RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 201, 19 August 1940, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RANGITAIKI lose hurinui SHIEILB OPOTIKI REPS. TRIUMPH IN THRILLING GAME Rangitaiki, for many years paramount Sub-Union of the Bay of Plenty, holder of the Hurinui Apanui Shield since 1932 until last year, when, in, the interests of sport the Shield was put up again for competition (only 1 for the Plains lads to win it back again), lost the Shield on Saturday, when, in a thrilling match at Te Teko, the Blue and Black jerseyed boya went down to Opotiki by a five point margin, the final s core being Opotiki 8, Rangitaiki 3. The game was brimful of incident and held the interest of a large attendance throughout. For the major portion of the eighty niinutes Opotiki pressed continuous attacks, their fast-moving inside Backs at all times threatening danger to the Rangitaiki defence, but the tables were turnecT with a vengeance in the last, quarter of an hour, when Rangitaiki penned the visitors in their ' 25 find did everything but score. The excitement generated among the spectators by the tempo of the game was sustained until it reached , hysterical heights during the concluding .stages with Opotiki defending their line with bull-dog tenacity. A large Opotiki contingent accompanied the team and the rival barracking reached the same proportions as the high standard of the fast, open, fortune-fluctuating game. There appeared to be a continual screaming shout running the length of the sidelines and even the rain, which fell in a twenty-minute shower, did nothing to douse the expressed interest of both teams' supporters. At the conclusion of the game the Shield was presented to the visiting captain, Poihipi, by Mr T. Anderson, of the Rangitaiki Union,, who expressed the hope that Opotiki would retain it as long as Rangitaiki had done. He congratulated Opotiki on their win and' the standard of their game. The teams were:—. Rangitaiki (Blue and Black): Francis; Renata, R. Lees, Gardner; M. Lees, McCracken; Howell; T. Lees, Woods, Phillips, Schooner, Whitely (Gapt), Tama, Conn and Kakaho. Opotiki (Black and White): S. Moore; Sheeran, Koopu, G. Walker; Mihaere, W. Moore; Lendrum; T. Walker, T. Delamere, Whatman, Tairua, Poihipi, Albert, Newth and M. Delamere. Referee: Mr F. Wederell, Whakartane. Opotiki won the toss and elected to play with tfie assistance of a fair breeze, with Rangitaiki defending the northern end. From the outset the visitors attacked, W. Moore leading, and when Renata fumbled Opotiki swamped the Blue and Blacks. Lendrum narrowly failed with a penalty kick from a wide angle. M. Lees cleared when danger con tinueel to threaten the home team's ! line and after the ball had been returned S. Moore earned applause with a nice touch finder. Phillips was caught offside and another pen alty aAvarded Opotiki, but the position, ten yards inside the side-line and the same distance from the half way mark, was too difficult for Sheeran. For the second time within as many minutes Phillips was again offside and play centred on tlie half-way line. W. Moore and Mihaere, with a perfect understanding, attempted to clear a passage for the Blue and Blacks' line but a pretty piece of inter-passing was spoilt when W.Moore threw forward. R. Lees endeavoured to retrieve the position and broke away in a s/010 run but he was not fast efaough for C. Walker who brought him down. Rangitaiki, at this stage, were asserting

themselves and- gained some advan tage with the assistance of several excellently directed line kicks by custodian Francis. Hoavcll secured and sent on to McCracken but that player wasi caught. Renata took a turn, sending on to McCracken, to M. Lees, to McCracken again, the latter fumbling and M. Lees being grassed, as he attempted to pick up. . The game had been characterised by some solid tackling,W. Moore, particularly, shOAving up in this department. ' The spanking pace continued, C. Walker earning the jjlaudits of the crowd for a splendid line kick and Rangitaiki were bustled until Renata cleared. Tama took a hand in a Rangitaiki reprisal, handing on to Howell, the latter passing to Kakaho, who knocked on and the rush was halted. Howell secured again, passing to McCracken, who sent on to M. Lecfs. Lees kicked through but S. Moore, Opotiki last 3ine of defence, was very safe. Opotiki had a further chance when Lendrum took a penalty from a handy position, but the kick miss ed. A re-ararngement of the Rangitaiki backs saw Gardner go to the centre but Rangitaiki were still hard pressed and a good Opotiki back movement, in which C. Walker made ground before transferring to Lendrum, the latter swerving his way brilliantly for a further territorial gain, saw M. Delamere go over in the corner. Sheeran failed with' a difficult kick. Rangitaiki letaliated and appeared to equalise when M. Lees went over but the referee ruled a force down. Opotiki finished the ftrsf spell, as they had begun, full of vigour and playing fast football, the spell concluding with the visitors all over the home men. The Second Half. The initial stages of the second half saw a great attempt at goaling Phillips. Kicked from the halfway mark, the ball fell just short. Poihipi, Whatman and Albert were showing up well in the Opotiki van, being right on top of the ball at all stages. Rangitaiki were going right out after those equalising points. Woods trying to work a solo passage through the visitors' defence, and when the ball was returned Francis sent it back again with a brace of beautiful kicks. - Opotiki, however, found inspiration in the opposition and Hashed out again, W. Moore,' Mihaere and Koopu taking the ball along. Gardner stopped 1 the penetrating rush, but the halt was only temporary and a set scrum went down at the Rangitaiki corner flag. From the base of the scrum the ball went to W. Moore, who weaved a tricky way. As he was tackled he sent on a perfect pass to Mihaere, f-vho, with the Blue defence at sixes and sevens, had no difficulty in going over for a very nice try. Sheeran converted with ease. With three-quarters of the game gone and eight points down, Rangitaiki attacked with all their oldtime zeal. Phillips had a shot from the side line, which missed narrowly. Opotiki did not force, endeavouring to get away with' a I clean break but they were overeager and offside play allowed Phillips another chance right in front of the posts. He was not extended to turn this to account and the home men set sail lor the necessary live points. T. Lees was playing as an extra back and he and Schooner, Whitely and Woods were putting in all they knew. A good chance went astray when M. Lees sent out a shocking pass to brother Ron, after T. Lees, Howell and Gardner had handled in a movement which promised Well. Opotiki were resisting the continued pressure well and the local lads were doing everything but score, the final whistle finding the Blue and Blacks still in the visitors' quarter. A crescendo of cheering, whistles and motor car horns greeted the Opotiki victory as that team's supporters overwhelmed the players with congratulations. Such a demonstration has seldom been seen but

it can be understood when it is recalled that Rangitaiki had never been beaten in a Shield game since 1932. Opotiki had a well-deserved victory and if that team can reproduce the form displayed at Te Teko on Saturday, their retention of the Hurinui Shield is assured for a long time. I

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH BAY OF PLENTY'S WIN In a representative match played at Paeroa on Saturday, Bay ' of Plenty defeated Thames Valley by 9 points to 6. Details will appear on Wednesday. WHAKATANE GAME PAROA'S WIN In the only game played under tlie control of the Wliakatane Union, Paroa defeated Waiinana by G points to 0.