SPARKLING FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1928, Page 2

SPARKLING FOOTBALL

SEVEN-A-SIDE AT KAPONGA KAPONGA AND CARTERTON EVEN. TEAMS TO SHARE TROPHIES. A thousand Rugby enthusiasts attended the annual Kaponga seven-aside Rugby football tournament on Saturday, when football of a high order was witnessed. At the gates £lO7 was taken and the tournament in every way was a success. The Kaponga and Carterton teams fought their way through to the final, but the match could not be completed because of the darkness. Subsequently the teams agreed each to hold the trophies for six months. Thanks to the good work of the timekeepers, Messrs. J. A. Guy and Roy Grace, no delay occurred between the matches, and it was only because of the large number of competing teams that the final was not completed. Credit is due the supervisor, Mr. D. P. F. Malone, the secretary, Mr. Alec. Melville, the committee and the line umpires Tor the manner in which the tournament was conducted, while the ladies who had charge of the refreshment booth (members of the Ladies’ Guild) tieserve special mention. The details are:— FIRST ROUND. 'OKAIAWA A 10 BEAT KAPONGA B. Following straggling play, Crawford took the game to Kaponga’s line, where from a line-out Guy secured and passed to Cameron, who forced his way across for I. Crawford to convert. From the kiek off Dawson raced away with a clear field, but his pass went astray. Stanford, on Kaponga’s wing, made a sensational run to near the line, where he fell short from a tackle. After a series of scrums in Kaponga’s twenty-five, Cameron picked up and scored in he corner. Crawford goaled with a great kick. Mr. F. J. Eggleton refereed. STRATFORD 15 BEAT ATHLETIC 0. Owen short punted for Kivell to follow up, beat Syme for the ball and raced across under the posts. Collins goaled. After a fruitless sally on Athletic’s line Owen sent Collins away to eut in and race across under the posts. Collins goaled. Changing over, Kivell secured from a line-out and ran 40 yards to score under the posts. Collins goaled. INGLEWOOD 19 BEAT ELTHAM 0. People stood on their feet when H. Brown gathered the. ball in Inglewood’s twenty-five and raced down the line to score between the posts, closely pursued. His kick failed. Inglewood scored again after bright passing between Evans and N. Ross, who scored a great try under the posts. Evans converted. N. Ross again showed a clean pair of heels to race round the field and score for his brother to goal. Brown scored his second try after a good passing bout. The kick failed. The last try was scored as time sounded, L. Ross beating the field from halfway. F. Webb refereed.

TUKAPA B 13 BEAT HAWERA A 3. Petty received in his twenty-five and ran hard to the other twenty-five before he was tackled. The forwards carried on and R. Oliver scored. Oliver cut in In front of the goal and handed to another player to score. Petty goaled. Straggling piny saw Blackburn pick up at the twenty-five and score under the posts. Petty goaled. After . several rough-and-tumbles, Espin scored for Hawera from the line-out. Guy’s kick failed. Mr. McLean refereed. STAR B 11 BEAT OLD BOYS B 5. Deader scored first for Old Boys, running across under the posts for Allen to convert. Kinsella sent Harvey away, but with two men outside he ent into the mob. Loveridge tackled on the line and scored for Star. Stroud goaled. Stroud scored from a breakaway at a scrum in Old Boys’ twenty-five, the kiek failing. Harvey scored again for Star, the kick' failing. Mr. F. Atkins refereed. KAPONGA A 14 BEAT KAPONGA C 0. Receiving the ball from Bradford, Eliason raced up the line to score. The kick failed. Guy secured at half-way and handed to Free, who eut out a man and scored. His kick failed. From the scrum Bradford and Whalen handled for the latter to score. A. Guy goaled. Purvis scored again just on time. Mr. F. Julian refereed. CELTIC B 5 BEAT WAIMATE B 3. The Plains team, by a series of attacks, were on Celtic’s line on several occasions and were unlucky in failing to cross, but just prior to half-time Celtic made a wonderful recovery, and a spectacular passing rush gave the ball to Stagpoole, who, after a fine exhibition of speed in a sprint from almost half-way, crossed' to score in a handy position. Dodd’s kick was successful. The second half was more willing, opening with advantage to Waimate, for whom Bourke got away with the hall at toe. Woods carried on over the line, obstruction by Phillips giving Waimate the try. The kiek failed. Good passing brought Waimate within striking distance, but a free kick failed and time sounded with Celtic attacking. Mr. Geo. Hurley refereed. STAR A 8 BEAT PATEA 0. Patea made play fast from the start and worked into Star’s twenty-five where after scrambling play, Peterson crossed in the corner. His kick failed. Again Patea were right on their game, Goodwin and Moorhead bringing momentary relief, but Patea eould not be held and a free kick taken by Peterson failed to go over. On the change over Peterson secured the ball from a stray pass and put in a fine run three-quarters the length of the field, accompanied by Bourke, to score in the corner. His kick failed. Star made a good recovery and took the ball well down the field wnere, from a line-out A. Wolfe gathered and scored. The kick was unsuccessful. Another fine attempt by Goodwin gave the ball to Billing who, followed by four Star players, made an unobistructed run to score under the posts. A fine kiek by Morris added the major points. Mr. W. Badley refereed..

