ROTORUA B. BEATEN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 277, 18 July 1932, Page 4

ROTORUA B. BEATEN

TEAM WALKS OFF FIELD IN JUNIGR GRADE MATCH. unusual incident; Perfect winter weather favoured the Rugby matches on Arawa Park on Saturday, and a large attendance saw Rotorua go down to Matamata in the B. representative match for the Findlay Cup, by 34 (three tries, 3 converted tries, two penalty goals, and a field goal) to 3 (a penalty goal). The score was only 9 — 3 at half time, but in the last ten minutes, the Matamata rearguard threw the ball about in great style and ran all over Rotorua. In the junior games, the only surprisp of the day was the defeat of Horo Horo by Waikite by 26 — 0. Waikite's success was partly due to the fact that their opponents played several men short. High School had a close game with Rotoiti, but finally won by 14 — 9. The score was 14 — 0 at half time. Shortly before the call of time, the referee (Mr. T. Oneroa) ordered a Rotoiti player off the field for rough play, with the result that the whole team walked off in a body. Kahukura were lucky to beat Whaka by 4 — 3, Duff winning the match for his side with a field goal. In the Junior B grade, Old Boys B defeated the High School 2nd XV by 6 — 0 after a close game. The winners showed a slight but definite superiority all round, their pack being the deciding factors in a very "hard fought contest. FINDLAY CUP MATCH. Matamata won the toss and Rotorua kicked off facing the sun. Matamata scored quickly with two unconverted tries, both of which came as the result of good forward rushes, Lynch and Fraser scoring. Wilson missed both kicks. From a penalty for an infringement, A. Mitchell goaled for Rotorua with a great kick from the side-line. Matamata 6, Rotorua 3. Play remained in Rotorua's twentyfive for some time, but the home team gradually worlced play up field, both sides using the line continually. Play was very ragged at this stage. Both teams showed a tendency to indulge in "speculating," and a lack of combination spoiled any baclc-movements. Matamata brought play down field again, and from a scrum the visiting backs all handled, but Stewart kicked and the ball went out behind. Soon afterwards, Fallon put the ball over from a penalty in a good position. Matamata 9, Rotorua 3. From -the kick-off, the Rotorua pack swept up the field, but Matamata saved by forcing. Rotorua attacked again, and A. Mitchell had a shot at goal from a penalty, the ball go'ing wide. Half time came with play still in Matamata's territory, and the score unchanged at Matamata 9, Rotorua 3. Second Spell. Rotorua attacked with a will from the whistle, and for a time looked like turning the tables on their opponents. However, the Rotorua fiveeighths, Mitchell and Keepa, were too selfish with the ball, and would not feed their fast three-quarter line. Davis, at fullback, was another weak link in the home back division. Rotorua pressed for a short time, but Matamata cleared to half-way with a free kick. Play went to Rotorua's 25, where from a scrum, Fallon set his backs going. The ball came out to Stewart, who broke clean through half the Rotorua team to score in k handy position, Fallon converting. Matamata 14, Rotorua 3. Combination Lacking. Matamata did not show much combination in the backs, but they used ihe line to good advantage. The forwards played well and won most of the set scrums. The crowd expressed their strong disapproval of the referee, when J. Reid intercepted a pass in his own twenty-five and got clean away for a certain try, but was brought back. for fumbling the ball. The Rotorua backs .were using their heads a hit more, and exeiteiment grew intense at times among tho spectators, although it was diffieult to see anything even mildly exciting ih the play of the Rotorua team. Matamata's next try was al-

most given to them, when Davis failed miserably to take the ball on his own line, and fast following up by the visiting forwards allowed them to score under the posts. The kick went wide. Matamata 17, Rotorua 3. Brilliant in Patclies. There was a very evident contrast between the fullbacks of the two teams, the Matamata custodian's handling and line kicking being almost perfect. Play went up and down field. The back play was still very ragged, although brilliant in rare patches. Wilson (Matamata) was successful with a penalty goal from near the side line, and soon afterwards the same player received the ball from a scrum in Rotorua territory and took a "pot" at goal, the ball bouncing on the cross bar and going over. Matamata 25, Rotorua 3. v Reid was injured and had to be carried off, and from then till the end of the game, the visitors were all over Rotorua, their backs handling in great style. A good passing rush showed the Matamata backs to advantage, and an in-pass gave the ball to Mackin, who went over near the posts, Wilson converting. The visitors continued to throw the ball about, frequently making the opposing backs loolc silly. Just on time, Fallon came round the blind, from a scrum near Rotorua's line, and went over for Brown to- convert. The game ended with play at half way, and the seores. Matamata - 34 Rotorua 3