RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 223, 21 August 1939, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SHIELD REMAINS IN OPOTIKI TEAMS GIVE; FINE DISPLAY '/■ ?/.- - . /, • , There was a very large crowd on "the reserve on Saturday to witness the Hurinui Apanui Memorial Shield match between Rotorua (challengers) and Opotiki (holders). It was expected that the struggle would be a hard one and this proved to be the ease, although with the exception of one period near the end of the game when the losers made a last desperate effort, the holders definitely had the better of the play, but . lacked scoring ability. The Rotorua, team had a feast of the ball from the serum, but the fastbreaking Opotiki forwards, were a match for the opposition and quickly broke up any attacks- Had the home side secured a good share of the ball, the score would probably have been altered considerably. The Opotiki team played with great determination from the first whistle and it was soon evident that they would hold their heavy opponents. The performance of the forwards again demonstrated that fast and fit forwards, can more than hold their own against heavier men. it-can lie said that the standard of football in Opotiki is considerably higher than it has been tor some years. The Game. The visitors kicked off ..against the sun and the kick was followed up rapidly aucii Opotiki couitl not clear. The visitors secured from a. scrum and then the home side infringed. A long kick at- goal was taken by Alaui Roiamore who kicked up into the visitors’ half. A Rotorua rush was stopped and the attackers were penalised, the kick gaining forty yards. Play went across the field and the ball went out at the half Hag. Roth teams were playing liard, tight football and there were few openings. 1. Walker made- a fate tackle and Rotorua kicked high. Rotorua again secured from a serum and kicked down to the goal fine. Jones secured and put in a good run before kicking back into the visitors’ territory. Opotiki had a. free kick for a Rotorua scrum offence but Jitt-le ground was gained. Opotiki went- down into the Rotorua 25 but in a scrum an Opotiki man got offside and the ball was kicked out at half-way. The visitors were penalised - hut tiie kick at goal hv Alaui Delamere went- wide. The. visitors were again penalised, this time for lifting in tlm serum. -V rush by Opotiki went into the Rotorua 25. The visitors were again penalised for lilting in tlu> serum and the kick 'took •play close to the- Rotorua goal-line. The visitors however cleared nearly to fmll-way. Another Opotiki rush was spoilt by an infringement. Opotiki again. worked hack into Rotorua’s half, where a hard tussle took place on the Rotorua- line, ending in a force. Not. to lie denied the Opotiki side agaiu swept clown to the line. From a line-out tin- Opotiki hacks handled nicely and took play across tin* field. Rotorua kicked down to Lendrum who was in a clear patch and the Opotiki full hack made no mistake with a perfectly dropped goal. Opotiki 4 Rotorua- *. 11 Rotorua made a rush and reached the Opotiki 25 but- iulringed. Rotorua kicked down to Sballoon who gained half the length of the field with a great line kick. Rotorua kicked, down to Lendruin who. passed off the* ground. Opotiki attacked again and went into Rotorua’s half. The home’ side secured from- a serum and Alihaerc kicked aIcmg the ground Imt Rotorua forced. Opotiki kept up a continuous .attack but an infringement- saw Rotorua gain valuable ground. Rotorua moved up into the Opotiki 25 and them Jacobs had a shot at goal from right- in front of the posts, hut missed what looked like a certain 'penalty goal. Play went to half-way and Opotiki kicked up the- field. .McKenzie secured and 1 kicked for the* corner, hut- the hall unfortunately hit the corner flag. Opotiki continued to attack. The home side were penalised for offside play by Jones. Opotiki still kept in the visitors’ territory. Rotorua, managed to clear just- as half-time was called. Opotiki kicked off on resuming play and immediately gained the advantage. The home side got down close to the visitors’ goal-line but penalties against Opotiki enabled the 1 visitors ten move up into the Opotiki 25. The Opotiki forwards, playing with great- zest, drove Rotorua- back. Jones and Starkey -put in a great run and the ball went out in Rotorua’s quarter. Play went to half-way where an Opotiki player got offside. Hooke, the Rotorua full-

ba'clc, who played a magnificent game: throughout the' match, cleared very cleverly and Won applause. Rotonia broke away but a hard kick saw the ball go over the dead line. After the kick-off' Rotorua invaded Opotiki territory, but Opotiki were soon on the attack again, the ball going out in Rotorua’s 25.‘ A scrum took place in front of the goal but Opotiki .still i held the advantage. A free kick to Rotorua saw the ball go to the halfway flag. The visitors were then;penalised and Mihaefe found the hue. The Opotiki backs handled nicely and after further play with Opotiki on top, the visitors ’ forced. Flay , remained! in the' centre for a time. Both sides then made attacks in turn. Shalloon cleared well and then Mihaere kicked well down into the Rotorua 25. Four of the Opotiki backs handled cleverly to see Starkey go over in the corner for a try. Maui Belamere missed wi... a difficult kick. Opotiki •. l Rotorua .. U I. Walker got offside. Flay went up and down the field and then Walker was again penalised for offside play. The Rotonia hacks ran more than half the field, with Opotiki players running alongside. The attack was sent inwards and the rush was only stopped in front of the Opotiki goal. A force resulted. Offside play by Rotorua was taken advantage of by Opotiki. The visitors now made a last desperate effort and the defenders had an uncom-

fortable ten minutes before the effort wore off. Just before time Opotiki attacked and Starkey almost got over in the corner. Soon .after the line-out the final whistle went leaving Opotiki still in possession of the shield ana with the final scores: Opotiki ~ . 7 Rotorua :... vt. 0 •The referee, Mr. Wederell, of Whakatane gave a very fair interpretation of the rules and was always* up with thei ball. ..