Rotoiti v. Kahukura

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 260, 27 June 1932, Page 6

Rotoiti v. Kahukura

The game which attracted the most interest was the Rotoiti-Kahulcura clash the winners reversing the result of their meeting in the first round. As was expected with the muddy condition of the ground, the game resulted into a straight-out forward battle, neither side making any attempt to open up the game. For the first fifteen minutes of the play, Kahukura pack had the upper hand and held Rotoiti in their twentyfive but superior weight told against Kahukura whose repeated attempts to cross their opponents' line proved unsuccessful. Offside play by Rotoiti in their 25, saw Kahukura make three unsuccessful attempts to turn penalties to account. Vercoe got his side out of a tight corner with a nice lciclc but failed to find touch and Sutherland whipped up the ball to drop a beautiful field goal — incidentally, the first potted goal of the season. At half-time this was the only score registered. Kahukura forwards were having the best of the game until W. Scott received a nasty injury to the eye which necessitated his leaving the field. Second Spell The opening stages of the second half saw the Rotoiti pack take play to their opponents' 25 where Greening secured from a scrum in front of the posts and cut out the opposing backs to send Vercoe across for a try behind the posts. It was a smart piece of work which completely left Kahukura's backs standing. Greening added the extra points, making the score Rotoiti 5, Kahukura 4. The threequarters were the weaknesses of the Kahukura side. From a dribbling rush at half-way Kahukura' worked their way to their opponents' line where Archer got over after some strenuous scrummaging on the line in the corner. The kick failed. Kahukura 7, Rotoiti 5. The final twenty minutes of the game was in Rotoiti's favour their hard play and greater weight, having a marked effect on the Kahukura van, which was handicapped by backs whose defence was hopeless. Rotoiti's second try was the result of poor tackling by the Kahukura rearguard. Starting from a passing rush in Kahulcura's 25 Rotoiti swept through the opposition and Greening kicked over the line. The ball beat Sutherland, and Barber following fast, went over. Although Parsons, Archer, Poland and Co. made great efforts to stave off defeat, the Rotoiti pack proved too tough and were soon in Kahukura's 25 where Greening again started a scoring movement which ended in Purei beating Sutherland, in a race for the ball and scoring.^o fqr^er

points came from the kick, the game ending 11-7 in Rotoiti's favour. Mr. R. G. Webb had control of the game.