RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 62, 27 July 1938, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OPOTIKI Vi TE PUKE VISITING TEAM LOSES ' * ■’ ■ ’ - - ' ‘ Tile visit by the Opotiki representative team om Saturday was the first made lor many seasons to Te Puke, states the Times. On this occasion the team which took the field was considerably weakened by the absence of five of the originally selected men who were not able to make the trip. The fixture was poorly attended, and possibly the Austraiiaii-N.Z". test was a, detrimental factor in this respect. Te Puke defended the town end of the field first. The Opotiki forwards packed nicely in set scrums, and led by Ashdown (capt-.), Walker, and McLaughlin, were stemmed by P. Mann who played solidly throughout. At fy.ll back, K. McKenzie had plenty of work, fielding surely but lacking power with his line,kicks.

The Te Puke forwards, among whom Clark was making a worthy debut, gave the backs a least of the ball. P. Mann and Ahomiro combined efficiently, but neither K. Kelly nor 13. Smith made much headway. J. Graham and T. Wilson, both firstclass scoring agents were consequently starved when set movements took place. Both however, made play from the loose and Graliame in the first half brought the crowd to its toes with a couple of spectacular bursts.

On the lew occasions McDonald, Apanui, MSliacre and Shaifoon were in possession, they handled suappily and penetrated dangerously. An even first spell ended in favour of Te Puke by 13 points to nil, the points being gained Ahimiro, who scored from a nice opening by P. Mann. The local representatives gave a much better and brighter exhibition on resuming, and almost dominated the second spell.

Immediately on resuming, Steevens, lthubio and Clark returned the ball to Opotiki territory , and bustled Walker. Shaifoon and Delamere combined and brought play to grandstand side where scrappy football took place. A promising back movement in which Mann, Ahimiro, Kelly and Wilson figured, was pulled up when J. Graham failed to secure an inside pass. Apanui picked up and linekicked strongly. From the line-out tlio hall was thrown hack smartly McDonald missed altogether and in a Hash P. Webber was through, and when opposed near the posts handed to I*. Clark who completed the movement with a good try. Satherly goaled.

Shortly afterwards, P. Webber was again conspicuous with a fine break but was this time unsupported.

Opotiki we iv definitely unlucky when Apamii cut in smartly and Aliliaere broke clean. • away. Sorter and Delamere handled and had a clear and short run to S(;ore when the last named tripped and was quickly surrounded by tile Te Puke forwards. Opotiki maintained the pressure and were awarded a penalty on the side on the 2 o yards mark. Ashdown missed. A. Khubio who was in the thick oil' everything, cleared successfully for Te Puke. From the line-out, the hall came hack to P. jMann who fed his backs and Kelly broke right away, sped down the field and handed on to Wilson who looked certain to score but was tackled by "Walker. r J . Wilson was soon in the picture again and after picking up in the loose cut out a. man and sent on to Graham who ran around the opposition to score. The kick failed.

To Puke were definitely on top at this stage and K. Kelly with a powerful run almost scored on his ovn. being tackled on the goal line. T. Wilson short-kicked and caught Walker, the full-back in possession under the goal posts. A serum followed aud Opotiki received. Back at halt-way Ahimiio passed to Kelly, who short kicked towards the touch line and T. "Wilson racing through and securing, outpaced the defenders and scored a well deserved try. The kick missed.

Play continued at a fast pace and fluctuated up and flown the field. On tlie call of time. N. Shaifoon picked up in the Te Puke 25, veered infield, and flung n pass, to Delamere, who scored behind the posts. No further points were added and Te Puke were victorious, by 14 points to 3.