PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 115, 18 May 1931, Page 3

PATEA

RUGBY FOOTBALL Patca football fans were rewarded with a record day last Saturday when all three of Patca teams won from their opponents. A largo crowd watch cd the match between Patca and Waimate seniors, which was an interesting and close game right up until the finish. It would bo difficult to discriminate between the Patca forwards, although C. Wills and A. Richards were outstanding. P. Bourke, as rover, gave a delightful display in that position. He was literally everywhere and was responsible for stopping many of Waiinatc’s dangerous back movements. His following up and general fitness should bo an object lesson to the whole side, although admittedly the local team played a sterling game throughout. Of the backs, Petersen, Zimmerman and J. Crawford, played a steady game, but Petersen disappointed many when he missed an almost sure score through a penalty goal. Baldwin and Gray also proved their worth. The teams arc as follow: Waimate (blue and blac): Alercer, Whalen, Rei, Hill, Shaw, Hickey, Paterson, C. Bourke, M. Bourke, Hencry, Hickey, Sam, Hikaka, Gulliver and Payne. Patca (blue): Spooner, Petersen, J. Crawford, G. Baldwin, Zimmerman, Bloor, Gray, P. Bourke, Wills, Walker, Richards, Bremer, P. Crawford, Couch and Hamblun.

Patca kicked off, and kept Waimate busy defending for secvral minutes. Then Waimate attacked, Whalen with Rei making a nice dash and getting close to the line. Patea, with P. Bourke in the lead, relieved and play centred. For some time play continued in midfield and then Patea set up a hot attack, but the defence was sound. Waimate forwards, with Ruru Sam in the lead, rushed to tho line aud Spooner forced. After the kick-out, play centred in midfield for some time, both sids showing good form. J. Crawford stopped a nice passing rush by the Waimate backs, and the ball went out half-way. Once more Waimate backs opened up the play, and dashing play ensued, which C. Wills cleverly checked. For the rest of the spell, play was close and even. Waimate opened up the second spell with a nice passing rush, which was stopped near the line. The forwards carried on from a scrum and were checked just on tho line. P. Bourke headed a relieving rush and Waimate were on the defence for some time. Following some long kicks by both sides C. Wills rush upfield and smothered a return kick. With Bremer, they attacked hotly, but Waimate’s defence was sound. Whalen lined at the twenty-five. Waimate returned to the attack, Al. Burke making a nice dash which J. Crawford savel well. Patea retaliated, and going upfield in a loose rush, C. Wills took from P. Bourke and went on to score a fine try. The kick failed. A few minutes later Patea, with J. Couch in tho lead, rushed downfield, and P. Bourke, who was handy, took a pass and scored a second try. The kick again failed. From this until tho end of the game, play was even, though just on time Whalen and Rei were associated in a passing rush which was one of tho prettiest moves of the day. Failure to take a pass spoling an almost certain try, the whistle went with the scores standing: Patea 6, Waimate 0. Air A. E. Spratt refereed.

Tho juniors, in their game with Athletic on tho latter’s ground, had a hard game, and were successful iu winning by a narrow margin, which was a true indication of tho game. Taylor, Gibbs and Cousins scored the tries for Patea. The result was, Patea 9, Athletic 8.

The thirds won from Athletic thirds, the score being 19 to 9. The game was fast with advantages on tho Patea side. Some very good work was wit nessed, however, from both sides.