RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 47, 30 June 1947, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES WHAKATANE DEFEATS TE PUKE Soggy conditions following the recent rains hampered games at the Domain on Saturday. The game which held most interest for spectators was the rep. match between Te Puke and Whakatane. Te Puke fielded an excellent team and the margin of difference between the scores was no means of comparing the teams. The scoring was close until the final stages of the game when both teams were all out in their efforts to gain victory. Some good work by Rip Crapp in particular for Whakatane, was seen in the final stages. Te Puke were a perfect combination and worked very well. The game was followed closely by spectators in an enthusiastic manner, ft is to be hoped that Te Puke will be seen here again in the near future. They, are a team well worth watching and appear capable of holding their own with the best of their opponents. Though the home team won they were lucky indeed to win by such a big margin. They now have a great deal of respect to Te Puke according to several of the players. It was a really enjoyable game. WHAKATANE v TE PUKE

The home team scored after about five minutes of the game. Play was in Whakatane territory and Te Puke fans were becoming excited. Some fast play by the defending players quickly reversed conditions and T. Riini went over in the corner and the kick missed. Whakatane 3, Te Puke 0.

Whakatane had the sun behind them and this certainly helped them a god deal. Play Was held up for a lengthy period while C. Earp (Te Puke) received treatment for a broken leg. He was removed in the ambulance.

Whakatane again scored, this being the last alteration in the scores before half-time. K. Merito scored making the score: Whakatane 6, Te Puke 0.

After half-time Te Puke soon evened the score and were soon in the lead. R. Brownlee and M. Wickham scored tries and T. Jacob converted the first. Te Puke 8; Whakatane 6.

McGougan took three points from a penalty in front of the Te Puke goal. Whakatane 9, Te Puke 8.

Biddle scored a very spectacular and well earned try. He made a long-run and beat his way past several Te Puke players. The kick missed. T. Riini scored next and the score was: Whakatane 15, Te Puke 8. Te Puke scored and the try was converted. Whakatane 15, Te Puke 14. McGougan kicked another penalty from outside the Te Puke 25. Hohua intercepted a pass from a Te Puke player and was over before many had realised just what had happened. The kick missed. Whakatane 21, Te Puke 14.

Rip Crapp set his backs moving and McGougan scored. Crapp later scored a try of his own. The final score was: Whakatane 27, Te Puke 14. Mr J. Keepa was referee. UNITED 11, POROPORO 10 In a friendly match, not in the competition series, United defeated Poroporo by one point. For United L. Stewart scored a try, Hunt scored, converted and kicked a penalty. For Poroporo Rogers scored, Hoani kicked a field goal and Kopae scored a try. The game, being a friendly one, was treated in that way by players to the amusement of spectators. Mr C. Wells was referee. JUNIOR GAMES Two junior matches were played and both were good exhibitions of Rugby. UNITED 17, PAROA 5

United juniors gaive a good account of themselves to gain a victory by 12 points.

For the winners Brown and Goodall scored unconverted tries, Carling converted his own try and kicked two penalties. Tawa scored a try which he converted himself for Paroa.

Mr H. Mahy was referee. TANEATUA 6, POROPORO 3 . The Taneatua juniors had a hard job to gain the decision in this match. They did not score, their points coming from two penalties. For Poroporo Wano scored an unconverted try. Mr Whitty was referee. RANGITAIKI UNION The following are results of games played on Saturday:— Seniors: Te Teko 18, Matata 3; Thornton 15, Otakiri 9. Juniors: Te Teko 14, Thornton 3, Otakiri 6, Matata 3.

WHAKATANE v GALATEA TEAM FOR SATURDAY The following is the team chosen by the selectors to represent Whakatane in the first elimination against Galatea for the HurunuiApanui Shield to be played at Whakatane on Saturday, July s: Fullback: Laurie. Three-quarters: McGougan, Cave, Biddle. Five-eighths: Hoh'ua, Hurran. Halfback: R. Crapp. Middle row: Berg, Hollis, Honana, Ratahi, Cleland. Front row: Martin, Merito, Hona. Reserves—Backs: Tina Riini, Fowell, Nuku. Forwards: Wilson, Campbell, Ball. The Whakatane team* to meet at the cricket pavilion at 1.45 p.m. BAY REPRESENTATIVES Approaching Rugby representative matches of interest to Bay of Plenty followers, are as follows: July 12: Bay of Plenty v Thames, at Tauranga. July 16: Thames Valley v Bay of Plenty, at Tauranga (senior and junior). July 19: East Coast v Bay of Plenty at Opotiki.