RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 185, 22 May 1939, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

EASY WIN FOR O.M.P. The 0.31. P. team deserved their win on Saturday, being a much better' combination than their opponents. On paper the City team looked quite a good one, and .should have given, a much better performance. With the exception of Lendrum (half), and Te Pine (full-back), .the City backs gave a poor -exhibition as a combination and'also individually. The tackling of the team was sound at the start of t-lie game but soon fell to the usual methods adopted by local teams. The 0.31. P. players handled the ball cleanly and were always dangerous on attack. Unfortunately some of the players were lather partial to late tackles -and this led to one of their mon-being put off near the end of the game. The City, team turned out in a variety of colours and no doubt- this matter will receive the necessary attention at to-jnerorw night’s meeting of tlie management committee. City kicked off and both sides started to: play at a lively pace. From a strum on the O.3LP. 25 line City broke away but the rush was. stopped. Shalloon then kicked too hard and. Walker forced. A City player had a drop at goal but the ball went wide. Play remained in the O.M.U. 25 and then from a line-out O.M.P. rushed the ball to the City 25 line. A goodsole effort by J. Walker took tlie ball to the City goal-line. City worked up the field again and from a position mar half-way Shalloon had a free kick at goal, the ball going over. City 3 0.31. P. <-> Lendrum gained a good 40 yards with a line kick. City were penalised and the kick saw them lose a 'lot- oi ground, the ball going out at lialf-way. 01 fsi do play gave 0.31. P. another kick. Lendrum then showed up in n C<it\ rush but liis side was penalised. Lendrum soon afterwards started another attack and good handling saw the ball pass well out, Shalfoon finally securing aiid touching down in a, bandy position. The scorer took the kick but missed badly. City 0 0.31. T. r U On resuming Starkey made a good run down the line to the U.3L.P. 25. 0.31 .P. retaliated with a strong attack and drove City back into their own 25, where the 0.3J.P. left wing inutile a strong dash but was tacked on the side-line by two City men. A late tackle by an O.M.P. man helped City to gain valuable ground. A penalty against City followed but after, a Parti struggle Ben Tucker got over to (pen 0.31.P.’s score. The kick failed. City 0 O.M.P 3 0.31. P. were- playing good, hard football and getting the upper hand. Lcn-drum marked in Iris own 25 butO 31. P. still continued to press and a struggle on the line looked dangerous for City. The ball was kicked too bard- and went to the dead ball line. Play went to the centre of the field where a,' City player got offside. A late tackle gave City a chance to gain ground but 0.31. L\ were not- to be denied and a likely looking rush was spoilt by a forward pass. Half-time was then sounded.

On taking the. field again, both teams played very evenly. A irce kick by 0.A1.P. found the line. Play went to the 0.A1.P. 25 and a serum took place in front ol the* goal. 0.A1.P. worked) back to half-way but weie compelled to force soon afterwards. A quick rush by 0.A1.P. went right to the goal-line. Exciting play ensued and a score looked certain. Soon after a scrum near the line Ashdown received a hard knock and left- the field for some time. O'.ALP, got oil the City line again and a long struggle took place, eliding in O.M.P. scoring Ironi tifilit ijlsi v. The kick was suecerssful and 0.A1.P. took the lead. O. Al.. P y City b Lo Pinci gained' half the length of tin* field with a line kick. O.M.P. got City bustled and Shalloon kicked towards his own goal but the full-back failed to gather in and another try went to O'.ALP. The kick went wide. 0.A1.P U City b City went clown to the 0.A1.P. corner lnit failed to* get over, from a s crum a force followed. 0.A1.P. moved up to the City 25 where J- Walker secured and dropped a beautiful goal. O.M.P City b A free kick was given to City in a good position but Jbendrumbs kick strewed .the balk which went wide. A late, bin m t hard, tackle, by an O.AI. P player resulted in the offender being sent off. The match ended soon aftei wards without furtheiv score. Torere Juniors 9 beat Waioeka b. . Citv 3rd. GradeTt beat FL.S. 3.