CENTRAL H.B. RUGBY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 126, 14 June 1937, Page 3

CENTRAL H.B. RUGBY

Our Own Correspondent.

TAKAPAU BEAT WAIPUKURAU BY FOUR POINTS

From

WAIPUKU RA U , This Day. The senior division of the Centra) Hawke's Bay Rugby Sub-Uniou's competition has now reached an interesting| stage, At the completion of Saturday's play, Takapau and Otane r»tained their top positions cn the championship ladder, having gained 14 points each. Waipukurau, which before play on Saturday, also shared top honours with tkese two teams, now occupies second position, with 12 points. In a fast and fairly open game, Takapau defeated Waipukurau at Takapau on Saturday by, four points to nil. The fixture was one of the most eageriyawaited in the Central Hawke's Bav senior Rugby competition. Interest was rife because, with Otane the two teams were leading in the 'competition with 12 points each. The forwards of both sides were keen and hard-working, but neither eet of backs had finish. the handiing being weak. On the day's play, Takapau deserved their win. The teams were: — Waipukurau. — McKay, T. Ferguson, Higgpis, Gibson, Lane, Rupuhu, Cbapman, JBenson. Paterson Spotswood, Little, Walker, .T. Ferguson, Johnson. Takapau : Halliday, Grierson, Cowan, R. Thompson, A. Aldrich, R. Aldrich, Heperi, Maaka, Reid, Bell, Marshall, Johnson. Harrison, L. Thompson, C. Thomsen. Takapau found the sun distinctly trying in the first spell, a fact which Waipukurau noted and. more than once changed defence into attack by high punts which the opposition backs found hard to mark. Hangi Rupuhu was consistently successful with his line -kicking, and was a tower of strength to the Waipukurau side. A scrum infringement following a for ward attack gjave Takapau the op. portunity of registering the first points, but Halliday failed' with a penalty laek, which was directly into the

setting sun'. However, R. Aldrich was not found wanting when he took the ball in front of the posts shortly afterwards and kicked a field goal, giving Takapau a four-point lead 20 minutes after the commencement. Takapau' s back-line had a more penetrating elfect than Waipukurau' s, but the defence of the visiting team was particularly sound. Waipukurau's main weakness in the first half was a disinclination on the part of the pack to keep the .ball at their feet when on tho attack — always an effective method when on an excursion into the oppositipn territory. Except toi cne oi two occasions, Waipukurau were kqpt continualJy on the deience during the first spell, Takapau failing twice to increase the score by penalty kicks. The home side also lost many opportunitiea' through failing to pass out. There was too much aimless punting where handiing inigbt have brought results. ■ Waipukurau had their first real taste of attack when the second spell begun. Working hard, their forwards kept up the pressure for 15 minutes, but poor rearguard play resulted in promising movements having no finish. ihe forward play was fast and hard, and on two occasions the referee had co issae warnings against unorthodox tactics in the tight. Takapau raised the seige by means of loose forward play and for 10 minutes the spectators were treated to some gruelling vanguard work in which the teams were faxrJy fvenly matched. Waipukurau's custodian was caught in possession once and neariy let Takapau over, but the defence held and play was sent back to neutral territory, from where Waipukurau's pack came down field with the ball at their feet and stormed the goai-iine. But the opposition forwards, following a free kick, soon had the iuvaders away at a safc distance. l'ime sounded without any points in the second spell, and the final score was : — Takapau 4 Waipukurau 0 Mr J, .Jackson refereed.