RANGITAIKI WINS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 211, 11 September 1940, Page 8

RANGITAIKI WINS

RAIN MARS OPEN PLAY ROTORUA'S GOOD SHOWING Rotorua could be considered unlucky to be beaten 10—8 after a highly exciting match against the Rangitaiki senior Rugby representatives on Saturday afternoon at Arawa Park., The game opened in overcast weather, but heavy rain did not set in until after half-time, when Rotorua were in the lead, 8-5. There was a good attendance of both local residents and visitors. When the teams took the field it was obvious that Rangitaiki had the advantage in weight over the Rotorua side, but for the first half of the match the handling of the Rotorua backs and determined work by the forwards in the loose made this no disadvantage. The honours before the spell definitely went to Rotorua, who were almost constantly on the attack. After half-time, however, when rain set in, and it was almost impossible to handle the ball, the heavier Rangitaiki pack came into its own. Skilled in dribbling and experts in "shepherding," Rangitaiki kept the game tight, and as a result had the edge on the lighter Rotorua side. Even so, Rotorua were hard-pressed on few occasions, and the game might well have gone the other way. Two Men Ordered Off. Towards the end of the match, when the \Any had become willing, trouble broke out in the forwards. It was kept well concealed from the referee/ Mr E, Riggs, for a time, but when a Rangitaiki forward. Carter, came through a loose scrum, and charged the Rotorua half-back, Ahipene, who was not in possession of the ball, he was put off the field. A few minutes later another Rangitaiki forward, Gjirdiner, Avho had been a source of trouble throughout the match was also put off for rough, play. The game opened with Rotorua on the offensive,* first attempt at goal being made by Ben Morrison, who essayed a penalty from well outside the 25. It dropped short, however, and play hung round the 25 for some time. Rangitaiki broke away when their forwards followed up a long kick, but this was folloAved by a fine passing rush from a scrum b3' the Rotorua backs> the gall" going into touch near the Rangitaiki corner. Determined work by the visiting forwards and a fine movement by their inside backs brought them to a handy position for scoring, but the defence was too strong. Play swung back into Rangitaiki territory, where it hung for some time, until two good movement carried M. Lees over to score for Rangitaiki, K. Phillips converting. Scores Even at Half-time. After this lapse, Rotorua went into the game with ■.renewed vigour, pressing on the Rangitaiki line continuously. A difficult penalty kick was missed by Tamahori, and the visitors made ground. From a scrum near half-way, S. Morrison took the ball from Riwai, cut-in neatly, and beat two more men to score between the posts,.-Ben Morrison converting to make the score at half-time equal, five points all. After the spell heavy rain set in. The field became slippery and the ball practically unmanageable, so that the game developed into almost purely a forward tussle, the advantage lying with Rangitaiki. Rotorua were obliged to force doAvn after a determined rush at one stage, and made a good attempt to score within the next few minutes. A scrum Avas held near the Rangitaiki line, after Rotorua had Avorkcd up from near half-way, and Aliipene scored in his usual lightning fashion from the base of the scrum, before the opposition realised he Avas over, putting Rotorua in the lead 3—5. Rangitaiki retaliated Avith a strong Forward 'movement Avhich literally swept the home defence before it, and was staved off dangerously near he Rotorua line. , Again they at-

tacked, and the ball was kicked over the heads of the defenders. Two men made to force it, but Phillips, following up fast, dived between them and scored the decisive try. M. Lees converted. The remainder of the game was a battle between the forwards, with Rangitai'ki still mainly on top. There was not much to choose be-' tween the sides, but the weight of the visitors told in loose play. The match ended with the score 10—8 in favour of Rangitaiki.—"Rotorua Morning Post."

TOURING TEAMS COMPLETE BAN IMPOSED CONSERVATION OF PETROL, "I have been amazed," said the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr E, J. Phelan, "to find that, as the result of recent inquiries, the extent to "which sports teams are being carried round the coxmtry on heavy buses, burning up petrol, while many business men are finding it difficult, even impossible, to carry on theiv normal work through having had restrictions on their petrol alloAVance. Many of these teams, for which long distance trips have been planned, are of junior grading, and while in normal times these outings might be encouraged, I cannot find justification for them at a time of national emergency. Moreover, it is in my opinion desirable that vehicles of the type referred to should not be permitted to be absent for two or three days from the centre for which they were originally licensed, and where they might at any time be urgently required. "In reviewing the whole situation," added Mr Phelan, "I" have decided that such trips are to be discontinued forthwith, except perhaps in the case of certain representative matches, which occur far less frequently. Mr Phelan said that contract licensus, which entitle operators to carry such teams, had recently been reviewed, and decisions were withheld to enable the operators to supply details of trips run. Last week a decision was given in regard to contract licenses, and on each was placed a special condition that no contract trips were to be run for a greater distance than 30 miles from the operator's depot, without such operator being "in possession of an itinerary approved by the licensing authority. .