RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3214, 9 August 1932, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIPA CHAMPIONSHIPS. LAST SATURDAY’S GAMES. The weather was fine on Saturday afternoon last for the continuation of the Waipa Rugby Union’s championships, and there was a fair attendance of the public. Five games were staged—two senior contests, two junior, and one third-grade contest. Another third-grade match was played at Ohaupo, and the jun.or game, Ngutunui v. Arohena, scheduled for Albert Park, did not eventuate, Arohena defaulting through being unatue to arrive ir Te Awamutu in time. Results:— SENIORS. Ballistite Cup: Te Awamutu 8, Pirongia 6. Insurance Cup: Rovers 3, Waikeria 0. JUNIORS. Ngutunui won by default from Arohena. Te Awamutu 3, Rovers 3. Ohaupo 21, Te Mawhai 8. THIRDS. Te Awamutu 17, Te Mawhai 0. Ohaupo 6, High School 4. THE SENIORS. Rovers v. Waikeria: This game was staged on No. 1 ground, with Mr J. Turner in charge. Rovers turned out with four juniors who had p ayed earlier in the afternoon. The game was keenly contested, and fortunes fluctuated throughout the game, and just as the spectators had resigned themselves to a drawn game A. Spiers grabbed the ball from a scrum on Waikeria’s line and dived over to gain the only points in the match, for Rovers. It was a good try. G. H. Wood failed to convert. Rovers adopted bust.ing tactics, and did not make much use of their rearguard on attack, but Waikeria barged in hot and strong from start to finish, and at times had Rovers’ backs hard pressed.

Te Awamutu v. Pirong a: Mr E. Maddern had charge of this game on No. 2 ground. Pirongia kicked off, and immediately Te Awamutu flashed to the attack, and Len Spiers had scored before the Pirongias had settled down. Lash converted. Stung by this reverse, Pirongia set up a movement that took them right to Te Awamutu’s line, and it was only a rather lucky kick by J. Martin that kept them out. Then the play was taken from end to end of the fie’d, with occasional scrums and line-outs in midfield. There was not much really good football, but the teams were so well matched that the interest was sustained. In one rush by Pirongia forwards the ball was taken right to Te Awamutu’s line and J. Askew picked up to struggle over. M. Grace failed witli the kick, wh’ch was from a difficult angle. Just before half time Lash kicked a penalty goal for Te Awamutu. The second spell was again even, and in the early stages Pirongia’s prospects were improved when the ball was kicked almost to the goal-line, when P. Bell picked up and sent to D. Mills, who beat Sinclair badly and scored a try. Bell failed with the kick. From then on the pace was faster, but the defence held, and the final whistle went with Te Awamutu winners by eight points to six, THE JUNIORS. Ohaupo v. Te Mawhai: This game, on No. 3 ground, did not attract much attention for Te Mawhai played with only 13 men, and thus their prospects were less than usual. Gosling and R. Spiers each scored a try for Ohaupo, but the kick at goal failed. After half time Cavanagh and L. Karl each added another, and still the kicking was bad. Te Mawhai at this stage assumed the aggressive, and soon Robert Gage scored a try. A little later brother Rangi repeated the performance, and Robert added the minor points, making the scores: Ohaupo 12, Te Mawhai 8. But Ohaupo soon put the position beyond doubt, for Bromwich, Ryburn and Hamilton each scored a try. The kick on each occasion failed. Ohaupo won by 21 to 8. Te Awamutu v. Rovers: There was a great deal of interest in this game, for it was expected to decide the championship. However, a draw resulted. Mr R. Callis had charge as referee. Te Awamutu opened the attack, but were beaten off, and a few minutes later I. Clarke broke through their forwards and almost reached the line. Strenuous efforts by Humphrey and Thomson saved the situation. Rovers were bustling hard, and appeared to be having the best of things. Play was worked back to centre, and it stayed there quite a while. Adams set his backs in motion, but the movement broke down. Then Adams kicked from behind the scrum, but it was charged down. Rovers were at some disadvantage facing the wind but they gradually got into a handy position, where M. Pollard had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty. The kick fell short, and Te Awamutu forwards secured to run nearly the length of the field, work’ng towards the corner, where Thomson secured. He sent the ball smartly to Adams, to Sutherland, to Hutchinson, who raced over for a good try. Sutherland failed with the kick. Te Awamutu 3, Rovers 0. Macky was penalised a little later for picking out of a scrum, but Cooper’s kick failed. Rovers were in a good scoring position but the defence held and Te Awamutu forced to gain relief. A little later K. Wilson raced up the sideline, and actually went over at the corner, but an infringement let Te Awamutu get clear. Keeping up the pressure, Rovers were soon battling ■ hard on the goal line, and eventually J. Tickelpenny forced his way over, equalising the score. Po'lard faded with the kick. After half time Te Awamutu again attacked, with West shining out in the van. Pollard missed a bouncing ball, and Cooper was caught in possession but Te Awamutu could not get over, and play was gradually worked to midfield. Cooper had a long shot from a penalty, and Te Awamutu forced again. A litt’e later K. Wilson received from McGregor and raced up the side-line. He in-passed, but the movement broke down for lack of support. Rovers soon had another penalty kick for obstruction, but Snowden’s effort failed. Dalziel was next prominent with a

spectacular run down the centre of the field, and when he was blocked he kicked. Hutchinson carried on, but was dumped. Even play followtSi for some minutes, and then Te Awa/iutu attacked, taking play to the line’ but L. Wilson c’eared. Te Awamutu attacked again, but the movement broke down, and Rovers promptly rushed play to the other end. Back and forth went the ball, with little permanent advantage to either side, Thomson (Te Awamutu) being probably the most effective. Rovers were attacking, and had their opponents penned on the line when the final whistle sounded? THIRDS. Te Awamutu v. Te Mawhai: Mr G. Jeffs xefeieed this game, which xvas too one-sided to be interesting. For Te Awamutu tries were gained' by L. and A. Lawry, Sutherland, McDonald and Dalziel, L. Lawry converting one. High School v. Ohaupo: Th's game was played at Ohaupo, and resulted in victory for the home team by two tries to a potted goal.