SCHOOL GAMES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 99, 15 August 1944, Page 5

SCHOOL GAMES

RUGBY AND BASKETBALL

WHAKATANE DEFEATS OPOTIKI

After trips to other centres in the Bay of Plenty for games, the first fifteen and basketball teams of the Whakatane District High School on Thursday last had the pleasure of a visit from Opotiki school teams. These games used to be held regularly until difficulties consequent, upon the war during the last three years presented insuperable obstacles, so that the resumption of the visits was particularly welcome 1 to the Opotiki players, who have been unable to take part in any inter-school games during that time. Besides the local pupils a number of parents and friends were present to •watch the games. The football match was fast and open, and more even than the scores would indicate. Whakatane had some advantage in weight and speed but good work by the Opotiki forwards largely neutralised the former. However, superior handling and speed displayed by the Whakatane backs, decided the issue. Added to this poor tackling by certain visitors gave Whakatane players opportunities that they were not slow to exploit. For Whakatane Cameron (3) Tlepa (2) Delves, Raureti and Sloane scored tries two of which were converted by Tiepa and T. Davis, while for Opotiki a penalty goal was kicked by Hudson the final score, being 28—3. Having defeated the teams from the Te Puke, Katikati Tauranga and Opotiki schools the Whakatane first, fifteen may be. regarded as the champion secondary school team of the Bay of Plenty this year. In the basketball match Opotiki girls showed some ,very good individual play, particularly in the forwards. Whakatane girls, while perhaps not so good individually displayed superior * team work and faster passing. The forwards have improved their goaling since the last match, and this proved the decisive factor after a closely fought game the local girls winning by) one goal. The B game was also a close one, particularly in the second half when the Whakatane girls played much better, but were unable to make up the margin against them, the Opotiki girls this time winning by one point. Tlie scores were:—

A teams: Whakatane 19, Opotiki 18.

B teams: Opotiki 15 Whakatane 14.