RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15979, 6 May 1924, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WAIPA RUGBY UNION. DRAWN GAME LN SENIOR MATCH. A bleak afternoon with an occasional sprinkle of rain marked the opening of the Waipa Rugby Union’s ■first senior match at Te Awamutu on Saturday, between Te Awamutu and Pirongia. Pirongia commenced with only 13 players. Prom the outset the game was fairly willing, and though the weather and ground conditions were not conducive to spectacular football the onlftokers had much to interesl them. Play ranged from end to end of the ground, each side putting up a vigorous defence and were quick to turn this into attack. At times the local backs let their team down badly, and but for the great work of Pat Quin at fullback, aided principally by Griggs, Pirongia would have got over the line several times. Likewise Bell and Maurice. Quin saved again and again for Pirongia, beating off hot attacks by the Te Awamutu vanguard. The game ended in a draw, no score resulting. Rev. H. White gave every satisfaction as referee. The best of the Te Awamutu pack were Scott Macky and Claude Croitty, both playing a dashing and vigorous game. The others also had lots to do, and generally speaking they did it well. It was in the rearguard that the locals were lamentably weak, and if the club is to win premier honours this season the backs will have to improve considerably. The Pirongia backs, as already indicated, were chiefly reliant upon M. Quin and Bell, but one or two of the others played really well without having to withstand the bnfleting that Quin met with, or without the chances that Bell had on the wing. Of the Pirongia forwards the veteran, Ted Best, and the two Smiths, had most to do, and they did it creditably. Junior Games. Three games in the Junior grade were played on Saturday afternoon — Obaupo v. PualiUe at Ohaupo, Methodist v. Pokuru at Pokuru, and Te Awamutu v. Porongia at Pirongia. The Ohaupo team registered a win against Puahue of 6 points to 3. The home team is a pretty big combination, and it was expected they would put’up a bigger score, but the Puahue lads, evidently profiting by their experience of the week previous put up a good defence.

Though the Methodists had their line crossed at Ohaupo the previous week they prevented a repetition on Saturday, but, though they won, they had to put up a strenuous fight. The Pokuru team made it very willing all through, and at one stage looked like at least equalising. For the Methodists, Rogers and Shepherd each scored a try, both being well deserved, while for Pokuru Ferguson kicked a penalty goal. The Methodists’ play the same class of game as last year, and must be hard to beat for the championship honours again this season. Mr W. Gavanagh had charge of the game. Te Awamutu Juniors journeyed to Pirongia for their match and produced a fairly good team, but they could only secure a draw against Pirongia, who were strengthened considerably by the inclusion of two or three more experienced players, than was the case the previous week. Te Awamutu’s score was two tries. Turnwald and Irwin each scored one tty. Head, a very promising player with Hamilton experience, was responsible for Pirongia’s score, kicking two goals. Mr C. Corboy was referee. SOUTHERN MAORI TEAM. The Southern Maori team to play the Northern Maori team on May I€, during Fleet Week at Auckland, for the Maori Rose Bowl, is as follows 1 : — Fullback, Ncpia (South Hawke’s Bay); three-quarters, Phillips (Marlborough), Potakl (Wanganui), Kopua (South II.B.); five-eighths, Paewai (South H. 8.), Pena (Wanganui); half-back, King! (Wanganui); wing, Jacobs (Horowhenua) ; forwards, George (Horowhenua), Bevan (Horowhenua), Bannister (West Coast), Matene (Taranaki), Broughton (Horowhenua), Bayly (Taranaki), Walter (South H. 8.). Bell and Mackereth are not available. FRANCE DEFEATS ROUMANIA. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) PARIS, May 4. At the Olympic in Rugby, France beat Roumania by 61 to 3.