JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 627, 4 September 1933, Page 6

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

OLD BOYS FOUR POINTS AHEAD BY BEATING WAIKITE A WELL-FOUGIIT GAME The Rotorua Rugby Union's junior championship for the 1933 season was finalised at Arawa Park on Saturday, when a lai*ge crowd saw Old Boys defeat Waikite by 11 points to eight after a hard, even game. This victory gives Old Boys a clear lead of four points in the championship. In the fii-st twenty minutes of the game, Waikite played with great dash and scored two tries, converting one, this giving thenx a lead of eight points which they still kept at halftime. In the second half, there was no doubt as to which was the better team. Old Boys, with sun and wind behind them, were all over their op-

ponents, and with Berghan at first five-eighths, would have romped home. As it was two certain tries were lost through Kelly and Lewis hanging on instead of passing out. Waikite, playing with the sun and wind, had easily the better of the first spell, their forwards dominating the set scrums and line-outs. Shortly after the commencement, Old Boys were awarded a penalty, and Pipson took the kick from well out, but just failed to put it over. Waikite then started a passing rush in their own 25, which gained fifty yards. From a scrum Waikite started a back movement and Tooked like scoring, but were held up for a knock on. Two more likely attacks went the same way through bad haxxdling, and Old Boys were able to clear their line. Waikite were playing an extra back, but in spite of the advantage this gave them, their back line was unable to xise the opportunities wlxich came their way. For a time Old Boys were penned in their oxV half, play then settling about half -way. A wild pass from the base of the scrum by Cottrell allowed Jacobs to intercept well, and from the passing rush which followed Hayward scored in the corner. Manahi failed to goal. Waikite 3, Old Boys 0. ' Another long-range penalty shot by Pipson just fell short, and short-

ly afterwards, Waikxte worked the blind from a scrum, the ball going out to Herewini who cut in-field, heat several opponents and scored by the posts just as he was tackled. Jacobs converted. Waikite 8, Old Boys 0. Stung by this reverse Old Boys now woke up and soon had Waikite on the defensive. Several times their backs made determined efforts to score, but good tackling kept them oxxt. The score at half time was: Waikite 8, Old Boys 0. The second spell saw Old Boys eontinue attacking and their efforts were rewarded when Waikite were penalised for' picking out of the scrum, Pipson putting over a good kick from well out. Waikite 8, Old Boys 3. Lewis (Old Boys) cut in brilliantly but with two men outside him, hung on and was pulled down, thus throwing away a sure try. A few minutes later Pipson made a beautiful attempt at a field goal which just missed. Old Boys were having the better of the play now, but spoilt their chanees by the bad handling and lack of penetration of the five-eighths, the ball rarely getting out to Pipson at all. Old Boys increased their score, however, when Pipson kicked a great goal from a penalty. Waikite 8, Old Boys 6. The next fifteen minutes of the game was a series of lost chances by the Old Boys' backs who were disorganised by the absence of Berghan. Again and again the forwarfls heeled

the ball only for the advantage to be thrown apay through shocking handling ana passing. Finally the hall did get out to Newton on the wing. He was tackled, but inpassed to Christophers to Pipson who scored well out. Pipson converted and Old Boys* were leading, 11 — 8. Waikite attacked strongly, bxxt could not pierce Old Boys' defence. Just before time, Herewini (Waikite) was ordered off by the referee for illegal play. At the final whistle the score was Old Boys 11, Waikite 8. Dr. W. S. Wallis was referee.