RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 38, 9 June 1947, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES

p;W.D.’s GOOD DISPLAY

Conditions were far from good from both players and spectators viewpoints on Saturday. During the second half of play in the senior games at the Domain a very heavy shower of rain fell and the field soon took on the appearance of a paddy field. Spectators availed themselves of whatever shelter they could find. The teams carried on despite the inclement weather and slippery ball. The P.W.D. team never bothered to attempt several of their conversions as a straight kick was almost an impossibility under the circumstances. Sportsmanship is a big feature in all games and the new team has shown that they have plenty of it. Heavy defeats they have had but still came up smiling on the next Saturday ready to enjoy a game whichever way it went. Their play has always been clean and in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Their showing on Saturday was good and it is to be hoped that they can keep it up and that success will come their way in the near future. POROPORO 24, P.W.D. 14

P.W.D. put on a really good, game and played, as several on the sideline remarked, more like a team. These players had strong competition in Poroporo but their determination saved them well and they acquitted themselves well. Poroporo played hard but found it work enough to maintain their small lead. It was a good game considering the weather was against football.

Poroporo set a stiff pace from the start. It was some time before a score came then J. Biddle went over. At this stage the ground was bad and was slowly but surely deteriorating. The try went unconverted. Poroporo 3, P.W.D. 0.

Kopae was the next to score and C. Morrison put the kick over. Play was in P.W.D. territory when a blue player put in a kick straight down. Kopae followed through fast, and was too quick for P.W.D. Poroporo 8, P.W.D. 0. Hearty applause from the sideline was accorded N. Rangiaho, P.W.D., when he scored a well deserved try after a long dribbling rush. W. Biddle converted. Poroporo 8, P.W.D. 5. Poroporo received a free kick when an infringement occurred in front of the P.W.D. goal. Kororiko put the kick over. Poroporo 19, P.W.D. 5. After half time P. Merito scored and R. Kingi followed shortly after. Merito converted his own try but an attempted conversion of Kingi’s failed, the ball bouncing off the bar. Poropor 19, P.W.D. 5. W. Paul scored the last points for Poroporo. D. Merito converted. Poroporo 24, P.W.D. 5. It was towards the final stages of play that P.W.D. scored their three final tries. Hawira took the first and the kick failed. Soon after G. Johnston scored and no attempt at a conversion was made.

P. Riha scored the last try of the match in the last few minutes of play. This brought the score to: Poroporo 24, P.W.D. 14.

The score remained the same until the final whistle. Mr Whitty was referee. UNITED 6, WAIRAKA 5

By two penalty goals to a converted try United beat Wairaka in a game that was just as even as the scores indicate. Play was fast from the start to the final whistle and was never in either team’s half for long. The greasy ball spoiled many promising passing rushes. In the second half both teams adapted themselves well to the wet weather conditions resulting from a downpour. There were plenty of fast rushes in which the ball travelled almost the length of the field at the toes of the forwards. Smart and resolute defence by both sets of backs was often applauded by the onlookers. Although each club had some good men on the sideline every man on the field proved remarkably "fit so that it would be correct to say that all played good games and there were no “passengers” in either team. The teams were:—

United: McKenzie; McGougan, Gave, Boon; De Lacey, D. Stewart; Morpeth; Butler, Francis, Shapley, Campbell, Green, Wilson, Berg, L. Stewart.

Wairaka: Back; Bluett, Tina Riini, Lawson; M. Riini, R. Crapp; Rip Crapp; Tai Riini, H. Bluett,-J. Merito, Whakapango, C. Merito, B. Merito, K. Merito, Fraser. Referee, Mr A. Breward. Wairaka were first to show up and went close to scoring from scrambling play near the posts. Tina Riini had an unsuccessful shot from a penalty. A minute later the Unit-

ed backs took play into Wairaka territory and McQougan failed with a free kick. The United forwards warmed up, but over eagerness spoiled some of their efforts.

A penalty against Wairaka for lifting in a scrum close to their posts gave McGougan a chance to open United’s score, but his kick from inside the 25 was a poor one.

A good rush by United forwards compelled Wairaka to force near their posts. A minute later McGougan made amends for his two previous failures by kicking a splendid penalty goal from about, 40 yards United 3, Wairaka 0.

Play livened up as Wairaka tried to even the scores. There were flashes of exciting back play, but the tackling on both sides was very sound. Wairaka invaded the United 25, and T. Crapp had a long shot at gaol from near the 25 flag. The ball fell short close to the United posts, and several Wairaka men followed up the kick. In a flash Tina Riini had snapped up the ball to dash over and score at the posts. He converted his try. Wairaka 5, United 3.

After this there was no let-up in the speed of the game, both sets of forwards starting some good rushes in midfield that tested the defence of the backs until half-time.

Early in the second half Wairaka bustled the United backs and took play to the United line. However, an infringement by Wairaka following a scrum on the line gave United relief. The Wairaka forwards kept up the pressure and were nearly over again in the corner. Following up a free kick well the United forwards took the ball at toe to the Wairaka line, but a minute later the Wairaka forwards booted through and several men of both teams dived for the ball as it went over the United line. A drop-out was ordered. At this stage McKenzie was injured and was replaced in the United team by Hunt, who played on the wing while Boon went to fullback. Once again United had to force as Wairaka’s keen forwards swarmed over the goal line. Good bustling play put United on attack, and after Wairaka had conceded a force down they were penalised near the 25 flag and McGougan kicked another goal from a difficult position. United 6, Wairaka 5.

Heavy rain set in and sent spectators scurrying for shelter, but the 31 men on the field continued in the downpour and some keen wet-day football took place without addition to the score.

In the last 10 minutes of the game, with the rain ceased, United redoubled their efforts to cross Wairaka’s goal line. Several times the United forwards were ‘ nearly over from scrambling play in one corner. Wairaka were attacking just on time and Boon, who had played soundly at fullback drove back; their final rush with a long clearing kick.

■ SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES GAMES AGAINST RANGITAIKI The selectors have chosen the following'teams to represent the Whakatane Sub-Union in their matches against the Rangitaiki A and Rangitaiki B teams on June 14. The A \ teams will play for the Dunderdale Cup. It must be pointed out that both these games will be in the nature of a trial to aid the selectors in choosing the best representative side to challenge for the Apanui Shield. ' * A Team Fullback: R. Laurie (Paroa). Three-quarters: B. McGougan (United), R. Cave (United), J. Biddle (Poroporo). s Five-eighths: K. Hurran (Taneatua), R. Hohua (Paroa). Half-back: R. Crapp (Wairaka). Back row: M. Campbell (United). Middle row: K. Hollis (United), H. Honona (Paroa), P. Ratahi (Paroa), R. Cleland (Paroa). Front row: R. Hona (Paroa), K. Merito (Wairaka), Martin (Waimana). B Team Fullback: R. Rowson (United). - Three-quarters: Tai Riini (Wairaka), H. Nuku (Poroporo), E. Hunt (United). Five-eighths: D. Stewart (United), Tina Riini (Wairaka). Half-back: D.-Morpeth (United). Back row: M. Berg (United), at 12.45, A team 2 p.m.

Wilson (United), P. Gardiner (United), Hughes (Waimana*). Front row: Te Pou (Waimana), D. v Butler (United), W. Cassidy (United). Reserves: Forwards—F. Bluett (Wairaka), H. Francis (United), Crapp (Wairaka). Backs, McKenzie (United), T. De Lacey (United), K. Ratahi (Paroa), M. Harawira (Paroa). B team assemble A. and P. Shed Middle row: BaH (Taneatua), EL