RUGBY PROSPECTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 155, 3 May 1940, Page 8

RUGBY PROSPECTS

TEAMS TO BE FIELDED DEPLETION OF RANKS The enlistment of so many men 1 , from the Whakatane and Rangitaiki areas has meant a serious depletion of playing ranks for the football season and it will not surprise if defaulting through lack of players becomes fairly common as the season advances. It is expected also that the standard of play will drop materially because the majority of those of last year's players who have enlisted were good calibre footballers and their places can hardly be filled by promoted juniors. In the circumstances the Clubs fielding senior teams arc to be congratulated on their efforts to keep the game going and support should be accorded them by the public,, whose duty it is to assist in maintaining sport, as a necessary relaxation from the difficult times. Teams Playing. Poroporo, Waimana, Ruatoki, Taneatua and Paroa are again fielding senior teams, and, with the exception of the latter,, are also placing junior fifteens in the field. It has been stated by the Whakatane Star Club that there are possibilities of raising a Third Grade team but the advisability of this is questionable when there arc no other teams j ! of this ranking in the Whakatane area. Under the Rangitaiki Union four senior teams have been nominated: Te Teko, Edgecumbe, Awakeri and Matata. The juniors are: Te Teko, Edgecumbe, Otakiri and Western Drain and as regards Third Grade teams the Union will meet after the first day's play (May 11), to consider the matter, when it is hoped that more information will be available.