WAIARIKI WINS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 24, 21 September 1931, Page 4

WAIARIKI WINS

GAME PULLED FROM FIRE DURING EXTRA SPELL PONSONBY BEATS ROTORUA Snatching victory in the Mitehell Cup final by a try during extra time, Waiariki on Saturday had the luek a trifle with them when they defeated Whaka 6-3. It wa3 one of the hardest fought games of the season and one which was packed with thrills { from whistle to whistle. A defermined struggle between two sets of evenly balanced forwards saw Whaka in the first half get a little the better of the exchanges. With the services of Sutherland, Scott and Thomas from the Kakukura Club, Whaka was a mtich strengthened side and kept the play in their opponent'g twenty-five where, from a scrum Heke started a passing rush ' which ended in Scott putting in a strong dash down the line to score a good try in the croner. Whaka 3, Waiariki nil. Twice Waiariki were compelled to force, but further attack by Whaka saw Sullivan clear with a kick upfield; the ball as received by Thomas but Wearea was on top of him before he could get in his1 kick and for the first time Whaka were defending their twenty-five. Offside play by Whaka gave R. Greening a shot but the kick against a strong wind failed. Forwards' Efforts With 'short kicks, Waiariki pushed to Whaka's line where hard play took place. A combined effort on the part of the Waiariki forwards resulted in R. Waerea scoring in the corner. Waiariki 3, Whaka 3. Willing Battle The remainder of the spell was fast and willing with the two sets of forwards battling for supremacy. The sting and determination of the Whaka forwards was successful in breaking up the penetrative movement of the Green, Waerea combination and keepthe score at three all. The second half saw play go to Whaka line where from a line-out, Greening lost the advantage by kicking over the line, the ball being foreed by Whaka. Some hard play in mid-field saw Scott receive a bump whieh caused his retirement. He was badly missed for the rest of the game. A feature of the play was the fine display given by the respective full backs whose line kicking and strong defensive play was responsible for the low scoring. Just before the call of time there was an exciting exchange of kicking between Sutherland (Whaka's full back) and his vis-a-vis Sullivan. The former got the better of the eontest by finding the line in Waiariki's twenty-five. With only a few minutes to go and defending in their twenty-five, Waiariki made the play a little too strenuous, with the result that Whaka was given a free kick from a good position. Had Heke landed the shot Whaka would have won the game. Extra Time With the call of time, and the scores three all an extra five minutes play each way was agreed upon. On returning to play, R. Greening immediately broke through and with a good run took the ball to ¥/haka's line. Waiariki were penalised and Sutherland sent a long kick which was v/ell talien by Sullivan who returned the ball in-field. R. Greening secured and cross-kicked to Walker who dashed for the line to score the deciding try. No further score resulted and the game ended Waiariki 6, Whaka 3. Mr Mason had control of the game.