RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Issue 2, 8 July 1940, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE GAME RANGITAIKI TOO GOOD FOR TAURANGA ■-. • t Rangitaiki proved that the i victories over Whakatane and 1 Rotorua were no flukes by decisively defeating Tauranga in a! 1 Hurunui Shield fixture at Mat- ' ata on Saturday. Played in cool * weather, with an overcast sky, the match drew a fair attendance and the spectators were treated to what, on the whole, was a good display of football. Both teams fielded heavy packs* j which for the greater part of the game appeared to be evenly match- , ed. It was in the backs that Rangitaiki had a marked superiority, and this gave them the game. Having played together so maiiy times be- • fore, they had a great understanding, and as individuals their positional play was very sound. The Tauranga backs were of mediocre standard, the greatest failing being their inability to mark their opposite numbers in the fast-moving 1 Rangitaiki rearguard. This let the Blue and Blacks through on numerous occasiones and the failure of some of the Tauranga forwards to come round in support added to the, difficulties in which the visitors' back line often found itself. The best of the Tauranga backs on the day was Short, who played a sterling game at half. Had he had good inside men to support him, the result might well have been different. Rayment had an off day; in fact, an exceptionally off day, and was completely overshadowed by Francis, Rarigitaiki's custodian, who was at all times sure and certain. Perhaps the failure of the former Bay of Plenty representative can be attributed to the fact that early in the game the bounce of the ball beat him badly several times and he may possibly have lost confidence. The Tauranga forwards worked hard, holding their own in the lineouts and showing up well in the loose play. Pio Ririnui did not hook as well as Kakaho but performed creditably. The best of the vanguard and one of the best forwards oil the field was Murray. This player revealed pace amazing for one of his Aveight and was at all times on the ball. Whenever the play opened up Murray was there, untiring. He was unlucky when on one occasion he raced through, but he kicked tihe ball a shade too far and Rangitaiki was able to force. The Yellow and Black skipper, Bell, was always prominent and he did more than his share of the work. For Rangitaiki, R. Lees and Howell shone in the backs. The latter was responsible for the initiation of many good moves and played headily throughout. All the forwards piayed well,with T. Lees, Woods, Schooner and White ly showing up. The mention of these is no reflection on the others, who performed solidly throughout and Rangitaiki can look forward with confidence to their forthcoming match with South Auckland. The game was controlled by Mr C. Donovan., Te Puke. Rangitaiki's points were 'gained by McGracken. R. Lees and White-" ly, tries, McGracken converting two. j Tauranga's six points were made up by Barnes' try and a penal tj r goal kicked by Murray. The half-time score was: Rangitaiki 5, Tauranga 3. The teams were:— Tauranga-: Rayment; Nixon, Gribble, Lowe; Karii, Bidois; Short; Barnes/ Kakau, Tu; Ngatai 1 , Murray. Bell (Capt), Pio Ririnui, Ormsby. Rangitaiki: Francis; Ren at a,, R. Lees, Gardner; McCracken. M. Lees: Howell; T. Lees, Tama. Woods, Schooner, Whitely (Capt), L. Gardiner, Kakaho, Conn. — 1 ;

In a junior club match in the Rangitaiki Union's competitions, V/estcrn Drain drew with Eklgecumhc, no score.