RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 10, 12 August 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR PLAY WAIMANA v WAIRAKA I , , i mmm The only senior match played at the Whakatane Domain on Saturday was a contest between Wairaka and Waimana, which resulted in a win for the visiting side by 12 points to 9. The game, which went away to a ragged start, did not take long -to warm up and before long both sides were handling confidently. Wairaka once again displayed a much-im-proved foz’m and gave Waimana good competition. First points went to Waimana after that side had been attacking strongly, when G. Mitchell sent a penalty kick from • inside the 25, squarely between the posts. Wairaka came back with a fast attack and throwing the ball about with all the confidence in the world, bustled Waimana properly. Ten minutes of this type of play was sufficient to find an opening in the visitors’ defence, . and Mokomoko dived through in possession to equalise. The try went unconverted. Waimana 3, Wairaka 3. After these initial thrusts, the game warmed up more, and the battle crept by degrees to Wairaka’s quarter. A penalty kick gave Mitchell a shot at goal. The leather again went in the right place and Waimana’s score was raised to 6. Wairaka opened the second half with an attack which swept play to Waimana’s end of the field. Right in front of the goal a penalty kick was awarded to Wairaka. It was easy meat for Hohapata who sent it sailing high between the uprights to make the points level again. Endeavouring to re-establish their lead, Waimana sent a thrust through to Wairaka’s territory. Inside the home team’s half, a penalty kick was awarded. Mitchell’s attempt was not good enough and the leather swept away in the hands of the Wairaka men.

But Waimana regained possession, and in a sweep brought play back to Wairaka’s quarter. A back movement was completed when Addison tok a nice pass and crossed to touch down in the corner. The kick was low. Waimana 9, Wairaka 6. Keeping the pace on, Waimana had Wairaka playing an almost wholly defensive game. A penalty kick made a break and Wairaka took the leather away, but the visitors soon had possession again. Back in Wairaka’s quarter, G. Mitchell took the leather during a passing rush and swept round the opposing men to score in the corner. The try was unconverted, and the score board read: Waimana 12, Wairaka 6. : Waiinana’s next attack broke down in the ruck and the Wairaka pack took the leather away. Following it every inch of the way they swept to the visitors’ quarter, and from a melee on the try lirie, Bluett dived over in the corner to score. Waimana 12, Wairaka 9. Waimana pressed another attack, and very tight play began to develop when the final whistle brought the match to a close. Mr H. Mahy refereed.