeria 11, Pirongia 3. Pirongia attacked for a time, but the play was not particularly keen and the Waikerias were soon invading again. Then in a flash the Pirongia forwards came through and in a scramble a try was secured. Bell converted. Waikeria 11, Pirongia 8. Pirongia attacked hotly but could not maintain the advantage, slowness in passing being the chief cause. Waikeria were passing more effectively and soon got a nice try, the ball passing through half a dozen hands before it was touched down. The kick was again successful, making the scores Waikeria 16, Pirongia 8. Pirongia had worked into a favourable position, but Askew spoiled a good chance to score by trying for a field goal. The next ten minutes were devoid of incident, with Pirongia forwards breaking through in futile solo efforts and the Waikerias opening up the game at every opportunity, but without gaining much ground. Bell came through almost to the line, but lost possession, and from the scrum Pirongia backs swung into action, but Macky failed to take the pass. They kept up the attack but the defence held and Waikeria then'came through with a dribbling rush that caused Pirongia to force. The game ended shortly afterwards with the scores: Waikeria 16, Pirongia 8. Mr R. H. Annibal had charge of the game. THE JUNIORS.

Rovers v. Ngutunui.—This game was played on No. 1 ground, with Mr L. Kay in charge. Rovers set out to force the pace, and though they were repulsed for a time the combination was too solid, and C. Bowden scored wide out, and the try was converted. Ngutunui livened up and a few minutes later they got a good try. Sutherland received from a passing rush and going over nicely. Whitton failed with the kick. A little later Owens put Rovers further ahead with a successful kick, but the advantage was not held long, for Kewish secured from a ruck and bustled over. The kick again failed, leaving Rovers with a margin of two points. Play was even thereafter until the closing stages of the game. Both sides were striving hard but Rovers lasted better. Rovers were pressing right to the line, but a penalty sent them back. They were quickly invading again and for an infringement Owens had a shot at goal, the ball going nicely over the bar fi’om fairly wide out. Rovers still attacked, and a bad mull by the Ngutunui fullback let Broughton over for an easy try Owens converted. There were* no further points registered.

Te Awamutu v. Ohaupo.—Mr F. Rodgers had charge of this game on No. 3 ground. Ohaupo were shorthanded again, and consequently w r ere at a disadvantage. They played up manfully, notwithstanding, and at times were within measurable distance of scoring. Te Awamutu’s first points were gained by N. Rusden, who dodged in to score fairly wide out, but L. Brill registered a fine goal. Then, at intervals of a few minHites, the following scored tries: W. Corboy, Glasson, Flay, West, Flay, and Linehan, and to top if off J. Spiers dropkicked a goal, bringing the tally to 27.

THE THIRDS. Pirongia v. Rovers. —This game, played under Mr E. Maddern’s control on No. 2 ground,.was bright and interesting throughout, and the Pirongias showed really good football knowledge. At times their superiority was not so marked as the scores indicate, butthey were always on the attack, and had Rovers in trouble time after time, by superior handling and a determination to score. Bell opened with a try, and Sims 'followed; then .Mac Ewan added a third, which Davies converted. Mac Ewan got a fourth try, unconverted. Rovers had a turn at attack and in a scramble one of the forwards scored. The kick failed. Pirongia again dominand when the final whistle sounded the scores were: Pirongia 21, Rovers 3.

