FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 July 1935, Page 6

FOOTBALL

OPAKI v. MASTERTON. (BY “TOUCHLINE.”) Played at No. 2 Memorial Park on Saturday this game provided an excellent exhibition of football to those present. Masterton won by 14 points to 3 after a strenuous game in which condition won in tho end, and it was a well deserved win. Rough play was conspicuous by its absence, but good hard play was much in evidence, and not a word was heard from any player during the match which was splendidly controlled by Mr 11. Matson.

Opaki kicked off, Masterton wisely playing against the wind after winning the toss. It was evident that it would be a battle between two excellent packs of forwards and the Reds set off at a great pace, to keep their opponents defending for a long time. Play had not been long in progress when an infringement gave W. Buick an opportunity which materialised when he piloted the ball over the bar. Masterton then got to work and carried on to Jeff coat who saved nicely with a line kick to the 25 flag. Duncan and Percy broke away from the line-out till Workman fielded and sent down field to Meurk who accepted and streaked, with Allen and Remini in attendance, for the lino. The latter was caught by Norman and from tho ensuing scrum Opaki was penalised, Workman finding touch with a splendid kick. A great forward rush headed by Ratner and Ford carried on to within a few yards of the Reds line, but Jeffcoat again relieved with a linekick. L. Welch took the ball nicely on the lino-out and broke through, where Hargood and Duncan, both of whom were playing great football, carried well on till Hurley picked up and sent Jensen away. The latter was tackled beautifully by Allen and was penalised for hanging on. W. Buick, with a great kick, found touch in the Blacks’ 25. Here a hard struggle took place when Duncan came through with ball at toe and Johnstone speculated to touch 15 yards from his goal line.. Percy broke away but Norman got him in time. Tho Red forwards were now' getting all over their opponents but offside play gave Croekenden a chance to relieve. A fine back movement started by Johnstone sent Whiteman, Hurley and Workman away. Hargood with a great tackle brought the latter down, and a scrum ensued. As on previous occasions the ball hung in the back line of Opaki’s formation and Pauling was penalised for taking from the scrum. Crookenden kicked a goal. From this on it was a ding-dong go. Several scrums took place on tho Reds’ line and Reid went over from one but was held up. Pauling gained possession and found touch well upfield. Percy, Duncan and Hargood shone out in a great forward rush to Norman, who scooped up nicely to find touch with a wonderful kick. No further score took place, half-time sounding with the scores 3 all. On resuming tho Blacks set up a solid attack, Ratner, Ford, Stevens, and Wilton putting in some excellent footwork and only fine defensive work by Meurk, Duncan and Chappell kept them from going over. From a scrum near Opaki’s line tho ball went to Whiteman,, who had no opposition and went over for a try which Crookenden converted. The pace was now telling on the Reds and an infringement gave Crookenden another chance which he used to advantage, the scores now being 11/3 in Masterton’s favour. Duncan now shone out in a solo dribble in which he is a past master, and with the whole pack in attendance, the ball was taken right to Norman who failed to stop it, and Hargood who was right on it, booted to Percv and C. Welch to carry on till Curtis dived on the ball to save a certain try. From the scrum the leather went over the line, but was brought out to the 5-vard mark, where another struggle took place, a force-down eventually taking place. It was now Masterton’s turn to attack and Whiteman put in a fine run till Allen brought him down but Crookenden gained possession, was tackled bv Meurk, but sent on to Hurley, who Buick brought down and a scrum took place. The Blacks swarmed over the line and registered a try, no goal resulting and so’ the game ended. Masterton 14 points, Opaki 3. The winners played fine football, hard but clean.' Their forwards were in. great form. Ratner and Ford were very conspicuous. The latter, who was badly knocked about in the boxing contest, was black from the shoulder to elbow, but never let up once during the game. That is the stuff footballers l are made of. Curtis, Harron and Reid were splendid in open work,, while Wilton, Davis and Stevens excelled in the

hard stuff. Norman at full played a great game and only once during the game did lie fail to take the ball. Whiteman, Crookenden and Hurley combined nicely and were conspicuous in many fine movements. Workman and Jensen put in some fine work but Opaki’s defence was too good to enable them to score. Johnstone was injured and a substitute took his place. Opaki’s forwards were quite equal to Masterton. L. Welch and Percy, as usual, were outstanding in both lineout and loose play; 18 carat describes their display. Hargood has never played better football and should soon gain rep. honours. Duncan played a fine game, dribble, tackle and graft from start to finish.

W. Buick again hooked splendidly but at times tho ball hung in the back row, thus preventing Pauling from getting it. Chappell, C. Welch and E. Wyeth all played well. Pauling at half was very safe and sent the ball out nicely whenever he got the chance. Remini and Allen played splendidly. Tho latter is a deadly tackier. Meurk was watched very closely, but put in some excellent work. Owen Wyeth played his usual good game, being splendid on defence. Watson also was sound, stopping several attacks in fine style. Jeffcoat, although out of action for a long time, made very few mistakes and in the second half he fielded the ball and found' touch ■with some of his old-time kicks. My congratulations to Masterton on their ■win: a fine lot of sports, well trained and hard to beat. THIRD GRADE. OPAKI v. OLD BOYS. Opaki were defeated by Old Boys on Saturday by 14 points to 3 and these teams are now leading for the “wooden spoon,” each having one win. Old Boys are a greatly improved team and it is evident that someone has taken them in hand. Their backs provided some fine football and handled the ball in great s+He. The forwards, although not equal to Opaki, were quite good for lads. The Opaki backs were disorganised until Bailey, their full-back, away and G. Bell, their crack centre, had to fill that position. It was unfortunate, as Bell is a splendid attacking and defensive player. _ Duncan, the midget half, is a little wonder and will develop into a great back. J. Duckett and Hunt played well and Foreman w*as a class on liis own. Dorset and Wingate were very safe. The forwards went well. “Snowy’ Clark, Palmer, Watson and E._ Christensen being very good. D. Christensen had a nasty knock and retired. . D. Roygard shaped snlendidb' in filling the gap. Taplin, K. Roygard and D. Duckett all went well. Mr Evans was referee.