THE RUGBY GAME.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 31, 15 May 1924, Page 3

THE RUGBY GAME.

SELWYN DEFEATS WAOTU. Rovers Win from Tokoroa. United Beat Puketurua. The Putaruru Rugby Union’s competition was continued on Saturday. The weather was showery, but, under the circumstances the games were fairly well patronised by spectators. SELWYN 6, WAOTU 3. On No. 1 ground at Putaruru, Selwyn played Walotu and the gam® throughout was a very even one. The play was energetic and forward work on the loose followed by back play in passing and kicking saw’ the game work from one 25 to the other with rapidity in change of fortune that made it particularly exciting. At the start, Waotu showed to best advantage, their backs opening out 'n passing rushes. However, Seiwyn tackling and fielding frustrated all their movements, though in one or two instances Seiwyn saved by forcing by the narrowest of margins. Then rapid work in the loose saw Seiwyn rush the ball well up into Waotu territory, and following fast on the wing T. Edward son w T ent down on it for Seiwyn as it crossed ihe line. The goal kick proved too difficult. This left the opening score at Seiwyn 3, Waotu nil. On changing round, Seiwyn was again seen in good work in the loose and went over with the ball at the toe, but made the mistake of kicking it hard right behind the deadball line. The register was Unaltered at half-time. In the second half, the play followed the style of that in the first, and with about five minutes to go a forward rush by Waotu saw Tiller secure a try for them and thus even up the scores. Following this, Seiwyn attacked very aggressively and were following fast, when a Waotu player made 'he mistake of trying to baulk them by holding the ball when tackled. A penalty kick to Seiwyn resulted and Taylor (Seiwyn) kicked an easy foal. The game was very fast for the last two or three minutes, but the score remained unaltered. Seiwyn 6, Waotu 3. The play was energetic throughout, but somewhat wild, keeping the Io w. Waotu backs missed Kite, who, owing to a sprain received the previous Saturday, was a spectator last Saturday. Mr. F. Snell was the referee. ROVERS 8, TOKOROA 3. On No. 2 ground, Rovers played Tokoroa, and the match approached a farly good standard of football. With Norton, Woolliams, Jensen and Woodward, Rovers had a much stronger combination than on the previous Saturday, and from the kick off worked down to Tokoroa’s 25, where play steadied for a little. A mark by Tokoroa relieved the position and sent play into Rovers’ half. The reds (Rovers), however, led by Norton in the forwards were soon back in Tokoroa’s 25. Hamiliton, at full-back for Tokoroa, en-1 deavoured to clear by a kick up to the touch line, but Woolliams, at centre-threequarter for Rovers, accepted the ball nicely on the full and with great pace was over against the comer as the first black and white (Tokoroa) reached him. The goal kick failed, leaving Rovers 3, Tokoroa nil.

Some time after changing round Dimond arrived and took the field for Tokoroa, bringing the black and whites up to the full muster of 15 players. Tokoroa forwards were now asserting themselves, especially as a passing shower had made the ball very greasy and difficult for Handling by the backs. With splendid energy they forced their way through the reds, and forward following close upon forward in good style saw the black and whites send it right through at the toe and J. Leslie (Tokoroa) go down on it in a handy position. The goal kick, however, was a poor attempt, leaving the score three all till after halftime.

In the third spell, however, Rover forwards were again very active and a sustained combined rush saw them toe the ball over the goal line and Jensen go down on it in a handy position, which . Henderson made the most of by adding the minor points, making Rovers 8, Tokoroa 3. In the fourth spell Rovers, In forward work, ably supported by open work on the part of their backs, gave Tokoroa an anxious time, but Hamilton, at full-back for the black and whties, played with his usual surety and coolness. Also Cole proved too sure a tackier for W. Terei, Rover wing three-quarter, when the latter came racing down the wing with the leather on a couple of occasions. With the ball becoming drier Tokoroa responded with fast open play

