RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3211, 2 August 1932, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIPA COMPETITIONS. LAST SATURDAY’S PLAY. There was a fair attendance at Albert Park last Saturday for the continuation of the Waipa Rugby Union’s competitions. Two games were played in the first round of the Ballistite Cup competition (seniors), three for the junior championship, and one for the Silvester Cup (thirds). Results; Seniors— Te Awamutu 10 v. Waikeria 0. Rovers 16 v. Kihikihi 6. Juniors— Rovers 15 v. Pirongia 5. Ngutunui 31 v. Te Mawhai 0. Te Awamutu 14 v. Arohena 3. Thirds— High School 11 v. Rovers 9. THE SENIORS.' Rovers v. Kihikihi.—This game on No. 2 ground was controlled by Mr R. H Annibal Neither team was at full strength, and the play was patchy, with occasional flashes of really good football, but at other times it was almost ragged. Rovers set off with a stiff attack that tried their opponents hard, but the defence held, and ploy was worked back along the line Rovers came again with a determined rush that ended with B. Elliot going over for a try. Pollard failed with the kick. Kihikihi rushed play to Rovers’ line but could not get over, and after a period of uneventful play Rovers secured possession, and flung the ball about until D. Ellicott scored under fhe posts. Pollard converted. There was no alteration to the score until after half-time, but play was up and down the field a good deal, several scoring opportunities being missed through faulty backing up. Early in the second spell T. Thomson forced his way over from a melee in frour of Kihikihi’s goal, and Pollard added the minor points. Even play ensued, with A. Jackson cutting in cleverly, but mishandling by the Kihikihi backs spoiled the efforts. G. Wood shot up the sideline with a good run for Rovers, but he was thrown out. A minute later the ball came to Kelly, who sent it out wide, but Ellicott secured and raced over at the corner. Pollard failed with the kick. Then Kihikihi showed that they were a force to be reckoned with, and in one bustling rush ‘from near the halfway line they took play right to thh corner, where Wynyard forced his way over. The kick failed* Just on the close of time D. Christie followed up fast to beat Pollard and score for Kihikihi at the corner. The kick failed, and the game ended in victory for Rovers by sixteen points to six.

Te Awamutu v. Waikeria.—Most interest centred in this contest, on No. 1 ground, with R. L. Adams as referee. The Te Awamutus were heavier than their opponents, who, however, made up in nippiness what they lacked in weight, and time after time they had the locals doing their utmost. Gradually play was worked into Waikeria territory, and their fullback fumbling, badly let J. Tumey dive over for the first try. Lash failed with the kick. 'Twice the left-hand side was worked cleverly, Ashton securng from the scrum and L. Spiers and Lash raced to the side line, but could not get over. From the line outs Waikeria secured and worked play back to centre. The third time L. Spiers changed his tactics, and kicked a remarkably fine field goal from near the side line. Waikeria again attacked, but the movement was not topped off, and Martin punted well down the line. The pace was fairly fast, and there was no further score until after halftime. Te Awamutu opened with a rush, headed by Nitz and Loveridge, but they lost possession, and Waikeria backs threw the ball about prettily taking play right to the corner. Quin secured and booted the ball well down field.) Again the Waikerias worked into a handy position, but the defence held. Turney broke away, and sent out to Lash, who centred, but the Waikeria centre threequarter snapped it up and raced through, only to be up-endel by M'artin. Glasson cleared. The ball was taken from end to end of the field in quick succession, the Waikerias being very lively, but they were gradually penned in their own 25, and Ashton sending the ball out smartly let L. Spiers score a try wide out. The kick failed. Even play followed for some time, with the pace gradually slackening, and the final whistle came with no alteration in the score. THE JUNIORS.

