WINTER GAMES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 75, 23 May 1944, Page 4

WINTER GAMES

Rugby football WEEK-END SPORT The week-end, whicli marked the opening of the Rugby Football season, was productive of some fine displays of football. The Score Board Seniors: Waimana defeated Taneatua 14.-11. Juniors: Whakatane defeated Poroporo G-5. Rangitaiki Union Seniors: Otakiri 9 v Edgecumbe 3. Matahina 8 v Thornton 5. Juniors: Edgecumbe 1(5 v Otakiri 0. Thornton 25 v Te Teko B 0. To Teko A 16 v Matata 3. Paroa Senior Team The following will be the Paroa senior team to play at Whakatane on Saturday: M. Jensen, W. Wharewera, T. Wharewera, Cleland, Mahanga, Ratahi, Riini, K. Lawson, L. Keepa, P. Simpson, B. Simpson P. Wharewera, J. Dodd, McCausland, P. Wano. Emergencies: K. Kupai, P. Hatene* P. Gary.

WHAKATANE UNION THE JUNIOR GAME The opening match of the. ball competition oinder the auspices of-the Whakatane Rugby Union was played on Saturday at the Domain when Whakatane Juniors defeated a team from Poroporo after a hard game by six points to five. Perfect football weather favoured the match throughout. Teams were as under:—■ Poroporo (Nondescript attire): Wano, Thompson, Keepa, Paul, Lavetty, Maxwell, Romans, Mckai, Tiepa, Riini, Kingi, Harawera, Martin, Nuku, Huta. Whakatane. (Also nondescript but more conventional attire. Mainly blue): Green, Beveridge, Walker, Ward, Savage, Galyer, Henderson, Dines, F. Stewart, Back, Hudson, Beaumont, L. Stewart, Print, Clark. Poroporo took the. kick and some snappy line work on the part of Whakatane followed, play moving into Poroporo's 25 where "h scrumfollowed. Out came the ball and away to the Whakatane line where Stewart, on the wing, gained 10 yards. Nuku grassed him lout Walker scooped up the ball and dived over thfi line, to give Whakatane first blood. The kick fell short, and the first four minutes of play saw the score board registering Whakatane 3, Poroporo nil. Back at. half way some hard pack work followed and play was rushed to Poroporo's goal line. Riini was safe however, and sent a nice kick to touch. An all in battle followed, from which F. Stewart emerged, ball at toe. Suddenly Tiepa intercepted and taking possession, weaved his way downfield for 25 yards, before lining. In came the leather and out to the Whakatane line again where F. Steward sent a nice kick to Poroporo's 25. The two packs fell on the ball; then Beveridge made an opening and Ward crossed the line for Whakatane's second try. The kick missed, and the score remained at 6 to nil in thfc home team's favour.

Back at half way, Poroporo fought their way to Whakatane's 25, but Beaumont was safe and kicked to touch. In came the ball and Tiepa was off downfield ducking and weaving his way through the opposing backs. Two men rushed him but h< passed to Harawera who raced over the line for Poroporo's first try.

Tiepa's kick was good and the end of the firr.t half saw Poroporo only one point behind Whakatane.

After the change over, play grew tighter, Poroporo fighting to hoKl the Whakatane forwards in check. Right on their goal line, Poroporo gained control and set off on dribbling rush downfield. Cutting across, F. Stewart picked up and made a good run downfield. At the last minute a forward pass saved a certain try for Whakatane, and the ball went into touch. In it came., and Henderson, diving forward, scooped up the leather and raced up the field. Rivet.t (replacing Dines) took a nice pass and carried on but Huto grassed him. Going into action, the blue pack swept on over the line, but Tiepa was safe, and forced, and the final whistle blew declaring Whakatane the winners by 6 points to 5.