FINAL GAME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 6, 14 September 1943, Page 5

FINAL GAME

HURINUI APANUI SHIELD

ROTORUA DEFEATS TAURAXGA

In the final Te Hurinui Apanui Shield match lor the season Rotorua (holders) defeated; Tauranga at Arawa Park on Saturday by nine points (three unconverted tries) t« three (unconverted try). Steady rain fell during the lirst spell but cleared up after halftone and the weather from then on remained overcast. There was a surprisingly good attendance. 1 lie teams were: Rotorua (all black): Johnson, Spivey, Davis, .Hubbard, Goddard, Steven, Ahipene, White, Reid, 'Jacobs, Ruwhe.ro, Laybourn, Kkld, Hapeta, Robertson.

Tauranga (blue and gold): Chapman, Tata, Mortimer, Te Kani, Thomas, Iliata, Calton, Ross, Mills, Lewis, Steevens, VVoolaeott, Rirunui, Lcvctt, Mikaere.

In the fastest and most exciting match seen at Arawa Park this season, Rotorua were again victorious in defence of the Te Hurinui Apanui Shield Avhen they scored a narrow., but well merited victory over Tauranga. The .score was a good indication of the game., both teams making good efforts to throw the ball about in spite of the heavy conditions. llotorua scored- the lirst try, a few minutes alter the kick off, A hip en e, the half-back scoring a tricky try wide out. Hapcta missed the kick. The. home team scored again ten minutes later when after a line passing movement In which Steven, Davis, Goddard and Hubbard participated the latter crossed the line in the corner ot. score, a line try. The angle was, too difficult for Hapeta. Half-time sounded with the score: Rotorua (>, Tauranga 0. Up to this stage Tauranga were definitely getting the better of the. scrums and the line outs, and they ouplayed the Rotorua forwards both in the tight and In the loose.

Tauranga made strenuous efforts to reduce the dclicit in the. second .spell and had they possessed a good place kicker they would, have probably won. Steevens, the captain, took the majority of the penalties, which were numerous, and although the ball hit the cross-bar once, nearly all of them lacked length and, elevation. Mikaere Avas, tried neat the. end of the match but also without avail. Tauranga were; unl uckq to lose Mortimer, centre three-quar-ter, about hall'-way through the sec ond spell, and lie was replaced by Reeve. About ten minutes before time was called Davis made a brilliant opening for Rotorua and altei beating his way past a lew men lie sent the ball out to Hubbard who scored wide out. Hapeta Jailed to

Tauranga's points came from a try by Mikaerc. The game ended Rotorua 9, Tauranga 3. Mr C. Donovan, Tc Puke, vet'ereod.

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