RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 70, 6 May 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RAISING THE CURTAIN FIRST GAMES OF SEASON SATURDAY’S CONTESTS The first matches of the football competitions to be played under the Whakatane Rugby Union took place last Saturday and attracted more public interest than usual. On the whole the standard could be described as very satisfactory and in spite of some walk-over victories there were several bright individual interludes by players from all competing teams. There is strong evidence of excellent talent which should do much to provide a memorable representative side later in the season.

THE SCORE BOARD WHAKATANE SENIORS Ruatoki beat Taneatua 9—6. United beat Poroporo 31—0. Paroa beat Wairaka 34—3. JUNIORS / United beat Taneatua 20—0. Poroporo beat Ruatoki 15—6. Paroa beat Waimana 20—3.

The team showing most promise is undoubtedly the United (Whakatane), which played a sound and somewhat pretty game against a weakened Poroporo side. The outstanding man was McGougan who was responsible for six tries two of which were converted. The team which was faultlessly dressed showed an understanding which was surprising in so early a match.

On the other senior field a heavier Paroa team ran rings around the newly-formed Wairaka side. The game was ragged from the outset and gave the referee (Mr J. Whitehead) a fairly hectic job of work. Sheer weight carried most of Paroa’s scores to fruition and a different tale will be told when they encounter sturdier competition. Wairaka’s weaknesses can be best mended by intensive practice and individual training, They have yet to harden up. Out in the country another reasonably interesting senior game took place, Ruatoki supporting a team of good potential calibre. County football appears to be on the up-grade this year.

The junior fields also showed promise, but here again the United side seemed to carry the laurels as far as team-play was concerned. It is however too early in the year to venture any opinion regarding individual teams. Re-shuffling of position training anpl. club football experience must make a vast difference all round.

THE SENIOR GAMES UNITED’S SUBSTANTIAL WIN United kicked off against Foroporo’s opposition of ten men, which however built up to fourteen within ten minutes. Despite this disadvantage the blues were agressive from the outset and kept the blue and whites on their toes.

United discovered strength in its hard spoiling pack which paved the way to the first score by McGougan in the corner. Two more by the player followed in quick succession after which Poroporo staged a ragged counter-attack. Debreceny opened and sent McGqugan away for yet another score between the posts, which was the first to be converted. A slower period followed but poor tackling again gave McGougan his chance to sprint through the opposition and touch down beneath the bar for a further converted try. Just prior to half-time Le Pine sent the ball over the bar from a penalty award and the score registered United 21, Poroporo 0. The second spell saw a tightened game with forward work predominating. Poroporo improved by keeping the ball on the ground and smothering. United recovered and Cave opened up for McGougan to score again between the uprights, Le Pine converting.

Cave was next to add to the United total, outpacing Kingi on the wing and sprinting round for a converted try. The game ended shortly after with the score: United 31, Poroporo 0.

Mr A. Breward was referee. (Continued next column)