CARTERTON 9 BEAT TUKAPA 0. A score in the comer within a very short time rewarded Carterton’s fast following up, but Irvine’s kick, though a good one, went slightly wide. A penalty a few moments later saw Irvine put the leather over. Tukapa were hard pressed throughout, but despite desperate efforts, they could not stem Carterton’s attack, which kept the Taranaki team on their line. From a scramble Irvine crossed but his kick failed. A spectacular passing rush saw the ball pass through the hands of five Carterton players, who were close to striking distance when a pass was intercepted. Mr. F. Julian refereed. WAIMATE A 5 BEAT OKATO 0. There was little difference between the two teams in the first spell, which was marked by straggling play and no score on their side. Waimate made a determined effort in the second half and Winera put in a good kick, allowing Ruru to cross with the ball at toe, a score being given for obstruction. Rurn’s kick was successful. Mr. F. J. Eggleton refereed. HAWERA B 18 BEAT' ELTHAM B 0. Good combination gave Hawera the advantage from the start, and Eltham were called on to defend their line. A series of attacks ended in Hammond crossing under the posts. The try was converted. Seconds later, from s’, scramble near the line, Darkie Robinson dived over. The try was not converted. Good passing characterised the Hawera play. The team threw the ball about ami kept play in Eltham’s twenty-five, where a good passing rush on the part of Barron and Hunter ended in the latter crossing. Hammond converted. A good run by Hall added a further three points and Hammond’s kiek was again successful. Mr. Geo. Hurley refereed. STRATFORD B 13 BEAT OKAIAWA B 3. Stratford took play to Okaiawa’s line from the outset and Carter crossed, Sharrock adding to the points with a good kick. Shortly after, a forward rush put Stratford ■ close to their objective, allowing Henry to seore after a short sprint. The try was not converted. Flay became lively when Okaiawa made determined efforts to score, but the position was relieved by Carter eluding several Okaiawa players and making a good run for the line. Murdoch proved too speedy, however, and grassed him near the line. Another good run by Dodd added to tne score and Sharrock converted. Mr. W. Badlev refereed. SECOND ROUND. INGLEWOOD 6 BEAT TUKAPA B 3 Inglewood had slightly the advantage of the first spell until Petty brightened play with a determined run, shaking off several pursuers, and Meuli carried on to score. Petty failed to convert. Tukapa rallied, asserting their superior weight, and had Inglewood on the defence until a bright passing dash gave the ball to Evans, who scored. The try was not converted. Time had to be extended for an extra three minutes as the scores were even. N. Ross led a nippy attack, the ball going out to Bro.wn, who scored ■ the winning try. Mr. F. Webb refereed. CELTIC 11 BEAT WAIMATE 5. With their account opened by a try by Bourke, converted by Winera, Waimate s chances appeared bright, but Stagpoole broke away and sprinted for the line, scoring under the posts. Dodd converted. A penalty against Waimate gave Dodd a chance to put his team in the lead with a good penalty goal. Waimate were gaining ground with a useful passing rush when Stagpoole intercepted and, after a fast sprint, scored under the posts. Dodd’s kick was unsuccessful. Mr. Geo. Hurley refereed. HAWERA B 3 BEAT STRATF DB. , Barron, Hall and Hammond were associated in a fast passing bout, rendering a hitherto uninteresting game somewhat exciting, but they were held just short of the line and the first spell closed without a score. When Carter got away in the next spell a score seemed certain, but Snowy Robinson and Paterson overtook him. Hawera had the better of the closing stages and held their advantage during the extra time, when Hammond and. Hunter got away, the latter scoring. Mr. F. J.. Eggleton refereed; ?.i

