WORLD OF SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 168, 3 June 1940, Page 8

WORLD OF SPORT

RUGBY FOOTBALL SATURDAY'S GAMES KEEN SENIOR FIXTURES PAROA'S FINE WIN The main match in Saturday's games played under the Whakatanc Union's competition was undoubtedly that between Paroa and Waimana, the two hitherto" undefeated senior teams. The match took place at Whakatane, and attracted the largest crowd to attend the Domain this season. , .. i Even from tlje outset, Avitli the Waimana forwards dominating the early play the pace gradually increased, giving the Paroa backline the chance to show up to considers able advantage against the slower moving country rearguard. However, the match continued even until ten minutes before time, when Paroa, to the accompaniment of great cxcifement from the sideline., [battled on the winning points. The other senior game played at the Domain, when Poroporo met Awhwhenua, resolved itself into a battle between two evenly matched packs. It was a dour struggle throughout and lacked any brilliance. At Ruatoki the Whakatane Star team experienced its first win, when it defeated Ruatoki by a margin of eleven points. The play was fast and rugged, both sides sacrificing the more scientific game for bustling tactics. Through a misunderstanding the Awhwhenua juniors visited the Domain instead of Waimana. A scratch game was played between this team and Whakatane Star, the latter winning, 20-0. Taneatua defeated Poroporo in an interesting little engagement, the Visitors having definitely the besf of it in all forward movements, par ticularly the linc-outs.

With harcl clean football the rule it was difficult to pick anything between the teams for some minutes. Waimana slowly made headway but a dribbling rush by the forwards sent the leather into dead ball country. Mcngcs going back to play full saved his side twice in succession. Boynton took on the full and set sail for the line. Holiapata overtook and collared. The whole of the Paroa pack were caught offside but Menges kick went anywhere. Half-time arrived with the reds on the offensive again. Careful play opened the new half. A free kick to Paroa gave Dodd the chance to find the line in the corner. Paroa were penned in their own quarter. The reds broke clear but White taking on the wing dashed down the side line. Mcngcs collared but Simpson who was in swift attendance went on to score. Holiapata failed to convert. Paroa 6, Waimana 3. The visitors lost 110 time in counter attacking: Hayward, Brown McKenzie and Hughes dribbling through. A penalty award in* front of the posts gave Mcngcs a chance at goal in which lie made no error. Waimana 6, Paroa 6. The red forwards now commenced a great spoiling game playing up close to the Paroa backs and keeping play tight. Picking up in the scrum penalised Paroa again and iVlenges lobbed another neat goal. Waimana 9, Paroa 6. Dodd sought to repeat the performance for Paroa but his kick went Avide. A second effort however from just on half way sent a beautiful kick right over tlie bar. Dodd received an ovation. Paroa 1 9, Wai-i mana 9. The Waimana pack again dominated the open play. Courtney however snapped up and tossed to White who was pushed out a few yardi from the line. A free kick by Dodd missed narrowly. Courtney who was right on his game snapped up and fed to Holiapata who scored brilliantly. Dodd converted to the jubilation of the sidcliners. Paroa 14, Waimana 9. The game ended soon after. Mr F. Wederell was referee. FOROPORO'S SUPERIORITY AHUWHENUA WEAKEN Fielding a team including several junior players, Poroporo defeated Ahuwlienua by 12 points to 3 in the match on No. 2 ground on Saturday The teams were:— Ahuwhenua (green and white): Wharetapu; Graham, Taweia, Hake; Moai Poko; W. Mokomoko, McGarvey; Turei, Toki., C. Mokomoko, T. Poko, Walker, Naiti, Hua, Ngahuru Poroporo (light blue): Lawson: Tahawhera, P. Merito, B. Nuku, Kotua, Hotene, M. Merito, K. Merito, W. Merito, B. Mason, B. Merito, Maui, Wattarawi, Ngoungou. Riini. The early part of the game Avas mostly in Poroporo territory. Ahuwhenua infusing dash into their efforts and there Avas onlj r one serious threat to their line. It was during this rush that Ahuwhenua Avas penalised and P. Merito kicked a good goal. The game evened lip in tlie first half and plaj r Avas in midfield at hall-time. Upon resumption Poroporo dominated the play and Ahuwhenin AA r as fortunate on more than one occasion. Territorial advantage was Avith the former team, who seemed to infuse more vigour as the game progressed, while Ahuwhenua tired badly. The game as a Avhole lacked any brilliance and was mainly productive of 'all in' clashes, with every player striving to get his hands or feet on the ball, Avith little regard for positional play. On the I'cav occasions w.hen pla L y Avas opened up Poroporo displayed a marked superiority and there is no doubt that this team's back line is one of the best in the competitions. Ahuwhenua had benefited by its outing against Paroa the previous weei; and in the circumstances the exLeague players did Avell to hold the faster and more experienced Poroporo side.

