RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 225, 25 June 1928, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

IN CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES SATURDAY’S PLAY. The second round for the Central Hawke’s Bay Championships was advanced aonther stage on Saturday, in fine weather. All the teams took the field with the exception of Te Aute Seniors, who forfeited to Waipawa. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIORS. Onga Onga 16 v. Waipukurau 9. Old Boys 17 v. Takapau 6. Waipawa v. Te Ante, won by default. JUNIORS. Waipukurau. 6 v. Tikokino 6. Te Aute 6 v. Old Boys 3. Onga Onga 15 v, Waipaw a 3.

THIRDS. Waipawa H.S. 14 v. Waipukurau 6 Te Aute A 13 v. Waipawa 3. H. S. O. B. 29 v. Te Aute 83.

ONGA ONGA BEAT WAIPUKURAU. Tn a straggling game, bright only in patches and with more of the personal combat than seemed necessary, Onga Onga succeeded in vanquishing Waipukurau seniors on Russell Park by 16 points to 9 — four tries v two converted) to three unconverted tries. The- first spell ended with honours fairly even and level scoring—6 points each. Waipukurau added a try early in the second half, and -were holding their own till near the concluding stages, when the country team opened out with an unexpected burst and secured two more tries, both being converted. The home team had two absentees in the forwards, and the half position was filled by J. Adams, but the display generally was disappointing for seniors. Mr Colin Scott was an impartial referee, but was too indulgent towards the rough play that was imported into the game.

The match had not been in progress long before the visitors set up an attack, per medium of a passing run by the backs, and operations were carried inside Waipukurau’s 25. A brief tussle ended in Parker running over near the corner, Neilsen failing with the kick. Onga Onga 3—Waipukurau O.

A spell of desultory play followed, with Waipukurau forwards pushing their opponents back gradually. Onga Onga held up the invasion, but the locals continued to press forward by stages along the line, and finally Wells took advantage of ah opening to cross the line at the corner. Joe King was unsuccessful with the long kick.

Onga Onga 3—Waipukurau 3.

Waipukurau again took the offensive, following tight play in neutral territory, and King went close to sending the ball over the bar from a penalty. Smith, Onga’s full-back, knocked-on in fielding the ball, and the local team pressed home the advantage. The forwards clashed sternly a few yards from Onga’s line, and from a scrum the ball was tossed out to Cairns, who shook off a couple of opponents and scored near the corner. King failed to add the extra points.

Waipukurau 6—Onga Onga 3.

Aided by several penalties and a bit of passing, Onga Onga carried activities to the locals’ quarters. From general play round the 25 line Nielsen got possession and ran through the opposition, no attempt being made to tackle him. Taylor found the distance too far with the kick. Waipukurau 6—Onga Onga 6. The visiting backs attempted to open up the game, and a good run was blocked by Smith, subsequent play being favourable to the home team. Woodward retired hurt, but returned. The forwards were mixing it in close action. ,C. White had an angle shot from a penalty, but did not reach the bar, and Waipukurau were driving Onga to their line when the spell ended. SECOND SPELL. Play was scrappy for a time on resumption, and was largely confined to mid-field. A good boost by Joe King put the visitors on the defensive. A few minutes later the ball was passed to King, who dummied, fended and side-stepped, and ran over to score Waipukurau’s third try. The same player failed to increase the score.

Waipukurau 9—Onga Onga 6.

Desultory play was followed by a Waipukurau burst, the forwards carrying the ball to Onga’s quarters and over the line, but a penalty to the defenders eased the position. Tierney sent the Onga backs away, /and Taylor and Mclvor bustled through to Waipukurau’s line. A

melee ensued, with Onga attacking vigorously, but the defence held, and) Dinnan burst through to kick the ball out at half-way. Fine work by Scherf and Smith improved the position, but Mclvor fielded cleanly and put in an exhilarating run to Waipukurau’s 25. Several scrums and tight play on the locals’ line ended in Middleton getting over from a general scramble. Taylor was responsible for a powerful kick that added the extra two points and put Onga ahead. . . Onga Onga 11—Waipukurau 9. the ball in the close and to indulge in a lot of wrestling. Rupuha put in a good run and kick that sent the visitors to a stern defence, but the latter. came again with a dashing effort. Both backs and forwards displayed condition, ran over the opposition, and finally a strong dash by Mclvor took play to Waipukurau’s line, and a force resulted. The locals responded with a grim attack, and passing between Rupuha and King looked dangerous, the movement breaking down with a forward pass to Jim King, with a clear run in. Another spurt by Onga overwhelmed the defence, and, followed by" an exhilarating bit of passing between Tierney, Graham, Taylor and Mclvor, culminated in the lattei' racing over. Taylor again added the major points, and the victory went to Onga without further alteration to the score. Onga Onga 16—Waipukurau 9. „ OLD BOYS v. TAKAPAU. At Takapau, Old Boys met the Takapau fifteen and engaged in .a game in which there was not a great deal of good football. Play was poor in the first spell, neither side showing any advantage over the other. In the second spell, Takapaii held the Old Boys until within a quarter of an hour of time, when the score stood 6 all. Old Boys then began to liven up, particularly the backs, who showed good combination, and from then on predominated the game. This improvement in their play resulted in Old Boys running out winners by 17 points to 6. Tries were scored for Old Boys by Nicol (2), Piki, and O’Dowd. Nickalls converted a try and kicked a penalty goal.. A member of the Takapau.Team was ordered off for handling a player after a try had been scored, but the Old Boys’ captain (Nickalls)] showed a fine sporting spirit, and prevailed upon the referee to allow the offending player to return. Mr P. Smyrk was in charge of the whistle, and capably controlled the game.

‘ TE AUTE v. WAIPAWA. The senior fixture Te Ante v. Waipawa was not played, Te Aute forfeiting.

JUNIORS.

A DRAWN GAME.

Waipukurau and Tikokino juniors played a drawn game on Russell Park —six points each. The local team had the advantage in the opening spell 1 over their heavier opponents, and Granger notched a try and R. Woods landed a penalty. In the second half the country team evened up the score with a similar record—a try by Parkinson (a grey-haired veteran) and a penalty by Morehead. Mr Nicholson refereed. TE AUTE BEAT OLD BOYS. Te Aute accounted for Old Boys by the narrow margin of 6 points to 3. It was a closely-contested game throughout, and the score indicates the slight difference between the two combinations. Jourdain scored a try for Old Boys. Mr T. Geenty was referee. ONGA ONGA v. WAIPAWA. The Onga' Onga team defeated Waipawa, at Waipawa, by 15 points to 3.

THIRD GRADE.

WAIPUKURAU v. WAIPAWA H.S.Waipawa H.S. were too good for Waipukurau to the tune of 14 to 6. Tries for the winners were secured by R. Knoblock (2) and Bibby, and Flynn converted one and landed a penalty. D. Cochrane and L. Stowe scored for Old Boys. Mr Witton was referee. • WAIPAWA v. TE AUTE A. Played at Waipawa, this match resulted in a win for Te Ante by 13 points to 3. The summary of results of Napier matches played on Saturday is as follows: — Pirates 14 v. M.A.C. 9. Celtic 10 v. Technical 0.8. 8. Hastings 13 v, H. 5.0.8. 11.