RUGBY LEAGUE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22674, 30 July 1945, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE

FRANKTON ROVERS WIN FAST AND OPEN GAME In a fast and open game of Rugby League in which sparkling concerted movements among the backs kept the crowd continually on its toes, Frankton Rovers won narrowly from the all-Maori side, Taniwharau (Huntly South) on the C.A.C. recreation grounds. Peachgrove Road, during the week-end. The final scores. 14—13, provided a fair indication of the run of play, although Frankton would have been unlucky not to have carried the day. The team showed greater cohesion among the backs and several of its tries were the result of brilliant backing up. Frankton had the better of the opening half, but Taniwharau’s determined attack early in the second spell was soon rewarded, and half-way through the bustling tactics of a dogged pack of forwards carried them to a 13—11 ascendancy with some 15 minutes before time. Frankton Rovers, however, took the initiative again to hold it to the finish in what was one of the best games seen on the recreation grounds this season. Goosman played an outstanding game for Frankton, and his side’s opening points came when he gathered up from loose play to outstrip the defence and go over in the comer. The kick failed. Frankton was nearly over again when Briggs, Thomas and Hyde handled in a pretty movement, but the last named was held right on the line. The home backs were handling well ard Frankton went further ahead when Goosman sent out to Thomas, who raced over in the corner, another difficult kick failing to find the uprights. Maoris’ First Points Williams, a determined, rangy forward, formed the spearhead of an attack by Taniwharau and his side’s first points came when he crashed ihrough the defence. The kick, from a difficult angle, v/as unsuccessful. Collins put Frankton further ahead when he picked up from the rough to penetrate the Taniwharau defence, Dempsey adding the extra points with a fine kick, to give Frankton an 11—3 lead. Taniwharau held the territorial advantage in the second spell and Tarawhiti capped off a determined thrust to cross in a handy position for Taoho to add the extra points. Maintaining the pressure, Minhinnick was the next to cross the Frankton line, and when Taoho’s kick again proved successful, Taniwharau went to a 13—11 lead. Their triumph was short lived, however, for Goosman soon succeeded in drawing the defence brilliantly to transfer to Thomas, who raced unopposed for the corner. Taniwharau attacked strongly in the closing stages but the final whistle blew with the scores. Frankton Rovers 14, Taniwharau 13. In the closing stages of the match Frankton xvere playing two men short Bogun and Briggs having retired through injuries. Mr F. Napper was the referee. Ngaruawahia 11, Frankton 5 In a keenly-contested and fast-moving: game, played on Paterson's Park, Ng-arua-wahia, at the week-end, Frankton was singularly unlucky to concede a deTeat by six points to Ngaruawahia Rovers. The issue was in doubt right to the last five minutes, when Ngaruawahia intercepted a pass in their own twenty-fiv.e and broke away to score an unconverted try. Led by Wilson, the Frankton pack gained much territorial advantage, more especially in the latter stages or the game. Pardington, Fitzpatrick and Wilson were prominent in the forwards, tackling solidly and giving splendid support to their backs. The rest of the paek, with the exception of Cameron, appeared toilers. perry (second five-eighth) and Reed (centre) were the best backs on the field, displaying complete cohesion in their passing bouts, and constructive teamwork on attack. Hickton, always prominent on the field, gave an excellent performance of sound play at hair, gathering the ball well from the scrums and whipping it out to his backs. He also contributed some valuable play on the blind side or the scrum. Hickton also punted well for Frankton and followed Ills kicks through fast, invariably catching pis man. To Kanawa showed up at times on the right - wing but was starved of opportunities. Had he been afforded the chance, there was every indication that the score might have been reversed. Johnston impressed at full-back, handling well and kicking with admirable length and direction. Next week Frankton will meet another Ngaruawahia junior team at Hinemoa Park. In the fourth grade competition Ngaruawahia 13 defeated Frankton 0. REPRESENTATIVE GAME The South Auckland Rugby League selectors. Messrs. Menzies. Raynor and Deverlll, have chosen the following to play against West Coast on August 12, at Davies rark, Huntly:— Backs.—R. Stevens (Huntly), Drybrough (United), Goosman (Hamilton). Reasley (Hamilton), Pawson (Huntly South). Taylor (Ngaruawahia), Boyd (Huntly), Allen (Huntly South), Gregory (Hamilton). (Two to be omitted.) Forwards. —Hamilton (Huntly), Rogers (Huntly), Dow (United). Williams (Taniwharau), Dowling (Ngaruawahia), Hilton (Huntly South), Moves (Huntly), Healey (Huntly south). (Two to be omitted.)