LOST IN LAST MINUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1940, Page 3

LOST IN LAST MINUTE

TUKAPA DEFEATS STAR FAST AND OPEN RUGBY With two points in hand and five minutes to go. E. Erb was off-side m a position where Johns could hard y miss the kick at goal. Thus Star lost an excitin^ ^ame to Tukapa an^ the chance of holding the Dan O'Brien Shield. As the final whistle blew, Priest came within six inches of restoring the for'unes of his team when a snap drop-pick passed just that distance outside the goal. The game was an exciting one from start to finish, and was played at a fast pace •with plenty of sparkling back movements by both teams. Whitham scored for Star and Priest converted early in the match, and C. Sullivan raced down the line to score midway through the second spell. Thus, right until the last five minutes, Star held the advantage. Then came the final goal and a whirlwind rally by Star. The forward advantage lay with Star and Tukapa displayed more iriitiative in back movements Most of these were successfully countered by deadly tackling especially by A. Erb, Whitham and Arnott. The teams were:— Tukapa: Johhs; Seldon, C. Sullivan, Matangi; J. L. Sullivan, C. Brown; Radich; Berg, T. Sullivan; L. George, Mace, Andrews; R. George, Sanger Florence. Star: Linnell; Upson, Arnott, Martm; Whitham, A. Erb, Priest, E. Erb, Rothery, Kinsella; Clough, Carlton, Stanley, Morris; Jordan. . Star drew first blood, when A. Erb, m the temporary absence of Priest under the scrum, whipped round to half-back's position and sent a quick pass to Whitham. This enterprising player beat Brown badly to score in a handy position, Priest converting. Johns was unlucky just before half-time when a drop-kick struck an upright and bounced The second spell was only three minutes old when C. Sullivan scored after he and Seldon were associated in a clever dash down the line. Seldon really made it possible for Sullivan to cross the line by the neat manner in which he evaded Martin. A pretty piece of play by the Star backs resulte-d in Whitham touching down but the try was not allowed. In the first place, A. Erb and Whitham brought off a well timed dummy sissors that effectually cut Wetere out of the defensive line. The ball then travelled via Amott to Martin, who fended off Seldon and short punted. Whitham, coming up fast, ,secured behind the goal. Tukapa ® Star " Mr. M. Gordon refereed. Tukapa Junior Superior. Superior in both divisions Tukapa junior defeated Star by 19 points to three and so retained the Carbine Shield for another year. Tukapa played an orthodox game, the forwards serving the backs and the backs combining well in passing movements. The Star team played better than the score would suggest but neither the forwards nor the backs had the penetration power of the victors. Mr. C. Tate refereed.