THE RUGBY GAME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 93, 1 July 1946, Page 5

THE RUGBY GAME

WHAKATANE UNION COMPETITIONS PAROA’S LONG LEAD KEEN LOCAL CONTESTS Rugby continued to draw large crowds last Saturday when club games under the Whakatane Union were advanced a further stage. The only unfortunate feature appears to be the growing number of incidents whereby the referee has been forced to order men off the field. Four such occurrances took place last Saturday in the Whakatane Domain, and spoilt, what would have been good games. Paroa notched a further victory in club laurels, defeating United in a spectacular match, which until halftime was in United’s favour. However the Paroa boys came again solidly in the second half, and discovering new dash and form, quickly reversed the position. The Tane-atua-Poroporo match was not interesting after halftime, when only mediocre football took place. At Ruatoki a somewhat surprising game was waged between the homesters and Waimana. Ruatoki did most of the attacking, but the visitors fielded some classy individuals, who provided some pretty flashes of excellent Rugby, Mitchell being outstanding.

All junior games were interesting and keen, the greatest difference in points occurring at Ruatoki, where Taneatua went down to the tune of 20 points.

At Opotiki, the first game for the Hurunui-Apanui Shield, saw the holders emerge the victors after a particularly hard and exciting game. The crowd was a record one and the gate yielded £l2O. The next challenge occurs in two weeks time when Tauranga will take the field.

THE GAMES PAROA DEFEATS UNITED k A hard match, in which the home side led up till half-time was played between Paroa and United on the Whakatane Domain on , Saturday. The top team of the competition (Paroa) notched another victory by 11 points to 6. Although United spent most of the game defending, their two tries came from moves which were definitely in the class of good football.

From the kick off, Paroa took the initiative, and"carried play with a sweep to United’s quarter. The home pack countered with a dribbling rush, but Paroa proved equal to it and checked it. Right on United’s defence line, a try seemed imminent but a penalty kick saved the situation. The Paroa backs got the ball away but the United pack squashed the movement, and dribbled right down field. In Paroa’s quarter, Morpeth gathered in and slipped over the line between the posts, giving first blood to United. The kick was blown off.

Paroa took the leather again to United’s quarter-, but United got the ball away after two set scrums ‘on the line. Dodd narrowly missed a penalty kick for Paroa, and ha.ftime found United still with the only 3 points on the board. After the change-over, the United back line became more promin:.it. Several moves brought play upheld in successive stages, until, in Paroa’s quarter, Cave gathered in and beating Laurie,. touched down five yards in from the corner flag. McGougan’s kick was wide, and the score board read United 6, Paroa 0, Back at halfway, Paroa started a forward movement. The leather went out to the backs, back again to the forwards, and Hona dived over <to give Paroa 3 points. Dodd’s kick missed and the points were 6—3 in United’s favour. A few minutes later ißanapa crossed from a practically identical movement, evening the points. Dodd’s kick made no differ-* fnce. Paroa maintained the attack and the next move made an opening for Simpshon to cross. Dodd sent the leather over the bar neatly, and the score board read Paroa 11, United 6. Time was called shortly after, with the scores unchanged. Mr A. Breward refereed.

TANEATUA v POROPORO A DRAWN GAME A drawn game was played between Taneatua and Poroporo at the Whakatane Domain Saturday. The points 3—3, which resulted respectively from a penalty kick and a try came early in the first half, and although both sides battled hard, the leather did not cross the line, or sail between the uprights again. An even tussle at midfield marked the opening stages, but when the sides settled down, Taneatua began to gain ground. On Poroporo’s quarter line, Semmens sent a penalty kick over the bar, putting his side 3 points up. Poroporo equalised shortly after when Ngoungou crossed well out for a try. The kick was wide, and points remained at 3—3. A tussle ensued at midfield, with Poroporo gradually gaining the advantage. Solid defence work on the part of Taneatua eased the situation but at halftime Poroporo was again attacking to some advantage. Poroporo continued to be aggressive after the change-over, but Taneatua defended their quarter well. A penalty kick by Paul was short, and Taneatua took the ball out into the clear. Play swept all over the field and developed into a series of loose rushes and uncompleted movements.

The match concluded with no further score on either side, a penalty kick by Semmens right on time being blown just outside the upright. Mr F. Darvill was referee.

WAIMANA SENIORS WIN From a ragged start the match developed into quite a good exhibition. Ruatoki fielded a good pack which had the best of all tight play. Waimana, at first short of players and not up to normal form found the going hard. The home side came near to scoring in the first ten minutes when Rogers cut through to miss the line by inches. Hard up and downfield play took place until Mitchell staying a beautiful interception swept almost completely through the opposition before unloading to Marra who scored beneath the bar. Ball failed to convert.

Ruatoki forced the pace but the Waimana defence remained sound though penalty kicks for various Ruatoki infringements gave welcome respite. Waimana reversed the tables just before halftime, when clapping on the pace the whole team attacked. Close in to Ruatoki’s goal G. Mitchell cross kicked to centre where Hughes snapped up and fairly flew over to score. Boynton had* no difficulty in converting. Waimana 8, Ruatoki 0. The second half saw additional points for Waimana when Mm ra tossed to Rakuraku who crossed for an unconverted try. Ruatoki’s first points came from a successful shot at goal from a penalty award by' Uatuku. The game deteriorated into a heavy forward class of rugby to which both packs mutually contributed. A flash of brilliant play came w r hen McGarvey made a solo run and scored in the

corner for Ruatoki. Uatuku missed with the kick. Waimana 11, Ruatoki 6. Waimana responded and Mitchell passing six men slipped through to score again. Boynton failed to convert. The Ruatoki defence appeared to collapse. In a matter of minutes Hayward again cut through the defence for an easy try which Boynton converted, making the score 19-6 in Waimana’s favour. On the call of time McGarvey lobbed over for a penalty kick making the final points Waimana 19, Ruatoki 9. Mr H. Mahy was referee.

JUNIOR GAMES PAROA v POROPORO At the Whakatane Domain on Saturday, Poroporo and Paroa Junior teams fought a hard match which resulted in a win for Poroporo B—3. Both sides played good football, and although the game was substantially a forward one, some neat back movements also eventuated. Poroporo’s points came from two tries by Nuku and Paul, the latter converting his own. Simpson was responsible for Paroa’s 3 with a try. Mr C. Ross refereed. United v Waimana Although United Juniors put up a game fight at the Whakatane Domain on Saturday, they were unable to prevent the opposing Waimana team notching a victory by 12 points to 6. Forwards and backs shared equally in the play, but Waimana’s defence men were particularly spoiling. Tries for Waimana were scored by C. Wardlaw, Robinson and Fleming whilst Rangi put a penalty kick over the bar, (another kick by Rangi was ruled out by the referee). United’s score men were Hunt and Goodall. • Mr G. Oswald refereed. RUATOKI’S WIDE MARGIN Ruatoki made no bones about making its victory over Taneatua conclusive. The final whistle saw a 20 point margin, which was made up as follows: S. Whetu, H. Biddle, T. Rangi a try apiece, D. Hohua a try and conversion and T. Whetu 2 tries. Mr A. Green was referee.