STAR A 5 BEAT OKAIAWA 3.. Okaiawa were hard pressed by Star from the kick off, but the only outstanding play in the first spell was a fruitless attempt by Goodwin, Moorhead and Morris. A try early in the second half was due to the good work of Billing, Moorhead and Morris. The latter converted. From a five yards scrum Guy dived over, Crawford's kick failing. Mr. F. Julian refereed. CARTERTON 3 BEAT STRATFORD A. Both Wynyard and Denby made sensational dashes down the line, but were pushed out. Coußon was caught in his twenty-five and from the scramble Hart reached the corner before Kivell to score. Irvine’s kiek failed. The game was a fast one, with flashes of back play and solid tackling. From his twentyfive KivelL nearly scored after a good follow up and a short dribble, but Denicleared in time. Mr. W. Badley refereed. KAPONGA A 11 BEAT STAR 3 3. Guy broke away early in the game, but lost possession on the line. Following a series of loose dribbling assaults Loveridge, Kinsella and Harvey handled for Harvey to seore. The kiek failed. Kaponga retaliated, Bradford securing xt midfield and giving to Whalen, whose speed did the rest and the scores w«s< equal. The ball was very elusive for a long interval, when Mercer and Kinsella chased it. Kinsella secured, was tackled and lost possession for Mercer to score and Guy to convert. A minute later Guy gave to Whalen, who ran straight and crossed. The kick failed. Mr. F. Atkins refereed. THIRD ROUND. CARTERTON 10 BEAT HAWERA B 3. Great forward play by Carterton, who used their weight, took the ball to Hawera's line, where Denby secured a short pass and dived across. Irvine goaled. The Robinson brothers took advantage of a good Uner by Hammond and pressed on the line, but .Irvine; cleared it half-time. • Starting from an opening by Hart, Booth received at half-way and ran straight aejoes. Irvine goaled. Pat-

terson scored Hawera’s try in the corner after a fiercely waged battle among the forwards. Hie kick failed. Hunter, Barron and Hammond made a spirited bid for the line but were unsuccessful. Mr. F. J. Eggleton refereed. INGLEWC/D 5 BEAT STAR B 0. Within a short time of starting Inglewood had to force twice. Star kept up the pressure, but the first spell ended without any score. A mark by Thomas in a handy position looked promising, but the kick went wide. Brown made a fine solo effort to score, but was forced out. A clever turn by Evans, who dribbled, picked up and passed out, sent N Ross away to outdistance the opposition and score under the posts. L. Ross converted. Inglewood was penalised and Morris took an unsuccessful kick. Mr. W. Badley refereed. KAPONGA A 6 BEAT CELTIC 0. When Kaponga pressed down on Celtic’s line Whalen’s kiek was taken by Eliason, who crossed. The try was not converted. Another good attempt was foiled by a fine effort by Stagpoole, who grassed his man at the line. When Free secured the ball he transferred to Guy, who returned to Free, who scored. The kick failed. Kaponga had bad luck when they were just beaten at the line as time sounded. Mr. F. Julian refereed. SEMI-FINAL. CARTERTON 5 DEAL INGLEWOOD 0. In the gathering dusk Carterton worked down to Inglewood's line, but a free kick and a force down relieved. The third assault saw Cox get across for Irvine to goal. The end of the first half saw Carterton pressing hotly or. Inglewood’s line, but the defence held. Two knock-outs added further to the delay. Both teams were passing out and making the game open, but the tackling was good. Booth, for Carterton, and N. Ross and Evans for Inglewood, made bold bids, but without success. Irvine constantly obtained possession to feed his backs Brown made a great dash down the line, but Denby overhauled him short of the line. Inglewood made a last assault, but Hart kicked out, thus ending the game. Mr. G. Hurley refereed. Kaponga had the bye. THE FINAL NOT COMPLETED. Carterton were aggressive from the outset and swept play irresistibly to Kaponga’s corner, where the fight hung for a long interval. Kaponga strove desperately all along the line until a free kick relieved them. Changing over, Carterton fore and aft kept the pressure up until a free kick was given Carterton. Irvine’s kick failed. At this stage the game was abandoned on account of the failing light.

CISBORNE DEFEAT OLD BOYS MORE CLEVER INDIVIDUAL PLAY. VISITORS BEATEN BY & POINTS. (By Wire. —Special to News). Gisborne, April 7. Clever individual play which created scoring openings that the Gisborne side turned to account was the deciding factor in the annual match between Gisborne and New Plymouth Old Boys today, the Gisborne team winning by 17 to 8. The fixture attracted a large crowd who were treated to a bright, open and fast exposition, both teams displaying fairly good combination, despite the fact that the players were not tit. The visitors’ forwards undoubtedly had the better of the play, Brewster, Luxton and Smart being prominent in the line-outs and the loose, but the New Plymouth backs lacked penetrative initiative, their cross-field movements breaking down time and again, though at times only brilliant defence prevented them from scoring. The Gisborne paek hooked the ball from the majority of the scrums, but erratic passing and cross-field running spoilt innumerable opportunities. The Gisborne team owed their victory to the initiative of Langlands, who, film fullback played a brilliant attacking and defensive game. Bramwell’s performance was only mediocre on attack, but he was responsible for solid and spectacular saving. Five minutes after the kick-off Gisborne opened their account, Langlaqds finishing off a pretty run from midfield by passing to Smith, who reversed, letting Langlands over. The try was not converted. New Plymouth forwards livened up and, from a line-out in their own twenty-five Stevens made a clean break through the opposing pack and in home territory went down to Langlands’ tackle as he whipped the leather to Fookes, -who crossed. Brown goaled. The visitors increased their lead a few minutes later when, in his home territory, Olsen fed his backs, a bright movement collapsing near the corner. Bailey gathered from the ground and dived over. Riley’s kiek failed. Just before half-time the home side equalised the scores. A New Plymouth forward rush led by Brewster broke through the home backs, but Langlands smartly converted attack into defence. Picking the leather off Brewster’s toes he executed a fine run through the oncoming forwards, starting his own pack in a pretty, passing- rush that ended in Thomas crossing near the posts. Langlands converted.

