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Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 26 May 1947, Page 5

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WIN BY THE REST NGATAPA DEFEATED SEVEN POINTS TO SIX Playing under conditions, in which neither side could display any real talent but which, for all that produced some bright flashes of Rugby, The Rest, Gisborne defeated a team representing the Ngatapa sub-union at the Oval on Saturday. The final score was: The Rest, seven points (a try and a field goal); Ngatapa sub-union, six (a try and a penalty goal). The Rest, who wore the Poverty Bay representative red jersey, were a second Gisborne rep. team, another side being engaged at Te Karaka against the Waikohu sub-union. The Ngatapa team wore blue and white jerseys. Although .there were some heavy showers during the afternoon, there was a fairly large attendance of spectators. and both teams were given a fair share of applause at the conclusion of any spectacular move. The Oval No. 1 ground on which the match was played was wet and slippery after the past week’s rain, while there were two large patches of mud, which further handicapped fast play. The first half of the game was played in fine weather, but during the second half rain fell almost continuously. Ball Greasy and Heavy

The ball soon became greasy and heavy, and handling became difficult. To stop dribbling rushes the forwards of botn teams were forced to go down of the ball a number of times, while no one was sure of handling. The one player who did seem to handle the ball wit' confidence throughout the match was the red-jersey full-back, B. Preston. He gathered in the ball easily several times, and was able to find the line to his own team’s advantage. He was, also handy in some of the rucks, forcing his way through for some yards before being pulled down. Another player who worked well for The Rest was J. Martin, who, on the left wing, was always handy, and made one or two good efforts, which almost resulted in scores. The play stayed over his side for the greater part ol' the first half, but in tne second spell he did not have as much to do. On the field the Ngatapa team aDoeared the heavier, but Tne Rest were slishtlv taster. The forwards of the visiting team did more of the work than their back line, which seldom had the opportunity of handling the ball for any great length of time. The Rest’s backs did more work than those on the opposing side, but owing to the greasv bail, neither lines were able to display anything very spectacular in the way of passing. Forwards Work Well In the forwards playing for the Gisborne side. W. Carrington and B. Birreli both did well, and were always well into the scrums, from the majority of which the ball went to The Rest. F. T. Read was aiways handy in getting it away to the backs, and had it been a fine day, there would doubtless have- been some spectacular back movements.

The forwards, who included C. McGrsnnachan, P Pettit and R. Workman, put. in some good Rugby for Ngatapa, who territorially had the better part of the game. Both sides put up some solid defence, close to their goal lines, and in this the superior weight of the blue-and-white jerseyed side helped considerably in keeping the score down. The kicking of penalties and conversions was made difficult with the state of the ground and the ball and only one place kick went between the bars during the atternoon. Read scored a nice field goal from a fairly difficult angle. Run of the Play From the kick-off Ngatapa were consistently finding the line but could not seem to get very far past hallway A lone kick was taken- by J. Martin on The Rest's left wing and for a moment it appeared as if he would score. The Ngatapa backs pulled him up well short of the line, however, and me plav again went down to The Rest’s end * The home backs from that point seemed to get into the swing oi the game, but the ball was wet and greasv ;md difficult to hold. The red-jerseyed men pressed Ngatapa hard for a few minutes and came very close to the line before they were awarded a penally. The kick from the 25yd. line was taken by the full-back. Preston, who failed to put the ball between the posts. Ngatapa took the play back to the centre oi the field. A penalty kick by N. Kere Kere, the Ngatapa full-back, from halfway between the 25yd. iine and mid-field failed and The Rest took play into the Ngatapa area. Two penalty kicks came to Ngatapa

in short order, the second resulting in the opening of the scoring. Taken by. P. Pettit, the kick was from nearer the halfway mark than 25yd. line and never looked in doubt. From the kick-off The Rest pressed liard. but although they crossed the line twice they were penalised and just before half-time Ngatapa missed with a penalty kick. The score, was still three-nil in favour of Ngatapa. Half-Back Kicks Goal Play had not settled down properly in the second half before a short kick from a ruck came ~out to The Rest’s half back, F. T. Read, who potted it, to give the home team a single-point lead. Following that The Rest pressed hard and it appeared only a matter of time before they must score. Ngatapa defended strongly, but after the red-jerseyed forwards pressed hard B. Birrell was able to go over the line near the corner. Preston’s kick failed

Ngatapa left little doubt of their intention to equalise the score and their backs worked well until W. Sherratt was eventually able to go over for a try. Pettit’s kick also failed, but The Rest’s advantage was again reduced to a single point. Play stayed fairly close to the halfway line for the last 15 minutes of play with the visitors if anything slightly on the defensive. A number of movements were started by The Rest's backs, but were fairly easily stemmed by the blue and white defence, the game closing with no further score.

The teams were: — The Rest, Gisborne.—-B. Preston, G. Harris. B. Sexton, J. Martin, A. Archibald. R- Whitham, E. T. Read, D. Menzies. B. Birrell, J. Milne, W. Varley, W. Carrington, P. Griffin, G. Yates and Shaskey, Ngatapa Sub-Union. —N. Kere Kere, J. McMillan. W. Sherratt, P. Sadlier, A. Booth, N. Hawea, J. Wilson, P. Pettit, R- Baty, L. Atkins, C. McGrannachan. I. Mulooly, B. Asher, Burratt. R. Workman. Mr. F, Donnelly was the referee.