FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 43, 13 June 1938, Page 3

FOOTBALL

OPUTI.Ki COMPETITIONS PLAYED' ON WET GROUND ; • " , ■' A strong westerly wind and very wet and heavy grounds did net make for open play on Saturday. ’There was a good deal of water lying on tlie reserve and some of the players fell full length in the water and mud. The match on the reserve was between O.M.P. and P.AY.D. and was mainly fought between the forwards. The 0..M.P. forwards were too strong for their opponents and- in the second half had easily the better of the game and opened up the way for tries. The wet and heavy ball was too much for this goal-kickers and from about a dozen attempts at the bar, not one succeeded. A few of the shots were accurate but the heavy ball made the kicks fail short. Tackling on both sides was very poor, • 0.A1.P. (Whites) kicked off against the sun and wind and were soon penalised but tlie Blues’ attempt at goal was a poor one. Good passing by the AYliite backs took play to the line, where the attackers were penalised. The Whites again broke away but the ball was kicked over the line and a force resulted. The Whites were soon on the Blues’ line again and a forward pass lost what, appeared to be a certain try. A scrum was taken near the line and from this tlie Whites were given a free kick close to the goal. A short punt was taken however and little advantage resulted and the Blues cleared to halfway. ,A good linekick took the ball to .near tlie White's goal-line, where a force resulted. Play remained some time in the White's territory and then the Blues were given a chance at goal from a handy position, but Apaniii missed. Another shot at goal was taken b.v the Blues immediately after, but Hunia justmissed. A force down resulted when Wafeni kicked too hard and was unable to follow up. -V White player got offside and Apanui had a long shot at goal but the ball fell short. The Whites then invaded the Blues’ territory hut T. Walkin' got offside. The Blues were then penalised for hanging on too long near the 25 flag. T. AYalker had a shot at goal but missed badly. The Blues went to the AYliite 25-line, hut the latter broke away and the backs handled nicely hut finally lost possession just when it appeared tlieir efforts would be successful, the Blues forced soon after. The \\ bites opened their score soon afterwards with an unconverted try. 0.A1.P. 3. P.AY.D. 0.

This was the only score in the first half.

On resuming the Whites took lull advantage of the wind while PublicWorks time and again failed to find the line but kicked straight into the hands .of the hacks. Nevertheless the Blues played very well lor the first few minutes but then the AA bites secured the upper hand. From well out J. AValker tried a shot at goal but the Blues forced. A free kick to the Blues in their own 25 found the line near halfway. J. Walker cleared well when the Blues kicked well down the held. Exciting forward play took place and then the Blues were awarded a free kick. Good play, was seen in the PAY. T). half, and then Opotiki scored their second try. J. AValker iailed to convert.

0.A1.P. (j, P.AV.I). 0. Soon alter the kick-off, 0.A1.P. scored another unconverted try. 0.A1.P. 9, P.AV.I). 0.

An attempt to drop a* goal was made by T. AValker, but the shot missed. The Whites were penalised for kicking out of the scrum. Another attempt was made by,an O.ABP. man. to dropkick a goal but this was again uirsuccessful.' The Blues hung on to the ball too long and then they were compelled to lorce. I lie AAhite hacks then handled very well for U Walter to score near tin* side line. Although unsuccessful the attempt to convert was a good one.

O.Ar.P. 12, P.AV.I). 0. The Blues livened up at this stage and were on the AYhite line but a penalty against them gave relief to the Whites. The Blues continued to play up well and a shot at goal just fell short. The game ended soon afterwards in a quickly failing light without further score. OTHER GAMES The senior game on the show grounds was between City and le Huia and resulted in a narrow win for the latter by 13 points to 11, afe-

or a fairly even, game. The junior games resulted: O.M.P. 6, AYaioeka 3, High School 24 easily boat Te Huia 3. NORTH ISLAND SELECTION BAY AND COAST NEGLECTED AVriting in the P.B. Herald. “Sideline,” states: 4 “Year in and year out forward’s from districts such as the East Coast, the Bay of Plenty, and North Auckland never gain selection in the North Island, team, and .1. sometimes wonder if it is possible tor these districts over a long period of years not to produce at least oi>e or two torwards worthy ol a place.” wrote one of the 1937 Rugby selectors. Air Alark Nicholls, recently.’

AATiile possibly it can he said that it should have been thought of hist year when. Air Nicholls had a hand in the selection, it is pleasing to learn that lie is now taking an interest in the districts “out beyond” the city districts.

Visitors to -Gisborne have remarked, especially this season, on the line stamp of forward playing in the Poverty Bay competition. Borne of the players who have left the district liavo made good directly they have put on their jerseys, in city competitions, while others have taken a little longer to acquire the necessary polish. In the past few years Poverty Bay had little claim to complain about the selection of tlu- North Island ; sides, but with the form that is now being worked up it will not be long before a visit from a selector would not be wasted*.