REP. RUGBY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 08, Issue 93, 27 July 1945, Page 5

REP. RUGBY

HURUNUI SHIELD GAME

HOLDERS DEFEAT RANGITAIKI

HARD (J AME AT OPOTIKI

A record attendance of some 1 GOO persons attended the challenge match at Opotiki last Saturday when Rangitailu went down to the tune of 17 points to nil in the second game for the Hiirunivi Apanui Shield. Enthusiasts who expected a spectacular game would have been disappointed wit)i the match, which did not rise above the level of the usual run of shield matches. In fact from the spectators' point of view it was not the game that the earlier Opotiki v Tan ran ga match was. This was largely due to the fact that Rangitaik'i's spoiling tactics wore down many of the Opotiki back movements before they got going ( and due to the fact n1.5.0 that both teams, resorted to playing the man instead of the ball. The stream of injured players having to leave the field made it clear that very hard football was being played. A little stricter control of the game in the earlier stages may have lead to a brighter game ? with fewer injured players. For senior representative players, a surprisingly large amount of breaches occurred, with continual blasts from the whistle. The Game In the early, stages of the game and from a difficult position from well out J. Koopu sprang a surprise when he slipped a long low field goal between the posts. Opotiki Rangitaliki: 0.

Rangitaiki \\f\s off side, and a succession of scrums took placc. Rangitaiki gained ground with Hicks and for a time Opotiki appeared to be a poor exhibition of tackling taking place. C .Walker, Opotiki's halfback, ran through with the ball but was not supported and was pulled down. J, Koopu cut through the opposition and passed to Parkinson who was nearly over but was pushed out. A long pass from Poihipi to his backs resulted in the ball going out to D. Moore who went over for a good try in the corner. J. Koopu failed with the k'icH. Opotiki 7 ? RangitaiHi 0. A penalty for off side play was awarded to Rangitaiki, M. Lees missing. J. Koopu lost a good chance by hanging on too lojig. Rangitaiki backs went away, and toolc play to Opotiki's line just as halt-time was called. Opotiki backs were in action soon after the kick off, but. infringements held up the movement.- Now Rangitaiki took a hand, but Opotiki carried play back only to be penalised. Laurie took a very long kick which failed, and play fluctua.tr ed. Another penalty was taken by M. Lees the ball striking the cross bar and bouncing back into the Held. Rangitaiki backs were in action but the movement broke down at the centre. J. Koopu made a good run but a succession of scrums and line outs took place until Opotiki kicked over the Ime, only to be beaten in a'"race l'or the ball. A penalty kick to Rangitaiki gave Walker a chance to find the Tine. Rangitaiki backs were awayi but off side play broke up a good opportunity. Play centred near halfway l'or a time until the. Opotiki backs went into action for M .Dela<mere to go over wide out. J. Koopu landed a good kick. Opotiki 12, Rangitaiki 0. Rangitaiki got the ball from the scrum in a handy a dropped pass spoiling a chance. Moore made a good run and centred to near the posts, a scrum in that position resulting.' From this scrum the Opotiki half, J. Wairau, cut through to touch down in a handy position. T. Koopu converted. Opotiki 17, Rangitaiki 0. Mr C. Donovan, of Te was referee.