WHAKA DEFEATS NGONGOTAHA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 232, 23 May 1932, Page 7

WHAKA DEFEATS NGONGOTAHA

' SPECTACULAR BAGK PLAY ' Whaka had a comfortable win against Ngongotaha ori No. 2 Ground by 22 (two coriverted tries and four tr'ies) to three' (one penalty goal). Ngongotaha fielded a heavier and slightly supterior -pack, but Whaka, r6lied mairily on their backs, we&kening their forwards by playing a 3-4 formation and placirig ari extra man iri the baek lirie. Ngongotaha showed a further improvement iri Coriibiriation, but still show a decided Iaclc o'f inside backs with penetratirig ability. In the first half, they Were content to confine play to the forwards as far as possihle, and for the greater part of the period kept Whaka in their owri ter- ■ f itory. HoWever, Whaka every now arid agdin heeled the ball and their backs sWept right down the field in speetacriiaf and delightfully crisp passing movemerits, two of which resulted in tries. In the second half, Ngorigotaha opened up play a go'od deal, and the game hecariie very willing, and provided' some excellent play from the spectators' point of view. However, Ngo- : ngotaha's change in tactics proved disastrbus, for the Whaka baclcs got going iri great style and soon ran up an additional 14 points. Whaka won the toss and took advantage of the sun. Ngongotaha soon carried play into their opponents' territory, but lost the ground gained by booting the ball wildly over the deadball line. Play soon returned up the field again, and Whaka were for some time penned iri their own 25. First Points to Whaka From a scrum, Whaka seeured, and Thompson got the ball away to Haririora with a well-timed pass. A good passing rush ensued tbe full length of the field, Hamiora crossing the line to run round and touch down under the posts'. Sullivan converted. Whaka 5, Ngongotaha nil. Morrison (Whaka) received an injury to his leg, but after a short rest came back on to the field, only to have to go off a few minutes later. Play still remained in Whaka's half, the Ngongotaha pack preventing the Whaka backs from handling the ball. Yates (Ngongotaha) seeured and battled his way through the defence, finally short punting over Sullivan's head. However, Kukume was close at hand and caught the ball behind the line to force. The Ngongotaha pack was making repeated attacks on Whaka's line, but Sullivan's accurate Iine-kicking always saved the situation.

Soon after, the Whaka backs again swept down the field in a sparkling movement. T. .Wairau took a pass, fended off an opponent and scored well out. Sullivan's kick failed. Whaka 8 Ngongotaha nil. Half-time came without further score. The second spell saw up and down play with Whaka holding the advantage. From a line-out in Ngongotaha's 25, Hamiora at first fiveeighth) took a pass, broke through 1 the opposition to score in a good position. Wairau converted. Whaka 13, Ngongotaha nil.

Runaway Try Almost , immediately, Thompson (Whaka) refeeived the ball from a line-out in Whaka's 25, and set his backs goirig for the third passing rush the length of the field. Wairau burst through the opposition arid got clean j away, to score undfer the posts. ; Leoriard riiissed the shot at goal. Whaka 16, Ngorigotaha nil. Ngorigotaha now redoubled their efforts, but their backs could not pierce the defence. Following a period of play ii'ear half-way, Whaka were penaliSOd for- an infrlngement near their OWn goal-line, and Mini found no trouble in sendng th'e hall over. Whaka 16, Ngongotaha, 3. Ngongotaha eontnued to press their opponents, but their backs semriied unable to support the good work done by their forwards. From a scrum fri Ngongotaha territory, Thompson (Whaka) set his haclcs going, but a dangerouslooking movement hrdke down, when Wairati. was rirassed heavily, within

a few yards of the lirie. However, Thompson snapped up again and sent out to Morgan, Whaka's speedy winger, who dived over near the corner flag. Leonard's kick fell short. Whaka 19, Ngongotaha 3. Shortly afterwards, frorii a loose scrum near half-way, Thompson broke throrigh and passed to Hamiora, arid the ball went out to Keep'a an'd theri to Kukume, who with two mfifi outside him with a clear run in to score, threw away. a certain try hy cutting iri to' he well tackled. Shortly before the final whistle, the Whaka forwards obtained possession from a line-out on Ngongotaha's 25 line, and several of therii started a passing movement on their own account, R. Wairau scoring. The kick went wide. Shortly afterwards the game ended with the score: Whaka .... .... 23£[