RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3181, 24 May 1932, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIPA CHAMPIONSHIPS. LAST SATURDAY'S GAMES. The weather was "favourable for continuation of the Waipa Rugby Union's championship's, in all three grades, last Saturday's afternoon and some excellent play resulted. In the senior games the margin between winner and loser was rather wider than usual, but in all three junior games there were keen contests with little between the teams in point of scoring ability. Details are:— Seniors: Rovers 20 v. Waikeria 3. Pirongia 31 v. Kihikihi 0. Juniors: Rovers 3 v. Ngutunui 0. Ohaupo 15 v. Te Mawhai 11. Arohena 3 v. Pirongia 0. Te Awamutu 9 v. Owairaka 8. Thirds: Rovers 3 v. Ohaupo 0. THE SENIORS. Te Awamutu 12 v. T e Mawhai 3. Waikeria v. Rovers: Mr R. H. Annibal refereed this fixture, on No. 2 ground at headquarters on Saturday. Waikeria won the toss and defended the northern goal, taking advantage of a strong sun at their backs. From the kick off and exchange of kicks, a period of give and take play ensued with the honours in Waikeria's favour. Waikeria were doing their utmost to open up the gams, but their efforts were nullified by Rovea- forwards keeping the play tight. Waikeria attacked solidly from a set scrum when the ball come to Pollard, who relieved the pressure with a good line kick, but he was tackled after getting his kick in. A penalty was awarded when his kick fell short. Macky, following up fast, compelled Waikeria to force. From the drop out a knock on called for a scrum on Rovers' 25 line. For a breach in the scrum Waikeria were awarded a penalty.'l -The kick just missed. More .give and take play followed, with Waikeria having an advantage. From a scramble the ball passed through the hands of several Waikeria backs, when Wood intercepted a pass and rushed down field, beating two players. He short punted over the full back, but was obstructed after his kick. A mild sensation was caused by the referee awarding a penalty try for the breach on the half-way line. Pollard added the extra points. Rovers 5, Waikeria 0. From the kick off play settled in neutral territory. From a set scrum ordered for a knock on Rovers hooked the ball and immediately set up a passing rush, and Tickelpenny made a determined run down the side line but was forced out neart the corner. From the line out Waikeria's f(ull back relieved the pressure with a great kick, finding the line near the half way flag. Rovers forced their way back and from a return kick by the Waikeria second five-eighth, Woods fielded the ball and made an attempt to plot a field goal. His attempt was a good one but it fell short. Half time sounded soon after with the score five to nil in Rovers' favour. On resuming, Waikeria immediately set about making up the leewayLoose play followed when a Waikeria forward snapped up the leather ' and dived for the line. The kick was successful. Rovers 5, Waikeria 5. From the kick off Pollard took the ball, but in attempting to beat the field was penalised for holding on. Waikei'ia's kick was a good one, but just missed. Waikeria were now attacking in a determined manner, and Rovers were hard pressed to keep them out. Waikeria continued the pressure and their wing three-quarter was forced out at the corner. From the line out Rovers cleared their line and set up a rush for Waikeria's territory. A great kick by the full back sent them back and play settled about midfield. For a scrum breach Waikeria were awarded a penalty, but the kick fell short, and Pollard found the line at hal* way. A forward rush by Rovers carried play to Waikeria's line, and C. Meredith dived over to score in the corner. Pollard failed to convert. Rovers 8, Waikeria 5. Not to be denied, Waikeria set up a tremendous pressure and Rovers were hard pressed to keep them out. Waikeria were unlucky in not scoring at this stage. Wood snapped up the ball and found touch well down field. From the line out Waikeria had the advantage and were setting up a passing movement when Tickelpenny grabbed the ball from off the Waikeaiia second five-eighth's boot and raced for the line, scoring in the corner. Pollard again failed to convert. Rovers 11, Waikeria 5. Give and take play ensued with a territorial advantage to 'Rovers, when Pollard essayed a pot, which failed to rise. Waikeria's second five-eighth found touch at half way. Rovers came again, however, when off-side play by A. Thomson gave Waikeria relief. Rovers still had the pressure on and from a scrum near Waikeria's line Spiers dived over. • The kick again failed. Rovers 14, Waikeria 5. Rover forwards now seemed to have the upper hand and a rush led by the Thomson brothers ended-with the ball going into touch near Waikeria's line. From the line out Waikeria backs were caught out of position and Storey went over. Wood failed to convert. Rovers 17, Waikeria 5. From the kick off Waikeria set about retrieving their fortunes, and carried play into Rovers' territory. Offside play by A. Thomson gave Waikeria a chance, but the kick failed, and the ball was returned to halfway. The return kick, however, found the line at Rovers' 25. More give and take play followed, and Rovers carried play down field, and C. Thomson following up fast scored near the sideline. Wood again failed to convert. Rovers 20, Waikeria 5. Waikeria attacked strongly <:and a brilliant piece of passing saw thencentre three-quarter cross the line. He took the kick himself, but like the others, his kicking boots had been left at home. Rovers 20, Waikeria 8. Shortly afterwards no-side sounded and the game ended. Pirongia v. Kihikihi: Pirongia kicked off against the sun and even play followed. Then Kihikihi rushed the ball to the line, but. a force relieved

