RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 99, 15 July 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RANGITAIKI’S CLEAR VICTORY ROTORUA REPS. OUTCLASSED WHAKATANE UNION ROUND The most important fixture in the Whakatane district as far as Rugby was concerned was the match at Te Teko, where before a substantial crowd a much improved Rangitaiki fifteen comfortably beat Rotorua’s senior reps, in a friendly game. The match whilst hard and interesting failed to reach a particularly high standard, though individual flashes on both sides were pleasant to watch. Rotorua played as a newly selected team, whilst Rangitaiki has still much to learn by way of co-ordinating the forward division with the impatient back-line. The match served as a good barometer for forthcoming Hurunui Shield games.

The junior match at Te Teko produced some sound football and revealed many promising young players who will be forthcoming in this grade in future.

In the Whakatane Union the rounds continued to schedule. The most surprising feature was Wairaka’s victory over Taneatua before a crowded field of spectators. Wairaka from a dubious start has leapt into prominence over the past few weeks when its numbers have been increased with the inclusion of new blood. Playing at its present standard it is something of a pity that its new team had not taken the field earlier, when championship points were piling up. Ruatoki at Whakatane notched a long-deserved win against Poroporo, whilst United scored a victory against Waimana in one of the closest games seen in the Domain for many a day. Junior matches continue to register reasonably good football, and a useful rep. team would be available in the near future.