RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 21, 6 September 1946, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND BEATS BAY OF PLENTY

ISSUE IN DOUBT TILL FINAL WHISTLE

The Auckland B representatives were again successful last Saturday afternoon, beating Bay of Plenty11—9 in a fast and often spectacular game at Eden Park. Play was

even closer than indicated by the score and despite the fact that at the interval Auckland was leading B—6, Bay of Plenty had the better of the spell in all departments. Bay of Plenty played vigorous football and at times in both spells

tempers became frayed and there were warm exchanges in the tight. It was not till midway through the second spell, when Bay of Plenty were leading 9—B, that the Auckland backs began to function as a combination. From then on, however, they were constantly on attack. Bay of Plenty was unfortunate in losing its captain, M. Delamere, centre three-quarter, who received a cut over the eye and had to leave the field early in the match. B. McGougan, who moved in from the wing to take his place, was the outstanding back on the field.

Bay of Plenty began in impressive style with the forwards showing plenty of vigour and getting a good share of the ball from both scrums and line-outs. Hooper was shooting out good passes and though the early movements did not get far the inside backs looked dangerous. Auckland settled down after a few minutes and retaliated strongly. From a scrum inside the Bay 25 the ball travelled out to Smythe, and when he was checked just short of the line was sent infield again for Rae to score. Sorenson’s kick missed. Auckland 3, Bay of Plenty 0. The Bay of Plenty forwards unleashed a series of determined rushes which had Auckland in trouble. After being held up right on the line their efforts were rewarded when Gaze forced his way over wide out. Auckland 3, Bay of Plenty 3. Play was fast and full of incident, with Bay of Plenty throwing the ball about truly and enjoying a territorial advantage. A try looked certain when the Bay captain, Delamere, caught the Auckland backline out of position with a centre kick. McLaughlin, following up fast, had an open field, and only a yard or two to go, but the bounce of the ball beat him, and in the ensuing scramble he got offside. McGougan, the Bay of Plenty left wing, featured in a determined dash down the line at the end of a back movement. He was stopped by Smythe, but threw infield to Delamere, who went across for a fine try. Clarke was again unsuccessful with the kick. Bay of Plenty 6, Auckland 3. The Auckland backs began to see more of the ball as play progressed, but faulty handling deprived the wings of opportunities. After repeated efforts to penetrate the defence Rae tried a short kick and a favourable bounce saw Jarvis beat several Bay forwards to the ball and score a lucky try. Sorenson converted with a fine kick to put Auckland in the lead. Half-time score:

Auckland 8 Bay of Plenty 6 Almost on half-time Rae, who was playing an outstanding game in the Auckland backs, brought the crowd to its feet with a dash from halfway which took him right through the defence. He sent on to Sinel, who had a clear run, but not quite enough pace, and was pulled down just short of the line by McGougan. The spell ended with the score:

Auckland 8 Bay of Plenty 6 Bay of Plenty went straight to the attack on the resumption and hammered hard at the Auckland line. Twice it looked as if they were over, but the referee -ruled otherwise. Finally, after a forward struggle in the corner Gage forced his way over for his second try. Gardiner’s kick went wide. Bay of Plenty 9, Auckland 8. Determined efforts by Auckland to make up the leeway saw Bay of Plent pinned in its own quarter after the kick-off. The backs were handling better and Redmond featured in a couple of determined dashes dowm the line. The Bay of Plenty defence was equal to every emergency, however, and the pressure was relieved when a loose rush led by McGuigan took play back to halfway. , It was hard football and there were some torrid exchanges in the rucks, which did not escape the notice of the crowd. The pace was still exceptionally fast and excitement ran high as both sets of backs took turns on the attack. A dribbling rush led by McLaughlin, Rana-

pia and McGuigan had Auckland in trouble, but the defence held. Potier put Auckland back on attack with a solo run from a set scrum and after repeated efforts by the backline Redmond crossed in the corner with several Bay of Plenty players hanging on to him. Sorenson’s kick was outside. Auckland 11, Bay of Plenty 9. Sorenson was playing first class football in the fullback position and was a thorn in the side of Bay of Plenty, featuring in many of Auckland’s back movements. Auckland had some anxious moments from another assault by the Bay forwards, but Lydster secured from a- scrum on the line and took play back into Bay of Plenty territory. The match ended with Auckland still on the attack and the score Auckland 11 Bay of Plenty 9 The teams were:

Auckland: Sorenson, Smythe, Sinel, Redmond, Peck, Rae, Potier, Blow, Boyd, Te Puni, Tregoweth, Jarvis, Haydon, Lydster, Bourke.

Bay of Plenty: Clarke, McGougan, Delamere, Tapsell, Gardiner, Koopu, Hooper, Woods, McLaughlin, Ranapia, Gage, McGuigan, Waldergrave, Seton, Murray. Referee: Mr W. W. Thompson.