Pirongia, who started a rush and looked dangerous, but not for long, and play centred in midfield. Both sides were opening up the game. Pirongia rushed and a fumble let Mounsey over in a handy position. The kick failed. Kihikihi set off with the Jacksons at the head, but W. Bell was quite safe, his line kicking being very good. Miller put his side safe with a good line kick,! and p'av hung in Kihikihi's 25. Pirongia got the ball and both E. Bell and Miller cut in, but a lucky interception pulled them up, and the Kihikihi forwards relieved. Next time Pirongia were more successful, a forward rush taking the ball over the line, where Miller dropped on it. Again the kick failed. Soon after they broke away again, Mounsey clearing away and when pressed potted a neat goal. Pirongia were definitely 'on top. Grace next scored from a penalty kick. Pirongia were using the line well, and E. Bell and J. Macky were almost over. A. Jackson drove them back, but they were soon back again, but a force relieved. Pirongia were using their backs well. From a passing rush R. Bell scored in the corner. The kick failed, and half time came with the score: Pirongia 16, Kihikihi 0. On resuming Kihikihi attacked, and worked up to the line, but were soon sent back. They still pressed, but the Pirongia backs, working like a machine, came back, and the ball flashed to E. Bell, who had come round, but he was thrown out just short of the line. A penalty relieved. Kihikihi were hemmed in properly till a mark took play to mid-field, and a penalty to Kihikihi failed, Pirongia rushing through to the line. A force saved Kihikihi. A great run by Kihikihi backs was foiled when a pass was mulled after some good tackling by Pirongia backs. A rush by Pirongia the length of the field was spoiled by a penalty, and then a force. A rush by Kihikihi, led by McNaughton, penetrated deep into Pirongia's territory, but Grace Woke clean through and when about to be tackled passed to [E. Bell, who ran over unopposed. He also converted. Jack Macky made a jerky run,, and then from a passing rush Jim! Macky made a beautiful opening and sent Eric Bell over under the posts. Jim Macky converted. Just on time Pirongia were given a penalty but the kick failed, but then Jim Macky cut through again and sent E. Bell over for his third try. Grav converted. Pirongia 31, Kihikihi 0. Mr R. Callis refereed. ■ j THE JUNIORS. TE MAWHAI V. OHAUPO. After some scrambling play Ohaupo worked down and got over nicely. Next time they got down to their opponents' line, and the ball came out to Bainbridge, who dropped a beautiful goal. Again Ohaupo pressed to the line, but were driven back. A penalty kick to Te Mawhai was unsuccessful. Then Ohaupo came away. B. Spiers sent his brother, R. Spiers, over unopposed. The kick failed. After half time Te Mawhai broke the ice half way through the spell, Gage kicking a good penalty goal; and then H. Thompson scored for Ohaupo, Gosling converging. Again Te Mawhai worked down, and a penalty in front of the goal was taken by Gage. Te Mawhai attacked, and Oates slipped over behind the posts for Gage to convert easily. The game ended: Ohaupo, 15; Te Mawhai, 11. Mr N. H. Street was referee.

Rovers v. Ngutunui: Mr T. Martin had charge of this game, and it proved to be quite the best seen in this grade here this season. The pace was on all the time, and there was practically nothing between the fifteens in merit. Rovers gained the victory through Tickelpenny snapping up near the line and diving over, for a well-earned try. Snowden failed to add the minor points. Arohena v. Pirongia: This game, with Mr R. L. Adams in charge, was also an interesting contest throughout, and at half time no score had been recorded. In one attack by Ai*Ahena late in the second spell the forwards "bullocked" their way right to the line, where Prendergast bustled over. The kick failed. Te Awamutu v. Owairaka: This game was played at Owairaka, and a keen tussle was in progress almost throughout. The home team's mot"e heavy forwards had the advantage in tight play, but when the ball came loose Te Awamutu were superior. Excitement was high, especially in the closing stages, but Te Awamutu managed to win, though only by the margin of one point. WAIPA'S SENIOR REP. TEAM. The following players have been selected to represent Waipa in that union's first representative game of the present season, when Waipa will play Matamata reps, at Matamata on Saturday next:— Fullback.—C. Pollard (Rovers). Threequarters.—W. Macky (Rovers, A. Lash (Te Awamutu) and E. Bell (Pirongia). Five-eighths.—H. Miller (Pirongia) and R. Jackson (Kihikihi). Half. —Ate Jackson (Kihikihi). Forwards. Howarth (Te Awamutu), L. Thomas (Rovers), M. Grace (Pirongia), B. Elliot (Rovers.), T. Thomson (Rovers), R. Wynyard (Kihikihi), J. Turney (Te Awamutu) and P. Grace (Pirongia). Emergencies.—Backs, J. Martin (Te Awamutu) and H. Bennett (Rovers); forwards, K. McNaughton- (Kihikihi) and N. Jackson (Kihikihi). Mr Geof. Bowden, the sole selector, appears to have made a wise choice of his team. ; There are one or two others he must have found it difficult to pass over, but he would have found it equally difficult to omit any of those i named. It looks to be a sound, solid team, not only to shine unduly with brilliance, but as a team of hard workers they should make their presence felt right from kick-off to final whistle. This morning the selector was advised that Hugh Miller will not be available for Saturday, so Jack Martin will get a game. MATAMATA REPRESENTATIVES. The following players will represent (Matamata); halfback,, Solomon

(Wardville); forwards, McGill, Butt, (Hinuera), Porterfield, Smith (Ward-' ville), Ensor, Mulligan, Story (Matamata), and Warrenden (Hinuera); Matamata: Fullback, H. Brown (Hinuera); threequarters, J; Wilson (Patetere), K. Lawrie (Matamata), J. Wilson (Wardville); five-eighths, B. Inman (Patetere), W. H. Carlson Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for influenza colds.