RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17752, 2 July 1929, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

GAMES AT MORRINSVILLE. AN INTERESTING CONTEST. Although the weather was very unfavourable there was a large attendance at the Recreation Grounds, Morrinsville, on Saturday, the representative match between Morrlnsville and Tauranga having excited a good deal of interest. The Morrlnsville supporters had good reason to be well pleased with the way that every man in the home team shaped, the selector is to be congratulated' on carrying out his difficult task so successfully.

Thomas, as full-back for Morrinsville, was in great form, and the long high kicking of the Tauranga men suited him exactly, as every time the hall seemed to drop into his hands and was well placed down the line, and his speedy following up completely upset the Tauranga backs. Graham Marshall justified his inclusion in the rep. team. It was his first game as rover ,and his kicking was wonderfully accurate considering the slippery nature of the ground and hall. By his good kicking lie added seven poinis to the Morrinsville score. \Y. Cameron, at flveeigbth. only a junior last year, played a good game. Campbell was quite in his best form. His passing and clever rushes were cleverly executed and baffled his opponents. Robson, at five-eighth, also played a good game. Jack, as half, did his part well, but gave several free kicks on account of off-side play. Young Leeson palycd a wonderfully good game, and many good judges wondered why he had not been included in the Waikato reps. Graham was good as rover. O’Brien was also in his best form. In fact, it was difficult io find fault with any of the back division.

All file forwards worked well, A. Gameron probably Doing - the best of a particularly strong lot, and although opposed to a weighty hard-working learn more Ilian held llieir own against llieir equally weighty opponents. Anderson also played a particularly good game. Considering the fact that it was their first match, tlio Morrinsviile men are to lie congratulated and with a little more practice visiting teams will have.a hard job to take the Peace Cup away from them. Tauranga, although outclassed in every department, played a plucky game throughout. They evidently relied on llieir forwards, but were well beaten. The Morrinsville men, by short punls and quick followingup, quite smothered their opponents, and gave them few chances. Kelly, at full-back, had a difficult job and failed lo stop some of Uie clever passes and rushes by Morrinsville. Tassell seemed a bit out .of form, failing with several passes. Cameron, as rover, was a great help lo his side,, hut Morrinsville gave him few chances lo get- away. Phelan, at three-quarter, also played well, and saved some awkward sil.ualions. Ilcna and Kew played a 'good forward-game. The Game. Morrinsville kicked off against Ihe wind, and owing lo the slippery ground and wet ball play was a bit ragged. Play was taken to Tauranga’s 2.>. Good passing by Marshall to Anderson resulted in the latter scoring, and Marshall kicked Ihe goal.—Morrinsville 5, Tauranga <L

A good rush by Tauranga took play to Morrinsville 25, but a good rim by Campbell took play well down, being stopped close to the line. A rush by Tauranga was well stopped, and ragged play followed, Tauranga gaining some ground, but a good kick by Thomas took play to Tauranga line. From a line-out play was taken to mid-field, but following a rush by Morrinsville forwards Tauranga were forced, and play kepi close to their line. Gn changing over open play with high kicking followed, until after a good passing run Cameron got over, and scored. Marshall failed to convert. —Morrinsville 8, Tauranga 0.

Ragged play took Ihe halt to Tauranga’s line. Thomas started a good rum but was well stopped, and play went up and down field. From the line-out Leslie made a good run for Tauranga, but Robson got the ball and took a lot of stopping. Marshall being off-side gave Tauranga a free kick and saved the situation. Exciting play followed. Cameron did some good work for Tauranga, but Campbell got possession and just failed to get over. Leslie saving close to the line. At half-time the scores were. —Morrinsville 8, Tauranga 0. The flecond Half.