on the part of both backs and forwhites, played with his usual surety ers’ 25. Here from a scrum the ball came out on the blind side to Ashworth (Tokoroa wing), who dashed down the touchline, only to be brought to the ground in the nick of time by Terei. Another scrum ensued, Tokoroa again getting the ball. This time it was passed out nicely from back to back on the long side, but the Rover tackling proved deadly, each black and white being stopped short in turn. Soon afterwards the call of time came with no further alteration in the score. Mr. Lochhead was referee. UNITED 20, PUKETURUA 0. At Puketurua, United won from the local team by 20 points to nil. This substantial victory was due to United’s superior combination, widei experience and greater weight, but despite thus out-matched, Puketurua gamely contested the play right to the finish. United’s score comprised tries by Smith, Conway and Gasparich (2). Conway’s try was converted by Gasparich, who also kicked two penalty goals. Mr. Parker was the referee. MATAMATA RESULTS. SENIORS. Patetere 6, Walton 3. Matamata 18, Wairere 5. JUNIORS. Walton 6, Wairere 0. Matamata 3, Te Poi 3. Waharoa 11, Wardville 0. THIRD GRADE. High School 20, Te Poi 0. Matamata 3, Walton 3. ALL BLACK TRIALS. Auckland province beat Hawke’s Bay-Poverty- Bay by 18 to 9. UNION MEETING. At last week’s meeting of the management committee of the Putaruru Rugby Union there were present: Messrs. J. Barr Brown (chairman), N. H. Ashford (secretary), S. C. Snell (Referees’ Association), M. Henderson (Rovers), G. Jones (Waotu), and G. E. Martin (United). The referees’ reports on the previous Saturday’s play stated that in the United-Tokoroa ma£ch, S. Boat (Tokoroa) load two teeth knocked out and W. Roy (United) had two ribs broken. A doctor’s certificate was also submitted to the effect that Kite (Waotu) had sustained a sprained ankle. It was resolved that claims on the insurance fund could not be recognised unless the rule requiring a doctor’s certificate to be eohmitted was complied with. It was reported that the Seiwyn club had an insurance scheme of its own, 1 and therefore was not contributing ! to the union’s scheme.

The gate receipts for the previous Saturday were announced as £2 4s. The chairman reported that after consideration Mr. S. J. Parker had agreed to the union’s request to act as. its sole selector for the season. Mr. Parker recommended, however, that to assist him in the work each club have its players numbered. Members agreed that this would also be a good measure from the point of view of the referees and the spectators, and the recommendation was adopted. The secretary of the Waikato union advised that a meeting of the delegates to that body was being held the following evening. Mr. J. Barr Brown was deputed to attend on behalf of the Putaruru union, if necessary, and especially if the bourn dary between the Matamata and the Putaruru union was to be fixed at the meeting.

Verbal advice was received that the Te Whetu club could not now enter a team for this season’s competition. Members complained of the vacillating attitude of the club, and deputed the chairman and the secretary to obtain confirmation of the (report and arrange for United to play Puketurua, instead of Te Whetu, on the following Saturday. GOLF. THE PUTARURU CLUB. Mixed foursomes were played last Sunday, 12 couples competing. The match resulted in a win for Mrs. Murphy and H. D. A. Leslio. The following were the cards returned: — Mrs. Murphy and H. D. A. Leslie, 54—14—40; Mrs. Robinson and A. Barcroft, 50—9—41; Miss Tomalin and J. Murphy, 57—13—44; Mrs. Rutherford and F. Hunt, 50—10 40; Mrs. Bond and J. Phillips, 04—10 48; Mrs. Herring' and G. L. Martin, 05 16 49; Mrs. G. L. Martin and L. Barnett, 72—18 —54; Mrs. R. E. Brown and C. D. Brown, 04 9 55; Mrs. Coupe and W. Henderson, 72 17—55; Miss Coupe and E. Nicklin, 75—18—57; Mrs. Howland and H. J. (Continued in Next Column.)

Pearse, 75—18—57; Mrs. Edwards and E. F. Rutherford, 72—13—59. The ladies’ first monthly medal was

won by Mrs. J. Murphy with a nett score of 48. There were 19 entries.

A ladies’ stroke match was played on May 5 over an 18-hole course for a trophy presented by the club. Tt was won by Mrs. H. L. Martin with a nett score of 99. The entries totalled IG.