CRITICISM DISCUSSED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 131, 18 July 1941, Page 5

CRITICISM DISCUSSED

REPORT OF RUGBY MATCH WHAKATANE, UNION'S VIEW "You will be very interested to read the Opotiki report and learn how 'dirty* the players are from Whakatane," stated Mr WS. Henderson, president of the Whakatane Rugby Union, at a meeting of the executive committee on Tuesday night. "It appears that we have earned' a reputation for playing anything but football. However, I think I have seen as much football as this biased writer and am still of the opinion, that the game was nothing more than a hard one, and the alleged dirty tactics existed only in the imagination of the writer." Mr Henderson read the account as described by the nom-de-plume contributor which referred to "kneeing, rabbit-killers," and other and varied methods' alleged to be adopted by Whakatane players and then quoted, another article which opposed the opinion expressed. He continued that the game was certainly a hard one, but" to call the tactics "dirty," and. go to such lengths in criticism was "over th& odds." The referee had sent in his report describing the encounter as " a good, hard clean game with the behaviour of the players excellent." Continuing to review the visit to Opotiki Mr Henderson stated that the Whakatane fifteen had been unfortunate to lose, but at the same time he congratulated the Oipotiki fifteen for holding out so w r ell and retaining the trophy. Other membersi of the committee expressed resentment at such unfair criticism, but depreciated the ability of the writer to criticise.

FUTURE FIXTURES

DUNDERDALE CUP TO-MORROW] The clash between the Whakatane and Rangitaiki representative fifteen on the Whakatane Domain to-morrow should attract a large following of spectators, while the curtain raiser between the two unions, second fifteens will also provide bright Rugby. As Taneatua is in an unbeatable position in the senior championship if. has been deckled, to wind-up the competition and to play a round for the Bracken Gup. There will be no Rugby on July 26 so that the first series of this Bracken Cup round will be playecl on August 2. The Maori v Pake ha match for the Jackson Shield will follow the Cup round It was explained by the president of the Union that possibly a Parata Cup match will be played on August. 9. If Whakatane is to contest Opoiilu for this trophy the game would be played at Taneatua. However, it might eventuate that Rotorua will be the opponents when a trip would have to< be made to Rotorua. To-morrow's Match. The following are llie teams sel ected for to-morrow: — Seniors. Whakatane: Hay ward, Merito, Brown, Moore, A. Dunstan, Windlc, Hughes (vice-capt), Matthews, Blackie, Boynton, Tulua, Sellars, Thompson (Capt), Old, McGarvey. Reserves: G. Walker, J. Dunstan, Angus; Mitchell, Sykes, Winters. Rangitaiki: R. Lees, M. Lees, L. Renata, E. Gardiner, A. McCracken, J. Ratima, R. Howell, C. Jones, L. Gardiner, B. Kakalio, M. Ngaheu, W. Park, T. Whitely, G. Conn, K. Phillips. Reserves: W. Kaipara, B. Savage, N. Ngaheu. Mr F. Darvill hasi been selected to control this game. Juniorsl Rangitaiki: Foote, Harris, Wharau, J. Sutton, Selwyn, Savage, Tari, D. Fowell, K. Melville, A. Corbett, 1\ Mason, J. Evans, Mansell, B. and T. Anderson. Reserves: K. Charlie, J. Waititi R. Cobden, J. Ngaheu. Mr Jock Thomas, of Rangitaiki. will be referee.