RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 13, 19 August 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RAIN UPSETS FIXTURES CUP MATCH ONLY Heavy rain which fell throughout Saturday morning and the better part of Saturday afternoon, considerably upset the Rugby matches which had been arranged. Of the four matches scheduled to take place on the Whakatane Domain, only one, the 3rd Grade match for the Parata Cup, was played. In the other sections Ruatoki defaulted to United (Juniors), whilst the senior matches were cancelled by mutual agreement after the three visiting teams had arrived on the ground.

PARATA CUP OPOTIKI v WHAKATANE VISITORS TAKE TROPHY In teeming rain, the challenge from Opotiki for the Parata Cup, was played at the Whakatane Domain on Saturday between Whakatane and Opotiki. The match resulted in a win for the visiting side by 16 points to 5. Opotiki fielded a strong and capable side against the Whakatane team which proved itself last Saturday against Rotorua. The handling in the visitors’ line was superior but it was of little use to them as the greasy ball and slippery ground made it dangerous to throw the leather about. Neither side played a wet weather gamei and attempted passing rushes invariably broke down in the line. The Whakatane forwards were superior on the day, and hunting together, put up a good display. In the first half, Whakatane were the aggressors, and most of the play was in the Opotiki quarter. The home boys were very unlucky not to score an several occasions, Opotiki forcing before a try could be secured, or sending the leather away downfield.

The first try went to Opotiki after a forward break through. The leather, in the home side’s twenty-five went out to Abbott who ran round to touch down midway between the post and the corner flag. Right on the half-time whistle, L. Goodall equalised for Whakatane with a try close to the post. Carter’s kick was sound, and the score stood . a at Whakatane 5, Opotiki 3.

In the second half, Whakatane opened aggressively, but Opotiki woke up considerably, and before long had Whakatane defending all the way. A try by Price alongside the goal post and a conversion by Griffin raised the visitors’ points to 8, and shortly after another touchdown (unconverted) by Abbott raised them again to 11. Play never left the home side’s quarter, and another try was inevitable. This time it was Price who crossed again between the posts and Toka who converted, bringing the final score to 16—5 in Opotiki’s favour. Mr G. Oswald refereed.