FOOTBALL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 558, 17 August 1920, Page 2

FOOTBALL

FRANKLIN RUGBY UNION'S COMPETITIONS CONOLUDED.

CLEVEDON SENIOR CHAMPIONS,

JUNIOR HONOURS WON BY PUKEKOHE.

The Rugby competitions under the auspices of the Franklin Rugby Union were brought to a successful conclusion on Saturday afternoon in ideal weather. The chief attraction as far as Pukekohe was concerned was the final for the championship honours between Pukekohe and Bombay teams. Pukekohe had not been defeated, while Bombay's colours had cnly been lowered on one occasion, and that by the Pukekohe boys. There was only one point between the teams up to Saturday, and Bombay had to score a victory before becoming the season's champions. A draw for the Pukekohe team would have left them the victors of the junior championship for the second year in succession. As it transpired the team won by 6 ]>oints to 0, and thus secured a three points' championship victory. The performance of the winners during the year was meritorious. The team played 12 matches, won 11 and drew 1, and scored 119 points, while 40 points were scored against them. Last season practically the same team played 11 games, won 10 and drew 1, while they scored 121 points with only 28 registered against them. In two years they played 23 matches, won 21 and drew 2, scoring 240 points, while 68 points were registered against them. On Saturday last there was an attendance of between 500 and 600 spectators, and they were treated to one of the finest exhibitions of Rugby seen for many a long day. The game was fast throughout, and there was not a dull moment. The game was keenly contested and was characteristic of really clean play on both sides.

The 6am*.

The teams were as follows:—

Pukekohe (maroon): C. Nicholson, Jas Adams, R. J. Tonkin, J. Brown, Jno. Adams (captain), L. Hart, G. Lysnar, A. Middlemiss, H. Jones, B. Hart, W. Stewart, C. Dazeley, N. Stuart, R. Perkins, and R. Fulton.

Bombay (yellow and black): Brownlee, C. Flay, W. Flay, J. Flay, D. Webster, H. Webster, Lowry, Gulland, Matheson, Casey, H. Evans (captain), R. Evans, Mills, Whitmore and O'Leary. , As the teams lined out both appeared in the pink of condition, Bombay predominating as far as weight and size were concerned, and on a rough calculation they were about a stone all round heavier than the Pukekohe team, which comprised mere boys alongside of the hefty Bombiyites.

Pukekohe won the toss and Whitmore set the oval in motion against the sun. Jas. Adams returned, and the maroons immediately took the ball to yellow and black territory. An ugly position for the "goldies" was relieved when they were awarded a free-kick for an infringement by a home player. The visitors attacked and drove the maroons back to their own line, where Nicholson saved by a brilliant mark. The Bombay forwards were heavy in the scrums, and pushed their lighter opponents about. They took the oval to Pukekohe's twenty-five, where Nicholson again put in some clever work and found the line near the half-way fiag. Soon after the "goldies" were awarded a free-kick, but Brownlee's kick proved fruitless and Pukekohe forced. The pace was a cracker, but the home boys stood up to the pressure and continued to open up the game. Pukekohe swooped down the field, and C. Flay attempted to save, but in doing so was injured. The first quarter ended with no score.

Pukekohe's Score Opened.

With the sun at their backs the Bombay supporters had notions of their boys doing things in the second quarter, and on one or two occasions a score looked pretty certain, but the home defence was too sound, and in spite of many efforts to penetrate they were driven back. From a throw-in on the Pukekohe line B. Hart secured and broke away with the leather at his toe, but H. Evans sent the oval out of touch near the half-way flag. From a scrum in midfield Lysnar set his backs in motion, and U. Tonkin obtaining possession went for the line. He passed to J. -Brown, who was pushed out. B. Hart had a shot at goal soon after, but the ball went wide. He had another, unsuccessful shot a few seconds later and Bombay forced. The yellows swooped down the field and compelled the maroons to force. The home team transferred play to Bombay territory, but the yellow forwards came away and Pukekohe were penalised. J. Play's kick missed. Jim Adams secured in tho loose and broke away with the leather at his toe and took the ball to within a lew yards of the visitors' territory, where it was kicked out. Bombay were penalised in neutral territory, and W. Stuart had a shot at goal. It was some distance, but he piloted the oval over the bar amidst deafening applause: Pukekohe .. .. .. 3 Bombay 0 Bombay forwards woke up with 1 he reverse and made determined ef- j forts to break through. R. Evans was instrumental in putting in some line work which saved his side repeatedly. This tittle fellow played a great game for his team, and was always in the thick. A Middlemiss relieved an ugly situation by a timely mark. The yellows returned the leather to Pukekohe territory, but i Tonkin and Adams Bros put in some <