For Ahuwhenua, Wharetapu plaj. . ed .a, gyod , gamp., ,at ( £ullb#ck. . \lieldini> was excellent and his linekicking .of ,a , goqqi standard. Hal« w,as the best of , mediocre threequarter line. He reyealed . a pact surprising for one with his weigh! and lie found the line with some good kicks. He should be a clas.' player when he corrects the tendency to wander. McGarvey played a solid game all through and his try was a great effort, resulting from fast following up. The forwards were a hard working lot, without distinction. Lawson was not on his game at fullback for Poroporo although he Avas good on defence later in the game as Aving three-quarter, AA r hen Tahawhera, with an injured hand, took his place as custodian. The Light Blue's three-quarter line play ed aacll, Avith the promoted player TahaAvliera, shining. His second try was the result of brilliant opportunism. Nuku is rather light but gets through an enormous amount of toil and his try also AA r as a splen did piece of Avork. Kotua got through a hard game in his usual style and Mita Hotene, deputising for his brother, revealed that the latter does not possess all the football brains of the family. The pack worked AA'ell and Averc always on the ball. Iv. Merito, W. Merito,, B. Merito and Mason Avere prominent throughout. TahaAvhera (2) and Nuku tries and P. Merito (penalty goal) scored for Poroporo Avhile McGaiwey secured the points for Ahuwhenua. The game was controlled In' Mr F. Dandll. WHAKATANE'S FIRST WIN RUATOKI OUTCLASSED The new Wliakatane Star combination shoAved out more promis ingly at Ruatoki than hitherto. The fonvards, though lighter than the home pack, Avere tireless and easily dominated the close play, Ruatoki, on the other hand, Avere once again handicapped by their repeated infringements of the Rugby code, Avhich is a legacy of last year's League season. Observers, howeA r er, haA'e expressed the opinion that Ruatoki, Avith their fast bacltliners, and huskj r forAvards Avill give a good account of themselves before the season concludes. The game Avas open at all stages, but lacked understanding on both sides. Whakatanc gained continued advan tages through mishandling by the Ruatoki rearguard. Scoring for the victors AA r ere Fitcliett (2), Cleland, Wilson, Avhile Thorburn converted an early trj r . R.uatoki's only points came from a penalty goal kicked in the concluding stages. Mr Bert Norman Avas referee.

THE JUNIORS TANEATUA 8, POROPORO 3 Taneatua fielded a strong forward team the pack displaying plenty of dash and keenness, particularly in the lineouts. Against this the light blue jerseys found strength in a swift back line and one or two individual forwards. The encounter was an intcersting one, being close and fairly open, though there was little back play worthy of mention. McCready who had been playing consistently well was making good headway towards the line when he was tripped. The referee awarded a penalty try which went unconverted. Poroporo shone in some fast rucking play but the black and whites slowly Avore them down. Taneatua's second try came iron? McCready again after a handy sprint. A. Sisam converted. Poroporo's onl3 r points came from a penalty kick by B. Nuku. Thy? closing stages saw Taneatua battling to score again and close against the goal line. Mr F. Wederell Avas referee. SELECTION REPRESENTATIVES FOR SATURDAY The Wha! atane tenin to play Opo tiki next Saturday Avill be selected from the folloAving players: Hayward 4 K. Merito. Dodd, Cleland. Tahaetu, Moore, Hughes, BroAA r n. Fitchetl, Walker, Morpeth, Cou~tncy, Hotene, Oswald, McGarvey Mitchell, C. Boj'nton, Old, M^nzies