RUGBY FOOTBALL SEASON

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 405, 12 April 1937, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL SEASON

TWO MATCHES AT STRATFORD

STRUGGLE FOR LAMPLOUGH SHIELD

The good attendance of the public and the enthusiasm with which the opening matches of the 1937 season was received, point to an interesting programme at week-end's'and a more prosperous time for the union and the clubs than in the past. "The fact that the half-holiday is now in vogue in Stratford and Eltham gave a number of the spectators their first opportunity of seeing senior teams in action, and the crowd on the terraces appeared to enjoy both the senior and junior matches. Eltham defeated United Old Boys by 6 points (two tries) to 5 points (converted try) in the game for the Lamplough Shield, and Midhirst were too good for United Juniors, winning by I 7 points (three tries, two of which were converted, and a potetd goal) to 3 points (penalty goal).

THE LAMPLOUGH SHIELD. m Eltham (Black and White). —Glentworth: Johnston, McCook, Wilson: Prestidge, R. Bocock; Patton; Dudley (wing); Bloor, Ryburn; Neal, Cross, Leatham; F. .Bocock, Bootten. United Old Boys (White, Blue and Gold). —Adlam; Cochrane, Richardson, Bowler; McCready. A. Rees; W. Dash; Cannon; Kofoed, Thompson. Murphy, Heath; O'Keefe, Bulmer, O. Ries. Eltham kicked off with the sun in their eyes and secured the advantage, but United replied with a nice passing rush. Richardson ran straight, but was collared about the half-way line. Play was strenuous and fast between the twenty-fives, the Black and White.forwards being aggressive, and United were prominent in handling by the backs. Adlam started passing, and the ball went across the three-quarter line in fine style, but" Richardson’s pass was too fast for Bowler to secure. Eltham were kept busy on defence. A free kick from near the side-line at the 25 flag was taken by Adlam, but the ball did net; travel far. Again the Eltham fojx; wards, led by Ueatham, gained much ground, and the attack was continued. Bootten was thrown out ten yards from the corner, and retired injured.

4O'Sullivan went on to fill the vacancy. United swung the scrum nicely, but did not get far. An Eltham forward handled the ball in a scrum near the line, and the free kick brought relief to the home team. The Eltham backs earned applause for a nice passing bout. Ryburn made a fast run and passed to McCook. Patton secured the ball, but was stopped by Adlam. From the 25 lines an excellent piece of play, in which Ries. McCready, Richardson and Bowler handled, finished with a try by the winger behind the bar. Lash goaled. United 5; Eltham 0. I Eltham forwads overran the opposition from the kick-out, and Bowler was fortunate, after running behind the posts, in getting in his kick to the 25 flag. In subsequent scrambling play among the forwards, Pres- . -tidge snapped up the ball ten yards from the line and went across 1o score. Leatham’s kick failed. Halftime score: United 5 Eltham 3 ““““Changes were made in the teams. For United, Bilski took Bulmer’s place in the forwards, and Taylor replaced Cannon behind the pack. For Eltham,

Worthington, replaced Johnston at wing-three-quarter. Eltham changed to the 34 —1 scrum. Exciting Second Half. Eltham rushed to United’s line and narrowly missed a score. After lifting the siege, Cochrane was pulled down inside Eltham’s 25 when he was well supported. Long kicks assisted Eltham, and United forced down. Play was fast and open in neutral territory. Leathc\m goaled from a free kick a long way out. Eltham 6; United 5. Kofoed and Patton went off, and Worthington went on as half-back and Johnston as wing-three-quarter. A long kick by Worthington went out near United’s corner, but play was returned quickly to half-way. A spe.ll of interesting play followed, the fast work of the United backs being countered by the Eltham forwards and good collaring by the backs. Eltham appeared to have a score in their keeping as the result of a forward rush, but United were awarded a penalty kick, which brought relief. United forced down, following a long kick by Neal. Prestidge, McCook, and Johnstone were prominent in smart back play, but the defence was equal to the occasion, raising applause from the spectators. Adlam ran down the line and passed inside, coming again to repeat the movement. Eltham’s collaring stopped the attack. Cochrane emerged from a brush and had a clear run to the line, but fell as the result of a low tackle. Eltham rallied to the defence, and the teams had a breather when Lash was injured and ' went off. Eltham forced down after | a hard kick. Eltham went to United’s ’ corner for a minute, and when play returned to the centre, time was sounded. ELTHAM 6 UNITED 5 Mr. J. J. Sheppard refereed.

TOKO DEFEAT STRATFORD j j At Toko the local club defeated a j visiting team from the Stratford club by 18 points to 5. For Toko, tries were scored by Wilmshurst (2), Wrigley and Thom-1 son. Cruickshank adding the extra points twice and Latham once. R. I Jackson scored for Stratford and Pollard converted the try.