RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1938, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. OPAKI v MASTERTON.

(By

“Touchline.”)

The Opaki and Masterton junior teams met at Rugby Park on Saturday. Opaki winning by 13 points to 5 after a strenuous game. Opaki could only field 13 players, so their win is all the more to their credit. Masterton were soon attacking, their forwards having a great advantage with eight against -six but the red backs were splendid on defence. Hargood again and again fielded the ball brilliantly to put in great runs or find touch. From the scrum offside play gave Opaki a chance but Costello’s kick went outside the post. Masterton forwards, led by McCalmot (and Groube, again invaded Opaki's line and shortly after Groube went over for a try, Percy converting with a fine kick. Half-time sounded ■with Masterton leading by 5 points to nil.

On resuming blacks forwards stormed Opaki’s line and for about 15 minutes it looked bad for the latter. A few words of advice from the coach to kick, turned everything in reds’ favour. Guvnor, at half, was playing a heady game, using short punts to enable the forwards and backs to smother their opponents. A combined rush took play to Masterton’s territory where • Hargood went across for a try, Costello’s kick being fruitless. From a scrum at halfway Guvnor sent out to Costello who kicked upfield and Hargood going at top dribbled past Dew, to score his second try which Hunt converted. Costello gathered in the ball to grubber kick upfield. Hargood followed up, dribbled past Cunningham and picked up to beat Dew and score under the post, Hunt again converting. This was fhe final score. McCalmot, Groube, Stewart and Knightley were very conspicuous in the Masterton forwards. Dew at fullback played a safe game and Tucker was clever on attack. Cunningham was in fine form. Hack, Chisnail, Lord and Brett all played good football. In the Opaki vanguard Roygard was outstanding. Clark was brilliant on attack. M. Condon, Godden and Oliver also 'did well. The red backs were in great form. Costello and Hargood showed excellent form. Hunt is improving with each game. Allen was hard to stop and deadly on the tackle. Chapel at fullback was safe. Any player not available for Saturday is asked to notify the coach or the secretary of the Opaki club.