RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 64, 1 August 1938, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

DE LUXE CUP COMPETITION FIRST ROUND WIN TO TE HUIA On account of a. number of P.AY.D. club’s senior players being unable to get away owing to being required for road clearing, the P.W.D. team did not take the field against City in the first round of the Oe Luxe Cup knockcut competition. The other game between Te Jiuia and O.M.P. was played on the showgrounds. The reserve at present is in a shocking condition anti it is hardly fair to ask players to turn out on this ground. Jt was found that the showgrounds was in surprisingly good order, there, being only one small mud patch on the whole field. The conditions however were very slippery and players found it difficult to keep* their feet. The game was played throughout at a fast rate and the hacks made every attempt to handle the ball. In the first spell Te Huia. had the better of play but in the second spell O.M.P. completely dominated play. Although the Te Huia side had one or two unlucky runs the 0.A1.P. side time and again nearly scored but attacks broke down, and they were most unfortunate to finish up losers. AA'ith the Te Huia right wing practically useless for the whole of the second spell with an injured arm, the losers failed to take advantage* of this weakness and conveentrated nearly all their attacks on the opposite side of the field. AleLaughlin was, the outstanding forward on the field and he was unlucky not to get'more than one try , after persistent efforts to break through. The kicking at goal was very poor only one shot going over. To Huia defended the eastern goal and soon after the kick-off they were awarded a free kick for an offence by the Whites in the scrum. Good work by Te Huia (Reels) nearly saw the line crossed. The Beds were then penalised and J- Walker kicked well to the line. The Reds then broke away but the hall went- out in the corner.

A kick to the AYhitcs saw the ball go well down the field. Play then hung in the Red half for some time and a player got offside on the Red 25 line. A free kick to the Reds saw the ball go to AA’hitc territory. >Y bad clearing kick by the right wing saw a race for the hall on the line, but the AYhitcs succeeded in forcing. J. Walker showed up prominently in a rush but the ball went out. A free kick to the Red:, saw a lot of ground gained and then the Whites set up a hot attack which was stopped on the Beds 25 line. The hall was kicked to the goal-line and was then cleared to the 25 line. The Beds set upi a lightning attack in which K. and Al. Delamero were prominent and To Huia opened their score with a well-de-served try. Jack Pirihi converted. Tq Huia 5. 0.A1.P. 0.

J. Walker had a shot at goal for 0.31. P. from well out and a very good kick narrowly missed. Another Red offence gave Walker another chance to goal but the hall went wide. A scuffle ensued on the line but an infringement. gave the Reds relief. The Whites kept up a long attack but failed to gain the advantage. The Whites had another shot at goal for offside play but tlio ball went low from a handy position. Play then remained quiet for\a time but just before half-time the Reds set up an exciting attack but failed to score.

Soon after resuming the White backs handled well but could not get over the line. The Whites kept up the attack but were twice penalised. The ball was then kicked' over the line mid a force resulted. Play hovered around in Red territory and J- ,Walker tried a drop at goal but missed. 'The W'liitcs were dominating the play hut were repeatedly caught offending. Soon afterwards tiie Whites were compelled to force. The ball then went out on they line and then the Reds 'had a free kick. Interesting play ensued with honours even. The Reds were, penalised' when close to their opponents’ line. The Reds later had to force but returned to attack and reached their opponents’ line. The Reds were penalised and then they managed to secure possession and a forward passr lost a certain try. Play then hung in the Red 20, and the Whites secured possession but the attack broke down when the ball was dropped. The Whites kept up pressure and again lost a try through losing possession of the hall when on the line. Soon afterwards McLaughlin scored but the kick missed. The Reds were defending hotly near the end but there was no further score.