RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 71, 25 August 1947, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

GRAFTON DEFEATS WHAKATANE A cold wind and a slightly overcast sky were the main features of the conditions under which Saturday’s Rugby was played. On the other hand the ground was in quite good condition and the only game played, between the visiting Grafton and a Whakatane rep. team, was fairly fast. GRAFTON 18, WHAKATANE 16 Whakatane put up a very good display in. the face of a team which just missed Auckland senior competition honours. Grafton lost this in a play off with Marist. Whakatane tried hard in the final period of the game to make up their two points deficiency. The scoring was for the latter part of the game close. After getting away to a bad start Whakatane caught up close end fought hard. The packs of both teams were good with Berg doing great work for Wnakatane. Grafton had a very tricky back line and some excellent moves originated from this source. Schubert, the Grafton wing, was particularly fast and neat. The teams were as follows:

Grafton (Black and White): Clanej! Lees, Godwin, McNeish, Pierce, Hall, Niven, Smith, Dick, Scott, Sorby, Tate, Schubert, Reid, Lawry. Emergencies: Hughes, Mcßae. Whakatane (Blue): Wilson, Te Pou, Hona, Ratahi, Semmens, Ranapia, Campbell, Berg, Hurran, Tina Riini, Morpeth, McGougan, Cave, Hudson, Rowson.

Grafton won the toss and elected to play with the wind and into the sun. From the kick off Grafton attacked and for the first ten minutes or so play was in Blue territory. Cave cleared with a free kick. A lineout and a scrurh came next then Grafton was awarded a free kick. Grafton had a shot with their next penalty and a very difficult kick narrowly missed- From a series of scrums and line kicks Blue took play into Grafton territory. McGoiigan had a kick at gaol from i. penalty, but the wind spoiled a good kick. . A further kick by McGougan found touch inside the Grafton 25. Grafton backs took over from the lineout but Whakatane’s hard working pack broke the movement and +ook possession. They carried play right up to the Black gaol line but lost the ball. The Black back line got away again and every man handled the ball. They got the overlap and Sawby got over with three team mates in support between the uprights. p ate converted. Grafton 5, Whakatane 0.

McGougan tried another shot from a difficult angle and was unsuccessful.

The Grafton backs took possession and pushed to the half way mark then kicked down field. Rowson missed the ball. He managed to gain possession again and got in his line kick before the opposing backs, who were following through fast, arrived on the scene.

Soon after the Black backs got away again. The ball went from hand to hand without a slip and Sawby was left with only the fast moving McGougan to oppose him. The tackle was too late though and Tate added a further two points with a conversion. Grafton 10, Whakatane 0. At this stage Lees, Grafton hooker received injuries to his shoulder but played on after receiving attention. Whakatane toook a hold on themselves and took play up to the Grafton line. Ranapia fumbled and a Grafton man saved by pushing the ball into touch. Whakatane gained possession and tried to force their way through but the Black defence held. A loose scrummage resulted and Grafton gained possession, Schubert using his speed and agility to good advantage. Rowson missed a catch and Reid raced through. McGougan came up fast but missed his takle. Tate converted. Grafton 15, Whakatane 0. At half time R. Lawry, Grafton, went off and was replaced by Hughes. Whakatane forced the pace in the second half and a dribbling Irtish' by the forwards with Berg prominent resulted in a try by him beside the post. The try was converted by Semmens. Grafton 15, Whakatane 5. A matter of a few minutes later a penalty by Whakatane found touch on the Black 25. A scfpm was ordered after the line out and the ball was handed out to Ranapia who

scored. McGougan missed with a difficult kick. Grafton 15, Whakatane 8, The Whakatane pack were responsible for the next try. McGougan got away but a scrum back was ordered. The Blue pack had the better of the going. Semmens broke away the possession, closely pursued by Pierce (Grafton). He scored beside the posts and converted his own kick.

Grafton 15, Whakatane 13. A long kick by Grafton was the subject of a great deal of criticism from the side line but Reid upset the contrary arguments. He followed through fast, picked up and scored in the corner. The kick missed. Grafton 18, Whakatane 13. A long kick from Blue territory went into the hands of the Grafton fullback but he fumbled and lost the ball to Te Pou who crossed and scored. Te Pou is a capable man and not slow to take advantage of an opportunity. Grafton 18, Whakatane 16.

Whakatane supporters frequently and anxiously consulted their watches in the remaining few minutes of the game. Despite fast moves out of which anything could have eventuated the score remained until the final whistle went. Mr J. Whitehead v/as referee. JUNIORS UNITED DEFEATS WAIMANA The United juniors met stiff opposition at Waimana but eventuallysucceeded in taking the honours. At half time the score was nil all. Dines scored for Whakatane and G. Goodall converted. Fleming scored for Waimana. Mr J. White was referee. MAORI ALL BLACKS THREE FROM BAY It was announced last evening that the Maori All Black team to tour the Dominion and to play 8 matches in the main centres commencing September 3rd, will include three players from the Bay of Plenty. These are:— • J. Goldsmith, halfback (Opotiki). M. Delamere, three-quarters (Opotiki). H. Ranapia, forward (Whakatane).