RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 72, 10 May 1946, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OPENING AT TANEATUA WIN FOR RUATOKI The 1946 Rugby season opened last Saturday at Taneatua, with a match between senior teams representing Taneatua and Ruatoki East. The latter side obtained a win by 9 points to 6. The match was interesting, and play was even. The game proceeded at a good fast pace, and players did not slacken in their efforts. Weight told against Taneatua in the set scrums, but that side’s lighter forwards had better results in the loose. Ruatoki opened the scoring shortly after the match commenced. An infringement by Taneatua led to a penalty kick being awarded against them. Tihi converted it nicely,* and Ruatoki was 3 points up. From the kick-off, Taneatua carried play to Ruatoki’s line. Ruatoki defended successfully, but a dribbling rush oh the part of the Taneatua forwards, placed Shaw in a position to equalise. He did so. The kick was wide, and the score board read: Ruatoki 3, Taneatua 3. At this stage in the game, it was only the fast breaking Taneatua backs which nullified Ruatoki’s consistently successful hooking in the set scrums. Passing movements by the Ruatoki backs were likewise quickly broken up. Back at halfway, Ruatoki carried an offensive movement to the tryline. Taneatua displayed good defensive action, and the whistle went penalising Ruatoki. Whare’s (Taneatua) shot at goal was not successful. A few minutes later a second opportunity occuiyred, but Whare s kick again went wide. Ruatoki atacked m earnest, and bustling tactics brought results, McGarvey (Ruatoki) crossing the line for a further three points. Tihi’s kick was unsuccessful. A good passing rush by Taneatua shortly after was broken up, but an infringement gave Tihi another chance. This time his boot was sound, and Ruatoki were six points in the lead. Almost on the final whistle, Taneatua rallied for a final effort. A fast bustling rush carried play to the try-line. Walker broke away, and the next moment he was over the line downing the ball between the posts. The two points attached to. the kick did not eventuate, and the final whistle found the score board reading: Ruatoki 9, Taneatua 6.