RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2909, 14 July 1925, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FOXTON'S SUCCESS IN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

The only .game played at Foxton on Saturday was the junior game, Tokomaru v. Foxton. All other games were postponed owing to the flood water over the roads. The Tokomaru teams deserve credit in coming here for it had to journey here via Palmerston North. It was anticipated this would he a hard and interesting game for Tokomaru was leading in the competitions, with Foxton and Miranui one point each behind. As Miranui went under to Moutoa, Foxton is left winners of the Northern championship. .. When the teams stripped off it was easily seen that Tokomaru (red) had much the advantage of weight. Foxton (yellow) kicked off, and made matters merry from the start; within five minutes off-side play by a red forward gave Hirini a chance to goal which, he accepted: Foxton 3, Tokomaru nil. After the kick-off clever play by Ross saw the yellows again knocking at the door, but Rowlands (red's full-back was equal to the occasion) found the line; from the lineout the red forwards started a dribbling rush Simpson, Liggins and Williams being in the van; but McDonald at full was safe. Reds kept up the attack, and for an infringement waf awarded a free kick, but White’s kick lacked length and direction. From a serum Simpson getting off-side, the yellows found relief, and fast following-up by Currie, Huff, and Robinson took play to their opponents’ corner. A series of line-outs in which reds gained ground, saw play back in yellow’s twenty-five. Ross stopped progress but Rowlands marked and essayed a drop-kick at goal, but falling short McDonald returned to touch at half-way. From the lineout yellows’ forwards got away with a dribbling rush and Robinson got over: but as he was tackled when in the act of falling on the ball, the referee very properly ordered a scrum five yards out. - Yellows secured the ball and Christie passed on to K, Hirini, but a bad pass to his brother (who was un.marked and only a few yards to go) spoilt the opportunity. From the line-out, C. Rowlands sent his forwards away;but H. Huff stopped the rush, and centreing well, the yellojvs were again dangerous, but a hand ball by Christie saw the red forwards push back the attack. White got possession and put iii a good run and looked like scoring, but .J. Hirini brought him low, and getting possession, of the ball made a great run, but having no support was pushed out. Red forwards brought play back again, and offside play by a yellow. Rowlands had a shot at goal without result, Hirini finding touch at half-way. From line-out Ross got in some good work, and reds were called on to defend. Yellows were awarded a free kick but Hirini failed. From a line-out close to goal Robinson made no mistake this time and scored. Hirini’s attempt failed: Foxton. 0, Tokomaru nil. The reds now made a determined effort to score and Rowlands got away hut J. Hirini secured, and made another solo effort nearly the full length of the field, but bad hardly pace enough and White and Rowlands stopped his career. A good passing rush initiated by Christie and Hirini to Perreau with Huff in attendance was spoilt by Perreau hanging on to the ball. Dalziell, Huirni and Liggins took play right up to Foxton’s goal, but White missed a difficult pass right on the line, and McDonald found touch, the whistle going for halftime.

The second half was even more strenuous than the first. Tokomaru, relying on the weight of their forwards, kept the play close, and, for the most part, it was a series of scrums and line-outs, occasionally relieved by passing bouts by the yellow backs whenever they had the opportunity. Although the reds seemed again and again on the act of scoring, the Foxton backs were never'wanting. Towards the end of the spell the reds -seemed to tire, and yellow had hard luck several times in not scoring, and the game ended with. Foxton attacking.

The following is a list of leading Rugby fixtures of interest to Manawatu: —

July 22: Manawatu v. Southern Hawke’s Bay at Woodville. July 25: North v. South Island at Invercargill.

July 129—P.N.8.H.5. v. Napier H.S. at Napier.

August 12 —-Manawatu-V. Southland at Palmerston North.

August 15 —Manawatu v. Horowhenua at Palmerston North. August 22 Wellington-Horo-whenua-Manawatu v. New South Wales at Palmerston North.

August 26 —Manawatu v. Taranaki at Palmerston North.

August 29 —Manawatu v. Wanganiu at Palmerston North. September 22 —Manawatu-Horo-whenua v. Hawke’s Bay at Levin.

September 26 —Manawatu-Horo-whenua v. Wellington at Wellington.