SEASON OPENED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 212, 2 May 1932, Page 7

SEASON OPENED

MATCHES GIVE PROMISE OF HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY SOME KEEN CONTESTS There was a good attendance at Arawa Park on Saturday to watch the opening matches of the Rugby football season. The rain held off till after the matches had been played, but the ground was very wet and this militated against clean handling. All the teams used a scrum formation with three men in the front row, but were evidently not quite at home with the new rule. However, when the teams become accustomed to the formation, the result should be noticeable, and an all round improve- , ment in the standard of play will probably he in evidenee. In the senior grade are two new teams, Ngongotaha and Rotiti, both of whieh played well, and an interesting competition should result. Waikite dd not show their form of last season, hut it is to early yet to form judgement. Whaka are as strong as ever and have been strengthened by the addition of several of the players from the now disbanded Waiariki Club, last year's ehampion team. There are ten teams entered for the junior competiton, and there- will be keen competition for places in tbe junior representative team. All the games were closely contested, except one, Kahukura having an easy win against Waikite. Old Boys A haye a good team ths year, but could not do better than a draw with Whaka. Rotoiti and Horohoro both show promise of becoming good combinations. High School will have to work hard to retain the championship this season. Whaka v. Waikite The Whaka v. Waikite gamei was fairly even, and fast and willing. The state of the ground caused the ball 'to he rather greasy, and as a result knock-ons and fumbling were the order of the day. However, the referee kept the game well in hand, and his strictness in penalising fumbling and offside play caused the standard of play to improve as the game went on. Shortly after the commencement, Waikite (yellow and blaclc) were penalised for offside. Kereopa took the kick, but the angle was too great for him. Shortly aftorwards Kukume (Whaka) cut in and after a brilliant run, short punted over the fullbacks' head. The Whaka (red and black) forwards followed up fast rand Te Wairau went over in a good postion. Hamiora converted. Whaka 5, Waikite nil. A period of even play _ followed, Whaka showing a slightly superior combination. The red and black forwards too, saw more of the ball than their opponents. Penalties for offside play were numerous, and from one of these in front of the posts, Mitchell (Waikite) sent the ball over. Whaka 5, Waikite 3. Play ranged up and down the field, without either side gaining the advantage. Waikite were several times penalised for lifting in the scrum. Half-time came without any change in the scores. Not long after the recommencement, Te Wairau (Whaka) received the ball, and getting clean away from , the opposing backs, raced) across the line to score his second try under the posts. Hamiora again converted. Whaka 10, Waikite 3.

Some even play followed, both packs fighting doggedly for the ball. Then, Waikite instituted a passing : rush in their opponeiits' 25, McRae going over wide" out. The kick failed. Whaka 10, Waikite 6. Whaka came baclc to thei attack, and penned the enemy. in .their own 25. From a loose scrum near the line, Wikiriwhi snapped up the ball and scored near the corner flag. The kick was disallowed. Whaka 13, Waikite 6. » Shortly afterwards the game ended with Wakite pressing their opponents hard. Mr. R. G. Webb controlled the game. . - » Rotoiti v. Ngongotaha The Rotoiti v. Ngongotaha game was also very close, hnd the issue was in doubt right till the final whistle. Ngongotaha triumphed in the end by eight (a penalty try, converted and a try) to three (one try). The game was mainly a forward one, with some occasional .passing rushes. Rotoiti has a very solid pack, which was slightly superior to that of Ngongotaha on the day's play. Ngongotaha's back line, however, showed more experience, and this advantage enabled them to run out the winners. However, there was not much to choose between the teams, and both should provide interesting games with the other clubs. Durng the first half, the only score was a penalty try to Ngongotaha (black and white) when Martin was obstructed while racing for the ball, with a clear try in sigh-t. In the second half, the play ranged up and down the field, Young scoring for Ngongotaha, and Green for the Rotoiti team. The final score was 8 — 3 in favour of Ngongotaha. Mr. L. Clarke was the referee. Results: — • Seniors: WHAKA 13, WAIKITE 6: NGONGOTAHA 8, ROTOITI 3. Junior s: 5 HIGH SCHOOL 6, HOROHORO 3. KAHUKURA 26, WAIKITE 0. ROTOITI 6, OLD BOYS B 0. OLD BOYS A 3, WHAKA 3.