WIN FOR WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 89, 11 July 1944, Page 8

WIN FOR WHAKATANE

SATURDAY'S MATCH

Over two hundred spectators assembled at the Domain on Saturday . to witness the first match, excluding that played for the Dunderdalc Cup, between. Rangitaiki and Whakatane. The- result was popular though somewhat unexpected. Whakalane defeated Rangitaiki by G points to 3. Perfect football weather encouraged a high standard of play with pack work predominating. Free kicks Ave.re plentiful although only one on either side was converted. Hughes Avas the only man on the held to score. Gathering in from a scrum he broke away and scored nicely at the corner Hag. Inn men so enthusiasm by the, spectators was shown. The two loams Ave revery evenly matched. Kahui at half played an excellent game for Whakatane in the. first half but seemed to peter out after the change-over. His two shots at goal missed by inches and the croAvd were on their toes every time he touched the ball in the Plainsmen's 25. Kororiko led some good rushes to the opposing quarter but was avcll marked. Henry Boynton played a very sound game on the Aving and saved the situation a number of times for Whakatane by lining avcll down towards midfield. Freeman, the. Rangitaiki fullback was very safe. An unfortunate accident occurred during the course of the game as a result of which Hughes Avas admitted to the hospital. He: played out the game lirst hoAvever. Teams were as under: — Rangitaiki (Blue and black): EGardiner; Kakaho; Leonard; Murray; Lambert; Bourke; Nathan: Black: Linsell; .Anderson: Penny; Villas: Laurie; E. Gardiner and Freeman. Whakatane (Blue and gold): HayAvard; Wharewira; Riini: Hughes; Cain; Cleland; Moore; Marra; Rotenc; L. McCready; Kahui; 11. Boynton; Bradley: Kororiko and Dodd. After the change-over, Jensen, BroAvn and Taia replaced Cain. Hayward and McCready respectively. The First Half Within the first five, minutes of play. Whakatane was aAvarded three penalty kicks and hard play in Rangitaiki's 25 resulted. Suddenly Kahui gathered in and sent a shot at goal. The ball sailed outside the posts. Play Avas immediately rushed to Rangitaiki's quarter again Avhe.rc Kahui sent another shot in the same place as the first. This time Rangi-

taiki took control and the game centred around midlicld. Kahui gath- 1 ercd in and kicked doAvnfield. Laurie ] returned and Whakatane found i themselves defending dangerously ] close to theiv own goal line. Suddenly Boynton gathered in and led the Whakatane team 25' yards downfield before lining. In came the ball, and the, blue pack took control'. Ten yards inside Whakatane's 25 line a penalty kick was awarded to Rangilaiki and Laurie sent it nicely between the posts. Supporters of the visitors made their approval known in no uncertain fashion. Rangitaiki 3, Whakatane 0. From the. kick oil', the ball went out to the Whakatane line. Bradley hung on too long and was caught in possession. A free kick against Whakatane was not convertr. 1 and play moved to Whakatane's 2.1, Bradlev's attempt. l<> convert another penalty was low and the whistle called'half time. the. scoreboard read^ ing Rangitaiki 3. Whakatane u. Play resumed with a fast rush by Whakatane which took them to the Plainsmen's, goal line. Laurie was sale, however, and lined well upheld. In it came and a penalty kick was awarded Whakatane a point 10 yards inside, their 25 line. Dodd made sure of it and curled it well between the posts evening up the score. Rangitaiki 3, Whakatane 3A period of loose play at midfield followed till another penalty , kick was awarded to Whakatane. Dodd took it from just inside, the halfway mark. Loud cheers changed to goans of disappointment as'the leather struck the cross-bar and bounced back into play, The Rangitaiki pack took control but Boynton was safe and line upheld. | In it came and the two packs fought for possession. Whakatane led the play to Rangitaiki's quarter where another melee resulted. Suddenly Hughes broke away; fended off two opposing men and dived over the line at the corner. The difficult kick fell short and the scoreboard read Whakatane (5, Rangitaiki 3, Time was called shortly after, neither side adding to their score, and, ■ for the first time within the memory of many. Whakatane had declared victory over the men of the Plains. Although the first half of the : match Avas mainly played by the ■ packs, flic Rangitaiki .line showed I up more in the second half. Laurie. . on the wing was a decided asset to Rangitaiki and saved the situation > time and again. Rangitaiki had near- • ly all of the ball in the scrums but ; the Whakatane bre.ak-awnys were - . right on to it.

Although Rangitaiki lost, the match they have by no means lost their reputation and the next encounter is looked to with eagerness by Rugby fans. * Mr F. Darvill refereecl.