THE SENIOR GAME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 162, 20 May 1940, Page 8

THE SENIOR GAME

PAROA 11 v STAR 8 The teams Avere: —■ Whakatane Star (blue): Oswald, Howat, Jackson, Milner, Lyndon, Rayner, Morpeth, Clarke, Wilson, Robson, Cleland, Sharman, Dennehy Francis, Thom. , Paroa (black): Hollis, White, Pile Old, Hohopata, Courtney, Wells, Dunstan, Bluett, Wharewera, Moore Simpson, Odd, Hakopa, Rore. Blues went to the attack from the kick off, but in the nick of time Wells saved by fending the line and the black forwards carried the lea-» ther to half. The Paroa backs initiated a nice passing movement which however went astray through a forward pass. Oswald was taken in possession and the black forwards pounced through. From a scrum on the line Dodd shot through to touch down. The try was converted by Hohapata. Paroa 5 Star 0 With the pace warming the Star pack now gave a better account of itself, their bustling tactics making good headway in the tighter play. Lyndon led a good rush which culminated in Wilson diving over to score under the, cross bar. Oswald converted. Star 5 Paroa 5 Paroa battled hard against the Star line but repeated infringements spoilt good movements. A melee on the line saw Oswald force in the nick of time and the game was trans ferrcd to the open. Howat staged a nice solo try when by keen following up he took a reverse pass and outpaced the opposition to the corner. Oswald's kick missed narrowly Star 8 Paroa 5 Moore was marking the black hacks when they rushed the corner, but Morpeth bv a great burst of speed' managed to bring down the man with the ball, in the niclc of time. Jackson's line Under broke up the attack. A penalty against Simpson gave Oswald another chance from a good position. The ball struck the post. Desultory play followed till halftime. The new half opened with a smart rush i>j r the black forwards which broke the defence and resulted in Simpson crossing the line. Hohapata missed with the kick. Paroa 8 Star 8

Hard play in Star's qaurter gave that team an anxious spell till half the black pack were caught offside. Oswald found the line at half. But the Paroa pack came again, a fierce dribbling rush with Bluett, Simpson and Dodd in the van carrying all befor them. Only the greatest efforts by the Star backs saved the situation. The game clapped on pace as each team chased the winning points Star cleared slowty but repeated scrums gave the heavier Paroa pacit the advantage. Jackson taking on the full centred nicely and sent the blue team to the best attacking move of the day. Paroa were in desperate defence. Howat on the wing all but penetrated and Paroa accepted a force. The blacks attacked from the kick off and Courtney swept down the side line and tossed to Old Avho was in swift attendance. The latter dash ed past Oswald and scored nicely in the corner. Dodd's kick failed. Paroa 11 Star 8 The game ended soon after. Mr B. Norman was referee. DEFAULT GAME STAR v TANEATUA Owing to a misunderstanding regarding the transport arrangements Taneatua could only field five men against the Star (Combined) team. The junior game therefore went to the local side by .default;, but for the sake of giving the boys a run and the public something to watch a pick up game was staged with Mr F. Darvill as referee. The engagement revealed plenty of good rugby material on both sides and there is 110 reason why the junior games in future should not reveal a satisfactory standard. Star is apparentlj' quite strong as far as players arc concerned while Taneatua it is understood has also a good supply of men.