TEDDY SHIELD FINAL. TE KUITI’S EASY WIN. Much interest was centred in the contest between' Cambridge and Te Kuiti high school teams in the final for the Teddy Shield, but when the King Country lads lined up it was seen that they were much heavier than their opponents, and seemed more fitted to compete in junior grade than in a match confined to high school pupils. Te Kuiti soon attacked, but Cambridge defended soundly. Te Kuiti had an easy shot at goal from a penalty, but the kick went wide. However, a minute later Perry dashed over the line with a nice run. The kick failed. Te Kuiti commenced to open out. but a great kick by Cambridge compelled them to force. Te Kuiti were soon back, but Cambridge hung on well. Te Kuiti were trying to go through instead of passing out. Cambridge, with a great rally had Te Kuiti penned on the line but a great opportunity was lost when they couldn’t pick the ball up, and they were slowly driven back. Wells picked up and was looking dangerous when tackled. Te Kuiti came again and Miles cut clean through to score well; he failed to convert. From the kick-off Cambridge attacked, James cut through but the fullback grassed him. Cambridge tried passing, but’ the tackling was good. Te Kuiti were playing individually, and halftime came with the score, Te Kuiti 6, Cambridge 0. Haworth, Cambridge’s tiny fullback was a hero, but weight told. Another attack saw Collins score, but the kick failed. Again a passing rush saw Mahoney score; the kick being wide. Te Kuiti 12, Cambridge 0. Cambridge now held them for a while but weight again told. At last a penalty was turned to account by Miles. James was playing well for Cambridge. Again the ball came out and Collins ran over for his second try. Te Kuiti 18, Cambridge 0. Miles Was the next to score under the posts, the ball rolled and no kick was taken. Mahoney was the next, but again it was not converted. Tries thert came from Miles, Perry, and Miles. Two being converted by Miles and Barlow. The game ended with the score: Te Kuiti 40, Cambridge 0. Mr T. Martin was referee.

Mr G. W. Mairs, president of the Waipa Union presented the shield to the winning team and congratulated them on their victory. Cheers for the teams and the donor concluded the gathering.

FINLAY CUP GAMES. HAMILTON DEFEAT RAGLAN. A Hamilton team selected from the Frankton and Marist teams journeyed to Raglan and defeated the Raglan representatives by 9 points to 8 on Saturday. Raglan opened up, Park transferring to Maniapoto, who went over in a handy position. Park converted. Clarkin opened Hamilton’s account with a penalty kick, Roach shortly after going over for a try to put Hamilton ahead. The kick failed. The half-time score was: Hamilton 6, Raglan 5. In the second half a forward rush by Raglan saw Graham go across for a good try. Park’s attempt at goal failed. In a later movement Barlow set his backs going, Clarkin scoring the necessary points to give Hamilton a narrow victory. The try was unconverted.

SUB-UNION BOUNDARIES. AGREEMENT REACHED." The terms of the agreement reached at the recent conference of delegates from the Otorohanga and Waipa subunions over the boundaries dispute were reported to the Waipa Union on Monday evening as under.—From the Waipa River along Te Kawa Road to the north-eastern end of Ourawhere Block No. 304; across country in a direct line to the north-eastern boundary of Wilson’s section No. 4 Block 15, Mangaorongo Survey District; thence in a direct line due south to Rangitoto A No. 21 A2B; thence duei east to the Mangatutu Stream, following that stream.

WAIPA DEFEATS TAUPIRI

The Waipa senior representative team journeyed to Taupiri last Saturday and registered a _ somewhat easy win against Taupiri in the Finlay Cup fixture. Taupiri kicked off, the ball coming to Quin, who raced up field with Wilkes and Jones out-, side. They drew the opposition and Quin in-passed to Martin, who scored a nice try beside the posts. Pollard converted. This was rather a sensational opening’. Loose play followed for a few minutes and then ±5. Quin secured near Taupiri’s line and dived over near the corner. Pollard failed with the kick. Taupiri attacked strongly, but the solid defence of the Waipa backs, especially Pollard, Martin and Quin, kept them out,, ami play was worked back to midfield, where scrums ensued, some of them in a patch of deep mud. Eventually the ball was heeled out and it passed through all the Waipa backs to Lash, who went over in a handy position beating the opposition badly. Pollard made no mistake with the kick. A few minutes later Martin also scored a try, and Pollard converted, the half-time score was 18 to nil. Even play followed the interval, but the game had not long been ih progress when Lash scored again, and Follara failed with the kick. In the closing stages of the game the Waipas eased % up a bit, and Taupiri were quick to ■ • take advantage of this, for they ra y>tied on a couple of tries in quick succession. Both attempts to goal failed. There was no further score, and Waipa thus won by 21 points O:. Mr B. Marshall, of Hamilton, refereed..

Te Awamutu District High sent two teams to r ~y?marv fifSaturday, and tho^htl.epnW ec teen won by ec j s i V ely defeated, ondary team was decis bthe scores at the ing: Otorohanga, 28; ie Awamutu,