RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 232, 11 September 1939, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WIN FOR O.M.P. DRAW IN COMPETITION , " a ' „ tj -By-beating: City on SaturdiYy? the.O^ tCain" lias drawn level -w.i^i^Ojty 1 in the senior championship cojhpetition: Many of the players had.? not had a. game for a lengthy peti&od', but despite .this drawback, the ganic was played at a fast pace through'dift, gad for a club game, good! football wais produced. As a result of the petrol restrictions, the attendance jvas small. O.M.P. kicked ofT ’agaijist the sun and wind. O.M.P. better of play in the first few mi)»|es and got do\vn near the City lint?!* City then cleared to the J.&M.P. 25. Offside play by both sides.|f£siilted in free kicks. O.M.P. forced?' From,. play in their own 25 O.M.P. broke away to the City line where a force resulted!. City then, worked down into their,. opponents’ 25. O.jil.P. were awarded a. free kick and then City had two free kicks, Ashdown, having a shot at goal from the second penalty. The position was a good one, but the ball went wide. -McKenzie kicked hard and the ball ran over the line for O.M.P. to force. The O. backs handled cleanly and went very close to scoring. Play remained! in City’s half for some time. City liad another close call when O.M. P. broke through near the posts. U. Gosling then secured and put in a good run down the line but Sbarky failed to take the pass. There was no score at half-time. The ball went out -at the kick-off. A scrum was given and O.M.P. immediately set up a hot attack and got over the line but Starkey managed to force. Beach then secured and scored a good try in the corner. The kick failed. O.M.P. 3, City 0,

O.M.P. again attacked and a scrum was given near the goal-line. A force resulted after a line-out. O.M.F. played with plenty of dash and in a rush I. Walker secured and touched down. The kick, missed. O.M.P. 6, City 0. ; City attacked but were soon pushed hack by O.M.P. who nearly reached the City goal-line. Offside play by the attackers gave City respite, the *kick going well down the field, and the ball finally went over the line and 1. Walker forced unnecessarily. City had a free kick soon afterwards and N. "Sheeran had a long shot at goal but the ball went wide. O.M.P. broke auay to the City 25 but McKenzie cleared to the side-line. O'.M.P. suddenly broke away and swept down the .field with most of the team in supportland scored under the posts. An easy kick at goal missed.

O.M.P. 9, City 0. O.M.P. were awarded' a- free 'kick To? an"illegal tackle. 9.M.P. attacked* again and Peach put in a good lun down -the line but ran out. City later forced. The City now woke up and did some very good! work, two very good runs being ‘ put in, but the defence was too sound and they could not get over. Time was called without any addition to the scores, v- v _ x O.M.P. • • • • >'• • •-.* • * * , c,ty si. -v•• '£u :