Rovers v. Pirongia.—This game was played on No. 3 ground, with Mr J. Turner in charge Rovers were having the best of it in the early stages, and soon A Brough beat a return kick from a Pirongia back and promptly potted a goal. A little later the same played scored a try, but Cooper failed the kick. Pirongia rallied from time to time, but were not really dan. gerous. After half-time they played better but in a scarmble T. O'Connor picked up smartly and dived over. This male Rovers’ score ten to nil. Cooper converted. Five minutes later W, Shepherd added another try. A few minutes before the final whistle Bell secured from the line-out, cut in neatly and passed to Askew who sent it on to Allport, who scored. Bell converted. There was no further score.

Ngutunui v. Te Mawhai.—This game with Mr R. Callis in charge, needs little description for Ngutunui were always winners. J. Searancke opened the scoring with a try which Roa converted. A few minutes Roa dived over for a second try but. the the kick failed. Robinson added another, but the kick failed. Tn the few minutes before the interval Roa and Searancke each scored a try and Whitton converted Roa’s effort. At half-time Ngu. tunui were leading by 19 points to nil. After the spell MlcOnie, J. Spiers and Burton each scored a try arid Whitton kicked a penalty goal. Te Mawhai i were outclassed but hung on’ grimly, and at times just a little bit of luck would have given them a try. Te Awamutu v. Arohena.—Mr W. McCready had charge of this game on No 1 ground and it proved to be a very interesting contest though Te Awamutu seemed to be doing best throughout. ' In the first quarter of an hour J. Dalton. Sutherland and Christie each scored a try, and just

before the interval Nicholas scored I a try for Arohena. In the second half Hutchinson scored another try for Te Awamutu and Brill added the minor points. THE THIRDS.

High School v. Rovers. —This was the most closely contested game of the afternoon, and Mr T. Martin (referee) had plenty to keep him busy. Rovers were quickly on the attack, but were beaten off, and the first score was a penalty goal by. Coopers, Rovters’ wing threequarter. Two minutes , later Corboy equalised for school with •a penalty kick. Five minutes later school forwards dashed for the line, 'and looked certain to score. In a des. perate effort to keet> theni out a Rovers play intei’fered illegally, and a penalty try was awarded. School were attacking solidly most of the time, but they did not have it all thenown way. A clever try was got by S. Ahier for school following one attack by the forwards. The ball came back to Ahier. and he cut in fast, dumside the posts. Corboy converted, mied two opponents and went oyer be. Rovers plaved better after this reverse, and it was not long before Mil. lev bustled his wav over for a try. After half-time the teams were well matched, and the only points register, ed were a try for Rovers by Fowler.

WAIKATO REPRESENTATIVES.

MATCH WITH MAORI TEAM

The following team has been selected by Mr R. J. McKenzie to represent Waikato against the New Zealand Maori touring team in a match at Hamilton on Saturday: Fullback, M. Davies (Taupiri); three-quarters, Anderson (Morrinsville), Carlson, Wilson (Matamata); five-eighths, Stacey (Cambridge), Hook (Hamilton); halfback, Denz "forwards, Story (Matamata), C. Cameron (Morrinsville), Thomson (Waipa), A. Cameron (Morrinsville), T. Cassidy (Hamilton), Hedley (Morrinsville), Ensor (Matamata), Leeson (Morrinsville). 'v. ■'

In a Teddy Shield football match, played between Pio Pio and Otorohanga District High Schools at Te Kuiti last Saturday, the Otorohanga team gained a decisive victory, the score being 47 points to nil. The Otorohanga players were far heavier than their opponents, and their backs were responsible for most of the scoring. The final for the Teddy Shield will now be played between Otorohanga and Te Awamutu.

We understand that W. Pollard will not be available for Waipa’s senior rep. team in the match with Cambridge to-morrow afternoon at Albert Park, that player having received injuries last Saturday that require further treatment. J. Turney, of Te Awamutu Club, is to replace him to-mor-row. J. Martin is also out of action and D. Ellicott will take his place. In the junior team W. Shepherd is not avaiiable, and W. Hamilton (Ohaupo) will take his place, while A. Brough (Rovers) is first emergency forward.