BAY UNLUCKY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 44, 2 August 1939, Page 8

BAY UNLUCKY

DESERVED TO WIN GAME WEIGHT BRINGS VICTORY TO WAIKATO The consensus of opinion amongst prominent Rugby critics present at the Waikato-Bav of Plenty representative match played at Hamilton on Saturday was that Bay of Plenty were unlucky not to win the match, in which they weUe defeated 11-8. The lighter and faster Bay pack was at a decided disadvantage in, the prevailing conditions, the ma'tch taking place In what might be termed a sea of mud. The weight advantage held by Waikato was mainly the result of the absence of two heavy ltoy forwards, P. Tama and J. Best, but in spite of the weight against them the Bay pack more than held the Waikato forwards in the set scrums and were definitely superior in the loose and in the line.outs. Playing into a high wind with fairly heavy rain. Bay commenced with an attack, and in the first five min, utes of the game the Rotorua centre, I. Gregory, outpaced the defence and scored Avith a burst of speed, INI, Lees converting his try. Bay of Plenty Waikato 0. Later in the first half Waikato "were able to put over a penalty goal, and just before the spell drew ahead of the Bay when their first fiveeighths sold a dummy to E. Howell and put the Waikato back line Li Tndtion, Perkins scoring well out. His try was not converted, and the score Atfas left at — Waikato 6, Bay of Plenty 5 Shortly after the commencement of the second half the Bay forward?, were rewarded for their vigorous attack by a try by E. Hayward, the score coming out of a forward scramble near the Waikato lineBay of Plenty S Waikato fi. With five minutes to go the Wat. kato pack adopted the tactics of push ing the ball into Bay possession in the line-outs and gradually worked their way up the line to score and convert leaving the score at the finish of the game Waikato 11, Bay of Plenty 8 The outstanding back of the dav was unquestionably the Bay fullback H. Ray men who played a remarkably good game in that posi. tion. M. Lce.s was impressive also. McNeile, Farron and ITayward played magnificentlj'-.