RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 110, 26 May 1941, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

A SHAKY OPENING NO WHAKATANE TEAMS v'" The outlook for Rugby football in the Whakatane district is extremely poor, and if there is going to be any repetition of Whakatane's behaviour in future, it might he just as well to make an announcement at once and call.the competition off. The provisional arrangement with the Home Guard units was a most satisfactory one, which can and will succeed providing, that all' districts fulfil their obligations, and maintain their representative teams. Unfortunately on Saturday, all teams turned out to schedule and at strength,, with the exception of the two teams from Whakatane. The result was that the junior Ruatoki team was disappointed by lack of a game in Whakatane, while the senior team suffered a similar setback at Ruatoki. The only games which eventuated were the Taneatua and Waimana engagements, both of which were keen little contests and well worth going to see. The' keenest resentment was felt at Ruatoki, where many of the players had travelled distances upwards of eight miles and more. A large crowd of supporters also attended l , and it was the general opinion that Whakatane instead of giving the lead in the competition had let the weaker clubs down badly. Ruatoki is prepared to field two teams for the duration of the season and considers that Whakatane with its population of 2300, should be capable of doing the same. A pressman who also made the trip to report the game was informed by several officials that Ruatoki was prepared to carry on even though Whakatane was docided to drop out of the (competition completely. Waimana 9, beats Taneatua 3. Considerable interest was taken in the game at Taneatua where the display was a promising one for a Curtain raiser. The pace though not fast was well sustained, and the Waimana pack showed up to advantage. Taneatua discovered strength in one or two fast running backs. Scoring for Waimana were Tumerae (1), P. Hohua (1) and S. Ross* (1). Taneatua's only points camo from an unconverted try by G. Alley. Mr J. Rawsor. was referee. | . RANGITAIKI RESULTS The second day's play in the Rangitaiki sub-union's competition took place on Saturday when two interesting matches were contested. In the senior division Edg<s?umbe defeated Matata by 5 points to Z, while in the junior grade Western Drain accounted for Otakiri by 14 points to 6.