RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 249, 20 August 1928, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

<s> • In Central Hawke’s Bay SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Much interest was centred in the contest between the Waipukurau (runners-up for the Hunter Shield) and Te Aute College teams, which ! took place on Saturday in Waipukurau. The sides were evenly matched, with the Waipukurau fifteen, who Avon by 7 points to 6, ait an advantage in the first, and the visitors the second. Each of the teams missed good scoring opportunities through lack of finish when within striking distance of their opponents’ goalline, therefore the fortunes of the conflict were almost equalised. In conseqeunce of Waipukurau’s win, interest in the final game between Waipawa (leading for the championship) and Waipukurau Avill be great--ly intensified. Mr A. E. Nicholson efficiently controlled the game. THE TEAMS. The following were the teams: — Waipukurau.—Backs: Wells, Nairn, Joe King, Cairns, Jim King and Smales (2). Forwards: Bridgeman (capt.), Smith, Woods, White, N. Dinnan, Bell, Scherf, and Taylor (wing). Te Aute College.—Backs: H. Wickcliffe (capt.), J. Rei, J. Ruru, and Awarau, N. Nihi, P. Himona and P. Gemmell; forwards: Turei, Lawson, Rapaenga, Tinirau, N. Te Kawa, J. Greening, J. Keretene and W. Walker (wing). PROGRESS • Waipukurau made the pace lively at the outset and attacked, then Te Aute returned the “compliment.” A mark by Gemmell afforded the defenders some relief. Cairns centred nicely and led by Dinnan (who had taken the field in place of Woodward (indisposed) the Blue forwards got busy. Play hovered around Te Aute confines for some minutes till a penalty served to change the venue. However, Waipukurau rallied to the offensive and seizing a good opportunity Joe King, potted a fine goal from the 25 line. Waipukurau 4—Te Ante O. The Reds launched a determined onslaught, and Waipukurau became momentarily in difficulties through Wells missing a ball, but he recovered possession and lined near the corner. From a penalty award, 30 yards distant from the Blue .line, Gemmell had a shot, but Resulted. Waipukurau pressed (Steward into the Te Aute 25, and were held at bay by the good line kicking of Wickliffe. A free kick also assisted the Red's defence. The vanguard of the Blues came into prominence with an attack, Dinnan being conspicuously keen in pursuit of the ball. A freekick afforded relief to Te Aute. A similar award to Waipukurau was of no avail, Joe King being unable to goal. Another penalty kick gave the Reds further defensive assistance, and a line effort likewise, the bail reaching the half-way flag. The Waipukurau forwards carried the ball back to the Te Aute 2 5 and eventually Joe King dashed across the goal line. His attempt at conversion was fruitless. Waipukurau 7—Te Aute O. The Reds played spiritedly and carried the ball to the local 25, where Wickliffe took a penalty kick, but unsueessfully. For several minutes the Reds kept up a strong attack on the Waipukurau line, but the defence held good. Bridgeman and Jim King were a ssociated in a passing movement but the latter obstructed an opponent and a free-kick resulted. Te Aute gaining ground. A Smales set the backs in motion in a passing bout but Joe King, F. Smales and Nairn became bunched and progress was impeded. Bridgeman headed a forward attack, but a penalty enabled Te Aute to repulse same. Joe King had a “pot” but the ball failed to rise. Scherf broke away from the ruck, but his solo effort was duly stopped. Wells sent the leather down the line, and good tackling by Jim King and Cairns Avho had followed the ball, returned play to the Te Aute 25. A penalty to the Reds anabled them to clear their lirr'e. Jim Smith marked in Te Aute territory and his punt was backed up by a forward invasion that almost ended in the Blues scoring. Half time was sounded with the position as follows: — W aipukurau 7—Te Aute 0.

On changing ends, it was found that an injured Te Ante forward had been replaced. The Reds showed special energy, and opened up the game to a greater extent than had been evident in the first half, invading the Waipukurau 25. Wells returned the ball into midfield, and ere long the Blue forwards transferred activities to the Te Ante 25. A freekick gave the Reds relief, and they in turn reached the local confines.

After a brief interval, the tables were turned, once again. Te Aute backs were set going by Gemmell, and a good movement terminated, with Awarau being pushed into touch in the Waipukurau 25. Good, defensive work by Smales (2), Bridgeman, and Joe King was evident at this stage, then Waipukurau invaded. A penalty award relieved the pressure on the Reds’ line. White and Wood next let a loose forward attack, which was repulsed effectively, Te Aute coming into the territory of the'Blues. Nairn centred dangerously, and the Reds almost penetrated the defence. A penalty award enabled Ruru to goal Waipukurau 7 —Te Aute 3.

Te Aute exerted pressure on the local defences, but the efforts of Taylor and Scherf carried play into the Reds’ territory, where Waipukurau made determined efforts to scoie a try. It was thought that Cairns had scored near a corner, but apparently his feet struck the flag. Wickliffe, a few minutes later, cleared the Te Aute line with a good kick. Creditable passing by the Blue backs was nullified by Cairns not getting rid of the ball soon enough, Te Aute returning to the local 25. Passing by the Te Aute backs saxv Rei almost across the Waipukurau line at a corner, but Jim King had tackled him effectively. Good defensive kicking by Wells, who followed up his effort and tackled well, carried play to half-way. From a point 40yds distant, White had a shot at kicking a penalty goal, but failed. Te Aute backs got going merrily once more, but one player bumped into an associate, rendering the effort fruitless. Eventually, Rei broke through the defence from a passing movement, and scored at a corner. No goal resulted. s Waipukurau 7 —Te Au'tp 6. The Te Aute backs .continued to play an open game, and several further passing attacks were launched, but the defence of Wells and others held the opposition at bay till the call of time. ■»» WAIPAWA ALMOST BEATEN. '* ■■ ■ Although' weakened by the absence of several of the “regulars,” viz., Nickalls (captain), Piki, Brain, Reidy and Davidson, the Waipukurau High School Old Boys were only defeated by a marrow margin, at Waipawa (Lindsay Ground), on Saturday. The junior players who filled breaches in the Old Boys’ team performed very creditably. Ryan kicked a potted goal in the first spell, and Dillon a penalty one in the second, accounting for the scoring aggregate of the leading team in the senior championship competition securing a win, while Williams kicked a penalty goal for the losers in the first half. Air P. R. Smyrk was the referee. SCHOOL MATCH. > FOR ROSS SHIELD. A closely contested but by no means scientific exposition of the Rugby code was witnessed on Saturday, in Whipukurau, when the Hastings and Southern Hawke’s Bay primary school representatives met in a match for the Ross Shield. As the result of the game, the Hastings School has gained the honour of holding the trophy till 1929. In the first half, Von Dadelszen kicked a penalty goal for the winners, and Mitchell added a try in the second half, making the total six points to nil. Mr T. Geenty gave every satisfaction as referee. REFEREES FOR WEDNESDAY. Mr P. R. Smyrk has been appointed to control the Northern v. Southern Hawke’s Bay match to be played at Dannevirke on Wednesday. For the Victoria College-Te Aute match, to be played at Waipawa on Wednesday at 3 p.m., Mr D. P. Dinnan has been appointed referee. SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT. The Referees’ Association is to meet in Waipukurau on Thursday night, when details in connection with the seven-a-side tournament, to take place on Saturday, will be discussed.