RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 8, 7 August 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

BAY OF PLENTY V WAIKATO

The following team has been selected to play Waikato at Hamilton on Saturday next 10th August, commencing at 2.30 p.m.:— Fullback: Clarke (Tauranga).

Three-quarters: D. Moore, M. Delamere (Opotiki, Capt), Tapsell (Te Fu&e/. Five-eighths: Gardiner (Tauranga), T. Koopu (Opotiki). Half-back: Hooper (Rotorua). Front Row: Woods (Rangitaiki), G. Seton (Rotorua), Waldergrave (Rangitaiki, vice-capt.). Locks: Ranapea (Whakatane), Jacobs (Rotorua). Side Row: Bourke (Rangitaiki), McLaughlin (Opotiki). Back Row: Gage (Opotiki).

Emergencies (backs) Burt (Rangitaiki), T. Moore (Opotiki); (forwards) McGuigan (Te Puke), Murray (Rotorua).

RANGITAIKI SENIORS The Rangitaiki Senior team to play Te Puke at Te Puke on Saturday, August. 10, will be as under:— Fullback: B. Peni. Three-quarters: Billing, M. Lees, R. Lees. Five-eighths: Jacobsen, SJiuster. Halfback: Linsell. Back Row: Nathan. ■ Middle Row: Hall, Gardiner, Morkel, Cobden. Front Row: Hohipa, Kakaho, Edwards. Emergncies: (Backs) Sutton, Savage, Ng'aheu; (forwards) G. Murray, Meti, B. Anderson. Results of matches played under the Rangitaiki Rugby Union on Saturday, August 3, were as follows: Seniors Te Teko 6, v Edgecumbe 3. Otakiri 16, v Matata 10. Juniors Matata defeated Otakiri. Awakeri won by default from Thornton. SURPRISE VICTORY OTAKIRI DEFEATS MATATA At long last the Otakiri Senior football team has come out of its shell. During the season they could always gather together a scratch team, but never could win a game. They were happy to remain at the bottom of the ladder. But on Saturday last, after waiting for Foote's truck to bring half of its team, and another few minutes waiting for Danny (that courageous• old soul') they showed what they could do.

As a result of a wet field and a greasy ball a fast forward game was witnessed. For a start Otakiri had the better and a try seemed imminent when the ball came out to Armstrong, to Gardiner, and to- Billing who broke through only to be stopped by Ron Lees. Matata broke through and came to light with a try which was converted. Otakiri again attacked but were driven back and Matata again added to the score board by converting a second try. Matata 10, Otakiri 0. . But Otakiri was not to be beaten. The forwards forced their way through and Cobden opened their score. Gardiner’s kick failed. Matata 10, Otakiri 3. Play oscillated from end to end until half-time.

In the second spell Otakiri had the wind blowing them uphill. They attacked and remained about a yard from the goal line for some-time until G. Murra*y decided it was time to make things move by adding another score to Otakiri’s list. Gardiner’s kick sent the ball between the uprights. Matata 10, Otakiri 8.

Matata again tried to penetrate, but luck was against them. Otakiri was awarded a free kick and Gar-, diner put them a point in the lead. Matata 10, Otakiri 11.

The game then became fast and furious. Matata kept the ball in midfield until Billing came dribbling almost to the goal line, and sent infield for Cobden to collect and again dive over the line. Gardiner converted just before the referee, Mr J. Hyland, declared it time. Otakiri 16, Matata 10.