The pace slackened appreciably in the second spell, though the visiting forwards persistently hammered at the home defence, Langlands and Bramwell having a busy time to prevent a score. Several times the visiting backs swung into action, their passing being bright and crisp, but the inside men never attempted penetrative tactics to give the three-quarters a chance. Smart, through a reverse pass from a mid-field line-out, gave Gisborne an easy try. The ruse took the visitors unawares and Hansen raced down the line for 50 yards, bumped off two half-hearted tackles and scored under the posts for Langlands to convert. In the closing stages the home side dominated play, and a few minutes before the bell Suttcliffe staved off a home passing rush with a beautifully timed potted goal from in front of the posts and the game ended: Gisborne 17 New Plymouth 8 GAME IN NEW PLYMOUTH. STAR EASILY BEAT QUEEN'S PARK Rugby made its, debut in New Plymouth for the 1928 season on Saturday when a visiting junior team from Queen’s Park, Wanganui, were severely trounced by Star to the tune of ;34

points to nil. As the scores indicate, the game was very one-sided and apart from a few bright movements, wae generally uninteresting. Owing to the hard ground, numerous casualties occurred, none of which, however, were serious. The attendance wae small. From the commencement, Star began pressing and both forwards and backs were prominent. A rush by the former saw Harvey dive through and score well out. Jenkins was unsuccessful with the kick. After some minutes of midfield play, Higgle attempted a kick from, a penalty but the leather did not rise. Harvey was prominent in a forward rush and took the ball within striking distance. Good back movements kept Star on the visitors’ line and from a drive, in which all the backs participated, Pui got over in the corner. Hoskin was unsuccessful with the kick. A splendid dash up the line by Wilkins was only spoilt by his running out. From the line-out, Queen’s Park made their first excursion into Star territory and managed to get within a few yards of the line. Lander temporarily relieved the situation while Wilkins and Shaw later carried play past halfway. The former made good use of an opportunity a few minutes later and, eluding several opposing backs, got over in a difficult position. Jenkins failed with the kick. Soon after Wilkins again got away bitt a wild pass spoilt matters. Star’s forwards were having things all their own way in the scrums and the backs consequently had many openings. At half-time the score was Star 9, Queen’s Park 0. Soon after the interval, Star again assumed the offensive and Pui and Smith were prominent. For obstruction, when Star were over the visitors’ line, a penalty try was allowed against Queen’s Park. Hoskin failed to add the major points.. The Wanganui team later made frantic efforts tq score but first Ilarvey and later Pui and Hoskin '■rushed the ball the length of the field for, the .later, to score tinder the posts. Hoskin ‘ converted. Play fluctuated from end to end during the next few minutes, until Harvey broke away from a crush, and, with leather at toe, dived over near the posts. Crapper failed with the kick. For a time, Star were penned on their line, and the visitors should have scored on several occasions, but for infringements. Stuart and Higgie both attempted kicks at goal but did not succeed, though the pressure was still kept up. Hogarth, Smith and Wilkins relieved matters and in a dribbling rush almost scored, but Cate and Swallow saved. From a line-out in the visitors’ twenty-five, Star’s back line got moving and Pui sped away to score under the posts. Hoskin failed with the kiek. Soon after, Harvey made a fifty yard dash down the line, but Stuart collared and they rolled out. The line-out saw Pui receive and pass to Crapper, who had little difficulty in getting over in a good position. Hoskin converted. Immediately after, Wilkins sent the leather down field and with about five Star players and only one opponent to pass, Shaw had no difficulty in scoring. The kick was disallowed. A minute later Harvey broke through and and swerved well out, but the kick did not better matters. The game then ended with the score: Star Queen’s Park Mr. Beeant, of Waitara, refereed.