RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 87, 17 June 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PLAY OVER WEEKEND WHAKATANE DISTRICT Good football was again witnessed over the past weekend in the Whakatane Union’s territory. Standard was well maintained -and though in the senior grade the two hardest matches were played away from Whakatane, those in the Domain attracted a large attendance. Selectors who are on the job, have been amazed at the new array of talent which has arisen over the past few weeks. Whakatane’s rep. announcements may therefore carry a few surprises.

Much depended on the outcome of the match at Ruatoki between that Rome side and Paroa (leaders in the competition). The match was keen and hard, and produced excellent football, apart from the bad .tackling which however is a weak : spot throughout the Union. Ruatoki put up a splendid fight, and in reality were the aggressors three parts 'Of the game. The visitors however . snatched a decisive victory in the last five minutes, when Laurie scor- ■ ed. At Waimana another hardfought game took place with very little between the teams. Taneatua won by a narrow margin after a close torrid game. This match pro- • duced a spectacular try which by popular opinion has been described as having the genuine ‘All Block • touch.’ It was a piece of magnificent play by Doolan, who almost from his own goal line outpaced and outplayed all tacklers to run the whole . length of the field and score near • the goal. The Wairaka-United game saw the former having a day off. In the Junior realm teams sorted themselves out more definitely. Paxoa and Waimana had easy wins and ; are emerging strongly from the competitional round. The next game : should be watched with the closest interest. In the Third Grade, High ; School continued its victorious record.

THE SENIOR GAMES

PAROA DEFEATS RUATOKI Paroa lost no time in forcing the pace and but for the. timely work of M. Tihi in the first five minutes a score to the visitors must have eventuated. The game remained in Ruatoki’s half with Dodd, Paroa s the play in with handy line-finders.

Ruatoki registered improving form as the game advanced and the pack held its own against Paroa’s onslaught. Laurie skied, a brace of well-plac-ed free kicks and Ruatoki remained in hard defence. Biddle however was safe at full and the grey jerseys gradually cleared. Biddle’s line-find-ers were a sight to behold. Goodwin initiated a nice movement for Paroa, sending Laurie away to score in the corner. Dodd’s convertion kick was a beauty. It was a forward game for the next ten minutes. M. Tihi opened for Ruatoki with a solo sprint and carried to Paroa’s quarter where Biddle potted a beautiful goal sending the side line into hysterics. The points at half-time were: Paroa 5. Ruatoki 4

Ruatoki swept to the attack i i .the second half. Paki broke clear. McGarvey figured on the 'wing but a free kick saved Paroa and transferred the game to half. Cleland led the black jerseys into the Ruatoki citadel, but Biddle again proved safe. Once more McGarvey secured and carried to the line. F<;: A\ird passing sent a scrum down. Okaha sent the black backs away but the deadly Ruatoki tackling prevented any advance. A long shot penalty kick by Dodd missed by feet.. Ruatoki had an anxious spell defending. Laurie rushed down Biddle’s kick and from a five yards scrum . Whini cleared smartly. The temporary loss of Laurie, who retired with an injured nose was a severe one to Paroa, who defended hard. Harawira and Cleland however hunted through and tested the grey defence, but the forwards were an even match. Okaha set his backs in motion from a close in scrum and after all had handled Laurie slipped over for a handy try. Dodd failed to convert. The concluding stages found Ruatoki all out to score. The forwards penetrated to the goal line but were unable to cross. Paroa played safe, finding the line at every opportunity. Cleland led the blacks clear in a last minute attack but the game ended as the ball found touch in the corner. Mr J. Keepa was referee.

UNITED DEFEATS WAIRAKA United defeated Wairaka in the Senior match in the Whakatane Domain by 31 points to B'. The game was a fair display of football, but particularly in the latter half, became hopelessly one-sid-ed. From the outset, United took the initiative and several minutes after play commenced, Cave touched down between the posts giving United first blood. McGougan’s kick made the points. . Bustling tactics kept Wairaka defending and Brown succeeded in crossing in the corner. Eight points for Wairaka came quickly in the next ten minutes, Bluett being responsible for the lot with a penalty kick, a try and a conversion. With the points suddenly equal, United forced the pace again and Brown crossed, touching down in almost the same spot as before. Half-time score read: United 11, Wairaka 8.

United’s dash was still good after the change-over, and two runaway tries by Brown and Morpeth, both squarely between the posts resulted in quick succession. McGougan converted both, and United’s points jumped to 21. After a period of - inconclusive movement, Francis took a try, and McGougan’s conversion added another 5 points. The final score of 31 points to 8 was attained a few minutes before time when McGougan downed the ball between the posts, !and also converted. Mr H. Mahy was referee. THE JUNIORS UNITED v PAROA Paroa Juniors triumphed over the United team at the Domain on Saturday by 22 points to 5. Although the United pack was superior on the day, the Paroa line proved too useful, and when the leather left the forwards, United were lost. Paroa played throughout as a team, and thoroughly deserved their win. Scorers for this side were Tawa, Uafferty (2), Harawira, Martin and Ruru. A try each was converted by Lafferty and Martin.

United’s points came from a try by Goodall, converted by Hunt. Mr J. Whitehead refereed. Waimana’s Good Win Waimana fielded a spoiling pack which raked from most of the scrums. The homesters played hard game from start to finish but-lacked that thrust and final punch to round off their numerous good movements. Passing was weak on both sides but Waimana with its slightly heavier scrum carried the day in all tight play. For Waimana Rua scored two tries, Addison and Bell one a piece, while Hillman notched a penalty goal and converted a try. Te Whetu scored Ruatoki’s only try. Mr A. Mitchell was referee. Poroporo v Taneatua The Poroporo v Taneatua Junior match played at the Domain resulted in a win for Poroporo by 6 points to 3. Tme game itself was fast, but the sound defence of both sides permitted few movements to advance far. One good feature was the back line play on the part of both teams. Taneatua’s 3 points came from a try by Steer, whilst Ihia and Tiepa, with a try and a penalty kick respectively gained Poroporo’s points. Mr C. Ross refereed.

RUGBY COMPETITION The results of the Rugby competition will appear in next issue.