RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 7, 5 August 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

OPOTIKI RETAINS SHIELD GAME IN THE MUD SCIENTIFIC PLAY IMPOSSIBLE Whakatane’s challenge for the Hurunui Apanui Shield has come and gone. The result was a three point margin victory for the holders after a gruelling mud-lark under atrocious conditions. With mud six inches deep covering fifty per cent, of the field and the balance ankle deep in dirty pools of water good fotball was out of the question and it was very early apparent that the winning team would only be determined by sheer weight and a big element of luck. However there were some fine flashes of brilliant play at isolated intervals and these stood out all the more from the stolid nature of the game.

A large and enthusiastic crowd attended in spite of the drizzling rain which fell most of the time, and the sideliners were not backward in their vociferous baracking as the game advanced into its concluding stages without a score to either side. As it was no line was crossed on either side, the only points coming from a well placed penalty kick by T. Moore. It became almost impossible to recognise the players as they became encased in mud and only positional play provided the clue in most cases. Penalties were again a frequent feature of the play and had the day been fine Whakatane must have clapped on a dozen points in the first half. As it was the ball became so sodden and greasy that even from a favourable position goaling was out of the question.

A big mistake of the challengers was endeavouring to play the leather instead of keeping it at toe. Most back movements broke down for this reason, while over and over again forward infringements were unconsciously committed through men slipping or over-running on either side.

McGougan played a magnificent game. Laurie at full was likewise an outstanding player who figured in brilliant individual play on half a dozen occasions. On the wing Cave was another powerful player, while Fowell at half was worth his weight in gold. The pack played soundly under the circumstances and it would be wrong to single out any individual excepting perhaps Ranapea who was excellent. In the Opotiki team the Delemare and Koopu Brothers figured prominently with Moore at half playing a great game. Morris was also well up to standard and stood his team in good stead. We suggest right here that all local Rugbyties would welcome a friendly return game with Opotiki on a fine day. What about it Opotiki? The Game The teams lined out as under:— Opotiki (black and white): C. Walker, O. Moore, M. Delamere, H. Morris, T. Koopu, J. Koopu, T. Moore, W. Delamere, Rewita, Te Oheare, Te Kani, Gage, Pohipi, McLaughlin. Whakatane (blue): Laurie, McGougan, Sisam, Cave, McCready, Tihi, Fowell, Awa, Cleland, Ranapea, Wilson, Moore, Harawira, Mtrito, Wahapahga.

Whakatane kicked off with a slight wind behind them and immediately swung into action, swiftly invading the Opotiki half. Ranapea figured prominently the ball being dribbled through until M. Delamere snapped up and returned to half. Morris took possession and carried on to quarter way where a fierce scrummage took place. With Harawira and Cleland in the van the blues returned after a hefty bout of close-in play. The whole team backed the spear-head up and the leather bounded to Walker the Opotiki full, who booted to safety in the nick of time.

The Opotiki backs now began to throw the sodden leather about—a remarkable feat in view of the conditions. Good ground was made until M. Delamere took a forward pass. Penalty kicks to either side were plentiful at this juncture but the elusive ball made success in this direction just wishful thinking. AH players were bedraggled by this time and even the referee was hard to distinguish.

Opotiki applied the weight and with McLaughlin in the van the pack carried through to the line where McGougan forced. It was anybody’s game in the next ten minutes when with the ball resembling a lump of soap both packs slithered in the sea of mud endeavouring to make progress.

A free kick was taken by Tihi from an acute angle but fell short. The game remained all in Opotiki’s quarter until the half-time whistle sounded.

Opotiki attacked from the new kick off. T. Koopu secured and set said but did not get far. A free kick to the holders saw T. Moore take a long shot at goal but the ball was too heavy. The forwards closed in again and a battle in the mud ensued until -M. Delamere found touch near Whakatane’s goal line. Harawira and Ranapea'carried to clear country but the hard slogging local pack slipping and sliding were again on the offensive and the blues had to defend hard.

Cave backed Tihi up in a drive to the corner but Walker was safe. It was a momentary flash and the black and whites were again battling at Whakatane’s defence where an infringement in a likely place gave T. Moore a shot at goal which he lobbed beautifully between the uprights. Opotiki 3, WhakataneO.

The game became a succession of scrummages at half in which Whakatane appeared to infringe with monotonious regularity. Free kicks put Opotiki again on the offensive and the blues fought back from their last quarter. Cave relieved with a splendid solo run to half-way. The effort gave the challengers new heart and the mudlark improved as they exerted new pressure.

Opotiki were in hard defence but the Whakatane pack continued to slowly forge ahead. In Opotiki’s quarter a handy penalty was taken by McGougan but the leather slipped off his boot and went anywhere. Almost immediately another infringement gave Tihi a chance which went the same way.

Laurie gave a bright little display on his own, whisking the leather, in a runaway sprint to‘half. Opotiki secured from a scrum and the whole team rallied in a pretty concerted drive into Whakatane’s quarter. Fierce rucking in which it was impossible to recognise anyone, took place, till McGougan swinging round at top speed made a magnificent save. The danger was not yet over however and D. Moore actually crossed to touch down in the corner only to be recalled for a knock on.

Whakatane with only a few minutes to go launched a determined attack which was still in force as the last whistle sounded.

Mr H. H. Gray of Rotorua, was referee.