RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 90, 24 June 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S GAMES PAROA LEADS COMPETITION UNFORTUNATE RUATOKI INCIDENT Football throughout the Whakatane Union's area was advanced a further stage last Saturday when all grades continued with improving standard. Selectors are becoming more actively interested in the individual players and we understand that when the next rep. teams are announced there will be many surprises. The only untoward "incident of any note occurred at Ruatoki, where in the concluding stages of the match between the home side and Taneatua, the referee had cause to order off the Ruatoki captain for a display of temper. As a result the whole team walked off.

Paroa continued its victorious progress by defeating Wairaka, a muchimproved team, by a handy margin. United's win against Poroporo was a one-sided walk-over. The senior match at Ruatoki was a fairly torrid game from the outset, though we gather Taneatua had the better of play in most exchanges. There had been several hints of 'fists' in the tight play. In the latter part of the second half, when the heme side was making every endeavour to - score, tempers were becoming frayed, and reached a climax when the referee (Mr A; Breward) stopped the game and ordered Tihi, the Ruatoki captain, off the field. The Ruatoki team appeared disgruntled and after a brief consultation left the field with about ten minutes to go to the end of the game. Taneatua who were leading by six points were declared the winners. The matter will be dealt with by the Union.

The junior and third grade games have shuffled down to their relative values, and the strongest teams appear to be now unbeatable.

THE SENIOR FIELDS UNITED v POROPORO United Seniors scored an overwhelming victory against Poroporo at the Domain on Saturday when the home side claimed 30 points to the visitors' 6. United's combination was good, and the side time and again were able to push through the weak Poroporo defence without any trouble. The first try came from a back movement. Cave went through almost to the line where he passed to McGougan to touch down. The kick was short. Almost immediately after, a forward rush initiated by Green was completed by Gardiner who crossed halfway between the post and the corner flag tf&r the second try. McGougan's kick, which sailed squarely between the uprights, brought the points to eight. ~...-...,..... .. ..

The ground which Poroporo next [gained temporarily, was not held, and a forward rush by United teok played back to the opposing 25, where a penalty kick was sent over the bar by McGougan. The same man touched down in the corner a few minutes later, from an opening made by Cave. Half-time score was 14—0 in United's favour.

Play remained the same after the change-over, and Thorn was the next to cross. The score was raised to 20 a few minutes later when McGougan sent another penalty kick over the bar.

A period of loose play brought United into Poroporo's quarter again, and snapping in the ball, Shapley crossed near the uprights. McGougan's kick was good again, and the points board showed United 25, Poroporo 0. A surprise came for United a few minutes later when Poroporo suddenly found an opening, and sent King across for that side's first try of the game. The kick was low, and the points remained at 3. United swept again to the opposing quarter, and Cave, making an excellent opening, passed to Brown, who touched down behind the goal posts. With five minutes to go, Poroporo took play by stages downfield, and 'right on time, Ngoungou crossed giving Poroporo another 3 points.

The final whistle found the score board reading 30—6 in United's favour.

Mr J. Keepa refereed

WAIRAKA v PAROA VISITORS NOTCH A VICTORY The Wairaka-Paroa match which took place at the Domain on Saturday was one of the best club matches it has been our pleasure to witness this season. The game was fast, and supplied plenty of thrills and excitement for players and spectators alike. Despite the evidence of the scores (Paroa 13, Wairaka 0) the Watch was very even, and there was very little to pick and choose between either team. Wairaki piayecl a much better game throughout than usual. Wairaka took the initiative at th° first whistle, and for a period, Paroa really had their backs to the wall. Recovering, the defenders became the attackers, and a muffed defending movement on the part of Wairaka, made the necessary opening for Riini to touch down. The kick was wide. Paroa maintained the attack until half-time, but Wairaka's defence proved sound enough to guard the. line safely. Paroa 3, Wairaka 0.

Immediately after the change-over Wairaka repeated their - former effort. Play swept to Paroa's quarter, and with a battle royal waging right on the try line, bad luck alone prevented Wairaka crossing. ' Paroa managed to get the leather away again, and a struggle all over the field ensued. Suddenly on Wairaka quarter-line, Awa broke away, and cheered on heartily by 'crowd completed an excellent runaway try between the posts. Honana's kick was sound.

Following up the advantage, Paroa kept Wairaka defending, and from a scrum, Riini crossed in the corner. Ranapia's kick was ruled as over by the referee against the decision of the line umpires.

No further score was made, and the final points were Paroa 13> Wairaka 0. Mr J. Whitehead refereed.

JUNIOR GAMES UNITED v RUATOKI HOME TEAM'S VICTORY The Whakatane United Junior team notched another win on Saturday afternoon at the Domain, when they defeated Ruatoki by 14 points to 3. The game was good and although open play dominated, both packs also put in hard work. United's three tries and Ruatoki's single touchdown were all the result of good positional play. Scorers for United were Goodall (2) and Hunt the latter man also converting one try and kicking a penalty goal. .Mr G. Oswald refereed.

PAROA v TANEATUA A Very efficient back line and 15jnan combination throughout brought Paroa, the leading team in the Junior competition, a decisive victory over Taneatua, at the Whakatane Domain on Saturday. The score board, which finally read 39—0 in Paroa's favour is a good indication of' the play which* was dominated from start to finish by the blackclad side. Points were piled up for Paroa by Tawa, Wano, Hakopa, Keepa, Martin (3), Ruru, Riini, Lafferty and Kaiwhata, whilst Harawira and Lafferty (2) were responsible be-t-ween them for three conversions.