FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 52, 4 July 1938, Page 2

FOOTBALL

PARATA CUP SEMI-FINAL i . -~ ~ WON BY OPOTIKI' ■VISITORS’ GOOD PERFORMANCE Despite a very wet and heavy ground the standard of football on Saturday last was very good. The visitors, were unfortunate in not being able to field their full representative team owing to the flooded state of the Raukokore river, and had to put" in substitutes. Despite this handicap the Apanui team gave a very polished display, the handling of their backs being very sure and clean in spite of the slippery ball. On the day’s play they can consider themselves very unlucky in not coining out on top. The display of their full-back was one of the best ever given on the ground. In the tight the visiting forwards were too heavy for the local pack but the latter had the advantage in the loose play, ably led by Poiliipi, who played an outstanding game. Probably owing to his recent injury Ashdown, who has been playing at the top of his form this season, did not show up too well, but nevertheless was one of the pick. In contrast to the opposing forwards, some of the home pack failed badly in backing up and either stood still or strolled casually back when their backs were, in difficulties. Some of the forwards should take the advise of Hodgson, the brilliant Queensland forward, who considers a forward shouldn’t be hi a team unless he trotted, even if it were a slow pace. Tackling generally was good, although a few of the players still only attempt to seize the jersey of their opponent’s and let them get rid of the ball. Hex Jones played a fine game for Opotiki as half. Rough play was rather too prominent during the game and two players were put off for exchanging blows. The visitors were also unfortunate in losing another of their players, who had to retire owing to an injured shoulder. The Game. Opotiki played against the sun in the first half and mainly as a result of the efforts of Jones, J. Mihaere scored a good try. The kick failed. Tight play followed and for offside play the visitors were penalised but. the Opotiki kick was returned- A rush by the home side took the ball to the visitors’ 25 but Apanui retaliated and Opotiki were forced back to their own line. From a scrum near the line Jones secured and kicked to the Apanui full-back who ran infield and then made a very good attempt to drop a goal, the ball narrowly missing the upright. The Opotiki forwards and backs then showed up prominentlybut an offence in the scrum gave the visitors a free kick. An Opotiki back cleared well downfield. A very hard kick went over the Opotiki line and was forced. The home side then forced their way to Apanui territory and a good run by the backs took play to the corner. A penalty against Apanui was of little use to Opotiki. After the kick-off Opotiki returned to the visitors’ line. An infringement- gave a kick to Apanui and the full-back sent the leather to the line well upfield. The Opotiki backs then secured and handled cleanly but Starkey on tile wing ran in front and the ball was passed behind him and an open chance lost. The visitors then had the advantage and the home side stopped a dangerous rush. Opotiki then wo lived up to the Apanui 25. where T. Walker, who played a very consistent game, showed up prominently in the attack. The visitors’ full-hack however saved very nicely and cleaned to the line. Apanui then attacked and a penalty against Opotiki gained them further ground. The Apanui hacks handled well and got down to near the corner. From the line-out the Apanui backs handled cleanly for their winger, Kapohau, to touch down wcl 1 out just as lie was tackled. The kick from long range, fell short. Opotiki 3, Apanui 3. Play was becoming hard and the home side secured a free kick; for illegal holding.-, The home side wore penalised and then Mihaere gained a lot of ground with a good kick. Poiliipi was prominent in a forward rush hut the, hall was kicked over the line and Opotiki just missed a score. Exciting forward -play followed, and then the* referee had occasion to order players on ' both sides, off’ the field. The visitors got down on the Opotiki line but Rex Jones broke away and play went to near the halfway. A great tussle took place in

front of the Opotiki goal and Ashdown saved by finding the line well up the field. The Apanui backs ran to near the Opotiki line but a knock-on lost what looked like a certain try. The whistle then went for time with the scores even.

Two additional spells of utes were played—ten Teach way.

Play hung around midfield for a while and then Opotiki went to the Apanui 25 flag. The Opotiki forwards secured possession and Tairuu picked up and scored near the posts. Opotiki 6, Apanui 3. Offside play by Opotiki in their own 25 gave the visitors a chance to equalise but the' kick missed and Opotiki forced.

On the final change-over, Opotiki broke away and the ball was kicked .over the line hut an Opotiki player held an Apanui player and the referee gave a force. Play then hung in the Apanui half and from a position about midway between the halfway line and the vis- ' itors’ 25, Poiliipi cleverly dribbled the ball from a pool of water and set sail with the- ball at toe., A bounce put the leather into Poiliipi’s hands and he then ran away to score a great try between the posts. The effort was a wonderful piece of footwork with a web ball. The whistle went for time after an unsuccessful shot at goal. The game wax very capably refereed by Mr Huia Hawkins, who paid patieular attention to the serum work. THE CURTAIN-RAISER GOOD PLAY BY THIRD GRADE The curtain-raiser was played between the third grade representatives and High School juniors and was well worth seeing. With many first-year players, the third grade team put up a great performance to draw with the leaders of the junior competition. The third grade score consisted of two unconverted tries by Thompson and Fleming. Tawhara secured an unconverted trv for High School and Le Pine kicked a penalty. Mr A. Jephson had control of the game. OPOTIKI FOOTBALLERS ON TOUR During the South Island tour of the Bay of Plenty Rugby team, a r warm welcome was given to the two Opotiki representatives, Messrs Jones and Poiliipi, by Mr Sholto Black, formerly of Opotiki, and a master at ' the Timaru Boys’ High School. Mr Black drove the Opotiki men on a sight-seeing tour of Timaru. He also acted as line-umpire for the match played at. Timaru. Opportunity is taken here to commend the Opotiki players on their excellent. showing during the tour. It is understood that Poiliipi played in every match and, rated as one of the most- outstanding forwards of . the team, he gained great popularity with the spectators. In all games he was at. the top of his usual brilliant form. Rex Jones, the popular Opotiki player, had liis first match against Southland. He played a brilliant game and must surely have gained a permanent position in the team, had it not been for an unfortunate accident, when he sustained a broken finger.