SCHOOLS AT PLAY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 289, 1 August 1932, Page 6

SCHOOLS AT PLAY

ROTORUA BEATS AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SECONDS IN GOOD GAME. HOME BACKS GO WELL. Little interest was displayed in club games at Arawa Park on Saturday, the main attraction being the Auckland Grammar 2nd XV. — Rotorua High School fixture. As was expected, the game drew a record attendance of spectators and supporters, and those present were well rewarded with a first-class exhibition of Rugger that was full of thrills. Both teams maintained a fast pace from the first whistle to the call of time, but Rotorua's better finish and greater penetration in the backs enabled them to win in convincing style, 17 — 8. The only game played in the senior grade was between Whaka and Rotoiti, and resulted in a win for the latter by 11 points to 3. The winners made the game a forward

—— *«— i im— ■ i ■»»■■■ i«. i ■ 1 1 ii— ■!— a— one, tactics which proved successful in off-setting the better combination of their opponents' backs. In the junior competition, Whaka proved far superior to Rotoiti, and in the final stages of the game, completely swamped their opponents, scoring two tries in quiek succession within five minutes of the end of the game. High School v. Auckland Grammar. The teams lined out as follow: — Auckland. — Steele, Clark, Logan, Edwards, Hesketh, Thompson, Cross, Taylor, Allison, Jones, Pedley, Graham De Lange, Childs, Logan. Rotorua. — Hampson, Mitchell, Matthews, II. Steele, Hinton, Park, Dawson, T. Bcrghan, Gainsford, Christophers, Robertson, Dorset, P. Berghan, Devin, Brooker. The visitors kicked off. and from

scrums around half-way, Dawson received the ball and endeavoured to set his backs going. These efforts were checked, however, by Grammar playing on top of School's fiveeighths. Foliowing fast after a kick, Rotorua's pack bustled Steele, the visiting full-back, and had play in their opponents' twenty-five, where Rotorua was awarded a penalty, Park opening the scoring with a good kick. Rotorua 3, Grammar 0. Rotorua gained the advantage in the line-outs and set scrums, but the visitors were better in the loose and often recovered a lot of territory by keeping the bali at the toe. A Rotorua passing rush was spoiit when Park tried to cut in and was well tackled ; he would have improved the position had he let the ball out to his supports. A further movement saw Park transfer to Berghan, who brolce away, but Edwards, the Grammar winger, came across and stopped his progress. From a visitors' forward rush in Rotorua's twenty-five, H. Steele secured the leather and, beating an opponent, made a good dash down the line and put in a nice kick. The ball was well fielded by Edwards, who returned it with a well directed kick to find toueh in Rotorua's twenty-five. From the line-out, Grammar received the ball and took play to Rotorua's line where they secured from a scrum and looked like scoiing from a passing rush, but Logan failed to hold Thompson's pass. Ilard scrummaging on the line ended in Graham going over alongside the posts. The kick failed.

Rotorua 3, Grammar 6. Rotorua Leads Again. Fast passing rushes by Rotorua, all the backs handling, ended in Mitchell being forced out in the visitors' twenty-five after putting in a good run. Repeated attempts by Rotorua to penetrate their opponents' defence were unsuccessful, sound tackling on the part of Grammar keeping the line intact. For an infringement, however, the visitors were penalised and Park added a further three points with a beautiful kick. Rotorua 6, Grammar 3, From a line-out at half-way, Dawson received the ball and started a passing rush which ended when Matthews dropped his transfer. The Grammar pack came through with the ball at the toe and set up an attack which hemmed Rotorua in their twenty-five. After an exchange of kicks, Hampson cleared well to find the line' at half-way. From a

scrum in mid-field, Hinton received the ball, completely drew the opposing defence, and cut in to transfer to Paik who in turn sent in to Matthews, who took the ball in his stride and dashed across the line to score behind the posts. Park made no mistake with the kick. Rotorua 11, Grammar 3. Just before half-time, Clark received an injury to the leg and had to retire, Sayers replacing him. Second Spell. ■On resuming, Dawson received from a line-out in his twenty-five and sent to Park who kicked; play was taken to half-way where H. Steele in possession, put in a strong run to his opponent's twenty-five. For pieking- out of the scrum, Rotorua were penalised, and the visitors initiated a dangerous passing rush which ended in their opponents' twenty-five. From a scrum Cross sent to Locan who cut in and scored

alongside the posts. Pedley convertted. Rotorua 11, Grammar 8. Securing from a scrum at halfway, Thompson sent the ball up field with a nice kick that Hampson failed field, and fast foliowing up by Grammar, compelled Rotorua to force. A lot of open play with neither side gaining the advantage saw Matthews put in a fine run, but a bad pass nullified any scoring ehance. Rotorua's next scoring movement ! started when Dawson received from ! a line-out and, working the blind, j sent to H. Steele, who with a great j dash ran up the line to go over in I the corner. Park failed with the kick. Rotorua 14, Grammar 8. Rotorua put on the pace now and ; kept up a continual attack which severely tested the visitors' defence. , Steele, the visiting custodian, who ; had acquitted himself well through- : out the game, received an injury and : had to retire. His place was taken , by Reid, but the latter's handling was I poor and his failure to field the ball compelled him to force on two occasions. j Fast passing rushes by the Rotoi rua backs, saw the play veer from ' one side of the field to the other. ; The winners' final score came from a line-out in the visitors' twenty-five. : The ball travelled from Dawson to Parlc to Hinton to Matthews, who with a great swerving run, beat four opponents to score a beautiful try behind the posts. Park failed with the kick. Rotorua 17, Grammar 8. Dr. W. S. Wallis referred the game.