CLARKE CUP WON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21219, 16 September 1940, Page 11

CLARKE CUP WON

CITY TEAM’S SUCCESS INTERESTING RUGBY FINAL RAGLAN SIDE’S CHALLENGE Although at times the game was a little ragged, the final of the Clarke Cup Rugby competition at Rugby Park on Saturday was full of incident and provided some interesting football. City won by 14 points to 9 and, although the team had the territorial advantage, Raglan was able to put up some superb defence and launch several devastating attacks which maintained excitement throughout the contest. In the first half Raglan’s prospects appeared bright. A feature of the match was the appearance of W. J. Phillips, the former All Black, for Raglan. Opening of Play The teams were:— City.—Brighouse, Sunich, Perkins, Smith, Heyworth, Hand, Dobson, Flyger, R. Keen, Spiro, Flyger, W. Keen, Johnson, Scott. Raglan.—T. Phillips, D. Robertson, Berthelsen, McCracken, Thompson, W. J. Phillips, White, L. Phillips, Goodwin, McCracken, A. Robertson, Amore, Stevens, Jackson, J. Ormiston. From the kick-off Raglan rallied to the attack, but City soon countered and a determined offensive developed. Sunich made an opening which Spiro pursued but Johnson dropped the ball when a try was certain. Raglan forced and gradually worked the play back to neutral territory. All Black Scores First Then, in a flash, Raglan rattled City’s defence and the team charged in the loose. Berthelsen kicked the ball and W. Phillips, the former All Black, raced alter it and touched down for a score just before it rolled over the dead-ball line. Goodwin missed a well-attempted kick.—Raglang 3, City 0. Perkins, in retaliation, sped for the corner when the game was resumed, but Goodwin caught him just short of the line. Johnson missed a penalty kick and City launched a strong offensive in the face of which Raglan forced down again. Again loose bustling tactics carried Raglan to the attack and Brighouse was penalised for deliberately throwing out the ball when he was caught in possession. Goodwin missed the kick from a difficult angle. Changes of Advantage It was interesting football as the game swung from end to end of the field. Smith missed a fairly easy penalty kick for City, and shortly afterwards Johnson’s attempt struck the cross-bar and fell in-field. City hammered away at Raglan’s line, but great rucking forward play enabled Raglan to break clear repeatedly. When City secured another free kick Brighouse failed to land a goal. Still City’s relentless attack was maintained and still Raglan’s defence proved impenetrable.

Near the end of the spell Raglan reversed the situation xvith A. Robertson leading his forwards in thru/stful loose Twice the team was within an ace of scoring. At half-time the score was unchanged, Raglan still leading by the only three points scored. A few minutes elapsed before the game settled down in the second spell, but gradually City forced the play into Raglan’s sector. The defender infringed and Johnson landed a good free kick.—City 3, Raglan 3. City Draws To Lead City maintained its attack which gradually wore down the Raglan defence and when Heyworth made a brilliant opening Perkins had an easy task to score. Johnson’s kick succeeded. —City 8, Raglan 3. Midway through the spell Raglan launched a concerted attack, with D. Robertson paving the way for the forwards t<> assert the pressure. City infringed and Berthelsen had an easy penalty kick right in front of the posts.—City 8, Raglan 6. When T. Phillips, the Raglan fullback, allowed the ball to slip through his fingers, City charged and Hand scored. Johnson made a splendid but unsuccessful attempt to goal.— City 11, Raglan 6. After a momentary Raglan sally, which went very near to success. City attacked again and Heywood scored. Johnson was again baffled by the wind in his attempt to convert.—City 14, Raglan G. Just at the end of the game, Ragland, led by W. Phillips, initiated an attack which led to L. Phillips breaking the ruck to score. The kick failed. The final score was— City u Raglan ** Mr S. Heather was the referee.

OTHER RESULTS Representative Matches Auckland 12, Wellington 1 0; West rv.) t t" Nelson la; .Manawatu is, Wanganui' o.' Peace Cup Waihi 18. Morriii'V % • o; Auckland Referees 9, Wellington Hul'erees 6. Auckland Marlst 19. Otaliulni 3; Suburbs 16, Norm Shore 11; Gral'ion 22, I’unsonby 6; Training College li, Technical 0.8. 3; Takapuna 11, University 3 Dunedin Southern xvon ihe lUigby premiership, heating - Pirates lo—B. Christchurch Albion 34, Christchurch 9; 'Varsity 10, Technical 0; Territorials 17, Old Boys 0; I.inwood 11, Air Force 8; Merivale 2i, Southern 3; Noxv Brighton 1.-, Sunnyside