RUGBY FOOTBALL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 283, 25 July 1932, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

saturday's matches WHAKA BEATS NGONGOTAHA TO TAKE DEFINITE LEAD VERY MEDIOCRE DISPLAYS/^ After a stand-down for three weeks owing to rep. fixtures, the . senior Rugby competition was continued at Arawa Park on Saturday. The football was flar below the usual club standard and the only game that was keenly contestsd was between Whaka and Ngongotaha. The latter team, who have greatly improved during the competition, kept the score at eight all up to the last ten minutes of the game, when one Whaka player received his marching orders, Whaka then scored two tries in quick succession which now places tbem far enough in front in the competition to place the result beyond doubt. !In the junior games no surprises were recorded. It was expected that the High School-Old Boys match would produce some thrills but tlie many spectators who were on the ground early to see the gam'3 were disappointed at the very mediocre dis-

play given by both etams. The game was fairly even on the play, School gaining the decision from a ponalty kick. With a scratch fifteen, Kahukura reversed the decision o fthe first round, completely swamping Wailcite by the margin of 23 points to 9 in a game that attracted few spectators. Good tackling, combined with a smartness to grasp opp'ortunities was tlie main i'eature of the winners' play. Rotoiti v. Hikuwai On No. 1 ground Rotoiti defeated Hikuwai by twelve points to three after one of the most drab displays witnessed in club football this season. After the fine showing made by Hikuwai against Whaka a few Satufdays ago, it was expected the game would be well worth watching, but by halftime the sideline was practically deserted. Rotoiti opened th'e scoring- from a forward rush which took play to their opponents' 25 where Marsh (a promoted junior) secured from a scrum and dived over in the corner. A lot of wild kicking and mulling of the ball by both sides ended when Hikuwai was penalised for offside play in front of Rotoiti's posts. Greening made no mistalce with- the kick. Fast foilowing up and smart tackling by Bell, eaught Hikuwai's full-back in possession 10 yards from the line where, from a scrummage, Smith scored for Rotoiti.

A scrambling and kicking rush' by Hikuwai ended in Rotoiti carrying behind. From a five yards scrum the ball was kept in and after hard scrummaging in front of the posts, Hikuwai forced their opponents back, Te Whata scoring alongside the posts. The kick was a poor attempt and failed. The score at half time was Rotoiti 9, Hikuwai 3. Second Spell In the second spell Hikuwai held their own against the opposing forwards, but the backs frequently failed to improve their position after making good openings. The only score in the latter spell, came to Rotoiti from a penalty kick five yards inside the half-way line. Bell (a junior player) landed a beautiful kick, making the final score Rotoiti 12, Hikuwai 3-. Dr. W. S. Wallis was referee. WHAKA DEFEATS NGONGOTAHA The game between Whaka (red and black) and Ngongotaha (black end white) was fairly close, the score of 14 — 8 in favour of Whaka, being a fair indication of the relative mer- , its of the two teams. Wliaka's score consisted of three tries, one of which i was converted, while for Ngongotaha Young scored a try which was converted by James, who also kicked a penalty goal. The two packs of forwards were fairly evenly matched, and as the greater part of play was in the forwards, the game was interesting throughout, with now one side and then the other attacking. There were some good back movements at ; times, but as a rule the backs were smotiBced before they could get sc ■ gl | remodifc-FuImonas i/o aua