Scrums and line-outs followed the kick-off, but a good passing rush, Cameron to Robson, to Anderson, to Campbell, resulted in the latter gettinfi over cleverly. Marshall converted. —Morrinsville 13, Tauranga 0. Some exciting pjay followed the kick-off, Morrinsville backs pressing, but gaining little ground. From a line-out Merricleos saved, but Morrinsville. getting a free kick, just missed scoring. Burgess put in a good run, and took the ball down the line. Burgess and Tassel] put in some good work, but Campbell got possession and with a clover run nearly got over. Tauranga' were forced. Phelan gained ~ some . ground. Tauranga saved. Getting a penalty kick Marshall scored. —Morrinsville 16, Tauranga 0. From a scrum at five yards Ilarnet scrambled over and scored, but the kick failed.— Morrinsville 19, Tauranga Tauranga forwards played well, liana being conspicuous. Good passing, Kew to Kelly, took play down the" ground, and from the line-out McLeod stopped a likely run. Exciting scrambles in the mud followed, but were relieved by Cameron, and a good rush by Morrinsville took the ball right down the ground and Tauranga were forced. Phelan made a good run from Hie kick-off, hut Merriclecs gave Morrinsville a free kick for off-side play. Tasscll started a good run, but was well stopped by Cameron close to the line. Hard playfollowed, and Morrinsville were forced. A good rush by Bidois, Phelan. Tassell and Farmer took the hall out near the corner. From a scrum Tauranga got a free kick, but Bidois failed to score. Ragged play followed, and was at times exciting, and ■a free kick to Tauranga took play to Morrinsville’s 25, and a penalty kick gave Tauranga a good chance to score, but they failed. A scrum on the line, followed, but Morrinsville saved, and a good rush took play to Tauranga’s quarters. Open play followed, and a neat passing movement followed. Cameron, Robson, Anderson, to Campbell, who scored cleverly.. Marshall just failed to convert.—Morrinsville 22, Tauranga i o. Hard play up and down the ground

followed, but no further scores were made, and a hard and at times exciting game finished greatly in favour of Morrinsville. Mr Pirrit was referee.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH.

PIAKO V. WAIHI. The match, played at Te Aroha on Saturday, created considerable interest, and the attendance, which included a number of Waihi and Paeroa visitors, was larger than usual,- despite the winter weather ruling. Piako kicked off and Snodgrass, not taking the ball cleanly, enabled their forwards to get well down. Piako forced the pace and soon got into the Waihi 25, where Arkle improved the position by a smart run, the ball going out at the corner flag. Dillamore put in an effective line-kick, which brought Waihi into Piako territory, but the latter's forwards got to work, and following up quickly, Rackham got away with the ball, and .was only stopped when a few yards from the Waihi line. Waihi retaliated and Hume registered a pretty run up to half-way, where lie passed to Snodgrass, ’who was quickly brought down by Lipsey. A brilliant movement by Waihi took the play up to Piako 25, where a penalty kick gave Waihi a shot at goal, the ball going a little wide. Mulgrew headed a fine forward rush to half-way, where O'Donoghuc put, in a determined dash down, Riddell improving matters with a further advance. Johns, with the ball at his feet, got well up held, where Clarkln broke through and again evened up matters. Saunders relieved tile pressure .with a well judged line kick and soon after Rackhaln dashed out, and kicked out. A Waihi dash was stopped by Rangi, and from a loose scramble Walters scored with a straight run through. —Waihi 3, Piako 0. The Score Evened. Nice runs by Rackham and Lipsey followcd. and Clarkin headed a forward rush to Waihi's 25, where Lipsey kicked over and O'Donoghuc dashed over the line and scored. — Waihi 3, Piako 3.

Rackham soon invaded Waihi ground and the Piako forwards kept up the pressure. Waihi attacked strongly and from a long kick Flynn returned with a good line effort. Three-quarter line passing by Waihi was stopped by Rackham, and Walters broke through and gained good ground. McLaren relieved with a line kick and Nicholson and Clark improved matters. Johns made a gallant effort to score, and narrowly missed his objective. ‘McLaren headed a forward movement and Mulgrew, picking up, sent the ball to Rackham, and Waihi territory was quickly invaded. Forward struggles followed with Riddell, Keasey and Clarkin putting in especially good work. . A hard struggle ensued, and ever on the alert for chances, Mulgrew snapped up the oval and dashed over the line. Rackham look the kick and converted. — Piako 3, Waihi 3. Waihi rallied determinedly and soon got right up the ground. P. McLaren stopped a- big rush and Mulgrew broke away to the half-way flag, where he was stopped by Ilearne. Arkle made a lelling run, passed to Lipsey, who kicked out. Forward rallies were the order to the end of the spell. The concluding quarter opened with Waihi making desperate - efforts to even up the score, and Piako soon had to accept a force. Flynn made an effective line kick, and good back plov by Lipsey, Rangi and Arkle took the' play to mid-field. Forward struggles ensued. From a scrum Nicholson sent the ball to Lipsey, and by clever play Nicholson again got the leather and dashed for the line, unfortunately touching down at the corner. With darkness setting in Waihi made a strong forward movement. down and just before the call of time Johns was successful in crossing the line. —Piako S, Waihi (’>. Mr T. Jones controlled the game. JUNIORS.

