FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1939, Page 9

FOOTBALL

JUNIOR GAME.

OPAKI v GREYTOWN

(By “Touchline.”)

Played under atrocious conditions the game between Opaki and Greytown on Saturday resulted in a draw —3 points each. Greytown kept the visitors waiting till 3 o’clock before their team was ready to take the field. It was hard on several of the Opaki players who had to get back to milk cows. According to the rules the Opaki players could have claimed the match but were too sporty to do so and actually lent one player boots to play in. Play-had not been long in progress when Costello bolted across to score what looked like a try. Shortly after Allen gained possession and went across. This was also disallowed, though it looked like a try. However, Opaki kept up the attack and offside play gave L. Morgan a chance which he accepted. Just before half-time Greytown kicked over the line and Brunton touched down but the referee fairly ruled that it was over the dead ball line. The second spell was very evenly contested and half-way through Morris kicked a penalty goal for Greytown. A long kick by Morris went over the line and Montgomery and Field were after it, the latter touching down after the ball slipped from under Morgan. No try was allowed as one of them was offside when the kick took place. A torrid ten minutes saw Opaki on Grey town’s line but they could not get over and the whistle finally sounded with the score 3 points all —-a fitting finish to a mud scramble. The Greytown boys played a hard, clean game, their forwards to a man playing splendidly: Morris. Brunton and Budge were conspicuous in the backs. Opaki forwards played their usual solid game, but missed their front-ranker McKenzie. Howie was again outstanding. Roigard can be classed as one of the best forwards in Wairarapa junior football. He revels in the hard stuff, is a deadly tackler and splendid in lineout and loose work. Condon, Peters, Taplin. Seymour, Allen and Goddin all played splendidly. Chisnail at half was good on defence and attack. Costello played a great game. The slippery ball gave the’other backs no chance of combining, but their individual work was good. L. Morgan's play was an eyeropener. He snapped up the ball and kicked splendidly. The referee was impartial in his rulings.