NORTHERN JUNIORS v. SOUTHERN.

Shannon News, 4 September 1923, Page 3

NORTHERN JUNIORS v. SOUTHERN.

GAME ENDS IN DRAW—II ALL.

On Saturday afternoon Koputaroa (Northern) met Otaki (Southern) lor the Junior Championship of the I'nior Koputaroa tiled, out on to the field considerably heavier than their southern opponents, and made . the most of that weight in the scrums which followed, and in heavy forward rushes..

The ground was in perfect order, but there was a strong wind blowing right down the field, and Otaki winning the toss, elected to play with this, and the sun, at their backs. It was this factor which enabled them to put up tiheir score, as it was only necessary to kick the bali high for the wind to take it over. A dozen times Koputaroa penned their lighter opponents in their own 25, only to have a long kick take the ball oyer the line to be forced. Under such conditions it was inevitable that sooner or later Otaki must beat Koputaroa lor possession, and they were enabled to put up their part o<f the score during this half.

The game was almost entirely confined to thei forwards, and was a poor exhibition, of' football for the leading junior teams of the Union. On neither side was there any, attempt to handle the ball in a workmanlike manner; passing rushes were conspicuous by their absence, the game resembling a schoolboy’s scramble.

Koputaroa kicktedl off and found the line at the 25, Otaki immediately returning from the line-out, a long kick taking play in front of the goal posts where a free kick enabled Otaki to draw first blood. Otaki 3—o.

Koputaroa pressed strongly into the opposing 25, and for a spell kept things lively, but again the wind took a hand in the game and from a scramble on the line Winterbum picked up and planted the ball behind the posts. The kick struck the post. Otaki 6—o.

A long series of valiant attempts by Koputaroa to take play into the enemy’s country followed this second score, but, being devoid of men capable of handling a ball, they could only kick, and on four separate occasions Otaki getting possession sent it over the line to be forced. Just on time Robinson took the ball over, and Geittins with a useful kick added the extra points. Otaki 11, Koputaroa 0.

Koputarob opened strongly on the resumption of play, and took the ball well down where a scramble on the line resulted in a scrum 5 yards out. • From this the ball- went over 1 , but was kicked out of touch. From the 25, Stickles, Hakaraia, and Pini made t,he first passing Tush of the day which just failed. - Almost immediately after a loose rush took the ball over, Arona scoring. Stickles missed with the kick. Score 11—3.

Otaki invaded Koputaroa territory for the first time in this spell, but could not maintain the pressure, and were borne down to their own line, where Koputaroa got over on two occasions, but could not ground the ball. A third attempt succeeded through Otaki fumbling, and Arona scored. Nepia added the extra points. 11-8.

The wind had by this time dropped considerably, and Otaki playing with more dash than their adversaries, kept, play in the other side for a 'period. In the last five minutes, however, Konutaroa returned - solidly to the attack, and an exciting scramble took place on the line, two scrums at the svds distance following in quick succession. Dunn just heat the whistle and incidentally saved his side by adding the three remaining noinis on time, the kick failing. Mr E. Bevan was referee. _