WAIIII v. I’IAKO. piako junior representatives travelled to Waihi last Saturday and were beaten by a team superior in all departments. From their kick-off Wailii gave evidence of their keen style in hard following up, and a score was averted in the first few minutes by the oval bouncing out in the corner. A knock on relieved Piako, who from the scrum carried play back to hall-way. Play swung up and down mid-field, both packs mixing it well and making the going hard. .Jackson, with a good kick saved a nasty Wailii rush from a probable try. Wailii again shot to the attack and Hawthorne, snapping up, set ins backs in motion, but the drive was lost by the leather going out on the wing. In Piako’s 25 Henry had a free kick at the goal, but failed to find Hie bar. Hard work followed, Wailii being the aggressors, the Yellow backs throwing the ball about in great style. A final drive saw Henry pass to Campbell, who crossed. Henry failed to conxcrt. Wailii 3, Piako 0. Whitten later secured and battled through, only Jo be brouglit down by Fallon. Tight mid-field play followed, from which from a free kick award, Burgess placed Piako in a sound position. Fallon marked from Whitten’s kick, but failed to gain much advantage. The change over saw Johns lead the Yellow pack well into Piako’s half and as a result that player was momentarily out of action, but resumed in few minutes. V\ <iihi continued to press and hard collaring was the order of Piako’s play. A desperate bid by Hawthorne was frustrated by Beaver but later Henry crossed cleverly. The same man failed to convert. —Waihi 0, Piako 0. Kallving, Piako swept upheld and penned Waihi in their own 25. Grant battled through but failed to register his kick. Burgess later kicked nicely to touch. Waihi secured and their pack took play back to Piako s last, quarter and from the tight Warnc snapped up and crossed, ballon converted. —Waihi 11, Piako 0. Half-time came soon after. Resuming, an early free kick placed Waihi in a good position from where they again charged to Piako’s line. Burgess, however, relieved from a free kick, and a few minutes later saw McGirr break away, ball to toe, and he -was unlucky in not scoring. A force down resulted. Worrall marked a later ball, but from his kick Waihi swept again into Piako’s hall, but were arrested for off-side play. Repeated drives, however, saw Steele

cross after some desperate forward work. The kick was disallowed. - Waihi 14, Piako U.

Slone replaced Morrison for Piako, who retired on accounL of ids injured leg. Piako appeared to be weakening visibly and Grant’s free kick was not taken advantage of. Wailii dictated the game and their splendid forward combination crashed through the Blue and While defence time and again. From hard ruck work Rolands clashed across and Fallon failed to convert. —Waihi 17, Piako 0. A later drive saw .Johns secure the leather and battle over the line. Campbell failed to convert. —Waih. 2U, Piako 0. Always pressing, tight work m Piako’s quarter saw Waihi secure from a five yards scrum, but Stone relieved by kicking to touch. Back m mid-field the quarter closed on a clean breakaway by Gibbs, who m running down the line was pushed out. In the final spell Wailii launched deadly attacks against Piako’s bard worked combination and a series of scrums in the latter’s quarter resulted. A Piako free kick set the Yellow backs in motion but Piako accepted a force. Desperate work ensued and from a bard defence the Blue and Whites broke through and a free kick by Whitten relieved. From their good position, Gibbs passed to .Mackie, to see Worrall, who crossed amidst the cheers of the onlookers. Burgess's kick failed. W aim 20, Piako 3. . In a later penalty award to f iako Whitten had an unsuccessful shot at Hie bar. Waihi’s shock tactics were now relaxed to a certain extent but Hawthorne put in a clever dodging run, but was unsupported. Ham work hv Hie Piako men closed the game with Whitten prominent m good lino kicking. Final scores were— Waihi 20, Piako 3.