RUGBY FOOTBALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 74, 1 September 1947, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES < RANGITAIKI RETAIN SHIELD The main Rugby feature game on Saturday last was the Shalfoon Shield at Matata in which the Rangitaiki • Junior reps, beat Whakatane six nil. The match which was fast and open was very even and the holders had to exert their best efforts. Rangitaiki is to be congratu-* lated on winning their fifth challenge game for their recently acquired trophy.

In Whakatane the only match played was that between Paroa and United. It resulted in a runaawy victory for Paroa and a very indifferent display by United. The first half was full of interest but the second deteriorated into a walkover for the black jerseys. Weight and pace figured in Paroa’s initial attack. The shock momentarily swept United off their feet and hard defence alone saved the white jerseys. From a scrum close in Ruru forced his way across and scored. Dodd’s kick was rushed down by Berg. Paroa 3, United 0.

Maintaining their offensive the Paroa side again forced the issue and Goodwin who was always to the fore seized a further opening to bullock his way over. Ranapia had no difficulty in converting.

Paroa 8, United 0.

More even play followed the white forwards making better headway and holding their own in the tight. However Paroa worked the ball from practically forward play in the white quarter. ' Harawira crossed again for Paroa for an unconverted try. s ' Paroa 11, United 0.

Back at halfway the black jerseys were penalised and McGougan with a magnificent kick found the bar. ! Paroa 11, United £.

United now went forward to bustle the black defence and keen following up notched another try when Butler with De Lacey in attendance beat Laurie to the force. McGougan’s kick was worth two more points. Paroa 11, United 8.

Paroa immediately returned and drove United back to their last line where from a line out A .Martin shot over to score in the corner. Dodd’s kick failed to register. Paroa 14, United 8. Halftime arrived soon after.

Hard forward work characterised the opening of the second half with Paroa steadily making headway into United’s half. The whole of the black back line now handled and Paroa swept forward ir rest ably with the pack in attendance. The defence crumbled and Cleland went through to score. Davis’ kick missed narrowly. Paroa 17, United 8.

The packs again took charge keeping the game tight. Ranapia retired with an injured knee and was replaced by Wharewera. The white backs handled on one of those rare occasions but the tackling was too severe. Poor marking however let the blacks through again and Martin who was following up well scored again. Dodd missed a comparatively easy kick: Paroa 20, United 8. United was still severely bustled, Ratahi going through in fine style till grassed by Rowson. McGougan figured in United’s counter offensive, but there were too many individuals, in Paroa’s pack. However Campbell breaking away from the tight sprinted off with Boon and Morpeth in attendance. The ensuing dash was the prettiest piece of individual work of the day arid gave United its first advantage in the second half. A free kick to United in a fair position was missed by McGougan. Thereafter the United game deteriorated. From a close in scrum Dodd pulled off a beautiful dummy and sent Goodwin away to score again almost behind the uprights. Dodd converted. Paroa 25, United 8. Almost immediately after the same man secured and threaded his way through the whole of the opposition to score again at the foot of the upright. Hona converted. Paroa 30, United 8. The game ended soon after. Mr J. Keepa was referee. WIIAKATANE REPS. BEATEN JUNIORS AT MATATA

A very good and willing game at Matata resulted in Rangitaiki Juniors retaining the Shalfoon Shield by defeating Whakatane by six points to nil. At all times the pace was fast and both teams were willing.. Rangi-

taiki had the stronger pack and their back line figured more frequently than that of Whakatane. Without i a doubt the better team was although Rangitaiki were, lucky that five or six penalties at goal by Whakatane failed to put up points. The teams lined up as follows:

Rangitaiki (blue and black): Hawthorne; Savage, Tukuwako, Wetini; Law, Davies; Titirahi; P. Hunia, E. Eivers, G. Pryor; Caver hill, Lyon, Gardiner, Eriako; Logan. Whakatane (blue ai\d white): R. Goodall; Addison, Rutherford, Quigg; Hill, Skelton; M. Tiepa; Patterson, Howat, Bell, Mundy, Mickell, Chadwick, Taylor, G. Goodall. Rangitaiki kicked off into a bright sun and strong wind. Whakatane took play into Rangitaiki territory in a very forceful manner. An infringement by a black player gave Howat a kick at goal. It missed and black came straight out into the field again. A further infringement by Rangitaiki resulted in a scrum being ordered 10 yards from their own goal line. The position for Rangitaiki seemed far from comfortable for a while until they were awarded a penalty kick, allowing them to clear. They took play into blue territory and a free kick to Whakatane gained very little ground. Whakatane forced their way downfield again and Rangitaiki had some anxious moments until a nice line kick eased matters.

The Rangitaiki backs took the ball but a very nice run came to an end when Whakatane was awarded a free kick. The backs got away soon after again and took play to the Whakatane 25 where they were awarded a free kick. A shot at goal missed and J. Taylor cleared with a nice kick. From the line out the the black line got away again but were stopped because of a forward pass. / 8

The Rangitaiki backs began to show their mettle.

From a free kick'for an infringement in the scrum on their own 25 Rangitaiki moved up fast with the ball at their toe. The ball was pushed out in the corner. From the line out Rangitaiki secured and M. Savage scored. The kick missed. Rangitaiki 3, Whakatane 0.

Shortly before half time Rangitaiki secured from a scrum md moved up the field. When they were awarded a free kick in front of the Whakatane goal F. Davis 1 made nc mistake about where to send it.

Rangitaiki 6, Whakatane 0. In the first few minutes of the second half Whakatane was awarded a free kick. Rutherford took it but •failed to put it over. Soon after Tiepa took another penalty on the 25 in front of the Rangitaiki goal. It looked a certainty but narrowly missed. * •'

Play swung between the goal and 25 yards line until a scrum was ordered almost on, the Rangitaiki goal line. Tiepa secured, nipped round the side and sidestepped from the arms .of one opposing player into the arms of another. A long kick down found R. Goodall out of position and play came back to the half way mark. For the remainder of the period both teams were hard at it. Whakatane forced the pace until the final whistle but could not get through. Their opponents responded capably but could not score either. The game continued up and down the. field with no scoring until the final whistle went with the score still at . Rangitaiki 6, Whakatane 0. Mr Cresswell of Rotorua refereed the match. BAY REPS

TO MEET'MAORI ALL BLACKS The following team will represent the Bay of Plenty against the Maori All Black team on September 10: Fullback: J. Clarke (Tauranga). Three-quarters: B; McGougan (Whakatane), R.._ Lees (Rangitaiki), D. Moore (Opotiki). Five-eighths: C. Waihape (Opotiki), M. Wickham (Te Puke). Half-back: L. Raureti (Rangitaiki). Back Row: M. Sadd (Te Puke), H. Roigard (Tauranga), T. Ratahi (Whakatane), S. McLaughlan (Opotiki), J. Wakelin (Tahranga). Front Row: K. Woods (Rangitaiki), J. Seaton (Rotorua), T. Gray (Opotiki). ( Emergencies: Forwards, J. Semmens (Whakatane), D. Hughes (Te Puwe), H. Lingman (Opotiki). Backs, Ngatai (Taux-anga), J. Aanapia (Te Puke).