FOOTBALL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 238, 24 May 1928, Page 8

FOOTBALL.

Arapuni 3, Pacific 3. The ineeting of the above teams at Putaruru on Saturday produced a most keen and exciting game, which •was played in a fine sporting spirit throughout. The Pacific team equalised in the last few minutes, as the result of a fine goal by Tanirau, and thoroughly deserved their points. The teams were:— Arapuni (green and white).- —Fullback, J. Belcher; threequarters, McGillivray, Richardson, Rapson; fiveeighths, Macnamara, Fenny; half, Powell; rover, McPherson; forwards, Logan, Redfern, Taute Brown, McLelland, S. Belcher, Francis and J. Winikeri. , Pacific (royal blue). Fullback, Bullott; threequarters, Tanirau, Meriti, Ellis; five-eighths, Waretiri, Nuku; half, Puka; rover, Wheatley; forwards, Spraggon, Voice, Otine, Bellringer, Barry. Referee: Mr. Graham.

Arapuni had first advantage of a strong wind and attacked vigorously. Macnamara marked a clearing kick near halfway, and his huge punt was •well taken by Tanirau near the flag. Running strongly the wing threequarter beat several tacklers, and got to the halfway mark. A free to each side followed, and after a short Pacific attack play settled in midfield following a big clearance by Belcher. The greens then attacked but Logan got offside. Little advantage was gained and the Arapuni pack came back with a solid rush. From the loose Brown secured and after a 15 yard run forced himself across the line. McLelland failed with the kick. The blues went away with great dash following the restart, and Waretini and Bellringer got to the line, and a score seemed certain. An Arapuni player got offside, however, and Nuku missed an easy kick.

Following a free the greens attack- ' ed strongly, but Bullot saved with a j clever mark. J. Belcher secured the \

clearance and just missed with a drop at goal from near halfway. Led by Brown, McPherson and Belcher, the Arapuni pack attacked strongly for some time until Meriti drove them back with a brilliant clearance. Logan and Richardson next interpassed on the left wing but obstruction by Mcnamara lost the position. Nuku burst through, but a downward pass went astray when the opening was made. A free to Arapuni saw Richardson fail at goal. Half-time : Arapuni 3, Pacific 0. Waretini took a kick by Belcher in good style, and running strongly served Meriti to Ellis, who was forced to touch. Macnamara had a drop at goal which went wide and Rapson, following fast, just failed to beat ( Bullot for the touch. The green pack i came through in a bunch and it looked as if their determined efforts must end in a score, but the defence prevailed. Bullot and Ellis took play to midfield but a free lost them position. The green backs now opened up in good style, but the Pacific cov- . ering was too good. . The wind hav-. ing dropped the blues were at a disadvantage, and their lighter pack now tired somewhat. Exciting play followed near the Pacific line, but Bullot saved his side in great fashion repeatedly. In the last few minutes Waretini got the hall over the halfway mark and the greens being penalised Tanirau found the bar with a long raking kick amidst much enthusiasm. In the last few seconds the ball shot along the blue backs to ■ Tanirau, who set sail down the touch line, but was overwhelmed before he could get clear. Time was then called with the score: Arapuni, 1 try, 3 points; Pacific, 1 penalty goal, 3 points.

Notes. Territorially, Arapuni had the best of the play, and it was chiefly the vork of Bullot at fullback which kept them from scoring on several occasions. At least half-a-stone heavier per man in the pack, every time

their forwards bunched for a dribble they went through in great style. The blues, however, made up for their lack of weight by extra nippiness, and kept worrying their heavier opponents till the final whistle.

Through an error on the part of the timekeeper, twp halves were played, instead of four quarters, and unfortunately for the blues the wind died down somewhat in the second half when they should have had its advantage. The Pacific are a much improved team and with a weakness in the backs remedied, chiefly at right wing threequarter and rover, and extra weight in the pack, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

The greens have a solid pack of grafters, and had they taken the game more into their own hands when near the line they might have snatched a victory. Brown’s try was characteristic, being scored in the style which made him the most dangerous forward when near the line last season. The game, though hard, was played in a clean and sporting manner.

PUTARURU 12, TOKOROA 8. The above teams met at Putaruru last Saturday, the home team winning after a close and exciting contest. The teams lined out as follow:

Putaruru (black). Full-back, R. J Dunlop ; three-quarters, F. Brown, ( Rolfe, Rossiter ; five-eighths, Taylor, G. Brown ; half-back, McEwan ; rover, Dimond ; forwards, M. Brown, Pepperill, Allwood, Ensor, Newton, Johnson, W. Dunlop. Tokoroa (black and white). —Fullback, M. Voice ; three-quarters, Taylor, Spain, Martin ; five-eighths, D. Voice, Smith ; half-back, Amopiu ; rover, Rewhiti ; forwards, Frazer, Wilson, D. McGlade, Wallace, Stieffert, W. Campbell, Johnson. Referee, Mr. Eckland. The game was played at a great pace, and play fluctuated from one end of the field to the other throughout. The goal-kicking on both sides was poor, Voice for Tokoroa missing two shots from easy positions. The tackling of both sides was good, that of Tokoroa being a big improvement lon the previous week’s showing. For Putaruru tries were scored by Newton, Taylor, Brown and Ensor,

while Campbell and Rewhiti got over for Tokoroa, M. Voice converting one. Scores : Putaruru, 4 tries, 12 points ; Tokoroa, 1 converted try, 1 try, 8 points. MAT AM AT A RESULTS. Seniors. Patetere 19, Matamata 8. Walton 14, Hinuera 3. Wairere 6, Raungaiti 3. Juniors. j Matamata 3, Patetere 3. I Hinuera 3, Walton 3. Wardville 25, Waharoa 3. Thirds. Wardville 17, High School 9. Matamata 3, Patetere 0. MORRINSVILLE RESULTS. Seniors. Terriers 9, Kereone 6. Tatuanui 17, United 6. Juniors. Waitoa 6, Terriers 3. Springdale 6, Tahuna 6. Kereone 17, Kiwitahi 3. Third Grade. United 18, Kereone 3.