RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 229, 4 September 1939, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SHIELD TO RANGITAIKI HOLDERS OUTCLASSED WINNERS GOOD DISPLAY The biggest 'crowd seen on the- conserve for many years, watched the finaL Hurinui Apanui Memorial Shield, match of the season, and saw Opotiki (holders) well beaten ,by Rangitaiki. (challengers). The final score, B—o'-. did not give, a real indication of .the superiority-of the visitors, who should have won by at least, 15 points to nil. However, the side must be given- credit for keeping the winners' score down to such a low figure. The> Opotiki side did not shape anything like as well as against Rotorua, tlie chief failing being the very poor tackling by Opotiki. The visitors took every advantage of the weak defence, and had Opotiki shown anything like solid tackling, there would probably have been a different tale to tell. The home side fell to the dummying of their opponents -on numerous occasions and there was far too, much anticipation. The- Opotiki players usually went for high tackles and were brushed away like flies. On other occasions players were satisfied to take hold of an arm or .a piece of jersey and try a few swings, usually letting the opponent hand on the ball or break right away again. Tho visitors must be given every credit, for a polished 'display and their forwards in particular were a fine pack, with plenty of weight and! dash, while fitnesswas not lacking on tlieir part. The hacks were clever as usual but did not have quite the speed of former years. The challengers picked a weakness in. the Opotiki hack-line right from the start and continually played in that, -direction. The losers did not back up very .much andl at least one try waslost through lack of support. The .shield has gone from Opotiki after a brief hut welcome spell, and Opotiki Rugbvitos congratulate the wimiers on their well-deserved victory.. What will happen next- year no one can tell in view ef the disturbed conditions and it is more than likely that there will be no competition next season. The Play Rangitaiki won the toss and Opotiki kicked off against tho sun. Front, a scrum a penalty was given against Rangitaiki for offside play. Opotiki kicked! down to Francis, but the hall, ran over the line, and the .full-hac k forced. Opotiki pressed and got down in the visitors’ quarter. The hall went across the field and Lendrum kicked down to the vicinity of the visitors’ goal-line. The Rangitaiki backs got. in a nice passing bout and swept up the field and a very dangerous position was saved by, Ashdown. . who., showing surprising pace, overhauled his man and made no mistake with his tackle. Opotiki forced their way hack into the visitors’ territory. A defender held on toi an ‘Opotiki player" and the visitors were penalised. From a line-out at half-way, Rangitaiki secured and invaded the Opotiki 25. -The? defenders were badly hustled and. a force saved matters. Play remained in the Opotiki half and the visitorslooked dangerous. Opotiki remained on the defence and a drop at- goal by the visitors nearly went over. Mihaere cleared to half-way when matters appeared to he going badly for Opotiki. The attackers remained in Opotiki territory for some time. Maui Dclamercgot offside and Rangitaiki had a good 'chance to goal from a handy position, but Francis’ kick went wide. A serum was given near the Opotiki line. TheRangitaiki players held on to the hall when tackled and Lendrum gained a lot of' ground with his kick. The Opotiki forwards got possession and kicked out at the halfway flag. Rangitaiki were awarded a free kick but Lendrum. secured and returned the hall to* the line. The hall went across the field a mil the visitors' were penalisedOpotiki then went into the opposition’s territory for the first time in a long spell.' Exciting play followed in. the centre hut T. Walkjer got offsideand the resultant kick found the lino in the Opotiki half. Offside play by Rangitaiki helped Opotiki and I - Walker put in a great effort and only missed scoring by the narrowest ot margins. Offside play by Rangitaiku gave Opotiki a long shot at goal, but Maui JDelamere kicked across the laceof the posts. The visitors went intotlie Opotiki 25 but ft free kick was. given Opotiki and Lendrum gained 4(4 yards. ’ Soon after recommencing, play theRangitaiki backs broke away and TLees finished off a good movement l>y running around behind the posts. The kick went over, making the scores:

Itangitaiki ............ 5 Opotiki ................. 0 Play stayed in the centre tor a time and the visitors were penalised for picking''out of .the scrum. The free kick to Opotiki gained nothing as Francis returned the kick. The visitors were soon pressing Opotiki hard and almost reached the line. Opotiki succeeding in clearing well up the field. From a scrum Opotiki movedAip into " the Itangitaiki 25. After a line-out Ashdown got offsidle. Itangitaiki obstructed and play remained in the visitors’. half. The visitors picked out of the serpm and Maui Delameremissed with his attempt at goal. Itangitaiki secured again and broke away fur Carter to. score a good try. ..The kick missed. Opotiki : 0 Itangitaiki 8 Itangitaki secured from a scrum hut the hall was kicked over the line. Opotiki, went into the Itangitaiki half, where they were penalised for obstruction. The Opotiki backs ran up and then kicked out near the Itangitaiki line.! Following the line-out two scrums tools: place and then a drop by Opotiki went close to the upright. The visitors forced. Opotiki attacked again and “Shalfoon kicked out near the Itangitaiki line. A scrum took X>lace in front of the Itangitaiki goal and after a scuffle- for possession a force resulted. Play. remained in the visitors’ half. Itangitaiki were penalised twice, for lifting in tho-scrym and for offside play. Another penalty followed against the visitors for an illeg-

a] tackle. Rex Jones was caught offside and Rangitaiki cleared down to tJio Opotiki goal-line. Following tJie line-out- Opotiki cleared but Francis kicked back into the Opotiki 25. -The visitors were again, penalised, the offende being obstruction, which the visitors bad indulged in on numerous occasions. The game finished soon afterwards with play hovering ,ryj[G'ut midfield. The scores remained! unaltered. . < ' Rangitaiki '*........... 8 Opotiki 0 Card Evening. The Rebekali Lodge will bold tlieir usual card evening on night in order 'to avoid clashing with the Choral-Society’s conceit- oil 'Wednesday night.