RUGBY FOOTBALL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 621, 28 August 1933, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S RESULTS MATAMATA SECURES VICTORY IN CLOSELY-FOUGHT GAME SHARP FORWARD EXCHANGES The allround reorganisation of the senior representative team has borne fruit for Saturday's big game against Matamata was the best seen in Rotorua for some considerable time, and provided the fast and spectacular football that appeals to the Rugby fans. Although the visitors ran home to win by a seven-points' margin the score, 17 — 10, was no indication of the game, for Rotorua on the day was the better team and besides having the territorial advan.tage throughout the game also had the better of the play. With 'an ounce of luck they would have certainly have won for' they were leading 5 — 3 at orange time and later in the seeond spell the scores were 10 — 8 in their favour, until M. Thomas, the Rotorua custodian had to retire through injury. "Rotorua Opens The early Stages of the game were characterised by sharp forward e.xchanges in which the home van dominated play transferring from one end of the field to the other. On one occasion Rotorua were compelled to force and within a few minutes the visitors were in the same predicament. Rotorua' opened the scoring, which started from a forward rush led by Heke and Rogers. The ball was punted for the line and beat the visiting fullback, rebounding into the hands of Rogers, who failed to hold the leather and knocked on, losing a certain try. A scrum was ordered 10 yards from the visitors' line. and from the ruck Mackie secured and sent to Hamiora who scored alongside the posts. T. Morrison converted. Rotorua 5, Matamata 0. Matamata's first try was a smart transference of play, the result of elean handling and fast moving back combination. It started from a set scrum just inside halfway in Rotorua's territory. Matamata hooking the ball enabled the half to start a pass-

ing rush in which all the visiting backs handled, and although Rotorua put in some solid man for man tackling the ball went right out to J. Wilson, the speedy Waikato winger, who clinched the movement by eluding the fullback and dashing over in the corner. The score, Rotorua 5, Matamata 3, was unaltered at halftime. Thomas Injured Shortly on resuming Matamata with a strong passing rush took play to Rotorua's line where M. Thomas, in tackling a Matamata player, fell with his opponent on top of him and had to retire through an injury to his arm. The loss of Thomas brought a weakness to the home def ence ^ for almost immediately after the^ incident Matamata, by means of kicking and fast foITowing up, scored behind the posts. The try was converted, making Matamata 8, Rotorua 5. Rotorua's next try in which both the forwards and backs combined, was the most exciting incident of the day. Heke started the movement by intercepting a Matamata passing rush from halfway and ran down the line to the 25 flag where he was run out. From the ensuing line-out Tuhoro broke away and with great dash jinked his way past several of the opposition only to lose possession of the ball right on Matamata's line.. For picking out of the scrum he was penalised, allowing Matamata to clear to halfway, where from a set scrum Rotorua heeled and Hamiora sent to B. Jacobs to Rogers .to Morrison who sent on the pass to G. Jacobs, the last named cutting in to run around the posts and score a brilliant try. T. Morrison added the points. Rotorua 10, Matamata 8. Final Efforts Although Matamata's final points, a converted try and a dropped goal, were the result of good movements and fast following up the field goal should have been disallowed as the player who dropped the goal was undoubtedly offside. Just before'the call of time T. Morrison intercepted a Matamata back movement and

broke away with only the fullback to J beat. He transferred to Mackie who was tackled alongside the post within inches of Matamata's line. Had he elected to go on instead of looking around for support he would certainly have scored. No further score resulted and the game ended with the score, Matamata 17, Rotorua 10. Mr. A. Wallace was the referee. ! OLD BOYS v. KAHUKURA ' Old Boys were lucky to draw with Kahukura in a junior championship match at Arawa Park on Saturday, a last minute kick by Pipson right from the side line allowing them to draw level with the score at 6 all. Each side scored an uneonverted try and a penalty goal. As a result of this 7 match, Old Boys still lead in the i championship by two points from Waikite. Thus Waikite, to win, will have to beat Old Boys twice. Saturday's game was a hard, even t contest and provided one of the best exhibitions of forward play seen at the park this season. Old Boys' pack . played a great game, but were not quite good enough for Kahukura who J had the better of the scrums and linei outs. In the loose, honours were about even. Old Boys more than made up the difference in the backs, although feeling the absence of ■ Berghan and Newton, and were unlucky not to score on several occa- ( sions. j Ragged play characterised the. opr ening stages, both sets of backs failing to function. Old Boys were awarded a free kick in a difficult position, but Pipson's effort just missed. After several false starts, Old Boys got going in a passing rush, the ball going out to Randerson at centre who put in a good run only to be tackled when a few feet from the line. Kahukura backs attacked strongly, but the .= defence was very solid and they could not press home their advantage.. Lillas made a good attempt at a long range field goal, but just failed to get there. The Kahukura forwards were going well and gave Old Boys a strenuous time on defence. Cottrell was penalised for passing off the ground, and Lillas was again unlucky with the kick. A good piece of dribbling by Matthews took play well into Kahukura territory. Hard forward rucking followed, and Old Boys managed to hold the advantage. Finally Cottrell came round the scrum and scored. Kelly failed at goal. Old Boys 3, Kahukura nil. A few minutes later Kahukura equalised when Kelly was penalised for offside, Lillas landing a great kick. Old Boys 3, Kahukura 3. This was the score when halftime came. The seeond spell opened with passing movements by the Old Boys' back line, but the tackling was deadly, and they could not get through. Kahukura now pressed and had Old Boys in difficulties till Matthews cleared to the 25. Soon after, Cottrell and Matthews dribbled through from halfway, but Matthews kicked too hard and Bennett had time to get the line. Kahukura were soon attacking again and after some torrid forward work, Haycock picked up and hurled himself across in a handy position. Armer missed the kick. Kahukura 6, Old Boys 3. Right on time, Old Boys were awarded a free kick at the side-line, and Pipson raised the flags with a great kick just before the final whistle. Old Boys 6, Kahukura 6. Mr. W. Young was referee.