TAIHAPE RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 131, 5 June 1935, Page 3

TAIHAPE RUGBY

HUIA AND UTIKU INTERESTING DRAWN GAME. Huia aud Utiku each scored nine points in a game on No. 2 ground at Taihape on Saturday. Both sides scored a try an] landed a couple of penalty kicks. *On the day’s play the score was a pretty fair indication of the respective merits of the teams. Although there was a lot of forward work the game was reasonably fast, play going from one end of the paddock with a fair amount of suddenness. Both Chase (Huia and Burrell (Utiku) gave good exhibitions/as the last lines of defence, their handling being clear, while the former came to light with some really excellent line kicks. Beard made some good openings, but lacked support when he most needed it. Lloyd, who played on the wing in the first half and came in to half-back in the second spell was responsible for some fine defensive work. In all probability it would have been better had he played at live-eighth aud Potaka gone out on the wing. L. Johansen scored a nice try from th« best back movement seen this season, when the ball travelled from a scrum right along the green backs. It was a pretty of work, aud the try was well deserved. The best of the green van were Gabolinsey, Heuery aud Ropata who were in everything. The first named backed up well when da defence, his handling and kicking i»eing good. Abbott went well on the wing for Huia piling on plenty of pace to score their opening try. He received more of the ball than did Hekenui on the other wing, who also made some good gallaps. The three Raukawas went ■» ell. but were inclined to do too much alone. Potaka who went on the wing in the second spell had an off day, his handling being very weak. As" a rule he collects the ball without any trouble, and had he done so ou Saturday he would have notched a brace of tries as he has plenty of toe. Meldrum was right on form in the van leading some dangerous sorties on the green line. Smith was going well until he had to retire. Spooner and Murphy were also doing their fair share of work in the van. Hurst went better in the forwards than at centre. He was unfortunate with a kick from half-way. which had plenty of elevation, but veered to the left. If this had gone over Huia would have won. The Huia fifteen is showing a definite improvement each match and Pilates will not need to take them so cheaply next Saturday. Should Utiku adopt the same tactics as on Saturday there is every possibility that they will give Hauapu a fight. The teams were:— Huia (red).—R. Chase, Hekenui, Hurst, Abbott, Raukawa (3), Potaka. Meremere, Spooner, Meldrum, Smith, Hunter, Kereopa, Murphy. Utiku (green).—Burrell, L. Johansen, O. Johansen, Lloyd, Beard, Potaka, J. Henery, Jones. H. Henery, Ropata, Clinton, Deadman, Jabolinscy, McMahon, Priddle. From a scrum the ball went to J. Raukawa who cut in nicely transferring the ball to Hekenui, who made a hasty sprint down the line, however, his short punt was not short enough and Utiku forced. From a line-out the ball went across to Abbott, who wasted no time cruising down the line to score at the corner. Hurst missed. Huia 3; Utiku 0. P. Raukawa effected a good save when green were pressing and a trv looked imminent. Beard came to light with a good run and found the line iu red twenty-five. From the line-out J. Henery to Beard to L. Johansen, who was pulled down a foot from the line. The Huia s became over anxious and a forward was caught offside. L. Johansen raised the flags with a good kick. Huia 3; Utiku 3. From a scrum J. Henery sent the ball to Beard to Potaka to O. Johansen to L. Johansen, who tore over at the corner. This was definitely a neat piece of work. The scorer missed with a difficult kick. Utiku 6; Huia 3. Lloyd held up a determined red rush when he took a mark, and relieved with a boot to the line. J. Raukawa cut in nicely and sent on to Kereopa, but his pass went astray and a certain try was lost. From a scrum on the green line the Utiku forwards rose to the occasion and carried play to near half way. The reds worked their way back to the green twenty-five where they were awarded a free kick in front of the posts and Hekenui had no trouble in evening the score. Huia 6; Utiku 6. As soon as the second spell com nienced the Huia backs swung into action and a good movement came to a standstill when Hekenui knocked on. Red were given another free kick and Hurst put his side in front with a good kick. Huia 9; Utiku 6. T. Potaka sprinted down the pad dock, but had no one in support and was pulled down a few yards from the red line. Utiku were pressing, but Chase put in a beautiful kick to find the line in the green twenty-five. Ab [bot and Meldrum came through with a ■ dash of speed, but Burrell took the ball from their toes and found the line. L. (Johansen put over a good kick from a | penalty but there was a man in front and his effort was wasted. However, a minute later he was given another op ; portunity and he evened the tally with ■an excellent kick. Huia 9; Utiku 9. Hurst staged a guod run, but his pass Ito Hereopa was dropped. Huia Jost . another chance when a forward pass ■ spoilt what would have been a certain i try. Lloyd collected the ball and made j a determined run, but was grassed In l Hurst. Hurst just missed with a fine | kick from mid-way. Another free to I red well out was just missed by Hurst as the final whistle blew. Huia 9; Utiku 9. Mr. J. Graham refereed the game. Senior Chaanpionship. The following is the position of the teams in the senior championship:— P. W. L. D. Pts.

Pirates .. . 7 Hautapu .. . .. 5 2 - Hui a .. 5 1 2 .. 3 i 4