good runs and shifted the scone of operations to midiield ,when halftime sounded with the score; Pukekohe 3 j Bombay 0 C. Flay retired injured and his place was filled by Ross. Pukekohe at once pressed when operations were resumed and took the leather to Bombay's line, where l.rownlee made a brilliant save by marking. The yellows forged ahead but could not break through. Play hovered in midfield for some time until Lysnar set the maroon rearguard in action. The ball travelled at a rapid pace from Lysnar, to Hart, to Adams, to Tonkin, to Jas. Adams, who centred and the forwards made a determined effort, Roy Fulton being pushed out at the corner, The yellows cleared and took play upfield when the third quarter ended.

Tht Final Quarter.

A Brilliant Passing Bout

Dazeley kicked off for the final 20 minutes, and Bombay returned to halfway. The yellows were now playing with great dash, but it appeared to be the final flutter. They rushed tho ball down to the home line, and twice in succession were nearly over, but Jas Adams and Nicholson effected brilliant saves. Bombay pressed hard on the eastern corner, and a forward dived across, but he was a long way off-side, and a tight corner was relived through the subsequent freekick, The yellows came again, but Lysnar saved by a timely mark, and the maroons with forwards in the van took play to Bombay's twentyfive. Here Bob Evans obtained and cleverly tricked a couple of home forwards, and found the line past halfway. Tonkin broke away with the leather at his toe, and went dangerously close to scoring. Indeed he was rather unfortunate. Soon after W. Stewart, Perkins and B. Hart broke away from a scrum and kicked the ball over the line. W. Stewart fell on it, but it was out behind the line. Bombay dropped out subsequently. A scrum was ordered in neutral territory, about halfway. The Pukekohe hookers sent the ball out of the scrum to Lysnar, who tricked an opposing player. He transferred to L. Hart, who sent to Jack Adams, who in turn whipped it to Tonkin. The latter ran as straight as a gun barrel to his opponent, when he cleverly swerved in and made a great opening. He had no one to pass and transferred to Jas Adams, who, amid shouting and applause, dived over. It was indeed a brilliant try and was a fine piece of work—finer play could not have been seen anywhere. W. Stewart's kick missed: Pukekohe 6 Bombay 0 With only a few minutes to go before time was called the maroons commenced throwing the ball about to some tune. The forwards participated in the bouts as well as tfce backs. In rapid succession Dazeley, Tonkin, Jack Adams, Stewart and Perkins were almost over, but overeagerness spoiled the chances. From a scrum in Bombay's twenty-five Lysnar obtained and sent to L Hart, who dived for the line, but during his movement a spectator caught hold of him and prevented him from eontinuingj Another 18 inches and the score would have been increased. Bombay were now beaten and the Pukekohe team appeared to have matters fairly easy. H. Jones marked in a handy position, but J3. Hart s kick failed. Give-and-take play followed until the whistle sounded with the score: Pukekohe 0 Bombay 0 From a spectators point of view it was a splendid game between two good teams. There is no question, the better team won on its merits in spite of the fact that thir opponents were a heavy lot. Combination and confidence in each other, and science won the game for Pukekohe against a good team which lacked combination and confidence in each other, verified by the fact that one player would never allow the other to take the ball. Assistance was always forthcoming, with the result there was a mull between two or three where one would do. On the play there was very little between the teams. Mr. Bert Clarke proved an efficient and capable referee, and carried the whistle to the satisfaction of all concerned.

It would be unfair to single out any particular member of the winning team, as one and all did his bit in a creditable manner.

K. Evans was undoubtedly the mainstay of the defeated team, and was always a thorn in the side of the winners. The remainder played fairly {food football. ONEWHERO 11 V. TUAKAU 0. Onewhero seniors defeated Tuakau by 11 points to 0. Tries were scored by A. Lo<>an, Glasgow and Brown Kihi, one of which was converted by Potoa Hira. Mr. J. W. Lonergun refereed. I

MATCHES FORFEITED

Pukekohe seniors and Tuakau juniors forfeited to Bombay and Onewhero respectively.

The following players will represent the Pukekohe third grade team in a match against Papakura to be played at Papakura on Saturday, August 21, at 2 p.m. sharp:—C. Brocklesby, (J. Brownlee, L. Wood, R. Wright, K. Papesch, E. Wilson, J. Malcolmson, W. Smith (tapt.), V. Blake, K. Drake, H. Papesch, J. Wood, W. l)aysh, E. Wilkinson, L. Curney. Emergencies: J. Morrison, A. Blake. All players are requested to attend a practice at the horse bazaar on Thursday night at eight o'clock. I