RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 123, 30 June 1941, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WIN FOR RANGITAIKI SATURDAY'S RESULTS The principal game in the Wliakatane district on Saturday Avas promoted by the Rangitaiki sub-union which fulfilled an engagement with Rotorua and its fifteen proved too strong in both departments for the visitors. The day was marred by rain, but nevertheless, the contest produced better Rugby than was anticipated by the fair crowd of spectators. The home side put on 11 points against the visitors 3, holding a territorial advantage, for the greater part of the day. Well fed by the forwards the 1 Rangitaiki backs had the opportunity of scoring more points, but good spoiling tactics and sound defence stood in their way. The first points oame after ragged exchanges during which Clark, of Rotorua, impressed with clever control in a solo dribbling attack. Rangitaiki had been raiding the visito.s line, confident handling by the Rotorua custodian saving on a number of occasions, when from a set scrum mid half and 25 flags Howell sent Haimona away. The leather travel-; led to Phillips who went over. Haimona's taking of a difficult pass made the move. Phillips narrowly missed the posts. 3-0. The score did not alter in the remainder five minutes bofore "oranges," but on the resumption the lads of the thermal area went to work and had Rangitaiki's defence working overtime, until the weight began to tell again and they fell back. Ratema made no mistake when the next opportunity came and taking a pass from a melee near the line he hurled himself over. A good luck by Phillips made the total 8-o'. Rotorua again started raiding and were close to "breaking the duck" when Morrison caused a hurried force. •Play worked back, however, Rangitaiki still doing the greatei amount of attack and another three points came when Ron Lees crossed to make the home sides total 11. Rotorua did not appear to be going to score until in a dying flutter they caught Rangitaiki napping and Kay essayed a pot, missed —and Wilson was on the job to touch down. Andrews' kick went astray and with the final whistlei the score stood at Rangitaiki 11, Rotorua 3. In the home side Gardiner, Whitely, Conn and Parkcs appeared the best of the pack, while Ratema and M. Lees in the backs went well. Jones' defence was sound, while R. Lees was keen to go but had few chances. Howell at the base of the scrum did good work, but was "inclined to lose valuable time' in letting his first five have it. The teams lined out as follows:—• Rangitaiki: E. Gardiner; L. Renata, R. Lees, B. Haimona; M. Lees J. Ratema; R. Howell; C. Jones; K. Phillips, W. Parkes, G. Conn, T. Whitely; G. Walley, Kakaho, L. Gardiner. Rotorua: T. AndreAvs; J. Wilson, Kay, H. Douglas; T. Clark, Morrison; Fitzgerald; Butler, Neilson, Allen; Andrews, Ngatai, Rauwhero, Tamahori; W. Rogers. Mr Jock Thomas refereed.

WHAKATANE RESULTS

Taneatua 19, Ruatoki 0. Waimana 11, D. Coy Whakatane Home Guard 3.

WHAKATANE REPRESENTATIVES

MATCH WITH OPOTIKI The following fifteen has; been selected to represent Whakatane against Opotiki for the HurunuiApanui Shield on Saturday next tiie contest to take place at Opotiki. Forwards: Hayward, Angus, Brown Hughes (Waimana), Moore, Dunstan, Windle, Dunstan (Taneatua), Merito (Whakatane), Walker, Matthews, (Ruatoki). Backs: Boynton, Wardlaw, Mitchell (Waimana), Old. Thompson, Sellars (Taneatua), lilackie, McGavvie (Ruatoki). The team will train ;it 7 p.m. at Taneatua to-;norrow night.