RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 73, 22 August 1938, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

DE LUXE CUP FINAL

WON BY/ CITY

The final of the senior knock-out competition tor the De Luxe cup was played oil the showgrounds oh Saturday in very, changeable weather conditions. Tlie game opened in strong sunshine with a very strong wind blowing from the west. Later the wind died down and heavy clouds came over from the south and the last half was played in rain with tne wind freshing from the south and then changing to the east. The match showed promise of being very fast but when the ■ rain commenced the surface and the ball became very greasy and spoilt the play to some extent. . The City team dominated play in the first half hut in the second half and especially near the end of the game the Te Huia men were playing a great, attacking game and had City busily defending. The Play

Te Huia kicked off against a strong sun. City broke away and the bounce of the hall heat the 1 full hack and a serum took place near the line and Shaltocn scored in a handy position. His attempt to convert his own kick failed.

City 3, Te Huia 0. Play was in the City hall for a time and K. Delamere put in a great solo run, cutting practically through the whole of the City team. He passed out hut the attackers lost the hall. City forced soon afterwards. Te Huia broke away again and an illegal tackle by Starkey gave Te Huia a free kick. A kick was taken at goal from, well out and the hall landed underneath the bar. A long kick-ofi saw the hall heat Hit' To Huia hacks and bounce- out inside the To Huia 25. The City, hacks handled nicely hut the wing failed to take a pass. Another rush was made by City and in a scramble near the line the leather went over and Shalfoon, who was always on the lookout for opportunities rushed in and touched own. Ruff converted with an accurate kick. City 8, Te Huia 0. An attack by Te Huia saw the ball go over the line but Shalloon was handy and touched down. Play was now in midfield and the Reds were given a free kick for holding on to the hall hy a City player. Star King, the Te Huia left wing, put in a great run down the side line hut he; was well tackled hy Fleming ami carried ovey the side line. A tree kick to City gained little ground. Le Pine gained a lot of ground with a good line kick, hut the. City side was again penalised for offside play. 'The kick at goal went wide. City attacked and penetrated tin* Red territory hut Ale Donald picked out of the serum and his side was penalised. A Red attack went right to the City line where a serum was given. Play remained cm the City line and then City managed to work hack to the 25 flag and Shalfoon was prominent in clearing up the field. HaliVtimo was called without further score

Soon after resuming Starkey secured from well out and getting into bis stride simply ran away from the opposition and evading tlie full-back with the greatest ut ease ran round to a handy position before touching down. .Ruff easily converted. Citv 13. Te Huia 0.

After the kickoff Shalloon gained a good 50 yards with a great clearing kick. The Reds then broke away and the ball ran over the line. Instead of attempting to fall on the ball Shalloon took a speculator and, missed and a Te Huia man fell on the ball and opened the Reds score. K. Delamere’a kick failed.

City 13, Te Huia 3. A City attack compelled Te Huia to force. The Reds kept-up the pressure and were in the City 25. Ruff got offside and tlie Reds had a lree kick in a good' position but tlie ball failed to rise. McCullough was prominent in dribbling attacks by City and offside play by City spoilt the good work. K. Kelly put in a good run to the Red 25. Offside play again by City gave the Reds some assistance. Play then swept up and down the field and then Shalfoon kicked too hard over the line and tlie Reds forced. The Reds attacked strongly near the City line. The hall was sent lip the field and then Mokomoko tried a drop kick and City forced. A free kick to the Reds was taken by Maui Delamere, who tried a long kick but the ball fell short. K. Delamere gained a lot of ground when he ran diagonally but' his pass went forward. Soon after-

wards, Star King, who had played n sound game on the wing, scored well out. The kick failed. City Id, To Huia G. The game ended soon afterwards, Te Huia forcing twice in quick time, before the whistle went. The game ended just as two players were having a little dispute near the side-line. The game was capably refereed by Mr Burrett.