RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 37, 14 October 1946, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

J. PILE MEMORIAL CUP PAROA BEATS TAURANGA At the Whakatane Domain last Saturday, Paroa again successfully defended the John Pile Memorial Cup, this time against Rangataua, a Tauranga team. The match was fast enough, and open throughout, the warm day apparently not affecting the standard of play. Paroa were lucky to claim the win they did (16 points to 8), as in Rangataua, they were, faced with a practised and skilful fifteen.

The teams lined out as under:—

Paroa (black): Laurie, Wells, Harawira, Tai Riini, Hohapata, Simpson, Goldsmith, Wharewera, Aukaha, Hona, Ranapia, Ratahi, B. Harawira, Cleland, Hakopa. Rangataua (black' and white): Faulkner, C. Kakau, Kahotea, P. Harawira, V. Dixon, B. Te Kani, B. Rewiti, H. Ririnui, T. Ririnui, D. McPhee, B. Ririnui, T. Kakau, J. Ririnui, S. Ririnui, T. Te Kani. Play opened at a good swift pace, Paroa taking the kick and facing the sun. Rangataua immediately initiated a forward movement which met the Paroa pack and a scramble at midfield ensued. Up went the leather, and the Rangataua forwards following up fast, sent McPhee across to score first blood. The kick failed.

With play very open, the leather was thrown about a lot, the visiting backs having the edge on Paroa as regards handling. After a period of solid work in which the black side and particularly Laurie were called upon to use their defence considerably. T. Kakau (Rangataua) secured inside the 25 near the line, and bullocked his way over for a try. C. Kakau’s conversion added the extra points, and the score board 'Stood at Rangataua 8, Paroa 0. From a defence movement, Paroa initiated, a forward rush, retaining possession until they reached Rangataua’s quarter, where a strong counter attack broke up the combination. But the home forwards were, all there to meet the situation, and Simpson emerged from the ruck to fling himself over the line gaining Paroa’s first points. The kick failed, and half-time, which came shortly after, found the score board reading Rangataua 8, Paroa 3.

With the changeover, Rangataua went into a fresh attack which car-

ried them to Paroa’s end of the field. Play was still open and the back lines in both cases had their fair share of the ball. By degrees the home side recovered ground, and then Cleland, gathering in on the quarter line jinked his way through the opposing defence men and round to touch down behind the post. Goldsmith made sure of the easy kick, and to the delight of home supporters, equalised the points at 8 all. Paroa held their advantage and forced play again to Rangataua’s end, but lost possession and 50 yards of ground when the opposing pack counter attacked. Both packs raced for the leather. C, Kakau emerged from the ruck with the oval and went very fast for the corner. With inches to go he was forced into touch, and Paroa prepared to defend their try line.

A free kick saved the situation, but 'a few minutes later J. Ririnui flash-, ed to the same corner. From the set scrum on the line, Paroa secured, and put yards of safety between play and their try line. Ranapia secured and made a run for a touch down, but Faulkner forced, and play came back to midfield. Paroa took the initiative x again, and kept the visitors’ defence well employed. Suddenly C. Kakau (Rangataua) cleared and came fast up the side line but the Paroa pack smothered the movement, and kept play in Rangataua’s half. A penalty kick gave Goldsmith a shot at goal. The ball sailed the posts, putting the homesters in the lead. Almost immediately after, a forward rush took the black side down the line again to the quarter line, where Hona gathered in to cross midway between the post and the corner flag. Goldsmith added the other two points, and when the final whistle sounded shortly after, the score boai’d declared Paroa still the holders of the cup, and the winners by 16 points to 8. Mr G. Oswald refereed. JUNIOR FIELD UNITED v OPOTIKI On the Junior field, Whakatane United met and drew with Opotiki, ‘the score being 3 all. The points give an excellent indication of play, the sides being evenly matched. Throughout, the game was clean and fast, and provided an interesting curtain raiser to the big match. On a number of occasions, good individual play was witnessed whilst the combination on both sides, and particularly in the Opotiki line, was of a high standard. Rutherford was responsible for the home side’s points with a penalty kick. Opotiki also gained their points by the same method. Mr B. Norman was refereh.