RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 199, 26 June 1939, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

APANUI <- BEATEN BY OPOTIKI

OPOTIKI JUNIORS BEATEN There! was a good, attendance at the reserve “on Saturday when the first representative match of the season was played between Apanui .and Opotiki senior representatives in the first round for the Parata Cup. Opotiki (last year’s winners), played really well ill the second half, showing undoubted superiority. The display-of the ioi a 1 fifteen in the beginning of the game was rather disappointing, the forwards not. playing as a pack, and the visitors securing a. feast of the ball from the scrums. The team combined better as the game progressed and the forwards packed well, especially in, the tight. Ashdown, who played an outstanding game throughout the match, hooked in the second half and Opotiki saw a lot- more of the ball. The tackling of the Opotiki team was really good and it is to be hoped that there will be no slackening off in future gaine.s. The visiting team had a heavy pack and iu the first few minutes it appealed that- Apanui would have an easy win. The team was quite a good one and was unlucky on numerous occasions when near .the line. The teams were as follows: — ► Apanui.—Full-back, T. Stainton; three-quarters, Crawford, AW Eae, T. Albert; five-eighths, I\ To Kane, K. Delamere; half. B. AA’aititi; forwards, AY. J. Walker, AY. AA'aenga, H. Alatchett; AA'. Poiliipi. AA'. Tangira, AY. Pahau, E. Gage. S'. MeGluughliu. Opotiki.—Full,back. Alason; threequarters. C. Walker. McKenzie, Starkey; Jones, Aliliaere; half: 112313 Starkey; five-eighths. Jones. Aliliaere; half. Shalfoon; forwards, Maui .Delaine re, Isaac AA’alker, AI. Delamere,; Tairua. Alaunsell, Ashdown. Farron, Tony AA’alker. The Game. Apanui kicked off with the sun in their favour and moved up into the Opotiki 2-3. Ala-sou missed the ball badly and! Shalfoon rushed over to save a clangorous position, the ball being kicked out in the Opotiki 23. Opotiki were in a tight corner and the ball was kicked over the line but was forced down just in time. . Apaimi .still continued to press but a free kick to Opotiki took play to Imll-way. Alason fumbled a long kick and a scrum took place in front of the Opotiki goal. A penalty against Opotiki saw K. Delamere open the Apanui score with a kick from in front of the posts. Apanui *3 Opotiki U Opotiki moved up into the Apanui 23 and the local side played well. Play, went- across the field. A free kick to Opotiki was taken by. Shalfoon fro in well out but the ball fell a little short.. The home side were penalised in front of the visitors’ goal. Two Opotiki players got rather mixed up in trying to secure the ball and a nasty situation was saved by Shalfoon: inning across. A free kick was awarded to Opotiki but hard play followed in the Opotiki 23. A Jree kick on the line Resulted in the kick going to the 25 line. The ball went across the field and then for an offence in the scrum Apanui were penalised, the kick going past halfway. . Apanui attacked and a rush went to the Opotiki 23. Opotiki then scored' a sensational try, when Aliliaere and Shalfoon ran right through the opposing team for Aliliaere to touch down between the pos.ts. Shalfoon converted. Opotiki •• • 5 Apanui J

Alaui Delamere found the line in Apanui territory. A penalty against Opotiki was given iu the visitors’ 25 and die kick went into the- Opotiki half. Aliliaere marked and found tho Jine and half-time was called. Boon after resuming Mackenzie kicked hard and the ball went over the line for Apanui to force. Aliliaere kicked into the- Apanui 23. Jones secured the ball and! found the opposition- out of position and raced to the line to score well out. Ashdown’s kick went too low.

Opotiki ’’ Apanui 3 A rush by the visitors was stopped on the Opotiki 25 yard line. Elay went across the field and the Apanui backs handled well but the attack broke down near the line. Opotiki worked slowly up to half-way and an Apanui man handled in the scrum. Following the kick Alonita Delanieie scored well out hut the attempt to convert failed.

Opotiki 1 i Apanui 3 Apanui scored soon afterwards when Crawford ran over in the corner, 'i'he kick missed. * i Opotiki 1-1-Apanui ...................... d The visitors were again penalised foi an offence in the serum and Opotiki invaded-the Apanui 25. Two free kicks were given against the visitors. Alaui Delamere kicked hard and following up quickly'scored a. good 'try, which, however, was not converted. Opotiki It Apanui d Opotiki’s next score came from a penalty kick by Mihaere. Opotiki 17 Apanui d > Apanui rushed to the Opotiki quarter but were driven back into their own 25. The attackers were penalised. C. AYtylker followed up a hard kick and scored for Opotiki in the corner. The kick missed. The game then ended with the scores: Opotiki 7*. -0 Apanui 0 On Saturday next the Apanui representatives will meet Tauranga at Te Kalia, in the first match of the season for the Te Hurniui Apanui .Memorial Shield. 'The team which met Opotiki on Saturday is not the team which will meet Tauranga,. the game on Saturday being in the nature of try-out for some of the Apanui

players. The Taurariga. team is stated to be a stronger combination than last year’s team and Apanui will have to field a much stronger team than that wliich met Qpotiki last Saturday, if thev: are to retain the shield.

The weakest link in the Opotiki side on Saturday." was undoubtedly thp full-back. Mason appeared to be right, off bis game, and apart from continually fumbling the ball lie was nearly always out of position. Like most of the local fullbacks lie also, failed to run infield before kicking, for the line, with the result that he gained little ground with his kicks. This failing on the part of the local fullbacks could easily be remedied and would considerably assist their respective sides. in the first half of the game the Opotiki backs gave their forwards too much running to do by bad placing of the ball, the opposition getting the leather practically every time and making good use of the return kicks. The Opotiki forwards at times were inclined to become spectators when their backs were in trouble instead of going to their assistance straight away. According to Hodgson, tin 1 crack Queen land forward, a forward should never walk about the field, but should at least keep, jogging along.