RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 222, 7 October 1940, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S MATCH AT THE DOMAIN WIN FOR MAORI BATTALION FIFTEEN In weather too hot for football, and with the game hampered to some extent by the long grass inj several large patches, a Maori Battalion fifteen from Papakura Camp defeated a Whakatane Maori side by 9 points to 6 before a fair attendance at the Domain on Saturday. The standard was better than that seen in many club games this season, although both teams took things rather easily, with one or two determined and well-exectJVid movementes brightening up play. It was evident that the majority of the play ers had not donned togs for som,e weeks but after settling down, especially in the second half, some good football resulted. Kiel (Papalu.ua) was the best forward on the ground, altlioiigh Weepu also of Papakura, was responsible for a very sound exhibition, Huata shone in the backs. W. Merito and Dodd were the shining lights in the ]\ome team. Scorers for Papakura were Hippolite (2) and Weepu, W. Merito notching a try for the homesters Avitli Dodd adding a penalty goal. The teams were:— Maori Battalion: MacGregor; Hapi, Maranui, Wahapongo ; Lawrence, Huata; Jenkins; Hippolite, Tapsell, Burke, Kiel, Kiel, McDonald and Weepu. Whakatane Maoris: D. Boynton; Mitchell, Ross, White; M. Merito, Courtney; Rangikotua; Rewita, K. Merito, Bluett, Dodd, Wateni, Hahopa, W. Merito and Boynton, Social and Dan€e# The teams were entertained to tea at the Wairaltau meetinghouse and attended a social and dance, presented in honour of the visiting team in the Paroa Hall. The Maori Battalion team left for Auckland yesterday morning.