FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 46, 20 June 1938, Page 3

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S MATCHES . ■ GOOD P.AV.D. PERFORMANCE Warm weather favoured the continuation ot the Opotiki xtughy union's competitions on oaturuay and tlie grounus, . although still Heavy were quite tree of water. With a dry ball the ■■games were much raster and brighter, the surprise ut the day was tat come-back: or xne X'.vV.D. team in tlie second hall of the match against City seniors. P.AV.D. had difficulty in xiefding a team owing to sickness and had to call on junior players. In the hist- halt City had decidedly tlie better ol play and even tlie- most optimistic of the P.W.D. supporters thought tne final result was a roregone conclusion. However in tlie second half the Blues, who had shown an entire absence of combination in tlie backs in the first- half, commenced to- handle iu quite good style and the back became dangerous oil numerous occasions. Many of tbe P.AV.D. passing rushes broke uown at Collins, -other* wise they should have added several points to their score. In the .first half City led S to nil at half-time. In the second half -City only managed to add three more points, while their opponents piled up tlie. quite good score of nineteen points, and came out eointortable wil.ners. Results; The results of the various matches on Saturday were : • Third Grade; City <l4, High School 13. Juniors: High School 12, AVaioeka 6. Te Huia and Torero'J ahSeniors; O.AL.P. 1-i v. To Huia S. P.AV.D. 10 v. City 11. P.W.D. v. City.

P.A .D. met City on the reserve and the former kicked oft with tlie sun m their favour. A rush by City was stopped in front of the posts and then a seraaihie on tlie line ended in P.AV . D. (Blues) forcing. City again swept to the Blues’ line and a line-out- was taken near tlie corner flag. An attacker got' offside and: the kick sent the leather to half-way. The Blues went to the City half, where Starkey crosskicked. The Blues then tried a dropkick hut missed. A City mail was illegally tackled and the resulting kickfound the fine in the Blues’ territory. The Blues had a free kick from well out and Apaiuii kicked high for the forwards to follow up. An infringement by the Blues saw City again in their opponents’ hall and then the attackers broke, away, the forwards taking the hall over tlie line for Ashdown to touch down. The same player was successful in his attempt at goal. Oitv -3. P.W.I). (j..

The Blues rallied at this stage Imt overeageriiess and poor hanuoiig fb.sl several good chances to score. Play was in' City’s half lor some time until the Blues were penalised for picking out of tiie scrum. Ashdown found the line past halfway. City made a good rush and Apauui it nocked on in trying to clear. Tne .Blues soon worked hack to tiie City, bait hut a tree kick against them saw Ashdown find the 1 hue at the 2 5. The Blues wore compelled to force soon afterwards and Jiall-time was called with play near the centre of the field.

On resuming City had to force almost immediately. The Blues again weiit to tiie City line but were penalised. The clearing kick went out- at-hall-way. The Blues were getting a feast of the hall at this stage and put in some good l runs. City again had to force when the Blues kicked over the line.. The Blues’ backs were not to be denied and Apai'uii cut right through the opposition to score at the posts. JAn easy kick went low. Oitv 9. P.AY.D. 3.

The P.AY.D. team scored again immediately after, Patterson touching down in a race for the hall. .1 he attempt to goal was again too low.

City 8, P.AY.D. 6. The Blues, were soon on the City line but they picked out ol the scrum and gave a brief respite to the defenders. The Blues again attacked and the ball went along the line to AA’elsh, the winger scoring in a. handy position. The kick was successful and the Blues were now in the lead. P.AV.I). 11, City 8. Good passing amongst the Blue hacks saw Apauui score his second try. Al.'ihaere converted. P.AY.D. 16, City 8. McDonald cut through nicely for

City and Asliclown narrowly missed converting the try. JMV.D. 16, City 11. A penalty kick was taken by Ashdown soon afterwards and although from well out, the ball just went wlxl'e of the upright. Soon afterwards Collins cut through to add to the 1\ W.D. total. The kick, which went over, was disallowed.