RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 28 August 1935, Page 5

RUGBY

MATCH AT TOKAANU WANGANUI BIVER TEAM. INTERESTING TRIBAL CONTEST. A team from the Banana development scheme journeyed to Tokaanu recently to play a Ngati-Tu wharetoa team. In spite of the heavy rain which fell for two or three days prior to the match, the ground was in perfect order and the sun shone for the duration of the game. After a fairly fast and interesting game, before a good and appreciative crowd, Tuwharetoa won by 20 points to 10, which was a fair indication of the merits of the two teams. Tuwharetoa fielded a representative team and Ohotu were reinforced by three players from the United Club. The teams were as follows: — Tuwharetoa. Full-back, Otimi; three-quarters, J. Tuiri, Amorangi, Southan; five-eighths, W. Tuiri, W. Hetet; half, Kaipara; forwards, K. Mariu, W. Tainaira, K. Ngahana, A. Mason (captain), E. Jones, M. Takiwa, P. Maxwell, C. Wikiriwhi Ohotu. —Full-back, J. Haami; threequarters, G. Ryder, R. Mete Kingi, L’ingi; live-eighths, T. Poutini, J. Mele .Kingi; half, Pio; forwards, Marino, Bailey, Hunkin, Brooks, Hunt, Nicoll, Ryder, P., Raki, Reserves: Te Ture, D. Kingi, W. Ngatoa. Tuwharetoa won the toss and elected to play with the sun at their backs, J. Mete Kingi kicking off for Ohotu. Amorangi mulled and a scrum ensued from which Pio secured and sent his backs away, but R. Mete Kingi dropped a bad pass and P. Maxwell relieved with a nice kick which found touch in Ohotu’s twenty-live. From the lineout R. Mete Kingi broke away but was brought down by Amorangi. For a time piny hovered in mid-field. From a scrum Kaipara secured and the ball travelled to W. Tuiri, Hetet and then to Amorangi, who dropped the pass and a promising movement was spoilt, the Ohotu forwards carrying play into Tuwharetoa territory, where Kaipara picked the ball from the toes of the charging forwards and found touch well up the field. From a line-out Jones broke away and carried play into Ohotu territory, where Mariu nearly got over. J. Haami, however, sent Tuwharetoa back with a nice kick, but tt.s was only a temporary relief for Jones again broke away and, using his weight, forced himself over for the first try. Amorangi missed with the kick.—Tuwharetoa 3, Ohotu 0. Stung by this reverse, Ohotu immediately attacked and Brooks broke away, but was not supported and Otimi relieved. At this stage Pio retired hurt and Te Ture replaced him. The Tuwharetoa forwards, led by Jones and Mason, carried the ball on their toes till within striking distance, where Mariu picked up and dived over, but a try was not allowed. Play now became more exciting, each side in turn throwing the ball about in reckless style, but over-eagerness nullified some very promising movements. Tuwharetoa pressed and had Ohotu in difficulties. From a scrum Kaipara initiated a passing bout, the ball travelling the whole chain of backs to P. Tuiri whose in-pass to Amorangi was beautifully intercepted by G. Ryder, who found touch at half-way. in a melee Ohotu were penalised and Jones found the up-rights, making the score— Tuwharetoa 6, Ohotu 0. Ohotu, however, were not discouraged and Brooks broke away unsupported and made a determined run for the line, but was pushed out at the corner. Ohotu again attacked and l’ingi nearly got over. Otimi gave Tuw. etoa temporary relief. He kicked up field but failed to find touch, the ball going into the safe hands of Haami, who potted a field goal.— Tuwharetoa 6, Ohotu 4. Inspired by this success Ohotu put more vim into their play and had Tuwharetoa in difficulties till Otimi found touch just outside his own twenty-five. Ohotu, however, again pressed and from the loose C. Ryder picked up and outstripping the opposition scored in a hand position, but Teture failed to add the major points. —Tuwharetoa 6, Ohotu 7. The scores were unaltered when halftime sounded, Ohotu having had a slight advantage territorially. Immediately on resuming, Tuwharetoa attacked, but Jones was penalised for off-side play and Te Ture found touch at half-way. Tuwharetoa, however, were not to be denied and they again had Ohotu defending strenuously. Ohotu were penalised lor a breach and Jones goaled, making the scores— Tuwharetoa 9, Ohotu 7. Tuwharetoa were now having slightly the better of the game and Ohotu were once more defending their line. From the loose Takiwa secured and dived over for a try which Jones failed to convert. —Tuwhareoa 12, Ohotu 7. ■ Tuwharetoa were now playing like a team inspired and Jones had an unsuccessful shot at a field goal, the ball falling short, Haami finding touch outside his twenty-five. From the resultant line-out, Takiwa secured the ball and crossed the line for his second try which Jones converted, making the scores—Tuwharetoa 17, Ohotu 7. Ohotu now' took a turn at attacking, Te Ture setting his back in motion, but Houthan intercepted only to be tackled by Haami on the line, losing the ball and Haami forced. This did not deter Tuwharetoa for they were once more on the attack, and from a passing movement W. Tuiri scored near the corner. Jones failed to convert. — Tuwharetoa 20, Ohotu 7. Again Tuwharetoa attacked and Mariu nearly got over, Tingi forcing. Ohotu, in an effort to make up the leeway, combined a little better, and Brooks, picking up from the loose, sent the ball on to Haami, who came up from full-back, and with a determined run scored near the corner, but Brooks failed with the kirk—Tuwharetoa 20, Ohotu 10. Ohotu tried to increase their score but the defence held good. Just in the dying stages of the game Kaipara, who was playing brilliantly, set his backs in motion and I’. Tuiri was pushed out at the corner. Immediately after, the game, which was noted for the most friendly way in which it was played, ended with Tuwharetoa victorious by 20 to 10. Mr. R. Dittmer was the referee. Visitors Entertained. The visitors were entertained right ro/allv during their stay, which extended well over the week-end, and credit must be extended to Mr. I’. A. Grace and Mr. Hoani Te Heuheu, in whose hands arrangements for the visit

were. left, and to all the members of the Ngati-Tuwharetoa tribe for the hospitality bestowed on the visitors.