CENTRAL H.B. RUGBY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 146, 8 July 1937, Page 15

CENTRAL H.B. RUGBY

"Referee,")

High Staiidard of Play Seen BRACKEN A SUCCESS

(By

Lasb Saturday 's senior resuHe in Central Hawko'e Bay were as follow: — Waipukurau (14) bcat Otane (9). Porangahau (19) beat Old Boya (nil). Takapau (9) beat Omakere (8). Te Aute (12) beat Tikokino (9). On heavy grounds, but in perfect Rugby weather, some gootl football was played last Saturday in this district. At Otane the local team suffered its third successive defeht4 but the game was a credit to both teams concerned. Otane 's new half-back, Brackcn, was a great . succoss. An experienced player, he represonted South Canterbury-Aehburton against the last British touring team. A. Sinith, the wing three-quarter, who scored Otane 's two tries against Waipukurau, is a rapidly improving player who for ' siieer determination would be . hard to beat. While the two forward paeke were evenly matched, the Waipukurau backs were slightly .more consistent than " their opponents. While Waipukurau haVe no o'utstanding individuals, all of their mon are well up to senior standard, and it i« this consistency which wins their games. Their play is commendably free from any suspicion of rough tactics. At Central Park, Porangahau proved fc'ar too good for Old Boys, but individuai honours for the game must go to one of the losing team, Colin Wilson. Local spectators expect a High standard of football from this forward, but against Porangahau he was even . better than usual. ' finished Exhibition. In recording their sixth successive win Porangahau gave a finished exhibition which was a n^arked contrast to some of their earlier displays. Their backs to a man are sound, fast and determined; on Saturday Ross, who scored two good tries, and Bassett were a shade ahead o'f the rest. At centre three-quarter Bassett, the sub-union full-back, was conspicuous for sound dei'ensive play, while his usual position at full-back was ably filled by one of the well-knotvn Kuru brothers. Out at Tikokino, the home team held Te Aute to a tiiree-poiut margin. Although tbe game was not brilliant, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all concerned. A few years ago. the type of football played at Tikokino waa sticli that visiting teams took out special insurance policies before playing in that district, but "Eeferee" "would like to record tho fact that for the past five seasons nO more sporting opponents than the Tikokino men could be iound in the whole district. A IWal f right. Heartened by their provious week's victory over Old Boys, Omakere gave Takapau a real friglit. In the second spell their forwards outplayed Takapau fbre and aft to maintain a big territoriftl adx^antage, but their lack of scoring backs, noted earlier in tlie. season, and Takapau 's tugged defence kept the Omakere total down. Just before time Takapau made a great effort which brought them withiri striking distance. dnd a potted goal then put them oue point ahead. • No more exciting finish has been seen here this season, and Omakere fieserve great credit for such a perfbrmance against formidable Opponents. •