RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 16, 26 August 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PILE MEMORIAL CUP PAROA DEFEATS TIKIRAU RANGITAIKI OUTCLASSES ROTORUA With club football drawing to an end in the Whakatane district public interest last Saturday was focussed upon the friendly challenge game at Matata when Rangitaiki overwhelmed Rotorua, and the first game of the John Pile Memorial Cup series in which Paroa easily defeated Tikirau the leading Apanui team from the East Coast.

Both games attracted large crowds the Whakatane match being watched by a particularly large number of visitors from the Coast. Though this match opened potentiously it later straggled off into a very mediocre exhibition of rugby. Paroa, obviously the stronger team from the outset, appeared to drift into an easy style of haphasard play and were never fully extended. The visitors appeared to be . a fairly strong country club team, fielding a heavy slow moving pack which was no match for the more experienced Paroa veterans.

The surprise game of the weekend was the 20 point victory of Rangitaiki against Rptorua. Although it was anticipated that the visitors would probably be beaten it was never considered that the margin would be so wide. Rangitaiki played possibly its finest game of the present season, backs and vanguard working in cohesion and backing up all movements in a way which dazzled the Rotorua backs and never left the outcome in doubt. The handling by the backs was spectacular and we honestly wonder if the same form had been struck earlier whether more important matches already played would not have had a different result.

The Bracken Cup game between United and Wairaka saw a close win for the former by one point. This even contest was a hard spectacular match in which two evenly balanced scrums fought out the issue backed up by eager rearguards. The game deserved a greater degree of public interest than it was actually accorded.

THE GAMES PAROA RETAINS PILE CUP The teams lined out as under:— Tikirau (yellow and black): Poutu J. Waititi, Hindmarsh, Callaghan, M. Waititi, Hauiti, Walker, Ruwhiu, .L Weanga, W. Weanga, M. Waititi, Tubble, T. Calaghan, Morete, Kingi. Paroa: Dodd, Laurie, Hohapata, Riini, J. Riini, Simpson, Goldsmith, Ranapia, Wahapango, Ratahi, Harawira, Cleland, Hona, Wharewera, Nathan.

Paroa kicked off with the wind and were soon battling down at Tikirau’s quarter way mark. Laurie figured in some clever elusive work close in. A long shot at goal by Dodd missed narrowly. The defenders however were'speedily making their weight felt and Tikirau remained in hard defence.

The first try came from Goldsmith who was playing particularly well at five-eighths. Dodd had no difficulty in converting. An effort to rally the visitors came when M. Waititi headed the pack in a determined invasion. The Paroa defence remained sound and in the counter movement Goldsmith

in a spectacular sprint scored again. As play progressed the general standard of football declined. Paroa let up as Tikirau became less aggressive. Several promising back movements broke down at Simpson who did not seem to strike his true form. The visitors found a tower of strength in M. Waititi who was responsible for seven of the final ten points. This man who always appeared prominent kicked a neat penalty and later a field goal for his side. The other points came from an unconverted try by Hindmarsh. Paroa’s points came from * Goldsmith (2), T. Riini, Hohapata and Ranapia a try apiece and Dodd and T. Riini a conversion each.

The’ best players in the Paroa combination were Goldsmith and Ranapia with Laurie and T. Riini also deserving mention. M. Waititi and Hindmarsh figured prominently for Tikirau. Mr J. Keepa was referee. BRACKEN CUP HARD WILLING GAME Their was very little between United and the revitalised Wairaka team last Saturday when they tried conclusions in the first Bracken Cup game. United fielded a particularly nifty back line in which McGougan, Reid and Morpeth were prominent. The Wairaka team, including again a number of veterans who lent new vim to the boys from the harbourside possessed a lively line and a hard battling pack. The points were actually a fairly good indication of the run of the play.For the winners Morrison scored one try and McGougan two. There were no conversions. Wairaka’s points came from a try by R. Crapp which was converted by T. Crapp who also kicked a penalty goal. Mr H. Mahy w§s referee. JUNIOR GAME UNITED WALK OVER VICTORY The Tikirau Junior team was well beaten by United. The home side never left the issue in doubt and from the outset it was obvious that the visitors were not in the same class as a team. By half-time United had knocked up 21 points mainly by dint of hard following up and heady combination play in the back line.

The final score of 31 was made up as under: Butler 2, R. Goodall, Dines, Henderson, Buddie and Rutherford one try each. The conversion points were added by Hunt (2), Rutherford (2) and Dines (1). Tikirau’s only points came from an unconverted try by T. Rau. Mr F. Peebles was referee. PAROA DEFEATS POROPORO This match was a clear cut win for Paroa. Poroporo were no match for the more versatile back line. Paroa’s - points came from Riini (2 tries) and Harawira (1). Lafferty and Riini added two conversion points. Poroporo’s points came from an unconverted try by K. Martin. Mr A. Mitchell was referee. BAY REPS TO PLAY AUCKLAND Following is the Bay of Plenty team selected to play Auckland at Auckland on Saturday, August 31:— Fullback: Clarge (Tauranga). Three-quarters: McGougan (Whakatane), Delamere (Opotiki, Capt.) Tapsell (Te Puke). Five-eighths: J. Gardiner (Tauranga), T. Koopu (Opotiki). Half-back: R. Hooper (Rotorua). Forwards: B. Gage (Opotiki), Seton (Rotorua), Waldergrave (Rangitaiki), McGughan (Te Puke), Ranapia (Whakatane), T. Jacobs (Rotorua), McLaughlin (Opotiki), Woods (Rang'itaiki). Emergencies, forwards; W. Murray (Rotorua), Delamere (Opotiki); backs, D. Moore (Opotiki), G. Burt (Rangitaiki). MAORIS v AUSTRALIA The following have been nominated by the Bay selectors for inclusion in the Maori team to play Australia:—J. Gardiner (Tauranga) first five-eighth; M. Delamare (Opotiki) centre three-quarter; T. Jacobs (Rotorua) lock; S. McLaughlin (Opotiki) breakaway; B. Gage (Opotiki) front row; Ranapia (Whakatane) lock.