UNITED OLD BOYS DRAW WITH TUKAPA.

Taranaki Central Press, 19 April 1937, Page 2

UNITED OLD BOYS DRAW WITH TUKAPA.

Victory Narrowly Missed. Meeting Tukapa, last year’s provincial champions, at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, United Old Boys played remarkably well and surprised by holding their opponents to a draw (9 —9), three tries each. United’s last try, secured a minute or two before time was up, created a sensation, and the kick missed goaling by grazing the outside of the post. The Teams. Tukapa.—Broughton; White, Hanover, Gardiner; J. Sullivan, C. Brown (captain); Main; Bell, Gardiner, O’Dowda, Ruakere, Voullaire, Dickey, Knott; G. Sullivan. Stratford Old Boys. —Adlam (captain); Bowler, Richardson, L. Lash; McCarrison, McCready, Ries; Robinson, Heath, Thomson, Murphy, «Kofoed, O’Keeffe, Bilski, Bulman. The Tukapa backs got going from the outset, but the visiting forwards gave a glimpse of their quality when, a Tukapa movement breaking down, j Kofoed led a loose rush which ended 1 in Tukapa forcing. The Tukapa backs came again, and outside Stratford’s twenty-five Brown sent the ball to Sullivan, who swerved past two of the opposition to send the ball to Hanover. Hanover passed to Gardiner, who scored near the corner. Broughton failed to goal. The Tukapa backs kept the visitors busy. Richardson saved a certain score when he upended White, but next moment G. Sullivan, who had joined in the chain, scored. Broughton again failed with the kick. Except for an occasional sortie by the visitors, in one of which Adlam failed with a penalty kick, Tukapa had all the best of the play. Voullaire broke through and kicked infield for G. Sullivan to gather up and give Dickie a simple try under the bar. Broughton’s kick struck Kofoed. Heath and Thomson broke through for Richardson to outpace Broughton and score. Adlam failed to goal. A little later good work by McCarrison and McCready just fell short of a score, the spell ending with the score Tukapa 9, Stratford Old Boys 3. Sensational Finish. With the sun behind them, Stratford Old Boys ; played much better in the second spell. The pack charged down the field for McCarrison to pass to Kofoed, who frrpke clear and sent a wide pass to McCready, who had a clean run in, but Sullivan intercepted. The Tukapa backs handled for Gardiner to dash across at the corner, but he struck the corner post. Next moment he was brought down by Bowler. White was also held up on the other wing. A few minutes later Lash and Richardson were dangerous, when Richardson kicked too hard, the ball reaching the dead-ball line. Keeping up the pressure, Stratford flashed the ball from McCarrison to Richardson and on to Lash, who scored. Adlam’s kick failed. Only three points ahead, Tukapa asserted itself. The forwards pressed and the backs got moving but Gardiner and White were each well held. With three or four minutes to go, the visiting pack broke through and Lash, snapping up, cut through and sent Richardson away to score in a handy position. His own kick grazed the post and the game ended in a draw. Mr. K. Nodder was referee. Junior Matches. S.T.H.S'. 20, Stratford Thirds 5, at School. Inglewood IV 20, Tukapa V 16, at Inglewood.