AUCKLAND DEFEATS BAY OF PLENTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 97, 14 August 1945, Page 8

AUCKLAND DEFEATS BAY OF PLENTY

KEEN WILLING GAME LOCAL REPS GOOD SHOWING The Auckland *B' representatives defeated! Bay of Plenty by 11 points to 3 on the Whakatane Domain ground last Saturday. The record erowd estimated to number between 3000 and 4000 was not disappointed in the hard spectacular game which took place and the cheering and general enthusiasm at times knew no bound's. The visitors lidded a bandy pack and an active line, but were prevented from rounding oif most of their movements by the fast breaking Bay scrum and the splendid tackling of' the backs. Both sides were unfortunate in not scoring more but on general showing the visitors thoroughly deserved their win and dominated all the open play. Had the Bay side Hung the leather about more freely and given Delamcre greater opportunities instead of employing the eternal smothering tactics ttocy did 5 the result might have meant more points, but the fact remains that the Aucklanders stood the strain better and were the fitter at thie last whistle. On the whole the Bay team surprised rugby fans on their aggression and standard of play and up till hall-time in spite of Auckland's lead it was anybody's game. There were splendid instances of dazzling individual play in both teams Paewai being outstanding for Auckland and Delamere for the Bay. The visiting pack hunted together better but had their work cut out to cope with the hard-collaring locals. Warm praise is due the referee, Mr L. Davies ? who handled the play strictly and impartially. There were no favour® and the penalties awarded against Auckland for scrum infringements definitely cramped their style. Mr Davies rulings were concise and explicit and his decisions were never in doubt. The Play Auckland (blue and white): Shilton t McCarthy McLaren Wynard, Wickham Paewai Hogan 9 J a 9 Stacey ? Ros,sitcr ? Lipscombe McEvoy Langford, and 13wan.

Bay of Plenty: Laurie, Parkinson Koopu Te Kani

Delamere McLaughlin, Poiliipi Harawira Phollips t Kakaho Koopu and Kakau.

Auckland kicked off with the sun and a light wind behind them. Swift exchanges at halfway took place until the Bay forwards secured and sent Delamere away. The Bay pack backed up strongly and made ground. Shilton relieved with a line finder.

Ranapea sought to long pass to the winger but the visitors streamed through. A moment later however Delamere with a brilliant cut passed through the opposing backs. With only one man to pass Parkinson mulled his pass and a certain try wasi lost.

Excitement on the side line was intense as, the Bay returned a swift Auckland attack with Harawira and Phillips prominent. A free kick due to offside play by Woods gave PaeAvai a favourable shot at goal which he missed narr<\ly. From a tussle at midliekl McCarthy .sprinted dear but Laurie was safe at full and collared in thte corner. Auckland came again with Wynard swinging round the wing and head-j ing for the corner. Once again; Laurie grassed in time and the lea- j ther bounded to the line. j

Parkinson and Delamcre staged a beautiful piece of dual work when to the delight of the sideliners they cut out the opposition and carried through to quarter way. Swift work by the returning Auckland pack saved another try and the ball went to the dead line. Paewai missed a fur- 1 ther penalty I'rom an acute angle.

Auckland now settled down to a powerful offensive which penned play inside the home half. A handy penalty through a visiting forward gave Koopu a chance at goal Avhicb fell short. Auckland returned and I'rom a serum the whole line handled beautifully. Stacev fed hack to AVickham who actually crossed hut was repealled for a forward pass. I'rom'

the scrum tire visitors secured and Paewai bullocked through to touch down. The scorer converted with a beautiful kkk. Auckland 5, Bay of Plent T 0. Phillips found ground for the home side in a fast dribble. McLaughlin carried oil down the side line but Muir the Auckland full punted to safety. A moment later Auckland infringed but Koopu's ;dck went wijdc. Fast see saw play at half now characterised the game with !>-■'?-- mere prominent in saving bis side on several occasions. The Auckland pack edged forward but another infringement sent the Bay away anid but for the watchfulness of Muir another tn 7 must have eventuated. A spectacular period in which the side liners were on their toes throughout followed in which little, ground was gained for either side. Half time arrived with the packs waging a solid battle at hmlf. With wind and sun in their favour the Bay side opened the second half promisingly the backs, throwing the leather about confidently and carrying play into Auckland's last, quarter. Delamere missed from an acute angle, in a further penalty award and the visitors broke free from the kick off. Delamere cleared and Ivoore following up swiftly notched the first try for Bay in the corner to the delirious cheering of the crowd. Koopu's kittle fell short by inches. Auckland counter attacked with a vim ? the backs in particular showing wonderful combination and fitness. Penalty kicks saved the Bay again and Delamere's line finder relieved from a really stic'ky position. Auckland was not to be denied however and the pack carried through to the Bay line where after a fateful five minutes a 25 yards kick was ordered. At this stage Laurie retired injured and Te Kani went back to full, Parkinson going into first fiveeigbths position. Auckland maintained the advantage and a free, for all developed on the Bay goal line. Paewai wa-s literally held up by the whole blue and j yellow pack and prevented from touching. A penalty kick saved the homesters again. Wic'kham sent the Auckland boys away but Poihipi with a beautiful kick shot the ball clear and almost cut out the whole of the visiting side. Paewai and Wynard raced back and smothered the attempt which came to a stop five yards in front of the line.

From the scrummage Bay was penalised for picking up in the tijght. Auckland attacked with Stacey, Dwan and Ross iter in the van.' It was here that Paewai snapped "P and threaded his way through to score near the goal. The &ame. man missed with the kick. Auckland 8 t Bajr of Plenty 3. Shortly afterward. M. Delamere missed with a fairly easy penalty shot. Wynard shone in some desultory play in front of Bay's goal and •suddenly dashed through to score in the corner. Paewal's kick failed again. Auckland Bay of Plenty 3. A knot of Auckland forwards, carried all before them and as Muir floored the man with the ball Rossiter accepted a forward pass and prevented another try for the visn tors. The city men however sustained their attack and the final whistle sounded with the Bay waging a grim defence with hacks against their last line. Mr Les Davies of Opotiki % was referee.