RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 191, 7 June 1939, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S SENIOR MATCH GOOD FOOTBALL SEEN The senior game on the Beserve on Saturday provided much improved football and the performance of the losers was improved enough to l keep .their opponents’ score down to a, reasonable level, and was a pleasing change, after the previous runaway win by 0.A1.P. The chief fault of the To Huia team was that many of the players made little attempt toi'rnn hack in support when, defending. Several of the players simply stood stilj and made no attempt to r get back c:n side, while others .strolled back very casually. Fortunately this fault was not so noticeable in the second half. The 0.A1.P. team threw the ball about at every opoprtunitv and in the tight play, the forwards were continually endeavuring to hook the bail to the half. The style of play of tlie winners showed that the team has been well coached and that-players are enciieavouring to put the lessons into practice. 0.A1.P. took the field with an incomplete team and kicked off with the sun, in their favour. 'The game started off quietly A Te Hum rush went to the 0.A1.P. 2-5 where a lineout took place. A scrum near the post,resulted in the ba.ll being kicked over the line but an 0.A1.P. man touched down just in time. Immediately after the kick-off Al. Dolamere secured from well out and dropped a splendid goal. Te Huia 4 0.A1.P 0 A free kick to Te Huia gained aboiif 40 yard's. An 0.A1.P. player broke away but was well tackled and the ball went out. The ball was kicked to the Te Huia 25 yard line and the attackers almost got to the goal-line. A-line-out followed and the 0.A1.P. backs- broke away but the rush broke down. A goal took place in front ot the posts but the leather wa.s sent to nearly half-way. A free kick to '!© Huia saw tlie- ball go well into the O. AL.P. 25. Play went- across the field and 0.A1.P. forced. Another penalty against 0.A1.P. gave Te Huia valuable ground. The game went to the north side of the field and a scrum mus given in the centre of the field. A rush by 0.A1.P. saw Te Huia badly shaken, with little support offering. The defenders, finally forced. A good kick saw 0.A1.P. down near the defenders’ line and from a scuffle 1. Walker secured ancl dived over. The kick was well out went across the front of the posts. Te Huia . . I 4 0.A1.P 3 Even play ensued and then 0.A1.P. pressed and tight play took place; in the dlefendeirs’ 25. il.b Huia cleared to half way and the ball went- acrcssflelcl and out. Exciting play took place in Te Huia territory with 0.A1.P. hot on the attack. Both teams were

throwing the ball about in good style. A long" kick by the 0.A1.P. fullback gained a lot of ground. Te Huia then rushed down the field and were awarded a freej kick in a good position, but the leather passed behind the posts' and a force resulted!, A strong attack by Te Huia saw the ball go out near the corner. A hard kick right on"the side-line caught the linesman right in the face just as he rushed up.to the line, and lie was temporarily incapacitated. Play went quickly to the other end cf the fifeld where play was held up by a player /with cramp. Half time M'a.s called spoil afterwards without further score.

On resuming Te Huia pressed hard and had the sun in their favour. A hard kick resulted in O.M.P. forcing. A dribbling rush wa.s stopped by Collins who took a risky kick to the side-line. The ball went over the goalline after the line-out and Te Huia had a very narrow' escape. Biotli sets of forwards were struggling very hard in the tight and a strong battle took place in front of the stand. A strong rush by 0.A1.P. .saw the ball go nearly to the dead ball line but G. Williams touched down in time for a. try. Hie kick again failed. O'.AI.P 0

Te Huia ....... v 4 A free kick to Te Huia gained very little ground. Te Huia then forced tuice in quick time. A rush by To Huia went into the 0.A1.P. 25 but the defenders.’ backs broke away and G. Williams .scored under the posts. The kick failed again. o.ai:.p - 9 Te Huia 4 Good play by both sides followed. A free kick to Te Huia was of little help and O.M.P. were down on tlie Te Huia- line but an infringement gave the defenders a free kick on the goalline. An 0.A1.P. player broke away but lost the ball right on the line. The leaders however were soon back on the line .again. A penalty some distance out was taken by Beech but his long kick went wide. Soon afterwards J. Alihaere scored O.AI.P.’s fourth unconverted try and the game ended with the final scores: 0.A1.P. : 12 To Huia 4