COUNTY GO DOWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 24 August 1939, Page 6

COUNTY GO DOWN

Hard-fought struggle

PRIMARY SCHOOLS RUGBY

‘N.Z. SELECTOR PRESENT

' Teams representing the Cook County and Gisborne schools gave a good display in the final game of the primary schools 1 Rugby tournament which concluded on the Gisborne Oval in brilliant weather this morning. The County team, up to this stage, enjoyed an unbroken run ol victories, but in this match the Kick was against them and Gisborne won a fine game by 15 'points to 14. The tournament was an outstanding success and the standard of footbail very high. Undoubtedly the best tbam in the series was the East Coast fifteen. This team lost their first game in the competition, but irnproved in subsequent appearances and) finished up by popular vote the best side seen in action. Their backplay was of a very high * standard, bpth on attack and defence. Cook County had the best pack of forwards, the players packing solidly and covering their backs' well. Vuksich played outstanding football in this pack. In the backs, Hall, Cook County, was 'outstanding, although Alderton played good football. Brilliant Coast Backs In the early game this morning the East Coast back line functioned like clockwork to overwhelm the Wai-kohu-Motu fifteen by 35 points to nil. The first two tries were scored by Karalca, both being unconverted, and the A third came when Mahuika handled well to cross for another unconverted try. Drawing the opposing Wing in fihe style, Tohere sent Mahuika over for that player’s second try to make the score Coast 12, Wai-k'ohu-Motu nil. Just before half-time Goldsmith cut through the defence and sent Kanaka over to make the half-time tally Coast 15, WaikohuMotu nib On the resumption of play, the East Coast backs again took full command of the proceedings and Karaka went over for his fourth tby and shortly afterwards (Goldsmith made it 21 to nil when he scored following a good run. The next' two' tries went to Milner, the fjrst after a tricky run and the second after backs and forwards alike had handled in a fast passing - rush. Taukomu converted this try, and the last .try of the> garfie went to Goldsmith, who converted his own effort to make the final score Coast 35, Waikohu-Motu nil.

The match between Cook County and Gisborne was one of fast-chang-ing forwards arid provided a fitting finale to the tournament. Gisborne had too many loose forwards and ihe fast County players made the most of their opportunities, but just failed to score a victory they richly deserved. Tureia, a son of the former Maori All Black captain, put Gisborne on attack early in, .the game 1 when he kicked' a nice liner and shortly afterwards Denton, a home forward, scored an unconverted try. Gisborne soon added to their tally when Henderson was the last back to handle in a passing rush and score, the total then being Gisborne G, County nil.

After Robb, for the County, had saved well for his side, County took a turn on attack and hammered away at the 'home goal-line until they were rewarded with a try scored by Jones. Hall, the County’s leading' scoring (threat, was seen iin some fine runs down the left wing, but the defence held. Not to be denied, the County pack kept getting the ball back to their back line and they had their efforts crowned with success when Hall ran away from the opposition and scored standing up. The kick was good and the scores were County 8, Gisborne 6.

Just before half-time . ‘ the lead changed again when Alderton kicked a penalty for Gisborne.—Gisborne 9, County 8. The second half of the game was a dogged struggle throughout, with County haying a shade the better of things. Gisborne opened the scoring in this' spell when Hicks placed the side on attack with a nice liner and French went over for an unconverted try.—Gisborne 12, County 8. Changing Fortunes

Retaliating 1 with a quick rush from the drop-out, County almost sent Hall over, but the flying winger lost the ball over the line. Back came County, and Vuksich, who was doing good work in the pack, scored a try which placed the side in the running again.—Gisborne 12, County 11. , The aptly-named Nepia put County I in front 'with a fine runaway try, HalL making a great effort with the conversion, but missing. In the dying stages Gisborne pulled the game out of the fire when Hendgrson followed up fast along the right wing and, profiting from a fumble by a County back, went over for ’a try which won the match. Amongst the spectators was the New Zealand sole selector, Mr. E. McKenzie, who is visiting Gisborne for .the Pr.ince of Wales Cup match on Saturday. At half-time in both games Mr. McKenzie briefly addressed the boys and commended the virtue of playing the game cleanly and 1 fairly, both on and off the field.

After being entertained at a luncheon to-day the country players left for their' homes this afternoon.