A DRAWN GAME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 127, Issue 127, 9 July 1941, Page 5

A DRAWN GAME

HURUNUI-APANUI SHIELD MATCH OPOTIKI RETAINS TROPHY In spite of the threatening weather, a splendid crowd attended the annual challenge game between Opo-> tiki (holders) and Whakatane, tor the Hurunui-Apanui Shield, the leading trophy in the Rugby world in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. The game played at Opotiki lasft Saturday on a fairly dry field was fast, and interesting and drew a £49. gate, On the game it was generally agreed that Whakatane was most unfortunate in not annexing the shield, the Opotiki line having been crossed no less thaw three times, though only one try was allowed and the game ended in a draw 3 all. The Opotiki pack dominated the close play, but were no match for the Whakatane forwards in the loose, in spite of their raiperior weight. In this department C. Moore, Hayward, Hughes and Brown played consistently god gamep and were to be seen in the van of all movements. In the back line Sellars was. the best man on the. held and cannot miss rep honours ir the Bay team. He was well supported by D. Boynton and Old. Sellars incidentally scored Whakatane's. only points, though he crossed once again but was recalled for a technical flaw which occurred a bare! six inches from the line. The splendid defensive game by Lendrum, the Opotiki half, Avas probably thei main contributing factor to Whakatane being unable to improve and it was the general opinion that when this plucky player was forced

to retire five minutes before time with a brace of broken ribs, that he was the defender's mainstay throughout. Opotiki's score came from a wideout try by Blackie which went unconverted. Whakatane suffered casualties in the early retirement of Nuku (at half) on a D. Boynton,. Moore also suffqred a nasty looking head injury but continued on till the end of the game playing brilliantly. The game was fast and exciting and at all times had the spectators well on their toes. There was a good contingent from this; district, though many of those who desired to make the trip -were prevented from doing so owing to the transport difficulties. Mr J. Wilson of T'auranga Was referee,