RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 59, 28 July 1947, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES KEENLY CONTESTED SENIOR FIXTURE Rugby was advanced a further stage in the Whakatane and Rangifaiki areas over the weekend. In Whakatane the old rivals, Poroporo and Paroa, tried conclusions in one of the hardest senior games seen for many a day. The result, a drawn match was a fair indication of the play though general surprise has been expressed at Poroporo’s improved form. A keen game between Wairaka and Taneatua was witnessed on No. 2 field, the former team giving a good account of itself. SENIOR FIELDS PAROA AND POROPORO DRAW The match opened at fast pace which was maintained practically throughout. The evenness of the packs was early in evidence as play swayed uneasily between the two twenty-five’s. A beautiful line kick by Laurie initiated Paroa’s first offensive and the black jerseys swept deep into Poroporo’s last quarter. J. Biddle escorted the blues clear of trouble. Cleland and Harawira returned after some solid exchanges between the packs at midfield. The blue pack however was more than equal to it and cleared again. A Paroa man, Marin Huri was injured and forced to retire.

Poroporo forwards again took charge and in a series of swift invasions caused the blacks to accept a couple of forces. Half-time came without points to either side.

The same heavy pace characterised the second half with Paroa carrying out the first attack and severely testing the blue defence. Rangikotua broke clear and relieved at the critical juncture. The game was still a typically forward one, the blacks hanging on the outskirts and waiting for the openings that seldom came. Paroa advanced threatening the blues last line but J. Biddle beat the invaders to the force and saved what seemed to have been a certaintl. Nuku and Biddle carried the ball to open country in spectacular fashion.

Offside play by a blue forward gave Dodd a long shot at goal from near halfway. The attempt fell short by a few yards; From the scrum the blacks attempted to cross but the blue defence was too sound. The Poroporo boys were now playing with a vim. Kororareka and Rangikotua carried through but a free kick for obstruction arrested the drive, and gave the blacks respite.

In a swift attack Biddle and Hei collided in mid air, the former retiring seriously injured. With only a few minutes to go Paroa pressed hard to open an account but the blues remained firm and the game ended in a draw. Mr J. Whitehead was referee. WAIRAKA 16, TANEATUA 3 The game between Wairaka and. Taneatua' could not be described as a good exhibition of football although there were some flashes of brilliant play on occasions. It was a hard, clean game and Wairaka were undoubtedly the superior side. Wairaka had some difficulty collecting a full team and eventually. 'Joe Rafferty, a. jun : or, was called on and played a very good game.

From the kick Wairaka took the initiative. Some good moves by the backs resulted in Lafferty nearly scoring. A 25 was ordered and Taneatua gained a little ground. A penalty kick was awarded Wairaka almost on the halfway mark. They took a shot at goal but it fell short.

From an infringement in a scrum on the 25 awarded against Taneatua Tina Riini scored an easy 3 points. Wairaka 3, Taneatua 0. The yellow team followed up smartly by scoring the first try. Their backs gained possession from a scrum, swept down the field and Rip Crapp forced beside the goal post. Tina Riini converted. Wairaka 8, Taneatua 0. Taneatua was awarded a free kick near halfway but this fell short. The Taneatua pack got in a good run and carried play to within a few yards of the Wairaka goal. A try appeared imminent but Lafferty saved with a nice line kick. Halftime came with the score at: Wairaka 8, Taneatua 0.

Soon after play had recommenced the Taneatua backs were set moving from a line out. They broke through and Simpson passed to Tumatahi when he was tackled. Tumatahi dived oveg halfway between the posts and the sideline. The kick missed. Wairaka 8, Taneatua 3. Tina Riini was the next to score. From a movement by the backs he went over in the corner. Wairaka 11, Taneatua 3. Another move by the backs soon after resulted in T. Crapp adding a further three points. Tina Riini converted with a fine kick making the final score: Wairaka 16, Taneatua 3. Mr Oswald was referee. . JUNIORS WAIRAKA 13, POROPORO 6 The only junior game at the Domain on Saturday was between Wairaka and Poroporo. It was a hard, fought match and- Wairaka earnedthe decision. The halftime score consisted of a penalty each. Poroporp. scored a try and Wairaka took twoconverted tries late in the game. For the winners, -!. Lafnerty kicked a penalty and two conversions. H. Merito and W. Thompson each scored tries. Wano put over a penalty for Poroporo and Tiepa scored* Mr Whitty was referee.