RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3469, 22 May 1934, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIPA CHAMPIONSHIPS. LAST SATURDAY’S ,GAMES. Playing* conditions last Saturday for the continuation of the Waipa Rugby Union’s championships were not exactly ideal, and the slight rain which fell at times made the ball dif-. ficult to handle. Results: — Seniors. Rovers 16 v. Suburbs 8. Waikeria 6 v. Tokanui 3. Juniors.— Rovers 21 v. Te Mawhai 3. Te Awamutu 3 v. Suburbs 0. Thirds.— Te Awamutu 6 v. High School 6. THE SENIORS. Rovers v. Suburbs.—A good deal of interest centred in the meeting of the strengthened Rovers fifteen with Suburbs, previously unbeaten, and the public were afforded plenty of interest and excitement. Rovers were soon attacking, but a solid forward rush took Suburbs right to Rovers’ line, where strenuous defence held up the attack and a penalty afforded relief, the ball going out near the half-way flag. Then Rovers’ forwards crashed their way upfield, and the ball was sent along the line of backs to Woods, who drew his man and inpassed to Mate, the latter crossing the line. Young failed with the kick. P. Bell soon made an opening for Suburbs, but A. Jackson marked smartly, and play was in mid-leld for a time. Then E. Bell failed with a penalty kick. A little later the ball came cut to him, and he made a lot of ground, only to be tackled. Holding the ground gained, Suburbs were causing their opponents a lot of bother, and P. Bell narrowly missed a penalty kick. However, play was fairly even for several minutes, until Rovers steadily made ground with tight forward play. A passing rush saw Wood reach almost to the line, but the defence held. Then Young had an unsuccesful shot at goal from a penalty, and Suburbs cleared with some hefty kicking. Another splendid line kick enabled Suburbs to reach Rovers’ line, and in some hot work Ngahoe grabbed the ball and touched down just as he was tackled. P. Bell failed with the kick. Suburbs 3, Rovers 3. R. Jackson just missed with a penalty kick and Suburbs attacked again. A scrum on Rovers’ line ended in a force-down. The pressure on (Rovers’ defence was sustained, and E. Bell failed with a penalty kick, and the play came back upfield, where a bad fumble by W. Bell let L. Thomas through to score. R. Jackson converted, and half-time came with the scores, Rovers 8, Suburbs 3. The Commencement of the second spell saw fast play, with Rovers attacking persistently. One solid forward rush enabled Mate to secure the ball and dodge over to score in a handy position. R. Jackson was again successful with the kick. Suburbs recommenced with a great rush that took them right to Rovers’ line, but the defence was promptly turned into attack, and Jackson narrowly missed with a penalty kick. Another passing rush by Rovers’ rearguard saw the ball go out to Wood, and he raced for the line but W. Bell upended him neatly. E. Bell dribbled through, but Suburbs were held up on the line. T. Thompson led Rovers’ pack almost the full length of the ground in a solid rush, and Young completed the movement by goingover for an easy try. Jackson failed with the kick. Rovers 16, Suburbs 3. After a bqief attack by Suburbs Wood secured and made ground, but the advantage was not held, and Suburbs were soon back again, hard at it, and Ngahoe scored. P. Bell added the minor points. Rovers 16, Suburbs 8. Play was hard, but not particularly bright, with little advantage to either side. Young had an unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty. and the game ended soon afterwards, with-the scores unaltered. Mr R. Callis was referee. Waikeria v. Tokanui. —This game was played at Waikeria, with Mr R. H. Annibal as referee. Tokanui showed improved form and Waikeria was at times hard pressed but the home team managed to retain territorial advantage most of the time, to win by six points to three. For Waikeria Oliver scored two tries, and Broughton kicked a penalty goal for Tokanui. *

THE JUNIORS. Rovers v. Te Mawhai.—The Rovei’s soon proved themselves the better team, and though Cruickshank scored a penalty goal for Te Mawhai, the latter could not cross Rovers’ line, whereas the home team put on tries by A. Blair (2), Ryburn, L. Wilson, Lander and N. Boys. The games thus ended: Rovers 21, Te Mawhai 3. Te Awamutu v. Suburbs.—The Te Atyamutus proved themselves, at Pirongia, a very solid combination by defeating their opponents by three points (a try by Jowsey) to nil, after probably the best game of the series. THE THIRDS. High School v. Te Awamutu.—A good deal of interest was shown in this game and when the final whistle blew Mr E. Maddevn declared it a draw the public agreeing that the teams were well matched. For High •School tries were gained by M. Blair and K. Rickit while Sims scored two tries for Te Awamutu.