THE RUGBY GAME.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 36, 19 June 1924, Page 3

THE RUGBY GAME.

MATCHES IN FINE WEATHER. Opening of Second Round. The second, and final, round of the Putaruru Rugby Union’s competition this season opened on Saturday afternoon. The weather was fine, for the first Saturday for several weeks, and this gave added zest to the games. A fairly good standard of play was maintained, and there was more open handling than during the wet days.

TOKOROA 22, UNITED 12. On No. 1 ground at Putaruru Tokoroa defeated United by 22 points to 12 in a fairly open game. In the first live minutes Tokoroa opened the score, quick work seeing L. Ashworth (Tokoroa) go through near the wing. This try was not converted, but was followed soon afterwards by another obtained by Cox, Tokoroa’s fast threequarter, he going through on the other wing and making the score Tokoroa 6, United nil. On changing round United exerted dogged pressure, which good work by the Tokoroa backs, and particularly the fullback, Hamilton, relieved once or twice. But United came back again and from a lineout right against the corner, Smith, United half-back, got the leather and nipping in against the touch line crossed the goal line to score the opening try for United. This was not converted. Soon afterwards an infringement by Tokoroa in their own territory saw Gasparich kick a penalty goal for United, making the score six all, at which figure it stood at half-time. In the second half scores came quickly. Reaching United’s 25, Tokoroa backs handled nicely and diving forward right in front of the goal, S. Ashworth (Tokoroa) slipped through three defenders’ grasp to score between the posts. Cox added the minor points, making Tokoroa 11, United 6. From the ensuing kickoff, United forwards and backs opened out in an attack in the loose, but good fielding and handling by the Tokoroa backs saw Tokoroa quickly reverse the position, the leather going out to Cox, who, side stepping a couple of opponents, out-raced the whole of United along the wing and came round behind the goal line to put the ball down between the posts. Cocks again added the minor points, making Tokoroa Id, United 6. United tried hard to even matters and in hot defensive work Tokoroa further infringed and two more penalty goals were added to United’s score by Gasparich. However, in their turn again, Tokoroa again evinced scolding capacity, and a rapid forward rush headed by Diamond and Cocks saw the former get a try for Tokoroa, which was not converted, while in the last two or three minutes another clean, snappy passing rush by the Tokoroa backs saw Cox again secure a try. It was well out towards the wing and was not converted, leaving the score at Tokoroa 22, United 12.

The feature of the game was undoubtedly the clever side-stepping and great pace exhibited by Cox, who showed himself to be a first-rate threequarter. Mr. H. Pearse was referee. SELWYN 32, PUKETURUA 3. On No. 2 ground, Selwyn played Puketurua, but the former team, with its solid, fast combination throughout had altogether the best of the game, despite Puketurua’s most strenuous efforts. Selwyn compiled a score of 32, comprising tries by Reweti (3), Tawhi (2), Lundon (2), Knapp, Jones and G. Barnett. One try was converted. In the early stages a quick, clever dribbling rush by Murphy, for Puketurua, in Selwyn territory saw him get a neat try, which gave some promise of a fairly even contest. However, this promise was not fulfilled. Mr. P. Portas was referee. ROVERS 18, WAOTU 0. At Waotu, Rovers defeated Waotu by the substantial margin of 18 points to nil, which was a general surprise, as a fairly even contest had been anticipated. Rovers’ backs, however, and in particular J. Taupiri, proved too good for Waotu and, in a strongly contested game, Rovers scored four good tries, three of which were converted by W r . Henderson. Taupiri was responsible for three of the four tries. Getting the leather he would dodge or bustle past his immediate opponentsT who generally made the mistake of trying to tackle him high. This secured for Taupiri good openings, which his fast pace allowed him to make the best of by scoring in excellent positions. A fourth try was secured by W. Henderson. Mi*. A. Brown was referee.

THE SCHOOLS COMPETITION. The Putaruru district schools competition opened on Saturday, when the Patetere school team played the

Putaruru school team at Patetere (Salvation Army Training Farm). Patetere won by 12 points to nil. MATAMATA y. PUTARURU.

For next Saturday a rep match, Matamata v. Putaruru, at Matamata, has been arranged. The following team has been selected to represent the Putaruru union for the occasion: Full-back, Hamilton (Tokoroa); threequarters, Cox (Tokoroa), Reweti (Selwyn), Tawhi (Selwyn); fiveeighths, Conway (United), Kite (Waotu); rover, Gasparich (United); half-back, Woodward (Rovers); hookers, F. Tomalin (United), Knapp (Selwyn); lock, Cocks (Tokoroa); sides, Norton (Rovers), Taylor (Selwyn), third row, Dimond (Tokoroa), Jones (Selwyn). Emergencies: Three-quarters, Taupiri (Rovers), Irvine (Selwyn), W. Henderson (Rovers); five-eighths, London (Selwyn); half-back, McArthur (Selwyn); forwards, Newell (Tokoroa), Karl (Rovers), Taeri (Rovers).

Next Saturday’s match will not be for the Finlay Cup, which is at present held by the Matamatg. union, but will be in the nature of a trial match for each union’s rep team.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. Last week’s meeting of the management committee of the Putaruru union was attended by Messrs. J. Barr Brown (chairman), N. H. Ash lord Tsecretary), F. Phillips (executive), M. McDermott (Tokoroa), R. E. Brown (Puketurua), W. Dodd (Waotu), Francis (Selwyn), and G. E.: Martin (United).

A deputation from the Selwyn club attended in response to the union’s request that the club should show cause why it should not forfeit the two matches in which it played R. Jones, an unregistered player. The deputation explained at length that the club understood Jones was registered on the club’s first list, and this misunderstanding had been responsible for the error. The union resolved to accept the explanation, but to warn all clubs that the playing of unregistered men in the second round would mean disqualification for the club concerned.

The secretary of the Puketurua club, Mr. R. Ashley, asked for a replay of the Tokoroa-Puketurua match which had been won by default by Tokoroa the previous Saturday. The grounds for the request were that the Puketurua team were on their way into Putaruru to play the match when they received information that all the matches were postponed owing to the heavy rain. The chairman explained that an endeavour had been made to cancel the matches, but it was found impossible to communicate with the teams, some of whom were already on the way. His message to Puketurua had obviously been misunderstood. It was decided by a majority vote that the match be replayed at the end of the second round, if necessary.

It was resolved that no further registrations be accepted for this season. MATAMATA RESULTS. SENIORS. Matamata 6, Walton 6. Patetere 11, Wairere 8. JUNIORS. Matamata 17, Wairere 0. r Patetere 12, Wardville 0. Te Poi defeated Waharoa. THIRD GRADE. Matamata 38, Te Poi 0. High School 4, Waharoa 0.